Maximizing Bookings: Tips for Avoiding Inactive Status in Your Business

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the challenges faced by Pampered Chef consultants in maintaining active status within their businesses, particularly when experiencing low bookings or personal circumstances that limit their ability to submit orders. Participants share their personal experiences and strategies for avoiding inactivity.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses concern about going inactive due to limited bookings and upcoming vacations.
  • Another participant shares their experience of having to file a retroactive waiver after forgetting to submit a leave of absence, highlighting the potential loss of recruits.
  • Several users mention the importance of submitting a minimum amount in orders to maintain active status, with varying figures noted by participants in different regions.
  • One participant discusses the idea of offering incentives to hosts to encourage bookings on specific dates.
  • Another participant suggests organizing a Mystery Host show as a strategy to keep active.
  • Some participants clarify the rules regarding individual orders and their contribution to maintaining active status, with differing opinions on whether they count.
  • One participant shares their proactive approach by sending out catalog shows and communicating incentives to potential hosts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the specifics of maintaining active status, particularly regarding the counting of individual orders. Some participants believe they do count, while others assert they do not. There is no clear consensus on the best strategies to avoid inactivity, as experiences and suggestions vary widely.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes and strategies based on their unique circumstances, reflecting a range of experiences within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for consultants facing similar challenges with bookings and maintaining active status, as well as those seeking to learn from the experiences of their peers.

M
mistym
Ok, due to my bad planning I am now facing going inactive :( My last show was submitted June 25th (a $1000 one no less) and so far I only have a show for August 25th and 26th (just doubtful I will get the show in that night) and 4 booked for Sept.

I have 2 vacations in August there as well which is eating up available time, so what can I do? Should I go on leave of absence? Has anyone done this?

I will call for bookings and offer and incentive for those who book on specific August Dates.

I will be getting a catalogue show ready tomorrow for my husbands work.

I can do a mystery host show right? Not too sure how this one works...

argh....any more suggestions?
 
you have til the end of August to submit another $200 so you should be just fine. It doesn't go from date to date. It is 2 consecutive months in a row that you need to have a combined total of $200.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
ohhhhhhh...I c...hhmmm, good to know...

well I think I should still get cracking with these other things just in case....lol....

Sheesh, when I realized this possibility tonight, it really set a fire off under my butt....
 
well, keep that fire going and you will be just fine! Just try to set a goal of doing at least a $200 cat. show every month and you won't have to worry
 
i think its $300 up here in canada right?

misty
if you have and cant get the shows in ask for a loa so u dont lose ur career sales. not sure how it works but im sure ur director will know or call HO

there is a file here on the mystery hostess party

good luck
hope to run into u on fri its only 3 days away!!!!!!!!!! LOL
 
I went inactive due to a move...I totally forgot to do the leave of absence waiver...now I am going to loose all my recruits. Any suggestions.
 
File a retroactive waiver. It'll cost $25, but it's worth it.
 
Do individual orders count toward your $200 or is it just from qualified shows?
 
Individual orders do not count. :( Sorry.
 
I didn't think so, thanks for the response.
 
Individual orders do count. I just had the same problem last month and submitted two individual orders and it was fine.
 
You know what, I was thinking personal orders.... not individual orders. THANK YOU for catching that.So yes, individual orders are fine.
 
jenniferp417 said:
Individual orders do not count. :( Sorry.
Click to expand...

Individual orders most certainly DO count.
 
Thanks for pointing that out, carolyn. I posted that I goofed and was thinking personal orders, not individual. Goes to show what happens when you post and THEN think. :\
 
Throw together a quick Mystery show. Even if you only have 3 people involved, it is enough to keep you active.
 
I'm in the same boat as mistym. I had a terrific May but nothing except a personal order in June of $85. As long as I submit $115 in orders in July, I won't go inactive, Right?

I've made calls and nobody wants to book in July. I've several that said to call them for a show in Aug and Sept.

Thanks loads!
Jo Anne
 
You are correct - you need $115 this month to stay active. You can apply for a leave of absence, but you must have a good excuse, and you can only use 1 leave per year.
 
Ann is right... it needs to be a good excuse. Three consultant's from my director's team were turned down in the last year because their reasons for needing a leave didn't fall into the criteria. (One consultant's reason was that she "just forgot to work"! Couldn't believe she actually told them that... and she was one of the ones that was turned down... go figure!) That's the reason they made the retroactive... in case a reason doesn't fall into the category for leave of absence. Good luck getting your orders!!!
 
There is still plenty of time, you can do it!
 
Thanks for clearing that up .... I stress when the email comes that you did not submit enough in a montth and are in danger of becoming inactive...
 
So here's a scenario that I don't know the answer to:

I have one of my downline who is inactive right now. Can she access CC to buy a website? I think if she already has a website she can accept show orders, but I don't know if she can apply for a website. This poor girl has never submitted a thing and is just now telling me what her recruiter told her!! She was sooooo misled!! I don't blame her for not submitting anything!!
 
Wait until the end of August - if you don't have $300 in orders, you can apply for a retroactive sales waiver in September (you have until the 15th of September to do that).
You don't have to pay $25 - must be a US thing. I used a retroactive waiver last year when I was on bed rest with my pregnancy and one of my recruits just used one as she was got married and went on an extended honeymoon.
All you need to do is fax your request to Peggy Dostal at Support Services.
 
stephanieboyd said:
So here's a scenario that I don't know the answer to:

I have one of my downline who is inactive right now. Can she access CC to buy a website? I think if she already has a website she can accept show orders, but I don't know if she can apply for a website. This poor girl has never submitted a thing and is just now telling me what her recruiter told her!! She was sooooo misled!! I don't blame her for not submitting anything!!
Click to expand...
She can access CC, but I don't know about whether she can order a PWS while inactive. Seems like she should be able to.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #24
Ok awesome Marg - I am sending a Catalogue show to work with my hubby and taking catalogues to my fitness class I teach.
I sent an email to people who were on the fence letting them know about my August incentive - basically book on these dates and get 25 bucks extra (I figured better I give to to a host rather than HO for a waiver - lol...thats great we don't have that fee BTW)

Soooo, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve - I think I will do a Mystery Host Show in August too.

sheesh, I need a fire like that lit under my butt everyday!
 
if you are inactive you can not get a pws ... if you have a pws and become inactive, you lose that site.
 
Thanks Laurie! I never would have guessed that she would lose the one she has by going inactive!!! Starting a new one makes sense, but taking away one that someone has already paid for and worked on seems a bit rough!!!

Thanks again!!
 
mistym said:
Ok, due to my bad planning I am now facing going inactive :( My last show was submitted June 25th (a $1000 one no less) and so far I only have a show for August 25th and 26th (just doubtful I will get the show in that night) and 4 booked for Sept.

I have 2 vacations in August there as well which is eating up available time, so what can I do? Should I go on leave of absence? Has anyone done this?

I will call for bookings and offer and incentive for those who book on specific August Dates.

I will be getting a catalogue show ready tomorrow for my husbands work.

I can do a mystery host show right? Not too sure how this one works...

argh....any more suggestions?
Click to expand...
Maybe offer a gift to the hosts for closing on the night of their show; tell them you need to submit the show by the 31st and you want time for any checks or payments to clear, so if they close that evening, it will give enough wiggle room for that. Ask that they get any outside orders before their show and have them there to calculate into their total; it may give them the oomph to get orders if they have a deadline of their show to collect them. Also, you could ask some people to gather $100 total in orders and depending on how many people collect, the host benefits get split in that way (4 ppl, $400 show, benefits split into 4) - each person gets some host benefits they normally couldn't get for just gathering $100 in orders, and you get your show that prevents you from going inactive --- everyone wins.
 
I never lost my PWS when I was inactive. :confused:
 
chefjo said:
I'm in the same boat as mistym. I had a terrific May but nothing except a personal order in June of $85. As long as I submit $115 in orders in July, I won't go inactive, Right?

I've made calls and nobody wants to book in July. I've several that said to call them for a show in Aug and Sept.

Thanks loads!
Jo Anne
Click to expand...
Just caught this. You said "personal" order. Did you mean "individual" order placed by a customer?? If you placed a personal order for yourself THAT wouldn't count and you'd need the full $200.

Wishing you the best.
 
I went inactive due to going back to college, how do you apply for the retreo thing?
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective strategies to maximize bookings in my Pampered Chef business?

To maximize bookings, consider hosting regular cooking shows, both in-person and virtual, to showcase products. Utilize social media to promote your events and engage with potential hosts. Offer incentives for bookings, such as discounts or free products, and follow up with past customers to remind them of upcoming events. Networking with friends, family, and local community groups can also help increase your visibility and attract new hosts.

How can I maintain consistent communication with my customers to avoid inactive status?

Regular communication is key to keeping your business active. Use email newsletters, social media updates, and personal messages to stay in touch with your customers. Share recipes, cooking tips, and product highlights to keep them engaged. Additionally, consider sending reminders about upcoming events or promotions to encourage participation and bookings.

What role does setting goals play in avoiding inactive status in my business?

Setting specific, measurable goals helps you stay focused and motivated in your business. By establishing clear targets for bookings, sales, and customer engagement, you can track your progress and adjust your strategies as needed. Regularly reviewing and updating your goals ensures that you remain proactive and committed to growing your business, which can help prevent inactivity.

How can I leverage social media to increase bookings and avoid inactivity?

Social media platforms are powerful tools for increasing bookings. Share engaging content, such as cooking demonstrations, customer testimonials, and product highlights. Create events on platforms like Facebook to promote your shows and encourage RSVPs. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly, and consider running contests or giveaways to boost interest and participation.

What should I do if I notice a decline in bookings or customer engagement?

If you notice a decline in bookings or engagement, take immediate action to assess the situation. Reach out to your customers to gather feedback on their experiences and preferences. Consider hosting a special event or promotion to reignite interest. Additionally, evaluate your marketing strategies and adjust them to better meet the needs of your audience. Consistent follow-up and a willingness to adapt can help revitalize your business.

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