Revamp Your Calendar System: Tips from a Consultant

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores participants' experiences and opinions regarding the 2010 Pampered Chef consultant calendars. Many express dissatisfaction with the new format, preferring layouts that allow for a full month view, while others share alternative solutions they have found.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong dislike for the 2010 consultant calendar, stating a preference for seeing an entire month at once.
  • Another participant mentions trying to adapt to the new calendar but ultimately prefers a different format created by ChefAnn.
  • Several participants note that they did not receive a calendar this year and had to purchase one, leading to confusion about the distribution process.
  • One participant shares their experience of using the new calendar at shows, finding it unsuitable for bookings but acceptable for home use.
  • Another participant mentions the need for a month-at-a-glance section, suggesting that it would improve usability.
  • Several users report purchasing alternative calendars from stores like Walmart and Office Depot, emphasizing the importance of having a month view for planning.
  • One participant describes a detailed system they use with multiple calendars to manage bookings and commitments effectively.
  • Another participant shares their experience of double booking due to the new calendar's layout, highlighting the challenges it presents.
  • Some participants express a desire for a combination of monthly and weekly views in future calendar designs.
  • One participant mentions using a Planner Pad and expresses satisfaction with it, contrasting it with the new PC calendar.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly among participants regarding the effectiveness of the new calendar. While some express frustration and a preference for alternative solutions, others seem to have adapted or found ways to make it work.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding calendar layouts, reflecting individual needs for planning and scheduling within their consulting practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on calendar management and alternatives may find the shared experiences in this thread relevant.

Nicole, if you still have the bookmarks for today and month, they'll fit in Ann's calendar if you just trim the little tab a bit.
 
WOO HOO! Thanks for the tip, Rae! :thumbup:
 
I have to chuckle about the tidbit that you both liked the FC planners. That's exactly what mine is based on. I just extended the times on the daily columns to include evenings, since that's when many people schedule biz things (like shows, cluster meetings, etc.).Rae- did you get yours from Lulu OK? I didn't bother ordering one for myself this year, and I wondered how the quality was.
 
Yep, it's great. One suggestion for next year. You might want to include Thanksgiving. LOL!

I was transferring all of my stuff into the calendar and realized that Thanksgiving isn't listed. It made me laugh. I know it's got to be a nightmare to try to get all of the stuff adjusted from one calendar to the next. I really do appreciate your work on these. It saves me $ and some of the few bits of sanity I have left.
 
Oops! It really is a pain to move all those days/holidays around - I must have missed it while trying not to have it end up on the wrong date. That's OK - the 2009 calendar had an extra day in one of the 30 day months on the month view. :)
I am going to try to get the 2011 version started earlier so that I can proofread it better, and have it listed before the end of the year. ;)
 
It made me laugh. I checked to see if you'd included Canadian Thanksgiving, but I don't think it was there. I thought maybe you'd been living too close to Canada for too long. LOL!
 
chefann said:
I am going to try to get the 2011 version started earlier so that I can proofread it better, and have it listed before the end of the year. ;)
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Maybe you can start now and just do a month at a time :)
 
etteluap70PC said:
HO did redo the weekly printable one on downloads. I like it and may take it to Office max to be printed and bound
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My favorite calendar of all has been this one...I have been using the new one all month but I miss the time-slots on the one on CC. I am printing it out right now and will take it to Staples to be bound this afternoon. It cost me $1.99 last time.
 
Ann, I am soooo very excited you are doing this again this year! I really don't like the new one from HO. At first I thought I would until I realized there wasn't a month at a glance at all! I just ordered yours.
 
Just ordered Ann's. Cost me the same as it would have to take the CC one to Office Max (including my gas and time waiting for it). I love a weekly calendar, but got very confused at my show the other night looking at it trying to book shows.
 
Ugh... I just had mine done at office max... It looked OK Dates are in order but.... Now that I look at it here at home they started printing on the wrong page so it is set up so my week runs wed to tues! ugg.... Worst thing is I don't want to call to complain becaust the gal that did it is a strong booking lead. Do I just deal?
 

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I'd go in and show them when SHE's not there. :) Or even if she is, just make light of the situation...and give her a recipe card for her trouble to reprint/bind it. She obviously messed up.For future reference, maybe make small talk/biz chat AFTER she's done working- she obviously can't multi-task *LOL*.
 
etteluap70PC said:
Ugh... I just had mine done at office max... It looked OK Dates are in order but.... Now that I look at it here at home they started printing on the wrong page so it is set up so my week runs wed to tues! ugg.... Worst thing is I don't want to call to complain becaust the gal that did it is a strong booking lead. Do I just deal?
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I did that when I had one printed out in October for 2009, so I knew to tell them how to print it this time. I agree, go when she's not in, and tell them you didn't realize it until you got home, and you didn't realize to tell the rep.
 
etteluap70PC said:
Ugh... I just had mine done at office max... It looked OK Dates are in order but.... Now that I look at it here at home they started printing on the wrong page so it is set up so my week runs wed to tues! ugg.... Worst thing is I don't want to call to complain becaust the gal that did it is a strong booking lead. Do I just deal?
Click to expand...

EXACTLY what I dealt with this evening at Staples. So I went back and the bozos couldn't figure out how to reprint it the right way so now I am at home reprinting it. ARGH
 
dannyzmom said:
EXACTLY what I dealt with this evening at Staples. So I went back and the bozos couldn't figure out how to reprint it the right way so now I am at home reprinting it. ARGH
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did they charge you at all? or refund you?
 
I just got a cute pink/brown one from Walmart. I am happy it has the month at a glance and the weekly planner :)
 
dannyzmom said:
EXACTLY what I dealt with this evening at Staples. So I went back and the bozos couldn't figure out how to reprint it the right way so now I am at home reprinting it. ARGH
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You have to ask them to print page 1 separately, then print pages 2 through whatever double-sided.

What I found to be pretty cool about this is that it gives me a blank, white page on the front. I had them bind it with a clear cover, which means I'll be able to put a picture on that blank white page or the PC logo or something.
 
OK got mine redone at Office max. She was going to charge me but decided no to.

She said to tell anyone else that they need to print a blank page before the rest or do the first page as a single side copy. The the rest prints OK. I think I will let HO know and maybe ask them to do a logo front.
 
etteluap70PC said:
I think I will let HO know and maybe ask them to do a logo front.
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That would be fabulous! I didn't think about the blank page in front before I went to OfficeMax, or I would have had it printed before hand. I've been considering using some of my scrapbooking tools to jazz up the cover.
 
I may turn my cover into a "dream board" of sorts
 
NooraK said:
You have to ask them to print page 1 separately, then print pages 2 through whatever double-sided.What I found to be pretty cool about this is that it gives me a blank, white page on the front. I had them bind it with a clear cover, which means I'll be able to put a picture on that blank white page or the PC logo or something.
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I had them just trim the edge off the PC cover and back and bind those to the new pages. I can't use the pockets for full size papers any more but it looks perfect!
 
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ohhhh.... now why didn't I think of that?
 
I had a hard time with the calendar/planner too. I found a printable weekly planner i really liked but each week was on 2 pages. I redesigned it to fit on one page and thought I would share...:chef:
 

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I am trying really hard to like it, but I it confuses potential hosts when they want to look at the whole month. I did write at the top of each page which week it was 1st,2nd etc.
That has helped me a bit... I understand the concept but wish they would of given us the option of which one we would of rather used.
 
I've had good luck with the one I printed off CC. The only problem I had is that I didn't realize holidays weren't marked until I was looking at a possible April date for a repeat host and she mentioned the Sunday I suggested was Easter. Oops. I went through and added everything after that.
 
I agree I cannot get used to the layout of the new calendar. For me Sunday to Wed in one line and Thurs to Sat in the other line is just too crazy. If one week was a straight line, would be much better. I wish they put a monthly page in there too.

You can print off weekly and monthly calendars at PP too.
But I will just start using my demo 2010 PC recipe calendar that I bought at conference.
 
I hate (and not a word I use often) the new calendar. And yes, I understand the concept. But after 54 years of using a monthly calendar, to try and change is like asking me to wear my shoes on the wrong feet. I gave it the January try and felt I spent the month flipping pages way too much. AND double checking I was on the right week. I WILL be ordering Anne's calendar - thanks for sharing that link.
 
I have been using Ann's calendar for a week now. And used it at my show on Friday. Absoulutely love it. Has everything I need, and I love the different named days on the monthly portion of it
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of revamping my calendar system as a Pampered Chef consultant?

Revamping your calendar system can help you stay organized, manage your time effectively, and ensure that you are maximizing your opportunities for sales and customer engagement. A well-structured calendar allows you to plan parties, follow up with clients, and track your goals more efficiently.

What tools can I use to improve my calendar system?

There are several tools you can use, including digital calendars like Google Calendar or Outlook, project management apps like Trello or Asana, and even traditional planners. Choose a tool that fits your style and allows you to easily track events, deadlines, and reminders.

How often should I update my calendar?

It's best to update your calendar regularly, ideally on a weekly basis. This allows you to adjust for any changes in your schedule, add new events, and review your goals. Daily check-ins can also help you stay on top of tasks and appointments.

What are some tips for scheduling parties and events effectively?

When scheduling parties and events, consider your target audience's availability, such as weekends or evenings. Use a mix of in-person and virtual events to reach a broader audience. Additionally, send out invitations well in advance and follow up with reminders as the date approaches.

How can I incorporate follow-ups into my calendar system?

Incorporate follow-ups by setting specific reminders in your calendar for each client interaction. After a party or sale, schedule a follow-up call or message within a few days. This keeps you engaged with your customers and helps build lasting relationships, which can lead to repeat sales.

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