[Tia Maria]

I'm reasonably confident socially and I'm about to embark on a new venture work wise - somewhere in between Tupperware and Ann Summers parties:D

And as I wait to see how it will go and whether many people will come, I wondered how may others had 'put themselves out there', socially or work wise and how it went?

Was your effort rewarded or have you found it an uphill struggle?

Cheers

Tia

[zardell]

Go for it I say.

I was asked if I would like to be a party planner for Manchester (linen to you and me) parties, so I went along to a couple with the area manager.

I have to say that it really was not my cup of tea, however it did introduce me to a few of the locals - really nice ladies that turned into my friends.

Somewhere in between Tupperware and Ann Summers.......Mmmmm - sorry, but I have this mental image of a plastic cornflake container being propelled around the kitchen by batteries !!.............:laugh

Yes - I must get out more.........:D

Julie.

xx

[Sam B]

I find it really hard to meet large groups of people at once, even though I'm not particularly shy, but I just prefer meeting people one at a time. That's why I chickened out of BBQ invitation when we had just first arrived, the thought of spending an evening with a whole group of total strangers - yuk. I'm getting better though.

At work, the hardest thing has been forming relationships with the staff in the punangas and kohangas - (pacific island daycare and Maori language immersion daycare), but it is part of my job to form good relationships with all the daycare facilities in my area (Tokoroa). Over half of the daycare facilities are either Pacific Island or Maori. It really takes me out of my comfort zone, I'm really scared of doing something wrong, forgetting to take my shoes off, sitting on a table etc.

I decided to face my fears and wrote to each centre offering to come in and meet them, and also to offer training to them. Many have taken up the training, and I have been so nervous beforehand, should I do a Karakia (prayer) before I start? Should I do a Mihi (introduction) and will I forget how to say it? I've done 3 lots of training so far and it's all been great, everyone's been so friendly, I've really enjoyed it. I've chickened out of the mihi every time though, my pronunciation isn't up to it yet, but everyone is pretty understanding. Nothing is as scary as you think it's going to be if you're worrying about it, is it?

[KerryS]

My first role here put me into a situation not too dissimilar to yours Sam. I was working in schools and had to go in and get research data from teachers and students, which meant following protocols I'd never come across before. Taking my shoes off to go into a classroom in the middle of winter freaked me out. (Especially as I could never remember whether my socks had holes!)
Getting to grips with culture and work was one thing - meeting people socially was another.

I am incredibly shy and get really nervous when meeting people for the first time. I can never think of anything interesting to say - and have a limited range of "small talk" which I churn out. Once I know someone though there is no shutting me up! Some of my friends now are shocked when they see me meeting new people - it's as though I have two completely different personas.
But, when I arrived here I knew no-one. I had to really force myself to join in social events, (otherwise I'd have been a hermit) and I joined sports clubs too through the University and I got into playing touch, something I'd never done before and I loved it. I met quite a few people through there.

However, I have to admit, most of my friends are people I've gelled with or met accidentally. I met my best friend when she started to flat with someone I worked with and gave a lift to once. She invited me in and I met her flatmate and we got on so well that she moved out and we lived together for 2 years. Another friend I met at 2am when we were both rather drunk and had a fabulous conversation together. Obviously I'm not so shy with some alcohol to fuel my tongue!

[Sam B]

I'm with you there Kerry - I hate small talk. When I'm in a situation where I have to make small talk, I feel like I'm in an episode of the Office or something, looking at the situation and wanting to laugh at the weirdness of it the whole time. Hate that.

[Ana&Steve]

And as I wait to see how it will go and whether many people will come, I wondered how may others had 'put themselves out there', socially or work wise and how it went?
Was your effort rewarded or have you found it an uphill struggle?
Tia
I am by nature VERY shy, but when I know I have to perform, I put on my confident mask and let it do all the talking. I can't really explain it well, it's just that I have this image of how I wish I could act or be in a situation, and then put on that version of me like a suit.
I have a crazy knack for ending up in the public eye somehow; I've been interviewed by the TV news at least 8 times for different crazy reasons, and so far I haven't come out too bad on it. Also, we do Viking re-enactment stuff for Ren Faires and Historical Clubs, and that requires talking to a lot of people, and I used to be a rider for Friesian Horse exhibitions.
It has been a bit of a struggle catching on to my trick, but as far as being rewarded goes, not looking like an idiot on the 5 o'clock news goes a long way:D So all in all, if a shy and awkward type can do it, a confident and socially adept type like yourself will own the room! Good luck and have fun with your venture:nice1
Ana

[gil]

Dear Tia,
Having "put myself out there" in different contexts, I would really encourage you to have a go. I have done network marketing things, I have hosted The Body Shop and Intimo parties and have always had a really good, positive (and often lucrative) experiences.

The thing to focus on is how you are offering something positive and helpful/useful/desirable to people. If they choose not to take the offer, that's cool and they are still cool. Note that M&S don't chastise or bad mouth people who choose not to buy from them :D

It is hard work (don't believe any of those "money for nothing" merchants!) and often great fun, and can be quite lucrative.

Go for it girl and invite me soon! PM if you're coy about revealing the name (or, indeed, if forum rules mean you can't.)

Gil
xx

[John Z]

In my former career I was a pharmaceutical-representative. While sitting one day in the waiting-room of a GP I noticed a sign on the wall. It was saying something like this:

"People suffer more from the pain they might have than the pain they actually would have/get. Therefore they suffer more than God gives them to suffer"

John Z.

[nickydwuk]

Many years ago I became a party planner for Ann Summers in the UK. I used to be shy and wary when meeting people for the first time. However the products I was selling were meant to be fun and the ladies at these parties went for a laugh. If they ended up buying something even better. It took a while to build up a customer base but through friends and advertising in the local paper I built up a good clientel. I was out nearly everynight 'working' and eventually had girls working for me in my own unit. It didn't feel like work. What I am trying to say is 'go for it'. People invite you into their house because they are interested in what you have to sell and if you make it a fun night they will ask you back and so will their friends. Just remember it takes time and 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. :D

[Bruckner]

Unfortunately, I'm better on paper.

Emily

[CjChris]

I'm with you there Kerry - I hate small talk. When I'm in a situation where I have to make small talk, I feel like I'm in an episode of the Office or something, looking at the situation and wanting to laugh at the weirdness of it the whole time. Hate that.

OMG--Soul sister, I have found you!! :laugh

[Tia Maria]

Zardell wrote:

Somewhere in between Tupperware and Ann Summers.......Mmmmm - sorry, but I have this mental image of a plastic cornflake container being propelled around the kitchen by batteries !!.............:laugh

:laugh :laugh I think you could be on to a winner there - the question is, is New zealand ready for such an invention!

Thanks for all your replies, I think you're all right, you've just got to give it a go. I'm very lucky in that, all though the product is relatively new to NZ it is well established in the UK so everyone I've spoken to is already very positive about it. (I won't mention the name as the company is particular about how it markets itself)

And like you say nickydwuk, its something that takes time to build up and to a certain extent that is why it suits me as I have 3 young ones at home.

Really its quite exciting, plus there will be wine, so its a win-win situation :D

I'll let you know how it goes next week!

Cheers

Tia

[CjChris]

Unfortunately, I'm better on paper.

Emily

Well, I love to write, just love it, and I am a far more eloquent writer than speaker.

If you want a writing friend sometime, send me a PM and we'll exchange information. :cheers

[StevieD]

Not the Buzz Club so cleverly advertised on the radio at breakfast time?? "For all you DIY'ers out there" :laugh

[Tia Maria]

Stevie D wrote:

Not the Buzz Club so cleverly advertised on the radio at breakfast time??

Sorry - I haven't heard that one, not something to do with Ann Summers then?! :p

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

Well everything went really well and I had a really good time!

I will definitely continue as, if nothing else, it has allowed me to get to know so many more people who I was previously only on 'hello' terms with.

Thanks to all those who sent me good luck messages and thanks to those who came! :D

Cheers

Tia

[lockstock]

I think I can relate to all that. I am still technically involved with a world wide company whose products are based on aloe vera. I went thorugh all the initial happy clappy/we're amazing/you can't live without us start-up but I just didn't feel comfortable trying to persuade strangers to but the stuff knowing what the mark-up is and where all the profits go. I think you have to be a pretty calculating, determined person to plough ahead in that game. I know there is big money to be made - I've seen it - but it means targetting every friend, acquaintance, passer-by, as a potential customer. Threw the towel in when my 'line manager' told me I should have taken the opportunity to get more business at my friends' mother's funeral!

I couldn't live like that. But if there are any Ann Summers parties in the area when we get there (wherever that may be) - give us a call!:laugh

[Tia Maria]

lockstock wrote:

Threw the towel in when my 'line manager' told me I should have taken the opportunity to get more business at my friends' mother's funeral!

:( that's awful.

From what you've written I think I'm probably quite lucky. I don't have to reach any sales targets for the company and I can do as much or as little as I like, as I'm effectively self employed.

Its quite an everyday thing I'm selling so there is no sales pitch or pressure, you just give people a catalogue and if they like it they buy and if they don't they don't!

So far all I've had are positive responses. :)

Cheers

Tia

[jubjub]

Well everything went really well and I had a really good time!

I will definitely continue as, if nothing else, it has allowed me to get to know so many more people who I was previously only on 'hello' terms with.

Thanks to all those who sent me good luck messages and thanks to those who came! :D

Cheers

Tia

I'm really glad it went well for you. :cheers

[nickydwuk]

Glad things went well Tia Maria - keep plugging away and before you know it you will have built an empire :p