30 Days to a Better Shelf Reliance Business

I’d like to invite you to join me in a 30 day challenge.  This February let’s work hard to make our Shelf Reliance businesses better.

How does it work?

•  Each day starting February 1st.  I will post a task with instructions and worksheets for you to complete. 
•  Each task will take approximately 30  minutes (although you over achievers might take longer)
• Each task has been designed to get your organized, educated or moving. 
• This challenge is for new and established consultant.  If you have been a consultant for a while you may have already worked on some of the areas we are going to cover.  But I have found that it is very helpful to frequently revisit important tasks. 
•  This challenge is open to all Shelf Reliance consultants.  I designed it for my team but after some reflection I have decided to open it up to anyone who would like to participate.
•   After you have completed the task please leave a comment letting us know what you learned and how the task went for you.  Sharing ideas and helping each other is what it is all about.

How do I follow along?

You can visit this blog each day or if you find it easier you can subscribe via RSS feed, or e-mail (just click on the icon in the top right of this blog).  I personally am going to use Google reader. 

What if I fall behind?

Don’t worry you can catch up.  Each task is relatively short and you may be able to complete several days’ worth at a time. 

Are you taking the challenge? 

Please leave a comment letting me know who you are and what you want to get out of the 30 Day Challenge. 

I’m excited and I hope you are too.

Tomorrow I'm going on strike

Tomorrow, Wednesday January 18^th 2012 I will be going on strike. 

I’ve never gone on strike before.  I don’t even know anyone who has ever gone on strike.  But tomorrow this site and my cooking blog Cooking With My Food Storage will go dark.

What is this all about?   The strike on Wednesday is the largest internet protest in history, an effort to stop the internet censorship bills, SOPA and PIPA.  

I am joining with companies such as Google, Wikipedia, Reddit, Mozill, and WordPress in showing my extreme concern about this internet censorship bill. 

If you are concerned about SOPA and PIPA please visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation .  From there you can easily e-mail your Rep/Senator.   It takes less than 2 minutes.   

 Congress will vote on January 24^th. 

 

What I learned from Melaleuca

A little while ago I met a man selling Melaleuca.  I have been really interested in nontoxic cleaners and have heard really good things about the cleaners that Melaleuca sells.  I agreed to meet with John and to learn more. 

I was very clear about what I wanted

1.      A nontoxic counter top spray that my kids could use an not poison them.

2.     A nontoxic stain remover that would work on the sharpie markers my children have gone crazy with all over my walls.

That is it.  I did not want to build a Melaleuca business nor did I care about this history or culture.

Instead of helping me find the product I wanted and was prepared to buy he wasted an hour of my time telling me things I did not care about, and in the end he was so worried about me signing up for the monthly ship plan that I did not buy anything.

I could have been a great customer.  But instead I’m not a customer at all.

I think sometimes I made the same mistakes John made. 

So what did I learn about being a Shelf Reliance Consultant?

     

      1.      Listen to the customer. 

The easiest way to do this is to ask your customers what they want.  At a home party try opening the party by asking the guests “Why did you come tonight?  What interests you most about food storage and emergency preparedness?”   And at the end of the party ask them “What product are you most interested in?”    

But don’t just ask. Listen to what they say.  It is important.  If they are interested in emergency generators it really don’t matter how much you talk about water filters.  They still won’t care.

    

      2.      Give enough information to spark interest.

Sometimes I have been guilty of “vomiting up information” on party guests.   If you have too, remember that it is better to mention something briefly and let the customer ask you a follow up question. 

For example when talking about the  business opportunity I often say

“Shelf Reliance has been good to me.  I am now making more than I did at my full time job.  If you or anyone you know might be interested I’d be happy to talk to you about it.” 

That way those that are interested are a little more interested and those that aren’t don’t have to listen to all the details about being a consultant. 

      3.      STOP TALKING—give yourself a time limit and stick to it.  About 6 months ago I cut my party presentation from 1 hour to about 15 minutes.  Guess what?  Guest love it. 

I talk very briefly about the products we are sampling, the Q,  hosting party, and being a consultant.  And then I let them chat, look at the catalog and ask questions.  I make recommendations, and everyone likes it.  If you are talking nonstop for an entire hour.  It is time to change. 

No one wants to listen to you that much.  Try making your presentation more interactive.  If the info is not essential than cut it out. 

This is supposed to be fun.  It is after all called a party.  Lighten up.  Tell a Joke, be yourself, but be your fun self. 

Party Recipe: Food Storage Sugar Cookies

I love cookies.  I have been attempting to make an awesome sugar cookie with only food storage ingredients for a long time (okay about 2 years).  I wanted these cookies to be soft and flavorful, to be just as good as cookies made from fresh ingredients.  I’m finally satisfied.  These cookies are soft, and delicious.  But the best part is they are just as easy to make as the originals. 

Tips for Success:

• When baking with shortening powder remember that cookies won’t brown as quickly as when using fresh shortening or butter.  So take them out of the oven before they are brown.  You want them to be set but not browned.
• These cookies puff a little more than sugar cookies normally do.  Even so I still like to roll them thick.   Sometimes when these cookies are removed from the oven too early they fall a little bit.  No worries, you are going to frost them right?  The moral of the story is to watch them carefully so you remove them from the oven when they are cooked but not overdone. 

Best Ever Food Storage Soft Sugar Cookies 
2 c. sugar
3 cups shortening powder plus  ¾ cup water-whisk together with a fork
3 eggs  (3 tablespoons powdered eggs plus 6 tablespoons water)
1 c. milk (3 tablespoons powdered milk plus 1 cup water)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. almond extract
About 7 or 8 c, flour

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together sugar, and shortening.
2. Add egg, milk, and almond extract. Mix to combine.
3. Add salt, soda, and baking powder. Mix to combine
4. Add flour to make a soft dough.
5. Roll out a little on the thick side.  Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 min.

Food Storage Butter Cream Frosting

 ¾ cup butter powder 

1/2 cup shortening powder

¼ cup water

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. corn syrup

2 tsp. milk

Mix butter powder, shortening powder and water with hand mixer until creamy.  Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Add corn syrup and milk. Beat until smooth.

24 Oz Scoop and Ready Rack

24 Oz Scoop

 ID number 33516  Q Club Price $7.445

Web:  http://homeparties.shelfreliance.com/24-oz-scoop.html

I’ve actually been looking for some scoops to use in my bulk food storage for a while.  I really like this one.    It is lovely, very solid construction and a good size. 

I recommend this product to customers when they purchase buckets.  If you are going to have a bucket of something you need a scoop for that bucket. 

I LOVE it and I’m going to buy one for each of the products I buy in buckets. 

Ready Rack (2 large Row, 2 Drawer)

ID number 19946

Q Club Price:  $274.99. 

Web:  http://homeparties.shelfreliance.com/ready-rack-2-large-row-2-drawer.html

This is a good shelf.  You can purchase it in a bunch of different configurations.  Large or small rollers, etc.  You can see all the variations on the price list. 

The ready rack has a problem.  It is a nightmare to put together.  No really it is darn near impossible.  I’ve had one at my house for a couple of months and 3 different adults have tried to put it up.  Needless to say it is a pain.  So I wanted to pass on my advice in case you buy one or you sell one be sure to NOT follow the directions and put the drawers in first.  It is not possible to put them in after the rollers are in.    With that said it is a great shelf if you are looking to store some foods that don’t come in number 10 cans or are looking for a place to store your emergency preparedness supplies. 

Shelf Reliance is aware that the directions are lacking and are working on updating them.  But in the meantime be sure to let any customers know the trick to putting it together.