A Tale of 2 WAHMs

Apparently the possibility of having the Unprofessional Business Acts  a “regular thing” here is a good idea!  I’ve had many requests to continue with this series and I’ll do my best to keep up with it.  I do have a few more stories to share but, if you really want it to continue, make sure you share your experiences with me.  Like one reader said:

I think you should make a series of it. Not only can us old timers learn and laugh about things but I think its a great learning source for newbies who are clueless. I would love to see a series on that topic so I am giving you my personal vote on it!

So, that said … let’s move onto today’s Unprofessional Business Act - Unprofessional Direct Sales Representatives

Kara actually shared this story with me.  
A friend of hers was invited to an ”adult company” party.  Her friend as well as many of the guests had been looking forward to it because these types of parties have quite a reputation for being a lot of fun.  Her friend had actually had every intention of booking a party and one of the guests had saved of $200 in cash just for this party.  Can’t beat that!  Ready made bookees AND sales - before they even got there! 

 Well apparently this particular representative had it in mind that it was all professional - meaning NO fun allowed.  This representative actually scolded the girls for giggling - saying “come on girls, let’s get serious“.  She told them not to make any jokes about it as it “is a serious matter and we all jsut need to get through this together“.

Of course as a result … the lady who had been saving money just for the party got up and left.  Two others followed behind her and Kara’s friend decided to not book a party.  Ouch!  Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

There’s definitely a few lessons to be learned here:

 - > Never, ever scold your guests.  Never - end of story.

 - > Yes, you DO need to maintain some level of professionalism at a home party, I agree.  However, the idea of a home party is to create a fun and inviting atmosphere. 

 - > We all know there are a few important messages to be heard at all parties.  This message of course would be to book future parties, make sales and hopefully do some recruiting.  So, when it’s time to hear the important messages, say something like:

I’m so glad you ladies are having such a great time.  This is what makes my parties such a success.  However, if you could please just give me 5 minutes of your un-divided attention, I promise we’ll get right back to the fun stuff.Your guests will appreciate this.  There’s not a single guest sitting in front of you that don’t already know you’re going to pitch the business.  They expect it.  With the promise of getting back to the “fun stuff” … they will give you their attention.

  - > You let your guests decide how the party is going to “go”.  I guarantee you this - Laughing, giggling, joking and story sharing WILL mean more sales and probably more bookings.  This is a guarantee for all companies but especially a company such as this.  When the guests are sharing stories - guess what they’re doing?  They are selling your product for you.

 - > Always treat your guests with the utmost respect - always.  Scolding and nasty looks is how you treat a kindergartener - NOT your potential customers, party bookers and recruits. 

There of course is so many more lessons to be learned here and I could go on all day.  However, a lot of these are just plain common sense.  Use it at all parties - yes, all of them.

Click here to visit our message boards to read the conversation of many others who had something to say about this matter as well as hear from the guest who didn’t book a party. 

So, what do you think?  Is laughing at home parties acceptable?

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If you have a story you’d like to be heard … feel free to send me an email to mommyshelperonline @ yahoo.com (without the spaces) with Unprofessional Business Acts in the subject line.  And no worries … if you’d like, we can keep it completely anonymous.

Please keep in mind:  I reserve the right to refuse any stories.  Remember, I have to draw the line somewhere.

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