This should be pretty obvious and should go without saying, yet…
here I am saying it…
When you’re in business (be it as owner or as a consultant, distributor, rep, whatever…), know what’s going on in your business!
I’m not sure how people think they’ll succeed or make money if they’re totally oblivious or clueless as to what’s going on within their company. This post will be directed more towards independent consultants, reps, distributors than anyone. I was working with a sign company in Houston, TX recently and I was amazed at how little the owner knew about the day to day operation.
If you work for another company, I’m sure most have a means of communication with you. Whether it be by means of email, weekly conference calls, a message board, a forum, yahoo group, or online chat or perhaps the companies emails you updates to what’s going on within the business via newsletter. Regardless I’m pretty confident in saying that the majority of companies communicate by some means with their representatives.
If you want to make money, succeed, get orders it’d be advisable to read those updates so you’re knowledgeable in your company procedures, policies, product information, etc. It could be as simple as taking a few minutes a day and reading your company forum, company emails, etc.
This would also come in handy if your company has any type of quota that you’re required to meet.
Here’s an instance that proves that this representative doesn’t keep up with the company she reps for.
There’s a woman who rep’d for a company. She was on their yahoo group, a representative forum/message board, the main company message board and had a personalized consultant web page she paid for from her company. The company had a small monthly quota to meet monthly. Since the consultant did not meet the quota, she was emailed that she had a certain time frame to re-qualify as a representative. That email went unanswered. Another follow up email was sent when she was totally removed from the company. Her personalized web page was taken down and replaced with a generic page so if anyone still went to the former url they’d still be able to order; however, the consultant gains nothing since she’s no longer with the company. Now, nearly a month passes and this former consultant is oblivious to the fact that she received emails stating she was no longer a part of the company, oblivious to the fact she can no longer log into the consultant forum, oblivious that she’s not getting company emails or offers, nor is she part of the company support group.
All these factors would be signs to the owner of the company that she never participated or that she’s totally in the dark as to what’s going on with the company. Now, the clincher: the consultant still has her consultant web page url listed on Facebook and Myspace. This further reaffirms that this consultant does not pay attention or know what’s going on since she’s still advertising a web page that will benefit her in no way at all.
So, you may ask what’s the big deal since this consultant isn’t with the company anymore…well it’s not a big deal.
It’s her loss, but you can gain from her mistakes by making sure that when you’re with a company that you know what’s going on.
Tips to follow:
If the company has a handbook or manual…read it.
Participate on company message board/forum.
Participate in company calls/meetings.
Stay up to date on company policies, products, etc.
Read emails.
Ask questions.
and like, I said know what’s going on. People will buy from you and do business with you if you’re knowledgeable about your company and the products or services.
“But I don’t have time to read those things!” Ever hear that one? I do, quite often. Frankly I don’t know how they can run a business (or play soccer or anything in life) if you don’t know the rule of the game. Good for the company owner that the former rep is still advertising 🙂
Just another example of people not treating their businesses as a ‘real’ business. Keeping up to date with the information coming from your company has to be one of the most important parts of running a business… but it’s one of those dull parts that is tempting to skip. Start skipping it and you might be quoting incorrect prices, outdated returns policies, who knows what else.
Katie Williams
http://www.KatieAndSteveWilliams.com
Boy is that an all too, too familiar story! It happens way too much!
But, let me continue the story for you. Eventually the oblivious rep finally figures out what’s going on and goes absolutely ballastic.
She begins to email the owner of the company and may even pick up the phone to throw a fit. She starts complaining about the fact that she’s been advertising for months for a company and she wasn’t getting any commissions.
Oh and then she begins to write blog posts running down the company and telling people how horrible this company was because they just took down her personal rep page with no warning at all … yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah …
And people wonder why they fail in direct sales. Then others are afraid to even go near direct sales because the failure rate is so high. Let’s face it, direct sales is not for everyone. And if you made half an effort to succeed … that failure rate would plummet!
Great post Tara! This is definitely one problem with the direct sales industry!
oh I totally agree Tara! What is wrong with these folks??? and they wonder why they are not successful? Geesh, if they worked outside their home for some corporate guru company they would have to know the company policy and be in contact with their boss or manager…so why do they think its different if they work from home???? IDIOTS!
and would you believe that even after 3 weeks the consultant who is no longer w/a certain company STILL has her url in her facebook profile! Can we say clueless!
Great post Tara. I’m a newbie at network marketing and have taken the time to read and learn about my company. Since reading your blog, I did go back and double check what would happen if I was unable to meet “qoutas”. I’m ok!! I’m actually working my business like a full time job and am surprised to hear about people who don’t even respond to emails.