Monday, April 11, 2011

Happy Easter

La Bella Baskets line of Easter items is out now!

Easter Bunny Hop
 
Springtime is here, and it has brought whimsical & delicious Easter items! Show your some "bunny" special just how much you care with a darling Easter surprise from La Bella Baskets! Stop by my online gift store for the entire
La Bella Baskets Easter line!
 
Jennifer McClain
804-238-5425 eastern time mon-fri 1-8 p.m.
Easter Shipping Cutoff Dates

Selections for Easter  are now available for shipping and our cut off time for orders is April 15, 2011. 
Flower orders must be placed by Wednesday April 20 before 11:30 am EST in order to arrive Friday April 22. 
Gift baskets or Flower orders placed after those dates are NOT guaranteed delivery before the holiday
 

Administrative Professional's Week

Administrative Professional's Week
April 24 - April 30

  
Easter 1921
  
Flowers Classy Bouquet
  
Flowers 1917
  
Flowers Rose Garden
  
Flowers 2100
  
Flowers Symphony Bouquet
  
Administrative Professionals Week is a time to recognize support staff for their accomplishments and contributions to corporate success. But, how do you choose the right way to show your appreciation?

Research from Texas A&M University reveals one gift of appreciation in particular that will naturally lift an employee's mood, create a lasting memory and boost productivity.
The research demonstrates that flowers and plants actually enhance people's ability to generate ideas and solve problems.

"Our study shows that adding flowers and plants
 to a work environment can be very meaningful to businesses in the modern economy," said Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., lead Texas A&M researcher. "People's productivity, innovation and creative problem solving, improved - which in certain circumstances could mean the difference between mild and great business success."

Rebecca Cole, author of Flower Power and host of Discovery Channel's Surprise by Design, offers an additional perspective. "Giving flowers is a loud, proud, sophisticated way of saying 'I appreciate all you do.' They're a great way to build a strong, lasting professional relationship," said Cole. 
Secretary Brunette Headset
Busy Bosses Agree
A simple "Thank You" can go a long way to motivate employees and build loyalty. Administrative Professionals Week offers an ideal opportunity to show appreciation - and formally reinforce the value of an employee's contributions. Use this simple guide to put the benefits of proper office etiquette to work during Administrative Professional's Week.

Include everyone on your team.
Take time to thank all of your support staff -- from secretaries and assistants to junior managers.

Make it personal.
Whether you're buying a gift or making lunch reservations, think about the individual. For example, if you're ordering flowers, ask your florist to create an arrangement that fits the recipient's personality. Is that person traditional? Outdoorsy? Dramatic?

Be specific.
Tell the members of your support staff exactly what they did that you appreciate.

Do it year round.
Build your team's confidence and cohesion by remembering them after Secretaries Day, too. Whether it's an occasional gift, birthday flowers, a group luncheon, or simply a hearty thanks for a job well done, little things mean a lot. You'll increase morale and reinforce positive behavior when you simply recognize your people a little more often.  

 
To see our entire selection of Administrative Professional's Week Items,
please visit my online store!
  
La Bella Baskets

Beautiful Gifts for a Beautiful Cause!
 

Mother's Day

 
Mom Is The Best 
Mother's Day is just around the corner, so stop by my La Bella Baskets online gift store to browse our entire selection of beautiful gifts for mom!
  
From gorgeous fresh flowers and whimsical cookie bouquets to traditional gift baskets and aromatic candle gift sets, we have got you covered!
  
So what are you waiting for? Visit my store today!
  
Jennifer McClain id#2684
804-238-5425 eastern time
Beautiful Gifts for a Beautiful Cause!

Friday, April 8, 2011

April Newsletter

La Bella Baskets April Newsletter
From the Co-Founders 
What a wonderful month it is has been at La Bella Baskets, and we anticipate an even busier time coming up with Administrative Professional's Week, Easter, and Mother's Day just around the corner! We are so proud of everyone's participation when it comes to team calls and the online forum and we are also happy with everyone's dedication to marketing and advertising.
  
Continue to get out there and grow your business. There are a lot of great holidays coming up where people are going to need some beautiful gifts, so make sure you are fresh in their minds as the source for their gifting needs. Utilize the marketing materials in the training site such as flyers, brochures, business cards and templates or use your imagination to create your own! Your future is in your hands!  
  
Much Success To You,
Janis and Mia
Templates 
Happy Computer Woman 
Click the link below to check out the newest templates! And check back frequently for new categories.
  


  
  

April Contest
mother's day mom


The 'Forever Mom Necklace' is a beautiful gift for yourself or that special Mom. This circle pendant features clear Swarovski Austrian crystals on an 18 inch snake chain that can be adjusted to 20 inches. 

Simply sell 5 or more items from your gift store
OR enroll 5 or more consultants between
April 1 and April 30.


Winners will be announced after contest ends, and this beautiful necklace will be automatically shipped to you!
Beautiful Gifts,
Beautiful Cause.
Calendar
Upcoming Holidays
  
April
10-Golfer's Day
10-Nat'l Sibling Day
14-Int'l Moment of Laughter Day
16-Stress Awareness Day
16-Husband Appreciation Day
16-Nat'l Librarian Day
21-School Librarian Day
22-Jelly Bean Day
22-Earth Day
22-Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day
22-Good Friday
23-Nat'l Picnic Day
24-Easter
27-Administrative Professional Day
29-Arbor Day
  
  
  
May
1-World Laughter Day
2-Brothers and Sisters Day
3-Nat'l Teacher's Day
5-Cinco de Mayo
5-Nat'l Day of Prayer
6-Child Care Provider Day
8-Nat'l Student Nurses Day
8-Mother's Day
  11-Nat'l School Nurse Day
11-Receptionist Day
12-Int'l Nurse's Day
13-Tulip Day
15-Stepmother's Day
25-Nerd Pride Day
30-Memorial Day
Team Spirit Award Winner 
Jennifer McClain 
  
Congratulations to the newest Team Spirit Award Winner, Jennifer McClain!
  
Jennifer is one of our top consultants. She is always active on calls. Her presence is made aware on the forum, and her dedication and enthusiasm is very well known by her team members. So congratulations are in order for Jennifer McClain! Thank you for all you do! Feel free to send Jennifer a deserving "Congrats"! lovely-gifts4u@live.com
Easter Shipping Guidelines 
Easter Bunny Hop 

The spring season is upon us and we want to make sure that each of you are prepared for a fantastic Easter holiday season, Sunday April 24, 2011.

Selections for Easter  are now available for shipping and our cut off time for orders is April 15, 2011.

For flowers, orders must be placed by Wednesday April 20 before 11:30 am EST to arrive Friday April 22.

Gift baskets or Flower orders placed after those dates are NOT guaranteed delivery before the holiday!

Please get your emails out, start posting on your Facebooks and all other social networks.Get creative on your Blogs and create good articles. Get the word out!
Radio Advertising 
ON The Air 
  
Jennifer McClain recently debuted a radio ad and has been wonderful enough to share her story and the ad with us so that we may share it with you...
  
Hello LBB Consultants and Friends,
I thought I would share what I'm doing in my town. :)
  
Everytime I listen to the radio, I hear all these commercials. As I was cleaning my house and listening to music, a lightbulb went on in my head... Brilliant Idea!!! Why don't I advertise my La Bella Baskets business on the radio?
 
People listen to the radio all the time everyday in their car or at work and so I emailed my radio station and asked about the cost of advertising. The lady emailed me back and said she was willing to work with my budget, so we talked over the phone and came up with a great budget plan every month for my ad. Then, I told her about the gift baskets and the business over the phone and she put together a script with as much information she could. Now, it's recorded and going to be aired starting Monday, April 4th. So, I sent in my payment along with brochures, business cards and magnets!
 
So now, I'm live on WRAR Radio in my town of Tappahannock, all over the Northern Neck of Virginia. I have attached my recording, so turn your speakers up! Hope I have inspired someone to do this too!
 
Wanted to share!! So excited about this!! Wish me luck!!
Have a Beautiful Day!!
*hugs*
Jennifer McClain
 

Follow us on Facebook!Facebook Avatar 
  
This is the official La Bella Baskets Facebook page! Make sure to follow for updates and information regarding everything La Bella Baskets!
  
  

Monday, April 4, 2011

The Corporate Market



No longer a corporate luxury, gift baskets have established themselves as an integral part of the world of business.  They are a key component to opening the doors between companies and clients.  Gift baskets are part of the multibillion-dollar corporate gift market.

Why Corporations Need Gift Baskets
The corporate world buys gift baskets for every reason imaginable  Some of the more common uses include opening the door of new business opportunities; maintaining goodwill at any time during a company’s life; apologizing for mix-ups, blunders, and other errors; congratulating a client or prospects; expressing appreciation; sending condolences; and saying thanks during the holidays.
The U.S. Department of Commerce classifies a corporation’s size by the number of people employed in a firm:

 Small  - 99 or less employees
Mid-size  - 100 to 499 employees
Large-500 plus employees

Other businesses are also prime candidates to buy gift baskets.  They  include independent professionals (doctors, dentists, interior decorators/designers, veterinarians, consultants), nonprofit organizations (youth agencies, community groups, charities, blood banks), and institutions (hospitals, schools, nursing homes).  These professionals and groups depend on the generosity of donations, volunteers,  benefactors, and referrals, and they thank their sponsors by using baskets and elaborate gifts at benefits and black-tie events.
Who Makes the Decision To Buy?
Typically, people in managerial positions and those who assist them lead the list of gift basket buyers.  Some of the more common positions are human resources personnel, sales and marketing executive, CEO’s and vice-presidents, office managers, purchasing managers, and executive assistants by any name (administrative assistants, secretaries, clerks).  Every potential corporate client needs your card in his or her Rolodex or rotary file or a notepad, magnetic sticker, or other desk accessory displaying your name as the only logical source for corporate baskets.  

Where And How to Find Corporate Clients
Clients are found in the most common places – they’re where you live, work, play and shop.  They’re who you read about and admire.  Sometimes they’re a victim of circumstances, the front-page news story or back-page advertiser.  Here are some worthwhile places to start your search.

Your Town Newspaper
 Business section – for general businesses in all industries
Real estate section – realtor’s name
Living section – interior decorators, remodelers
People Page – promotions, new hires, good news
Classified – ads containing human resources names
Automobile  Section – car dealers, automotive services, car repairers and restorers
Adopt-A-Pet section – veterinarians, animal  shelters
Health Section – physicians, hospital staff names
Travel Section – agency names, cruise organizations, travel clubs

Not taking time to read the paper is like losing a sale every day.  The Sunday paper takes about thirty minutes to review, the dailies, less time.  Keep paper, pen, and scissors handy to write down names and clip articles of interest.  Then you can create a tailored message to introduce yourself and how your gift business will benefit a company’s image and future sales.

City, State, and Regional  Magazines
Featured articles
Advertisements – spas, restaurants, theaters

Networking Events
Chamber of commerce gathering
Charity balls and auctions
Business over breakfast, group luncheons, and after-hours dinners
Museum exhibits
Annual  conferences

Special Events
Private company group meetings
Nonprofit organization charity functions
Holiday parties

Company Meeting, Gathering, and Special Needs
Weekly staff meetings
Lunch-and-learn sessions in company cafeterias
Corporate apartments for out-of-town executives and visitors

Town and Regional Lifestyles
Boating events
Convention town  - hotels, destination management companies
Ski resorts
Casinos and other gaming  establishments

Contacting  Clients
Once you have identified prospects, you’re ready to take the first step:  contacting the client.  The best contact method is the one that you’re more comfortable with.
1. Call them Directly
Making a cold call is frightening  task that is easily calmed when you find something in common to discuss.  If a company has recently been under public scrutiny, has experienced good fortune, or is attempting to heal wounds, your baskets pose the perfect solution as you discuss with the client how to keep a good momentum going or what helps to smooth over bad times.
If the thought of making cold call still leaves you as breathless as a roller-coaster ride, use these strategies to warm up the call:
Ask clients for referrals. Name recognition is the glue that bonds you to prospects, making them more comfortable to take your call.  A prospect reasons that if Bill Jones recommended you, you’re worth talking to.
Ask direct questions gets to the heart of a prospect’s need:  “How many events does your company sponsor that require baskets?  When should I call to prepare your end-of-year gift basket order?  What promotional gifts do you currently use as incentives?”  These questions open the door to understanding how best to approach prospects when you place your follow-up calls.  Within days of the event, mail your information.  In a few more days, call to review the prospect’s need for basket based on your conversation, make an appointment, and ask what other departments or associates need your service.  Your focused plan of action quickly turns a cold call into a hot sale.

2.Fax by the Rules
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Title 47 of the Code of  Federal Regulations, “No person may use a telephone facsimile machine, computer , or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement to a telephone facsimile machine.” This rule makes the fax machine an option only after you’ve established a relationship with the prospect or have made the cold call and received an OK to send a fax.

Your fax message must get right to the point. A letter sent by fax tells the prospect why he or she should be interested in your baskets.  Make the next action easy for the prospect – the bottom of the letter should include a portion to be filled out by him or her, giving you information on what the prospect’s pending or future basket needs are.  From there the prospect can fax the information back to you, and the process of serving a new client can begin.
3.Create Mail That’s Opened, Not Trashed.  
Postal mail is more often thrown away before it’s opened, and what’ snot  trashed is often scanned while we’re doing something more important.
Colored envelopes, mailing tubes, and the use of first-class stamps beckon prospects to open the mail with undivided attention.  Once they open it, the inside must contain a message as intriguing as the wrapping. Tell prospects why your gift basket business are the key to their professional success.  Back your message with one or two pictures, a color flyer or brochure. As with the fax, make the prospect’s next action easy.  Invite him or her to an upcoming open house or offer a complimentary appointment.  Focus your message on getting the prospect to do business with you.

4. Email the Executive.
Email is said to be one of the most effective way sot get a prospect’s direct and immediate attention. As with faxing, you must receive permission from the e-mail addressee before sending a message.  Unsolicited e-mail also known as spam, is rude and labels you an intruder rather than a professional. When you obtain permission to use an executive’s e-mail address, there’s still a slight chance that his or her secretary will review the message, but there’s a better chance that the executive will read it personally and respond.

An e-mail message is written in the same concise manner as a letter or fax.  Here’s an example, which give the recipient several response options:  

Dear Mr. Mayberry,
Congratulations on your recent promotion, which I read about in the Daily Record. I’m sure that you have many people to thank, and I have the perfect solution.

At La Bella Baskets, we have beautiful affordable  baskets for busy executives like you who seek quality and impeccable service.  Your time is important.   Here is my website that will list thank you gift baskets.  If you like what you see, you can plan an order online and then continue your day’s work.    For visiting my site, I will be emailing you a free gift as a token of our appreciation.  

Again, congratulations on your promotion.

Sincerely,


Getting  Past the Gatekeeper
The gatekeeper is most formidable opponent, standing between you and the prospect.  Armed with the ability to separate friends from solicitors, the gatekeeper take the job seriously and knows that he or she will have to answer for calls that shouldn’t have gone through.  Yet the gatekeeper knows as the assistant – is not the enemy but your ally, the person who makes the decision to let you talk to the boss.

While the thought of speaking with the gatekeeper may scare you, preparing a telephone script will guide you through most of the gatekeeper’s questions.  A script arms you with techniques to convince the gatekeeper that you are the boss’s best weapon for conducting better business. The following example shows you how to set up your script.  Even though not all scenes will play out exactly in your experience, this will give you an idea of what to say.

Scene 1:  It’s your first call.  Although you’ve had no prior contact with the prospect, your experience with his industry tells you that your baskets will open doors to new business for him.  The gatekeeper answers.  Introduce yourself and ask for her name if not already mentioned when answering the phone.  “Hello Jill, this is Sally Moore,”  Get right to the point.  “A number of area construction companies have increased their businesses by giving our gift baskets to clients.  If Mr. Smith is not using gift basket now, we’d like to show him how business will grow using  them.  Can I send him some information thru email.  For your assistance you and your boss will be emailed a small gift from us as a token of our appreciation.   I would be happy to send it to you right now.  What  is your email address:_________________________________

Scene 2  When there is no gatekeeper.  The executive himself answers the phone.  No time to freeze and utter unintelligent words.  You start by saying.  “Mr. Smith?  Good morning .  A number of area companies have increased their businesses by giving our gift baskets to clients..  We have a large selection of gift baskets that are up to 30% off.    If I can get your email address,  I’ll send you the information now and as a token of our appreciation, I will also be emailing you a free gift. (note: our free gift is a free prescription card and pet card)     I would be happy to send it to you right now.  What  is your email address:_________________________________

Scene 3 The gatekeeper you’ve reached is Mr. Smith’s voice mail.  You have to options:
1.Leave a message with such impact that he must call you back.  “Mr. Smith, we’re celebrating our grand opening and want to send you a list of our gift baskets that are up to 30% off.  We are calling to verify your email address or mailing address.   We’re eager for you to see our beautiful baskets and save money.  Your goal is to drive people to your site every day.   The more people that visit your site, the more clients you will receive.

What To Do After the  Sale
Saying Thank you today entails more than simply uttering a phrase. Let your actions show appreciation.

 Start with a  telephone call directly to the client.  This is, again, a good time to ask if
           the person can recommend colleagues and clients who need baskets or to mention
           that you spoke with someone he or she recommended.

If this was a substantial  order, show your appreciation by mailing them a gift
          certificate.  Remember everyone loves to receive gifts and other tokens of
          appreciation.

Mail monthly postcards, flyers about your baskets.

Send the client yearly birthday cards.

Use contest to get the client’s office staff involved and make them part of your external sales team.  For example, a newsletter can invite secretaries to mail you the boss’s business card, entering them in a Professional Secretaries’ week drawing for a special basket.

Asking for Referral Business
The more people you meet and businesses that become clients, the more referral business you can find.  Asking for referral business is a common sales generator, and every business owner asks colleagues and clients for leads.  Referral business can be acquired in many ways.
 During a sit-down dinner with new or existing associates
At a cocktail hour, as you go from group to group for conversations and to greet
           others
At the end of a client meeting
At leisure events where you meet new people (but only after you’ve spoken to the
           other person on topics of interest to him or her)
Whenever you attend a personal or professional function.