Tips for Recruiting Overseas: Military PC Consultants Share Insights

[cloudyade]

Hey all,

I was wondering if there any military PC Consultants stationed overseas.
We are PCSing overseas next month and I was wondering if you had any tips or suggestions for me.
Mostly I am wondering if I should push recruiting or not, somehow I think if I do start recruiting that I won't have no business sooner or later because the base that we are going to is not that big. Any ideas?

Thank you
Claudia

 

[Sheila]

I totally disagree. I was on Okinawa (in Japan) when I started my business in March '08. I was a hobbyist at first & didn't decide to step up my business until Jan 2010. At the time, I had 3 in my downline who just sort of DROPPED in my lap. I started 2010 as a Team Leader with 3 on the team and ended the year with 42 on the team and being "paid as" an Advanced Director (officially taking the title Jan 1, 2011).

The one thing that you constantly have overseas in your "small town" is new people. There are constantly people rotating in & out. Our team has really started to PCS this year. We have team members in Germany (2), a bunch still in Japan and several spread out across the US. Last year I counted ... between my team, another Director's team and the hospitality consultants, there were over 50 consultants that I personally knew in Okinawa! And business was thriving too!!!

There are rules for doing business overseas:

• Get a business license: This is done through the base. There's no fee, but is required to do business on an overseas military base.
• Stick to the mailing regulations: We are not allowed to accept mail for others unless we are their official sponsor with orders in hand. So no "ship to host" and no "cash & carry" unless you want to chance getting your business license revoked, your mailbox privileges revoked and/or (assuming you are the dependent & not the active duty member) receive an ERD (Early Return of Dependents where you & any children get sent back to the US while your sponsor finishes out his overseas assignment without you).
• Follow the Customs rules: We do not pay import taxes, and are prohibited from selling to the locals. Not only would you be violating the shipping rule, but selling to the locals would be considered The Black Market & is punishable by the local Customs Agency. Stick with SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) Personnel only.

You can convince yourself that it's a waste of time and you'll get those results. Or you can go over there with the anticipation of doing a wonderful job and you'll succeed. The attitude and choice is your decision. If you think you can, or you think you can't ... you're probably right!

 

[cloudyade]

Thanks Sheila for the information.

I did read that somewhere with the direct shipping and all the other regulations. Do you happen which office gives you the business license?

I guess I will just continue to do what I do here in the states and focus on hosting and recruiting. I think you are right, people constantly PCS so there's always a change of people.
Hopefully I can follow your food steps and walk as Advanced Next Year

I already have 4 parties booked in Germany, so excited to finally get there!

Thank you again for your response

 

[Sheila]

Which base are you headed to?

 

[cloudyade]

Illesheim, Germany

 

[Sheila]

Don't know anyone at that base yet. Start with your housing office and see if they issue the licenses. On Okinawa (Air Force) it was housing, in Tokyo (Navy) it was MWR. If you start with the wrong place,they can probably refer you to the right location for the business license. And way to go on having 4 bookings lined up already! Remember, you are not restricted to just the military people on your base. They can collect orders from friends/family on other military bases around the world & those in the US. You can also do shows for people who don't live near you if you utilize your web page.

 

[cloudyade]

Where are your two consultants located?

Ok, I hope the military won't give me troubles about a business license.

Thanks for all the info Sheila

 

[Sheila]

One of the girls on my team is at Ramstein. I'm drawing a complete blank on the other one! Then one of the hospitality girls just moved to Stuttgart.My base declined a private loan company and said it's the only company they've ever declined. I've never heard of a PC rep being declined a license. I have heard that the process in Germany is much longer (one said 6 weeks!) where as it's more like 2 weeks in Japan. Hopefully you won't have to wait long. Most assume they will be approved & just start working shows. The only time you'll have to show your license is if someone complains to the base officials about you or if you go to rent a booth. Remember, on-base booths only, no point in doing an off-base booth since you can't market to the locals. And no door-to-door soliciting on base either. I forgot to mention that. They don't allow door-to-door or phone solicitation on base. You'll get so used to NOT getting telemarketing calls, that you'll be in culture shock when you move back to the US. LOL

 

[cloudyade]

Thanks again, hopefully it will all work out

 

[hmolah]

Wow, more great info! Anyone know any PCers in Grafenwoehr?? Thanks!

Heather