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Arlene Gianelli

How NOT to do a launch party for a new team member

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I was asked to come to a friends launch party for her new business. I really wasn't interested in the products, but since she had been a team member of my business for a while and still bought from me from time to time, I felt like I owed it to her and figured I could find something to buy and help her out.

Her upline was doing the launch party for her, just as I would do for a team memeber in my business. Here is a list of what NOT to do:

If the guest at the door happens to be a representative for a different company DO NOT introduce yourself to said guest by telling her all the reasons why the product she is about to see is better than what she sells.

There is a difference between a party for demonstration of the product, and a meeting to explain the business opportunity. Of course, we all plant "recruiting seeds" during the course of our presentation but DO NOT go into detailed explanation of the compensation plan, bonus levels, nuts and bolts of the business workings, etc. when people are there to see, sniff, and feel the products themselves. And don't spend 2 1/2 hours doing it.

During said business presentation, when you are showing the multi-levels of the compensation plan, we all know that some won't make the numbers and that you need more team members than the tidy little circles would indicate, but DO NOT refer to the people who don't product or quit as "bad apples"

When explaining the markup and how it is beneficial to be a representative of the company to receive the discount, DO NOT refer to customers who pay full retail as "suckers"

Those rude women left such a bad taste in my mouth for that company, I don't think I would ever buy one of those products. I left with a catalog which I promptly threw out, and said a quick prayer for my sweet friend who got herself into such a group of people.

I would NEVER refer to someone who has moved on from my business as a "bad apple" and how in the world can you in all conscience build a clientele if you think of them as "suckers" They are my valued customers and I thank them for their business and hope that I provide a level of service that makes them think of me the next time they need a gift for a child's birthday, holiday, or baby shower. Good grief!!!
www.discovertoyslink.com/arlenegianelli

Tags: launch, party, rude, upline

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I think I know which company you are talking about. I just got out of a direct sales company because they were that way. I would recommend that anyone who is interested in joining a direct sales party "shadow" their upline first at a party and ask as many questions as you can think of first to make sure that is the right direct sales company for you. There are many of them out there with wonderful compensation plans, rep benefits, etc. but make sure the company culture is something that you want to associate yourself with.

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I agree ..... teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.......everyone helps everyone to succeed.....Thanks for this!

L~

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Good Lord Arlene,

That's shocking and completely ridiculous. Unfortunately this business can be plagued by
amateurs who have neither business nor marketing experience.

They are so blinded by the rhetoric of "My product/company/comp. plan is the best, " BLAH - BLAH
that they fail time and time again to see the real value is in serving their customers and potential business
partners - not bullying them. I've seen the type before - they don't offer any value and I guarantee if this is
the way they conduct their business, it is only a matter of time before it implodes.

If the business cannot be conducted by these people in an ethical & honest fashion what is the point?

I have no doubt your friend must have been mortified.

Best wishes

~ Michele ~


p.s. Kat, that's great advice for new people coming in. You have to get to know who you are working with to see if your values etc. are congruent with you own.

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That was great advice! I wish your friend a sucessful career but what a bizarre way of promoting the company!

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Great advice! Although, I would think most people with common sense would know this is not the way to grow your business. Unbelievable!

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Wow , this really happened Arlene? How shameful!

Holly Jackson
Partylite Gifts

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yup, I kid you not. Every last detail.

Holly Jackson said:
Wow , this really happened Arlene? How shameful!

Holly Jackson
Partylite Gifts

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Yes I myself have witnessed parties such as these, and I promptly declined the invitation to join lol.

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Yikes! If I was your friend I'd be so upset/embarrassed that my upline did this to my guests!

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Wow,
That blows me away and what a snore that "party" must have been. I hope your friend sees that she has to do parties a bit different to get good responses and sales. Its sad when people have their own agenda with no regard for your friends business.
I'll say a prayer for her too! LOL

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It's so frustrating when people act this way because it can reflect on others in direct sales. Where has professionalism gone?

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Wow... sounds like that lady had some nerve! I feel bad for your friend, doing business with people like that isn't good for your reputation!

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