CM Life

Saturday From Mainstage - At a Glance

 Ev’y day we’re scrapbookin’! And with the momentum we picked up today, we’re all ready to shuffle out of Showcase on our way to reach farther than ever.

Aspiring Elite Leadership Training Program

Chief Administrative Officer Joy Lindsay gave an update on this dynamic new training program. “Aspiring Leaders have declared their intent. They’re on their way!” says Joy. The Leaders in this new program pick up training on things like the success system, having a leadership mindset and creating value to create income. If you’re ready to take that next step and ring that bell, ask your Elite Leader about the Aspiring Elite Leadership program.

What are they saying?

Consultant Leaders spoke up on their experiences with some of our most current training programs.

SDR Lorrie Curley on the Elite Leader Support System

“One size does not fit all when it comes to the kind of support that Creative Memories Leaders need to work with their teams of Consultants.” So the Creative Memories Elite Leader Support System works with Leaders to set practical, tailored goals.

UL Kathy Riggs on the Be at Your Best Career Plan Enhancements

“Now the promotion and the paycheck come with your personal and team results, not your team size. That means four IS now enough – and, effective Aug. 1, I’m a Unit Leader!”

 

SUL Helen Watt on the Aspiring Elite Leadership Training Program

“The program is making a huge difference for me. What is it? Simply a group of like-minded leaders networking together during a bi-monthly training call led by our amazing Director of Learning and Development, Genevieve Skory. Our discussions have helped me apply a laser focus to working with my team members who are interested in working a proven plan.”

 

She likes a challenge

Director of Consultant Systems Gina Cornelius spoke about how excited she is by her new position and the challenges it presents. And, oh, has she got some challenges. The online systems and tools that we provide for you and your customers are going to be going through some changes – and Gina is on point and watching out for you. Improvements are on the way in…

• How Consultants interact with the Home Office
• How customers interact with the Home Office
• How Leaders interact with their teams
• Developing a single site to order all products
• Developing new tools for managing your business

 

Countdown to Croptoberfest

It’s the scrappiest time of the year, and Division Sales Leader Ann Pieschke stopped by mainstage to talk about new strategies and new products for making this year better than ever. Watch for exclusive Chalking Inks to help you entice your guests into becoming table hosts. And there’s an adorable limited-edition Twinkle Chain Border Maker Cartridge (and bundle) you can make available for pre-ordering to get your event sales started. Be sure to watch CMC Network for info about all this Croptoberfest stuff, plus Make ’N’ Takes!

 

Big potential in Rewards Club

President of Creative Memories Canada John Zurn and Division Sales Leader Debi Fehrman had some crazy-impressive stats about the first-year success of your Creative Memories Rewards Club and about the untapped potential that’s right in front of us. You might already know that club membership stands right now at near 40,000. But did you know that 36 percent of those members say they’ve increased their purchases from you since becoming members – but only 16 percent of them say they’ve hosted a party in the last year? Or how about this one – did you know that 11 percent of those members answered that they either definitely would be or might be interested in a Creative Memories career? That’s over 4,000 very-qualified potential Consultants waiting to be asked.

 

2013 Incentive Trip destination

This morning wrapped up with one of Showcase’s most anticipated announcements: Where will the best and brightest of the Creative Memories Consultant field be shining next year on our annual incentive trip? There was big excitement when we made the announcement that each of you has the opportunity to soak up both the culture and the sunshine when you earn your way to … Oahu! 

Now, get Super Partying! We'll see you in Denver in July 2013!!

Friday From Mainstage – At a Glance

Great Scott – Showcase is underway! And with the help of Doc Brown and his super-sweet stainless-steel time machine, CEO Chris Veit and Co-founder Rhonda Anderson are out to make sure these memories are around for a long time.

Here's a rundown of what happened on mainstage today!

Defining our beliefs as we head into the next 25 years
As we carry the Creative Memories mission into the next generation, it’s critical that we continue to clarify who we are, what we offer … and exactly what we believe. So today Chris presented for the first time our clear stand for the future that Creative Memories will create in this world over the next 25 years.

This is our Declaration of Beliefs:

New products, new platforms, new progress
Chief Marketing Officer Loren Castronovo introduced a TON of new stuff today. Fortunately she had a crew of assistants and Doc Brown to help with the heavy lifting.

• There’s spooktacular fun in the new Limited-Edition Halloween Collection. 
  
• The new Fall/Winter Product Catalog has been carefully rewritten and designed to save you both money and confusion. 

• Memory Manager 4.0 is going to blow you away with things like facial recognition, one-click photo editing and easier-than-ever sharing with Facebook. Check out the video!
  
  
  
• And speaking of Facebook, as of Aug. 6, you’ll be able to find a library of images on CMC Network specifically for use with your Facebook account: timeline cover images, profile badges … even app pages! 
  
  
  
• Party projects are going to be even easier with conveniently bundled, single-SKU projects. Wait till you see the Nov./Dec. Countdown to Christmas! 
  
  
• Fast to Fabulous is a whole new platform for us. It’s our easiest album yet. With preprinted pages loaded into pre-assembled albums, it picks up where Quick Albums left off, making it even easier to go from a stack of photos to a gorgeous album in as little as half an hour. 
  
  

 

A more manageable product line!
CEO Chris Veit talked about some of our strategies for building the future. One of them is to ease the product burden on you by taking our product line from the current 500 SKUs down to a more manageable 300. What’s the advantage?

• A smaller product line is easier for Consultants to learn, understand and present. If you know it, you can sell it!

• From the customer’s point of view, a smaller line is easier to navigate and shop, making purchasing decisions easier.

• The company can better manage inventory … and so can our Consultants who carry product.

Chris also shared that we’ll be supplementing that streamlined product line with limited-edition offerings each campaign. They’ll keep your regular customers happy; let you offer fresh, seasonal products; and drive a little bit of urgency for both Hosts and customers!

What’s new with Nancy?
Our dear friend Nancy O’Dell, host of Entertainment Tonight, stopped by mainstage again this year. And, as always, she had big news! First she introduced us to some sweet new products: 

• 12x12 Joy Fast to Fabulous Album. Fast to Fabulous is our quickest, easiest album option ever. And Nancy’s classy, colorful Joy artwork makes this an amazing choice for a whole range of different album projects.
  
  
• You Bring Me Joy Simply Said Book. All of our Simply Said Books make it quick and simple to share some photos and sentiments with someone you love. As inexpensive gifts go, this new You Bring Me Joy book could be a true tear-jerker in under an hour!
  
• Espresso Magnetic Display. Nancy’s a big advocate of displaying photos (especially of the kids) to emphasize and validate the people who matter in your life. This gorgeous new display is an excellent new option!
  
  
• The Nancy Bag. Hardworking and stylish, this versatile new bag has a gorgeous pewter finish on the outside and a distinctive, fresh pattern on the fabric inside. It’s wonderful as a tote for your scrapbooking project or simply as a great bag.
  
  
  
  
• But then Nancy had one more thing to introduce – her latest book: “Here’s to Fabulous You – The little book for the good stuff in life”! Inspired by Nancy’s own monthly get togethers with good friends, this handy little book will become the convenient collecting place for all the important tips, ideas, thoughts and inspirations in your life. Your relationships, your aspirations, your wellness, your home… This one book can help you make them all a little more fabulous. And a little bit later, Genevieve’s going to demonstrate just what a powerful tool this simple book can be for your Creative Memories business!
  
  

And finally... a sneak “peek” at Showcase 2013!

Next year we’re shaking things up and taking Showcase on the road! For the first time ever, we’ll be holding Showcase in the Mile-High City of Denver, Colorado. And, as of noon today, registration for Showcase 2013 is open for the entire field and your paying guests for just $159! (Early-bird registration will be $199 when registration opens later this year.) But hurry, this special $159 offer is only available through 10 p.m. (CT) on Sunday evening (Aug. 5). Do it now!

Announcing a NICK KELSH Exclusive Showcase Offer now extended to Virtual Showcase "Attendees" too! 

Scrapbookers' favorite photo guru Nick Kelsh has created a handy little card that's being hailed as the best "cheat-sheet" available, visually representing the relationship between F-stops, shutter-speeds and ISO—and how these settings affect your photographs!  He calls it the GOING MANUAL Mini-Manual and is offering it in packs of 20 for a unique giveaway for your party guests, event goody bags, stocking stuffers, etc. 

This sturdy plastic-coated card is 8 by 5.5 inches, pre-scored to fold easily and fit into a camera bag. The reverse side is jam-packed with Nick's favorite photo tips—ranging, in his inimitable style, from the practical to the philosophical!  An enormous value in their own right and worth much more than the 50 cent per card cost, so you'll benefit from this card even if you and/or your customers are just point-and-shooters happy to stay in automatic mode! Click http://bit.ly/Ps1euW to learn more.

Check back tomorrow for an overview of what Saturday has to bring.

 

Vote today (and tomorrow) for a Creative Memories shining star!

It’s not every day that a friend and co-worker becomes a contest finalist and wins a trip to New York, a hair transformation with celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, and a chance to star in a Dove_® TV ad. But that’s exactly what’s happening to our dear Mandy Wolvert, a sales activation specialist here at Creative Memories.

Mandy’s trip to New York and hair transformation are happening this week. And just that part would be great. But – with help from all of us – there can be so much more. It’s a contest. Mandy’s one of three finalists and she needs your vote. 

The three finalists’ entry videos are posted on dove.us (The Dove_® Make Friends with Your Hair Contest) and you can vote for Mandy, once each day, through Nov. 28. So go vote right now before you even bother reading the rest of this post. We’ll wait. (You may win some free products when you vote. My friend Liz just voted and won a free bath robe and Dove product. What fun!) 

Bad hair daze
Mandy’s a sweetheart. We all love her. But – and we mean this in the nicest possible way – she’s got some crazy hair. (Now, to some of us, that’s one of her most endearing qualities.) So when Mandy first told us she was a finalist for a spot in a shampoo commercial, we all responded with lots of enthusiastic (but slightly confused) congratulations. “Too funny, everyone,” she quipped. “I’m a finalist because of my BAD hair.”

Actually, Mandy, it wasn’t just your hair that made the difference. According to the contest’s official rules, finalists were picked based on likability and personality (50 percent); creativity and originality (30 percent); and eloquence and articulation (20 percent). Looking at the judging criteria, you were born to be a winner!

Dreamy adventure
Before Mandy left for New York, she told us this trip was a dream come true. “Some girls dream of a fairytale wedding,” Mandy said. “My dream has been to have my hair done by a celebrity hairstylist.”

And it wasn’t just any stylist that did Mandy’s hair. It was the talented and experienced Mark Townsend, who works on hair for folks like Reese Witherspoon and Penelope Cruz (not to drop names). Now he gets to add Mandy Wolvert to his portfolio. And we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Mandy’s story is one for the books – Creative Memories StoryBooks, that is. We’re excited to see all her pictures from the trip, and we’re excited to see the album or StoryBook she ends up creating (which MIGHT look a little something like what we’ve started for her below). But mostly we’re excited that, in all this year’s Wolvert family holiday photos, Mandy’s going to see the beautiful woman we’ve always seen!

 

 

 

 

 

The Albums That Survived F5

My name is Martha Cochenour. I just wanted to share my story about your albums. 

When my son was a senior, I did a senior memory book for him and a friend did a memory book for his football. My son is now 27 and has kept those books with him at all times.

In May 2011, a F5 tornado hit Joplin, MO. The area where he lived is where the tornado became F5 and it went right over his 3rd floor apartment. Jacob ran down from the 3rd floor to the first, with nothing but his clothes. Afterwards, there was nothing left of his apartment but thankfully he was okay!

 
When he and my husband went in search of things over the next 2 days, he found his 2 albums from Creative Memories. The albums covers were soggy and have mud on them but they were otherwise intact. The pages were fine!

Album Cover (front):

Album Cover (back):

Album Page:

I just wanted your company to know that your albums can withstand an F5 tornado. Thank you. I love working with my consultant, Diann Voeller, and always have been proud of my books and your products that make them so.
 
Martha Cochenour
Creative Memories Customer

The Great Minnesota Get Together

People in Minnesota like to call the Minnesota State Fair the “Great Minnesota Get Together” for good reason. Each year hundreds of thousands of people pass through the gates to make sure their kids know what a cow looks like, listen to a compelling sales pitch on the latest kitchen gadget and munch on any type of food that can be prepared and served on a stick – it could be called the “Great Minnesota Stick Together”.

I asked a few co-workers what they enjoy most about the state fair.  Carrie Baudette says, “The food, especially the Italian eggroll. I think it would be fun to have a food booth at the state fair.” Lynda Fish says, “I like the merchandise vendors because I enjoy seeing what the latest gadget is. I saw a shower head that uses less water but has lots more water pressure and bought one.”

As you can imagine it’s also a great photo opportunity. Below you will see a picture of me and the winner of the largest boar contest (boar being a male pig and by the way I’m the one on the right).

 

In case you need a conversation starter, the winning pig in the largest boar competition at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair was named Reggie and he weighed 1,450 pounds. Looks to me like he sleeps a lot.

It took my daughter about 10 minutes from the time we got home from the fair to post her photos on Facebook. Looks like Facebook is the new photo album for that generation. Fortunately she also realizes the value of being able to hold and share photo albums and photo books.

What was a memorable photo you took this summer?

Flying high and upside down

There's something about flight that thrills and fascinates me. That's why I wanted to hear about Adal's sky-high experience during the recent Great Minnesota Air Show in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Nick Warren, who volunteered along with Adalberto (Adal) Villalobos and other Creative Memories employees at the air show, set this story in motion by sending me this photo and email message, "Adal had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will have to ask him about :)."

Oh, my! That's Adal in the back seat of an AT-6 Texan piloted by Bryan Regan, a member of Team AeroShell.

I asked Adal and Nick to tell me the story, videotaping it so that I could share the story with you. The photos featured here are courtesy of Nick Warren, whose great photos have found their way into many StoryBooks and albums.

Along with Adal's cameo appearance, the air show featured the U.S. NAVY Blue Angels and a full schedule of top aerial acts from across North America. Several Creative Memories employees were among the 1,400 volunteers helping out at the air show.

Watch the video for Adal's account of his rightside-up, upside-down and all-around ride in the sky. Then tell us your thrilling story.

Showcase reminising

The employee bus for Showcase leaves Wednesday morning at 8:30.

With 12 Showcases behind me I always see this event as my business family reunion and with last year's Showcase being regional that means it's been two years since I've seen many of the Consultants I've met in my 12 years.

One thing I always appreciate is how understanding Consultants are about my inability to remember names. I certainly remember faces - mostly. But hairstyles and looks change and sometimes that trips me up. But being one of only a dozen guys on site they always seem to recognize me (of course I haven't changed in 12 years :)

Showcase has also been a way of marking the growth of my daughters. In their younger years my wife Angela would bring them for a night over at the hotel. Their main focus was swimming, riding the escalators and having their picture taken on every photo opportunity. Now at 15 and 12 they are busy with summer camps, church mission trips and friends so I no longer have to share a bed with my youngest daughter - the sleeping magnet.

I've seen Showcase attendance grow to 8,000 and the following year split into two events of 3,500+. Now  in our present economy we are welcoming 1,800 Consultants and guests. Which has put me in a new role at Showcase - Virtual Showcase Man on the Street!

Bob McClintick from the Communications Department and I will be roving the events with our FLIP cameras capturing Consultant experiences and posting them on the virtual celebration site. You can access the celebration from CMC Network and join the fun.

If you are able to join us at Showcase I'd love to see you again or meet you for the first time. If you can't make it know that we will be sharing some tidbits from Showcase at the Virtual Showcase site. Please don't expect to hear everything about everything on Virtual Showcase but know our goal is to keep you connected and hope you can join us in person next year.  

Regional Revelations

It's March 1, and that means spring is around the corner, and for many CM employees... it means a big exhale because we just concluded four weekends of Regional Saturday events across the US and Canada.

As you can imagine, or know first hand if you attended a Regional Saturday, Regionals are fun, high-energy events where Consultants learn about new products, recognize each other's accomplishments, learn new ways to grow their business, win prizes... and the list goes on.

But the learning isn't all for Consultants. Here are a few Regional Revelations I had this year:

1. Travel time can double (... or triple, or quadruple..) in an instant. Just ask Jeanette Holtman, vice president of marketing, who was trying to make her way to Springfield. She managed to get there, but only after starting her day in an airport around 7 a.m. and landing in her final destination at 10:30 p.m. 

2. Must be able to lift 25 pounds or more. What's that, you work in Marketing? Well, no matter where you work, you must get ready to lift and transport many, many boxes of gift bags and other supplies throughout the event. There is no division of work responsibilities at Regionals. Bring good shoes... and yeah, it doesn't hurt to workout a bit more before the event.

3. Snow in southern states changes an event. I've heard stories about areas that don't get much snow and how that really throws them off course - no plows, salt for melting, etc. Didn't really understand this until Charlotte, where it snowed Friday night and several CM staff were stranded at a local mall after the city transportation shut down. Thankfully these resourceful women worked through the situation and found their way back to the hotel safely.

4. A coat closet can function as a storage space for 400+ gift bags, recognition gifts, food for the staff and more. Now as far as coat closets are concerned, I suppose this was bigger than normal, but I have to credit the CM staff in Detroit for making the most of this less-than-ideal space ... it wasn't a coat closet. No, it was command central for the weekend.

5.We create the best experience when we work together. For our Consultants and staff, Regionals are a true testament to the power of putting your day-to-day responsibilities aside and working as a team. Working alongside fellow employees from finance, consultant services, human resources, events, training and every other department in the company is where the real rewards come from.

OK, I must stop here, and open up the floor for your Regional Revelations! Do you have a good story to share or did you experience a CM employee who went above and beyond the call of duty at the Regional Saturday you attended? 

Would love to hear what you have to say...

Trampling of nerkle rights!

Ha! A few weeks ago I posted this as a lark, just to have some fun with some of the people here in the office. Good thing our Home Office isn't in Aurora, Ill. (NOTE: Aurora is, by all accounts, a LOVELY city. And, despite Alderman Garza's comments, I'm sure there are tons of hardworking, industrious, timely folks living there.)

But I heard this on the radio this morning and figured it deserved a follow-up post -- if only to rally sympathy from all you nerkles out there for the much-maligned nerkles of Aurora.

Check out this link. It's good for a laugh!

Happy Friday everyone.

Happy Brrrrrrrr-thday

Maybe it’s a passing case of Winter Olympic Fever. (Sorry IOC, I know I’m not supposed to use the O-word without permission.) Maybe it’s all the news stories about the snow and cold covering the country this month. There must be SOME good reason why a perfectly normal couple would leave their perfectly warm Florida home in February to come visit the cold.

This is Ashley. She’s a big Creative Memories fan. So for her [number deleted] birthday, her loving husband Kevin (that’s him on the left) decided to surprise her with a mystery trip to Minnesota, including a tour of Creative Memories’ Home Office. (Pause. Take a moment and look around your workplace. Now imagine someone traveling 1,500 miles to see it… I know, me too!)

Actually, Kevin went a little over the top. (I’d hate him if he didn’t just seem so darned nice.) He had a bunch of Ashley’s favorite things lined up from a tour of Creative Memories to seats at a broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion to a tour of some great old Victorian neighborhoods to the obligatory trip to Mall of America.

We were just flattered to be on that list. Honestly, it’s a bit humbling when the products/services you help provide inspire that degree of passion. It’s a big responsibility. I hope we were able to generate enough excitement and show off enough cool stuff to make Ashley and Kevin feel like their trip was worthwhile.

So happy birthday Ashley! Thanks for stopping by. (And tone it down Kevin. You’re making the rest of us look bad.)