There is one word that can make a huge difference for the growth and sustainability of your direct selling business when it comes to your customers. Drum roll, please! And that one word is … LISTEN! The Easiest Way to Show You’re Listening As customers, we want to know someone is listening. The easiest way a Customer Service Rep can do that is by summarizing the customer’s inquiry. Something like this: CUSTOMER SERVICE REP: “Let me make sure I have this right. You … [Read more...]
Avoid Bottlenecks: Make Warehouse Pick & Pack Easy
Largely out of necessity, most startup companies perform all functions of running their business, including picking and packing orders. That is a good thing because this function can be one of the most time-consuming and costly pieces of operating your business. But it can also quickly turn into a costly and time-consuming bottleneck during busy times, like the end of the month, holidays, etc. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! Streamlining Your Pick & Pack Process A … [Read more...]
Momentum: Success Starts With You
Just because it is the middle of the year, doesn’t mean we can’t start fresh as if it’s New Year’s Day, the infamous goal-setting holiday. Bring on the new goals, new growth and new people. Anything is possible. And how does that happen? By starting NOW and getting the momentum going! Lead by Example! Bookings are easier when people are chatting and laughing in the company of friends. Recruiting is easier when people watch how much fun you’re having (and notice how much you’re … [Read more...]
The Audio/Visual “Request for Proposal” Breakdown
In my last blog, “Should I Use the In-House Audio/Visual Company or an Outside Supplier?," we explored the reasons for considering an outside a/v company vs. an in-house supplier. Now it’s time to deal with the RFP (Request for Proposal) document itself. Begin with a Brief Overview Begin with a very brief overview of the event: who, what, where and when. Be specific as to dates, location and attendance. Here’s a typical overview: Typical Home Parties, the direct sales … [Read more...]
7 Trends That Prove Direct Selling is Changing
For quite awhile now, we’ve all been speculating about how much the direct selling industry will change over “the next five to ten years.” It’s been a fun and poignant phrase to add to our conversations with colleagues. It’s a sentiment that has captured our sense of change, while also pointing out our lack of clarity on exactly what that change will be. It’s been the perfect thing to say when we don’t know exactly what to say. Changes Happen in Micro-Phases In conversations, … [Read more...]
Flexibility is the New Must-Have for Direct Selling Companies
Today’s successful direct selling company understands that what their customers and potential sales people want is “choices.” The 3 Best Choices to Offer As customers, they want and increasingly demand to be able to choose when, where and how they interact with a business to buy everything from cotton swabs to automobiles. That demand to choose when, where and how they interact with a business or a product is why you can now buy everything online, including cars and … [Read more...]
How to Sponsor More Leaders
When working with field leaders, I’m often asked how to sponsor “good” people—ones who aspire to become leaders. The Right Approach vs. Wrong Approach On occasion, a leader will tell me she only talks with people who “prequalify” as a solid prospective consultant. Ouch! I believe, without hesitation, we can’t tell if someone will be wildly successful. We can have a hunch, for sure. But too many times I’ve worked with new consultants who just needed encouragement and someone who … [Read more...]
Upselling Can Work Against You in Direct Selling
I never thought this would be a high-priority topic—or even a blog post topic at all. But a recent incident brought it to my attention. A Story of When Upselling Went Wrong I was working on a training project out of town and realized I needed a rental car. Since I was already at the office, the company arranged for a car to be picked up at a nearby hotel. How convenient! My colleague and I headed over and found a very small rental counter tucked in a corner of the lobby. The … [Read more...]
Time is Running Out for Your 2018 Event
If your company is like most, your annual event happens in July or August. That means it’s coming up soon, and you’re busy trying to get more attendees. You know what the best tools are to promote your event? Quotes, impressions and testimonials from your 2017 attendees. People want to know what’s in it for them. They want benefits, specific benefits. How to Acquire Testimonials Ask Reach out to attendees via whatever channels you can … email, social media, newsletters, … [Read more...]
Turkey: A Hidden Treasure?
Editor’s note: Occasionally, we at SCP extend the opportunity to post an article to experts outside of the normal Associates in our firm. Hakki Ozmorali has long been a good friend and proven expert. He’s also the editor-in-chief of the extremely popular The World of Direct Selling newsletter and website. Enjoy Hakki’s insights here on direct selling in Turkey. You decide it for yourself. Turkey’s population is 81 million. This is the 18th highest in the world and the 2nd highest in … [Read more...]