My Director Is Cracking the Whip!!

[Pampered Laura]

Gillian... I'm gonna make a suggestion, totally unsolicited (LOL) but it worked for me when I was in a huge recruiting spree/bookings slump over October/November/December. This is what carried me through. 90 days ago. For February (90 days after I did this...) I have 10 shows on my calendar for Feb, 6 for March, 4 for April, and 8 Catalog shows going right now. This will work, if you work it.

Have you heard of "Power Cooking" Shows?

I got 9 bookings in one day.
AND... I got customers who told me that they were now customers for life.

Open Pampered Partner.
Go to your "contacts" list and sort them alphabetically.
Start with the first one.
Call her.

Tell her:

"Hi Jane, this is Gillian with the Pampered Chef, do you have a few minutes? Great! Hey listen, I am just making Customer Service calls for my Pampered Chef business, and I'm wondering if you'd give me a minute or two to ask you just a couple quick questions about your experience with The Pampered Chef. (sure) Thanks so much! First, do you have any questions about the products you have? (chat) Do you need new ideas or recipes? (take care of those). Second, I am asking my preferred customers opinions about a NEW Style of Show I am offering in February called "Power Cooking". Have you ever heard of this? (No) Oh! Well... have you ever heard of "investment cooking" or those pick-up-and-go dinner places where you buy 10-12 meals at once for your freezer? (yes) Great! Well, this Pampered Chef show will teach you and your guests how to Power Cook in their own kitchen, saving you time and money! In fact, as part of the demonstration, I would be preparing 3 healthy and delicious meals for your freezer - ready to be prepared for your family for the next few days! Your guests will leave with a Power Cooking packet and grocery lists, so they can get started right away, too. And of course, it's "Pampered Chef Style", so it's FUN, EASY, and of course we'll have good food... Does this sound like something YOU would be interested in hosting?"

Not kidding... that is word for word what I said (I had a script, LOL cold call jitters) with a HUGE SMILE and EXCITEMENT in my voice.
I was talking as if Power Cooking shows were the LONG LOST TREASURE that I am presenting to this customer to save her LIFE IN THE KITCHEN! (lol). Yes, I was that excited.
But... I got 9 bookings in 1 day. 40 phone calls.

If they weren't intersted, I asked them if they knew someone who seemed like they didnt have time to cook dinner as much as they'd like to, and who may appreciate a Power Cooking Party.
Got referrals.
If no again, then I asked them if they thought the idea sounded like a good one for someone that MAY be interested (survey... people love giving their opinions without obligation).

Then after their answer to that "survey", I thanked her for her opinions and told her that her thoughts will be factored in to how I run my business. I then went back to the "how can I be of service to you" (Is there anything else I can do for you today?), leaving the call on a high/positive note.

SO many people told me it was great knowing that I was checking on them without feeling obligated to buy. Customers for life, and lotsa bookings too.

You CAN book shows and get your calendar full for February. You just need to spin the tools you already have.

Yes, I'm attaching the power cooking format/handouts for you. Jacque Ruddy is the brains behind this operation. I love her and she helped me a TON on this!! It's been so successful.
Out of those 9 bookings, 3 of them specifically told me they would not EVER consider hosting "one of those" parties... until I mentioned Power Cooking. My last one was on Friday. We're at $900 in sales so far... 15 guests... 11 bookings. No lie. It works!

Hope this helps you get outta your booking slump and getcha excited!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thank you so much for posting this Laura! I have done these before, but always did them as baby showers for the mom-to-be. I really should get out there and do them without the baby shower crutch!

BTW- I got an awesome booking today! It is in a smoky bar and I am pregnant, but the host (bar owner) said that she regularly has $2500 Partylite parties but they want something different. She is interested in the middle of February, but also wants to do a catty show at the beginning of February for all the guys at the bar to get Valentine's presents for their wives!! YAH!! I also got a date for a March show that I have been skating around. This "I have this date and this date open, which works better for you?" line works WONDERS!!!

 

[MicheleC]

Way to go Gillian!! You're on a roll! Sounds like February could really be looking up. I've done three combined shows with Partylite and on every one of them I have sold much more PC than PL has. Last show I sold $700 to her $200 so if they spend that much on PL they could go crazy over PC. I can't wait to hear how this turns out for you!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thanks Michele! I am really excited about it too! She sounds so nice that I am dying to recruit her just so we can be friends.

 

[chefheather]

Laura,

Wow, the power cooking stuff is wonderful! I'm considering giving this a try to change up my show and add more value to my hosts and guests. One question comes to mind - have any of your hosts pushed back on the long shopping list?

 

[Pampered Laura]

Not one. Once they realize that they already have most of the items in their pantry, AND that the 3 meals are being made for their freezer (including the leftover taco soup) they're usually THRILLED that I am offering this to them!

 

[MicheleC]

Two questions, Laura.

1. How long does a power cooking show last?

2. What do you do for the bookings from that show? Do you then have other power cooking shows planned?

 

[Pampered Laura]

I usually get done with power cooking shows faster than a typical cooking show because you're esentially just tossing a bunch of stuff in a ziplock, and then chatting with customers about what you used and what "power tools" they need... but...I talk entirely TOO MUCH at my shows, so don't ask how long it takes LOL, I am the wrong person to ask. But... I COULD really have it down to about 20 minutes for the actual demo, then the "Tool Time Chat" for about 15 mins or so. That's always my goal. Never works. But, my sales are typically high so it's hard to change.

Bookings from these shows have been other power cooking shows, and multiple other theme shows. I mention that during my intro that this is just ONE of the MANY theme shows I offer.

 

[chee65]

I love the Power Cooking idea. It's funny because I just finished a conference call tonight and power cooking came up. Of course, I was thinking that I would lookup what you guys thought and wala the first thread I read has the subject on it. This must mean that I really have to try it. Thanks for posting the paperwork for it too and the script of what to say. You guys are so great.

 

[MicheleC]

Got another lead today at Good Samaritan. I had my catalog tote and a girl asked me if I had a catalog. Someone on another thread had posted about telling them you only have one with you and giving them a door prize slip. It worked! She is interested in more info on the opportunity and maybe holding a show. We're going to try and meet next week.

 

[gilliandanielle]

Congrats Michele! I am having a tough week, but seeing things in a totally different perspective! I was at the grocery store yesterday and kept seeing people that would be great hosts! They weren't any different than normal people, but I just never saw people as hosts until they told me they wanted to host... if that makes any sense to anyone!!

 

[MicheleC]

Great point! Talking of grocery stores...I never know that I "need" any of the things they're sampling either until my kids try it !

 

[RachelNguyen]

Hi guys!

I am coming late to this great thread, but I am totally on board with getting to Director this Spring. My goal date is to promote by April 30th.

So far:

5 recruits
1 active
2 are new and have shows scheduled
1 never did anything (getting a divorce)

And I just signed one today who has her first show in 3 weeks!!!!

My January was a bust, with 8 (count 'em) cancellations. I only held three shows. But February is cranking, so I am hoping to get more recruits. My new strategy is to sign them up as soon as possible and use their own show as a kick off.

So far so good!

Thanks for this thread and for the excitement. I can't WAIT to be a director!

Rachel

PS: The information about Jana's show is incredible. She clearly makes everything look EASY!!!

 

[MicheleC]

Rachel,

Welcome to the club! I need to get back on track with my recruites. I have had so many show bookings lately that I haven't scheduled any interviews. Going to make calls tomorrow and get some lined up. I have three who are interested in more information!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Uggg! Officially one month until my goal promotion date.... if only my team would do something! They all seem so motivated when I contact them, but no one says I have a show ____ day. Another month goes by and I got nothing!

 

[SillyChef]

You know ... Maybe they need to like meet with you face to face or something? See if maybe they are okay about getting some more shows on the calendar, and if they don't, why not?

 

[MicheleC]

Meeting with a recruit potential today. Hopefully this is a good fit for her. I've had good luck with some shows since the beginning of the year but need to get back on the recruiting side to grow my team if I'm going to meet that deadline.

 

[RachelNguyen]

Hi all,

I just want to check in and say that I tried some of Jana's techniques from Gillian's post about it and it worked!

I had a smallish show tonight, with about $600 in sales and 12 guests. I got right into the recipe, had a fun time... told them to look at the catalog for the host information and then just dropped little snippets throughout the show. I got 5 solid bookings, 1 maybe for a catty and would've had another cooking show except she was a repeat customer who already had a show on my books. BUT, she took a packet of recruiting info and I have a date for coffee with her.

WOW!

Thanks to all of you for this great thread!

Rachel

 

[RachelNguyen]

Gillian asked me to talk more about how my show went, so heres what I wrote to her:


I started the show by thanking my host and giving her a nice gift. (Garlic peppercorn rub, bamboo spoons wrapped nicely and a seasons best)

Then I mentioned that hosts earn a lot of benefits and invited them to look on the inside of the back cover of the catty.

I said that part of my job is to train others to do what I do, and that I make between $150 to $200 per night on average. (Which is pretty accurate.)

I joked that I was like having the food network at their house, except when I screw up, I can't cut to commercial!

From there, I just started in on the recipe. I spent more time talking about my tools. Focused on the helpful hints. Had them tell if they love a product and why (and gave 'em tickets when they did this.) About halfway through the recipe I did a drawing.

Later, I played a game where I would give a ticket to everyone who asked me a question about being a consultant. At the end of that, I did a drawing for a prize and a consultant information packet which contained the recruiting brochure and a take 5 bar.

I would drop little hints about what hosts get. I had a binder with the upcoming specials, so I sent that around. But really, didn't TALK them to death about the details, just little hints here and there.

I just about fell out of my chair when I did the survey slips and found that 6 had written yes or maybe. One of them, though, already had a show on my books, so I ended up with 5 bookings and a recruit lead.

It was really a great night and I think it worked so well because I didn't drone on and on about all the details of host coaching or recruiting, just pointed them to where they could go for more details. It really seemed to work!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thanks for posting this Rachel- I am so excited to try it out!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Where are all the soon-to-be directors? How is it going?

I have two qualified, one with two shows in, three with nothing in...

I can't wait to be a director and am getting tired of my recuits saying they have shows and never turning anything in. If you need help getting shows tell me and I'll help you, but if you lie we both lose!!

 

[SillyChef]

Well. Gillian I need shows... TELL me how to get them!!! I am a FUTURE director now. And will be on track to directorship as soon as I can get more shows!

 

[SillyChef]

Reminder everyone should UPDATE thier info in signatures as well as PWS!!!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Well. Gillian I need shows... TELL me how to get them!!! I am a FUTURE director now. And will be on track to directorship as soon as I can get more shows!

I honestly don't know how this happened, but I have 6 cooking shows this month. The most shows I have ever had in one month is 3. I just called every one and asked if they wanted to host with the new products, especially the people that listed the UM as something they wanted on the drawing slip. I booked three shows at my show yesterday just because people liked the host specials. I figure I can get March hosts for the new products, show the trifle bowl at March shows and get April shows (happened once already) and go from there.

I used to pass around the upcoming specials flyers and hope that was enough and not really mention it. Yesterday every other sentence was booking practically, and it worked! I can't wait to try it out on a larger crowd!

 

[SillyChef]

Well, I have tried that. And for SOME reason. I am NOT getting the amount of shows that I want. I invited (not kidding) 120+ to my open house this past weekend and only a few showed. 3 didn't order. I am beyond frusterated. Do you think me sending out a new catalog to everyone I know would work? lol. or what? Cause getting on the phone and doing reminder calls didn't.

 

[SillyChef]

Especially when I ask if they would like to host a show with me, they totally say, no or not now thanks though... ugh. lol.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I am sorry Margie- If I knew what was different I would share it with you. I am not very religious but I really feel that God is helping me out in my business. My DH works for his family and their company is going down. He gets paid maybe $1200 a month and our family bills are $2700. We are in such horrible debt it isn't even funny. It is not feasable for me to work with daycare costs, and he needs to realized that the kids and I are more important than his relationship with his family. He feels badly leaving them behind and finding a different job, but he needs to get over it.

END OF VENT- sorry!

Anyway, I feel like God has really blessed me with shows coming up and hopefully I will get bookings to continue making money so I can help with the bills...

 

[PCGINA]

I can't wait to be a director and am getting tired of my recuits saying they have shows and never turning anything in. If you need help getting shows tell me and I'll help you, but if you lie we both lose!!

I wish I could say it gets better....

Directorhsip has been one of the most frustrating things in my PC business so far. It was a lot easier when all I had to do was worry about making my own goals. Why on earth don't they call you back, why don't they tell you they are doing poorly with bookings, etc.... I call each of them weekly to offer my assistance???

Don't get me wrong - I am not trying to bring any of your efforts down - but if I had to do it over again (and at the end of this month I probably will) I would wait to accept Directorship until I had a "nice BIG nest" of recruits - not just 5 or 6. I can consistantly have sales at ~ $1500.00 each month - but I cannot pull off the $4K my team needs to turn in by myself....

I am still activly offering the business at every show and I try to do my 3-2-1- but - my recruits take up much of my spare time and it is hurting my own business.

I will be actively joining this group March 1st to start over again (3 will go inactive)

BUT - in the immortal words of the Govenator - "I'LL BE BAHK"

P.S. - I am blessed by God as well and I need to stop whining....

 

[gilliandanielle]

I am sorry about your directorship Gina, but you seem to know it will be better in the future. I feel like my director is pushing me to directorship so she can promote also, but I am scared that if I make it in time she will ditch me the second she has promoted. She wants me to quickly qualify my crappy recruits so I will promote, but I will be right where you are soon if they are crappy recruits... I need a strong team to build on!

I have never had a recruit that hasn't shown me how they are going to be in the first month. If they get on their shows and get them done then they always will. If they don't do anything for 3 months, then they probably won't just decide to do 6 shows one month. I know there are exceptions to this, but in my experience it is pretty dead on...

 

[SillyChef]

I am sorry Margie- If I knew what was different I would share it with you. I am not very religious but I really feel that God is helping me out in my business. My DH works for his family and their company is going down. He gets paid maybe $1200 a month and our family bills are $2700. We are in such horrible debt it isn't even funny. It is not feasable for me to work with daycare costs, and he needs to realized that the kids and I are more important than his relationship with his family. He feels badly leaving them behind and finding a different job, but he needs to get over it.

END OF VENT- sorry!

Anyway, I feel like God has really blessed me with shows coming up and hopefully I will get bookings to continue making money so I can help with the bills...

This is exactly why I am worried about the way my business is going right now. My life story believe me... So I def. have to help out with the work load, and just having Caleb go to daycare is 100.00 a week. Can't afford that! We have barely enough left to get our groceries and then GAS. I will keep praying for my business to pick up soon.