New for 2013

Up Coming Changes for the new year! Please be aware! 

First, our shipping rates will be changing slightly; the new rates are shown in the table below. These rates will become active on January 2nd and will apply only to the continental United States (not Canada, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico). You may know that we subsidize our shipping prices to keep them as low as possible, and we are proud to offer extremely competitive shipping rates. As always, we are dedicated to providing you with the best shipping at the lowest possible price.

Order Total	Shipping Rate
$0–$80.00	$7.99
$80.01–$140.00	$10.99
$140.01–$200.00	$14.99
$200.01­–$400.00	$20.99
$400.01+	6% of order total

Secondly, we are clarifying our host benefit program. As you know, we have great host benefits that make it easy to attract new hosts for parties. As an additional benefit to you as consultants, we have also extended most of these host benefits to you when you host your own parties. There has been some confusion in the past on some of the host benefits, so we have put together a Host Benefit Clarifications document to explain several of the benefits and make necessary clarifications. This document is available on My Office under Training. On February 1st, we will be putting into place some updates in our systems that will ensure that these benefits are used the way they were intended, and section 6.4 of our Policies and Procedures will be updated to reflect the clarifications at that time.

Here are some things that I spotted that I will have to adjust to:

• The first month of each Q shipment must process before the Q may be included in your host benefit order. This will ensure that host benefits are not given for Qs that are canceled or lowered in budget before they process, and will also increase urgency for a customer to set their first shipment date as soon as possible. If a customer cannot commit to the Q within the 90 day period before the party must be closed, that Q will not be counted toward the party total for host benefits. If it is necessary for a consultant to close a party before a Q order from that party has processed, the Q order may be removed from that party and added to a future party so that host benefits may still be received for the order. 

• Consultants may only redeem the double dip benefit for themselves on the first party they host. The double dip benefit is intended for hosts rather than consultants, who are constantly holding parties as part of their business. However, we will allow consultants to use the double dip benefit on the first party they host, meaning that they can count the amount of their purchase and/or Q order at the party where they enrolled toward the sales at the first party they host as a consultant. 

• Consultants may not redeem the $100 in half-off host benefit for booking parties off of their own party.This benefit is intended for hosts rather than consultants, who are constantly booking parties as part of their business. This means that when creating a party in My Office, consultants may not enter the ID of a previous party in the “Booked from party ID” section to receive this booking benefit. Instead, consultants may redeem similar half-off benefits with a party supply benefit order. 

• The $100 half-off benefit cannot be redeemed by a hosts until the booked party occurs.This will be implemented later in 2013 to ensure that benefits are not paid out on parties that do not occur. We will be developing a system for hosts to submit their own host benefit orders independently of consultants, and this system will facilitate the submitting of orders for this booking benefit. We will provide more information on this new system once it is ready for use.

We’d also like to announce that because our current Most for the Host promotion has been so successful, we are extending it! The date for hosts to have their parties booked by has been extended from December 15th to December 31st. The party may be held any time in December or January, and the host benefit order form must still be submitted by January 31st to receive the extra benefit. See details about this promotion here. Keep your Black Friday success going by booking parties this month, and get added benefits for your hosts in the process! Please take these announcements into account as you interact with your customers and train new consultants in the new year. We appreciate your partnership with us! Sincerely, Shelf Reliance

Consultant Training #8: TAXES

It's almost that hated time of the year for me.  Tax season. (Shiver)  My husband owns his own business and now I do too, so we never get a tax return...we pay!  I hate taxes! (Really, who loves them?)  But it's important to know what things you should save and what things are write-off-able (I just made that word up, wink, wink.)  Here are somethings that I do/ save to help me prepare for that dreaded day... April 15th.

1.)  I keep a white envelop in the glove box of my cars.  On the outside of it, I write all of the miles I use traveling to work related places.  On the inside, I put any receipts I get that are work related and from my SR debit card.  (So when I run to Office Max to make copies of the price list, or to the post office to mail a host packet out, the receipt goes right into the envelop, instead of into my purse...where it could be lost for all eternity!)

2.)  I print off and file all Invoices of anything that I've purchased from Shelf Reliance, such as my Q each month, personal orders, supply orders, or host benefit orders.  These are all tax write offs!

3.)  Anytime I make a deposit or withdrawal from my business account, I also stick the receipt from that transaction in the envelop.  I usually will write on the top of the receipt what the money was from or going towards.

4.)  I have a separate bank account and debit card for my SR business - obviously. This helps keep things separate from my personal accounts.  Each month I print off my bank statement and using the receipts from the envelop in my car, reconcile my account.  Then I staple all receipts for that month to the back of it.  This gets filed in my yearly tax file for my accountant.

An accountant can help you figure out what other things are able to be written off.  Usually there is a certain amount for your home office that can be written off for the use of electricity, phone, and internet use.  I'm not an expert on all that kind of stuff, but hopefully your accountant will love you as much as mine loves me, if you do the above steps!

* Remember to sign up for Convention!  It's 100% write-off-able!  Consider it a vacation that can ALL be written off!  It's totally worth it, and fun all at the same time!

- Cami

Consultant Training #7: Supply Benefit Order

Did you know that you earn half-off products with every party you do, to restock your party supplies?  

It's called a "Supply Benefit Order" and for parties with combined totals of $500 you will receive $50 at half-off, and for parties with combined totals of $1,000 you will receive $100 at half-off!  You can buy anything that SR has to sell.  Nothing is off limits!  However, you pay RETAIL price just like the host benefit orders, so make sure it's worth your half-off!

To see a list of all consultant materials click here and then scroll down to the second page.  You can also find this information in your office under the Tools > Consultant Materials > Price Lists > Consultant Materials Price List.

You can see how to place an order by watching my YouTube video below:

What are the Unadvertised Specials or Costco Match?

The best deals and packages available to offer your customers are the Costco Matches/Unadvertised Specials. These are the items on the Home Party Price List without a RETAIL PRICE listed by them.  You can see these items at costco.com.

One of our wonderful consultants, Debbie Abbot, created a 43 page marketing piece showing all the specials with colorful pictures, descriptions, home party pricing, and all. It's fabulous! You can find it at morethirve.com > Marketing Tools> Unadvertised Specials (password: cancun) Here is the link: http://morethrive.com/img/UAS.pdf  Feel free to pass it on to your customers so they can see them. Be aware that the items and special pricing can change often so watch the newsfeed for updates. 

We (consultants) can offer a lower price (home pary pricing) than Costco's price, and offer host benefits as well to sweeten the deal. It's makes it worth it for our customers to buy from us instead of Costco. Costco offers free shipping and we can't, but by the the time you give them the lower price and host benefits It comes out better for them, and you get the commissions.  It's a win/win!  

* Remember to put the order in one of your open parties first, then book their party off your party and you will both get the host benefits on their order becuase of our fabulous double dip offer.  Who doesn't love that?!

Please let me know if you need further clarification on how this works!

- Cami

Coaching Your Host for a Successful SR Party

The following is how I help ensure that I have a successful party.   By using these few steps to coach your host, you can:

• Improve the number of people that turn out to a party
• Increase the number of outside orders that come into the party
• Have guest that are excited to taste the Thrive food and want to come!
• Have a knowledgeable host, that can help answer questions at the party
• Help grow your team, by recruiting consultants!

Step 1:  Create a Host Check-off Sheet

Here is a link to Diana Boley's website and check-off list.  Host Check-off List  I love her idea!  She places this in her office where she can see it and keep track of what she has done to prep each host.  If you don't keep track, it's easy to forget what you have and haven't done with each host, especially as you begin to get more parties on your books.

I personally have a slightly different set of check-off items that I do, but I love her format, and have requested her Excel spreadsheet, so I can make my own.  Once I create my check-off list I'll post it here.  Update:  My personalized Excel spreadsheet
Here is my list and what I do:

• Gave host packet with strawberry samples (Usually at the party, unless I run out.)
• Explained contents of host packet (I usually do this at the party when I give them the packet or I do it over the phone.)
• Set up party in the back office
• Check-in with host:  (Around 1-2 week before party)
• See how the inviting is going
• Gave suggestions on how they can get a great turn out at their party:  Facebook, evites, personal calls, handing out samples, explaining the Q, etc...
• Help them set goals for their party: 3-4 outside orders, 1 party booking, go over the benefits of these things.
• See if they have any questions for me
• Encourage host to become familiar with filling out the order form and look over the price list, so she can help me with guests at the party.
• See if they have watched the Opportunity DVD and see what they think about becoming a consultant on my team!  Offer them the party as a launch party!
• Invited them to become a consultant (in the host check-in call above)
• Head count phone call:  (1-2 days before party)
•  Ask for a head count of guests, so I can make sure I bring enough food.  
• Ask them to make reminder calls to guests or personally invite guests that haven't RSVPed.  
• Get directions to their home...if needed. 
• Host party
• Follow up emails to guests that attended party (see Follow Up Post)
• Contact host about any outside orders remaining/ go over people that have already placed orders
• Send host her host benefit totals
• Collect host benefit order/ close party
• Send a thank you letter to the host, for hosting the party!

Step 2:  Create a Host Folder filing system (Optional)

I know all of this information is in the computer, but sometimes it's just quicker and easier for me to go to my paper file and get information, instead of turning on my computer and searching for all this info.  That's why I say this step is optional.  It just depends on your OCD level....mine is high.

I use the regular tabbed manilla folders that you can get everywhere.  I add the host's name and Party ID# on the tab, which has saved me tons of times as I enter a party booking for a party and forget to look at the party ID from the host.  I hate clicking back to the events page to get that info, so I love having it on the folder!  Here is what I include inside the file:

• All outside orders and orders from the party
• The email sign-up list from the party - Sign-Up Sheet after I've entered everyone into my email list.  I use this as a follow-up tool to contact people that didn't order at the party, but were thinking about it.
• A form that I've created that reminds me about things I've discussed with the host, what they've ordered in the past, and personal reminders to help me remember their face.  (What they were wearing, where I met them, allergies...etc.)  Here is the link to the document:  Host Information Sheet

I have all my files in a small file box that I got at Fred Meyers.  I have the file box divided into sections:

• Closed Parties
• Parties that have already happened and the host benefit order has already been placed.
• Booked Parties
• Parties that have not happened yet.
• Parties to Reschedule
• Any party that canceled and haven't reschedule yet.  These files require follow-up from me.
• Regular Customers
• My regular customers are people that call in or email often to place orders.  They want me to keep their credit card and billing information on file so they don't have to give it to me each time.
• Host Information Paper folder 
• Just a folder that has blank Host Information Sheets in it for making new Host folders.
• To Do File
• This is a file that I put my To-Do lists in or follow-up tasks that I haven't had time to do.  It's my go-to folder when I wake up each morning.  I try to complete anything in that folder first.  Pretty much...it's my junk drawer of work stuff!  :)

Well, I hope this helps you have more successful parties!  I know that when I follow these steps, I have a better turn out and stay more organized!  Keep up the good work!  Leave a comment if you have questions!

-Cami

New Fall Party Price Lists

Hi Team,

Just a reminder that you'll need to update those party binders this month.  SR has come out with their new Fall Price lists.  Some items have gone down in price, while others have gone up.  Most items have stayed the same.  Notice that some items have been discontinued, and if you're not familiar with any new/old items, please look them up in the front office and read the descriptions so you become familiar with them.

I love to watch the videos that they sometimes attach to the emergency items.  It helps me understand how to use them better!  Also, listening to the Emergency Items Training calls in the back, by Bart Mills, is really helpful too.  I know every time I listen to him talk about an item, I end up buying it!  So imagine if we were to talk about that item at our parties?  Have you ever thought of having an Emergency Products Party only?  I'm thinking of doing one soon!  I seem to have a hard time getting time to talk about all the great emergency gear we have, at my parties.  So this will be a way for me to help my neighbors and friends see what new products there are out there to help prepare their families!

I'm really excited about this month's Q-Pon, the green chilies.  I love them and that's a great price!  I will defiantly be bring attention to those this month! We've also never had packages on the Monthly Special before.  Point that out to your customers!  I would also recommend making the typical Enchilada Bake, for your parties, but substituting the Taco TVP in place of the ground beef.  Maybe substitute the Mozzarella Cheese in place of the Cheddar too.  That way your party guest get to taste this month's Specials as a sample!

Are you aware of the New Products that are coming out every other week?  So far they've announced Instant Brown Rice, and Honey Crystals.  I'm so excited about the honey!  They're already in my Q!  The next two products will be announced on Oct 13th and Oct 20th.  Make sure to print off the flyer in the back office that introduces these new products, for your parties!  http://www.shelfreliance.com/files/materials/price-lists/Flyer:-New-Products-Fall.pdf

Q-Club FAQ's - Important to know the answers!

Platinum Q Club Renewal FAQ’s

If I received a free Platinum Q Club membership, do I receive my free platinum status for life?
Yes—as long as your Q continues to process at least 11 shipments each year, you will receive the Platinum Q Club membership free for life.

If my Q does not process 11 shipments in a year’s time, what happens?
If your Q processes less than 11 shipments in a year, your Q will be dropped to our Bronze Q Club level on the year anniversary of your first shipment.

If my Q does not process 11 shipments in a year’s time, will I be notified?
If you no longer qualify for the free Platinum Q Club renewal, you will receive an email notifying you that you no longer qualify and that your Q will be dropped to Bronze Q Club status on the year anniversary of your first Q shipment.

If my Q drops to Bronze status and I want to change back to Platinum, what are my options?
If your Q does drop to Bronze status and you want to change back to Platinum, you can do so on your Q Club Settings tab. If you do change back to Platinum after being dropped to Bronze, you will be charged a $19.99 fee.

If I pay the $19.99 fee to reactive my Platinum Q Club status after being dropped to Bronze, do I have to pay any yearly renewal fees?
No. If you reactivate your Platinum Q club status, you will have free lifetime benefits once more as long as you continue to have at least 11 shipments per year.

If I only need to have 11 shipments per year to maintain my Platinum Q Club status, does that mean I can pause my Q for more than one month but make extra shipments in other months to meet my 11 shipments?
Yes. As long as you make a total of 11 shipments during the year, you will not have to pay the annual renewal fee, regardless of how many times you have paused your Q.

If I am a consultant, can I lose my Platinum Q Club status?
Yes. Consultants and customers have the same 11 shipment per year requirement to maintain free lifetime Platinum Q Club status.

If my Q club status drops to bronze, can I still use my Q Club points?
Yes—your Q club points will be available until they are used, no matter what Q Club level you are on. They also do not expire. 

Consultant Training #6: How to Place a Host Benefit Order

After your party, you can submit an order for your host to redeem the discounts they received from hosting the party. You have 90 days from the party date to complete the host benefit order in the back office. 

* Once you complete the host benefit order, no additional orders can be added to your party; placing the host benefit order will officially close your party.

Important: Before you begin to place a host benefit order online, please make sure all of these requirements have been met:

• Make sure all Qs and orders from your host's party are tied to her.

• Make sure that all parties booked from your host's party are scheduled in the events, and are booked off of her party ID #, in order to tie the booking to her party.  This is the only way that your host is going to receive her half-off from that booking.

If you have any questions about this process, please email me or leave a comment!

Thanks,  Cami

Instant Milk vs. Non-Instant Milk

The following article was a great resource to help me learn more about our instant powdered milk and how to present it to my customers.  It's helpful to know... because you will be asked... and after reading this article, I think I've been telling my customers the wrong information.  I think I've been telling them that it's freeze dried!  Agh!

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/about-food-storage/powder-milk

It's important to know that our milk, eggs, shortening, butter, sour cream etc. are NOT freeze dried OR dehydrated.  They go through a process called spray drying.  What is spray drying?

Our THRIVE milk products are 100% dairy and not alternatives!  Good to know now!  

- Cami

New Moisture Absorber Information!

Q: What are Moisture Absorbers?

A:  Shelf Reliance Moisture Absorbers are non-toxic silica gel packets that absorb the moisture in the air within enclosed containers to prevent mold, mildew, and dampening and create a protective environment of dry air.

Q:  How do I use them?

A:  Place one packet in any SR can to help absorb moisture and prevent it from shortening the life of your opened can of food.  (Do NOT open packet!) You only need one…even in a bucket size! 

Q:  How do I know when they can’t absorb any more moisture and need to be thrown away?

A:  The beads will turn from an orange color to a dark green color, at which point the packet will not continue to absorb moisture.

Q:  How many absorbers come in a packet and how big are they?

A:  10 - 28g absorbers come in a packet.

ID# 33517

Q-Club Price:  $16.99

"I'm really excited about these!  I'll be using them in my strawberries and yogurts for sure!  Sometimes when I open a #10 can for party samples I don't get around to using them all as soon as I hoped.  With the moister here in Oregon, my foods can get sticky and soft, and although they are still okay to eat, I don't feel good giving them out as samples.  I know I'll be ordering lots of these!"

- Cami

Creating a "Legal" and "Organized" Customer Email List

I'm working on this particular thing myself right now, so I decided to post what I've learned.  I found this blog/training to be the most helpful of them all:   Creating an Email List by Misty Marsh  Misty uses the program MailChimp and she has tutorials listed on her blog.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page a click to find the tutorials.  I found this information very exciting!  Maybe you will too!

Consultant Training #5 - The Follow Up

Okay... so we have come home from our party, dropped all our gear in the middle of the living room, and collapsed onto the couch.  After going to bed and waking up feeling much more refreshed, we have entered into the computer our customers, our orders, and our Qs from last night's party.  What's next?....

The follow up!

The following is an example letter that I send out to those people that request a price list at the party and who have NOT placed an order yet.

Dear ___________,

Thank you so much for coming to ________'s party last night.  It was so fun to meet you.  You guys were a fun group of people to get to know!

As you've requested,  I'm sending you the price list along with this month's specials and the price list addendum.  The addendum shows the discounted price of this month's specials.  You can view all of the products you viewed at the party last night by visiting my website at www.camiharris.shelfreliance.com.  Feel free to order from my website.  I will make sure it gets credited to your friend's party or you can give me a call and we'll get your order placed over the phone - so I can answer any questions you might have.

Please note that ___(name)___ will be closing his/her party on ____(date)_____, so make sure to get those orders in before that date.

Sincerely,

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The following is an email that I send out to those that placed an order:

Dear ___________,

Thank you so much for coming to ________'s party last night and placing an order.  It was so fun to meet you.  You guys were a fun group of people to get to know!

I just wanted to let you know that your order was placed and should be shipping out to you soon.  An emailed receipt from SR will be sent to you along with a temporary password.  You can check the status of your order or review what you've ordered by logging into www.shelfreliance.com and using your email address and that password.  Once you've logged in, you can change that password in your account settings.  If there are any mistakes or problems with your order, please contact me using the information listed below in my signature, and I'd be happy to help you out!

Sincerely,

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The following is an email that I send out to those that signed up for a Q:

Dear ___________,

Thank you so much for coming to ________'s party last night and placing an order.  It was so fun to meet you.  You guys were a fun group of people to get to know!

I just wanted to let you know that your Q has been set up.  Shelf Reliance will be sending out an email confirmation, along with a temporary password.  You can login to to your account and edit your Q by going to www.shelfreliance.com and going to the login button in the upper right-hand corner next to the search box.  Use your email address and the temporary password to sign in.  Your password can be changed in your account settings.

I'm attaching a short YouTube video that shows you how to edit and manage your Q.  If after watching the video, you have any problems or concerns, please contact me using the information listed below in my signature, and I'd be happy to walk you through the process!

YouTube Video

Sincerely,

SR Updates the Consultant Manual!

I just read this in the Back Office on the Newsfeed and wanted to make sure all of you saw it.  Especially my NEWER consultants!  Make sure this is the manual you're training out of!  The one that most likely came with your starter kid is out of date!  

A new version of the consultant training manual has been posted on the back office under Training>Training Resources>Materials. In this updated version we have fixed errors that existed in the previous version. The entire "Utilizing Shelf Reliance Tools" section has also been rewritten to correspond with the new My Office system. This section now correctly describes how to manage events, orders, customers, reports, a consultant website, hosts, and guests in My Office and is a great resource for new consultants, combined with the My Office video tutorials.

This new version of the manual will replace the old version in starter kits in the future once the old version has been phased out. 

Consultant Training #4: How to enter information in the back office after the Party.

Entering Customers into your Back Office

Enter all of your customers into the back office.  This tells SR that this person is now your customer and has order from you in the past.  That way, if they were to ever log on and order from the company again, it would automatically be credited to you!  Yay!  So this is an important step!!!

(Wow!  Did I go off on a tangent or what!  Sorry...that video should've been 2 minutes at the longest!  Just remember:  After entering them as your customer, write down the Temporary ID # they give you on the top of their order form!)

Entering an Order



How to set up a Q



Maneuvering the Back Office



Other Random Tips and Short Cuts



* Don't laugh... my phone goes off in the background, my computer is slow, and it's really hard to think on the fly!  Don't Judge!  :)

Palmer Oatmeal Cake from SR

by Todd Leonard CEC on Aug 29 2012

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MODERATE

A rich, gooey, oat-full cake!

Prep Time

45 minutes

Yield

24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 c boiling water
• 1⁄2 c butter, softened
• 1 c thrive quick oats
• 1 c thrive brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 c thrive white sugar
• 2 T thrive whole egg powder + 1/4 c. water
• 1 1⁄4 c thrive white flour
• 1 t thrive baking soda
• 1⁄2 t cinnamon
• 1⁄4 t nutmeg
• 1⁄2 t thrive iodized salt
• 1 c chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 c coconut
• 1 t vanilla extract

Instructions

Frosting:
½ c. THRIVE™ Instant Milk, reconstituted
1 c. THRIVE™ Brown Sugar
6 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. coconut

Mix water, butter, and quick oats together and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs together with mixer. Add oatmeal mixture to creamed mixture; mix to combine. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 35 minutes at 350⁰F (cake should be a gooey consistency).

For frosting, combine milk and sugar in saucepan over low heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Add melted butter and stir, then add vanilla and coconut. Stir together until combined. Pour frosting mixture over cake while still hot.

https://www.shelfreliance.com/c/kitchen/recipe/palmer-oatmeal-cake?utm_source=Q-Club&utm_campaign=9ecc859945-Sept_Specials_consultants_resend_9_26_2012&utm_medium=email

Tomato Powder Uses

This is a great blog regarding our Tomato Powder.  Great recipes too!  Make sure to read:

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/using-thrive-tomato-powder/

This would be a great resource for your customers too!

Cami

Consultant Training #3 - The Party

The day of your first party is just around the corner!  I'm going to walk you through what I take to a party and how I set it up.  You don't have to bring all of the items I bring to a party and you certainly don't have to do it the same way I do it.  However, the idea is to show you what I do and then you can make it your own or copy the heck out of it!

I also want to go over some training on how I explain the Q-Club and the double dip programs.

Party Supplies:

I happened to have a duffle bag with wheels and a handle on it.  It's the greatest thing EVER for carrying all of my sample cans of Thrive.  I only bring a few of my favorite and best sellers to sample at the party, and I bring them in the pantry size cans. I try to select items that are on special for the month and at least one item from each food category.  I also bring one #10 can of the instant milk, and 1 pouch of the strawberries to show the different sizes containers we offer.  My favorites to bring are:  1-2 yogurt bite flavors, corn, one of the berries, pineapple, green chills, macaroons, whole egg powder, chicken, and quinoa.  I also bring the Thrive Express meals that are on special for the month.  All this gets packed into my duffle bag.

Next I found a plastic crate the holds my binders, nice and neatly.  I also put the booking binder and my consultant packets/ host packets, and my Q Flip Cards in the crate.

I bought some 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids for my dry ingredients in my pantry and didn't end up using all of them. So I've converted one into my emergency supplies holder.  I keep a bunch of random emergency supplies, that I've purchased to show off at my parties, in the bucket.  The bucket makes a great storage tote, and it also allows me to show them the bucket size that some of the Thrive FD Foods come in.  People LOVE the gamma lids.  I sell so many of them having the bucket there.

I use the reusable grocery bags to carry all the other random things I bring like my apron, calculators, pens, extra catalogs, cookbooks, signs,  etc.

I also like to bring my Pantry Consolidator to help show off the Food Rotational Shelves.  (FRS)  I've hot glued mine together so it won't unsnap as I drag it all over Portland.  It wasn't made for transporting!

Food Samples:

I usually prepare Chicken Salad on Ritz Crackers, the Enchilada Bake from the Thrive Cookbook with Sour Cream powder - 1/2 cup reconstituted, and 1 Qt. of the Instant Powdered Milk.  I have the host supply little paper plates, forks, napkins, and dixie cups - for sampling.  I stress "little" paper products to my host, so that people realize that they are sampling the food, not eating dinner!  I've also gone to Cash 'n Carry in Clackamas and bought some plastic sampling cups.  I use those to put one of each of the following:  yogurt bite, pineapple, strawberry, corn, blueberry.  I like to hand out these dry samples as I talk about the ease of healthy snacking with Thrive FD Foods.   I have people sample the other foods as they come in and are waiting for the other guests to arrive.  It gives me time to explain to them what they are eating and meet them individually too!

* Don't put the dry items in the cups too early.  Sometimes the moisture in the air will make them go soft and sticky quickly.    Especially in the winter time here in Oregon.  I've had a few other consultants tell me that Cash 'n Carry has lids that go on the cups, to prevent this, but I haven't had a chance to look yet.

** I recommend getting some pretty glass bowls that come with tupperware type lids to transport the food.  I also use a tupperware like pitcher with a snap up lid to transport the milk.  I make everything the morning of the party and keep it in the refrigerator.  (Cold milk is much better than luke warm.)  I have the host have her oven preheated to 350 degrees and put the Enchilada Bake in the oven when I get there.

Don’t try to bring every item you received in your Starter Kit to your parties.  First of all, it takes up a lot of room to display them all, and your host might not have that much room.  Second, it's a pain to haul it all in and out of your car.  Last, but most importantly, if someone says, “Gee…I really would have liked to taste the pineapple," but you didn't bring that.  You can say, “Well, how about you host a party and I’ll bring whatever you would like to try to that party?”   It works about 90% of the time.  ;)

Here's a picture of the party all set up!

Welcome:

Make sure to smile and welcome all the guests that attend the party.  Introduce yourself and see if they are familiar with Shelf Reliance.  After showing them to the samples and explaining all the yummy foods you have to sample, hand them a Party Binder and show them the catalog and price list.  Encourage them to use the scratch piece of paper in the back to make a wish list of items they would like to purchase as you give your presentation and as they look through the catalog.

Let guest know that they will be receiving the LOWEST price possible - even better than Costco and Walmart - just by ordering through their friend's party and by using a SR consultant!

Your Presentation:

Always try to start on time!  Make sure you respect the time of others and are courteous to those that showed up on time!  They are usually your best customers!  Try to keep your presentation to no longer than one hour.  You might not be able to get every detail in, but that's okay!  Too much information overwhelms people and they start to tune out.  If they have questions or want to know more, they'll ask, but make sure to listen to your customers and don't just talk.  Talk to them about what they're interested in!  I like to keep my party guests engaged.  Ask leading questions like:

"What prevents you from creating a home store?"  Answers from guests:  Money, lack of space, lack of motivation, don't know where to start.  "Well, SR can help in all of these areas.  Let me explain how.  Sarah you said you didn't have enough room.  Let me introduce you to our Rotational Shelving units...."

Remember to tell people about the Double Dip feature.  Do you understand it yourself?  If not, study up in your Consultant Manual.  This feature will get you tons of booked parties!  When someone comes up to me to hand in their order form, I always ask if they would be interested in hosting a party and inform them that they have already accumulated ______$ towards their own party in free product.  (10% of their order) This usually gets their attention and they book a party.  It doesn’t hurt to ask!

Also, don’t forget to stick in a plug about how they can become a SR Consultant too!  Explain that you love it because you earn free SR products and make money all at the same time.  Let them know that if they’re interested in learning how to do this themselves, to come talk to you after your presentation and you’ll give them some information to look at…i.e. the New Consultant Packet.  When you give them the packet make sure to get their contact information from them and ask if you can give them a call on ___________ date to follow up and answer any questions they might have. 

The Q-Club:

There are 3 main objectives, as a consultant, at every party.  1.)  Find others that want to become consultants  2.) Book more parties  3.) Get more Q customers.

The Q is your bread-and-butter.  It is what makes working for this company so rewarding.  It creates residual income for you and your business.  In other companies, if you don't have a party and sell product, you don't make money.  With SR, you continue to make 5% off of each Q, for as long as that Q is active.  Therefore, you make money even when you aren't constantly having parties.

I use some power point screens that I've blown up and laminated to help me explain the Q.  One of the other SR consultants made them, and I love them!  It keeps me on track and helps me remember all the points I want to bring up when explaining the Q.  If you would like this "Q Flip Chart" (as I call it), please comment below and I'll send them to you.


UPDATE:  Here is the link to some new Q Flip Chart Cards.  These are from the website More Thrive by the Abbotts.  http://morethrive.com/img/QCards_ShelbiOwen.pdf

*Remember to refer to the Q Pamphlet in your binder and explain the Platinum Membership and the benefits.  This is where I also bring up the shipping prices.  I always let them know that it's always the most cost effective to max out the shipping.  For example:  Up to $70 in product is only $6.99 to ship, so if you can, spend the full $70.  Don't just buy $50 worth of product.  

** The lowest price a Q can be set at is $50.  However, NEVER mention this at your party unless asked!!!  Let people set their own Q amount based on their budget, but really stress that it doesn't take any extra money if they focus on reallocating their budget and using their Thrive foods everyday!  Most people will sign up for the Platinum Membership level and higher if you don't mention the $50 price.  In fact, most of my customers sign up for a Q of $130, so they can max out the $9.99 shipping prices and get the Platinum Membership.

*** Don't forget to mention that customers are locked into the Q price they select for 3 months.  The reason they ask you to commit to 3 months is for food purchasing reasons.  The company needs to have a projection of the amount of food it needs to purchase and send out to it's customers each month.  This helps with that projection.  After the 3 months are over, they can increase or decrease their Q.  

**** Qs can be pause for 1 month (after the 3 month period) with no penalty.  However, if it is paused for longer than 1 month there will be a $19.99 fee to restart your Q.

Closing Your Party:

1.) Have your guests take out their order forms when you're done with your presentation, and explain how to fill them out.  Have everyone fill out the top portion of the order form.  Explain that the middle section is for starting the Q.  The bottom of the form is for placing a one time order.  As people are doing this I take the opportunity to explain the double dip program and suggest becoming a SR consultant if they like what they've just seen.

2.) Pass around the email list, and have people add their contact info to the list, if they would like.  If they want a price list sent via email, have them write that down on the side.  Email Sign Up Sheet

3.) Take any final questions from your guests.  Let them know you will be in a certain location to help fill out order forms and answer any questions.

4.) As people start getting up, let them know that the party will be closing in one week.  For those guests that say, "I need to talk it over with my husband/wife,"  my reply is... "Would it help if we did a party at your house so he/she can see how great these product are for themselves?  I'd be happy to set that up for you?"  OR..."Do you have any concerns that I can help you with before you leave?  Can I help you understand anything further?"

5.) Thank them for coming and make sure they have a business card for future reference.  Remember that "No" doesn't mean "No" forever.  It just means not right now.