Party Planning

Steve Dubin asked:


 

DATELINE: MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA…

Are you planning a party or event but don’t have the slightest clue where to begin?

 

Cirelli Marketplace is offering a new twist on the old fashioned concept of customer service by introducing the Catering Concierge at their retail location in Middleborough, MA. For over forty years customers have been coming to Cirelli’s to shop for restaurant-quality food for special parties and events, but sometimes figuring out quantities and the right combination of food and drinks can be daunting.

 

Cirelli Marketplace Manager John Santos is determined to make party planning easier than ever for Cirelli customers. The Catering Concierge program provides personal shopping assistance and guidance from the pros at Cirelli’s who will help with suggestions on how to plan a party, including what to buy based on the type of party and the number of guests.

 

Customers are encouraged to ask for John Santos or Mike Ioli at Customer Service to receive the Cirelli Catering Concierge kid glove treatment. They will help customers determine exactly how much food to buy, suggestions on food preparation, how many beverages they will need, and what other supplies are essential for a successful event. Cirelli Marketplace offers a wide selection of name brand foods, paper goods, beer and wine, as well as well as a full selection of liquor, making it a one-stop party shopping destination.

 

In addition, customers will receive a free Catering Concierge brochure including tips on how to throw a great party, a store map (so that they’ll know where to find what they need), a portion list, food preparation suggestions, and a list of Cirelli approved caterers (in case they decide to leave the cooking to others.)

 

To visit the Catering Concierge at Cirelli Marketplace take Exit 6 off of Route 495 and follow

Route 44 East to Middleborough, travel 3/4 the way around the rotary and take Route 18 North toward Bridgewater, then take the first right onto Commerce Boulevard, the entrance to Cirelli Foods is on the left.  Store Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 7 pm.

 

From Humble Beginnings

Originally founded in Brockton over 60 years ago, Cirelli Marketplace, the retail division of Cirelli Foods, was originally referred to as Cirelli’s Cash & Carry. Today the 17,000 square foot Cirelli Marketplace provides customers with the opportunity to shop for name brand products at warehouse prices, with no membership fees. Cirelli Marketplace, located at Cirelli Foods’ Middleborough facility, contains 4,000 on-shelf products, and provides access to any of the other 10,000 items in stock in their warehouse. The Marketplace is a state-of-the-art retail operation offering a wide selection of name brand foods, paper goods, beer and wine as well as a full selection of liquor.

 

Cirelli Marketplace is located at 30 Commerce Boulevard in Middleborough, MA, with close proximity to Interstate 495, and Routes 44 and 24. For additional information about Cirelli Marketplace please call 1-508-947-8211, email marketplace@cirelli.com, or visit www.cirelli.com.

 

 

 



Kari

Jeffrey Zalewski asked:


In a society of information overload and overcrowded daily schedules, direct sellers are faced with many challenges. These challenges vary but are often tied to a lack of time to get their job done.

Despite the challenge of a lack of time to effectively make sales, there are a few strategies that a direct seller can use to leverage their time and effort effectively. Even if you are working part-time in this industry, you can leverage your time and effort profitably through the party plan method of marketing. In fact, according to the Direct Selling Association’s Growth & Outlook Survey Report, nearly 30% of all sales in the Direct Selling Industry are made through a party plan method.

In this article, we will discuss the real truth about the direct selling party plan method. We will share how you can get the most out of using this method within your own direct selling business. You will learn the real power of using the party plan method and how to tap that power so you achieve greater cash flow, growth, and profits.

A sad truth in this industry is the fact that those who consider themselves network marketers or multi-level marketers overlook the simplicity and extreme value in selling through party plans. While there are many of these people who use a group environment for recruiting purposes as an opportunity meeting, all too often they fail to recognize the power of group selling and often shrug off the party plan method because they misunderstand the true benefits such a method can bring to their business.

Most of these people fail to recognize the fact that customers are the life-blood of their business and that they are paid solely for the acquisition and retention of customers. Regardless of whether you focus strictly on your own sales or expand your business through building your network marketing downline team, you only make money when a product or service is sold.

Direct selling is one of the most lucrative business models of free enterprise. Not only can you benefit from the sales you make to your customers, but you can expand your earning potential and literally develop an exponential growing residual income through a network of other direct sellers.

One of the most important decisions you can make as a direct seller is to become a leader who leads by example and with action. Do not worry about whether or not you can sell or even if you can recruit others to sell. The fact is you can develop the necessary skills to get your job done. While it will take effort over time, when you lead with action and show your team that it is no big deal to go out and get customers, your team will duplicate that effort.

Now I realize that there are many people who believe in the philosophy of “recruit, recruit, recruit”, but our jobs require us to get customers in order to earn money. All too often, direct sellers make the mistake of focusing strictly on recruiting because they feel they can’t sell. However, what most upline leaders will not tell their team is the fact that statistics prove recruiting is the hardest form of selling in this industry.

If you truly want to improve your cash flow, experiencing exponential growth in your income and overall business profits, you need to develop a customer base of loyal customers. This does not happen through focusing on recruiting as your primary means of building your direct sales business.

Party plan selling (aka group selling) is a powerful method of marketing because it puts you in front of more prospects and customers at one given time. Whether you have a half dozen people in attendance or a room of fifty people, using a party plan method to showcase your products and services can be a simple method for increasing your personal sales and immediate income.

TIP - Never underestimate the power of a loyal base of customers.

Something every direct seller needs to know is that they can’t survive long term in this industry if they have no customers. They also need to know that they must develop their selling skills and master the fundamentals of direct selling if they ever want to become effective in recruiting and building a strong happy, productive, and duplicating profitable downline team.

The good news is these skills are simple to learn and easy to implement. In fact, you can even learn the basic required universal fundamentals that guarantee success all within one day through a course that covers the direct selling fundamentals. In such a course, you can even learn the fundamentals of the party plan method of marketing, so you can quickly develop a solid base of repeat customer orders.

While the party plan method is one of the most powerful methods for acquiring customer sales in a short period of time, most direct sellers misunderstand this method of marketing. They make the mistake of focusing on the wrong things.

The one thing that most direct sellers overlook is the fact that the party plan model is not about you, your product, or your company. The truth is the party plan model is about your host and their guests. Think about this for a few minutes.

Why would anyone attend your event? Why would anyone be the host? Why would they buy your products or services? The answer is simple - for their reasons and their reasons alone. These people do not care about you, your product, or even your company. What they do care about are their own wants and needs.

Understand that your job is to acquire customers and help retain those customers so they order month after month after month - from you! To accomplish this task, you must connect with your prospect in a way that they feel you understand their wants and needs. If you make your party plan or group selling environment all about yourself and your company, you will never unleash the full potential that this method of marketing can bring you.

Another mistake many direct sellers make with the party plan method is they focus on the show (your party) as the end event. It is important to understand that the party is the beginning event. While you want sales generated from your event, it is not the event itself that brings the fortune; rather the fortune is made in the follow-up.

One of the worst mistakes direct sellers make is to focus only on the show (their event) and the people present. Making this mistake will cause you to automatically lose a ton of cash and profits. When you begin to understand that the show is the beginning and that your fortune is made in the follow-up, you will begin to have greater cash flowing through your direct selling business.

Never overlook the fact you have prospects who were invited that did not make it to the show, you have those who did show but did not buy. You also have those people that showed up and bought product. All of these people are your prospective customers and customers. If you follow-up through effective one-on-one techniques, you can nurture and grow the relationships into a powerfully lucrative customer base.

TIP - The biggest waste of money is to do a show and then never follow-up.

Keep in mind that the true power behind the party plan method is in your ability to generate additional sales (and long-term residual profits). This comes from the people who order at the show and those who do not. Make sure you follow-up and follow-through with all your prospects and customers.

Now the secret to a successful show (your party plan method), especially if you want to do a show that produces initial show sales of over $1000, is in how well you connect and coach your hostess (or host). The host is the key to getting people to the show.

It is not how many people they can get to the show, but rather the overall portfolio of people, including those who show up and those that don’t. Your show success will be directly tied to the potential attendees, regardless of whether they show up to the event or not. Encourage your host to look beyond the show itself and the possibilities from a combined show and catalog order portfolio to earn their rewards.

TIP - use a show as a way to build your prospect list. Then cultivate that list through effective follow-up and follow-through.

While the host can often work very hard, many times harder than you, it is critical that you make their job as easy and fun as possible. In case you don’t realize it, your host will often have a poor turn out for the same reasons your downline has a poor turn out. It all relates to action or lack thereof.

Make certain you are prepared by working from a plan of action. Reward your host and properly coach your host so they can get their part of the job done. However, don’t rely totally on your host doing all the work. This is your business and you need to be proactive in the action before, during, and after the show. The party plan method is powerful and will lead you to many more sales from your prospects and customers in the future. Remember, the fortune of the party plan method is in the follow-up.

Now that you know the real truth to the direct selling party plan method of marketing, make sure you implement this method consistently within your business. Use the party plan method as a way to grow your prospect list and your database of customers. Never forget that the way you make your money in direct sales is through customer acquisition and customer retention - and the fortune is in the follow-up, not the show itself!



Tyson

Lisa Paredes asked:


Are you great at organizing? Can you create a memorable party atmosphere without necessarily having to be the life of the party? Are you searching for a way to make extra money; or considering, going into business for yourself? If, you answered yes to these questions, there is a perfect home based start up business for you.

The Concept

Home based party planning businesses are great for well organized extroverted individuals, who know how to put these skills to good use. And, as more people look to outsource activities that they no longer have time to complete, the industry is growing. There are typically elements of a good party that the average person forgets, such as contracts with the photographer, disc jockey or band, and caterer, that ensures things turn out as planned. However, it takes a skilled and flexible person to turn into a problem solver when surprises do arise. As a party planner, you can choose to tailor your business around particular types of parties, like wedding receptions and business parties; or, you can choose to offer a variety of party planning services.

Start-Up Costs

Like other start up businesses, your first and most important costs will revolve around any necessary business licenses and insurance. Other initial and on-going costs will be due mainly to marketing strategies. Aside from these expenses, a home-based party planning business has few other initial costs.

Marketing

One unique way to debut your party planning services is to throw a free party. Although many resources suggest throwing this free party for friends and neighbors, consider taking your debut party a step further by throwing it for a local charity, non-profit, or even for select businesses. Depending on your start up capital you may even decide to throw more than one of these parties. Another great marketing tool is a portfolio of party themes, ideas, and decorations. This will really allow you to showcase your creativity and the ideas that will set you apart from your competitors. As a party planner, you need to have a website that highlights your creativity without being too busy. Yet, there is no substitute for old fashioned marketing. So, remember to pass out business cards and place ads in local papers.

Take-away Tips

To be an effective party planner you need to familiarize yourself with many of the food, beverages, and entertainment vendors in your area. It is important to know their pricing; whether you can workout more favorable terms, and the quality of their service. Create contracts templates for the service providers that you may need to hire. Contracts ensure that you and your client are receiving the specific services that you are not only expecting, but also paying for. Before you plan a party for your first client, decide how you will charge for your service. Some party planners charge either, a flat flee, by the service, or by the hour. And, as always, keep good financial records to be able to claim the most tax deductions possible.



Pablo

mamdouh e asked:


I need to write an essay in which I write how the federal and republican parties fell after the jefferson adminstration. I need details please, any outside resources would be appreciated. thanks.

Julian

Patricia Kagwiria Makhulo asked:


Home Party Business Marketing is largely a matter of understanding what one is getting into. The party plan method is the use of social events – home parties to parade, demonstrate, show off and sample products used primarily to sell items whose main appeal is to women by women, such as Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, kitchen utensils, home decor items e.g, home garden & party, jewelry, skincare e.g, Arbonne International, candles e.g, Mia Bella. Recent additions to the field include lingerie, and sex toys e.g., Passion Parties.

It is very evident that the home party plan traditional business idea is fresh once again as a new generation of sellers open their homes for direct sales.

Home parties now account for approx. 30 percent of the nearly $30.8 billion in U.S. direct sales, and 15.2 million Americans bought or sold goods from home in 2007; according to the Direct Selling Association, the premier resource for all thing direct sales.

With the growth of the internet, customers find that they continue to benefit from a personal and convenient way of purchasing products.  The Internet is fast becoming an essential element of home party plan business success. It gives both the home party consultant and their customer each a worldwide base.  The growing trend is to host virtual parties online.  Internet sales account for 14% of all home party sales!



The 4 Elements Of A Successful Home Party Plan Business

1. A Home: As with real estate, location, location, location matters.  Let me share with you some statistics. Home parties account for roughly 70% of the 78% face to face sales made in the US.  Cozy, comfortable, social always wins out!  So be sure to host home party plan fun monthly meetings at the least.

2. It’s A Party: Success with home partys lies in the fact that it’s a party at your home–or better yet, at someone else’s. Customers socialize, and you make money. Need more convincing? Make fun is the order of the day. Party like a rockstar!

Home Party Plan Success Tip: Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun

3. Plan(ning) : When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  You need to plan the party elements.  You need to plan your business element i.e., marketing, business plan, training, education & development.  Your party plan hostess must be coached and prepared.  The Home party demo must be planned before hand.  Don’t get side tracked and have a show that goes on for 3 hours.  No one makes great purchases when they are tired

4. It’s A Business |?biznis| ( bus.):

noun

2 the practice of making one’s living by engaging in commerce : the world of business | whom do you do business with in Manila? | [as adj.] the business community | [with adj.] the jewelry business.

• trade considered in terms of its volume or profitability : how’s business?

As Max Sanborn asserts, “The ultimate objective of a business is profit. The primary purpose of a business is to create customers. Profitability without customers is an impossibility.”

You are a home party consultant, you are in this of course to have fun, partying in your home or that of a hostess for the express purpose of making and increasing home party sales and profits.

Party like a rock star,



Breanna

DA Southern asked:


When I was in the corporate world, Company Party Planning was always that “Roll Your Eyes and duck when asked to organize” kind of thing.  OK, so I usually took the reigns as I was realizing my calling as an Event Planner.  I have seen my share of Company Parties and most are not pretty, so I will share what seems to be the biggest mistakes if you are not going to use an Event Planner to make it grand.

First is definitely the commitment factor of the people in charge.  You have got to establish pretty quickly as to the budgetary constraints that will be put on you.  Don’t even get involved if management just wants everyone to bring something from home, eat, and call it a Party.  That is not a Party nor is it something you should organize.

Second, with a budget in place, is the committee you select to assist.  Don’t get in the trap of doing it all yourself.  Definitely not worth the pain, especially if the Party is deemed a “Dud.”  Who do you think gets the blame even if no one was willing to work with you.  You see, it is human nature to let others take the fall.  It is kind of like listening to sports shows and have all of these “Arm-Chair” quarterbacks yacking on Monday what they would have done as a coach or whatever.  Everyone is a critic, but the more people you get involved, the better chances that the criticism will be lowered.  Don’t worry, there will always be someone there to criticize.

Third, don’t get caught up in past office practices, meaning don’t do the same thing you did last year because “That’s the way we always have done it.”  Doomsday for an Event.  I have seen countless charities repeat the same Event structure year after year and wonder why they can’t get new people interested in the Event.  Shake things up and have some fun.  Isn’t hat the very nature of a Party?

Fourth, have a definite structure to the Event.  No matter what the size of the Event, give it some pazazz by having a schedule that is adhered to as far as performances, food time, dancing…whatever.  Make it fun and keep it lose, but never give the impression that it is not planned.

Fifth, the food.  This mistake is the most common and I don’t know why.  Everyone goes to Parties for the food.  It is where all of the talk centers and branches from.  No matter what your company size, get a decent food budget at the outset.  Employees will feel special knowing that their employer spent the extra on them in terms of food.  I have heard many a comment after an Event where the employee commented on the food and how great it was and not on some bonus that they received. 

You see, employees EXPECT bonuses, but not great food.  That is a sheer pleasure.

There you go.  Make your Company Party Planning a little more fun this year by avoiding these five common mistakes and you will have a better next year and may even be a hero to your employees.



Hector

Patricia Kagwiria Makhulo asked:


One of the best kept secrets of home party experts is that :

“95% OF PEOPLE FAIL WHEN THEY START A BUSINESS WITHOUT A SYSTEM.

95% PERCENT OF PEOPLE ARE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY START A BUSINESS WITH A SYSTEM! “

-    Entrepreneur Magazine

As if that were not enough, 95% Of new Home Party Plan Consultants fail largely due to info-overload, confusion and flat out frustration.

A system is a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network.  Another way of looking at it,

S - Save

Y - Your

S - Self

T - Time

E - Energy and

M - Money

The Science of Getting Rich

“The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way. Those who do things in this certain way, whether on purpose or accidentally, get rich. Those who do not do things in this certain way, no matter how hard they work or how able they are, remain poor.

It is natural law that; like causes always produce like effects. Therefore, any man or woman who learns to do things in this certain way will infallibly get rich.”- Wallace D. Wattles

Of course any serious home party business owner has a website, be it personal or company replicated and yet 95% of people don’t have a clue how to generate real traffic and real prospects to a website. So what good is having a website?

Let me introduce you to the PAT Principle Of Party Plan Success

1.    Planning: Notice the following Home Party Plan Business.  Party Plan  Model of business.  I find it curious that the essential word here is planning! It is no surprise that when you fail to plan, you are in essence planning to fail.  Have you met an architect who started building without a blue-print?  The leaning tower of pisa though a wonder of the world is a great example of what lack of planning will do.  Planning is an essential step to succeeding in any worthwhile venture. Most people get involved in MLM/Network Marketing as a quick fix!

In the planning phase you:

i). Plan your time: Party Plan Pat’s  recommendation is 15-20/week.  10-15 of these hours must be used for direct sales party plan opportunity meetings, home party demonstrations, delivery and follow up of home party sales.  The other 5-10 is for personal development!

ii) Plan your marketing budget ($500-$1500/month).  Statistics indicate that low cost home party marketing efforts take seven times as long to yield results.  A business without a marketing budget is very much like what starvation does to the body, It will die!

iii). Identify those most likely to use your product/service this is called your Target Market.  Contrary to popular opinion, everyone with a pulse and a breath is not your target market. You begin to research marketing methods you will implement. A 5-Point Prospecting is highly recommended.

Home Party Business Marketing Tip : “The ultimate objective of a business is profit. The primary purpose of a business is to create customers. Profitability without customers is an impossibility.” ~ Mark Sanborn

iv) You create your customer/downline retention strategy.  Planning with a purpose is the secret to success

2.  Action:  Simply said, once you create your plan, you need to work your plan. It has been said that an ounce of action is worth a pound of theorizing.  I know that many home party consultants are frustrated with the rate of growth of their direct sales home party business.  For many consistent home party sales is a dream in a far off place.  I have a question for you Why did you get involved in business?  Surely not to spend all day on the phone dialing for dollars, then waste precious gas chasing after prospects.

Do you have set office hours?  I mean even if the world is coming to an end, do those near and dear to you know not to bother you during your office hours? 

Probably not!  You are too busy responding to emergencies and failing to take care of that which will change your life so that you no longer have to respond to emergencies!

“Focus on your MVP activities (Most Valuable and Profitable activities). Spend 60-80% of every day on your MVP activities. That still gives you 20-40% of each day to deal with interruptions, emergencies and the unexpected.”

3. Training: Knowledge it is said is power.  Not true.  How many of us know things and yet haven’t seen the rewards of that knowledge.  We all know that a business is the best way to create financial freedom.  You see it is the application of knowledge that leads/equals power. Imagine that you have been informed of your random selection as a Plastic Surgeon. Consider the number of botched cases and the media frenzy. Would you seriously jump into something without the proper training and practice necessary to execute? Invest in yourself! Keep abreast of the latest marketing techniques to improve sales skills. Financial freedom, is not an event, it is a SKILL!

Work harder on yourself that you do on your job.  If you work hardon your job you make a living which is fine.  But if you work hard on yourself you can make a fortune which is super fine ~ Jim Rohn



Amanda

Helen of Troy asked:


I am not planning on going to one, but I am curious as to what they are all about.

Do people dress in role-playing costumes? Can you just sit and observe all the spanking around you and not participate? Do you have to pay to enter the party? Are the parties usually at a private residence?

Any answers would be appreciated.

Armando

Kelly Liyakasa asked:


Parties are not only a societal norm, they’re always a blast. However, whether you’re planning a birthday party for the kids or a day designated just for the girls, party planning can be a lot of work! Invitations, food, and decorations have to be picked out and luckily, party planning services are making your job easier.

6StarReviews.com reports that some websites such as Birthday in a Box allow you to customize your child’s birthday party experience to make it extra special. For example, if your child cannot get enough of Disney, you can pick out personalized party decorations revolving around the Mouse himself. If you’re planning a relaxing get together for the girls, Birthday in a Box has themed party planning options, such as ‘Spa Party,’ complete with invitations, decorations, centerpieces and t-shirts.

Another party planning service, Evite, takes a different route in your event planning process. This website actually lets you create an event page, invite all of your friends, and interact with them as well. Friends and family members can leave the party organizer messages, share party images and even use fun features to r.s.v.p! Need help planning the party itself? Evite offers menu and recipe ideas, party ‘to-do’ checklists and even an alcoholic beverage calculator (so you know how many bottles of Cuervo to pick up to accommodate your of-age guests).

The Internet’s plethora of party planning services all have one characteristic in common: make the planning process fun while saving you from having to hire an event coordinator. These services are convenient for their combination of event-planning advice and resources, as well as their extensive database of party products. Your next event is sure to be a success if you plan ahead and use all that the Web offers!



Carmen

Patricia Kagwiria Makhulo asked:


Dear Home Party Consultant, Direct Sales Rep., & Direct Selling Business Owner,

In my last article, An Open Letter To : Direct Sales Consultant, Direct Selling Business Owners On How To Triple Home Party Sales we laid the foundation for improving direct selling ratios. Today we are going to focus our minds of increasing and improving home party sales ratios. This will lead to more home party sales and direct sales profit!

There are 5 ratios that will factor into your tracking:

1. Dialing/Contact Ratio : How may dials and/or contacts to do you make a week?

2. The Home Party Booking & Appointment Ratio — Of the people you do connect with or have a conversation with, how many of them book an at home party?

3. The Hosting/At Home Party Show Ratio — Of those who make the appointment to host an in home show party, how many actually showed.

4. The Closing Ratio — Of those who showed, how many of those resulted in home party sales? In other words how many people made a purchase? These sales do not have to be limited to your in home party demonstration. Did you send out catalog to your hostess to hand out to those who are unable to attend home parties?

5. Follow Up & Follow Through Ratio — How often to you follow up with those have expressed an interest but haven’t nailed a time or place? What about those that show up to a home party and don’t purchase? What about catalog sales? The are sales waiting to happen. Don’t drop the ball because you got a no or a not now.

The most powerful direct sales training tips I ever got were from a man name Jeffery Zalweski “the power of 45”.

To get on the right track you must first set some benchmarks. For example, depending on what you are selling and how frequently people buy what you’re selling, set a target amount of people to speak to per day this is what we call a benchmark!

I recommend a 10 a day regimen. Most people will tell you that sales is a numbers game and they are right about that. Problem is what numbers count? Make it about quality not quantity! Make 10 dials/per day or 10 -15 contacts/day

Then, set a benchmark for the number of people you want to make an appointment to host a home party. Finally set a bench mark for the number or amount of home party sales you would like.

Start each day by tabulating/documenting exactly what happens. That will give you a rough idea of what your ratios look like.

The Appointment Ratio - 40% (If you speak to 10 people, 4 people will book home parties)

The Show Ratio - 60% (If you make an appointment with 10 people, 6 will show/attend the in home party)

The Close Ratio 50% - (If you do a home party demo/presentation to 10 people 5 will buy).

Based on these ratios, to get 3 sales per day, you would need to contact 40 people per day. Of those 40, 12 would make an appointment, 6 would show and 3 would buy.

As you put this process in place, you will see what your true ratios are, but it’s at the very least a starting point. As time goes on, you will also begin to figure out how many calls you need to make each day to reach your estimated goals. This right here is the key to home party plan success, knowing that it takes to get you to the next level.

Here is the best news ever, with time you will notice an interesting phenomenon, that once you improve your booking ratio, you will need to speak to less people to make the same amount of money. Or you could speak to the same amount of people and make more money.

In either case, you will be in a better position to be successful in direct sales, once you start learning direct selling ratios and managing your home party business based on real time numbers and not hear-say or upline advice.

Myself, and Ann Sieg, the Renegade Network Marketer, top notch sales people and others who are successful have been using these strategies for years.

Here’s to a more profitable home party business.

Party Plan Pat



Allan