Who Keeps Their Schedule Flexible?

[PamperedK]

I'm just wondering how many people stick to a strict schedule for shows. I thought I'd stick to a T/Th/Sun schedule, but then I realized...I really have no reason to stick to it - so I just let my hosts pick their own date. The only time I've really pushed a date on my hosts is for FEB since it's my SS3 month and I still needed 6 more shows before the 20th. One of my hosts was kind of upset I only gave her an option of 2 dates. We did find something that worked for both of us, but I do find that people have a hard time understanding that this is my business and I have times I do and do not work...so I think I'm just going to be flexible....that is until America's Next Top Model starts up again - then no more Wednesday shows for me!!

 

[Ginger428]

I'm pretty flexible, but stuck to my guns for a show this month. She wanted a Friday night. But its in PA, thats a 2 hour drive 1 way for me . So we settled on a Sunday brunch.....

 

[Teresa Lynn]

If you don't set a schedule now that works with your lifestyle you'll be run ragged . Treat it like any other business would they have days and operating hours.
I reserve Friday nights for family nights, Wed is church, Monday I'm lazy!! HA!! HA!!
Teresa

 

[pamperedharriet]

You have to do what pretty much is good for you and set up your schedule. If you don't have anything planned for a certain time frame and it is convenient then yes book the show. But if it is a problem and distance issue then I would do like Ginger.

 

[PamperedK]

Yeah, I'm single and I have no other outside commitments, so really...I'm flexible.I did book 3 shows within 4 days and I know I'm going to be tired, but I really want to get my SS bonuses!!

 

[raebates]

I don't really have a "M-W-F" kind of schedule. What I do, instead, is put my personal commitments on my calendar. I decide how many shows I'm comfortable doing each week. I then fill in my calendar accordingly. Some months I do lots of Thursday shows. Some months I don't do any Thursdays at all.I find that by blocking out personal time first, it keeps me from running myself ragged, but I can stay flexible for my hosts.

 

[beepampered]

I'm flexible but my director says that set times are better. I find that people tend to book the same time as the show they are at. So, my show last night got two Wednesday night bookings. My show Sunday got a Sunday booking. I try to just gauge the week and go from there. (Although, we have to keep hiring babysitters because my husband confuses which night I'm doing parties.) Good luck earning those first bonuses. It's fun to get free stuff! BEE

 

[rayday]

I don't really have a "M-W-F" kind of schedule. What I do, instead, is put my personal commitments on my calendar. I decide how many shows I'm comfortable doing each week. I then fill in my calendar accordingly. Some months I do lots of Thursday shows. Some months I don't do any Thursdays at all.

I find that by blocking out personal time first, it keeps me from running myself ragged, but I can stay flexible for my hosts.

This is what I pretty much do!! I have noticed though that almost all of my shows are Thurday, Friday or Saturday. I do have a a "no Sunday" policy though, it's church day and family day.

 

[soccermama]

Up til now I've been flexible.... but I've only been doing 2-4 shows a month!!! Now that I am trying get 8-10 shows a month, I am setting the schedule I can work.... I fill in my prior commitments (including TEAM meetings! Don't forget to block out time for those!) and then I highlight the days I can do shows. If I can do a show any time during that day, I hightlight the whole block. Evenings, I highlight the bottom, mornings I hightlight the top, afternoons I highlight the middle. It's nice to be able to hand over the calendar to someone and let them just pick their day!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I don't really have a "M-W-F" kind of schedule. What I do, instead, is put my personal commitments on my calendar. I decide how many shows I'm comfortable doing each week. I then fill in my calendar accordingly. Some months I do lots of Thursday shows. Some months I don't do any Thursdays at all.

I find that by blocking out personal time first, it keeps me from running myself ragged, but I can stay flexible for my hosts.

That's what I do. I tried sticking to certain days & then started hating those days because I felt like all I did was work! So some months I may work Thursdays, some months I may do Wednesdays, it may change week to week. But I've decided no more Friday night shows--that's going to be family night from now on. Also no Tuesdays b/c DH works late.

 

[Tara1021]

I highlight the dates on my calendar when i want to do shows. I've also started blocking off one saturday a month and not working, and only every other friday. My calendar is PACKED for Feb. This has really worked for me. 7 shows and a catalog. I only do a show on sunday if the host asks. Otherwise I don't offer it.

 

[MicheleC]

My first few months I pretty much took any dates I could get. About six months ago I decided to get more control of my schedule and now I offer Tuesday and Thursday night shows as my nights of choice and I've been trying to talk up daytime shows as my kids are in school. I offer one Friday/Saturday a month although that will stop once summer gets here as we go camping almost every weekend. For February I changed that to open up a lot more dates because I wanted to get more double points. I found that I was able to get my goal (8 shows) by pretty much keeping to Tuesday and Thursday. I made exceptions for two shows because Ihad personal committments on two of my normal show dates. Really blocking out your personal time is key. I find having regular show nights helps my family to know what nights I will likely be gone as well. Knowing what nights you are willing to work can also help a hostess fix on a date.

What's great is that we call all run this the way we want. If we want to offer more flexibility we can and if we want to control our schedules we can do that too. Find the system that works well for you.

 

[raebates]

I agree, Michele. My DH works evenings and my "baby boy" is 20 and at school in Texas. Being home for dinner isn't really an issue for me. This works for me now. My story would probably have been vastly different had I started my PC business while my little guy was actually little.

 

[dannyzmom]

I am divorced and my kids have a set visitation schedule with their father. I made a committment to myself and to them when I started this business that I would only do shows on nights they are at their father's. So I work Tues, Alternate Thurs and alternate weekends. It works well for me.

 

[hoosierchef]

I don't really have a "M-W-F" kind of schedule. What I do, instead, is put my personal commitments on my calendar. I decide how many shows I'm comfortable doing each week. I then fill in my calendar accordingly. Some months I do lots of Thursday shows. Some months I don't do any Thursdays at all.

I find that by blocking out personal time first, it keeps me from running myself ragged, but I can stay flexible for my hosts.

This is pretty much what I do too. It helps when you put a cross through your calendar and a short note that says "xxxxx today". You don't have to put down alot of details, just something so they can see that you have a life outside of PC too. Most hostesses are understanding I think.

 

[raebates]

I agree. I also don't necessarily go into details. If I've blocked out a day to stay home, lie on the couch, eat popcorn, and watch old movies, I feel perfectly justified saying, "Sorry, I have plans for that day. Would ___________ work for you?"

 

[Bexs50]

That, of course, is the best part of this business...you work it your way! I don't have kids and my schedule is usually pretty open so unless I have a prior engagment that I know about ahead of time, I let my hosts pick a day. I usually just open up my calendar to the host and if there is not something already written on a day, it's all thiers!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I don't even show them my calendar. I print off a blank calendar for each month & put little stickers on the dates I'm available. If I'm setting a date over the phone, I'll ask which days work for them & then give them open dates. Most of the time if I say a date is not available, they just assume I'm having a show--fine by me, makes me look busy & successful!

But I agree with the above, you really just need to decide what works for you & your family. My husband is always home besides his late night on Tues., so I don't have to do shows on certain nights. I get bored doing shows on the same nights, so for us being flexible works. But it's flexible on MY terms--I still decide each month what dates I'm available.

 

[lacychef]

I'm with Rae too; I block out family days first & team meetings. Then I ask if there's a day of the week that works best for them, & give them a couple choices that I have open. I'm being a little extra flexible for Feb cause I want lots of double points

 

[GourmetGirl]

I do the post-it note system. I put post-it notes on the date I want to work. Then at a show, when I open my calendar, a host can just choose a post it and take it with her. On my post-it I put

The Pampered Chef
Cooking Show
Day, Date
Time
Consultant:
My Name
My Phone number

This way if I change a date I can just move a post-it or make a new one. When the guest takes the post-it, I just write their information in that date.

When I started I really didn't have any committments and let the shows schedule themself, but I realized that pretty much everyone was booking on Thu nights and Sun afternoons anyways, so that is now my set schedule and everyone knows that. I have occasionally made exceptions, like in sell-a-thon times or for a special event (fundraisers). It has worked awesome and I feel way more in control of my business; plus I feel it makes me look more professional to have those set dates.

 

[PamperedK]

I wonder why Thursday is so popular? Most of my shows are booked for Thursday nights or Sunday afternoons too. I have one Saturday afternoon, because the Sunday my friend wanted was booked, so we're doing it the day before.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I LOVE my Thursday evening shows, they are eager to arrive on time , listen and order so they can go home for Gray's Anatomy. I don't watch it (didn't watch ER when it was popular either sorry it may still be on no clue) but, they want to be finished so they are most attentive!! I find hosts even choose my quicker recipe choices too!!
Teresa

 

[dannyzmom]

I LOVE my Thursday evening shows, they are eager to arrive on time , listen and order so they can go home for Gray's Anatomy. I don't watch it (didn't watch ER when it was popular either sorry it may still be on no clue) but, they want to be finished so they are most attentive!! I find hosts even choose my quicker recipe choices too!!
Teresa

I have a hard time getting Thursday nights booked because of Gray's...maybe I need to shorten my demo...or offer Express Shows on Thursday nights?

What exactly is an Express Show? And how do I do one?

 

[Teresa Lynn]

my demos are under 1 hour usually 45 minutes
my quick shows are the fiesta sandwich ring (host bakes bread day before) & layered dip. or the salads or no bake desserts
I consider an express show when they book with in the 1 or 1 1/2 weeks & we must get invites out ASAP!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I have a hard time getting Thursday nights booked because of Gray's...maybe I need to shorten my demo...or offer Express Shows on Thursday nights?

What exactly is an Express Show? And how do I do one?

Carolyn,
An express show is one where you only do one recipe, and it is pretty much made before the guests arrive - you just assemble it, talk thru the catalog, etc...and you are done! I actually tell people at the beginning that I will respect their time and get them home in time for Grays, Amer. Idol, etc....

I also find that these are very popular during the Holiday season - I let them know the show will be 1 hr. from beginning to end! This is also how I do lunchtime/end of workday shows.

 

[hoosierchef]

I wonder why Thursday is so popular? Most of my shows are booked for Thursday nights or Sunday afternoons too. I have one Saturday afternoon, because the Sunday my friend wanted was booked, so we're doing it the day before.

I think Thursday's are popular because most people be paid on Friday, so they know they'll have some money to spend.

 

[dannyzmom]

Okay - I need some sort of an express show outline...I would love to offer somethign where I am in & out of the host's house in 2 hours...feasible??

 

[SillyChef]

What I do is basically what everyone else does. I love working most weekends. Since I am just beginning I will work whatever days come to me except Wed. & Thurs. I really want to save those days for shows I watch. Also, I block out what prior engagements I have and then go from there.

 

[chefjeanine]

Sounds like I"m in the minority here but I'm not big on surprises or change. I have a set schedule and occasionally through in a Saturday morning show. I work M, Tu and Thurs. I will hold a Sunday afternoon show for a bridal shower.

When I have been flexible and opened up another "non work" date, I feel put upon. This has been discussed in earlier threads.

The last time this happened the Host said she needed her husband there to watch her four kids so she had to have that Sunday date. Yeah, we all needed him there to watch the kids and he was out-of-town at a batchelor party.

So, I plan to stick to my guns.

Margie (SillyChef), what in God's name are you doing up at this hour????

 

[SillyChef]

lol I am a insomniac (sp?) Going to bed right now!!!!

 

[dannyzmom]

Sounds like I"m in the minority here but I'm not big on surprises or change. I have a set schedule and occasionally through in a Saturday morning show. I work M, Tu and Thurs. I will hold a Sunday afternoon show for a bridal shower.

When I have been flexible and opened up another "non work" date, I feel put upon. This has been discussed in earlier threads.

The last time this happened the Host said she needed her husband there to watch her four kids so she had to have that Sunday date. Yeah, we all needed him there to watch the kids and he was out-of-town at a batchelor party.

So, I plan to stick to my guns.

OMG I had this happen tlast week. I had a past customer call me and INSIST she needed a January date. I had no January dates left...she begged and pelased for January 30th (I had already worked Jan 23, 26, 27 & 28 that week and knew I'd be exhausted). Of course I finally gave in rather than have her call another consultant. Her issue was that she needed DH there to take care of the 18m baby and she knew he could be home on the 30th. Guess what? DH went on a business trip anyway - so hostess was dealing with the kid during most of teh demo...and when she wasn't, he was fishing thru my stuff - ARGH!