Vietnam

I've just crawled back into the country, having survived 5 days in Vietnam with the hardest partiers I've ever travelled with.

Going via Singapore Zoo, we had breakfast with the orang utans and Josie's next pair of shoes!

Vietnam was amazing - friendly people, clean, stunning, and incredible tailors. The markets were very rustic and eye-opening, from the live skinned frogs to the whisky with a marinated cobra and scorpion.

Although we subscribed to the "what goes on tour stays on tour" ethos, I'll post a selection of the slightly sordid photos when we receive them.

15 dinner

Sorry for the lack of posts - I've finally remembered my password.

We had an awesome time in Melbourne at the Rising Star Manager day and dinner with partners. The day was focussed on developing strategies for our Managers and those soon to be, on setting their business objectives and actions to achieve them. I'm always inspired by the insights of our most engaged Consultants.

Of course, all work makes Jack a dull boy, so after a day of strategising we were off to Jamie Oliver's 15 with partners. Karen and my kids were in Melbourne and I was told it isn't appropriate to leave them (the brats, not Karen) in the hotel room. I think they added to the night as they're a fan of Jamie, although they prefer Gordon's grasp of the English language!!

New TLs

Congratulations to three businesswomen who work smart as well as hard and acheived Team Leader status in April : Coralie Knight, Kerry Lynn and Lyn Hart. You've earned your success and I look forward to partnering with you as your businesses develop further. Well done also to your Team Leaders who helped you get there : Julie G, Josie and Phip.

Recent media

Thanks to everyone who has sent their congratulations on TCT acheiving No.30 in BRW's latest list fastest growing Australian companies.
I've also recently been interviewed in TCT's success by the Hot Innovator column www.smartcompany.com.au/Premium-Articles/Hot-Innovator/20080508-The-Chefs-Toolbox-holds-the-ingredients-for-success.html. I'm very pleased with this article as Innovation is one of our core values, and the article has done a pretty good job of getting my view across (this is often not the case). Fortunately, I don't think that jacket has dated too much.

Champagne and pizza

Congratulation to all TCT's Consultants living our message that Cooking is Fun!! Despite news of doom and gloom in the papers, your customers spent a record $140 each during April. This is an awesome result and very profitable.
Your enthusiasm is proving contagious with a record 109 new Consultants joining TCT in April. Those joining TCT are bursting with energy and excited to continue our success in improving eating experiences across Australia and NZ. Check out this blog as an example of one of the madder new Consultants http://www.agoddessinthekitchen.blogspot.com/

Of course, everyone has to get to training in May as I promised champagne and pizza if you got us to our target of 100. Enjoy!

Di Rendle

Di has always been right up there as one of TCT's most loyal Consultants. Following the Rising Stars seminar, Di was so pumped on the way home, she dialled in to a radio talk-back, got on air and pitched TCT. Di has received one C.Party booking, has been contacted by someone who wants to join her team, and our web visitors have spiked. Awesome effort Di!!!

Guys

Finally, we are starting to see a steady flow of guys as Consultants. We've always had heaps of guys as customers - and very lucrative customers they tend to be- however we've not had too many join as Consultants. I have always felt the cooking aspect would attract more guys than other Party Plan companies, and this is starting to happen. Any change which doubles your target market is a good thing.

Using tools

More and more of TCT's Consultants are using the tools we develop to help grow their business. We will have our biggest ever month because the Join for $149 promo is being enthusiastically offered by so many Consultants. I'm particularly impressed by the number of Consultants who are using this tool withing 1 month of joining TCT. The response to May's joining promo has been very powerful, althought everyone agrees that $149 is an amazing price to establish a business.

Mary Christensen

I love being a fly on the wall when 100 Chefs Toolbox Consultants get together. Their positive energy is inspirational.
Today we had our Rising Stars - those most likely to take their businesses to a new level - at a seminar in Melbourne. The focus was on growing their businesses and the action plans to do so. We were all wowed by Mary Christensen as she explained why she started in direct sales and then got us to change our mindset so that we were comfortable to offer the same opportunity to those we meet.
Julie then gave us a practical framework to ensure can meet the objectives we set ourselves each year, by breaking the objectives down into months, weeks and then days ie bite-size chunks.

Increasing noise

Thanks to all our Consultants who are spreading the word on TCT across Australia (and NZ). We're seeing a flood of new applications, with many coming via Consultants that have only been with us a little while. Congratulations - clearly your enthusiasm is paying off. The party's always more fun with more people so it's fantastic to see the TCT party rockin'.

Jack Daly

Many of the TCT team had an incredible day today with Jack Daly. He's a US sales/trainer which I wasn't sure how relevant he'd be for TCT. Unbelievable - probably the best, most thought provoking (and provocative) SOBs (his words) I've ever heard. If I haven't made the time to put at least 3 tips into practice before Easter, hit me with a griddle pan.

NZ response

Wow - the kiwis are almost flying, they are so excited by TCT's offer in NZ. Chris, Libby and Angela gave an amazing performance last night in Auckland, doubling TCT's NZ team and getting the details of 200 people who want to find more!!!!! Awesome effort guys. NZ is going to be bigger than Aust at this rate.

Creme caramel

Someone who I thought would know better has just bought a commercial creme caramel as a "special treat". this has to be one of the easiest recipes to make yourself, with the special treat being the look on the kids' faces when they help and then taste the outcome. TCT's recipe is very easy to follow.

Going to the next stage

Very exciting - the NZ "Dream Team" responded very enthusiastically to the new initiatives planned to grow TCT across the Tasman. As enthusiastic has been the reponse TCT is receiving from NZ'ers. Together, this a fantastic recipe for the next stage of TCT's development. If you know anyone looking for a ground floor opportunity, don't be shy.....

Rhubarb

Amie took Rhubarb to a new level with her Rhubarb & Raspberry Cobbler. You have got to try this. The kids are going to kill me as Amie made an extra pan for me to take home but I left it sitting on the bench and I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow.

ChefsClub

Awesome training session tonight. Cherie McK explained the benefits of ChefsClub perfectly - get 1 point for every $ spent and save up your points for your next Cooking Party. I was particularly impressed with her explanation of the benfits of buying Chefs Essentials rather than just the saute pan as the higher purchase instantly gives an extra free product.

NZ launch

Very exciting. The Chefs Toolbox is finally launching in New Zealand http://www.chefstoolbox.co.nz/ . Kiwis love party plan, have more mortgage stress than Australia, love cooking but have nowhere to buy quality cookware. It seems every New Zealander that hears about Chefs Toolbox wants to become a consultant. It's starting to look like TCT will be bigger in NZ - now there's a challenge!!!