March Madness

Hello. Did you know that I use my Wendy's Candle Website Facebook page to communicate short and sweet ideas, hints, and tips? If you like that idea, then 'like' that page. :)

"March Madness" is a US term for an annual college basketball tournament which reaches its frenzied conclusion during March. The whole country seems to go basketball crazy during that time. Football (grid-iron) season is over, baseball hasn't started, and pro-basketball and hockey are only mid season. So College basketball gets an exciting spotlight for a month.

I thought it would be a good description for my business: March Madness in Wendy's candle land means that my business is accelerating, growing, and changing to meet my aggressive goals for the year. I certainly intend for that to be the case.

Here are a few hints and tips I've gained since January.

1. Keep learning. I've been listening to the free tele-seminar series at The Mind Aware. I listen to these one hour interviews and learn from every one of them. It's not too late to get involved. And it's free. You just have to prioritise your time. FYI, this is their vision:

At The Mind Aware, we have a vision. Transforming network marketers' lives. Every moment. Every single day.

2. Keep listening. The best way to find other people who would benefit from their own candle business is to listen carefully to what people say. Finding 2 leads at every show means listening to every guest and finding out what is important to them. Ask questions. Then ask more.

3. Keep learning. Every training opportunity and every meeting available to you will help your business grow. (I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend our annual Leader Summit in Maroochydore in January. I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend our Quarterly Regional Recognition and Training Event. I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend Terry Hawkins LEAD seminar in February.)

4. Keep listening. Stop thinking about what you are going to say to other people at networking events, and start actively listening to what they are saying. Be generous with your knowledge, contacts, and attitude and it will come back in spades.

5. Keep learning. I have three business mentors: Angela, Eliana, and Janelle. They give me great advice, super coaching, and training when I need it. In case you don't know, they are my upline. And it's free for me to engage with them. Just like it's free for the Rainbows to engage with me (and Angela, and Eliana, and Janelle). Uplines are GOLD. Use yours.

I invest in education. I buy books and audio recordings, I go to networking events, and I read blogs. You are investing in your business by reading this blog. Keep it up. And then add more....

How have you been learning and listening lately? Why not comment and let us all know.

P.S. Don't forget to find Wendy's Candle Website Facebook and click the 'like' button. If you like me, that is.

10 Things to do Before the Holiday Break

Before you tackle these things, make sure you've identified and separated work time and holiday time. We don't want you or your family thinking that you are not taking a well-deserved break.

1. Unfinished business - Check all orders in the CBC and follow up with deliveries that have happened in the last fortnight. Make sure everyone is happy and correct any issues that arise.
2. Take stock - Empty your kit, bring together all of the candle accessories and candles you've accumulated over the past year, and organise them.
3. Clean - Whatever needs to be cleaned... clean.
4. Decorate - Put out nice pieces to make your home look fabulous.
5. Clear out - Create a pile of items you no longer want for your own use or your kit.
6. Price - Make a list of the items you no longer want and note the retail price (I suggest using Excel). Decide how much you would sell each piece for. I usually sell used items for 40 to 60 percent off retail.
7. Plan a home party in January - Pick a date now and let people know about it over the holidays. Sell your unwanted items to people who attend your home show.
8. Organise your January kit - Include a few items being discontinued so you can promote the discontinued list at your shows. (I sometimes use only items being discontinued to create a sense of urgency.)
9. Hostess Coach - Write a "thank you for booking" note to each of your January hosts and include a printout of the discontinued list.
10. Hostess Coach - Email the January specials to each of your January hosts (once they are released).

I will be taking December 23rd through January 4th off, so I won't do these things then, but I have 3 days this week to get this list done. And I will....

Employee Review

Today I should do a video blog because I feel like having a chat, but then I'd have to do something to my hair and I'm not in the mood. :)

Our PartyLite year is almost over. Was it a good one for you? Did you accomplish everything that you wanted to? Have you added it all up and taken stock of what you did accomplish? If you're striving for more, never forget to celebrate the victories you've had so far in your journey. They will help push you through tougher times when they occur.

One thing I absolutely love about working for myself is that I do not have to give or receive an employee review. It was one of the elements I hated most about the corporate world. I like immediate feedback and immediate corrections.

That said, I do see the benefit of a periodic look over time. A retrospective course check. Am I headed in the right direction? Am I achieving the goals I set out to achieve? Am I performing to my expectations, below them, or above them?

We start New Consultant Training with a look at your personal vision and goals. It's sometimes hard for a new consultant to do, because she doesn't yet know the potential of her business. But once you understand what is possible, you may start to increase your boldness in setting goals. I certainly did.

I revisit my goals when I need to; usually after I've accomplished a lot of what I had set out to do. This month represents an amazing crescendo of completion for me. On the 30th of March 2009, I made a vision board for my goals. It's been above my desk since I created it (see picture). Here is what the pictures represent:

• Wen & Bendy (music): Get more gigs and play
• Home: Replace the windows in my sunroom
• Home: Add a deck
• Home: Upgrade the outdoor bathroom
• Home: Upgrade the outdoor laundry
• Home: Get a jacuzzi
• Home: Buy a new car
• Travel: Ski Copper Mountain in Colorado
• Travel: Take Alan (let Alan take me) sailing off the northern Queensland coast

Before the end of 2010, I will have accomplished all but the last of these goals. I will carryover the sailing to my next vision board and start again. I know a few other things I'll be including:

• Travel: Take a trip to Spain and Italy in 2012
• Home: Refurnish and decorate the house
• Home: Complete the garden
• Work: Promote two leaders before Conference 2011
• Music: Be an important part of an amazing original band

I'll give it a lot of thought over the next few weeks and share the updated vision board with you.

My candle business is enabling me to achieve all of these goals. I use the goals everyday to motivate me to make the calls, to invite others to come on the ride, and to help the Rainbows to succeed.

Now is the time to take a look at your vision and goals for the next year or two. Will your candle business enable you to achieve your goals? Only if you let it....

ANNOUNCEMENT: At 7:30 on January 12th we will have a great Unit Meeting. I've asked Rebecca Wells, a business and life coach (among other things) to join us for some fantastic training on visions and goal setting. She is wonderful. I have room for about 30 people in my house, so if you're in Sydney on the 12th and want to come, please pop me an email. Rainbows will take top priority, but I'm sure we'll have room!

Backorders

We've had quite a few backorders over the last 30 days or so.

The extent of this backorder issue is uncommon. PartyLite will occasionally run out of stock, but we manage our inventories closely, and the delay is not usually as long as the one we've been experiencing. I've made some inquiries and learned that the problem has been exacerbated by the huge amount of imports due to the high Aussie dollar. Apparently the clearance docks at customs are chock-o-block and that has been holding up our containers.

Not an excuse, but a reason I thought worth sharing.

Most of the hard work getting the backordered stock out was completed last week. You should check with your hosts and make sure they are informed and happy.

Six Ideas to Finish October Strong

You have six days to go and you want more sales this month. So how can that be done? Here are some ideas.

1. Host a home show.
2. Take the catalogue around to a few people each day and take outside orders
3. Focus on the 2 guest promotions
1. Tealights – 3 boxes for $33. Only this month.
2. Illuminescents Porcelain Fragrance Warmers– great present idea! Only $45. Only this month.
4. Call your FRANK list
5. Follow up on people who you’ve talked to or shown a catalogue to – let them know that you’re putting in an order
6. Buy $165 in tealights yourself – that’s 15 boxes of tealights and you get 15% more for free. I calculate that with your 22% commission payment, these boxes only cost you $7.83 each. Bonus and they are even cheaper. :)

You’ve got nothing to lose. No matter what your results, it will be great practice, super for networking, and could get you some great results.

Get out there!