So we arrived in Toronto just fine. I made a new buddy on the train and he grabbed me some truffles from first class. Unfortunately, I left them on the train.
Yesterday was the official first day of the conference and it started early. By 7:30 we were downstairs for the first leg of the Wine and Dine Incentive that was awarded to new Unit Leaders and their Sponsors (I'm the sponsor).We wen't down to the St. Lawrence Market where we were able to sample fare from the different vendors. It was the first time every that I've had spanikopita and perogies for breakfast but they were yummy!
We got back to the hotel and were surprised with goody bags which included Lemon Grass Tea, Pinot Noir Wine from the ES vineyard, Satay and Thai seasonings and some Kaffir Lime Leaves.
We then had our opening session where they announced a new product! And yes I can share it with you when we get home. There are over 400 attendees this year and everyone got one (retail $49.95).
I was asked a few months ago by one of our corporate trainers to do a 2-3 minute testimonial. It's been a long time since I've stood in front of a ton of people to speak. I don't I've ever had to speak in front of a group that large. I knew I was shaking up there but thanks to the video camera projecting my speech on 3 large screens, everyone saw me shaking too. I'm ok with that though....it just goes to show that even at the level I've attained through hard work and perserverance within ES - I still get nervous. Having said that though, I'm really glad it's over. On our way out of the last portion, once again there was Head Office staff with even more goodies for us: Red Pepper Jelly, Salsa, CCB, Poppyseed Dressing, Summerberry, Pesto and an Epicure Apron. LOVE the free stuff.
Once all of that was done, we went on part two of the Wine and Dine Incentive where we were treated to a fabulous Thai dinner. They closed down the restaurant for us, broke us up into groups whereby we all got a cooking demonstration using our spice blends. Now I know what to do with the Thai Seasoning ;).
It was a long 15 hour day for some of us so I beelined for my room, called home then called it a night. The skill building sessions start today - time to learn yet more.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Fun and games?
So it's a big whopping 9:30pm and my Nfld house guest has hit the hay after only 2 hours sleep last night...I guess she deserves it. Another local leader came over and we chatted for an hour or so tonight. We chatted about who we're going to see, who we want to have a "chat" with, what we're packing....it all sounds very girly right? Maybe not.
This is the National Conference of a company that has grown in number about 3 to 4 times what it was a mere 3.5 years ago. This is firstly a business event where knowledge is key and networking is crucial. All of the fun and games are absolutely secondary (and cherished). Friendships and mentorships are born from this conference. Fortunately, a pay it forward attitude permeates the atmosphere.
I have specifically planned a very relaxing morning with my house guest. If I could have brought in a RMT, I would have - that's how relaxed it's going to be. We have a train to catch at lunch and business begins at 6:30 with my first dinner.
I look forward to catching up, picking people's brains and re enforcing bonds while establishing new ones.
This is the National Conference of a company that has grown in number about 3 to 4 times what it was a mere 3.5 years ago. This is firstly a business event where knowledge is key and networking is crucial. All of the fun and games are absolutely secondary (and cherished). Friendships and mentorships are born from this conference. Fortunately, a pay it forward attitude permeates the atmosphere.
I have specifically planned a very relaxing morning with my house guest. If I could have brought in a RMT, I would have - that's how relaxed it's going to be. We have a train to catch at lunch and business begins at 6:30 with my first dinner.
I look forward to catching up, picking people's brains and re enforcing bonds while establishing new ones.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Banter
Part of my favourite time in the lead up to our annual conferences is the jovial banter amongst consultants that seems to start slowly at first, usually about 8 weeks before the event. It progressively gets more frequent in the weeks leading up and crescendos in the days before we all gather at Conference.
Subjects usually include ribbing about what happened the year before, silly moments that transpire in our conversations during our downtime and mommy brain goofs that make us all laugh. Now, of course, most of these are inside jokes and only funny to those in the vicinity at the time but these are the moments that make the lead up to conference and the craziness that that entails all the more fun.
The banter is now facilitated through Facebook with friendly jabs about booking flights, invitations to annual "events" in a specified hotel room, reminders about missing consonants in words and the fact that "Cheryl knows" are all fair game this year for me both on the giving end and on the receiving end.
These humourous events are a result of a conference that nutures new friendships with extraordinary women from all over the country that I wouldn't have had a chance to meet otherwise. We come from all walks of life each with our own story. We work with a company that brings us together to celebrate our accomplishments, support our trials and empower us to find our own definition of success so we can live life on our own terms and not by punching a clock.
These are lifelong friendships that I have made and I welcome the opportunity to build those friendships stronger as well as make new friendships so that next year I have more people to tease. Bring on the banter....
Subjects usually include ribbing about what happened the year before, silly moments that transpire in our conversations during our downtime and mommy brain goofs that make us all laugh. Now, of course, most of these are inside jokes and only funny to those in the vicinity at the time but these are the moments that make the lead up to conference and the craziness that that entails all the more fun.
The banter is now facilitated through Facebook with friendly jabs about booking flights, invitations to annual "events" in a specified hotel room, reminders about missing consonants in words and the fact that "Cheryl knows" are all fair game this year for me both on the giving end and on the receiving end.
These humourous events are a result of a conference that nutures new friendships with extraordinary women from all over the country that I wouldn't have had a chance to meet otherwise. We come from all walks of life each with our own story. We work with a company that brings us together to celebrate our accomplishments, support our trials and empower us to find our own definition of success so we can live life on our own terms and not by punching a clock.
These are lifelong friendships that I have made and I welcome the opportunity to build those friendships stronger as well as make new friendships so that next year I have more people to tease. Bring on the banter....
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday morning
It's Saturday morning and I have just finished the all important "list of lists". I have a what-to-pack list, a grocery list, a work related tasks list, a list of calls that must be made before I leave and a list of the kids activities which includes places, dates and times. If I don't have these lists, I'm bound to forget something. Funny thing is that I'm generally not a list person. I do make the occasional list but all in all, I fly by the seat of my pants.
So let's backtrack abit....I walked into my Tasting Party on Thursday night and if it's one thing I've learned over the last 3 1/2 years is not to prejudge a situation. By first impressions, it was going to be a horrible show. By that I mean that the hostess was just coming through the door as I was, the house was in disarray and she had no idea how many people were coming. In fact, I had to stop into her friend's house just down the street before I went to her house to drop off a back ordered product and her friend knew nothing about the Tasting Party - so I invited her...nervy huh? I do take some of the blame for that first impression as I know I did not coach that hostess as effectively as I could have. Having said that however, sales were above average and I got 2 more bookings from 5 guests because her guests were so impressed with our products. The hostess was absolutely ecstatic that she will be receiving $157 in free stuff. I could have let my first impressions dictate the tone of that Tasting Party and the results wouldn't have been great but by treating her and her guests the same as a Hostess that is completely organized and on the ball, we had a great time and a fantastic outcome. So now that's one less thing on my mind.
Today is the end of the month and as we are on a monthly sales cycle I would imagine that most leaders, me included, will be following the stats as they are updated over the course of the day. Both my unit and success line have already exceeded the goals set out by Head Office for February so that's really great news!
I was speaking with a Unit Leader last night from our success line and she was a first time attendee to last year's conference. I remember last year at the very first General Assembly...we were about 2 mins it to the Opening and I looked over to see her eyes bugging out of her head. I told her that it's something like watching your kids come downstairs on Christmas Day all wide eyed and excited. As she has unit members coming for the first time this year and she mentioned that she would be watching them to see the same excitement. Our company does a FANTASTIC job at creating a very festive atmosphere.
On a personal note...I'm absolutely thrilled that I have a friend flying in on Tuesday to come and spend the night with me before we travel to Toronto together by train. I met her 3 years ago at conference, we hit it off immediately and have been conference roommates ever since. She's a fantastically funny and warm woman with a great sense of self. She also happens to be the only Unit Leader "on the Rock". Because she's coming I want to have everything done by Monday night so I can pick her up at the airport and do whatever it is that a first timer to Ottawa wants to do. Her only request was a bottle of wine be available.....ummmmmm, I can do that!
So let's backtrack abit....I walked into my Tasting Party on Thursday night and if it's one thing I've learned over the last 3 1/2 years is not to prejudge a situation. By first impressions, it was going to be a horrible show. By that I mean that the hostess was just coming through the door as I was, the house was in disarray and she had no idea how many people were coming. In fact, I had to stop into her friend's house just down the street before I went to her house to drop off a back ordered product and her friend knew nothing about the Tasting Party - so I invited her...nervy huh? I do take some of the blame for that first impression as I know I did not coach that hostess as effectively as I could have. Having said that however, sales were above average and I got 2 more bookings from 5 guests because her guests were so impressed with our products. The hostess was absolutely ecstatic that she will be receiving $157 in free stuff. I could have let my first impressions dictate the tone of that Tasting Party and the results wouldn't have been great but by treating her and her guests the same as a Hostess that is completely organized and on the ball, we had a great time and a fantastic outcome. So now that's one less thing on my mind.
Today is the end of the month and as we are on a monthly sales cycle I would imagine that most leaders, me included, will be following the stats as they are updated over the course of the day. Both my unit and success line have already exceeded the goals set out by Head Office for February so that's really great news!
I was speaking with a Unit Leader last night from our success line and she was a first time attendee to last year's conference. I remember last year at the very first General Assembly...we were about 2 mins it to the Opening and I looked over to see her eyes bugging out of her head. I told her that it's something like watching your kids come downstairs on Christmas Day all wide eyed and excited. As she has unit members coming for the first time this year and she mentioned that she would be watching them to see the same excitement. Our company does a FANTASTIC job at creating a very festive atmosphere.
On a personal note...I'm absolutely thrilled that I have a friend flying in on Tuesday to come and spend the night with me before we travel to Toronto together by train. I met her 3 years ago at conference, we hit it off immediately and have been conference roommates ever since. She's a fantastically funny and warm woman with a great sense of self. She also happens to be the only Unit Leader "on the Rock". Because she's coming I want to have everything done by Monday night so I can pick her up at the airport and do whatever it is that a first timer to Ottawa wants to do. Her only request was a bottle of wine be available.....ummmmmm, I can do that!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
6 days and counting....
Our National Conference starts in exactly 1 week from today. As a WAHM of 3 and a leader within my direct selling organization, I have a ton to do before I leave on Wednesday for Toronto.
On the home front, my house is busy all the time. Add to this the lead up to get the family ready for my absence and I'm running like a turkey. It's odd to me that my husband goes away for days at a time but does nothing but pack his bags and hop on a plane. I wish it were that easy for me. Although I love to come home to my family, I don't relish the thought of an empty fridge and the piles of laundry that will be waiting for me when I return after 5 days of networking, learning, socializing and reconnecting with friends that I have made at Conference over the last 3 years. This year I vow to be smarter about it. There will be a lasagna and a casserole strategically hidden at the bottom of the freezer so that when I get back the mad dash to go to the grocery store, because the family has eaten everything in sight, will not be necessary. As far as the laundry goes....well, I honestly would prefer if my hubby steered clear because laundry is not his forte (if you know what I mean).
Business-wise, I have a party tonight..the order will go into tomorrow..and will subsequently arrive on my front door while I'm away. This can't be helped as it is the end of the month and we have a fantastic customer promo on right now otherwise I would have entered the show Monday so that I'm home when it comes in. Between now and when I leave I also have some prepping to do as there will be 10 from my success line attending conference this year and I couldn't be more thrilled. Last year, we had 4 and the year prior 2. So it seems to me that attendance from my success line is doubling every year...can I get 20 there next year? That would be awesome.
I've started this blog so I can describe the conference experience as it's happening for my team. I'm so looking forward to conference as I do every year.
On the home front, my house is busy all the time. Add to this the lead up to get the family ready for my absence and I'm running like a turkey. It's odd to me that my husband goes away for days at a time but does nothing but pack his bags and hop on a plane. I wish it were that easy for me. Although I love to come home to my family, I don't relish the thought of an empty fridge and the piles of laundry that will be waiting for me when I return after 5 days of networking, learning, socializing and reconnecting with friends that I have made at Conference over the last 3 years. This year I vow to be smarter about it. There will be a lasagna and a casserole strategically hidden at the bottom of the freezer so that when I get back the mad dash to go to the grocery store, because the family has eaten everything in sight, will not be necessary. As far as the laundry goes....well, I honestly would prefer if my hubby steered clear because laundry is not his forte (if you know what I mean).
Business-wise, I have a party tonight..the order will go into tomorrow..and will subsequently arrive on my front door while I'm away. This can't be helped as it is the end of the month and we have a fantastic customer promo on right now otherwise I would have entered the show Monday so that I'm home when it comes in. Between now and when I leave I also have some prepping to do as there will be 10 from my success line attending conference this year and I couldn't be more thrilled. Last year, we had 4 and the year prior 2. So it seems to me that attendance from my success line is doubling every year...can I get 20 there next year? That would be awesome.
I've started this blog so I can describe the conference experience as it's happening for my team. I'm so looking forward to conference as I do every year.
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