Convention 2009 News, Pics & More!

Hi Team!

OK, OK... communication from convention is, well, LONG overdue!

You'll have to excuse my delayed communication. I have not been feeling well since I returned... maybe it's the 50+ boxes of SALE STUFF in my garage that has been making me sick :)

Speaking of the Summer Sale... YOU GIRLS ROCK! As a team, we have already sold over $11,000 this month! Way to capitalize on the sale, girls!

Anyway, I'm excited to share my thoughts about convention, the new announcements, and of course, the new products with you!

So, sit tight and get ready for a lenghthy post...

one that's chalk FULL of great information that you don't want to miss!

First Up: Let's talk NEW PRODUCTS!

As expected, I LOVE them all! Really girls, I am quite happy with our entire new product line! I'm having tremendous trouble narrowing down my personal wish list!

I do plan to wait to purchase some of the new Christmas items... I always think it is fun to start showcasing Christmas stuff in late October and November. Just a thought if you, too, are having problems with your own wish list :)

While I don't have a FAVORITE new item, I am very intriqued by the new Signature Portraits that we will be offering!

Honestly, ladies, the price points on these are FANTASTIC! These really are heirloom quality and something not readily available for these kinds of prices! And the best part is that hostesses CAN use their FREE and 1/2 price hostess benefits towards a Signature Portrait!

For those of you who are confused by this new product offering, I hope you will be able to attend our next meeeting (details on that soon) so you can see an example of one for yourself! The company produced a great kit that is available for purchase through your business supply credits! It contains an example of a portrait and samples of all of the framing options. You can see the kit at the next meeting (we got them FREE at convention!).

I'm very excited about this new product offering and hope to get one made of my own children soon! I hope you will take the time to learn more about this offering so that you can share it at your parties too!

Here are the details on ordering the Kit through Business Supplies (from the workstation announcement):

We know you want your customers to experience first-hand the craftsmanship, style, and elegance of the fine materials that go into our Signature Portraits, so we've put together a Demo Kit for you to share at your parties!

• This kit includes:
  Sample portrait (featured on page 21 of the Fall catalog)
  Original photograph sample
  Frame samples
  Tote bag for taking your portrait to parties
  Customer Order Kit/Brochure
  Portrait Art Card sample

To purchase on your next Business Supply order, add:•10226 $50.00

The Signature Portraits Sample Brochure—included in the Demo Kit above—is also available to order in singles. It is a large, multi-page brochure crafted of thick, textured paper and featuring all the details of the Signature Portraits process. It is your primary customer tool, designed to be passed around at your parties and returned to you for use at your next event.

Due to limited quantities of this brochure, we ask for a limit of 1 per Consultant.To purchase on your next Business Supply order, add:•10235 $0.00

(Must be ordered with other Business Supply items.)

OK... the Product Showcase was amazing as usual!

Pics are available at:
http://www.slahdanielle.shutterfly.com/

I'm working on an "Idea Photo Book"... once it is completed, I will post it and you are welcome to purchase one for yourself too!

I also posted the pictures in an album in the post below this one! Be sure to check them out!

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Next Up: New August Hostess Incentive

So, as you might have already noticed, an announcement of August Double Hostess Dollars was NOT made at convention ! I asked and asked and the answer I received is that we don't know if there will be any Double Hostess Dollars this Fall at all. It is never a guaranteed event and while we became accustomed to having it in August, it has never been a "for sure" thing.

So, just move on and encourage folks to take advantage of the other great incentives in August... not to mention, a fabulous NEW catalog!

Check this new incentive out!

Hostesses who hold a $500 party will get a FREE Savannah Beverage Server! That is, in dollar terms, a better deal than Double Dollars because the Beverage Server is worth $130!!!

I have lots of great ideas on how to share this product at your parties.... ask me for help if you need it!

I've uploaded the updated August specials flyer to the right side of the blog too.

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Next Up: August is a GREAT MONTH for New Recruits!

Reason #1: They get a MEGA Kit for the same $199 price!

And the KIT is brand new with the BEST assortment of products I've seen to date! The Mega Kit is valued at over $750! Check it out!

Note that this offer does NOT apply to the Mini Kit... which I'm not sure at this point if that is still available and if so, what it includes. I will find out!

Reason #2: New Training Tools make it easier than EVER to get a business started!

Oh! They've done some FANTASTIC things in terms of making it easier than ever to start a SLAH business! I'm most excited about these...

They are called Party Presentation Cards and they are GENIUS!!!

They have anything and everything on them that you might need to know about a product!

And guess what?

Every new starter kit has a set of Party Presentation Cards for the Starter Kit products! Not to mention there are cards included that help a new consultant create a party presentation from beginning to end!

AND... there are blank cards too!

No more making out your own notecards... just use these!

They are available in pdf form in the Learning Center of the Workstation now.

And because I'm nice, I've also posted a link to them on the right of the blog :)

There is also a set of cards for ALL OF THE NEW FALL PRODUCTS!!!

It does not appear that the cards are in the Business Supplies... yet. Maybe they will. I'll keep you posted, but for now, go ahead and download them and print them out!

YOU WILL LOVE THEM & so will your NEW RECRUITS!

Now... on to another great training tool available to new recruits. The new and improved "Getting Started Workbook" will come in all new Starter Kits!

Girls... this is long overdue and nothing short of FANTASTIC!

This takes your new recruit step-by-step through getting her business started. And it is a WORKBOOK... designed for you to help her through it!

It makes your training job very easy!

Selected pages from the workbook are available for you to email your new recruits immediately. They are in the Learning Center on the workstation and I've also provided links to them at the right side of the blog.

Reason #3: They can earn this super-duper great bag for FREE when they complete all 3 steps of the Success Start Program!

These bags are GREAT! It hold the entire Starter Kit, has padded dividers to arrange the inside how ever you want, and the best part...

IT IS ON WHEELS!!!

BONUS for August: When YOU sponsor someone in AUGUST who becomes qualified (sells $1,000) in her first 30 days... YOU GET THE BAG TOO!

So be sure to coach your new recruits to earn ALL THREE steps in the Success Start program so that she can earn this bag too! It's well worth it!

Are you not familiar with the Success Start Program?

You can find out all the details on your workstation under the "Events & Incentives" section.

Also, you can order the Success Start brochures to give to your consultants through Business Supplies. The code is 10218. There is a companion brochure available that will help YOU, the sponsor, in helping your recruit earn this incentive. It is available with Business Supply code 10224.

There is also a link to a pdf version of the brochure posted on the right of the blog!

Again, I'm nice like that :)

Next Up: New Hostess Planners

These will eliminate the need to print out information to give to your hostesses as part of a "party packet"! They've redisgned the "Hostess Planner" and it is wonderful.

A packet of these will be included in every new starter kit.

They are also going to be available for purchase (NOT through business supplies) from the Company Store. They are not currently showing up in the store though. I have sent an email to the Company Store requesting more information. When I have an answer, I will pass it on.

And Lastly: The Sale!

As you are well aware by now, Southern Living at Home has been sold to Bill Shaw and an investor group that also owns "At Home Entertaining". While this news is somewhat confusing and will most certainly bring some changes, our senior director team seems very happy, positive, and optimistic about the sale and what it might bring to our businesses.

So that is the attitude I am choosing to take as well. I am not changing anything about the way I run my business... I'm just going to keep plugging along and I will react to changes if and when they are announced.

I hope you will do the same!

And by the way....

The 2010 General Incentive was announced....

IT'S GOING TO BE IN ATLANTIS!!!!!

Details about how you can earn that trip have not yet been announced, but rest assured, this is a trip you WILL want to work for!

OK... that's enough writing for now.

I encourage you to keep checking your workstation daily for new announcements!

I'm hopeful to hold our next team meeting on Monday, August 10th.

Save the Date and details will follow :)