The Cost Of Selling Instead Of Sharing

As some of you may or may not know, I am a direct seller, Avon being my brand company.  I’ve been at this on and off over the years with various degrees of success.  However, during the past year or so, I’ve had to make some changes in my life and realized that my Avon business had to be taken more seriously.  I had lost my full-time job, was working only part-time and then late last summer, I moved south to help my mom.   Though my job was only part-time, it was a source of steady income and Avon helped out from time to time with miscellaneous expenses.   But my move south entailed leaving my job, and having to find work in a new and different location.   I managed find another part-time job but as you may have guessed, it’s not enough.

So this brings me to the imperative of having to jump-start my business.  This past weekend, I endeavored to have an eparty and invite my current customers and my Facebook and Twitter friends.   I was thinking that surely in this climate of social networking, my friends would come out and support me, right?  Wrong.  Only 1 or 2 responded to my invitation.  So, what did I do wrong?  Probably a myriad of things, but I think that the main thing was that I was not social enough in the past.  What do I mean by that?  Instead of telling the my friends on Facebook and Twitter the current sales that Avon is having or the great new product that is out, I should have been more communicative and more mindful of the needs of my Facebook and Twitter pals.  Not sell, but talk, ask questions, share information. No surprise that no one answered my calls for help. I was a used car salesman instead of a trusted friend and business associate.

Consequently,  I learned a very valuable and unfortunately perhaps a costly lesson.  First, I forgot one of the most important rules and tips that Avon gives to its representatives.  Don’t sell, share the opportunity.  Further, Facebook , Twitter, etc is there for businesses to showcase their presence.  Yes, there are there to help put your business front and center.  But one must also remember that they are social networks.   So go ahead. Share & share alike.

Reset 2013

Happy New Year!  I hope that everyone had a great holiday season.  I did as I got a chance to spend time with my family and friends.  Also had time to reflect on the coming new year and what would be ahead for me.  Last year, like everyone else I suppose, I had a number of resolutions and goals that I wanted to set and accomplish. Some goals were met, but not all.  I would like to change that for this year.  So that being said, I would like to share some inspirational blogs and articles that may help me and you to not only set goals but find ways to stick to them and make them happen.

So on that note, I would like to share a blog by Julie Anne Jones.  Who is Julie Anne Jones? She is a direct sales corporate consultant and trainer, an ICF accredited life and business coach and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones Inc.  She teaches personal development, coaching and mentoring skills, direct sales leadership, party presentation tools and how to get bookings, recruiting and host coaching.

I hope that you find this blog and the future blogs and articles useful.  Please feel free to comment here and on Julie Anne Jones’ blog as well.  If there is something that you would like to know more about, please let me know and I will endeavor to try to find it for you.  Thanks so much and looking forward to sharing more with you going forward.

Mondays, Mindset, Motivation, and Manifestation

By Julie on January 15, 2013 No Comments

“If each Monday morning, you make a choice to move into the new work week with renewed commitment and passion, you can change all areas of your life. You can truly change your Mondays and change your life.”  ~David Cottrell

For years, every Sunday evening, I’ve been making what I call a Master Manifestation list. It’s a list that allows me to pencil out what my quarterly projects are, what my current goals for the week are, and what I’ll do each of the following 5 work days (specific action steps) to move toward those goals. This one concept has completely changed the way I work and has increased my productivity beyond anything I ever dreamed possible. I get more done in the same amount of time I had before with much less stress. All because I step into each week with a clear sense of purpose.

I think it boils down to three fairly simple things for me. Mindset, motivation, and manifestation. Let me clarify.

Mindset – Every Monday, because I’ve taken the time on Sunday night to fill out my Master Manifestation List, I’m stepping into my week with a clear mindset. I’ve reminded myself of my purpose and my values (which are printed at the top of the template for my list). I’ve defined for myself the “theme” of my week (right down to changing the photo on my list to match that theme). So my mindset it clear. Without that, I drift through my week without a purpose.

Motivation – This is the second part of my planning for the week. It’s tied to my projects and goals. Every quarter when I do my quarterly planning, I define my five areas of focus. Those areas are written down on my list, and my weekly goals come from those areas. Renewing my commitment to what I’ve chosen to focus on every single week fuels my motivation to move into action.

Manifestation – This is where the rubber meets the road for me. It’s all of the things I do in order to make my goals a reality. I always say that action is the key to success. By writing down daily action steps for meeting my weekly goals on my Master Manifestation List, I nail down my commitment. That way, when something else “pops up” on Tuesday that’s not on my list, it’s much easier for me to say no to it, add it to my list of things to accomplish next week or next month, and continue to focus on the plan I’ve made to manifest the goals I’ve set for the week.

Really, who would have thought that something as simple as a modified, much improved “to do” list could make such a difference? It literally takes me less than 10 minutes each Sunday to complete it. That sort of blows me away!

Mindset, motivation, and manifestation. It’s really that simple! What do you think of this idea?

Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales coach and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

Pretty In Pink

It is well-known that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  And though October is coming to an end I would just like to thank and congratulate The Avon Foundation for it’s 20 years of work of awareness, research, education, screening and more.  Here is Avon’s celebrity spokesperson and Global Ambassador giving a brief history of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade:

I am honored to be an Avon Representative and proud to be able to do my small part by offering fundraising Pink Ribbon Products.  100% of the net profits from these products will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

“As part of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, the Avon Foundation for Women provides funding to breast cancer programs operating in three areas: scientific research, safety net access-to-care programs for the medically underserved, and outreach programs focused on education and screening.”  This quote was taken directly from the Avon Foundation website.  If you would like to learn more about The Avon Foundation and the great work it does, please go to:  http://www.avonfoundation.org/causes/breast-cancer-crusade.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share this important and life saving information with you.

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

If you had a choice of buying a latte or help to support the fight against Domestic Violence, what choice would you make?

One in three women worldwide will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. At Avon, we are committed to empowering women. The Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program has committed nearly $40 million, in over 50 countries, to organizations and programs focused on awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs to help end the cycle of domestic and gender violence. Here are just a few programs that are being implemented this year:

Reese Witherspoon with Avon Chairman & CEO Andrea Jung at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters

2012 brings a host of new Avon Foundation initiatives and programs that are speaking out on behalf of the domestic violence cause.

• In honor of International Women’s Day 2012, Avon Foundation Honorary Chairman Reese Witherspoon helped launched the new Empowerment Circle of Support Necklace, with 100 percent of net profits donated to the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program.
• Reese also appeared with Avon Chairman & CEO Andrea Jung at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, where they awarded four outstanding global non-profits with Avon Communications Awards to acknowledge the NGOs’ pioneering, successful domestic violence communications campaigns.
• The Avon Foundation for Women announced the Ending Violence @ Home app challenge, a partnership with the Institute of Medicine. The challenge encourages domestic violence experts and technology enthusiasts to combine their talents to create mobile or online apps that will help prevent violence against women and children.
• In order to provide an accurate count of the adults and children seeking services from domestic violence programs throughout the U.S. the Avon Foundation has funded the Domestic Violence Counts: the National Census of Domestic Violence Services, an annual census produced by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

These are just a few of the latest developments. For more information, check out the new global Speak Out webpage: http://www.avonfoundation.org/globalspeakout/

The Empowerment products that the Avon Foundation offers helps to make these programs survive and thrive.  Your $5.00 will go a long way. 100% of net profits will be donated to the Avon Foundation for programs dedicated to ending violence against women. The Domestic Violence Resource Guide FREE with purchase.

I hope that you will help to speak out against Domestic Violence.  If you are interested in any of the Empowerment items, please feel free to contact me or go to http://www.youravon.com/traceyfisher.

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you and for your support.

Goals: The Journey Contiues

It has been a while since my last post.   I had talked about re-booting my direct sales business and one way to do that was to set some goals.  I had attempted to do that in the past and elaborated about my varied and haphazard attempts on trying to reach them.  When I left off, I had not made a decision as to what my target goal should be.   Well I am happy to inform you that I have finally made a decision.   Moreover, I made a plan of action and put the plan in motion.  Go me!

My goal is to focus on building up my online Avon business.  You would think that it would be easy, just send out my website address and wait for the orders to come pouring in.  Wrong!  Been there, done that, just don’t have the t-shirt.  First thing I did was poll my customers and ask what they would be interested in.  The answer was a customer rewards program.  Okay, then what type of program?  Discount off of each order, customer referral, free gift?  There are a lot to choose from. After some research I decided on a points system where if a customer places an order from me via my online store for direct delivery, they would gain a certain amount of points.  When they reached 100 points, they would get rewarded with a free gift.  I also had to make the gift a worthwhile goal so I decided on a gift card.  Wow!  What a difference planning makes.  I not only gained a lot of new online orders, but I also made a profit as well!  Who knew?  Okay, maybe a lot of people who plan this sort of thing knew,  but it was a revelation to me.

So to sum up:  I made a decision on a goal, made a plan to implement it, and then put that plan into action.  Mission accomplished?  Not by a long shot, but this does give me incentive to keep on track and not get lazy about my business.

Has anyone started on their goals?  If so, I would love to hear about it.  As I mentioned in my last post about this, it makes it lot easier knowing that there is someone out there taking the journey with me.

Till next time my Goal Warriors!

Memorial Day

Sharing: Setting Goals

I have recently began to re-boot my direct sales business (again), and in doing so, I’ve decided to set goals.  Now in the past, I have tried to set a goal, but never really followed through.  You may know what I mean.  I’ll sit down, pick a target so to speak and say to myself: “Self, this is what I am aiming to achieve (which could range anywhere from upping my online sales to expanding my customer base).  Ok, ready, set, go!

Well. what do you think happened?  I never attained my goal.  Big surprise, huh?  Why not, you may ask?  Because although I set a goal, I never created a solid plan to achieve it.  I just floundered around, doing what I do and wouldn’t you know it, I achieved (drum roll please)……….nothing.

You know, a wise man once said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  Who was this wise man?  Albert Einstein.  Am I saying that I am crazy?  Sometimes I feel that way.  But I am willing to put my crazy ways and crazy days behind me.  And though I do not fancy myself an Albert Einstein wannabe, I would like to be at least a bit smarter than I have been in the past.

So I guess the first thing to do is to set a goal.  Not some far away, nebulous one, but something small I think.  Something that is attainable but not too large that I feel overwhelmed.  I have to think about that a little more.  When I decide what that is, I will let you know.  Second thing to do is to map out a plan of action.  When I pick my goal, how do I go about reaching it?  Some people set up a calendar, then do one thing per day that will put them closer to their goal.  Others pick an image of something that represents their goals.  That image is intended to inspire the work going toward the goal.  It could be a car, a house, or a beach.  Looking at that image everyday before sitting down to work, saying to yourself: “This is what I need to do to help me get that new car, buy that new house, or go on that much needed vacation.”

Moreover, some people write a journal documenting their journey toward their goal.  Aha! I do believe that I have experienced that much talked about “Aha” moment.  I think Oprah would be proud.  I mean what am I doing now?  I am blogging.  I can document my journey and hopefully with your help, you can keep me accountable.  I would love to hear what you have to say along with any advice you care to give me.

So if there is anyone out there who is working on their goals or has achieved them, please let me know.  Working toward a goal is hard enough, but knowing that there are people out there cheering you on and being supportive, makes the journey a little easier to travel.

 

Sharing: Capoochino’s

Spenser

As a pet parent, I was always on the search for the perfect groomer and pet hotel that I felt confident to leave my beloved dog, Spenser with.  Over the years I’ve often found those services at separate locations.  Though I was happy enough with them, I wish that Capoochino’s was around while I had my dog Spenser with me.

Capoochino’s is a dog grooming and day care center for your pet.  Offering spa like services, especially for geriatric and handicap pets, Capoochino’s treats your pet as a prince or princess of the realm.  Not only that but they also offer daycare services for pet parents that work or must go out of town and are unable to take their pets with them.  Missing your pet?  Just want to see them and make sure that they are ok?  No problem.  You can log onto a webcam and see your pet at anytime.  Capoochino’s number one priority is to make sure that your pet is taken care of and that you have peace of mind.  And as the owner Cathy Miller is a pet parent herself, you can be rest assured that your pet will be treated with the utmost care.

capoochino's

Capoochino’s offers a lot more wonderful services to pamper your pet and to find out more of their amazing services log onto their website: http://www.capoochinos.com/index.html.  I hope that you will give them a try.  You will be more than pleased with the results and your pet will thank you too!

 

 

Worst Black History Month Ever?

Since the recent death of Whitney Houston, I’ve heard many say that this is the worst Black History Month ever.  With the loss of Etta James, Don Cornelius and now Whitney Houston, some may see it as such.  However I choose to see it as something completely different.

Etta James

Etta James shared with us all the feeling of love, in all of its aspects in her songs: love lost, love found, hope and happiness.  And the fact that her songs have endured over the years just goes to prove how she influenced so many, whether, young or old, singer or just someone who aspires to be.  Though she has had many hits, the most popular and well know is of course At Last.  Heard in many commercials and movie soundtracks, it gained its most notoriety by being sung at President Obama’s inaugural ball by pop and r&b singer Beyoncé.  It was a point of pride, at least for me to have the first African-American president, dance to and be serenaded by such a beautiful song .

And who can forget the most iconic show of my lifetime, Soul Train.  It bought the music of a

generation straight into our living rooms.  Artists such as Al Green, The O’Jays, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and so, many others were able to show case  their various talents at a time where there were not that many opportunities to do so.  Soul Train has been touted as the “black” American Bandstand.  I beg to differ.  Soul Train was and still is a show unique in its own right.  It not only introduced our music to the rest of the country, but our fashion, dance, culture and even our businesses.  What other entertainment show would have a quiz where you had to unscramble the letters on a board and decipher the name of a Black person or persons of note?  Soul Train also was the first to open its advertising air space to Black businesses such as Johnson Products, the makers of Ultra Sheen.  Before Soul Train, I never saw any African-American products advertised on

Don Cornelius

TV let alone African-American faces touting hair products and cosmetics.   Moreover, we owe Don Cornelius for helping to unite us.  Go to any event, wedding, birthday party,  or any function given by an African-American and there will a Soul Train line, guaranteed!  Hard to stay angry or have ill feelings toward anyone once you have danced down the Soul Train line with them.

And of course who can forget the gifts that Whitney Houston has given us.  Her iconic songs will forever be a part of our tapestry.  Like many talented people of her industry, she had her trials and tribulations.  And perhaps because of them, we lost her too soon.  But that does not take away the talent that she had nor the wonderful music she left us.  Because of Whitney Houston I wanted to make sure I knew all of the words of our national anthem all due the way she sang it during  the 1991 Super Bowel.  What other version of our anthem ever got such notoriety,  so much so that it was released as a cd? Acting in films such as Waiting To Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife and The Bodyguard, along with the added bonus of lending her voice to the great soundtrack that accompanied them,  just added to her list of accomplishments.

Whitney Houston

Remembering what these three iconic people has contributed to us and to our culture lessens their loss, at least for me.  They made their stamp in the world and gave us the hope, inspiration and legacy to carry on through generations to come.  I think that is what Black History month is all about.  Not about what we lost, but what we have gained and what we must strive to accomplish.

So to Etta, Don and Whitney, we will always love you and most of all, we wish you love, peace and soul.  At last.

Share & Share Alike

Share and share alike.  You have heard this when you were growing up when playing with your siblings or playmates.  As kids, we never really understood the concept of sharing.  Sure, we were told by our parents and teachers that sharing is the right thing to do.  Sharing is caring.  But as kids we often thought, “No, this is my toy and I don’t want anyone else to play with it!”  Or “Why do I have to share my room with my sister?  Why can’t I have my own room?”   Sound familiar?  But as we grow up and mature we realize that sharing can open up endless possibilities.

Various times throughout my blog posts, I have mentioned events, promotions, and opportunities from my fellow direct sellers and entrepreneurs.  Why do this?  Well as an independent Avon representative, I know how hard it can be to promote my business.  Yes, Avon does support me with various promotional materials, webinars, and advertising.  However, one on one feedback is what works best in my opinion.  I sometimes think that what my fellow entrepreneurs and direct sellers think is what stands out the most.  For example, in my last post, I talked about the Avon Foundation and what it does to bring awareness for causes such as domestic violence and breast cancer.  One of my Facebook friends Tracey Brown who has a wonderful beauty blog was promoting daily beauty finds that focused on pink products for October Breast Cancer Awareness month.  She was kind enough to mention my blog post and share the information in her beauty blog: http: //blingingbeauty.com/?p=14046.   Tracey not only provided her readers with her usual knowledge of  great beauty finds, but also allowed me to gain exposure to a new and wider audience.  Moreover, it is my hope that by mentioning Tracey in this current blog post,  I will gain new readers for her as well.  Share and share alike!

So in the spirit of sharing, I would like to mention a wonderful event that is coming up.  Alba Henderson of Your Focus and Alba’s Exclusive Events is working on a promotion for women to women marketing.  It will introduce AEE’s Vendor Appreciation Holiday and Pre-Launch of  their Marketing 2 Women-owned Businesses Initiative.  Basically the Vendor Appreciation program will provide extra exposure during the busy holiday season by dedicating one week entirely to your business on a first come first served basis.

Alba will promote your business via social media, e-mail, postcards and other promotional materials.  If you would like to know more about this fabulous opportunity, please contact me and I will forward the promo e-mail to you or contact Alba directly at albasevents@gmail.com.  If you would like to learn more about Alba’s Exlusive Events go to http://www.albasexclusiveevents.com.

Thank you for allowing me to share this event with you and I look forward to sharing more with you in the future.  If you have an event or promotion or business opportunity that you would like to share, please let me know. I would be happy to share it here on the blog along with my friends and colleagues.  Thanks again and remember, share and share alike!