Reach Out to Former Hosts: ExecuFlash from Jean Jonas

[Chef Kearns]

Did any of you guys receive the Execuflash that went out today (or yesterday)? Here it is if you haven't read it yet:

ExecuFlash

One Pampered Chef Lane , Addison , IL 60101-5630

from Jean Jonas, Senior Vice President of Sales



Good afternoon,



I'm thrilled to share with you the details of a plan to reach out to former hosts.



On Monday, Aug. 20, the Home Office is mailing a packet to a randomly selected group of former hosts whose Consultants have been inactive for more than 12 months. It includes a mini catalog and highlights the benefits of hosting a Cooking Show, the host rewards program and our September Host Special. The mailing also includes the contact information of an active Director in the host's area and encourages them to contact the Director.



The Director listed in the mailing is either the upline Director of their former Consultant or, if the upline is not local, a Director who lives within 50 miles of the host. The Director's contact information and Personal Web Site address (if applicable) will also be included.



Directors whose names are sent to one of these hosts will be notified by e-mail. The e-mail will include suggestions on how to follow-up with the former hosts by saying something like, "Hi, this is ______ with The Pampered ChefR. We recently sent you a catalog featuring our hot new fall products. Did you have a chance to look at it? The Pampered ChefR Consultant who held your last Show is no longer involved in the business, so I'd love to provide service to you. Are you currently working with another Pampered ChefR Consultant?"



A link is also included in the e-mail to a report on Consultant's Corner with the name and contact information of the past hosts who received the Director's contact information. To view host referrals, go to Consultant's Corner > Consultant & Leadership Training > Host Referral Report.



If you have questions about the program, a Question & Answer is posted at Consultants Corner > Consultant and Leadership Training > Reports >Host Referral Program.



We hope that these referrals will give you and your team the opportunity to expand your customer base.

This really makes me angry!! It is wonderful that Directors receive so many perks, but now all leads are going to them? I know many of you don't hear from your Directors that often and that some of them would not share these kinds of leads with you. They would hoard them. Not all of you, but dang it!! I have tried so hard in the passed 3 years to promote. I don't know why it is not happening for me, but it is not. I think at least Future Directors should share in the lead system. All of the cream is going to the people already on the top.

I am really miffed about this. I am also really tired. I hope I'm making sense. Basically, this new decree just burns me up!

 

[Chozengirl]

I agree with you!
I have a Director that gets leads out in my town (population of a little over 2,000). She lives 30 mins away. I would LOVE some of those local leads!

 

[pcchris]

I agree with you, Chef Kearns! It has always burned me that if someone in my town goes to the website looking for a consultant, they are directed to a director. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand it's a director "Perk", but it sure doesn't help us "little people" gain any business, especially if we're struggling.

I know this might be opening up a BIG can of worms, but so be it. If people get angry because of what I write, then so be it.

Don't get me wrong, it's good that HO is reaching out to abandoned past hosts, but still....I'd LOVE to be a director and get all the perks, but it's just not happening for me either, and not for lack of trying.

Oh well...just had to share your vent!!

 

[Chozengirl]

Just got an idea.
Open up your local phone book and start typing in names on the Past Host box on CC.
Then send out your own info. With the same info they are gonna send out.
Get to them before HO does.

just a though

 

[Jilleysue]

They probably figure its an incentive for someone to promote to director and get those leads. Its sad that some directors are not involved, but I am sure most have worked hard for those leads.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

Hmmmm I should try that... and see what comes up!! Their is not any directors in the town that I live in.... and only two consultants and one of which I really dont' know and she isnt' on my team!!!! But I agree I think it really stinks that the directors get all the leads... I mean you can go to other companies websites and choose a consultant in your area but you can't with ours that doesn't seem fair. But I understand too.... but I am working hard on trying to promote and it isn't happening right now either......

 

[Chef Kearns]

I understand that it is a Director perk, but I am just saying that it STINKS!! It would help others promote to have the leads. If it is quality of consultant they are looking for to decide who should get the leads there are alot of criteria they could judge i.e. longevity, sales history, recruiting history, booking history. They could easily weigh those factors because they are already collecting the data.

All I'm saying is "Share the Wealth"!!

My Director lives in MN. I am in TX. There are a TON of her Directors here in Texas...will any of these leads trickle down to me? In the words of Jerry (from Seinfeld), "Not bloody likely!!"

 

[Chozengirl]

you can go to other companies websites and choose a consultant in your area but you can't with ours that doesn't seem fair. But I understand too.... but I am working hard on trying to promote and it isn't happening right now either......

TOTALLY AGREE!
I think we should work the same way!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I understand that it is a Director perk, but I am just saying that it STINKS!! It would help others promote to have the leads. If it is quality of consultant they are looking for to decide who should get the leads there are alot of criteria they could judge i.e. longevity, sales history, recruiting history, booking history. They could easily weigh those factors because they are already collecting the data.

All I'm saying is "Share the Wealth"!!

My Director lives in MN. I am in TX. There are a TON of her Directors here in Texas...will any of these leads trickle down to me? In the words of Jerry (from Seinfeld), "Not bloody likely!!"

it really stinks when your trying so hard to grow your business but you can't do it ... for one reason or another. This just feels like a slam in the face at least it does to me.

 

[rennea]

I too posted about this not too long ago. My director lives hours and hours away from me and there are no directors here in my town. Last time when I posted about this I pretty much got the "it's a directors perk" as well

 

[mommyhugz1978]

Well maybe if we gripe enough about the directors perks... that maybe they will hear us!!! At least we hope!!

 

[pamperedtara]

I have only lived here a little over a year, and a lady down the street went to the HO website looking for a consultant. HO lead went to the nearest director (30 miles away). My next door neighbor gets an invite and says, "Oh, I have been wanting to go to one of Tara's shows" The girl says "Who is Tara?" :yuck: She felt really bad when my neighbor pointed at my house!!

I know that I should have been out in the neighborhood letting everyone know that I sold PC, but this lady drove 30 minutes to do a show 5 houses down the street from me because she got the HO lead!!!

Everyone in town now knows that I sell PC - ads in the paper, school yearbooks, fair booth, etc. Good lesson for me, I guess!!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I have only lived here a little over a year, and a lady down the street went to the HO website looking for a consultant. HO lead went to the nearest director (30 miles away). My next door neighbor gets an invite and says, "Oh, I have been wanting to go to one of Tara's shows" The girl says "Who is Tara?" :yuck: She felt really bad when my neighbor pointed at my house!!

I know that I should have been out in the neighborhood letting everyone know that I sold PC, but this lady drove 30 minutes to do a show 5 houses down the street from me because she got the HO lead!!!

Everyone in town now knows that I sell PC - ads in the paper, school yearbooks, fair booth, etc. Good lesson for me, I guess!!

The lesson should be that you could let that person know that you would appricate that they give you that lead if it is in your town. Because that is not fair to you at all...... In my opinion that is just wrong!!! and if others get mad then do so... but I am venting my frustrations as well!!!

 

[ShanaSmith]

Ok I have to put my two cents in on this one..... I am a director, and I look at it as more than just a director perk. First of all, not all consultants are actually running a business. I have and have had on my team, people that simply would not follow up. Obviously those of you that are upset about this take your business seriously, but that is not always the case. When HO assigns a lead, they are sent to directors because we are running businesses, and hopefully represent a professional image to pass on to these customers. I do not mean that you folks are not presenting that image, and I am in no way implying that you don't deserve the business leads. I think that they have chosen to assign leads to the leaders in the business. I know this is not going to be a popular view, but I had to share it the way I see it.

 

[Addie4TLC]

Ok I have to put my two cents in on this one..... I am a director, and I look at it as more than just a director perk. First of all, not all consultants are actually running a business. I have and have had on my team, people that simply would not follow up. Obviously those of you that are upset about this take your business seriously, but that is not always the case. When HO assigns a lead, they are sent to directors because we are running businesses, and hopefully represent a professional image to pass on to these customers. I do not mean that you folks are not presenting that image, and I am in no way implying that you don't deserve the business leads. I think that they have chosen to assign leads to the leaders in the business. I know this is not going to be a popular view, but I had to share it the way I see it.

Hi Shana, do you know Leonor? I agree with what you're saying... Since I signed up under the Hispanic Market I got HO leads when I was only a consultant, I had to call the HO at first to even know what to do and how to follow up because I was new. A large % of my recruits don't stick around passed the 9 month mark, much less a year. I have one superstar right now and I know that if I got a lead in her area she can have it because it benefits me for her to grow her business and become a director too. She lives about 40 min. away. I know a lot of consultants on the board deserve leads and would do great following up too. This is hard... At another Direct sales company I was involved with before the leads went to those who sold a certain $$ amount on a monthly basis. If you didn't make the cut one month you would not get any leads the following month. I think that's a better indicator of who's working, because there could be some Directors out there that only do the minimum but may have hard working consultants or FD's that work their business and are striving to promote.

 

[Pampered Laura]

Wow... yeah a lot of this type of thing is going to be coming down I've heard, I just thought January or later. Hmm, interesting. I do think the lead system is a good thing though, and for Directors+ to get MORE leads, is good... but I really think leads should go to all consultants, regardless of level. I used to get leads from people an hour and a half from my house... when I know darn well there had to be consultants in that area.
I personally really love leads based on sales/points. It makes it VERY fair to all levels of consultants.

 

[ShanaSmith]

Addie, I have met her on several occations, but I wouldn't say we really know each other so much. But we are in the same town.

 

[MGG]

I think it is unfair to the past hostess and past consultant. I have no problem with the lead system; it is a perk but it also helps directors stay active and keep their teams. However, if I were to leave PC it should be my decision who I choose to recommend to my customers not who PC randomly picks. The lead system is also on a rotation system not the "nearest" director to you, just the next one in line for the lead in your general area (I was a HO lead and my dirctor is 20 min away and NOT the nearest director at all).

 

[KellyTheChef]

Wow! When I first read that, I didn't notice that they are contacting hosts whose consultants HAVE BEEN INACTIVE for 12 months...I thought they were contacting hosts with current consultants! So, at first I was about to bust a gasket! :grumpy: Now that I understand....it is what it is. :balloon:

I agree with Shana. While the majority of us that are on Chef Success and feel like we should get leads WOULD FOLLOW UP and do a great job, HO has to take into account that there are MANY consultants out there who would "drop the ball!" Now- I know that there are HORRIBLE directors out there (some) but for the most part, that is not the case. So, HO is protecting the customer (from getting bad service) and they are protecting our reputation.

Would I like to get leads? HECK YEA!! :love: But I understand why they choose to give them to Directors. Plus, they have earned them! When I am a Director (notice the "when" not "if"...) I will love, love, love getting those leads! :love: :love:

So....just use this as incentive to get on the phone with all of YOUR past hosts and offer the business to them! :balloon:

 

[Kathytnt]

It's frustrating for me because I have done a bit of recruiting but my husband does not want me to become a Director.

 

[reba515]

I didn't get this email from HO.

My thought is, "It Stinks!"

I had a recruit a while back that decided PC just wasn't her thing, (less than a year ago)

Well she gave me all her contacts and shows she had scheduled I sent a letter to each one telling them to contact me from now on, etc etc.
and did several of her shows and met many new customers.

My point is what if one of these hosts gets a packet?!! There goes all my hard work ! It makes me look like a idiot.
There had been past hosts at the shows I ended up doing.

 

[MicheleC]

I think it makes sense that HO is sending out packets to these people as it is a missed market. I'm just glad they gave us a heads up so that we can also be contacting those customers if we already have a relationship with them. I have a recruit that went inactive and some of her past hosts are my past customers and/or hosts. The director they would go to is not even in my upline so that is the part I really don't like about it. I'd hate to see this business leave my cluster but I also see that HO can't try to take into account every situation there may be out there. I'm just going to have to do my part to ensure they hear directly from me first!

 

[KellyRedHead]

I was wondering, not to change the subject, how do you get these executive flash message. There are many that go out, I have read here, and don't get one? I am active, always have been.

Just wondered?


Kelly V.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I was wondering, not to change the subject, how do you get these executive flash message. There are many that go out, I have read here, and don't get one? I am active, always have been.

Just wondered?


Kelly V.

Only Executive Directors (or at least upper level directors I think) get them, and then they can choose whether they want to send the message on to their downline.

 

[dannyzmom]

Ok I have to put my two cents in on this one..... I am a director, and I look at it as more than just a director perk. First of all, not all consultants are actually running a business. I have and have had on my team, people that simply would not follow up. Obviously those of you that are upset about this take your business seriously, but that is not always the case. When HO assigns a lead, they are sent to directors because we are running businesses, and hopefully represent a professional image to pass on to these customers. I do not mean that you folks are not presenting that image, and I am in no way implying that you don't deserve the business leads. I think that they have chosen to assign leads to the leaders in the business. I know this is not going to be a popular view, but I had to share it the way I see it.

I agree 100% with Shana. All of you who have spent your morning being upset...take that energy and put it into recruiting and building your business and promoting to Director...then the leads will come to you.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

The lesson should be that you could let that person know that you would appricate that they give you that lead if it is in your town. Because that is not fair to you at all

Because we do not have territories where we can conduct business I do not see this happening.

the email said the consultant has been inactive for a year I think it is a good move on HO part!!

 

[Chef Kearns]

I agree 100% with Shana. All of you who have spent your morning being upset...take that energy and put it into recruiting and building your business and promoting to Director...then the leads will come to you.

Carolyn, if it were that easy I would've been a Director 2 years ago! Nice thought though, honey! In my PC career I've recruit between 15-20 recruits. They don't stick. Over half have been kitnappers. Even with me working with them before we order their kit and after.

I believe our feelings are valid! We have a right to be upset!

I do understand why Directors would be chosen; however, they should work out a system that would spread the wealth around alot better!

 

[dannyzmom]

Carolyn, if it were that easy I would've been a Director 2 years ago! Nice thought though, honey! In my PC career I've recruit between 15-20 recruits. They don't stick. Over half have been kitnappers. Even with me working with them before we order their kit and after.

I believe our feelings are valid! We have a right to be upset!

I do understand why Directors would be chosen; however, they should work out a system that would spread the wealth around alot better!

My point is -- the policy is what it is. Complaining about it is a complete waste of energy. Rather than complaining about it, DO something productive. Get on the phone, call customers, hosts, work the 3-2-1 system.

 

[finley1991]

Has anyone contacted HO about how you feel about this? Venting here is definitely fine and a good way to share your feelings. However, HO won't know how you feel unless you contact them directly. My suggestion is to e-mail your sales manager at HO (if you don't know who that is, ask your upline director) and cc your upline on any correspondence. HO does listen! Make your voice heard!

Maybe it's not a bad idea to give leads to FDs as long as they meet the same requirements as directors to get the leads... at least $1250 in sales each month. If Directors go two months in a row missing the $1250, we need to do at least $1250 for three straight months to start getting them again. (Meaning, if we miss it two months in a row, we have to wait 4 months to get them back!) It would give FDs another "perk" and make their sales stronger and ensure that they get their 1% overrides as well. Just a thought.

 

[chefruthie]

Smart thinking Colleen! It really would benefit all involved to do it this way, Dir., and FD.
I'm going to e-mail HO and suggest this.

Ruthie