AVON Cornwall: Choosing the right team

Most of us join Avon blindly, without fully understanding how the support system works. I am one of those. I absolutely love Avon but in hindsight I would have done things differently. What many people don't realise is there is two ways in which you can join Avon; either directly linked to Avon through a Area Sales Manger (ASM) or as part of a team through a Sales Leader.

I was going to go on to state the pro's and con's for each, when it dawned there isn't really a pro for joining via a Area Sales Manager. As lovely as my ASM is, actually she is one of my closest friends, she is a very busy lady with over 300 Representatives to look after. I'm fortunate in that my ASM will work the occasional evening and weekend but many stick to the 9-5, which can make it difficult for someone in a full time job to get the level support they may need.

Joining Avon via a Sales Leader is, in my opinion, the better option.....but every Sales Leader is different! They are not paid employees of Avon and work on commission only, with some great bonuses. The level of support you receive will vary from person to person, and team to team. It is crucial to your success with Avon to join the right team for help and encouragement. We're not called Sales Leaders for nothing, many will leave out telling you information in case it puts you off! Here are the most common ones you don't get told:

Avon is free to try - but there is a small £15 joining fee that is split into two lots of £7.50.
You get free books for your first two campaigns - but after that you have to pay for them, they become cheaper the more you buy, ranging from 60-10p.
If all your orders come to less then £78 you won't receive any commission or earnings - but for most £78 is easily achievable.
You can choose to join in three different ways; as a Networking Representative giving books to friends & family, as a Territory Representative with an area allocated to you , or as a Personal Shopper Rep to just buy for yourself.
You have a credit limit. If you get more orders then your limit you will need to pay the difference to get the whole order released.
You can cancel your account at any time, but cannot switch teams. Once you go passed the 14 day calling off period you are fixed to the person you joined through and you would have to leave Avon for 8 Campaigns to be able to join though someone else.
You are suppose to declare yourself self-employed for Tax and National Insurance purposes.

How to choice the right Sales Leader & team?

Here is the questions you should ask:

How long have they been with Avon? - obviously if they have been with Avon a while they will have a good understanding of the company, how it works and its products.
How long have they been a Sales Leader, being new does not necessarily mean they are a bad Sales Leader, everyone has to start somewhere, its a case of taking everything into account
How big is there team - if they have a big team then they are doing something right
What is their upline (person above them) like - if your sales Leader leaves you will roll up to this persons team, are they supportive.
What are there sales as a Rep like, are they Presidents Club - good sales means they'll have lots of helpful tips and advice for you on how to get good sales
How often could you expect to hear from your sales Leader - do they provide meetings to develop your business, additional training, newsletters, send you emails or phone you
Do they reward hard work - after all you are earning them money, the odd gift is a nice thank you
Do you click with this person, do you feel you can approach them for help if you need to
Remember you are not being interviewed, you are choosing them not the other way round. Do not feel bad if you decide you do not want to join with the person who has come to see you

Make sure you join the right team for you to support you in starting and developing your business