- 382
I received this email from my Director this morning , thought it was great and that I would share..So... What is it that you Do?
(Thanks to NSED Darla Oelmann for writing.)
Friends and family have probably asked you this. Did you have a quick informative answer, or did you stumble and stammer, trying to give a good description of your Pampered Chef business? You may have started out by saying "Have you ever heard of the" Pampered Chef" but what we are really doing is answering a question with another question. If they say no then we are still stumbling and stammering over our words again.
You probably never dreamed you would become a "salesperson" and don't want to be thought of that way either. And, heaven forbid that you are that "Home Party Lady"! However, we should not ever feel negative or embarrassed to be in sales. Selling is a service; you use sales everyday of your life. Nobody would ever buy anything if there weren't for someone "selling" something. If a product is made, it has to be sold. Selling is just transferring a feeling from you to them.
So, how can you explain to someone "what you do" and keep it sounding dignified? Below are some ideas you can use when asked, "What is it that you do?"
"I own my own business and am a consultant with an international sales company. (then) I represent a line of gourmet kitchen products for a multi-million dollar company"
"I am an independent consultant for an international company that markets professional quality kitchen tools for home use"
"I am a part-time (or free-lance) consultant for an international kitchenware company"
Refer to yourself as a "Teacher, Trainer, Consultant, Director" etc. When someone asks what you actually do, instead of saying "home parties" say that you "Provide people with personal consultations and training in the use of specialized gourmet cooking products"
We communicate to others how we feel about ourselves and our work through the words we use to describe our profession. Use terms and descriptions that convey high esteem and professionalism and others will get the message.
There will always be some people who will see you and your work as a low-status "vega-matic" gadget seller. Just sit back?grin all the way to the bank?and enjoy your 5-9 instead of 9-5 profession J (edited by Kim Cooper 9/05)
(Thanks to NSED Darla Oelmann for writing.)
Friends and family have probably asked you this. Did you have a quick informative answer, or did you stumble and stammer, trying to give a good description of your Pampered Chef business? You may have started out by saying "Have you ever heard of the" Pampered Chef" but what we are really doing is answering a question with another question. If they say no then we are still stumbling and stammering over our words again.
You probably never dreamed you would become a "salesperson" and don't want to be thought of that way either. And, heaven forbid that you are that "Home Party Lady"! However, we should not ever feel negative or embarrassed to be in sales. Selling is a service; you use sales everyday of your life. Nobody would ever buy anything if there weren't for someone "selling" something. If a product is made, it has to be sold. Selling is just transferring a feeling from you to them.
So, how can you explain to someone "what you do" and keep it sounding dignified? Below are some ideas you can use when asked, "What is it that you do?"
"I own my own business and am a consultant with an international sales company. (then) I represent a line of gourmet kitchen products for a multi-million dollar company"
"I am an independent consultant for an international company that markets professional quality kitchen tools for home use"
"I am a part-time (or free-lance) consultant for an international kitchenware company"
Refer to yourself as a "Teacher, Trainer, Consultant, Director" etc. When someone asks what you actually do, instead of saying "home parties" say that you "Provide people with personal consultations and training in the use of specialized gourmet cooking products"
We communicate to others how we feel about ourselves and our work through the words we use to describe our profession. Use terms and descriptions that convey high esteem and professionalism and others will get the message.
There will always be some people who will see you and your work as a low-status "vega-matic" gadget seller. Just sit back?grin all the way to the bank?and enjoy your 5-9 instead of 9-5 profession J (edited by Kim Cooper 9/05)
