One of my favorite quotes is "The only thing constant is change." Another is "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
I've been watching some Avon Representatives in the Facebook groups losing their minds over a couple of small changes the company has recently announced in order to save money and streamline operations - specifically, the elimination of paper "What's New" catalogs that are sent to reps only, and the requirement that all customers in your online address book be tied to a unique email address.
Sure, these are small inconveniences. But if you're not going to move forward with your company, guess what? You are going to be left behind. Stop complaining, and figure out how you're going to deal with it.
Take a look at the Avon Lady in the picture. Do you wear a suit, gloves, and a hat to call on your customers? If nothing ever changed, that's what you would be doing.
Look at the products behind her. How many of these are still around? I'll bet Skin So Soft is the only one. Things change! Products are discontinued every day, by every company in the world, and new, better products are introduced.
In 1970, around the time of the above picture, I was turning 15 years old and starting high school. Here's what life was like:
- Our telephone hung on the kitchen wall and had a 20 foot cord so I could take it inside the hall closet to talk to my boyfriend.
- We got three channels on our television with a rooftop antenna.
- Girls were still not allowed to wear pants to school.
- Everyone smoked, in restaurants, on airplanes, and even in hospital rooms.
- There were no smart phones, no computers. You did your research in the library. With BOOKS.
- Teachers regularly spanked children with wooden paddles.
- Babies rode in car seats like this:
What if nothing ever changed??? Is 1970 where you want to be right now? Think about it.
One rep lamented, "What about the reps who don't have computers?" I have to ask, how are they placing their orders? If they don't have a computer, they must be using a smartphone or tablet because our business is conducted online. What business isn't these days? It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for an Avon rep to do business without internet access.
As far as adding email addresses for your customers, if you have elderly customers, as many of us do, who do not have computers, simply go to gmail or yahoo and create an email address for them. It only takes a minute. Most of your customers in the database should already have email addresses in there. Go through your list, sort by email address so the ones without will appear at the top of the list. Some of them may not even be customers anymore, so you can just delete them. The ones you want to keep, create an address for them and add it. Is it really worth going on Facebook and complaining? What are the other people in a Facebook group going to do about it? If you really feel a need to complain, go straight to the company and complain. Being negative on social media doesn't do you any favors.
And if small things like this are going to make or break you, maybe you just aren't cut out to be a business owner and you should just stick to working for someone else so they can make money. If you're a true entrepreneur, you will find a way to make it work. "Nevertheless, she persevered."
Another one of my favorite quotes: "You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails."
Not an Avon Representative yet? Go to www.joyoflipstick.com and click on Become a Representative!
