Hi Sharon, thanks for talking to Insight. What’s been your best experience as a Tupperware Demonstrator?

The best experience I have had as a Tupperware Demonstrator, of course, has to be Record Breaker Week 2009 and being number one in Australia and New Zealand and also beating the most sold in one week for a Demonstrator record. How can you top that! Maybe a trip to New Zealand could top it!

What have you gained most from your Tupperware experience so far?

The most valuable thing is the comradeship and encouragement that you consistently receive. This support is there from when you first start off as a new Demonstrator to -- well it never stops in Tupperware. The wonderful support I receive from my Directors, Manager, and fellow team members and other Demonstrators in my Distributorship Velocity never ceases to amaze me. The culture that Tupperware has created can not be found in other multinational companies - so why would you look elsewhere to find a job.

Have you had any funny experiences while in Tupperware?

The funniest experience I would have to say is when I was doing a cooking demonstration and making scones. I asked the Host to put the Seal on the bowl and shake it up and down for a few seconds to mix the ingredients. Before she started shaking I asked her again, “have you put the Seal on?” Her reply was “yeah it’s okay - I won’t make a mess”. Well I did warn her and let me say all her guests and myself couldn’t help laugh when the lid came off and flour went all over her and the kitchen and then the food fight started. This is what fun is all about at a Tupperware party - turning a disaster into a great party.

What's the strangest use for Tupperware you've come across?

There is nothing strange about the way people use Tupperware. It is more ‘gee that is a great idea - why didn’t I think of using that piece of Tupperware for that?’. I guarantee you will promote that very idea at your next party.

What are your tips for dating parties?

Just remember you are working for the Host not for yourself, and that helps so much changing your frame of mind. Plus by doing a good Demonstration and having lots of fun the guests will come to you for the parties. Remember to ask everyone and don’t stop once you have two dates - keep trying for more - you never know unless you try. Plus don’t get upset over ‘No’.

What are your tips on dating parties within 14 days?

Always keep your garter (date guard) within 14 days in your diary. Mark your diary when you are free and then ask the Host-to-be ‘how is next Friday?’. They will usually say that would be not enough time. Then ask how is the following Friday and 9 out of 10 times that is fine. You have dated within 14 days and you can also do your current party’s delivery at that party. You save time and money in not having to drive to the Host’s house again.

Have you got any tips for dating AT parties? What are the benefits of doing so?

Have fun at your parties and be part of the group. Don’t be the odd one out sitting over in the corner pretending to be busy. As soon as you walk in the Host’s door you are working for them so put your listening ears on and make friends with your Host and their guests. Be helpful and work with your customers. By dating at the party your Host receives free Tupperware and you can advise her guests what she is getting because people dated. If people can see what their friends are getting they will soon realise how this (hosting) is not hard to do and that they can also receive all this free Tupperware.

Can you give us some tips on party planning success at your parties?

Party planning is a very important tool of our business. By doing poorly at this the financial rewards will not be there for you. Talking to the future Host face to face is so much easier because if they have questions you can answer them then and there. You can go step by step through the party planning pack with them and get them to write down 20 guests to invite. Always remind yourself to get them to start at the bottom and work their way up. By starting at the top of the list they get bored and think ‘oh, that is enough people to invite to my party’. You can tell them how to plan a fantastic party without having to go to so much effort.

How much contact do you have after party planning? What form does this contact take?

After party planning with the Host-to-be I send out a host confirmation card to reconfirm dates. Then a week out I give them a call to see whether they require additional catalogues to get those outside orders. I also advise the Host to ring all her guests she has invited to remind them of the party and to remind them to bring their replacements. This is a great way for the Host to check on numbers and then the day before the party I ring to ensure the Host has the ingredients for the party and find out how many guests are coming so as a Demonstrator I have enough catalogues and party gifts for the party.

Do you have any hints or tips for other Demonstrators/Managers?

I always start the party with an icebreaker game whether it is bingo or a quiz or even getting the guest to draw while their eyes are shut. I find this takes the day to day tension away from all and then the guests will be happy to sit there and participate in the Demonstration and relax more.

What product do you use the most at your place and why?

The product I use the most in my place apart from Modular Mates is my TupperWave 1 Litre Jug. Our household would not be able to function without it. I currently have two and it looks like I need another one. That is how often we can use it on a daily basis.

How do you sell this product at your parties?

To sell the TupperWave 1 Litre Jug you just start with normal day to day cooking ideas. You wake up in the morning you can boil water in it and have your cuppa for the morning. Then you can scramble your eggs in it or make your porridge in it. Lunch time, heat your soup up in it or make pasta/rice for lunch. At dinner time you can cook your vegetables in it or make gravy. The list goes on… to even cooking a vanilla pudding and custard in your Jug. How versatile is this jug? I can’t understand how everyone cannot have at least one in their household. Even my mother has two – one for home and one for the caravan!

What are the popular themes that Hosts date for?

My Hosts date for my cooking demonstrations. I encourage all Demonstrators to do them. You may get a Host that can’t afford the ingredients - just ask them to supply one egg and show everyone how to cook scrambled eggs in the TupperWave 1 Litre Jug or do the simple scone recipe and serve them to the guests. Not only are they eating something you have just cooked but they are seeing how the products can be put to use. I guarantee that at least one of the guests will buy the products that you use in your demonstration.

What’s been your highest personal sales in a month?

The highest personal sales in one month, of course was December 2009 whereby I sold $28,552.70. What a Christmas we had spending all the money I made from the parties. (Okay, my husband had the fun spending it on a mountain bike. My way of saying thanks for his help.)

What are your business/personal goals?

My business and personal goals for this year are to of course go to New Zealand with Tupperware and recruit so I can promote to Manager and start the next journey in my Tupperware life.

If you had one piece of advice for a new Demonstrator what would it be?

The most important piece of advice that I can give to a new Demonstrator is to know your product. The only way you get to know and understand your product is to use it. By using Tupperware in your kitchen you gain a wealth of knowledge of how it helps you in your day to day cooking.

Anything else special that you'd like to add?

I recently was able to attend a meeting whereby the guest speaker was from the US and works for the number one insurance broker in the world as an Ethics Manager. He was talking about what ethics is. A lot of us had the idea that it is doing the right thing by the company and the laws of the country etc. So we thought. But in actual fact there is a lot more to ethics.In the front of my diary I have three things written down:

1. What do you fear?

2. What do you love?

3. Do you live the BRAND?

I have decided to use these three ethics whenever I am recruiting or partying. Look at recruiting side of things.

There is nothing to fear about joining a company that has been around for over 60 years, that has flexible working hours and rewards you as you go. Of course you love the product otherwise you wouldn’t be here buying Tupperware. Living the BRAND well just open your cupboards, fridge and freezer you are living the BRAND.