WAHM Forums

Discovery Toys just posted a map where all the managers are, and the following states need help! hehehe. I thought I'd list them for fun. smileys/smiley2.gif


0 Managers:
Wyoming
Montana
Arizona
Mississipi


1 Manager:
Nevada
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Dakota
Arkansas
Alabama


Only 2 or 3:
Washington
Idaho
Maine


A lot of area have 6 or less too.


So, DISCUSSION TIME:


What do you do to reach out to areas that are underrepresented?


Why do you think some areas are more populated in consultants then others?


Is their a pattern in the above states with your companies as well?



PS: I pay in toys for referrals!smileys/smiley2.gif

Does no body try to reach out to areas that are underrepresented?


OK, who has a team in more then 1 state? How did you build that?


Who asks for referrals as a method to build? Have you ever called a family member and asked them who they know who is looking to make some extra money?


I think this could be a great discussion! smileys/smiley4.gif


Debbie

Well for MB, we don't get a listing to see where other reps are at, they keep that confidential. We have places where we can post what state we are in etc.


I just network alot online, I don't neccessarily try to recruit from certain areas for this biz.


As for why those states you listed dont' have mgrs, maybe they aren't working the biz full time. So many join things for personal discounts and not worry about really selling. If they do great, if not its not a big deal to them.


I used to work in an educational toy store here in Alabama, after about 2 years it closed. I think the prices were outrageous, although we did ok biz esp at xmas time. Theres a market for educational toys, but a store in the mall didn't do it. I love zany brainy, the store I worked in was similar to it.

I have a team in about 15 states. How did it happen? Not through online advertising. That's never been very successfulfor me.


My college roommate (from a few years agosmileys/smiley1.gif) became a consultant and so did my sister. Both of them are located in different states than me. They then sponsored gals/friends in other states and the rest is history! My strongest team members are people who were sponsored by people they know. This isa relationship business and the stronger the relationship between sponsor and consultant, the more successful they seem to be.


I have to say that having a team spread across the U-S has helped stay strong. When a hurricane hits the south, the western and northern girls are still working. When the North has a blizzard,my local team is still working hard. If all my team was in the south (where I am) I think my business would not be as strong.


I think asking friends and family in different states for referrals is a great idea! I sponsored a gal in Texas because of my mom! She had a friend there and told her about SLAH. SO you never know!


Susan Scarborough Smith / Star Director

I have done fillers in other states to try and reach people. I guess some areas are not as highly represented based on where a company started and where the majority of their go getter reps are.

I would plan a family/working vacation to some of those spots and find some self starters that don't need hands on training. I have known people who have moved to underdevoloped areas, just to develop a National area.

Val

You know, I have to admit I was suprised DT posted this. My guess is they are trying to expand. They are huge in certain areas, and other areas so much room to grown. I think all companies are like that.


I do the vacation thing to, and love airports! smileys/smiley36.gif


Debbie

We have a "corporate development" person now for those leads that come to the company from under represented states. She's very good at getting them into the company at a long distance. All of those states are WIDE open for us too, but we only have managers in:

NY - 6 managers
PA - 2 managers
HI - 1 manager
KS - 1 manager
NJ - 1 manager

Can you tell we're based out of southern NY state? smileys/smiley36.gif I have family in OH and am planning to do a party or 2 out there, and I have a unit member moving to KY in the summer and she's hoping to become a manager out there. I've also got family in TX and Alaska, but I'm not sure how I'd ever fly all of my stuff there to do a party! I think it's hard to open an area without a manager, so many people don't do this business "for the long haul" and just can't get motivated without someone right near by. That's why they've implemented so many conference calls and we as managers are supposed to do conference calls too. (I don't, I'm the only manager with 100% LOCAL people, so we have meetings). I think those are a big help in keeping those far away people connected.

So, DISCUSSION TIME:


What do you do to reach out to areas that are underrepresented? I have done advertising online, I have reps in 5 states. It has worked some. I offercertificates for referrals too.


Why do you think some areas are more populated in consultants then others? I have no idea about this. My only thought is on this, is that the states that have many reps is a state where someone really wanted to grow a business and not have a hobby. Sometimes that is few and far between. This sort of business has a lot of hobbyists. FYP is located in NH. I am in NH but the other reps that are local are under me. So only 13 in VT/NH! So I dont think it is because where it is based.


Is their a pattern in the above states with your companies as well? We are so scattered we dont really have a pattern. smileys/smiley36.gif


One more thing Deb, Do you know how many Managers are in the NH and VT area. As I am on the border of VT. I can see VT from my home. Because I dont hear of parties ever happening at all, and my friends are big partiers. smileys/smiley2.gif
Edited by: jodysromance

It's fun reading everyone's thoughts on this!


Jody--


It looks like I missed that one! It's so small. There is only 1 manager in VT and 3 in NH. It's hard to read their map because the states are so small and you see all the dots blending in. smileys/smiley2.gifIt looks like their are 8 in MA.


Debbie

I love what Susan said about this being a relationships biz. You can waste a lot of time on the internet and get nowhere, or get on the phone and ask for referrals. Most of the people I've sponsored are either local, or they are friends/family in another state. Military people are good at expanding your biz, so recruit a few military wives and in time, you'll see them recruiting around the US.


Seems like most of the people who inquire about your biz online are either secretly promoting their own biz, trying to find out more info, but with no intention to join, just to have a comparison to their company, or are just kit-nappers. It's unusual (not unheard of though) to find a great consultant online, in another state, who'll go far.


Did I stray from the topic??? As for spreading the word, I know that can be hard with an established company. I have many, many DT products in my home, so don't take this wrong, but it seems as though it's lost it's edge around here. I don't hear of anyone having parties, and the people I knew who sold it have moved on. You seem to be very successful and must live in an area that loves DT. Good for you.


My last company has been around a long time, and they haveplateaud. It's not as easy to get shows booked now days, and for every recruit you bring on, you've got another dropping off. I think there's definitely a way to bring back the original excitement and bring DT back in touch with the areas that are lacking leadership, but it might take the company doing something big. Maybe that's why they posted the list. Maybe they'll announce some big change. Tupperware has recently started updating to stay current with todays trends and it seems to be making a difference. I know their Consultants are seeing a difference. I applaud the company for taking that step.


Hope you find some leaders in the other states. You sound like you'd make a great upper level director if you're not already!


Devon