An Honest Question--and an Honest Answer

I’m working on my next Question & Answer post but noticed this comment and felt like I needed to answer it separately—and quickly!

Someone wrote, “My New Year's wish: Please don't abandon those of us who are loyal hobby demonstrators.... it definitely feels that way right now with the heavy duty push to recruit.”

This demonstrator then goes on to explain that, because she doesn’t have any support from her upline or any opportunity to join a stronger upline, she doesn’t really feel comfortable recruiting anyone. She also noted that she feels like a “hanger on” and that she wonders if a lot of hobbyist demonstrators are having to leave in this economy because of the quarterly minimum requirement.

She says, “I hope that just this once someone asks, ‘What could we do to support you more effectively?’ without saying, ‘You need to perk up and work harder at building your business.’"

Several things came to mind as I read this comment. . . .

First, I’d like to say that I appreciate this demonstrator’s honesty.

Second, I have to admit that my heart broke when I read her words. Through the years we’ve said over and over again how much our “hobbyist demonstrators” mean to us—and we absolutely mean it! These demonstrators are crafting enthusiasts who value our product, and love to create. In fact, many of them live to create!

We try to do as much as we can to support these demonstrators—offering a nice variety of the highest quality products available; providing LOTS of fun, inspiring projects; creating a community (Stampin’ Connection) where they can share and be recognized by their peers; profiling artists in our magazine (Stampin’ Success) every month. . . those are the things that come to mind immediately, and I know there are more. In fact, the monthly So Shelli Creative Challenge was a direct result of trying to meet the needs of our demonstrators who live to create!

Third, as a company whose very existence depends on growth, Stampin’ Up! has always had to  focus on recruiting at some level. And in these challenging times, we’ve had to focus our efforts and resources more than ever before on a few key things that will ensure that we survive—and even thrive.

We have focused on recruiting heavily during the past year, but that increased focus doesn’t mean we value our demonstrators who enjoy creating any less than we value our demonstrators who enjoy building a business. It just means we’ve been talking about recruiting more. Our priorities haven’t changed—every single demonstrator is important to us, and we will do all we can (recognizing that our resources are limited) to support and encourage every demonstrator, at whatever level she chooses to be part of our Stampin’ Up! family.

I can understand why this added emphasis on recruiting might make a demonstrator whose main priority is stamping feel less valued. All I can say is, if you’re feeling this way, please don’t! Please know that we care about you. You are part of every conversation we have and every decision we make. We are trying to carefully balance our need to encourage growth and recruiting with our absolute commitment to reach out to EVERY demonstrator in our Stampin’ Up! family and make sure they can continue to love what they do.

Thank you, Dona, for sharing your feelings. I promise you that your role as a “hobbyist” is and always will be valued.

Comments

[Lynn Lyons]

I have been a demonstrator for 17 years and have yet to know of a company that is so caring about their demonstrators. They work so hard to keep up with current trends;to give the best benefits and perks; and help us with our efforts to be able to share what we love. The decision to be a demonstrator(all demonstrators) is your choice and whether it works out that you are able to recuit or have great sales is also your choice. I believe the "hobbyist" and "business builder" are equally benifited with the perks that SU gives us. All demonstrators are given the same benefits of their particular choice. I think we are all demonstrators and we shouldn't be defined as "hobbyist" or "buiness builders"; our title determines that.

Someone suggested that the "hobbyist" demonstrators could possibly have some perks cut so the minimum quarterly amount could be lowered. I hope that SU does not consider that suggestion cuz those perks are what keeps me going.They are a great perks.

Hopefully the economic times will be better and all of us that are having a hard time will have better coming years.

Thanks so much SU for all you and for being so GREAT.

[Jo]

Wow! I don't know if you intended this sort of dialog with your post, but here we are! :)

I am pleased to read that many of the posts are positive and appear to be intended to be helpful or provide suggestions and feedback. This one is intended to do the same, for what it is worth! And I hope the other demos that read this also take the time to answer questions on the various surveys that SU! sends out throughout the year. Communication is the key.

I think it's clear that everyone will have an opinion on the topic, and, regardless of what you do, that someone will be unhappy. And no one person's reasons for joining (or recruiting) will be the same as another's... Nor will one person's experiences be the same when it comes to support from uplines or success in personal sales and recruiting efforts... That's the beauty of direct sales and also the potential problem...

I certainly agree that information and support (and competition) is ABUNDANT from SU! and other online sources these days -- and the IDA had to change a few years ago in part because of that, I think... It's sometimes hard to be a supportive upline without duplicating the efforts of someone else or of SU! -- and perhaps more discussions regarding expectations need to be had with recruits from the beginning!

And, of course, we have to factor in the economy and changes in personal circumstances. You are certainly aware of minimum quarterly sales requirements when you sign the IDA, but that doesn't mean that circumstances will not change during your time as a demo...

I asked this question at convention once (of Rich Jutkins, even), but never got an clear, acceptable answer. Without divulging any trade secrets, why does SU! have a quarterly minimum program in the first place? To ensure that the costs of supporting a demo (mailings, web support, demo support, etc.) regardless of sales are meet for SU! as a company? To help encourage a demo to maintain consistent sales (and, if so, why does SU! need to focus on that?)? I understand that SU! (corporate) is also a business that needs to survive and thrive. Would an annual sales requirement be an option?? Or perhaps replacing a sales requirement altogether with an annual fee program (to help defray SU! demo support expenses)? The solution doesn't need to be complicated, and structures, programs, etc. are modified every year or so anyway... Just a few thoughts...

Best wishes to all of you! Enjoy your stamping and be kind to one another!

[Carmen]

I have been a demo or as some call it a hobby demo for 7 years. I have never felt that we aren't valued. Sometimes the recruitment special, booking contest, etc don't fit in with what I want to do but I can participate or not, I don't feel pressured to have to do it. Granted there are some things I would like more but that's just like my regular job ... who wouldn't want more? But SU is a business so I understand that they have to make business decisions. Fortunately SU listens to us a lot more than other businesses do, but you are not going to please everyone. Having said that I think it would be nice to have our 20% be higher. Over the years that has been chipped away at from our local taxes that are now at 10%. So here we only save shipping and tax, but it's still something as many business have closed own or quit giving certain discounts.

I can understand about the upline thing but could you imagine if everyone could just switch anytime they wanted? That could have adverse effects as well. So how do you pick a program that is fair to everyone. Maybe they could just do a case by case thing, under certain circumstances. What I need from my upline today may not be what I need tomorrow and I don't think it would be right to just hop around.

I have attend convention twice more to be with friends and catch the creativity bug then to attend some of the classes but I still feel it was worth the cost, again that was my choice of how I want or feel my business works for me. After all we are independent demonstrators there is nothing that says everything has to be a certain way. You make your experience be the way you want it to be.

[CARRIE]

I just wanted to respond to Dona's post. You have two chances at an upline... The one you wish you had and the one you can become. Take all the things you wish you had in an upline and became that for your recruits. If you do that you will be greatly appreciate and your business will only grow. After all we did sign up to be part of a business.

[dona]

Thank you, Carrie! Your thoughts struck me twice.... not only is your advice right on target, you heard what my real concern was from the beginning.. and what Shelli responded to also: I'd hate for the business to push out the relationships. I went into this for the relationships and I think that is more subtle and more challenging to really do right. Thanks for reading between the lines.

[Rachel]

I just wanted to respond to those that are saying "well, you knew what the requirment was when you signed up".

I agree, everyone is very clear when you first sign up what the requirements are and you agree to meeting those. However, what bothers me about that rigid attitude, is that it does not acknowledge that no one can predict the future and sometimes a circumstance can change or an unexpected expense can arise that suddenly makes meeting that minimum quarterly requirement a burden.
What bothers me even more than that attitude, is that it only takes not meeting that requirement once and you lose your demonstrator privelages, unless you pay that additional amount the next quarter or appeal the decision with a valid reason.
The word "hobby" is key here, sometimes the expense incurred when pursuing a hobby has to come second. One previous commenter mentioned that she finds it hard that in one quarter she can well and truly exceed her minimum requirements and then struggle the next, I have to agree in this case, and as a hobby demonstrator, I'd really appreciate the opportunity to have my sales as a whole over the year looked at rather than just every 3 months. I don't believe a solution like this would impact too greatly on Stampin Up's sales as each demo would still be maintaining their financial requirements. Other companies have rolling quarters for their demos which also give them that bit of extra room to breathe when they've had a slow couple of months. I do believe there are other alternatives that might solve this issue fairly.
Thanks very much for the post its nice to have the acknowledgment for hobbyists!

[Trisha]

After reading all of this, all I can say is I'm really grateful for my upline! (I've been a hobby demo for all of two months, but have no complaints.) I do, however, think the idea of annual totals does have merit. I tend to go berserk when the new big catalog comes out, but I slow down after Christmas. Maybe SU could change to an annual requirement and run the year from main catalog to main catalog?

Anyway, I hope others find some level of happiness as I have. I have a friendly, creative woman for an upline who shares everything she creates. I've learned a ton from her, even before she became my upline. She may not yet hold any records for sales, but I have no doubt she will and it will be her positive approach to what she does that will get her there. And I don't feel any less valued because I haven't set any sales records of my own. She, like me, knew what she was getting when I signed up.

Shelli doesn't know me from Adam, but that's okay, she has a big job, and I'm a little tiny cog. My upline is my SU lifeline and she's good and that's all I need.

[Leah]

Will the bulk buying program be updated soon? There are retired items on it and of course the nicest item on there is sold out. Leah

[Sharon]

As a hobby demo I think a yearly min. requirement is the best answer. I buy much more in some months than in others. This quarter will be very hard to meet, however I know that the last quarter will be no problem - if I make it that far!

[Gay Ferland]

I was a demonstrator for 10 years and had to let it go because I could not keep up with the monthly minimum. I only get disability income once per month. Daily I deal with anxiety and depression. For me to approach someone to recruit was a very anxiety ridden task for me. I loved how I felt as a demonstrator. I was able to do workshops but the economy stopped allot of customers to continue to hold the workshops. I always wondered why I was never ask, through an exit interview, why after 10 years I suddenly stopped being a demonstrator. I felt hobby demnonstrators didn't mean too much to the company. I felt let go; fired. I finally have a voice and decided to share my experience. I still love the company, the products, and the friendships I still have because I was a demonstrator. I really miss being a demonstrator but can't afford the starter kit to join again.

[Lisa]

I can't express in words how much I admire and respect Shelli for her answers on this issue. The few times I have seen Shelli speak in public, I can tell you she is very passionate about this company and all the people who are involved. She has gotten choked up giving good news and even more so at not so good news. No one can ever accuse Shelli or Stampin' Up of not caring.

Are there promotions, accolades and perks given to excellent Demonstrators who bust their butt building a business and are successful? YES! This is a business, people work hard for a reason. Does that mean the SU doesn't value the demo that spends the minimum to keep active? NO. I am a hobbyist as well and mostly reach my minimums on my own. Sometimes it's a stretch, but it's worth it to me.

A previous poster, Laura Fernsler, listed all the benefits of being a basic demo. However, she did forget one. It is cheaper than therapy! Being creative is a release, a place to not think about the laundry or the kids or the orthodontist bill. I would never advocate not paying the neccesities for stamping but all of us deserve a little something for ourselves. Stampin' Up is my something.

As far as the suggestion of annual instead of quarterly minimums ... I don't think it would help retain as many demos as you might think. Having a quarterly goal encourages me to take the time and think about my purchases and spending time in my 'Stampin' Up" world. If I only had to worry about it once a year, life would get in the way and I would put it off. "I will get to it next week... Oh Sell-a-Bration is good for two months. Wait it's June? Darn, I missed Sell-A-Bration, well the Catalog is coming out....etc..." Out of site is out of mind. Then you find youself stampless for a year and have to spend $1200 in a very short time. If you don't have it, you quit. In the meantime, SU has been sending emails, magazines, employing people to support you, and you just quit at the end of the year. I know that not everyone would do this and for some demos, this would be awesome. But I think alot of people would drop.

I think Stampin' Up! is the best and I am looking forward to being part of it for a long time.

Sincerely,
Lisa F

[Phyllis Parsons]

I too am a hobby demo. I have done a few workshops, but mainly I just do this for fun. I have never worked for a better company. I have never been pressured to do more or work harder, but the opportunity and resources are there if I decide to do more. I'm proud to be a Stampin' UP demo!

[Sue Bee]

I'm not an SU demo -- (a) I'm NOT a salesperson -- while I can easily "chat up" a company or product, somehow I can rarely add "and oh by the way I happen to sell that one", (b) so, as a hobbyist, I knew I could not afford the SU minimums, (c) I also needed a more liberal angel policy (thank you SU! for opening up your angel policy 'cuz I like your stamps the best) -- so I joined a different company that has a very liberal angel policy. I stayed with them for about 6 1/2 years, spending almost 4 of them debating whether to hang on for the next catalog to come out or not. Finally in July, in the course of half an hour I sent off my resignation e-mail and did an online sign up with a scrapping company instead because I love their scrapping software and want to share it with others (but I use more SU and other content with it than "theirs.").
Having said that, I find the comments here so familiar. I hear them about just about every DS company. Recruiting loses commissions. Recruiting is hard when your upline doesn't give you the support you need. Etc.
However, from all the companies I have investigated through the years (starting back in 2001) -- SU! seems to be one of the best.
I see joining a DS company as being similar to buying a McDonald's franchise -- you are buying the right to use a certain product, to sell that product, and to use the company name in ways the contract allows. You, the demo, are the company's source of income. So, the company needs to support you in every way conceivable so that YOU are successful, so they can be successful.
SU! builds its brand name through advertising and partnerships with various other businesses -- SU! is an awesome company to be part of.
For those whose uplines are not helpful, the DSWA is a source of information, but beware, some of their "experts" who provide the recordings spew out the standard stuff every so-called "expert" touts. You can find regional meetings where you can meet others in other DS businesses and learn from them too which may be more helpful than the recordings and teleconferences.
GOOD LUCK!

[Marie]

Hi Shelli, I am a hobby demo of 2 years in Australia. I absolutely love the product and find myself engrossed in all things SU for the good part of each day.

Just thought I would ask if SU! could possibly investigate the option of reducing the quartely (Australian) minimum from $500 to say $300 for us hobby demos.

This would certainly help alot of us "hobbyist" to stay in the wonderful SU! family. Times are really tough for everyone at present and this would go a long way in helping.

Thank you for listening and your kind words.

[barb]

I have found this whole subject very interesting and appreciate the person asking the question and Shelli's reply.
I joined for the sole purpose of buying product for myself and a few friends and relatives. I love stamping and all kinds of paper crafts plus do lots of digital.
I am not a "sales" person and am lucky enough to have a full time job to support this fun habit.
That being said, I feel the company has to do what they can to remain viable and for those that can sell--hooray for them.

[Lynn Turner]

Of course Stampin UP hobby demos are appreciated. If I could attract a customer to my business and know they would spend $1,200 in one year I would be very happy. I would be a happy business owner knowing that when that one $1,200 customer leaves I have a team of folks ready willing and able to recruit the next customer for me.

You are told that it makes sense to recruit your customers. Only you are the one that loses unless you recruit several customers who then recruit several customers. You lose a big percentage of their sales when your customer becomes a demo but Stampin UP not only still has that customer but more than likely that customer is buying more because of the discount. Encouraging you to recruit your customer who will then recruit another customer is one of the best business models around.

I'm not saying Stampin UP is a bad company but I don't think everyone should think they are more than they are.

One of my biggest complaints with Stampin UP is that when I work for a company and I don't like the person who hired me, with most companies I can find a new boss, (Upline), without leaving the company. If Stampin UP offered the option to transfer to a knew upline if both you and your upline signed off on it maybe Uplines would work a little harder to create a team/business building environment.

When I signed up I tried very hard to understand the business model and the team association but was a bit misled. If I had done more homework I would have interviewed more than one upline before making my decision.

[Sarah Nelson]

I started a thread on this topic at Stampin' Connection that has been the number one thread all this week because of how many people are feeling the way Dona feels. In fact, she wrote in to it! I suggest, Shelli, that you read the thread in its entirety because there are some very honest opinions there. I personally have given up all intention of doing anything except sell my minimums and teach my classes because I have come to believe that the basic business model that SU! is operating under is VERY different from what you and the company say it is. I am diappointed and disillusioned with the model; I still love the company for the products and the people I get to work with, and I'll always love to stamp. I just wish I hadn't wasted so much money trying to "get ahead".

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