Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day

Mojo Monday


 Create artwork using My Stickease from any Summer Idea Book My Reflections kit - 5 pts ea

Use any My Reflections Stickease from the Summer idea book to create layouts, cards or any other papercrafting project!

Respond: E-mail artwork photos.

 Create artwork using Tulip Mini-Medleys.

Create artwork with the new Tulip Mini-Medleys accents.  These Cranberry accents work perfectly with many kits and are just the right accent!

Respond: E-mail artwork photo.
 Create card pattern from any Summer WOTG patterns using any current My Reflections Kit paper packet  - 20 pts ea

Take any Summer WOTG card pattern and create the card using any active My Reflections Paper packet!

Respond: E-mail artwork photo.
 
"See" you tomorrow - the last day of the challenge!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 23

Super Saturday


 Update customer comments on Excel spreadsheet - 10 pts ea

Time to spend more time updating the customer list.  You may or may not have time to finish today - if not make this a priority project in your business after the challenge is finished.  As a reminder, here is how I enter information on mineare some suggestions for you:

Year Month Details. Example 2010 May Hostess. By placing the year first when you sort the list you will automatically have the customer information sort by year. Then everything in May stays together and the details will tell you the contact. Update information as you see fit to do so. Here are a couple more examples of what I do:


Club member: 2010 Creative Club _______ (place host month in place of the underline area)
Outside order: 2010 ________ (month) ________ (hostess name) Outside Order
Craft fair/expo/etc: 2010 _______ (month) _______ (event name)

The key is to keep everything the same - same spelling, spacing, dashes if you include them. When you sort by that column in excel you will be able to see all your contacts for the year organized for you by year and then by month.

Respond: Forgot this on Thursday - e-mail me the number of contacts for each day and your system for tracking.
 Update customer information in Customer Management - 20 pts ea
Once you have the information on the spreadsheet, update the customer information through the Customer Management in Online Ordering. If you would like to skip the excel entry you can but I have found when I started doing this it is easier to work from the Excel spreadsheet to do the entry than sit at the computer and pull up each contact one by one as you can "lose" where you are very easily.


Respond: E-mail number of updated customers.

 Organize monthly business receipts 30 pts ea month
This is honestly my very least favorite tasks in my business - organizing my expenses and income.  Each year I get a little bit better at organizing.  Personally, I take my take information to a professional so it is a little easier for me as I don't have to do an entry and tracking.  My first step was to create a hanging file with a tab labeled for each month.  When I do my orders I put the printed order copy into the month.  All receipts are placed in this hanging file.  I also use this for home too - I use the right side for my business and the left side for home. So if you can make it work for both.  Another option is to have a hanging file and at the end of the month put it all in an envelope and label with the month.

So for each month:
1.  Print/file your order receipts.
2.  Add details to your receipts - circle/underline the expense and at the top of the receipt write the type of expense (office, utilities, supplies, etc)

Respond: E-mail me the months you organized and details of how your organized them!

Enjoy your day off tomorrow - "see" you Monday!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 22

Follow-up Friday


 Connect with classmate, long lost friend or family member - 5 pts ea

Follow up with a phone call to a classmate, long lost friend or family member who you gave a Guest on the Go packet.  Be sure to promote the June Constant Campaign.  If you don't have a website - promote your upline's or side line's website.  Be sure to let your upline or sideline know of the referral.  While it is against corporate policy to reimburse you for the commission you have lost in the sale, you can let them know the referral is your customer so follow up can come from you as their consultant!

Response: E-mail me with details of each contact.
 Connect with customer to encourage June Jackpot - 10 pts ea
Follow up with a customer who attended a gathering in the last 3 months to promote the June Constant Campaign. 

Response: E-mail me with details of each customer followup.
 Connect with 1 team member to invite to Connected Hearts team meeting in July - 20 pts
Attending team meetings are an important way to keep connected to your team and learn new creative and business ideas to make your business more successful.  Contact with a team member - this can be a downline or a side line and encourage them to attend the Connected Hearts team meeting in July.

Response: E-mail me the details!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 21

Things to Do Thursday


 Inventory supply items and create supply order - 5 pts

It's time to stock up your supplies for gatherings, clubs and workshops.  Go to the corporate website and print the supply list and then inventory your supply items and create a supply order.  Place the order with a gathering being shipped to you or as a seperate supply item.  Don't forget to order the new supply items for your hostesses and recruits!

 Update customer comments on Excel spreadsheet - 10 pts ea

Remember the customer list you downloaded last week?  Today we are going to begin working on this list to make it easier for you to sort the list for customer care calls.  How?  Simple - develop a system that works for you to enter information in the comments.  Here is how I do mine: Year Month Details.  Example 2010 May Hostess.  By placing the year first when you sort the list you will automatically have the customer information sort by year.  Then everything in May stays together and the details will tell you the contact.  Update information as you see fit to do so.  Here are a couple more examples of what I do:

Club member: 2010 Creative Club _______ (place host month in place of the underline area)
Outside order: 2010 ________ (month) ________ (hostess name) Outside Order
Craft fair/expo/etc: 2010 _______ (month) _______ (event name)

The key is to keep everything the same - same spelling, spacing, dashes if you include them.  When you sort by that column in excel you will be able to see all your contacts for the year organized for you by year and then by month.

 Update customer information in Customer Management - 20 pts ea
Once you have the information on the spreadsheet, update the customer information through the Customer Management in Online Ordering.  If you would like to skip the excel entry you can but I have found when I started doing this it is easier to work from the Excel spreadsheet to do the entry than sit at the computer and pull up each contact one by one as you can "lose" where you are very easily.

You will have today and Saturday to work on this so you may choose to do one part one day and one part on Saturday.

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 20

Web Wednesday


 Create & send June customer newsletter - 5 pts

Create a newsletter to send to your customers - include the details of the June campaign.  Be sure to send reminder e-mails each week.  On days with the goodie boxes - send an e-mail about the awesome deals!

Response: Send newsletter to me when you e-mail to your customers!

 Find a new game to play at gatherings - 10 pts

Go to the Training Academy and find a new Gathering Game.  Decide how you will play the game and how you will work it into your gathering (beginning, middle, end).  E-mail me for a fun Left-Right-Across game that I created as a presentation in a game!  Super fun and gets all the information in and they pay attention!  For the prize on my games, I took a previous SOTM that I got for the price of shipping and wrapped it up.  They passed the stamp set - the winner got the stamp set!  Perfect for getting their attention!

Response:  E-mail me game choice and how you will use the game in your gatherings. 
BONUS points - E-mail me for the Left-Right-Across game (10 pts)

 Update blog or MyCTMH with June SOTM artwork - 20 pts
Promote the June Stamp of the Month by showcasing artwork on your MyCTMH site or your blog.  Be sure to include artwork recipes and a link to your MyCTMH site for ordering (if you have a site) or details on how to order if you don't!

Response: E-mail me link to artwork!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 19

Socialize Saturday

Now that you have your Business On The Go bag ready to share with your family and friends - today is the day to share it!  While you are enjoying spending time with your family and friends, be sure to share Close To My Heart with them.  If they do not scrapbook or stamp, ask if they would be willing to share the Guest On The Go packet with someone they know who does to help you!  Word of mouth is the best way to grow a business and what a better way than to have your family and friends help you out!


 Share CTMH with classmate, long lost friend or family member - 10 pts ea
Get their contact information if you don't already have it - phone number and/or e-mail address (phone number is the must!).

Respond: E-mail me the number Guest On The Go packets you hand out to family and friends!

 Host family/friends Studio J party or mini gathering - 20 pts
What a better way to share your business - host a mini gathering or A Studio J preview party with them!  When taking orders be sure to consider doing the orders as individual if the guests live in different cities from each other or have a hostess amoungst them that will earn the free product and can distribute the orders.

Respond: E-mail me details - type of party and how it went! 
 Collect idea book order or Studio J order - 30 pts ea
For each order you can collect 30 points - this is a perfect way to catch up to the team point leader!

Respond: E-mail me number of orders in a gathering or details about individual orders!

Have a wonderful day off spending with your friends and family!  "See" you on Monday!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 18

Future Friday

Today is all about getting ready to promote your business to family and friends who you may be seeing this weekend who may not know about Close To My Heart.  Being ready will give you opportunities to promote your business while being with your family over the Memorial Day weekend!


 Prepare Guest On The Go packets - 10 pts
Prepare packets that can be given to someone to present Close To My Heart - these packets should include an idea book (labeled with your contact information), flyers of Constant Campaign (May and June if available), consultant brochure (the new one) with consultant kit flyer and a schedule of your upcoming events.  These packets can be given to the person to present your business.  Paper packet envelopes work really well to put all the materials for presentation.

Respond: E-mail the number of packets you created!
 Prepare Display On The Go artwork - 20 pts
There are many ways you can do artwork on the go displays - use a display board from Close To My Heart and cut it down to fit inside your Shoulder Tote.  Page protecters work great to be able to slide artwork in and out onto cardstock.  Artwork ideas: May or June SOTM artwork, Miracle artwork, upcoming card workshops, layouts, etc.

Respond: E-mail me the artwork you included on your Display On The Go.

 Pack Business On The Go bag - 30 pts
Your business is ready for you to take to the road!  Pack the Guest on the Go and the Display on the Go into your Shoulder Tote.  Be sure to include a calculator, change (coins and some $1/$5 bills for change of cash) and pens!  You are all set!

Respond: E-mail me what you used for your bag!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps Team Challenge - Day 17

Thoughtful Thursday


 Give a handstamped card to neighbor, co-worker, teacher/principal/office secretary or church member - 5 pts each

Everyone loves to know someone is thinking of them.  Give a handstamped card to let them know you are thinking of them or that you appreciate them!

Respond: E-mail details of who you gave the cards to and why.

 Send card to consultant services - 10 pts each

Show consultant services at the corporate office how much you care about what they do for you!  Send someone who you want to appreciate in consultant services a card.  Send them to individuals for more points or if you don't have a specific someone to send it to - send it to Sheena as an appreciation to her team!  Send to the corporate address located on the Consultant Office online.

Respond: E-mail details of who you gave the cards to and why.

 Send handstamped card to ANY consultant - 20 pts ea
There are many times that consultants will do something - share information - offer a new idea - a new organizational tool that benefit other consultants in their businesses.  Send a card to that someone to let them know that you appreciate them.

Respond: E-mail details of who you gave the cards to and why.

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps Team Challenge - Day 16

Web Wednesday


 Download customer information from Online Reports - 5 points

This is the first part of a couple of challenges involving your customer information.  Go to Online Reports and download an excel file of your customers - save as 2010 - May.  We will work with it more in upcoming challenges!  If you don't know how to do this - e-mail your upline or me for more details!

Respond: E-mail me with the number of customers who are on your list!

 Update MyCTMH June or July Calendar - 10 points

Now is the time to work on updating your MyCTMH calendar - keeping your calendar up to date and ahead will help you "train" your customers to go to your website and see your events - knowing that you will keep the information up to date.

Respond: E-mail me details of what you updated!

 Create Studio J layout using Splash Zone - 20 points

Onto the fun part of our day - go to Studio J and create a layout using the Splash Zone kit - this is an exclusive Studio J kit and is super colorful for your summer water pictures!
 
Respond: E-mail me a photo of your layout!
 
"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps Team Challenge - Day 15

 
Training Tuesday


 View Art & Soul “This One’s for the Guys” – airdate May 18, 2010 - 5 points.

Art & Soul is a great way to learn about the Close To My Heart product line from our corporate staff.  Watch this Art & Soul for inspiration for the men in your life!

Respond: E-mail me the products featured in the Art & Soul episode.

 Listen to Listening Library “Create A Bookings Bonanza!” – January 2010 - 10 points.

Every consultant no matter what level of business would love to have a booking bonanza!  Often this is the start of getting your business "flywheel" going - bookings build your business.  Listen to this Listening Library and get some new ideas for bookings!

Respond: E-mail me a new idea for you to get bookings!

 Take Training Academy course “Journey to Director” - 20 points.

Want to turn your business from a hobby business into an income producing business?  Working towards the title of Director will do just that for your business.  Take this Training Academy course and learn more about the journey.
 
Respond: E-mail me about something that inspired you in your business goals from taking this course.

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 14

Magical Monday


 Create artwork using any new stamp set in the Summer Idea book - 5 points each.

Create a card, layout or any papercrafting project  using any new stamp set in the Summer Idea book. 

Respond: E-mail artwork.

 Create artwork using My Creations A-door-ables - 10 pts each

The My Creations A-door-ables are going to add so much interaction to artwork.  You will experience a whole new level of creativity when you use them on your artwork.

Respond: E-mail artwork.

 Create a layout with any active My Reflections paper packet using a WOTG layout pattern from any of the Summer WOTG.

I LOVE to share the versatility of a pattern in the WOTG and I always create a layout using the pattern with a different My Reflections paper packet.  This is an awesome way to get your own personal scrapbooking done.  While I always scrapbook with my personal photos even with the layout in the kit, it "feels" like I am working.  When I create with other paper packets, I "feel" like I am in my play time!  The best part - your customers will come to value the brochure - they will see the potential of using the pattern beyond the kit it is featured with and will create more value to the Workshop Guide.

Respond: E-mail artwork

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 13

Studio J Saturday

 Read FAQ’s on Studio J - 10 points
Get informed by reading all the FAQ's on Studio J.

Respond: E-mail me the end date of the introductory pricing.

 Create Studio J preview party e-mail invitation and send to customers - 20 points
Today is the day to create a preview party e-mail invitation.  Be sure to include all the details - date, time, location.  Give yourself 2-4 weeks to promote the event by following up with a phone call invitation!  Send the e-mail to your customers.

Respond: E-mail me your invitation e-mail!

 Create a classic layout identical to a completed Studio J layout - 30 points
What a better way to show the difference between a classic scrapbook layout and a Studio J layout than for your customers to "see" the difference!  Create a classic layout that you have created in Studio J - layout design, photos, embellishments - the whole works!

Respond: Send me a photo of each layout!

"See" you on Monday, May 24th!  Next week - catch up week due to my e-mail snafu!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 12

Fun Friday


 Submit June Stamp of the Month artwork to team artwork swap - 5 points each

Share your artwork creations with the June Stamp of the month with your team!  Create an artwork recipe and send your artwork to me by e-mail.

Respond: E-mail artwork and recipes to me by e-mail.

 Create artwork with the new Irresistibles Pizzazz - 10 points each

If you were lucky to get these before they went on backorder you will be set for this challenge!  These are probably one of my favorite new products.  Create artwork using the Irresistibles Pizzazz and share your artwork with your team.  Don't forget to include a recipe of what you have used on your artwork.  Check out my website to see the artwork I created with Spendor and the Irresistibles!  Yummy!
Respond: E-mail artwork photo and artwork recipes.

 Create artwork using leftover Miracle cardstock and B&T - 20 points
Use the leftovers with some extra cardstock and create some other artwork using Miracle!

Respond: E-mail artwork photo and artwork recipes.

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 11

Telephone Thursday

 Connect with a customer who recently placed an order - 5 points each

Have you ever placed an order from a home based business and received a follow up call?  My guess - no!  Now let me ask how would you feel if you did?  How would you feel if the consultant called to ask how you like the products you ordered or if you had any questions about any other products?  If you are like me - I would LOVE it.  Now - put yourself in the consultant role and pick up the phone.  You will be providing awesome customer service and building relationships with your customers.  With each call, it will get easier to pick up the phone.  Just keep your eye on the customers needs and you will be a success.  While you are calling be sure to mention your upcoming events and let them know how they can be involved.
Respond: E-mail me the number of calls you made and share your results.

 Connect with a hostess and do some hostess coaching - 10 points each
Now is the time to coach your hostesses.  Hostess coaching is crucial to success of a gathering.  Coach your hostess to have 8-10 guests in attendance, collect outside orders and schedule her next gathering date with the new idea book.  Now is the time to be working on hostesses in the early fall - with the Autumn/Winter idea book.
Schedule your current hostesses with each idea book and keep your calendar full.  If you are wanting a gathering a week - you need 16 people to hostess during an idea book.  Keep those hostess rebooking each idea book and you will have a full calendar.

Respond: E-mail me the number of hostesses you coached and share the results.
 Connect with a team member and invite to the next heARTS4Him team meeting - 20 points each
Connect with a team member invite them to the next team heARTS4Him team meeting on Saturday, June 19 from 6-10 pm.  You will create a monthly tickler - perfect for keeping track of when to connect with customers and hostesses or keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries.  You will also create a fun journal - perfect for a prayer journal or jotting down ideas for your business!  This is a great time to connect with your team members and spend a few hours relaxing and creating!

Respond: E-mail me names of team members.
"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success - Day 10

Wonderful Wednesday

 Take any Training Academy Course - 5 points each
The Training Academy is a wonderful resource for consultants.  Take some time and take some courses.  Remember courses are updated and could have been updated since you last took them.  These updates are announced in the corporate updates as they occur!

Respond: E-mail me the courses you took and anything you would like to share about what you learned from each course.

 Listen to any Listening Library call - 10 points each
Have you wanted to get in on the monthly calls but have not been able to schedule them in your calendar? No fear...all the calls are recorded and are accessible in the Listening Library.  There are LOTS of amazing calls - with our consultant super stars and guest speakers who share their passion for sales, recruiting and business building.  Download these calls to your ipod or mp3 player or burn them to a CD and you can listen to them on the go and multi task!

Respond: E-mail me with the call titles and what you learned from each call.

 Find your favorite Color Me Monday combination - 20 points
Monday usually are not my favorite day - mainly because it is back to my crazy schedule - my traditional day job and the week ahead of responsibilities BUT now I look forward to one aspect of Monday - Color Me Monday with Jeanette Lynton.  Jeanette features a new Color Me Monday color combination each Monday and I LOVE to see what she comes up with each week.  Visit Jeanette's blog (click on link on the right of this post) and check out the Color Me Monday's!  Pick your favorite color combination!

Respond: E-mail me the Color Me Monday color combination date and name!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 9

Tenacious Tuesday!

 Create your June calendar - 5 points

Begin planning the next month by creating your June calendar.  Being intentional with your time will help you one step at a time to grow your business.  First list all your personal committments (appointments, school activities, children's athletic or extra curricular events) and then determine your availability for your CTMH business.

Respond: E-mail me with your CTMH dates - clubs, gatherings, workshops, open house, studio j, etc. 

 Plan a workshop or technique class for June - 10 points

After you have figured out your schedule, create a workshop or technique class to teach in June.  First step, determine the "what" you will teach.  Next step create your artwork.  After that create your marketing plan (flyer, e-mail, etc).

Respond: E-mail me with your workshop or technique and date of event.

 Schedule 1 new gathering in May or June - 20 points
Connect previous or potential hostesses and schedule 1 new gathering in the month of May or June.  While you are connecting, if the hostess is not interested in scheduling a gathering this month, be sure to ask "What month would you be interested in hosting?".  Sometimes the no is a "not right now" not a "no not ever".  If you get a no - be sure to ask "what month would you be interested in being a hostess and earning free products?".  Ask open ended questions rather than yes or no questions!

Respond: E-mail me with the gathering date!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 8

Marvelous Monday

 Create artwork using the June stamp of the month - 5 points each

Create a piece of artwork (card, layout, 3-d item, etc) using the June Stamp of the Month!

Respond: E-mail me a photo of your artwork

 Create artwork with the new Clear Cards - 10 points

Create artwork using the new product Clear Cards!  These fun cards are clear thin acetate type plastic and SUPER fun to work with - see my artwork on MyCTMH website for some inspiration using the May Stamp of the Month.  Be sure to participate in the June Stamp of the Month artwork swap to see my ideas using this fun stamp set!

Respond: E-mail me a photo of artwork

 Create layout with any Summer Workshop on the Go - 20 points
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these basic kits!  Truly these kits have made my job FSE!  While I always use the basic kit and the design of the cards or layout - I usually "Chrisize" it.  Personally, the layout usually needs one or two things - more paper and less white space and more photo room (or an alternate photo plan for unusual size photos).  I really love to "change" the layout to fit my style - I think this really shows customers that you don't have to create it "as is" but can add your own creativity.  Honestly, the first few months, I did it by the design and was feeling less than creative so I decided to add my creativity to it and I LOVE it! 

Respond: E-mail me a photo of layout

Be sure to see my website (see the links on the right hand side) to see my version of the layout and cards and my May SOTM artwork!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Challenge - Day 7

Super Saturday


 Connect & invite customers/hostesses to New Idea Book Celebration or Studio J preview party - 10 points each

Today is the day to connect and invite customers and hostesses to your New Idea Book Celebration or Studio J preview party.  Pick up the phone - let them know how excited you are about the event and you want them to be there!

 Submit order $300 or more - 20 points each order
Whether you have a gathering to submit or want to order for you - place a $300 order today! 

 Schedule 1 new gathering/workshop for May.
While you are on the phone, let your customers/hostesses know that you have open gathering dates and you would love to share the products and programs of Close To My Heart with them.  Be sure to mention the fabulous special - Miracle and that time is of the essence so the sooner the better!

"See" you tomorrow!

May Mini Steps Team Challenge - Day 6

Follow-up Friday


 Connect with 1 customer for order follow up - 5 points
Choose a customer who has made a purchase in the last 1-3 months.  Call the customer and ask how they liked the products they ordered and if they have any questions.  This is a good time to invite them to your next event.

Respond: E-mail me with how the phone call went - what did you like and not like about the call.  What would you do different?

 Connect with 1 hostess to do hostess coaching - 10 points
Call a hostess and review her hostess packet.  Be sure to encourage using EZ Invite, outside orders and having guests bring friends with them!

Respond: E-mail me with the name of your hostess and the gathering date.

 Connect with 1 team member – invite to June heARTS4Him team meeting.
The next heARTS4Him team meeting is next month.  Find the date on the team blog and call a team member or downline to attend the gathering.  Details of the meeting were in the last newsletter.

Respond: E-mail me with the name of the team member or downline name and RSVP if you and/or the downline or team member will attend!

"See" you tomorrow!

May Mini Steps Team Challenge - Day 5

Thoughtful Thursday

 Send hand stamped card to a friend or family member - 5 points.

Choose a family member or friend who has a birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion or a "just because" and send them a card.

Respond: E-mail me the name of the person you sent the card to and why you chose them.

 Send hand stamped card to a team member - 10 points.

Choose a team member and send a "thinking of you" card - this can be someone who is an inspiration to you or someone who has been laid on your heart.  Need an address? Feel free to e-mail me or if the consultant has a website - check out their website - you may find what you are looking for on their website!

Respond: E-mail me why you chose the person you did.

 Send hand stamped card to a downline - 20 points.

Send one of your team members a card to let them know you are thinking of them - maybe they had great sales last month or achieved a personal accomplishment with their business.

Respond: E-mail me the name of the downline.

"See" you tomorrow!