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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
How do I become an effective team leader
within my direct sale business?
A few weeks ago I was at a tradeshow speaking to a leader from another
direct sale “home-party plan” company. I asked her how she works with her
team. “Oh I don’t do anything,” she replied. “They just do their own thing
and I make money!” I wondered if she had any idea how successful she could
be if she put time and energy into helping her team grow within their own
businesses, which would in turn grow her business.
Being a team leader, especially in a direct sale business, means you are
growing your business and those underneath you are realizing the same
success. What business owner leaves the running of their company to the
employees without guidance and without giving them the tools to do their
jobs? To be successful in any business, you need to have a plan that works,
and it needs to be duplicatable for your team.
In a direct sale “home-party plan” environment, your team is your
foundation, and the more solid you build it, the more solid your business
will be. Invest in your foundation with your time and your support. Share
your experience and the experience of others to train your team to increase
sales, effectively coach party hostesses, work tradeshows and refine other
important skills to succeed in the industry.
Help your team members set goals and build a plan so that they can achieve
those goals. If your team members can reach their goals, your goals will be
reached too. Teach your team to do what you have done, lead by example and
be the kind of leader you would like to have. Share with your team and teach
them to share with each other to build a strong sense of community within
the business as a whole.
Are you motivating your team? How do you reward their successes? Again, when
they grow their business, they are growing yours. How do you celebrate them
for that? How do they want to be rewarded for that? Hold monthly meetings
with your team to help problem solve and to recognize them for a job well
done. Have office hours so that your team knows when they can call you for
support.
A good leader trains their team and motivates them to continue to excel. If
you want a strong business, you need a strong team. A team needs a strong
leader and by becoming that leader, everyone involved will be equally
successful and that is the most satisfying reward ever!
Karen O’Brien Williams is a Division Leader with Lia Sophia, a direct
sale, home-party jewelry company. For more about her business opportunity &
product line, call 250.554.3333 or visit
www.liasophia.ca/karenwilliams |
