Vector Marketing

by Rhancha Connell, National Sales Promotion Manager, Canada

On February 21^st, we celebrated Family Day in Canada, a holiday meant to give families a day to spend together and appreciate all that they have in their lives. Today, families come in all different shapes and sizes. Some families are biological – and some are not. I am lucky enough to have two families – my personal family (husband and two children) and my Vector Marketing family.

When I found Vector in my 3^rd year of university I didn’t realize what an incredible impact it would have on my life! That first summer I met great people and watched them produce incredible results. I knew that Vector was a special place to work and grow, and they quickly became my Vector family.

As I write this, I am coming up on my 21^st anniversary in this business!!! People can’t believe it when I tell them that I LOVE what I do and after more than 20 years, I still feel challenged in my work. They just don’t get it! Every day, I look forward to working with the most dynamic, passionate, and caring people in the world. Most of my best friends are in Vector. Why wouldn’t they be? They are my family.

This year, in Vector Canada, we have seen some amazing things happen. One of our district managers donated her kidney to her cousin. What an incredible selfless act! We saw reps and managers join together to raise money for one of our top CSP’s husband who is suffering from a life threatening illness and made his wish come true to go to Las Vegas and sit in the FRONT ROW of Jersey Boys! Sales reps joined together to raise money for Esther, a 5 year old who is suffering from cancer, and made her wish to go to Disney come true. My Vector family is amazing and inspires me to grow and be the best version of myself! We are there for each other in the good times and bad.

I am so blessed to have my immediate family and my Vector family. My children love the company, the people and the atmosphere. My daughter loves getting to come to work with me sometimes and my son recently said to me, “Every Vector person I meet is so nice and makes me feel so good!” He can’t wait until he’s 18 so he can sell CUTCO!

Our offices are full of talented and compassionate people who want to see their reps succeed. They are there to help you grow as a person and a business professional. We have a saying in Vector, “You are in business for yourself, but not by yourself.” The Vector family is a very special group of people and on Family Day I was reminded just how lucky I am to have them.

Our thoughts are focused on our desire for ourselves rather than on taking care of others. We finally give ourselves permission to look inward. One such question we ponder is, “what is my purpose?” To answer that question, you can look to cues from within. What energizes you? What drains you? The clues to your purpose exist in the things that energize you. It’s those things that come to you naturally and feel effortless. Look to those energizing areas in your life for your purpose. Your purpose is unique to you. It’s the gift that you have to offer to the world, wrapped in your own beautiful package with your signature on it. You can bring this energy to a variety of activities by looking for the purpose within. Just choose an activity and practice asking yourself the question, “What is my purpose here?” You will find that a specific purpose will lead you to a general one. For example, before calling a customer, you may ask, “What is my purpose?” Initially, you may think it is to get an appointment, but besides getting an appointment, what else do you want in your experience? Perhaps you want the customer to feel your enthusiasm about Cutco. Perhaps you want to get to know the customer so that you can understand her needs prior to showing her the product. These specific desires lead you to a general purpose. In this case, your general purpose may be to bring joy to people. Do you get energized by sitting in front of people and sharing your joy? If your purpose is to bring joy to people, start with yourself first and ask how you can bring joy to your own world. In being more joyful in your own life, you will naturally bring more joy to others. That may be your life’s purpose. My experience with Vector allowed me to explore my life’s purpose. Vector provided me with the opportunity to start my leadership coaching career. I found that if I ask my clients the right questions, they uncover their unique purpose within themselves. It’s a very empowering way to live. I believe that within each person exists greatness and my purpose is to allow each person to discover and uncover that greatness. I absolutely love living on purpose.

Oh boy, it’s that time of year when everyone talks about New Year’s resolutions. Ugh. There’s of course the dreaded “I’m going to lose 10 pounds” (which by the way, I’ve been promising myself to do for more than 2 years since my daughter was born). Or the additionally popular “I’m going to gossip less”, which lasts for about 5 days until some big “scandal” erupts on Facebook and you realize that old high school (or college, or post-college, depending on your age) friend ran off with someone 2x his/her age and is now traveling with the circus. But seriously – this year, I would like to resolve to do something that actually has more significance than losing weight and talking less about others. I want to stop wishing I had “this” or “that.” Because the truth is – I’ve got it pretty darn well – I have a wonderful husband, a delightful child (when she isn’t screaming because she doesn’t want to put on her coat in the freezing cold), a good job with a great company and as much job security as anyone can expect these days. And, most importantly – my husband, daughter and I are healthy. The phrase “If you have your health, you have everything” is no joke. It’s true. (Hmm, maybe that “lose 10 pounds” resolution isn’t quite so frivolous after all). In 2011, we should all strive to not overlook all that we DO have and spend a little less time looking at others. Wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy 2011.

Motivation is a very useful short-term tool. But, we also need long-term success tools. Two of these are habits and willingness. Motivation gets us started; habits keep us going. Motivation offers a good kick-start, but the habits in our lives will keep us going. If we develop the right habits, we will live the lives of our dreams. We simply need to take the daily steps towards our goals. We cannot procrastinate and hope for our dreams to come true. We must act. We must develop our own long-term habits. We cannot wait for opportunities to knock on our door. We must go out and create the life we want. We create the lives of our dreams by developing the correct habits today. When we have the right habits in place and the willingness to act, difficult situations that arise aren’t as ominous. The willingness to act and the correct habits are a powerful combination, and often end up with success. Too often people get discouraged and quit. Too often we think barriers are bigger than they seem. Too often we forget that all we need is willingness and the right habits. Develop a willingness to overcome any obstacle in your life. Develop habits that will help you achieve the life you have always wanted. I hope you develop a willingness to succeed and bring the right habits along with. The right habits are different from person to person, but you must find out what they are for you. If we have the right habits, all we have to do is endure. If we have the willingness to do what it takes, endurance is not a problem. Develop a willingness to overcome any difficulty that presents itself. It is powerful when a person combines the willingness to do what is necessary with the habits that create success. The habits create the action. The willingness creates long-term internal inspiration to overcome obstacles. Develop both willingness and habits in your life and watch your dreams blossom and bloom.

by Megan Raposa, Vector Marketing sales representative Successful businesswoman Martha Stewart once said, “I think it’s very important that whatever you’re trying to make or sell or teach has to be basically good. A bad product and you know what? You won’t be here in ten years.” My experiences with Vector and the Cutco product are easily summed up in these words. Sales is not an easy field to adapt to, but by selling a product that I know is good, I can sell it with assurance and ease. My family has owned Cutco for more than 10 years now and being that there are seven of us, it’s not hard to imagine how often we use our Cutco knives, shears, and ice cream scoop. I know firsthand how lasting the product is and how the company stands behind its promises. So, when I make a sale, I can confidently look my customers in the eye and say, “Congratulations, you’re going to love your Cutco! So, obviously I love the product. But, the experience has been just as good. This past summer with Vector taught me the importance of staying organized and being professional. Setting my own schedule, it would have been easy to become lazy and slack off. However, each morning that I got motivated, and got working, I found a personal satisfaction that cannot be found in a regular hourly job. There is something so refreshing in earning a paycheck based on my work ethic and skills in salesmanship. I’ve been a babysitter, a gift shop cashier, and a barista, but none of these jobs have succeeded in making me a better, more mature person in the same way as Vector. The best part about working with Vector is that, even though each person works at their own pace, we are all working together as a team. If I had a rough day of sales (and they did happen), I could look to my manager and fellow sales reps for comfort and support. And when I had great days with big sales, there was still that same support and healthy competition without jealousy or bitterness. I learned so many important lessons in my summer with Vector, but there is one lesson that I will take with me in whatever career I pursue: There is no limit to what I can accomplish if I pursue my goals with confidence.

It’s not surprising when you think about it, that during times of recession and economic stress, an increasing number of people consider an entrepreneurial venture. If you’ve been laid off, for example, one positive response is to take your skills and abilities and start a business of your own doing something you’re passionate about. But what if you don’t have start up funds? What if you’re not sure what to pursue? What if you don’t know anything about running a business? And what if you are still unemployed and you need a source of income? An immediate alternative for you might be direct sales. Why not sell for a while and sock away some start-up funds for that new venture while learning the basics of running your own business with the support of an established company with great products and great training? As I write this I’m at 30,000 feet, flying from Florida back home to the Delaware Valley. I went down there to attend a portion of NACCE’s annual conference and to meet with their key leadership. What is NACCE? It’s the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurs. In plain English, it’s an association for community college professors who teach entrepreneurship and are engaged in economic development across the United States. These programs are growing in popularity and are one important key to creating new jobs and improving the economy. And that’s what I was doing in Florida. The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) has partnered with NACCE to develop a certificate in direct selling that can be offered at community colleges across the country for people who are just getting started in direct sales, or those who are considering it. I’m so proud that Vector Marketing supports this type of philanthropic engagement. By lending my professional expertise, along with financial support, to this exciting new endeavor, we are laying the groundwork for an accessible educational experience that will help people grow and become economically secure. We know that the people who enroll in the program may choose to work with another direct selling company, but that’s okay. They’ll learn important skills, develop an understanding of the direct selling industry, and they may eventually start their own businesses that will fuel the economy. And that helps all of us.

By Jessi Patterson Toledo, OH – Vector Marketing sales representative Punch in at 5pm. Work harder than most. Punch out at midnight. Get the same paycheck as co-workers who contributed far less in the workplace. Don’t you just hate that? That was my reality before Vector Marketing. Now, I have the opportunity to choose my hours and control the size of my paycheck because with Vector, the harder I work, the more money I can make! Plus, advancing with this company isn’t about seniority, it’s about success. If I’m successful, I’ll advance, regardless of how long (or how briefly) I’ve been working with the company. Seems too good to be true, right? What 18-year-old has this type of professional freedom? I didn’t believe it right away either until my friends finally convinced me to go in for an interview this past July. Now, I enjoy being able to set my own appointment times. It makes it easy to work around other family and social commitments. Calling off of work and finding people to cover my shifts at my other jobs was a big hassle, but with Vector, I call the shots about my own schedule. The big selling point for me was the fact that my effort would actually make a difference in my income. It didn’t matter how well I dried cars or how fast I could make a pizza, my paychecks were always the same. But selling Cutco, the harder I work, the more I earn. I’m financially independent as a college freshman. My friends envy me and ask how it’s possible; my simple reply is Vector Marketing. I’ve also gained a lot on a personal level. I’ve learned how to work well with customers and truly care about getting them the best products for their homes. I enjoy connecting with my customers and holding conversations with them. Thanks to Vector, I’m confident that I could walk up to complete strangers and start a conversation! (No doubt, a vital skill as I start my first year of college!) I have also learned that the harder I work, the more advancement opportunities Vector offers. It’s unlike anything else out there. I’m already on my way toward advancement with the company. I enjoy standing out from the crowd and going above and beyond expectations and Vector recognizes me for doing so. The experience I’ve gained and the personal growth I’ve experience as a result of my work with Vector can’t be replicated. (Oh yeah, and it’s fun too!)

Over the last several months I’ve done a lot of travelling, some for pleasure but most for business. This is pretty typical in my role – but the frequency, number and length of the trips was extraordinary, even for me. Now that I’m home, sleeping in my own bed, eating home cooked meals and back to my routine, friends and family are asking “How did you do it?” To me that’s the wrong question. We all do what we have to do and we manage. We all deal with stressful and challenging situations. The vital thing to me is to figure out how to do more than just manage. So, I’m continually looking for ways to keep going strong, even while I’m dealing with the pressures of travel and life in general. Most people who don’t travel much assume that the big challenge of travel is logistics, because that’s what’s obvious. But, logistics like navigating airport security, getting from point A to point B, making connections, and finding yourself at your destination with all of your belongings is just the beginning. To me the bigger challenge of continuous travel is mental and physical. For example, how do you stay “cool” when confronted with a front desk clerk who tells you they don’t have your reservation? Or, how do you stay warm in that hotel when you can’t find the temperature control? What about the fact your stomach is still on Eastern Time and saying it’s time for dinner and you still have several hours of meetings left? If I’m not careful these pressures on my emotional and physical system can overwhelm me and interfere with my efforts. So, I’ve come up with several beliefs and routines that keep me going, no matter where I am:

1. Once I’ve left the driveway of my home, I assume that everything will work out. That means if I miss my plane, there will be another. If I’ve forgotten something, I can do without or replace it. Much of what happens during travel is out of my hands, so I just let go.
2. I am nice and offer a smile to everyone I encounter. I thank the TSA guy. I ask the ticket agent how her day is going. These people deal with irate, cranky, frustrated people all day long, and mine may be the only kind word they hear all day. When faced with someone who is unkind or unhelpful, I respond with extreme kindness and understanding. I remember that it can’t possibly be personal, because these people don’t even know me. I make it my goal to put a smile on the face of everyone I interact with. The results are nothing short of miraculous.
3. I drink plenty of water. This helps me adjust to new environments and avoid dehydration which can make me more susceptible to germs.
4. I maintain my routine. If it’s an exercise day for me at home, I make every effort to get some exercise on the road. I go to sleep and wake up at my usual time. I eat what I would normally eat, within reason. The longer the trip is, and the more consecutive trips I have, the more important this is. When I deviate from the routine, I always regret it.

What do you do to stay sane and healthy in the face of stress, whether from travel, or just everyday life? Share your tips with the rest of us!

by Stephanie Weiser So our finished basement (AKA the family room) flooded a few weeks ago in the monsoon-like rain that we’ve had here lately on the east coast. A lake formed where my daughter usually plays with her toys. Thankfully, we had insurance to cover a wonderful event such as this. So while we’re still out enough money to have taken a really nice, week-long family vacation. it could have been a LOT worse without the coverage. As I’m watching in utter horror as the workers are ripping holes in my walls and pulling up the flooring, one worker said almost in passing “Ya know, If you had ceramic tile down here, you could have just wiped up the water and been done in 20 minutes. I’m sorry. WHAT?!! Now, the basement was already “finished” when we bought the house, so we didn’t pick the flooring, but more and more I’m noticing that the previous homeowners did things just to get it done; if you know what I mean. So basically, this worker was saying that the really low grade, cheap floor that was down there may have saved money up front but in the long run (now, our problem!) it’s going to cost considerably more money (not to mention stress) than if we had just redone the floor to begin with! And that got me thinking about Cutco. Can you find cutlery that’s less expensive? Yes. But in the long run, with our Forever Guarantee not only will the customers save money because they’ll never have to buy new knives again; and they’ll save the stress and annoyance that comes from trying to prepare a meal with sub-par knives again. The bottom line is that the cheapest is NOT always the best. And in most cases, the karma of saving a few bucks up front is bound to come back around to bite you or flood you (in my case)!