Off Site and On Target!

Recently, our executive team holed up in a room in Park City for four full days. Four days! No, we weren’t taking cover from the storm of the century—rather, we were digging deep on our core business strategies and formulating new plans for 2011 to spur our continued growth at Close To My Heart. And while the ski slopes were beautiful and the air frosty outside, I found what we were doing inside to be much more exhilarating—I can’t wait for the new year!

Recruiting is a key focus for the company (always, but even more so for 2011), and we discussed specific events, campaigns, and programs to make Close To My Heart an even more compelling opportunity for Consultants—both for new Consultants and those Consultants working to grow their teams. Consultants may already have noticed that our Hawaii 2012 incentive trip offers many more points for team building than ever before, and that’s no coincidence. Additionally, Consultants saw us change our Straight to the Top quick start program this fall, making it easier for new Consultants to earn great product rewards right when they sign up. These are just two of many plans you’ll see that will increasingly reward Consultants for their efforts.

We also know how crucial sales are to continued stability in the business. As such, we examined everything! I’m thrilled about our planned product releases for the Idea Book to be revealed at Convention (I know that seems a long time away, but in our world, we’re always planning products about one year ahead! What can I say about what’s coming this July? Convention: Be there.) I think everyone is going to love the paper designs, accessories, and new stamps and WOW—you’re going to flip over the design of the Idea Book, which incorporates YOUR feedback. What does that mean? More artwork, larger photography, larger print, more how-to’s...  I could go on and on!

We analyzed sales trends, looked at events opportunities and schedules, and planned Constant Campaigns and even a couple of big surprise incentive programs and events—we’ll be making some announcements at the Team Builders Conference in January, so stay tuned for those! All in all, it was a refreshing and invigorating experience, all four days of it! We had our Macs all around, comfy slippers, piles of handouts, sticky notes on the windows, and of course, a huge selection of tasty munchies to keep our brains fueled through the entire experience. And munch we did. Let’s just say that Monica makes the best pico in the state and Kristine ate more of it than anyone in the state. We all had some pretty severe garlic breath, but hey, we’re all friends!

And speaking of friends: huge thanks to my executive team—not only was their hard work evident, but their love of this company as well. It brings me satisfaction to know that I’m surrounded by smart, talented people helping lead this company. But it brings me great joy to know that they LOVE Close To My Heart as I do and that they care so deeply about the success of every employee, Consultant, and customer. It’s a delight to work with each of them... garlic breath and all!