DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
DOWN TO EARTH COUNSEL
A subject of interest on Vonda’s Vine was posted as follows:
DIFFICULT SITUATION:
In your Longaberger (or other, if you aren't a consultant) business what is the most difficult situation that presented itself to you and how did you overcome it.
I had a situation last night I didn't handle very well. The hostess left her TV on because some of the guests wanted to watch a particular show (during my presentation). It was really hard. I tried to continue all the while competing with their show. I think inwardly I had given up and I'm sure I didn't give the best presentation because of it.
How could I have handled this so the TV was down or off? (I wondered why they didn't just TAPE it.)
Maybe if we share some difficult times and how we dealt with it or get suggestions how someone else dealt it would help in future situations.
Livvy
VINERS REPLY:
Livvy, I had this happen to me rather early on when I was a consultant.
I couldn't believe how rude this hostess was that she'd have a TV on while I'm trying to talk, demonstrate and pass items around for guests to look at and feel, etc.
Before her guests arrived, I talked with her and told her point blank, this isn't going to work. If you'd rather watch the TV program then lets reschedule the show for a time when you and your guests will be attentive to my presentation. I explained how much effort I put into my presentations and I "will not compete with a TV".
Fortunately for me, she turned the TV off. Her show that evening was well over $500. She was pleased and I was quite happy about it.
Another time, I was not informed that the hostess had an upstairs condo and WHITE carpet. You literally had to leave your shoes at the door downstairs. So every trip I made to the car for my items I'd have to put my shoes back on. I finally got smart and started stacking items on the stairs and made less trips. What this hostess didn't realize is that the oil from the bottom of your feet is worse on carpet than the dirt off your shoes. LOL! Then the space I had to display in was smaller than a coat closet.
Lesson learned in the above....ask questions on where you'll be presenting, do you live upstairs, and will I be able to set up my display without interrupting your entire living room.
My personal opinion on situations that GO against an LB's presentation most definitely need to be discussed in a good way and if it can't be worked out, like with the TV, then reschedule the show. JMHO!
Shirley in AZ
WOW! Leaving on the TV ... how rude that was. Here's what I 'hope'I would have done:
First, keep my temper cool, and say:
I truly appreciate you coming to the Longaberger PRESENTATION tonight, especially when your favorite TV show is on.
Then with a big smile, I would say:
Perhaps we can tape the show because I surely can't compete with your favorite TV program.
Then, if they don't set up the tape, I'd explain my timeline and that I would only be available for twenty minutes to help them after the program (assuming it's a one-hour program).
Then I would take care of the guests not interested in the program in another room. They were probably flabbergasted, too! If I had already set-up in the TV room, I'd make a game of it with them, like, everybody grab your favorites and we'll play "set up a show" in the kitchen -- the best display wins a small prize from me!
And the next time that I booked with that hostess (if ever), I would be sure that the TV would be OFF!
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I would think the T.V. would be the easiest distraction to deal with. Let them watch their show and when it is time for the commercials--mute the sound and do your own 3 minute commercial. If it is an hour long show you will have almost exactly 30 minutes of "air time" for your Longaberger commercial to promote your baskets and your business.
I too have dealt with televisions being on at home shows and it is distracting at first, but if you look at it with a positive and flexible attitude you can make your not so good experience into a home show that those ladies will remember.
Better luck next time.
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I had this happen once and what we did was watch the show together and when the commercial came on, the hostess put it on Mute and I did the show during the commercial breaks. The people loved me doing this. I had over a little over $800 show. You just have to shorten what you want to show and say, but if that makes your customers happy, that okay.
Carol
DIFFICULT SITUATION:
My most difficult thing was giving up the Small Desktop Basket after a left/right game --
A VERY rude guest insisted I said the basket was the prize. I SHOWED AGAIN the gift bag that was the prize and she began to argue with me about it. So I took the high road and just went on with the rest of show.
She went home with the basket. I went home and made a note on her order: DO NOT ADD TO MAIL LIST: BASKET THIEF *lol*. (Ha! Take that! You just have to laugh at these things.)
Guess what she ordered? You got it... the protector and liner for the basket she confiscated!
I was VERY disappointed that the hostess did not step up to support me like two of her other guests did. But I just put out the fire, quickly, so the others (and me) could enjoy the rest our time together.
~Judi in Va.
VINERS REPLY:
DIFFICULT SITUATION:
I had one where two toddlers were let loose in the room where the show was taking place. The father was in another room watching TV. The two cute little kids crawled all over the baskets and just as I would reach for one to discuss it would be knocked aside. I literally had to step over the children. Thenthe mother gave one of them a breathing treatment right there in the middle of the room. It was a very frustrating show and wasjust barelyenough to be a show.