Using Laptop for the First Time Tonight - Any Tips?

[jrstephens]

I am using it for the first time tonight at my show. Does anyone have any pointers or anything I need to know to make things run smoothly?

 

[chefann]

When I get everything set up, I start P3, then close the lid of the laptop. It never fails, when I forget to do that, that's the show with a guest who needs to leave right away and can't wait for the program to start up.

If you have a portable mouse, take it. P3 is too hard to use with the trackpad (IMO).

 

[jrstephens]

Thanks, I had not thought about starting it when I got there. I have a USB mouse that I am taking. I am hoping Russell gets me a wireless mouse for my birthday.

 

[kathy Griffith]

If you sent the invites for your Host, enter all the guest info, even if they don't show they will be connected to that Host.

 

[K_Jurich]

Glad this thread came up because I just got a laptop and I am in the process of getting it set up. So thanks for the info. I love the start it up when you get there idea.

 

[pamperedlinda]

If you don't have a 10-key numeric pad on your laptop you might want to buy an external one. I am lost w/o that!

 

[nikked]

I have the guests read their items off to me, to avoid transposing numbers or reading the wrong line. They read the number, and I recite the item that comes up to verify. It works well, and allows me one-on-one time them, as well as helping me focus on cross selling more..."I see your getting the rectangle stone...I must tell you that you should get the rack for it as well. Makes it much easier to get out of the oven, and doubles as a stand!", and that such thing.

I also announce at the beginning of the show that I have my "handy-dandy 'notebook'....computer" with me, so that the guests don't have to worry about any math. The handy-dandy notebook always gets a laugh from the "Blue's Clues" set.

Good luck tonight...enjoy that laptop. Made all the difference for me at my shows!

 

[PCSarahjm]

I agree start P3 before the show. Sometimes it takes awhile for it to come up. I too have the guest read the item # to me along with the quantity wanted. It seems to work well doing it that way.

I would be totally lost without my laptop being at every show. It is just so much easier to enter everything and get the totals right!

 

[sklay723]

I LOVE my laptop at shows! Since it does the math (like someone said earlier in the thread), I always tell everyone not to worry about the total until they are ready to enter it in...then I fill in the numbers on their order form and make sure they understand the "math" as it's added in.
I also like the fact that I can sit with the host afterward and show her where we currently stand. That way I'm not "guessing" on how much more she needs to make the next level, how many half-price items she's getting, etc. It also makes it wonderful to adjust which items should be half-price to help her get the best deal for her dollar, because she sees the difference between making item A half-price instead of item B.
Fire your laptop up early, like someone mentioned...very helpful. I keep a slideshow of my twins (two year olds) on my desktop, so that if anyone sees it and asks about them I can make sure I mention that PC gives me the opportunity to work from home and be home with my kids...and wouldn't they love to talk about a PC business of their own, too?

 

[jrstephens]

Thanks everyone! I will post tomorrow how it went. I am so excited to have it!!! I will be leaving in a few minutes to go to my show.

She is suppose to have at least 15 guest there. I am excited about that too b/c most of mine around here average 5-6 at the show. And she is turning in by the 9th to help me get the tablecloth! I am giving her a $15 product for free for helping me if she turns it in by the 9th. If she gets to a $500 show like she wants that wil make me not be paying much after my commission and use her host discount.

 

[jrstephens]

Wonderful!Used my laptop last night. It wsa great! I turned it on when I first got there like yall said. As people came in if I knew them, I entered their name in. Then those that I did not as I introduced myself I put them in or asked the host their name if I did not catch it all. I entered the rest of there info later when they were eatin and in between orders.

I sold two small scoops b/c of it too. Usually I do not "really" look at what they order. I glance and retotal for them but do not concentrate on it. Well, since I was seeing it pop up on the screen. The two that bought mini muffin pans, I sold the scoop to go with it to them.

It also reminded me to ask about the "Rounding Up." I always forget to mentin that at shows but when I was giving them their total last night and saw the icon it reminded me. Almost everyone rounded up.

I was glad I took my USB mouse b/c like Ann recommended a mouse is so much better when entering shows instead of the little finger pad.

A numeric pad like Linda talked about would be good too but I will hold off on that for a while to see if I get more use to using the numbers about the letters. I use those a lot at work so, it should not take a lot of adjustment for me.

I loved coming home and not having to enter orders! My feet were swollen and killing me when I got home, so, it was great just to kick back and not have to do that!

Thanks for your tips ladies!!!!

 

[wadesgirl]

Used my laptop last night. It wsa great! I turned it on when I first got there like yall said. As people came in if I knew them, I entered their name in. Then those that I did not as I introduced myself I put them in or asked the host their name if I did not catch it all. I entered the rest of there info later when they were eatin and in between orders.

I sold two small scoops b/c of it too. Usually I do not "really" look at what they order. I glance and retotal for them but do not concentrate on it. Well, since I was seeing it pop up on the screen. The two that bought mini muffin pans, I sold the scoop to go with it to them.
It also reminded me to ask about the "Rounding Up." I always forget to mentin that at shows but when I was giving them their total last night and saw the icon it reminded me. Almost everyone rounded up.

I was glad I took my USB mouse b/c like Ann recommended a mouse is so much better when entering shows instead of the little finger pad.

A numeric pad like Linda talked about would be good too but I will hold off on that for a while to see if I get more use to using the numbers about the letters. I use those a lot at work so, it should not take a lot of adjustment for me.

I loved coming home and not having to enter orders! My feet were swollen and killing me when I got home, so, it was great just to kick back and not have to do that!

Thanks for your tips ladies!!!!

I agree on this fact. I cannot wait to get my laptop so I can start taking it to shows.

 

[PCJenni]

bring your power cord just in case!

 

[JAE]

If you don't have a 10-key numeric pad on your laptop you might want to buy an external one. I am lost w/o that!

I've been thinking about doing this. It's a good Sunday afternoon activity.

 

[JAE]

If you sent the invites for your Host, enter all the guest info, even if they don't show they will be connected to that Host.

I've been thinking about doing this. Good Sunday afternoon activity.

 

[JAE]

If you don't have a 10-key numeric pad on your laptop you might want to buy an external one. I am lost w/o that!

Considering this too. I haven't had that since getting a laptop three years ago. At first I hated not having one, but now I'm as used to it as I'll ever get. I'll keep considering.

 

[Kristina21]

I loved coming home and not having to enter orders! My feet were swollen and killing me when I got home, so, it was great just to kick back and not have to do that!

My director calls it 'working' at work...I also love coming home to my family, not more work! Congrats on your success!!

 

[Jules711]

I love the laptop for big groups, especially. Just be sure to have all of the host info entered. I didn't at first for one and it wasn't calculating shipping! Oops. Luckily, I caught it right away. Not sure why the address wasn't in there. I love the idea of the screensaver. I also just close it. Oh...and more memory should help with loading the program. It takes a lot more than PP and most laptops don't come with enough to run much (keeps the price down). Really, you should have at least 1G. I have that now and it really helps.The key is to find the space before the show starts though! I usually end up at the dining room or kitchen table. As for receipts, you could get a small printer to take with to print receipts right away. I haven't done that yet. I do prefer printed receipts vs the write-in ones to keep just b/c it lists the warranty and everything is very clear (vs a copy).

 

[Chef Endora]

Wow, what a great thread! I stopped on the way home from my show today & bought my very first laptop. Now I'm really excited. Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow, what a great thread! I stopped on the way home from my show today & bought my very first laptop. Now I'm really excited. Thanks for all the great ideas!

Wow - that was some impulse buy!

 

[jrstephens]

Wow, what a great thread! I stopped on the way home from my show today & bought my very first laptop. Now I'm really excited. Thanks for all the great ideas!

Did my thread cause a debt?! HAHA!

I am loving mine more and more. Only used it for one show but I know I will grow to love it more and more for them.

I got to set up right on the counter by my demo space.It was very convenient b/c when they were looking at stuff and wanted to know the price, I could look it up in P3 quicker than the magazine. I have not set my screen saver yet but I did have a pic of my son as my background when I had P3 minimized.

 

[Chef Endora]

It sounds that way, doesn't it. Really, I've been looking & researching. DH is not real happy but he is a man of the 90s....the 1890s. I call his truck his covered wagon I have a full time job already, so if I want to use my fun job cash on it, that's what I'm doing.

My DSILs helped me with choosing one. One SIL built my desktop & is my personal geek. He knows a happy MIL is a good MIL:love:

This will work out well for shows and for school. I actually haven't opened the box yet because I want to check out tomorrow's ads. I also got a wireless mouse & numeric keypad set to go with it.

 

[ChefSheryl]

It sounds that way, doesn't it. Really, I've been looking & researching. DH is not real happy but he is a man of the 90s....the 1890s. I call his truck his covered wagon I have a full time job already, so if I want to use my fun job cash on it, that's what I'm doing.

My DSILs helped me with choosing one. One SIL built my desktop & is my personal geek. He knows a happy MIL is a good MIL:love:

This will work out well for shows and for school. I actually haven't opened the box yet because I want to check out tomorrow's ads. I also got a wireless mouse & numeric keypad set to go with it.

What brand of Laptop did you get? Is it Windows XP or Vista?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

It sounds that way, doesn't it. Really, I've been looking & researching. DH is not real happy but he is a man of the 90s....the 1890s. I call his truck his covered wagon I have a full time job already, so if I want to use my fun job cash on it, that's what I'm doing.

My DSILs helped me with choosing one. One SIL built my desktop & is my personal geek. He knows a happy MIL is a good MIL:love:

This will work out well for shows and for school. I actually haven't opened the box yet because I want to check out tomorrow's ads. I also got a wireless mouse & numeric keypad set to go with it.

I figured it probably wasn't a complete impulse buy....but the way that you posted it made it sound that way....and I just could not resist!

Have fun with your laptop - you are going to love the freedom of it!

 

[ChefSheryl]

Does anyone use a Mac? Does it work well with PP3?

 

[mamidu]

I am a new consultant that just started with PC. From what I have read on these boards is that there is a few Mac owners. Myself being on of them. I use Boot Camp and Fusion to run PP3 and so far I have had no issues. I can't wait to start actually using the software. I have a catty show going and my neighbor is going to host a show for me but she keeps pushing the date back!

 

[ChefSheryl]

I am a new consultant that just started with PC. From what I have read on these boards is that there is a few Mac owners. Myself being on of them. I use Boot Camp and Fusion to run PP3 and so far I have had no issues. I can't wait to start actually using the software. I have a catty show going and my neighbor is going to host a show for me but she keeps pushing the date back!

I am trying to decide between keeping my current Windows computer (desktop) and buying a Windows laptop. That way we have a new upgraded computer and the old one the kids can use. But, I was in a Apple store recently looking at their computers and I was impressed. If I get an Apple, I would get rid of our Windows and just have the one. Maybe down the road, we could get a Mac laptop. Do you like the Mac better? Can you give me any advice?

 

[Chef Endora]

ChefSheryl: I think Chefann has a MacBook that she loves. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help you out.

I got a Toshiba. I wish they would make them so they could be refurbished by home geeks such as my DSIL. He offered to try to refurbish my grandson's
old one, but I didn't want to invest in an experiment, plus, I want to get up and running so I can do some exam simulators. I can do them on my desktop but I need to refer to 3 huge coding books so I need room to spread out.

 

[mamidu]

I have a MacBook Pro and I love it! My neighbor used to be a Windows Only user and somehow or another I got her to try a Mac. In the beginning she had a few problems, but now she recommends to other they need to get a Mac. The nice thing about a Mac is that you have the option to run Windows.

 

[chefann]

Hey, folks! I was gone at Leadership and unable to stay on top of all the new posts. I DO have a MacBook, and I LOVE it!! You can run P3 through Boot Camp, and it will work fine (because when you restart in Boot Camp your Mac is actually functioning 100% as a Windows machine). You can also run P3 through Parallels, although one of the very nice gentlemen in the Tech Room did say that you shouldn't go back and forth between P3 in Parallels and Mac programs while they're running because it will eventually break P3. He was a Mac user himself, so he knew what he was talking about.

 

[ChefSheryl]

Mary Anne and Ann,
Do you also have a Mac desktop or some other kind of desktop computer? Do you just use your Macbook? What is it about Mac that you like better than Windows? Sorry for all the questions, I just can not make up my mind. I really want a laptop but if I go for the Macbook, I feel like I should get rid of our Windows computer because they wouldn't work together. Then we would only have a laptop which might be fine. I just never thought about having only a laptop. One more question (on this post anyway), if you have children do they use the Mac? Thanks for all the info. I like to research a product by talking to people who actually use the product.

 

[chefann]

Sheryl, I just set you a PM.

 

[ChefSheryl]

Sheryl, I just set you a PM.

Thank you, Do you have a Macbook Pro or just a regular one? Is there that much of a difference in the quality? I noticed there is a big difference in price.

 

[chefann]

I have a regular one, the 13" model. It's fine. The Pro usually has faster processors (yes, plural), larger hard drive standard, etc. It's really aimed at video and graphics professionals who need serious processing power. You should be fine with the regular one.

 

[mamidu]

ChefCheryl,
I wanted the MacBook Pro because it isn't often that I get a new computer and the fact I got it on a close out. I take my computer with me everywhere I go. My DH is self employed and I use my laptop for his business. My 2 kids and DH each have their own Mac laptops. Granted they are older computers but it works for them. I like Macs because they are less likely to get viruses, and they (to me) are easier to use. Also, you don't have to worry about doing the system defrag. and other things like that. Go to Apple and look around. There is a ton of stuff on their site that shows the difference between the two. I had to have Windows because we both have a Garmin iQue and the maps have to be installed through Windows.

 

[chefann]

If you're seriously considering the Pro model, take a look in the "refurbished" area on the online Apple Store. You can usually get a pretty good deal in there - often current models marked down a couple hundred bucks, just because they were returned. Apple cleans them up and repackages them with all the manuals, etc. That's how DH got my first iPod, and it's been great!