A Plan for Success in Your Direct Sales Business

Success people plan their success because a failure to plan is just planning to fail.  More important than planning to succeed is however expecting to succeed.  Are you just in it or are you in it to win? 

What are your goals for your business?  What made you decide to join your company?  Is your business full time or part time?  Are you looking to make some extra money or are you looking to change your life and that of your family?   

Anything is possible with your Direct Sales business, the sky is virtually the limit.  You just have to decide what you want and make the plan to get it.  And a note of warning!  Be careful what you ask for because you will only get what you ask for.  So dream big.

When I joined my first direct selling company, I expected to achieve a management position with the company.  So I did, rather quickly.  I expected to earn a free vacation every year.  So I did.  I expected to be successful so I was.  I looked everywhere around me to find ways to be successful.  And it all started with a vision and a plan.

Many people approach life as if they have no control over outcomes.  And that is simply not true.  You control your actions; therefore you can control your own destiny.  Your life will change the moment you learn that.  

 "Expectations held over a period of time, either consciously or subconsciously, affect attitudes – attitudes affect actions.  Expectations function relentlessly, whether you create them for yourself or someone else holds them for you".  – Paul J Meyer, The Dynamics of Goal Setting (Success Motivation International, Inc.)

Successful direct sellers know that planning is easier to do in direct selling than it is in other business ventures.  For one thing, it is realistic to expect to reach high levels of income and achieve high levels of success.  

We also know the benefit in having a proven system to plug int to.  We need only to adapt those plans and systems for ourselves.  It requires participation, action and some hard work at times.

Here are a few simple success principles:

·       Develop confidence in yourself.  Confidence comes from know-how and know-how comes from experience and experience can only come from doing it.  Don’t be afraid to share what you have to offer with others.

·       Develop strategy.  This is where planning comes in.  Ask yourself these important questions:

1.     What is my step by step plan for getting more bookings on my calendar? 

2.     What is my step by step plan for increasing my sales? 

3.     How will I do that?  What are my resources?

4.     What is my step by step plan to coach my hostess to a better party?

5.     What is my monthly income goal? How many bookings do I need to get it? 

6.     What are my plans for leadership?

7.     What is my step by step plan to recruit others to join the team?

·       Treat your business like a business.  Take 100% responsibility for the results you are seeing.  Create specific times and schedules to work your business effectively.  Give it the appropriate time it needs in order for you to accomplish your goals.  Remember your work has to equal your want.

·       Have expectations.  Don’t take a wait and see approach.  Develop a plan and work into it.  Create what you want, don’t wait for it to show up.  The most successful people have a hunger for what they do and possess a drive that helps them accomplish their goals.  You are one of those people.

·       Focus on bookings.  There is an old saying in Direct Sales, “no one goes out of business with a full calendar”.  Your party is where it all happens!  Product promotion and demonstration, customer relationship building, sales and profit, bookings for future profit, hostess coaching for better parties and more excited hostesses and recruiting for team building which can bring a greater sense of contribution and energy for the team and even a potential for greater income and professional development for you.

·       Fortune is in the follow up.  Being able to have a systematic approach to follow up and stay in touch with hostesses and customers is vital for your success.  Remember “no” may just be a “no, not now” not a “no, not ever!”  Always keep a list (and add to it) of hot leads or prospects.  Write a note to jog your memory about the last conversation you had with that person.  Calendar the date for follow up and don't be afraid to make that next call.

·       Keep your goals in front of you for maximum results and achievement.  Write them down. Hang them up, write them on index cards and keep a card in various places around the house and in your car.  Look at the card(s) before bed each night and first thing in the morning.  You will be amazed at how this imagery will kick start your subconscious mind into action, helping you to achieve whatever you set out to do.  

·       Be accountable to someone else for your actions and outcomes.  Work with your leadership team to clearly establish your goals as well as your action plan.  Schedule weekly coaching calls with your leader so that you can be held accountable to that plan and make progress towards your goals. 

Anna Gibbs is a Certified Business Coach and a Certified Life Coach with over 17 years of Direct Sales experience as both a top personal sales performer having achieved just under $1 million dollars in overall sales volume and a dynamic leader and recruiter.  For more information about Anna and her coaching services please visit www.powerfultransitions.com