March Cn Question - Creative? or Not Allowed?

[KateD]

So I got my March CN in the mail today, and settled down for a good read, same as I do on magazine day.

I get just a few days in, and read the "Creative Ways to Make Contacts". Second column, under the heading "Get Creative" I get confused.

To jump-start her business in her new locations, Laurie got creative. "I home school my children, so I went online and joined two home-schooling Web sites in my new area a month before I moved. I asked if anyone would host a Show - I got two bookings out of that," she says.

I wish they had clarified how she did that without breaking our consultant's agreement. I'm not being argumentative, I am just genuinely confused.

It's one thing when I read it here on ChefSuccess (don't get me wrong, but if I read something that doesn't sit quite right, I check it out with my cluster before acting on it - though I'm sure you wouldn't steer me wrong intentionally!), but this is a publication from HO! And when there is so much "confusion" (whether real confusion or "looking-for-loopholes" or "plead ignorance" confusion) about web presence to start with this just seemed so, well, CONFUSING!!!!

Anyone? Bueller?

PS - Woohoo, cover girl Deb! I knew you were featured, but not that you nabbed the COVER! Hope they sent you a lot of extra copies!

 

[chefann]

This was mentioned when the CN was first posted. I think someone had a question about it in to HO, but I don't recall them posting what the response was.

 

[OhmyDLM]

I had the same exact thought cross my mind when I read the news as well. I thought that it was odd, then kind of moved past it, but after reading everything on here in the past about the online thing, it did make me think twice that they would put that in there.

 

[MissChef]

I re-read it and then thought the same thing too! I thought "hmmmmm?!" Maybe she met with these people like they do for "play groups" and that's where she asked. Or maybe she pm'd a few of them or contacted them via e-mail and asked? I don't think that is the same thing?
Things that make you go "hmmmm!?!"

 

[chefann]

I think that with the confusion that exists about the online policies, HO should have clarified or edited that info from the consultant. That's all people need to see, a perceived approval from HO to do something that's against the rules.

 

[MissChef]

they should put some form of clarification about it in our new PC Wire
I can just see it now "well, the lady in the newsletter did it so PC was just giving us permision to do so!:grumpy: :thumbdown: :yuck: "
Good Lord, let's hope that doesn't stir up a bunch of grief for HO!

 

[stacywhitlow]

I'm sure she joined the groups (online) but talked PC in person or via email; not the chat area.

 

[DebbieJ]

Right, she may have joined the homeschooling network online but then they DO get together in person for field trips and things (at least they do in my area).

 

[BethCooks4U]

Right, she may have joined the homeschooling network online but then they DO get together in person for field trips and things (at least they do in my area).

I would bet that's the case but the article should have been edited to reflect that. I can see people taking it further into the "forbidden zone" because of that article.

I will be surprised if HO does not put something on the PC Wire about this but then again they might decide to not say anything and hope most people missed it - I would have without this thread.

 

[MissChef]

Right, she may have joined the homeschooling network online but then they DO get together in person for field trips and things (at least they do in my area).

that's what I was thinking!
btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!! :thumbup:

 

[BethCooks4U]

btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!! :thumbup:

I agree! I always think of Deb hanging from a tree or swinging on a swing (my impression of her pic on here) so the CN cover gives me a whole new view of her!:love:

 

[KateD]

I will be surprised if HO does not put something on the PC Wire about this but then again they might decide to not say anything and hope most people missed it - I would have without this thread.

D'oh! Me and my rabble rousing!

 

[BethCooks4U]

D'oh! Me and my rabble rousing!

YEAH! Look what you started! (JK)

 

[DebbieJ]

that's what I was thinking!
btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!! :thumbup:

Thanks!

 

[DebbieJ]

I agree! I always think of Deb hanging from a tree or swinging on a swing (my impression of her pic on here) so the CN cover gives me a whole new view of her!:love:

Thanks!

See, I clean up real well with a hair stylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and professional photographer!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Thanks!

See, I clean up real well with a hair stylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and professional photographer!

Yes you do! And I would need even more help to even look half as good as you did!

 

[MissChef]

D'oh! Me and my rabble rousing!

You have the right to ask anything around here, especially if you were confused and needed clarification! That's what this great board is here for! I love your "D'oh!!! That is my favorite way to react to things! My kids always laugh at me and it lightens the mood!

 

[raebates]

I don't know, Deb. I think you look pretty cute sitting in a hotel bar laughing with a bunch of Chef Success loonies.

 

[MissChef]

I don't know. I think you look pretty cute sitting in a hotel bar laughing with a bunch of Chef Success loonies.

Dang, Debbie, you get around, don't you! LOL!!!!! Because you were sitting in a hotel bar, looking cute and laughing with our group too! And Rae wasn't there so I know you get around!!!!

 

[KateD]

This was mentioned when the CN was first posted. I think someone had a question about it in to HO, but I don't recall them posting what the response was.

Sorry I missed that one - I wasn't trying to drudge things up.

I thought it might have been a join, meet, later ask once moved and met sort of thing, but it really gave me the impression she asked people on the web group a month before she moved.

I'm sure for her to be featured it must have been copacetic, but I really would like to know how to add the web group tool to my bookings/recruiting toolbox - in the RIGHT way. I try to do things that aren't just above the letter of the law, but that are within the spirit.

So maybe part of my confusion is jealousy that she figured out how to do it and I didn't? That doesn't seem quite like it, but there is definitely a "Well, I want to, too!" element to my confusion.

 

[chefann]

She looked pretty cute at Leadership, too!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Sorry I missed that one - I wasn't trying to drudge things up.

I thought it might have been a join, meet, later ask once moved and met sort of thing, but it really gave me the impression she asked people on the web group a month before she moved.

I'm sure for her to be featured it must have been copacetic, but I really would like to know how to add the web group tool to my bookings/recruiting toolbox - in the RIGHT way. I try to do things that aren't just above the letter of the law, but that are within the spirit.

So maybe part of my confusion is jealousy that she figured out how to do it and I didn't? That doesn't seem quite like it, but there is definitely a "Well, I want to, too!" element to my confusion.

Kate, don't worry about this. You did not stir anything up. In fact you did good. Someone will read this thread and NOT put their info out there on the internet because of it thinking it was okay after reading into the CN article.

I for one am now prepared for the question from my downline and will more easily be able to answer them without being confused.

Thanks!

 

[Mwalker]

I emailed Ho about it when CN went online and never got a response. I might send it again, tho. I thought it should have had an editors note stating exactly how to do this, too

 

[jrb0328]

so - i am new at this, i will be signing my contract this sunday, so i have not recieved my pocilies and rules and what nots but i have figured out by reading this that online "advertising" is not allowed. can anyone tell me why and what kind of "advertising" we can do?

 

[BethCooks4U]

Pampered Chef is about coming together around the table through the Cooking Show and they want the bulk of our business and contacts to be personal and through the cookign show. I believe Pampered Chef also feels that not allowing it levels the playing field for all of us.

We are allowed to put our websites on all written materials that we produce or get from the company and on our emails. You can advertize in print media as long as it's not a national publication or in the top 100 newspapers.

You'll get a policy book with your kit. Congrats for starting your new business!

 

[kaseydee]

I can't wait to see the reply from HO.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

OK, I guess there's something I'm not getting here.What on earth is wrong with introducing yourself to people in the area where you're moving and telling them what you do?It's not like she started her own web site or something!Friends on a message board I belong to know I sell pampered chef. I do NOT advertise the web site, out of respect for not only OUR rules, or theirs (I'm a moderator on our board and we have rules against unsolicited advertising), not to mention my own privacy! But people who are friends of mine know they can contact me if they want further info. To me, it's just sharing a part of my life with people who are my friends. Please, tell me what I am not understanding.

 

[KateD]

From Advertising and Publicity Policies, emphasis mine:

Other than signing up for a Pampered Chef® Personal Web Site or approved vendor sites like Visual Impact Products, do not list the company name when filling out personal profiles on the Internet.You may not purchase lists for e-mail marketing purposes. Spamming is not allowed.You may not sell any Pampered Chef® products — current or discontinued — through online auction houses (like eBay.com) or on any Web site other than your Pampered Chef®Personal Web Site.You may set up a chat room or e-mail newsgroup ONLY to communicate solely with other Pampered Chef® Consultants about the business. Please do not mention, advertise or promote your Pampered Chef® business on any chat rooms, other than those created for communicating with other Consultants.

And they have been pretty crack on the spot (you know what, I don't think that's a real saying. But I'm leaving it!) about calling people on it from what I've heard.I'm sure there are people more knowledgeable than I, but that's why the whole thing is so confusing to me!

 

[wadesgirl]

OK, I guess there's something I'm not getting here.

What on earth is wrong with introducing yourself to people in the area where you're moving and telling them what you do?

It's not like she started her own web site or something!

Friends on a message board I belong to know I sell pampered chef. I do NOT advertise the web site, out of respect for not only OUR rules, or theirs (I'm a moderator on our board and we have rules against unsolicited advertising), not to mention my own privacy! But people who are friends of mine know they can contact me if they want further info. To me, it's just sharing a part of my life with people who are my friends.

Please, tell me what I am not understanding.

It's more of the fact that you cannot come out publicy on a board or have in your profile that you are a consultant. Now if she met them on the board, PM'd them, emailed them or met them in person and then told them, that is okay.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I get it ... I knew we couldn't sell stuff on e-bay, buy lists to spam people, or put the company name on the profile for like a My Space or something. Doesn't sound like she did any of that, but what do I know?I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything wrong. I never put the company name or my web site on my "profile." Nor did I start any threads over there on the subject. I merely told people what I was doing in the course of conversation and let it be known that if they wanted more info, they could contact me. Only three people have asked for info or a link to my web site through private message or e-mail, and only one has ordered. (She did, however, refer her mother to me ... and Mom had a HUGE catalog show.)

 

[jbachen]

So here is my question - what if we are on email lists and ask if someone wants to host a show? No mention of the website, just in case... Would that be OK?Because that was how I had originally read the article... although looking back I do see it says Websites... I guess for me an e-mail list makes more sense in the scenario than a website...

 

[KateD]

See, the specific line that made me think all of that was off - asking to host show, talking about it even in the course of conversation was this one:

Please do not mention, advertise or promote your Pampered Chef® business on any chat rooms, other than those created for communicating with other Consultants.

 

[jbachen]

See, the specific line that made me think all of that was off - asking to host show, talking about it even in the course of conversation was this one:

I guess I see chat rooms very differently than email lists...

 

[KateD]

I guess that's where part of the confusion comes in, since it doesn't matter how either of us see it, but how HO sees it. For example, I would have thought a MySpace bulletin would be ok, since it is like an email to my personal friends, but someone else got bopped for that.I thought about email lists, but the ones that I am on have web presence - like Yahoo groups. Again, only members can see, but that's enough to make me not post. Because I'm a weanie.

 

[chefann]

Yahoo groups still come up in web searches. That's a good litmus - if it comes up in a web search, you can't mention that you're a consultant there.

 

[lacychef]

For example, I would have thought a MySpace bulletin would be ok, since it is like an email to my personal friends, but someone else got bopped for that.

Yep, this was me! I thought it was just like an email too; but was told it was a no-no.
I hope there will be clarification in the news wire about this.

 

[jbachen]

Yahoo groups still come up in web searches. That's a good litmus - if it comes up in a web search, you can't mention that you're a consultant there.

OK, that is a good tester! Especially now that I know that Yahoo groups come up in web searches... Thanks for helping me figure this all out!!

 

[jenf]

I contacted Richard at HO about a similar question a few weeks ago. Several PC consultants advertised on a mom's board I am a member of. I always assumed this was a no-no, but when on of the advertisments was from a director I decided to double check with HO. Richard said that was clearly against HO policy. I am hoping that this will be clarified in a future email to all consultants. That way it keeps us all on a level playing field.

 

[PChef_ang]

just when i think i understand all this, i come up with another question. Okay on your myspace page in your profile it lists Company, we aren't able to post anything PC related in there? Is this correct?--thanks

 

[chefann]

That's correct.

 

[lkprescott]

just when i think i understand all this, i come up with another question. Okay on your myspace page in your profile it lists Company, we aren't able to post anything PC related in there? Is this correct?--thanks

Correct... that's my understanding.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Just got a reply back regarding the article in the March CN:

Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. You are right, it is a violation to advertise your Pampered Chef business anywhere on the Internet. We apologize for the mistake. We have also addressed this with Laurie as she did not know that she was violating company policy.

Thank you,

Richard Laiche
Specialist, Consultant Career Solutions
Solution Center
The Pampered Chef®

 

[ted122781]

Just got a reply back regarding the article in the March CN:

Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. You are right, it is a violation to advertise your Pampered Chef business anywhere on the Internet. We apologize for the mistake. We have also addressed this with Laurie as she did not know that she was violating company policy.

Thank you,

Richard Laiche
Specialist, Consultant Career Solutions
Solution Center
The Pampered Chef®

:grumpy:
That's how I feel about the e-mail. No one proofreads, and if they do they aren't familiar w/policy. I get that it's a mistake, but come on. She was a featured consultant. We're supposed to get ideas and be inspired.

 

[chefann]

Thanks for posting that response, Beth. Now we can address this issue with our respective teams, if it comes up.

 

[pamperedlinda]

The problem I have with this is that she is a Senior Director - she should have known better. I hope HO makes it clear that this type of advertising is not allowed.

 

[ted122781]

The problem I have with this is that she is a Senior Director - she should have known better. I hope HO makes it clear that this type of advertising is not allowed.

That's what I was trying to say!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

The problem I have with this is that she is a Senior Director - she should have known better. I hope HO makes it clear that this type of advertising is not allowed.

I agree, Linda - she wasn't a new consultant. And NO ONE caught this before the CN went to print???

 

[lacychef]

I agree, Linda - she wasn't a new consultant. And NO ONE caught this before the CN went to print???

Exactly! HO knows it's against the rules:blushing:

 

[amy07]

Pampered Chef is about coming together around the table through the Cooking Show and they want the bulk of our business and contacts to be personal and through the cookign show. I believe Pampered Chef also feels that not allowing it levels the playing field for all of us.

We are allowed to put our websites on all written materials that we produce or get from the company and on our emails. You can advertize in print media as long as it's not a national publication or in the top 100 newspapers.

You'll get a policy book with your kit. Congrats for starting your new business!

just wanted to say that the kit doesn't come with a policy book, but it is on CC. I think it would be great if it did come with the kit though, so any HO lurkers that is my suggestion!

 

[chefann]

The policies used to come with the kit. I was sad to see them stop including them, because not everyone is going to jump up, download them, and read them when they're new.