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Being a mother who works at home is a thankless, yet rewarding career.  I can support my family and also have the flexibility to be available for them.  But you know what they say about all work and no play.  Below is a very special glimpse into a few moments of me-time recently.

My children are in school during the day. I work out of my home. It’s a nice arrangement. Recently I decided to stop for some Mission Therapy (Read: stop at my favorite thrift store to see if I could find any treasures for myself or eBay). It was not too busy. It was not crowded and I was not in a hurry. What took place is no exaggeration and I am taking no creative liberties. I swear… I can’t make this stuff up.

MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!

Oh it went on for at least five minutes – which of course seemed like 13 months. The young boy, roughly 3 years old, was standing up in the cart next to his newborn sister who was sleeping in her car seat. How she could have slept though MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! is beyond me.

And the mom throughout this ordeal? Oh she was standing right there pushing the cart, also looking for good junk. Not once did she acknowledge the young lad. Clearly that’s all he wanted.

For the love of Peter answer your son before I have an aneurysm! I had one nerve left and that boy was on it. Correction – the oblivious mom was on it.

As I tried to return to my happy place and continue on my treasure hunt, I was interrupted by “Daddy I have to go potty!” I thought to myself “Isn’t that the way it always is. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell them to go before you leave the house, they always have to go once you’re in an establishment that doesn’t have a public restroom.”

Then repeat – I hear “Daddy, I have to go potty!” And repeat at least five – count them, 1-2-3-4-5 more times.

For the love of Peter answer your daughter before I have an aneurysm! I had one nerve left and that dad was on it.

Whatever happened to the little boy who cried “Mom!” and the little girl who had to tinkle? I don’t know. But I can only surmise the little girl wet her pants in dad’s new sports car and the young boy has a horrific case of laryngitis by now.

So much for my mission therapy; I was ready for Merlot Therapy by the time I left that place. And left it empty handed I might add.

Some days I think “too bad all parents can’t be more like LA” But then again … one of me is plenty – doncha think?

It’s that time again; Scentsy flameless candles is making room for our new Spring/Summer line which will be released March 2010.  During February 2010 everything in our Fall / Winter catalog is on sale at 10% off.  The following scents will be discontinued on February 28, 2010 – or sold out when gone, whichever comes first.

Stock up on your favorites before they’re gone.  Secure online shopping delivered to your door at http://la.scentsy.us

FALL AND WINTER ‘09
Poinsettia Pine
Christmas Tree
Cozy Fireside
Holiday Kiss
Pomegranate Ice
Red Chili Masala
Snowberry
Spiced Grapefruit
Spruce & Citrus
Winter Wonderland

BAKERY
Coconut Macaroon
Key Lime Cookie
Rasberry Danish

SCENTSY MAN
African Mahogany
Bourbon

ROMANCE
Taj Mahal

SPA
Boysenberry Moss
Olive Wood & Cypress

TROPICAL
Coconut Citrus Parfait
Grapefruit Berry

SCENTSY CAFÉ
Coffee Shop
Holiday Chai
Red Berry Tea

SCENTS OF THE MONTH
Holly Berry
Bubble Gum

How May I Help You?

Whether or not you are a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, everyone should add ‘Attend a Notre Dame Football game’ to their bucket list.  It truly is an experience like no other.  And, as the above title suggests, there are also some direct sales lessons that can be learned from a trip to Notre Dame.

First it’s important to understand a bit about the Notre Dame Usher program. I’ll give you examples of their outstanding customer service, then hopefully you can transfer this knowledge to your own direct sales business.

Notre Dame has almost 900 ushers who work each game.  They each know they are Ambassadors to the University.  They represent a one of a kind institution and must reflect that at all times.  One thing you will hear over and over is “Welcome to Notre Dame” “Welcome to Notre Dame” “Welcome to Notre Dame”. No substitute will do.  Ushers are required to welcome anyone who comes across their path. Saying nothing is as bad as just saying “Hi or Hello.”  It’s “Welcome to Notre Dame”.  The first time guests are pleasantly surprised and the return guests have come to expect it.

Also, another term you will hear repeatedly is “How may I help you?”  Not, “Do you need any help?” and not  “Let me know if you need any help?”  “Do you know where you’re going?’ is totally unacceptable – it implies the guest is an imbecile.  Instead, “How may I help you?” is stating the fact that I am here to help you; or that “There must be something that I can do to make your visit more enjoyable.” Under no circumstances must a guest need to ever ask an usher, “Can you help me?”  The usher should have already inquired as to HOW he/she can help.

Another prohibited response is, “I don’t know.”  Rather, it’s “Let me find someone who can help.”  And at that point, the usher would walk with the guest to another usher who will have the correct response.  “That man in the white hat will know” is also something you should never experience at Notre Dame.  “Let me find someone who can help.”

It’s quite simple actually – “Welcome to Notre Dame.  How may I help?” – two small sentences that speak volumes and are so very important to the Notre Dame mystique.  Paying attention to these powerful details is one of the reasons that even visiting team guests who have blatant disdain for the Fighting Irish, will send letters and post online about how they were pleasantly surprised and impressed at the hospitality shown to them during their stay in South Bend.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Notre Dame Ushers, read Ode to the Ushers

How can you use this little illustration in your direct sales business?

• Do your new (and even veteran) team members really feel welcomed on your team?  Or do they feel like they’re just a residual income to you?

• Do your customers feel like they receive added value from purchasing through you?  Or do they get the impression that you are you only interested in the sale?  Is there anything you do or say to your customers that would encourage them to return again to “your campus”?  Or are they likely to invest their hard earned dollars elsewhere?

• Do you anticipate needs before they arise?

• Do you respond, “I don’t know?” (Or worse yet, don’t respond at all?)  Or do you say, “I’m not sure, let me find out and I’ll get back to you”?  It’s really ok not to have all the answers.  It’s not ok, however, to not help find solutions when problems arise.

Starting right this moment, decide to run your business in the same way that the Ambassadors to Notre Dame treat all home game days.  Let me know the results, I’d love to hear how this slight change is affecting your bottom line!

By the way, this year’s annual Notre Dame Blue/Gold intrasquad scrimmage is on April 24, 2010. Will I see you there?

GO IRISH!

True, this is a business blog.  Though, you know what they say about all work and no play.  It’s important that we all take time for the lighter side of life too.

New Years is the time when many think about joining a gym.  Before you do, there are some vital components you need to know about your location of said workouts – things the membership coordinator won’t tell you.  For starters, no matter how hard exercisers try, it’s often an impossible feat to look cool; it just doesn’t work.

Shall we start in the locker room?  Someone please tell me how to be politically correct while talking to a naked person.  I don’t know how.  I can appreciate that we’re all women and we have God-given bodies and there is nothing to be ashamed of.  But, please, can’t you put a towel on before you attempt to carry on a conversation with me?

It’s not like I can focus on what you’re saying.  I’m a fully bona fide heterosexual female, but when someone’s high beams (or worse yet saggies) are staring at me, I CANNOT CONVERSE WITH YOU.  ‘Can’t do it.  It’s not cool.

And must you take your naked behind and sit squarely (or roundly for many) on the bench?  Can’t you hop into your pantywear before sitting down?  I know some fitness enthusiasts at least use a towel, but hey, those are community towels.  I don’t’ really want to wipe my face on a towel you’ve been sitting on – bleach or no.  I am serious.  Be naked, be happy, but be considerate.

Ah the gym, the actual fitness floor …not always the best place to be cool and hip.  I recall when I was earning my black belt, I participated in Tae Kwon Do three times per week.  As part of the stretching exercises, we were instructed to lie on the floor, then take our feet and put them over/behind our head.  This contortion stretched out our back muscles.  No problem, right?

Realize that when we did this we are all laying there, caboose pointing upward.  Talk about assuming the position!  Invariably, I would run into someone from school who was in the gym to sit on the sidelines while little Jimmy had T-ball. “Yes, hello Mary, why yes, I am smiling at you, nice to see you ……. upside down in this position with my booty sticking straight up in the air!!”

As if that little exercise wasn’t bad enough, there was more.  We did countless kicks and stretches with our legs.  You’ve seen karate people; the objective is to kick as high as you can (all the better to kick you in the head!). So it’s easy to see why we all ended up with wedgies.  Always; everyday; everyone. Ok, I guess I can only speak for myself, but I did.

I never knew if I was supposed to throw caution to the wind and dig ‘em on out, or was I to just tolerate it?  The guys sure didn’t seem to mind adjusting their cup, so what’s the big deal, right?

One day I decided to wear a thong to avoid the wedgie. I figured if they were going to end up there, I might as well just cut to the chase (and I do mean cut).  But did you know that you can get a thong wedgie too?  Not good.  Not cool.

So while you’re making your New Year’s Resolutions – please think twice before joining a gym.  There are certain things you really need to know up front.

I hope I have been able to illustrate a few for you.

If one more direct selling company or sponsor encourages new recruits to “Make a List of 100 People You Know” I’m going to stick a fork in my eye! I’m talking about the practice of spamming the snot out of their friends, family and acquaintances. It goes against the entire concept of target marketing and finding a niche. No wonder the direct selling industry still has a bad reputation in many circles.

This archaic and tired practice claims that if you make a list of 100 people to hound, it’ll be your first networking contact list that will supposedly help launch your new direct sales career. Although, whether you’re selling candles, jewelry, kitchenware, makeup, home décor or any other product offering, wouldn’t you have better results if you presented your new product line to the people whom you believe could benefit from and enjoy your goods?

This concept is ridiculous. What if your dental hygienist started a business selling metal widgets that would help expedite an automobile factory manufacturing process. If this person made a list of 100 people she knows and included you in that list to push her steel vehicle widgets on, you’d think she was totally off her rocker for wasting your time. Yet as direct sellers, we’re supposed to do just that; having no regard to market to those who have a specific want or need.

Instead of investing precious time trying to list and then contact all of the people you know such as: Family, Friends, Neighbors, Your friends’ parents, Your parents’ friends, Your parents’ colleagues, Your children’s friends’ parents, Classmates, Alumni of any school you attended, including high school, Members of the local chamber of commerce, Members of your church, temple, or other faith-based groups, Professors, Teachers, Mentors, Former Bosses, Former or current colleagues, Former or current customers, Former employees whom you managed, Members of the YMCA, YWCA, or other clubs, Members of professional groups to which you belong, Members of a service organization (e.g. the Rotary), School committee members, Counselors, Friends from military service, Coaches (in sports, arts, hobbies, etc.), Your doctor, Your lawyer, Your insurance agent, Your accountant or tax preparer, Your auto mechanic, The manager of your favorite coffee shop, The bartender at your favorite watering hole, The owner of maitre d’ of your favorite restaurant, Your barber/hairstylist, Your mortgage broker, Your real estate broker, Your veterinarian, Your dry cleaner, Any shop or business owners who know you by name (especially in ‘high touch’ businesses like art dealers, florists, dress shop managers, wedding planners, wine dealers—people who have long conversations with others), Any acquaintance who owes you a favor, spend some time defining your target market.

The likely results of spamming the above list:

• You’ll ostracize yourself from them so that in the future they’ll be forced to check Caller-ID before taking your call or find themselves suddenly running late for an appointment and need to promptly depart your presence.
• You may get a few mercy purchases from those who have a hard time saying no because they don’t want you to feel discouraged.
• If you stumble upon someone who is genuinely interested in what you’re offering, it is mere statistics. If you spray enough bullets you’re bound to eventually hit something.

Leslie Truex of Work at Home Success agrees, “Having a business is about finding the market that wants your product/service, not brow beating people you know into supporting you. Plus if your successful without the list, your recruitment may go up because talking to friends and family is a major reason why many people avoid direct sales and you’ll be able to show them how to do it without a list.”

Further, Adriaan at Direct Sell Assistant concurs that “90% of new consultants will stay with this list and expect to make a lot of money. I wish more people that get recruited are rather shown how to market a product and find new customers, than to write down that list of a 100.”

Lastly, if you’ve signed up for a company that has a fantastic product line, don’t you think you should be able to find others who enjoy and benefit from it as much as you do? No need to approach your auntie who has severe allergies to buy your candles or your sweet bald mechanic about your organic shampoo. Just because you may know 100 people, doesn’t mean they’d be good customers.

My advice: It’s 2010, time (way past time) to throw out your “List of 100 People You Know.”