That’s the subject title for the emails I send to The Money Tree participants.
And I love sending it because it’s the best Win/Win situation my business encounters. If you’re a geometry enthusiast, it’s the perfect equilateral triangle. Everyone wins in the same proportion.
The customer who has just purchased a product wins, because I know they will love what they purchased. The Money Tree participant wins because they receive 20% of the revenue for simply promoting my product range to their members. And I win because I’ve just gained a new customer I probably would never have had access to.
One of the most endearing qualities about The Money Tree is that I deal with only the nicest people.
Just how nice defies the laws of business, which says that business transactions should be tough and hard edged in order to be able to succeed.
Not true.
Let me tell you about my most recent experience with The Money Tree and The Northern Beaches Chorus.
Beverley Stowe is a customer of long standing. She received her first Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover almost 15 years ago.
When she renewed last year, I got to know her all over again through my normal chit chat. Hello, how are you, what do you do?
And discovered she’s a singer with The Northern Beaches Chorus.
I told her about The Money Tree, which is my program for raising much needed funds for worthy causes, and left it at that.
Fast forward more than 12 months later.
An email arrives from Beverley saying the Chorus is having a fundraising fete on the 7th of November 2009 and would I like Beverley to promote The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover? Perhaps hand out brochures?
My many years of experience kicks in.
I KNOW that NO ONE places orders from brochures at one off events. Nor do people take brochures home and buy later. The product needs to be there on the day to take advantage of impulse buying and the desire of the public to support the Chorus. On that day.
This is my offer to Beverley.
At no charge to the Chorus, I’ll prepare a box of Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Covers, Superior Felt Underlay and Best Boy Pressing Cloths, along with brochures designed specifically for The Northern Beaches Chorus, to hand out on the day. And mail them to her in plenty of time for her fete.
She sells what she can on the day and then mails back to me all the unsold product, again at no charge to her, because I’ve given her a postage free label to put on the return box.
She banks the cash taken on the day at her nearest branch of my bank, Westpac, because I’ve supplied her with a deposit slip.
And sends the credit card orders back to me in the parcel because I’ve also supplied her with a Click Clack credit card machine and blank Sales Vouchers for the convenience of her customers who want to use their credit card.
In return, I mail a cheque to Beverley made out to The Northern Beaches Chorus for 20% of the sales she makes on the 7th of November.
Beverley agrees to this proposal with enthusiasm.
Why?
Because there’s one thing this Guerrilla From The Bush knows that few other people in business seem to accept. And it’s this. If you want someone to do something for you that’s helpful to you, make sure you make is as simple as can be to execute. No strings attached, no fine print with exclusion clauses, no red tape. And absolutely risk free as far as money is concerned.
How much does Beverley sell? She sells her socks off. She returns less than a handful of covers, no Superior Felt Underlay and no Best Boy Pressing Cloths.
The cost to me is minimal. The cost of postage for a 10kg box to and from my rural property and Sydney. The cost to me of 100 Money Tree brochures specifically designed by me for The Northern Beaches Chorus. And some time to prepare everything.
What do I gain?
The trust of Beverley and her Chorus members. New customers I would never have access to. And the absolute joy of a business transaction that’s aglow with personal warmth and friendship.
We’re all different.
Some of you may read this and say you’d rather have the short term gain of the big sales you get from the major retailers. But those sales are only about money. There’s no opportunity to create loyalty amongst the buyers of your products in those stores.
I’ll always pick the Beverley Stowe’s of the world to do business with because this Guerrilla From The Bush is adamant that long term relationship building is the one and only true key to success.
It’s stress free. It’s a joy to experience. And yes, it’s a slow process.
But that relationship will still be in tact when the commercial world comes crashing down around our ears. As it does with regularity.
And as a Guerrilla From The Bush, I know that this grass roots relationship is deep and meaningful.
Take care,
Carol
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This superlady never ceases to astound me. Her exposee is spot on, absolutely 100% true and reflects the brilliance of her genious and friendly nature.
The Northern Beaches Chorus appreciates the term “Director”. Carol, you are Director of Interface Pty Ltd. We also know the term “Master Director” for one who has proven phenomenal success with his or her chorus
within the Sweet Adelines organisation. Carol, I hereby dubb you “Master Director” !
You do everything so nicely; you love what you do. Thankyou for your kind remarks concerning all of our negotiations. Yes it has been, and will continue to be a great pleasure. My cup of gratitude overflows, and I wish others to experience my joy.
Beverley Stowe.
BEVERLEY,
For once in my life I’m at a loss for words. But I’ll recover quickly. I was told many years ago by an expert that warmth and friendliness have no place in business. That if I choose to travel this road, it’s a recipe for failure. The test kitchen has proved the recipe a success and you’re the proof. Thank you, Beverley. And it’s with pleasure that I accept being dubbed ‘Master Director’. And quite humbling as well!
Take care,
CAROL
CAROL,
I hesitate to add this comment for fear of hogging the very space. I know the meaning of ” enough is enough “. However, November was such a unique and enriching experience working with you, I can’t get it out of my blood; more people should discover this same exhilaration by stepping out into unchartered territory…. for them and their cause.
Or so it would seem. In reality, your territory is very much chartered. Your guidance through the fundaising adventure is based on professional knowledge and handled with caring expertise. I couldn’t have gone wrong.
I found out some years ago that any strength of character basicly comes from within oneself. Otherwise we get all too consumed. You Carol, are a person of immense inner strength; it shines throughout every storey in your blog.
At Ilford, you are surviving what sounds like torturous hurdles in a relentless countryside amidst climate change. And yet you have made it your beautiful sanctuary, to which your successful business is attached. Now just how amazing and admirable is that ! The answer is “infinitely”.
Your middle name should be ” Phoenix “, because you keep rising up over the problems that beset you. But you’ve already found this out, because you know that the title “Guerrilla” reflects a trouble shooter, and a true trouble shooter is a real problem solver.
Anyone doubting this need only take a closer look at the name of your website; again reflecting a place where problems are solved with simple solutions through your products.
So what am I saying here? Simply this. Carol, I refer you wholeheartedly to the world, and now please let me express something in my particular way, and that is: “Thankyou for the ‘music’, and for giving it – to me.”
BEVERLEY.
BEVERLEY,
Your eloquence is astounding!
Thank you for every word. I’m humbled by your sincerity and generosity of spirit. The English language is often found lacking for words to express emotion, but I’ve found one that eludes most people. It’s called happiness. Reading your comment makes me serenely happy. And it gives me such immense pleasure to read it, I’ll read it often.
My sincere thanks for taking the time to write such a glowing account of our fund raising partnership.
Take care,
CAROL