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Yes, I am going to talk about something controversial in our business and I’m sure it will get lots of comments.

I had read an article that stimulated my thinking…and in the article the Leader (she was a leader and not a consultant) made a comment to her group that if you knew that the hostess was not going to hold her show because other people told you that…then don’t Book her!

She went on to say that you can pick and choose who you want to hold your shows with and don’t pick ‘duds’.

Well, to say the least this definitely got me thinking.

To be honest I have had shows where I knew in my heart that the hostess was going to cancel or perhaps postpone.  Yikes!

Then I wasn’t surprised at all when it actually happened, and my head said “See, you knew this was going to happen”

Honestly, though, I think I did that hostess an injustice!  I really DON’T think I gave her my BEST!

Yes, I understand that some people probably just book a show to help their friend without any thought of going through with it, or like the example above they book, then postpone enough times to actually cancel (which really makes us pull out our hair right?)

But, I say we are partly to blame too!

It’s our job as great consultants and leaders to really find the “Why” of people!

Why are they booking the show? Maybe initially they just did it to help their friends, or perhaps they are a booking ‘junkie’ and then just don’t show up to the party….but it is our obligation to make their party the BEST!

Whenever someone cancels with me, I sit down and take a good  look at why “I failed them”….knowing that perhaps I didn’t make the time to properly hostess coach, or help them with their list….I was probably too busy to just do the steps properly.  And please don’t dwell on this process too much….this process is just a quick look….a simple assessment….and perhaps a ‘sorry in the mail’.

It’s in doing this process that you can make your next show better!

It’s in doing this process that you can then say to the next person who you ‘feel’ is going to cancel that you can say ‘hey, I understand your fear that no one will show up to your show….how can I help you make your list? I can even help you sit down and invite your friends’.

The ONLY reason people cancel is because they had a Fear and you didn’t help them get through it!

I’d love to hear about how you helped a hostess get through a FEAR!

Warm Hugs to all the Fearless Gals out there!

JODY MALEY

Owner and Founder, www.homepartyplanningbusiness.com

“Where its not the Destination, it’s the Journey to get There”

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Moving and changes!

My hubby has decided to go back to School, yay for him….not so great on the finances.

Home Party Plan has always been my baby, and I’ve loved Giving Free tips, ideas and sharing.  But the time has come to Change….to EVOLVE….to INVOLVE those around me!

I sent an email last week and a quick update this week about some of those new changes and definitely how they can Benefit YOU!  After all, my passion is to help YOU succeed and to help make your lives a little bit better!

Everyone has a different criteria of success and you need to step back a little and do a review of what success looks like and feels like to YOU.  Not to your leader, not to your team, not even to your family and friends!

I’ve had many gals that I’ve coached and trained over the years all have different personalaties and sales styles (uh, go figure that eh?), but the one very different aspect is what success looks like to them.

So I encourage you today, after you have enjoyed the rest of the newsletter to sit down with a cup of tea, take out a pen and paper and write out what success really means to you!

I would LOVE to know what you wrote and what Success means to you….so I’m going to give you the chance to share it with others as well.  After you read the rest, I will post this on the site so that you can share that with me and others!

Success and Hugs

Jody Maley

Owner and Founder HomePartyPlan

“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the journey to get There”

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Are you following your Passion?

I’m always amazed by how many ladies start a business with the ‘shiny object’ syndrom!

They either start because of

1. They are in dire need of money, and jump into the first home business that comes along
2. Are told by others ‘you would be great at this’ so they have an ego boost and join
3. or They want to get their fix at a discount, uh, not realizing they are joining a business!

Whatever the reason for joining a business….ladies will STAY in a business, thrive in a business and YES make a tonne of moolah in a business with one big criteria….PASSION!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you are indeed in your business because of passion…or just because you had ‘shiny object’ syndrom!

Question number 1: Do you wake up each and every day, so happy to get started in the new possibilities of your business?

Question number 2:  Are you excited to talk to your customers for customer service or does it scare the bullwacky out of you?

Question number 3:  Where are you at in your business plan (if you even have one) to help keep you aligned with your passion?

Question number 4: Are you able to say in one sentence what you Love to do, and how you Love to help others get what they want?

Question number 5: Do random people say, ‘hey, I would love more information about what you do, let’s have a coffee’.

Lots of people do start a business because they are Passionate about it….but over time that passion can fizzle out!  Take a serious look at where you are right now…right HERE!

Think about the feelings that you had when you started your business, the Excitement, the Knowing that is was meant for YOU, the giddy feeling of who you wanted to SHARE it with!  That is where the Passion started and that is what you need to BE feeling to keep it going Strong!

Sometime though we lose a little of that passion, a few negative (but I’m sure well meaning) comments from friends, family or people we work with can put a damper on that passion.  Or how about when we had a pfffftttt home party with little or no sales?

When that happens you need to surround yourself with some Positive Perspective!

Some cheerleaders who will say, ‘you can do it!’….’you are worth it!’….and sometimes you just need a few ideas to help get you back on track!  Excited all to bits and pieces!

If you feel that your passion has been side-tracked and you need a few more ideas to help bring that back into your life….then stay tuned for my next upcoming TeleSeminar which will give you some great tips and ideas for making your summer Rock OUT!  (and help you prepare for your fall!)

After all, it’s easy to keep with your passion when your business is rocking, it’s not so easy when you are too scared to even pick up the phone!

Jody Maley,

owner and founder of Home Party Plan

www.homepartyplanningbusiness.com

“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the journey to get There”

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Starting a New Home Business

Starting a new home based business can be a little daunting at first.  Here are some things to consider to help you be more informed and more organized!

• Kit Cost How much will it cost YOU up front when you sign up.  I prefer companies that allow your First Show, or your Starter Show, to allow you to pay for full or in part for your KIT.  This means that any sales the night of the show go towards your kit purchase.  Some companies even allow based on the show sales items at a discount.  However it works out…I highly recommend companies that can help bring your initial kit cost down.
• Monthly Advertising Costs To help keep this at a minimum, you should only spend about a 10% of what you make on advertising.  This can be in the form of business cards, perhaps in your local ‘home based business’ section of either the paper or chamber of commerce.  Another great place to advertise is with some local business’s.  When I go to the spa (hee hee we all should take time to pamper ourselves) I love it when I see a local gal who has ‘partnered’ with the spa and brought samples of facial products….or soaps…or even ‘relaxing’ spa candles.  Many of these small business’s will allow you to put your things there…usually for a fee (I loved ‘gifting’ them some of the samples….wahoo).
• Demo Costs Of course your biggest expense will always be in doing your demo’s.  So make sure you have a few new items at each show.  And please…..don’t spend any more than 10% of what you are EARNING towards new product!!! I can’t stress this enough….after all the purpose of having a home business is to make MONEY not to spend all that you make back into it!!!  If you are going to make purchases to ‘show’, I would recommend what ever is your companies newest Hostess Special….as you can usually purchase this at a great discount and your ‘future hostess’ can see what she will be getting too!
• The Little Things Each month the ‘little things’ add up….so try to get your door prize gifts….pens and paper…small things like that at the dollar store.  I think that these should be in your 10% of ‘demo costs’ too…so use it out of that budget!
• Have Fun One of the most important things to remember when starting a new business is to be ‘passionate’ about it and continue to have fun!

Owner and Founder, www.homepartyplanningbusiness.com

“Where its not just about the Destination, its the Journey to get there!”

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How to Accomplish Goals Quickly

What Time of day are you most productive?

Do you jump out of bed in the morning hitting the ground with both feet running? Or do you prefer to do most of your errands in the afternoon?  Or perhaps you feel that you accomplish the most in the evening?

Whichever one of these three scenarios you relate to the most….that is probably when YOU are at your most productive!  This is when need to be scheduling your ‘income producing’ activities!  Uh!

Block In your Tasks!

This is the time to ‘get things done’ in your ‘peak time frame’.  If you know you accomplish more in morning, noon or evening…then this is when you need to “BLOCK” in your time to do your key things.  Hostess coaching calls, booking calls….or even your ‘training time’.  These are the things that will make you money so do them!

Get Rid of Distractions!

Seems simple enough….but this is where lots of home business owners get Stuck!  Take the phone off the hook if you are training.  Close the door to your office and train your family that this is ‘business time’. Turn off your cell phone if you are making your calls!

Create an Great Work Environment

It always amazes me that most women still use the family dinner table as their place of business.  (even I do that sometimes)  The important thing is to have it look nice!  Having open bills laying around to remind you to ‘pay them’ and other distractors are not going to help you with your ‘creative genius’.  Get rid of the clutter….put out a few flowers…I have a pic of my kids to remind me of “Why” and for ‘who’ I create my business results.

Take a Break

Sometimes ‘overwhelm’ can happen.  You aren’t getting the results you set out for….that’s ok.  Take a ten minute ‘zen’ break.  After you have stretched your muscles, grabbed a tea…you will feel like ‘getting to it again’.  In fact, I can guarantee that you will attack your biz with even more zest and more great ideas!  (mmmm sounds like I’m speaking from experience)

KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetheart)

Kissies and smoochies to YOU!  Don’t try to re-invent the wheel here!  A home business thrives on three things: Customer service, getting customers…and keeping them wanting more!  Focus on that…and you already have the biggest ingredients for a KISSABLE and easy to manage business!

Hugs to All!

~Jody

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What are the “Benefits of Being your Own Boss”?

There are lots of benefits of having a home business and that is why so many people choose to start out in one.

Here are some of the most popular:

• No boss to account to
• Work at own pace
• Freedom of time
• Getting products at a discount
• Getting out of the house if you are a stay at home mom (which also means adult conversation….YES)
• Doing what you love and are passionate about

There are also some downfalls to having a home based business that people don’t consider:

• No boss to account to
• realizing YOU are now a business owner
• Too much time and not enough implementation
• Staying at home and being distracted by ‘domestic’ stuff
• Losing your passion due to it feeling like “Work”….YIKES

Very often what draws people to a home business can be the VERY thing that Frustrates them too, but realizing that you need some business skills can definitely help you along the way!

If you haven’t got a GAME PLAN and don’t know where to start….I would highly recommend checking out Home Party Plan’s 36 week Tips and Ideas!

In the meantime feel free to leave comments on

“Why you love being your OWN boss and Benefits that YOU have been enjoying”

~Jody

PS….I have to say that NOT having my kids see the inside of Daycare has definitely been at the TOP of my list!!!

I’m going to use myself in this example and say “yes, that I changed my attitude and it Definitely Affected My Results”

A few months ago I took on a second job (Home Party Plan will Always be my first LOVE) to help our family income due to my spouse being out of work for several months!

I admit, my attitude was not the best it could have been!  Besides feeling like an internet failure…I will admit I know my business and know how to inspire others…but the internet side of things and Learning has made it a bit SLOW!

So to go back into the furniture and sales bit…well it didn’t excite me too much!  But hey, I love talking to people, and really love making their purchase a more fun experience.

It wasn’t until about mid November though that I sat back and took serious stock of “Why” I was back in the sales industry!  Sure my ‘ego’ took a few hits….but then I made up my mind that my main purpose in any job or business that I decide to venture into is for  “The Service of others”!   WOW!

It’s something that I’ve been telling you, my clients and customers…and friends for quite a few months…yet…I needed to step up to the plate!

I needed a “Goal”….something that would inspire “me” as well as inspire “YOU” to reach out….strive for something GREAT!

So in my J.O.B. a unique contest came up…a mattress contest….sell the most mattress’s and the company will send you and your spouse on an ‘all inclusive’ trip for two…to Antigua Bay…valued at more than $8,000.  So I set my mind up to do just that.

Every day before I left for work…I changed my crappy attitude….instead of focusing on sales sales sales….I focused on just helping 3-4 customers to finding the perfect ‘mattress’ for them!

Before I knew it my sales were soaring!  And I went from being number 14 in the contest to being Number 2…and last week I was in the number 1 spot …at least for a few days!!!  I pulled up my socks and had an amazing weekend of sales of over 8 beds…not bad for the beginning of January!

As I’m writing this now, I am currently in the number 2 spot….the contest ends in a few short days…and the totals will be VERY close to me finding out if I did indeed win ( I certainly hope so), but even if I don’t win….I will still be using this example of “Winning in the Long Run”.

I made the decision to “Change my attitude”….to change it to “Who can I serve today”….and even if I don’t win this contest…I DOUBLED the income I made in September!!!  

Think about this question again  “Can Changing your Attitude Change your Results?”

I know it changed mine…..how about YOU???

~Jody in Beautiful BC  Smiling it up Baby!

Re-cap Of Steps to do:

1) Decide to make the change

2) Have a Goal (or vision of where you want to be)

3) Daily make action steps to implement the Change you want…to RECEIVE the Goal!

4) Give yourself a hand clap on the back for making the Change!  (and seeing the results)