Where Is Everyone? August Ambush Challenges & Results

[akaskydebil]

Nice to know I'm not in the boat alone. Feel free to beat me with a paddle.
Ann - I hear ya on the phone piece. I'm petrified of calling anyone and I talk myself out of it thinking that I'm being a pushy salesperson who is going to annoy and turn off the person on the other end of the phone. But in agreement with Jenni - no one seems to answer and then no one returns calls when I do swallow my fears. Few weeks ago I got 3 bookings but couldn't get them to bite for Aug or Sept but rather they chose Oct and Nov. If I hear "Im too busy right now" one more time I might just beat myself with that boat paddle. Ahh such is life... I hope it gets better before I want to just jump overboard. hehe

 

[finley1991]

In Tom Barrett's book (the guy who spoke at the director event) he says that when someone says they are too busy, they are not stating a fact, they are stating a priority. It's just not important for them right now to host. And ultimately that is because we haven't given them reason enough to host... they don't want it enough to make it a priority. I know I'm guilty of this and it's something I've been working on. And my bookings are turning around...

 

[Chef Kearns]

In Tom Barrett's book (the guy who spoke at the director event) he says that when someone says they are too busy, they are not stating a fact, they are stating a priority. It's just not important for them right now to host. And ultimately that is because we haven't given them reason enough to host... they don't want it enough to make it a priority. I know I'm guilty of this and it's something I've been working on. And my bookings are turning around...

Okay Colleen, how would you go about creating priority status? I'm talking about getting someone who is not currently pumped up about booking PUMPED UP (imagine an Arnold accent...LOL). I mean this is PC 101, but sometimes it doesn't hurt to get back to the basics.

 

[finley1991]

I think that's exactly it Sandra... just getting back to the basics! Get them excited, get them to build a huge wishlist, etc!

 

[akaskydebil]

Like the idea but there's a huge "HOW" that goes with this. I've talked to many people who do the basics and their calendars are like mine (empty). 3-2-1 (which drives me nuts), basic booking slide, basic fun, basic full service checkout etc... when thats not working what "hypes" them up?

 

[finley1991]

when thats not working what "hypes" them up?

I hate to say it... but WE do. When we are excited about our businesses, others will be too. If we aren't excited, that's when it's a struggle...

 

[akaskydebil]

I hate to say it... but WE do. When we are excited about our businesses, others will be too. If we aren't excited, that's when it's a struggle...

I mean this in the most loving way of saying it but...I don't buy it. I am excited about my business as the day I started and have not changed my show as its worked well for me. I don't think the many I have talked to lately who are also in the same slump that they are duds on a log with their hosts and at their shows.

You say (or Tom Barrett does) that we need to create a sense of urgency with our hosts...me being excited doesn't seem to make it important enough to them. Not trying to sound like negative nelly here - simply stating that you seem to stand behind a pretty profound statement but yet don't have anything to back up such statement.

I'm not saying you are wrong - nor Tom Barrett but I'm the kid that asks why? and find the answer of "because I said so" to be unacceptable. When I asked how I was looking for anyone to be able to give examples of how they get people to book by creating this sense of urgency. I am even offering my own Fall Savings Spectacular and my hosts can get a 'host favorite' for 60% off courtesy of me in addition to all that PC gives them. It rocked the house in February so much that I had $10k in sales...STILL no one is biting. My last resort is to beat them with the grill pan. j/k.

 

[finley1991]

You say (or Tom Barrett does) that we need to create a sense of urgency with our hosts...

I never said anything about "creating a sense of urgency"... and I never said "because I said so". I reread my posts and didn't say either of those things so I'm not sure how to respond...

I did give an example... when I am excited about my biz, my guests get excited as well and that leads them to want to book. Then I lead them to the dates I have available.

I know personally, when I get bummed about my biz, my bookings slide. When I am excited about it, they increase. That's all I was saying. I never said any else. I was trying to help. My apologies. Not sure where I went wrong with that.

 

[chefkathy]

Like the idea but there's a huge "HOW" that goes with this. I've talked to many people who do the basics and their calendars are like mine (empty). 3-2-1 (which drives me nuts), basic booking slide, basic fun, basic full service checkout etc... when thats not working what "hypes" them up?

just because the basics aren't working for you doesn't mean the basics don't work.

You have to find out what the needs are out there and see how Pampered Chef can meet them.

At our kick off last night, one of the Executives talked about a "Meal time Solutions" show. FABULOUS! How many busy moms do you know? They need a meal time solution!

 

[akaskydebil]

I never said anything about "creating a sense of urgency"... and I never said "because I said so". I reread my posts and didn't say either of those things so I'm not sure how to respond...

I did give an example... when I am excited about my biz, my guests get excited as well and that leads them to want to book. Then I lead them to the dates I have available.

I know personally, when I get bummed about my biz, my bookings slide. When I am excited about it, they increase. That's all I was saying. I never said any else. I was trying to help. My apologies. Not sure where I went wrong with that.

I wasn't attacking you or saying you were wrong. My apologies if my post came across the wrong way. What I was saying is that I just dont buy that me being excited is what books the shows. If I get any more into my business at the show I might just turn into a tool. Im talking with directors, AD's, New consultants, old consultants...many are struggling and so I know its not just me but I thought (and must have been the one in the wrong) that idea's could be brainstormed here and not the same old jargon that HO repeats until we're all blue in the face.


I was wrong in how I thought this post could turn out to be a way to help everyone. My apologies again.

 

[akaskydebil]

At our kick off last night, one of the Executives talked about a "Meal time Solutions" show. FABULOUS! How many busy moms do you know? They need a meal time solution!

Love the idea if you can get those busy moms to take 2-3 hours to host a show. THey are the tough ones to convince! But may adopt the idea and give it a whirl!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Melissa - it's late here, almost midnight, and I'm tired...but I want to come back to this and respond. I need to think about it a little more. I know that I had a really crappy July - other than the month I had pneumonia, it's the lowest sales I've had in over 2 years. But I've had 7 shows in August (thanks to those July shows who rescheduled!) and I am now completely booked for September and have 2 dates left for Oct. Plus - have 2 signing this month, and so far, 2 hosts next month who want to sign.
And I got another home office lead today who put that she wants to book and is interested in the biz....


I know there are some things I'm doing - but I need to think about it, and be more wide awake to respond.

The biggest thing for me though is persistence. I just never give up, and I never give in to being negative. (well, hardly ever...) but I know you are looking for specifics...I'll be back tomorrow!

I read a quote today - I should have written it down because now I'm paraphrasing - but it said something like "You cannot fail if you never quit"...or something like that.

Be encouraged - everyone goes through these times. I'll be back....(I DID NOT say that in an Arnold voice in my head...just so you know. )

 

[BethCooks4U]

I've heard it a million times: "Fake it until you make it."

If your business isn't where you want it to be then imagine what that would be and project that image. Don't tell my customers but I have put "bookings" on my calendar that didn't exist if that month looked sad. I put them on dates I don't want to/can't work anyway. It makes them think "I'd better get my date down". Most months fortunately, I don't have to do that but it does work.

It's so easy to get in a downward spiral and not even know it. If you are saying "but..." then you need to sit back and re-wire your thinking. When I am coming up with all the excuses that I hear as to why no one is booking or working their business or whatever then I am not getting anywhere. If I come up with the solutions and have them ready for my customers or team then I am moving forward. Not everyone will follow what I suggest but enough will that I feel it's worth my effort.

Go for No is the best advice I've heard. It puts a positive spin on our negatives and keeps us moving toward our goal.

Don't let the "but" road block get you! There is no magic bullet, no magic words that work, that make them want to book. All we can do is build relationships and let people know what we have to offer and remind them from time to time. It might not be something they can think of right now but next month they might just be ready. Persistance. Persistance. Persistance.

 

[baychef]

Love the last two posts. I need to train myself better at not biting for the first negative or semi-negative response! I have to run for now but getting inspiration from all of the posts! Thank you!:chef:

 

[quiverfull7]

Love the advise from both Becky and Beth. Getting bookings is always a challenge and I spend a fair amount of time at cluster meetings and on phone calls with my team discussing just that. I always ask... are you having fun at your shows? Are the guests and hosts having fun? and... the question they often don't want to answer is... how long are your demo's? We work at keeping things simple and I always tell the guests at shows that my favorite part of a show is getting to hear the "chatter" of fellowshiping going on because we are all busy and don't get together often enough. It's a joy to hear friends and neighbors catching up with one another. Then I say that I hope they hear one anothers voices more that night than they do mine. I did give the interactive show model a real try but it didn't work for me. So I'm back with a mix of both styles and bookings and sales are back up again. When I get the usual excuses... I laugh and say... bring em on cuz I bet I have a solution for every one! We've had loads of fun with that at some shows! I know I'm preaching to the choir here because we're all directors but just thougth maybe there might be something here to share with struggling team members... for us it's BIF ... brief, informative and fun ... for EVERY show. My upline is all about simplicity and I love that! I am still trying to take less to shows so that's a huge place of work for me in the simplicity realm. And the whole GO FO NO info has influenced a huge mindset shift for me and I love it!