Team Challenge Week #6

Hobby

Organize:  Scrapbooking

·         Last month you organized your digital photos and printed them.  Now, with those printed photos, create layout packets with the photos, paper pack, journaling notes and even layout pattern from How To book or WOTG.  Now you are ready to crop on the go!

·         Put together the photos and products to create a mini album.  Will it be for you or a gift? 

·         From the layouts you journalled on last week, put them in a permanent album or “in progress” album.  Also include any Studio J layouts you have ordered.  Do you use CTMH albums?  Work in Progress Album?

·         Develop a way to “label” your albums from the outside so you can tell what you will be looking at from the outside.  Do you use our label holders?  Do you need to order some page protectors?  New album? 

·         Create a list of products needed to “finish” these layouts and put them in the albums

Share your tips for getting ready for crops or scrapbooking “away from home”.

Connect:  Family & Friends

·         Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and end of school year are just around the corner.  Plan a creative get together to make decorations or gifts for one or more of these special events. 

·         Make a list of people you want to invite to your creative night.  Add 5 new people to your list that you have connected with this past month.

·         Send out invitations to friends, family, and neighbors to join you for the creative time. 

·         Post a photo of your project on Facebook or Blog.  Or email a photo to your friends.

·         National Scrapbooking Month is coming up.  Look for local crops to attend with friends and family or consider hosting a small get together with friends.

Share:  Will you attend or hold a crop for National Scrapbooking Month?  What project will you be doing with your friends and family?

Create:  Scrapbooking

·         Create the Studio J - February Love Your Layout

·         Use Studio J to preplan a layout and then create the layout with your classic scrapbook paper

·         Create a layout with a new paper packet from the Spring/Summer Idea book

·         Using stamps, create your own patterned paper and then use on a layout.

·         Flip flaps add interactive interest to your layout.  Create a page using flip flaps from any of the CTMH size selections. 

Share your artwork on the team Facebook page or email a photo to me and I will post on the team blog. 

Business

Email Handouts:

“A” Size stamp club

Reap the Rewards Stamp Club

One Key Projects by Tera Boring

Organize:  Sales

·         Clubs are a great way to develop loyalty and consistent business.  Consider the options of starting a club or if you have a club, create a plan for adding new members or a new club.

·         Selling:  One of the things that we DO in our business EVERY DAY is Sell Products that we LOVE!  One thing that we must remember to DO is to not just give the obvious- this is how you USE this product, but also to give its BENEFITS.  IE.. If we Sold Shampoo - Instead of telling them the Wash, rinse, repeat ~ Tell them that that it makes your hair smell like fresh cut flowers... THREE DAYS LATER!!!  We have THOUSANDS of Products...:)   Pick ONE of them and share what the "Benefits" are - how do you "Sell it" to others???

·         Choose three products that you commonly sell and list the companion products for upselling.  Write a sample script of how you would upsell the item or items.

·         Create drafts or schedule blog posts for all of the Stamp of the Months for the Spring Summer Idea book.  You may not have all the details you would like for your post (your own artwork) but use images from the image gallery and the flyers to begin your posts. 

·         Make a contact list of customers who have not yet received the new idea book, and customers who have made a purchase from a gathering or workshop in the past three months.

Share your product and the “benefits” you listed on the FB page.  Share your upselling ideas for the products you commonly sell.

Connection Calls

• Write a script to contact customers from your list above, telling them about the new idea book. 
• Make connection calls to these customers.
• Write a customer follow up script with customers who have made a purchase from a gathering or workshop in the past three months.
• Make follow up calls to these customers.
• Schedule blog posts or newsletter articles that highlight your “product benefit” and “upsell” ideas from above.
• Continue to make connection calls from your list last week of potential recruits.

Comment on Facebook how many connection calls you have been making and the results of these calls.

Create:  Product highlights

• Create a Cricut display board that highlights the benefits of the Art Philosophy cartridge.  This can be your own creation or replicating the ideas from Tera Boring’s One Key Handouts.

·         Create a set of mini cards using an A sized stamp set.  Write down the “benefits” of these little sets and an upsell item you might recommend.

·         Create a Studio J layout using one or more of the techniques from the “Fun Studio J” techniques posted last week on the Studio J Facebook page.

·         Create a “welcome” for your new recruits. 

·         Using the My Creations Milk Cartons, Bookmark album or other My Creations product, create a workshop project. 

Share photos of your artwork. 

Week 3 and 4 challenge results

Ok, here are the totals.  Am I missing Week#3 for Cindy and Week #4 for Carla?  Let me know and I will update!


Week #3:

Carla Pizarro  135 points
Tracie Cassidy 100 points
Lalia Harris 185
Jessica Booth 185
Cindy Newell 70 points (update March 13)

Week #4
Cindy Newell 105
Tracie Cassidy 145
Lalia Harris 80 plus 2 boxes of tissues :(
Jessica Booth 240
Carla 35 points (update March 13)

Team Challenge: Week 5

Week 5 Team Challenge Blog post

Hobby

5 points per task

Handouts:

·        Photo - Page protector cardstock organization

Organize:  Paper packets & Cardstock

·         Update your month by month shopping list for ordering.  Be sure to add those “now I gotta have” stamp sets and paper packets that you did not think you would need!

·         Using the photo e-mailed in the Week 5 e-mail as a suggestion, create some organization page protectors for your zip strips.  Organize your colored cardstock.

·         Continue organizing paper in your craft area.

·         Continue organizing accessories in your craft area.

·         Using the scrapbook layouts you have set aside for journaling, add journaling to layout(s).

Share your accessories and cardstock organization on the team Facebook group or comment on the team blog.

Connect:  Online & Facebook

·         If you are not already a part of our team Facebook group, send me a friend request (Chris Green) and I will add you to the group.  If you are on the team Facebook group, share a creative idea or a creative resource.

·         Create a list of your “go to” blogs that inspire you when you need a creative boost.  Share your list on FB or comment on blog. 

·         Find me on Pinterest and follow a board (or two J)

·         Go to Jeanette Lynton’s blog (www.jeanettelynton.com) and find a creative idea.  Share what you found and how you will use it on the team Facebook group.

·         Go to the Studio J blog, find a blog post that inspires you.

Share a creative idea or blog post that inspired you from Jeanette’s or Studio J blog.

Create: 

·         Create a layout using any Workshops on the Go layout pattern with a different paper packet.

·         Choose a card pattern from Wishes and create 2 cards with different orientations of the same pattern using 2 paper packets (different from previous weeks challenge)

·         Create a box or bag using Art Philosophy cartridge with any key EXCEPT the box pattern keys.

·                                 Create a card using a layered element using the Art Philosophy cartridge.

·                                 Create a layout or card using the alphabet on the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Share photos of all the artwork you created this week on the team Facebook group. 

Business Builder

10 points for each task

Email Handouts:

·         2012 Team Member Sales & Recruiting

·         28 Ways to Recruit by Karen Pedersen

·         Making Money with Close To My Heart

·         One Key Projects by Tera Boring

Organize:  Hostesses & Recruits

·         Using the 2012 Team Member Sales & Recruiting and your commission report from January & February, write your team members sales and recruiting for the month of January.  Go to your reports from last year and fill in the previous year’s sales.  If you do not have a team, do your commissions.  What are some of the events that may affects your sales?  Season, Campaigns, Vacations, etc? 

·         Print flyers for March (Constant Campaign, Stamp of the Month, etc) and prepare hostess packets for the next two months.

·         Schedule dates for monthly class and workshop dates for April and May.  (If you have already scheduled dates for these two months, schedule the next two months).  Determine open dates to schedule gatherings.  Outline dates in calendar with a highlighter. 

·         Organize crop or other event for National Scrapbooking Month. Select date, determine theme and cost.  Successful events require time to plan and prepare.  I recommend at least 8 weeks preferably 12 weeks.  Four weeks for planning and creating and 4-8 weeks to market the event.

·         Using the “28 Ways to Recruit” by Karen Pedersen, create a list of what will work for you in your business to share the opportunity to someone to have them join as a consultant.

Connect: Web & Social Media

·         Create Facebook business page and send invitation to your family, friends and customers to like your page.

·         Listen to “Social Media Magic” by Karen Clark in the Listening Library.  Refer to the handout for this call in this week’s e-mail.

·         Continue making connection calls with customers, potential recruits or places where you are hoping to schedule an event.    

·         Using the list you created last week, make calls this week to schedule an interview to share the opportunity with Close To My Heart.

·         Read “Making Money with Close To My Heart”.  Set a promotion goal for 2012.

Share an idea from the “Social Media Magic” call, your promotion goal for 2012 and your Facebook business page on the team Facebook group.

Create

·         Create thank you cards for hostesses for the next 3 months.

·         Create booking gifts for your open gathering dates for the month of April.  (In a few weeks we will have you create for May once we know the special for National Scrapbooking Month)

·         Create a demo board for the AP Cricut Cartridge.  You can use the One-Key Art Philosophy class by Tera Boring or create your own. 

·         Create artwork using the April or May stamp of the month with any new paper packet.

·         Create hands on project for gatherings for the month of April.

Share photos of all your artwork you have created this week on the team Facebook group.

Team Challenge Week 4

Week 4 Team Challenge Blog post

Hobby

5 points per task

Handouts:

Organize:  Cards & Accessories

·         Look at your personal and/or business calendar and create a list of birthdays, weddings, showers, expected babies with dates from now until June.

·         Create accessory wish list from the new idea book, coordinating with stamps and paper packets from previous “wish lists”.

·         Making them easy to find and ultimately use, organize the accessories you currently have. 

·         Organize the cards you have made in a system where you will be able to find and use them for upcoming events. 

·         Purchase envelopes, stamps and return labels so you can send your handmade cards as events arise.  Or order a personalized return address stamp from Close to Heart.

Share your accessories and card organization systems and/or tip on Facebook team page or comment on the team blog.

Connections:  New

·         Have you discovered Pinterest?  If not, take a look and think about how your might use it to connect with creative friends.  If you are currently on Pinterest create boards that will inspire your creativity and connect and follow others who inspire you!  If you are not already on Pinterest but want to join the fun, request an invite from myself or another friend. 

·         Invite friends and family to follow your boards.

·         Sign up for class in your community to try a new adventure or expand your knowledge in an area of interest.   (Exercise, photography, craft). 

·         Look up volunteer opportunities in your community and sign up to participate in something that interests you. 

·         Find a support group or meeting that connects you with people of similar characteristics such as parenting group, grief support group, church Bible study, etc. 

Share how you will introduce yourself when you meet new people in new settings.  If you are already a member of a group or volunteer, share how you discover the passions and interests of individual members of the group. 

Create:  Cards & Accessories

·         From your event list in “organize”, create cards for the next 5 events. 

·         Use a new accessory and create a card, scrapbook page or paper craft that “shows it off.”

·         Choose a card pattern from Originals or Wishes and create two cards using the same pattern but different paper packets. 

·         Plan and create a paper craft gift item for an upcoming birthday, wedding, shower etc. 

·         Use the Cricut AP cartridge in one of your creations above. 

Share photos of the artwork you created this week.  What is your new favorite embellishment?    

Business Builder

10 points for each task

Email Handouts:

Leadership Assessment

List of Training Academy Courses on Recruiting/Team Building

SMART Goal worksheet

Sample Recruit Packet Ideas

Organize:  Recruiting & Team Building

·         Choose one of the following courses from the Training Academy or call from the Listening Library to listen to.  What one or two ideas will you incorporate in your business?

·         Take the leadership assessment.  In what areas are your strengths?  Challenges?  Look through the training academy and listening library and take a course on the addresses an area of challenge.

·         List the items that you would include in an “opportunity gift” (ala Steve Wiltshire) to potential recruit.  Order brochures or create one that you would need for your packet or gift. 

·         Using your customer list and personal friends and family address book and create a list of people you would like to touch base with during the month of March regarding the Philosophy of Fun Campaign:

o   Past hostesses

o   Previous Consultants

o   People who are interested

o   People who are talented

o   People who have potential

·          If you are a supervisor or above, what is a goal for your team in the quarter 2.  Write it as SMART goal.  If you are a consultant, what is your goal to become a supervisor or above?  Write it as SMART goal.

·         Learn how to use the Web Reports offered on the Online Office in Training Academy> Continuing Ed> Advance Reports

Share your leadership idea that you are planning to incorporate in your business. 

Share your SMART goal for your team or your development as a leader.

Connection Calls

·         Write a script that you will use when making calls to touch base with people regarding their interest in becoming a consultant and/or sharing the March Philosophy of Fun Campaign.  See the recruit script handout for ideas.

·         Using your scheduled power hour time, touch base with a minimum of 5 people on your list you created in “organize”. 

·         Post information about the March Philosophy of Fun on your blog and/or Facebook page. 

·         Supervisors and above, write a script and then take time to connect with your downline and discover their interest and goals for their hobby or business. 

·         Set up an appointment to meet with at least one person that you have talked with to get to know better and learn about their interest in becoming a consultant.

·         Continue to make customer care calls, following up on previous connections/sales.

How many people have you connected with about the Philosophy of Fun?  Share your script for calls.   

Create:  Recruiting Project

·         Use the Cricut and new product to create an “opportunity gift” bag or packet that you will give to people as a special introduction to Close To My Heart opportunity.

·         Duplicate at least 5 of these gifts to have on hand to give to people in the future. 

·         Create a recruiting board that you can display at all your events.  This will give a taste of information about CTMH, the consultant opportunity and the benefits you have discovered!

·         Participate in the team swap at the team meeting this week.

·         Look at the events that you have scheduled on your calendar in the next four weeks and create an item that you will make or demo at one of the events.

Share photos of all your artwork you have created this week. 

Week #2 Challenge Results

Well, we are into our third week.  You guys are amazing!  You are working hard and making progress toward your goals.  I love seeing your artwork and hearing about your organization tips.  I am hoping that this is help you schedule your business time, find routines and tools that help you stay organized, and goals that keep you motivated!  And ultimately a boost in your hobbiness!

Here's the results:
Carla Pizzaro 100 points 
Cindy Newell 100 points
Lalia Harris 200 points
Jessica Booth 215 points
Tracie Cassidy 130 points

Team Challenge 2012: Week #3

Week 3 – Monday, February 20 to Saturday, February 25, 2012

Hobby: (5 points each task)

Handouts in e-mail:

Scrapbooking tracking sheet

Studio J – Pattern Details – January 2012

Organize

· Using the handout e-mailed in the Week 3 e-mail, create a tracking form for your scrapbooking.

· If you use the computer to journal, set up templates for common journaling block sizes (4x6, 3x3, 4x4, etc. – see how to books for common sizes). Save each file by the size of the journal block – when you need to journal – you can open the file and type your journaling right into the journal block!

· Organize scrapbook layouts that need journaling in a box or 12x12 container and schedule time in your calendar to complete journaling.

· Create Spring/Summer 2012 stamp set and inks wish list and organize into a monthly/quarterly ordering list. Connect your wish list to the projects you will share at creative nights or with your personal scrapbooking/creating.

· Organize your inks and reinkers!

Share how/where you organize your inks and reinkers or share books/blogs that inspire your journaling on the team Facebook group or this week’s blog post.

Connect

· Send an EZInvite to family and friends.

· Share the creative project for your creative night on your Facebook wall.

· Post an event on your Facebook wall inviting your Facebook friends to your creative night.

· Invite your neighbors to your creative night - take your creative project and go door to door inviting them to attend. Be sure to get a phone number or e-mail address for reminders!

· To meet new people, find a community event, volunteer project or get involved with a local stamping/scrapbooking group (or create one) that will give you the opportunity to share your creative talent. This is a win-win – you get involved in your community, you get together with fellow creative artists and you have the opportunity to share your connection to Close To My Heart.

Share a tip on how you organize your inks and stamp sets on the team Facebook group.

Share your plans for meeting new people (event, volunteer project, stamping/scrapbooking group) and how you plan to use the opportunity to promote your business on the team Facebook group or as a comment on this week’s blog post.

Create

· Create any Studio J Love Your Layout (except January).

· Create a Studio J layout using a new paper packet (except Pemberley) and the Elegant Showcase pattern from Cherish (pg. 56). Layout should include photos, journaling and embellishments. See Excel spreadsheet attached to Week 3 e-mail for number of photos to use in your layout. (Note: Layout is one of the five layouts corporate has provided instructions in this month’s Studio J promotion)

· Create a classic layout using the same pattern and paper packet.

· Create a card using a technique with inks/reinkers.

· Create a project using the new Colonial White Die-Cut Cards (Pg. 123) using any new feminine stamp set.

Share a photo of all of the above projects you have completed and/or share technique tip using reinkers on the team Facebook group.

 

 

Business Building (10 pts each task)

Handouts to e-mail:

· Newsletter outline

Organize

· On the corporate website go to Business Management > Personal Business Assistant – click on the Public Profile tab and update with your blog address, Facebook page (need Facebook page url address not page name or your name on Facebook), Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube information. (Be sure to click the save button!). This information will feed into the upcoming newsletter format by the corporate office when it is released.

· Continue working on your customer contact list from last week. Using your spreadsheet you downloaded and the additional columns you added to the spreadsheet, put an X in the column for all that you know that apply to that contact (Hostess, Recruit, Studio J, etc.)

· Create a CTMH notebook with organization tabs or reorganize existing notebook.   Add and organize the documents you have created during this  challenge.  For those who are just beginning a notebook, refer to “Notebook” document in the email.

· Schedule a Studio J class. Consider using one of the layouts featured in this month’s Studio J special as a hands on project for your class.

· Using a newsletter outline, create a newsletter outline for the month of March. The newsletter outline will help you remember the things you want to include in your newsletter each month. Consider using MailChimp for your newsletters. MailChimp is free to use and has many great tracking features that let you see what your customers have clicked into so you know their interest areas and is useful for you when making Connection Calls. Also, once you create the setup of the newsletter, you can update each month with new information. When the corporate e-mail is released, I will evaluate how I will use it versus continuing with Constant Contact or change to Mail Chimp. 

Share your plan for your Studio J class and what layout you will use as the hands on layout. Share on the team Facebook group or post a comment on this week’s blog post.

Connect

· Update your MyCTMH or blog with the next month’s events that need to be updated. (March or beyond) If you are using just a blog be sure to update the front page of your MyCTMH to let people know to go to your blog for information. For an example, visit my site at www.EvergreenMemoriesAndArt.blogspot.com.

· Create March newsletter. Be sure to include links to your MyCTMH or blog so you can begin to track the interest of your newsletter viewers.

· If using MailChimp or Constant Contact, schedule newsletter to send before March 1st.  . If using document, schedule time on your calendar to send newsletter before March 1st.

· Using your phone script, continue making connection calls and track call details on your tracking form.

· If you do not have a blog or would like to change your blog format, go to fellow consultant blogs and make notes about what you would like to have yours look like or change about yours. Look at backgrounds and the format – one, two, three column? What information is included? What does the blog have that you would like to add?

Share your successes or struggles with connection calls and/or where you are at with a blog (Do you have a blog? Do you want to update your blog to a new design? What would you like to add to your blog?) on the team Facebook group or post to this week’s post on the team blog.

Create

· Decorate CTMH notebook or update décor to reflect new idea book/papers.

· Create the additional project using Lucy or Pemberly Workshop on the Go.

· Create the Studio J Five for Free layout – Twitterpatted.

· Create card/layout using the Petite Perks stamp set.

· Create card/layout using Incentive Stamp set.

Share a photo of any of the above projects you have completed on the team Facebook group.

Great work last week!  Here are the results

Cindy Newell 120 points
Tracie Cassidy 90 points
Jessica Booth 205 points
Lalia Harris 170 points

Did I miss anyone? 

Here are answers to your FAQ's:

When totaling your score for the week, you count the bulleted items.  The "share" is for the "proof" that you are working on your goals and inspiration for others.  Loved all the artwork from last week, way to go!

I encourage you to do the items each week but if you need to go back to an item and do it for the purpose of building from it for another challenge, then do so.  For example, if the item was to put all your family events on your calendar and the next week the challenge asks you to look at your open times on the calendar and schedule.... then you can count both. 

Also, for artwork.  If you cannot fulfill a challenge because you do not yet have the supplies, then you can do it in the following weeks and take credit for it. 

Finally, if you listened to the Dana Wilde call in December, I promised bonus points.  If you listened, take 10 points.  If you have created a "mantra" or "affirmation statement", even if it is not business related, share it and take 10 more points.  (If it is personal, just email me that you have one, take the points.) 

I will share my affirmation statement with you..."I am a CTMH director because I make great connections with people." 

Looking forward to hearing about your week #2.

Michele