March Cn Question - Creative? or Not Allowed?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores participants' reactions to a section in the March Consultant Newsletter (CN) regarding creative ways to make contacts, particularly focusing on a consultant's experience of using online homeschooling groups to generate bookings. Participants express confusion about the implications of this advice in relation to company policies on online presence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their confusion about how the consultant's actions align with company policies, noting the lack of clarification in the CN.
  • Another participant mentions that they had a similar thought upon reading the CN and found it odd.
  • Several users express concern that the article could be interpreted as an endorsement of actions that may not comply with company rules.
  • One participant speculates that the consultant might have interacted with people in person after joining the online group, rather than soliciting bookings online.
  • Another participant expresses a desire for clarification from the Home Office (HO) to prevent misunderstandings among consultants.
  • One participant reflects on their own feelings of jealousy regarding the consultant's success in making contacts, indicating a personal connection to the topic.
  • Several participants discuss the potential for confusion among consultants regarding online networking practices and the need for clearer guidelines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the appropriateness of the actions described in the CN, with some expressing confusion and concern while others speculate on possible compliant methods of engagement.

Contextual Notes

Participants are primarily consultants discussing their interpretations of the CN and its implications for their business practices. The conversation reflects a shared interest in adhering to company policies while exploring creative networking strategies.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants seeking to understand the nuances of online networking and its alignment with company policies may find this discussion relevant.

KateD
KateD
Messages
283
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.
Click to expand...
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. :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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?:confused:
Things that make you go "hmmmm!?!"
 
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. :rolleyes:
 
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: :rolleyes:"
Good Lord, let's hope that doesn't stir up a bunch of grief for HO!:eek: :rolleyes:
 
I'm sure she joined the groups (online) but talked PC in person or via email; not the chat area.
 
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).
 
DebbieJ said:
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).
Click to expand...
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.
 
DebbieJ said:
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).
Click to expand...
that's what I was thinking!
btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!!;) :thumbup: :D
 
MissChef said:
btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!!;) :thumbup: :D
Click to expand...
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:
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
BethCooks4U said:
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.
Click to expand...
D'oh! Me and my rabble rousing!
 
MissChef said:
that's what I was thinking!
btw.... you are so dang cute Debbie! You look great, you covergirl, you!!;) :thumbup: :D
Click to expand...

Thanks! :)
 
BethCooks4U said:
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:
Click to expand...

Thanks!

See, I clean up real well with a hair stylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and professional photographer! :D
 
DebbieJ said:
Thanks!

See, I clean up real well with a hair stylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and professional photographer! :D
Click to expand...
Yes you do! And I would need even more help to even look half as good as you did!
 
KateD said:
D'oh! Me and my rabble rousing!
Click to expand...
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!
 
I don't know, Deb. I think you look pretty cute sitting in a hotel bar laughing with a bunch of Chef Success loonies. ;)
 
Last edited:
raebates said:
I don't know. I think you look pretty cute sitting in a hotel bar laughing with a bunch of Chef Success loonies. ;)
Click to expand...
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!!!!:D :D :p ;)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #20
chefann said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
She looked pretty cute at Leadership, too! :)
 
KateD said:
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.
Click to expand...
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!
 
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
 
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?
 
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!
 
I can't wait to see the reply from HO.
 
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.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #28
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.
Click to expand...
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!
 
Di_Can_Cook said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

Better Booking Checklist From Barb Girson
  • NooraK
    • Pampered Chef Bookings
Replies
14
Views
4K
Laura4
Back
Top