Post by sara on Dec 6, 2006 14:32:49 GMT -5
I'm looking for a direct sales company or an affiliation. What should I look for?
by Sara Nowlin-Edens
First, when looking for an affiliation, whether it's as a consultant or whatever representation, you have to find the one (or ones) that work for you. What do you like? Look around, see what there is out there. There are many, many opportunities. One thing to realize is that direct sales is NOT for everyone! No single DS company is right for everyone. You have to find your "fit."
I watch for some "hot" spots when making my decisions. I'd like to share some of those with you:
1. Company products -- What is the company selling? Is it a product line(s) I can support?
If you have a specific type of business you don't believe in, no matter what else the company has going for it, if you don't believe in it you won't succeed with it. If you have specific likes (candles, toys, adult products, etc.) then look at those companies for consultant opportunities or affiliate opportunities.
2. Customer service -- What is customer service like?
Does the company consistently ignore inquiries?
Does the company fill "customer" orders before "consultant" orders?
If the answer were yes to either of those questions, I would walk away. By ignoring inquiries, whether it is from the customer or consultant, the company is not servicing their customers. Also, consultant orders have an EQUAL right to be filled as the customer orders. Many consultants make their orders based on their customer orders (customer orders through the consultant rather than through a website or order form to the company). By ignoring consultant orders, or placing them on the back burner, customers are being ignored.
3. Order delivery -- ARE the orders filled and delivered in a timely manner?
If customers and/or consultants are not receiving orders in the time specified on the company websites there's a huge problem. The company should be answering inquiries about any order issue within 24 hours (workday, the following business day on weekend inquiries). If orders are shipped incomplete, is there an explanation for missing items (back ordered, to be shipped by X date, etc.)? If a two week ship time becomes three months without a viable explanation, there's a problem with the company. This is not acceptable as a consultant or as a customer.
4. Delivery costs -- Are delivery costs consistent with other company delivery costs? If they are lower, yay. If they're significantly higher find out why. Perhaps it's because the products are heavier than most company products. If there's not a justification that makes sense, you might want to take another look at the company. Shipping costs add to the cost of the product on the consumer end.
5. Product merchandizing -- What does the packaging look like? Does it look professional or does it look like a cheap printer made it? Is the label waterproof? If you have shampoo don't you want to know what the company is that you ordered from? Don't you want to know the scent? Waterproof labeling helps solve those little problems.
6. Literature -- In today's world it's not necessary to have multi-color professionally made literature to hand out. Although those are great to have, they're also expensive to purchase for potential customers to just throw away. I look for a company that allows me to re-print literature, from order forms to catalogs, on whatever printer I have (these should look nice when printed, not like a child made them). This keeps consultant overhead lower so as to maximize profit levels.
7. Does the company offer reasons or excuses for problems?
Using an excuse "we're new" or "we're having growing pains" is not a viable reason. That is an unprofessional excuse. If a company has accepted more consultants than they can handle, they have mismanaged their resources. The company should "cap" their number of representatives until they are ready for more. Before offering a special or a product (or product line) the company should ascertain how the product with be produced, packaged, labeled and shipped. If the resources aren't there for a high number or purchases, they should limit the number of items offered (Limit 50, etc.). Should the company not choose to do that, they are opening themselves up for high criticism .... Well-deserved criticism.
8. Money -- What fees are you expected to pay? What commissions are you going to receive?
There are several possibilities that I will list. You, and only you, can decide what (if any) you are willing to pay, receive, etc.:
Website fee
Affiliation fee
Monthly minimum requirements
Quarterly minimum requirements
Commission, your sales
Commissions, your downline sales
How many downlines (generations) do you receive commissions on?
These are just a few of the things I look for. As more come to mind, I'll add them to the list. Readers are welcome to e-mail me at sarah_service@nctv.com with additional suggestions.
by Sara Nowlin-Edens
First, when looking for an affiliation, whether it's as a consultant or whatever representation, you have to find the one (or ones) that work for you. What do you like? Look around, see what there is out there. There are many, many opportunities. One thing to realize is that direct sales is NOT for everyone! No single DS company is right for everyone. You have to find your "fit."
I watch for some "hot" spots when making my decisions. I'd like to share some of those with you:
1. Company products -- What is the company selling? Is it a product line(s) I can support?
If you have a specific type of business you don't believe in, no matter what else the company has going for it, if you don't believe in it you won't succeed with it. If you have specific likes (candles, toys, adult products, etc.) then look at those companies for consultant opportunities or affiliate opportunities.
2. Customer service -- What is customer service like?
Does the company consistently ignore inquiries?
Does the company fill "customer" orders before "consultant" orders?
If the answer were yes to either of those questions, I would walk away. By ignoring inquiries, whether it is from the customer or consultant, the company is not servicing their customers. Also, consultant orders have an EQUAL right to be filled as the customer orders. Many consultants make their orders based on their customer orders (customer orders through the consultant rather than through a website or order form to the company). By ignoring consultant orders, or placing them on the back burner, customers are being ignored.
3. Order delivery -- ARE the orders filled and delivered in a timely manner?
If customers and/or consultants are not receiving orders in the time specified on the company websites there's a huge problem. The company should be answering inquiries about any order issue within 24 hours (workday, the following business day on weekend inquiries). If orders are shipped incomplete, is there an explanation for missing items (back ordered, to be shipped by X date, etc.)? If a two week ship time becomes three months without a viable explanation, there's a problem with the company. This is not acceptable as a consultant or as a customer.
4. Delivery costs -- Are delivery costs consistent with other company delivery costs? If they are lower, yay. If they're significantly higher find out why. Perhaps it's because the products are heavier than most company products. If there's not a justification that makes sense, you might want to take another look at the company. Shipping costs add to the cost of the product on the consumer end.
5. Product merchandizing -- What does the packaging look like? Does it look professional or does it look like a cheap printer made it? Is the label waterproof? If you have shampoo don't you want to know what the company is that you ordered from? Don't you want to know the scent? Waterproof labeling helps solve those little problems.
6. Literature -- In today's world it's not necessary to have multi-color professionally made literature to hand out. Although those are great to have, they're also expensive to purchase for potential customers to just throw away. I look for a company that allows me to re-print literature, from order forms to catalogs, on whatever printer I have (these should look nice when printed, not like a child made them). This keeps consultant overhead lower so as to maximize profit levels.
7. Does the company offer reasons or excuses for problems?
Using an excuse "we're new" or "we're having growing pains" is not a viable reason. That is an unprofessional excuse. If a company has accepted more consultants than they can handle, they have mismanaged their resources. The company should "cap" their number of representatives until they are ready for more. Before offering a special or a product (or product line) the company should ascertain how the product with be produced, packaged, labeled and shipped. If the resources aren't there for a high number or purchases, they should limit the number of items offered (Limit 50, etc.). Should the company not choose to do that, they are opening themselves up for high criticism .... Well-deserved criticism.
8. Money -- What fees are you expected to pay? What commissions are you going to receive?
There are several possibilities that I will list. You, and only you, can decide what (if any) you are willing to pay, receive, etc.:
Website fee
Affiliation fee
Monthly minimum requirements
Quarterly minimum requirements
Commission, your sales
Commissions, your downline sales
How many downlines (generations) do you receive commissions on?
These are just a few of the things I look for. As more come to mind, I'll add them to the list. Readers are welcome to e-mail me at sarah_service@nctv.com with additional suggestions.