My New Consultant's First Show...

[AJPratt]

I feel so bad for my new consultant. Her MIL is hosting her 1st show. My new consultant has done her best to coach what I would call the un-coachable. She wouldn't give her addys to send out the invites, and then decided she wouldn't send out invites at all, that she would just do a FB invite. IMHO, I can certainly see FB as a good reminder, but that's it. I believe that FB is good for announcing but you need to INVITE people whether it be via a post card or phone call, or maybe even e-invitation. Well, my new consultant is so upset, feeling like she is failing because the host told her she only had two people coming. She is trying really hard to qualify in the first 30 days, and she wants her MIL to get lots of products. So, you know me: I won't stand for this. Can't keep my mouth shut. And, when her MIL friended me on FB, I jumped at the opportunity. I just hope I didn't over-step or piss her off.

ME: (Post on her wall for a number of reasons) Hi, Lisa! How are your plans coming along for your Pampered Chef show? I bet you're going to have a great turn out!

HOST: Don't know about that, seem to only have about 4 people confirmed ...people are just too busy I guess and with the economy...who knows...

HOST: Two teachers from school said they were ordering from the catalogs but won't have order in to me until Monday.

HOST: Well, looks like I have about 5 people coming so far, sending out reminders and making some calls tonight...we'll see, I hope for XXX that it turns out okay...sent out like 25 invites for cryin' out loud (I'm thinking, only 25?!)

ME: 5 is a good start! And, outside orders are great! Be sure to call as many people as you can, even if you didn't mail them the post card invites. For anyone you didn't *officially* invite, you can always say its an impromptu get together to help out your DIL. And, fwiw, based on my experience, for sending out 25 invitations 5-8 in attendance is the norm. Plus, some people won't RSVP. And, I know Lauren wants this to be a great show so *you* gets lots of free products!

ME: I forgot to add: I know things are tight financially for most, but with the economy, people are cooking at home more, and realize that they need to invest in quality tools. I just had a show where the host had $1000 in sales with 10 guests. Actually, I have had my biggest, personal best shows since the issues with the economy. Go figure! I guess what I am trying to say is not to stress out about the attendance. You will have a great show!

So, what do you think?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I think you kept it very upbeat and helpful...not overstepping or being rude at all! It was very encouraging, and may help her to think about inviting more people. She sounds like someone who needs 10 times more positive thinking in her life to balance out the negative!

 

[chefjeanine]

Anne,

I think what you posted sounds great.

And for those who may be reading this and have never heard, when new recruits are host coaching family and friends (especially during those first few months), they should say "I have a certain coaching routine and process that I'm trying to learn. Can you play along so that I can be sure to do a good job with all of my hosts." This covers wanting to send the invites and just getting people to listen to what they can do to have a better show.

 

[Sheila]

Anne, I think you did great! I love the "that's a great START" comment. I picked that one up recently off one of the training CD's and LOVED it!

 

[AJPratt]

Anne,

I think what you posted sounds great.

And for those who may be reading this and have never heard, when new recruits are host coaching family and friends (especially during those first few months), they should say "I have a certain coaching routine and process that I'm trying to learn. Can you play along so that I can be sure to do a good job with all of my hosts." This covers wanting to send the invites and just getting people to listen to what they can do to have a better show.

That's basically what I told her to say, but the lady said, "That's fine, but no one does invites any more." Oh, ok. Well, now you knw why you have 5 people coming to your show.

 

[Sheila]

LOL Don't you just LOVE those people who know how to do our business better than our proven methods???

 

[AJPratt]

LOL Don't you just LOVE those people who know how to do our business better than our proven methods???

Oh, I know... You know if invites didn't work, we wouldn't have them! I told my husband last night that I wasn't going to let this lady off the hook and that in a way, I feel she did more harm than good. My consultant was actually thinking of quitting because she felt she couldn't coach someone to have a good show. Thankfully, my consultant has booked 2 shows; one in Nov and one in Jan, so she is feeling much better. Now, if this host pulls it off, that will be great.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

I think you may have helped rather than harmed. Just tell your new team member, that after this show is under her belt, she'll know she can handle the difficult hosts who occassionally pop up! And if 5 people do show up, despite the host's lack of effort, then she can count it as a success.