Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

This week we’re Sparking an Idea On Enjoying a Business-Free Holiday!

I just got back from a week long trip to the beach. Most people on the trip with me were able to enjoy the week without thinking about work. I on the other hand had to sneak a few moments each day to check on my business. Because I was more prepared than I have been on previous vacations, I didn’t have to spend too much time working, but with even better planning and a little help, I’m hoping my next trip will be work free (assuming I don’t start to twitch with the need to check my email!) (more…)

Now is a great time, in fact its a crucial time to take control of your financial life. Jobs are not secure and employers are providing fewer benefits and pensions. Your financial security is up to you and one of the best ways to take control of it is through a home business.

But in a difficult economy, you need to be smart about the type of business you start. People are spending less, foregoing many of the luxuries they once had. While I do believe that you should choose a business that fits your talents and interests, it should be something that offers products or services that people continue to need or use even in a down economy.

Here are some areas to consider in today’s economy: (more…)

We are a society that likes free samples.  We like to try it before we buy it.  We test drive cars; we lie down on mattresses; and we accept food samples from the lady in the grocery store.

Yet many direct sellers do not embrace this concept.  I contend that free samples are the number one way to attract new customers.  Websites, catalogs, brochures and verbal promotion are all well and good (and needed). However, generally it’s not until someone can smell, taste, feel, hear or see the product offering are they really sold on it.

Most of us have read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham book at one time in our lives.  If not, here’s a sampling of the text:

You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may, I say.

Sam! If you will let me be, I will try them. You will see.
(more…)

Remember as kids we could say things like “Mind you own beeswax!” or “Don’t be a Buttinski!” While such comments may not bode well for you as an independent consultant, the advice is sound.

A dear friend once told me to spend 90% of my time minding my own business and 10% of the time keeping others out of my business.  That is some of the best entrepreneurial advice I ever received (it’s relevant to non-work related life too).

Specifically I’m referring to independent consultants of the same company – any company, it happens industry wide – spending waaaaaaaay too much time worrying about what other consultants are doing. If they spent a fraction of the time tending to their own business they wouldn’t have time to get their panties in a wad over what other consultants are up to. (more…)

One Smart Cookie: How a Housewife’s Chocolate Chip Recipe Turned into a Multimillion-Dollar Business: The Story of Mrs. Fields Cookies by Debbi Fields is a must read for anyone in business.

This book was published in 1987 and the content is still relevant today. Whether a direct sales consultant, freelancer, WAHM-wannabe or any other entrepreneur this book will inspire you. It’s an easy read sprinkled with humor. Debbi was a stay at home wife and mom who took her passion to build a thriving business doing what she loved.

Mrs. Fields Cookies is a true success stories.  The book talks about her guiding principles and some the struggles she encountered starting her business. She rejected conventional advice with regard to marketing and promotion. Debbi and her husband focused first on making a spectacular cookie, then coupled it with sales staff training and customer service to become a multi-million dollar franchise.

If you’re thinking of starting a business or just needing some inspiration to get you through the slower summer months, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book.

Moms know as well as anyone that stuff happens. So it should be no surprise that it happens while working at home. Your well planned out day is turned on its head by a sick child or a rush project. The computer crashes or the car breaks down. Your website goes down just as an important ad campaign starts to run. While you can’t know when stuff will happen, you can help offset the damage by being prepared. Here’s some tips:

1. Prepare for and anticipate things that can go wrong. Your computer can crash, so arrange to regularly back it up to an external drive or an online source.
2. Have an emergency go-to person for your children if you need to run out at the last minute to an appointment or get a rush order.
3. If your boss or client needs to have you come in asap, make sure your papers and equipment are easy to transport to the site. Use a briefcase or tote and keep your projects in files so you can easily collect them and go.
4. Keep your home appliance and work equipment in top shape to avoid breakdown. Have a toolbox or a list of trusted technicians handy for when things do break down.
5. Help the family be prepared. Have pre-made meals and activities for the family for those days and nights that you have to work.

Sparkplugging is continuing our new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

This week we’re Sparking an Idea About Email

While I fully embrace the concept of working smarter, not harder - I do not support being lazy in business. Specifically I am referring to sending emails. It sure is easy to hit the Forward key and pass on some exciting, valuable, funny and insightful information, isn’t it?

It bugs the crap out of me when I see emails that contain other people’s email address. It’s a breach of their privacy and opens them up to unwanted SPAM. It bothers me when I receive emails of this nature but I hate to even think about the emails that are sent to others that also contain my email address.

Consider this if you send out a team email to your down line. Just because everyone may be a consultant for the same team and the same company does not mean that you should be sending out their contact information for all to see. Instead use the BCC: (Blind Carbon Copy) feature to select names of the recipients, this will ensure their addresses are hidden and protected.

If to you, it’s no big deal if you see email addresses of others or if your own email address is sent to others, at least be considerate and realize that it does bother others. Respect their privacy.

There, I feel so much better now that I have that email pet peeve off my chest!

Working at home offers moms the ability to set their own schedules and not be hampered by office politics. But being at  home can also be very lonely and isolating. There is no water cooler gossip and other social opportunities that come from working outside the home. Plus there is little to no feed back or support. This can make moms feel like they’re living and working a bubble. To offset that, WAHM’s need to create connections with others. Here’s some tips to ward off work-at-home isolation:

1. Stay connected with the main office. If you telecommute, drop in sometime or find ways to connect with the boss and colleagues via email, collaborative project management sites, or social networking.
2. Join local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce or find a group through Meetup.com.
3. Use online social networking such as Twitter and Facebook to connect with like minded moms.
4. Join a mastermind group to help you flesh out ideas, get feedback and receive support. I like MomMasterminds!
5. Get out of the house. Take some time to get away from the home office. Living and working under one roof can make for some really tedious moments. Even if you have to work, you can find a local cafe or go to the library for a change of pace.

Laurie … HEEL!

As a self employed direct seller, there are many times when I am working on a task, headed toward a particular objective, but then I get so sidetracked that what should take me 20-30 minutes to complete can take me more than an hour.

This reminds me of my nightly walks with my puppy.  For the first half of the jaunt she wants to stop and sniff everything; she wants to turn around and go the other way; she wants to check out the pinecone in the street; she wants to cross the street; she wants to do everything except stay focused and walk in the direction we are going.

According to SeeFido.com, teaching and training your dog to “Heel” is essential for all dog trainers as it is part of teaching your dog to be disciplined. To teach the dog this, the dog must be on a leash next to the dog trainers left leg. The trainer will then start to walk with the dog at the command of “Heel” and the dog must walk right next to the dog trainers left leg without running ahead, or stopping at any moment. The way to teach the dog to stay next to the dog trainer is to pull at the leash with short quick pulls.

I wonder if there is a way to set up my computer to detect when I’m stopping at a mailbox to sniff, then I will get a short quick pull on my leash, accompanied by the command:  Laurie … HEEL!  Maybe that would keep me on track!

Think how productive I could be! Hmm - wonder what other tricks I could learn.

If you’re looking to join a direct sales company it’s a good idea to interview more than one sponsor before deciding with whom to sign.  There are many factors to consider.  I’ve heard some interesting comments with regard to signing with a seasoned consultant.

While I fully agree that you need to mesh with whomever you agree to have as a sponsor, I’m still somewhat baffled why someone would choose to go with a new consultant versus a veteran one.

I’ve heard the argument “how can new people ever build a team if people don’t sign with them because they’re new?”  I get that if your warm market wants to come along on your new journey with you, that you can all learn the business together from your upline.  Your warm market (friends, family, acquaintances) will support you and won’t expect you to know the answers.  (more…)