Founder of Graceful Hands

Maurice McClain grew up on the streets of Detroit. There were plenty of negatives that accompanied Maurice during his younger years. One of the most significant periods was losing his own brother to those streets. Many of us would have given up hope at that point. Losing a family member can be devastating and possibly lead us into a downward spiral of decline. Maurice, however, was not like most of us. He took this situation and decided to look past the negative and turn it into a positive both for his own life and for the life of his lost brother.

Graceful Hands Was Built Through Traveling Sales

After losing his brother, Maurice promised himself and his family a better life. He couldn’t have done it alone, though. Through the rigorous training of his manager and mentor, Maurice became successful as a traveling sales crew member. Selling magazines and books door to door is not easy. The rejection alone from not being trusted is enough to dampen the spirits of any hardened person but Maurice always had a goal to look to. After learning many of his skills on traveling sales crews, Maurice started his own business with the knowledge and training he had received. While the business world outside the realm of traveling sales was still fraught with successes and failures, Maurice went back to his roots and found that the traveling sales crew industry could be a turning point in other young people’s lives.

Graceful Hands is Successful in Making a Difference

Maurice had been given a blessing. Because of the time and energy his mentor spent with him, Maurice now had a vision of how to help others and it involved a lot of time. His traveling sales crew manager spent lots of time training him how to understand and read people, how to manage finances, and also how to keep a positive attitude throughout any circumstance. These skills were the building blocks to helping a vast group of others. Maurice wanted to give this opportunity to those that needed a second chance, those that may not have believed they were worthy of a better life and those who may have fallen through the cracks of society.

Many of the lives of the individuals that Graceful Hands has made a difference in have the same background that Maurice came from; living on the streets, selling drugs, etc. The mission of Graceful Hands is to give these individuals a new start. Those that succeed are the ones determined to make a better life and work hard for what they have. It’s certainly not easy to change the direction your life is going and Graceful Hands has committed to making sure that nobody has to do it alone. All of us should remember that it’s not your fault where you came from, but it is your fault where you’re going.

Using Texts to Ask For Help

Most of the products sold by traveling sales crews are self-explanatory. The instructions are either right on the package or perhaps the receipt given at the time of purchase. There are certain instances when those means are not available or perhaps the customer has a specific question about the product. In those cases, the traveling sales crews can leave behind a certain keyword with the customer that they can text to a short code and receive a reply message with further instructions.

Regular Tips on Product Usage

The demonstrations given by a traveling sales crew member are very effective. Usually on the spot they can use the product directly in front of the customer to show its effectiveness. While this may be useful several days after the purchase, sometimes the creativity of the customer can dwindle with time. If you opt-in to a traveling sales crew’s database, they will be able to send you regular tips on how the product can be used and even direct on the best uses in each season. This creates a huge benefit for the customer because they will continually receive helpful information so the product can be utilized over and over again.

Encouraging Traveling Sales Crew Members

Text messaging doesn’t have to just be used for the customer either. While keeping customers informed of uses for the product, giving them the tools to contact the company, or even informing them of new products, the traveling sales crews themselves have found that text messaging keeps the flow of communication open. Most of the crew members keep their own cell phones when joining a crew. This ensures that they keep in contact with their friends and family back home but also with their crew manager. Each crew member is encouraged to join the texting database once hired. This makes it possible for each traveling sales crew representative to receive messages that pertain to the particular business they are in. Some crew managers send daily encouraging messages reminding each crew member of the benefits of being on a traveling sales crew. Other times there may be new promotions or contests that need to be disseminated among the group and text messaging allows for each of these scenarios to be completed with ease.

Traveling sales crews have been in existence for decades and the quality of each crew varies. The NFSA seeks to uphold a high standard for each door to door company to operate with honor and integrity. In accordance with that, they have also encouraged each traveling sales crew company to utilize technology to their advantage to keep all customers and representatives informed and they have found that text messaging makes that vision a reality.

Throughout the US there are different speed limits for each type of situation. Whether on the highway or in a suburban community, speed limits exist, not only for the safety of the passengers, but also for the safety of those on the road or playing in the neighborhood. While on the freeway, managers are expected to travel the posted speed limit. In accordance with this, they also have the responsibility to keep safe distances from other cars on the road. This ensures the safety of the traveling sales crews as well as other cars on the highway.

Traveling sales crew managers are also expected to adhere to the speed limits within the densely populated areas as well. This allows them to be alert in case any type of distraction comes into view, whether it be pets or other people that wander into the streets. Managers should always be on the lookout to keep all traveling sales crew members as well as other pedestrians.
Seat Belts

Each traveling sales crew travels across the country in a vehicle that meets and exceeds safety regulations. This includes exhaust, visibility, and especially seat belt regulations. Every traveling sales crew member is an integral part of a team and because of the relationships and friendships that are created, each manager is required to make sure all traveling sales crew members are as safe as possible. Seat belts save the lives of hundreds of people every year. Therefore, traveling sales crew managers make sure that all passengers are safely buckled and in their seats while driving.
Driver Safety Courses

Because safety is such an important issue not only to the traveling sales crews themselves but also to the National Field Selling Association, each driver is required to attend a driver safety course. Each course is specifically designed to teach safe driving standards while on the road. The topics included in these courses include information on the best time to drive, what is a safe distance between vehicles, and especially adhering to all posted road safety signs.

These courses are specifically designed to create an awareness of the dangers that exist on the road and how they can be avoided. Each traveling sales crew manager has the responsibility to keep each member of their crew as safe as possible and these courses and classes are specifically designed to ensure that outcome.

Overall, the NFSA is largely committed to seeing the success of all traveling sales crews. Within that goal, it is especially important to make sure that each member of all the traveling sales crews are safe. While on the road, car safety and the safety of each passenger can easily be attained and since the NFSA monitors and supports the crews within its organization, car safety is certainly not ignored. The NFSA feels that the best way to prevent any accidents is to educate and adhere to the safest rules possible. This is what each traveling sales crew manager is committed to and strives for.

The power of suggestion can produce amazing results. Although it is the traveling sales crew manager’s responsibility to ensure the safety of each of their crew members and state the rules that should be adhered to, there is also a necessity to post safety signs. When on any kind of public transportation, you regularly see signs posted that encourage you to buckle up and stay seated while the vehicle is in motion. The rules are not there to force the patron to obey out of fear. Many rules and regulations are stated in order to make each of the passengers as safe as possible. By having safety signs posted, each of the traveling sales crew members can be reminded, not only of what the rules are, but why they need to be followed.
Pull Over When Tired

Driving day after day can be exciting and adventurous; new places, new people, new things to see. With all the excitement it is easy to try and push through as many miles as possible. In order to keep each of the traveling sales crews safe, managers are expected to be aware of their limitations as well as the safety of each of their team members. Managers are trained to always be conscious of their own state of awareness. When they feel tired, they are encouraged to pull over and call it a day. This also means that traveling sales crew managers must be proactive in their approach to road safety. Getting appropriate amounts of sleep, eating a healthy and energetic diet, and having either music or audio materials on the road is specifically important. Each of these will ensure that the manager is not only taking great care of the traveling sales crews they are responsible for, but also themselves, which will increase the level of success they achieve.
No Drugs or Alcohol

The NFSA strictly prohibits the use of drugs and alcohol on any of the traveling sales crews. Many of the crew members are required to be drug tested periodically. Several of the traveling sales crew personnel have had a history of drugs in the past and being on a crew has given them the opportunity to create a better life because of this mandate. Although, some of the crew members are of legal drinking age, each traveling sales crew manager is responsible to enforce these regulations for the safety of the entire crew. Alcohol consumption usually leads to negative effects within a crew, and the success of each crew demands that each member be fully aware of their surroundings and able to function at full capacity at all times.

Traveling across the country can have numerous benefits. By following safety standards and guidelines, each traveling sales crew manager can be assured that their crew members are as safe as possible. Each crew member can also help by encouraging their peers to follow the rules as well. When rules and regulations are understood and can be followed without much prompting, the safety of all traveling sales crews increases and therefore success is that much more in reach.

Clean Clothes Set the Stage

When you open the door to a traveling sales crews member, the first impression should be a good one. Selling as a member of a traveling sales crew does not mean the attire must be a suit and tie, but shorts and a t-shirt don’t necessarily set a good first image. Business casual attire is always a safe bet. Khaki or black pants and a button up shirt show that you have a professional attitude towards your work. This not only helps set the expectation to the customer but also allows each traveling sales crew member to take pride in his or her appearance.

When wearing clean and professional clothing, your customer can see the pride you take in your work, but more importantly it helps when a crew member sees themselves in the mirror also. Many professionals that work from home take the time to dress up before going into a home office space. Instead of rolling out of bed and going directly to work, a professional that showers, shaves, puts on clean professional clothes and shoes and socks changes their entire mindset to a work attitude instead of one of laziness. Traveling sales crews have the distinct advantage of making a good first impression when a customer opens their door.

Smiles and Friendly Attitudes a Plus

Along with a professional appearance, a traveling sales crew member is in desperate need of an enjoyable attitude and presence to make a lasting impression. It has been said that 80% of all communication is nonverbal. Even if you were to say all the right lines and have all the right answers, your non-verbal skills are essential to creating and maintaining the customer’s interest and support. A smile is one of the cheapest pieces of attire a traveling sales crew member can wear, but it is definitely the most effective. Not only can they be effective in communication but they can be contagious as well. Smiles communicate interest in the customer and their well-being and speaks volumes about how you are looking to sell a quality product to someone who is in need as well.

Using Correct Language and Grammar Is Increasingly Important

“If you ain’t got nuthin’ to say right, then’s best you keep quiet.” Professionals are not only expected to look professional but to speak professionally as well. By using correct grammar and sentence structure, the customers you serve can see the added detail you put into yourself as a person and they will be more than likely to have an interest in what you are selling as well. The best way to use correct language and grammar is to read. Any book worth publishing is worth the author and editor’s time to devote to enhancing the experience through correct language. The more positive and effective information you add to your skills, the more enhanced they will become.

There are numerous other tips to help increase the effectiveness of your sales presentation such as posture, how to shake hands, and confidence. The most important thing to remember is respect. By first respecting yourself enough to believe in the product you are selling, you will begin to change your appearance and presentation to fit that respect. When you then begin to respect your customers and knock on the door with confidence, each person you meet while working for traveling sales crews will not just be another person you encounter, but, instead, a human being with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. By treating each person with respect you will make a much better impression and increase your likelihood of making a sale … and a difference.

Talk to a Traveling Sales Crew Manager

Many traveling sales crew companies have recruiting departments that search for the best sales reps possible. While the recruiting personnel may not be currently on a traveling sales crew, they have usually been employed by them and been successful in generating incomes. This is usually your first point of personal contact with the company. Ask questions and gain as much information from them as you can. The more people you talk to the better.
Once you have talked to the recruiting personnel and gained the information you’ve requested, it is also a good idea to request to speak to a manager or owner of the sales crew also. This is not only for your benefit but it also shows the manager that you take pride in finding out the information for yourself. Establishing clear lines of communication can enhance the relationship between you and the traveling sales crews before ever being employed.

Research the Company Online

The internet has become the best research tool the world has seen. With vast amounts of information at your fingertips you should be able to garner a vast majority of the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. All traveling sales crews will have a parent company that should be listed on the internet. When you speak to a recruiting personnel, there are certain questions you can ask in order to start your web searches.
What is the name of the parent company?
What is the web address for more information about the company?
What products will be sold?
Is there a website that includes the details of the product(s)?
Where in the country is the traveling sales crew located right now?
When you have the information regarding the company and the company’s website, you can start your search there. Read about the company and their mission. Find out how long a company has been in business. You should also be able to find testimonials about the company and what other satisfied traveling sales crew members are saying in regards to the company in question.

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

While doing your homework on traveling sales crews you want to be able to take all the information in and process it logically. There will always be negativity posted about a traveling sales crew company. It is your responsibility to weigh both the positive reviews and the negative ones as well. Just because you read a negative review online doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the truth. Even if it is the truth, find out the date the negative review was written. If it was written about a traveling sales crew several months or years ago, most likely the company has taken measures to rectify the situation and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. Any reputable traveling sales crew company seeks to continually improve itself and make a difference in the lives of the people it employs.

After all the research, make a good decision. Learning from all these different aspects will be able to give you the information you need to accurately assess if one of the traveling sales crews is a better fit. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Gain as much knowledge as you can, study the data researched online, and make a decision that makes sense. Not all traveling sales crews are the same, but if you are interested in making money, traveling the nation, and making new friends, then there is a traveling sales crew company out there that is a good fit for you.

Scheduled Weekly Time to Write or Have Conversations

In today’s society, there are so many numerous ways to contact a person.
Blogging: Take the time to create a blog about your traveling adventures. Friends and family can subscribe to what’s going on throughout your busy week and get regular emails or updates in their RSS feeds. This is also a good way to have a conversation with those that are not part of your traveling sales crew. Anyone can leave comments about your blog and you will be able to respond to them when necessary.
Calling: The phone has been around for decades and is still the easiest way to talk to someone across long distances. One option you have while on a traveling sales crew is to take the time each week and call a best friend or family member. This allows you the opportunity to talk directly to them, hear a friendly voice, and be encouraged on your journey. Along with this you can even use Skype or FaceTime to see the person you want to talk to. This may require that you have a local Wi-Fi spot near you. One aspect to take into consideration is to find a quiet place for your conversation. Disruptions can be annoying both to you and to the person you are talking with.
Writing: Sitting down and writing a letter is a lost art form, but it add a sentimentality to your message. If you don’t have time and would rather write an email you can do that also. Sometimes it is beneficial to write to one specific person, but there is a time and place on your traveling sales crews adventures to write a blanket email to all your friends and family. Either way, the people receiving the news will be glad to hear you are safe and can share in the journey.

Social Media is Essential on a Traveling Sales Crew

When on a traveling sales crew, you visit so many different places such as restaurants, movie theaters, malls, landmarks, etc. Each of these locations either has a place to “check-in” or you can create your own. Every friend you have on Facebook can follow your travels each and every place you visit when you check-in. The newly created post will be right there on your wall and will allow your friends and family to see the progress of your traveling sales crew.

When checking in to a location, you can write a message and make it more personal but there are other ways to enhance the experience. Pictures are a great way for friends and family to actually see you at all the different locations throughout the U.S. Another good idea is to tag other traveling sales crew members in your photos as well.

Keeping in touch with the people we care about is very important. It allows them to know that you are safe but also the fun that can be had while traveling from state to state. Take time each week to keep in touch with those that you care about most. They will appreciate the updates and when updating your Facebook profile on new sights and places, your friends and family can see the adventure, comment on what’s new and exciting, and be a part of the experience.

1. Personal growth and development in human relations, personal development, and self confidence. “Be all that you can be” is more than just a slogan at the NFSA.
2. Leadership development, which involves learning how to manage time, staying focused on goals, and gain better developed communication skills.
3. Continued education, leaders in the field share their knowledge at workshops or presentations, as well as at NFSA convention’s.
4. Once a quarter a newsletter is sent out to indicate current and future trends, included are reports on national and local issues affecting direct sales.
5. A chance to network and share your knowledge and ideas with peers.
6. Provides Identification tools such as a personal identification card, official membership certificate, and reproductive logos to help promote business.
7. Legislative updates, if federal or state law affects direct selling, the NFSA is ready to respond.
8. Provides social opportunities in a non-business environment through conventions, seminars, and receptions.
9. Industry awareness, if new information comes out and is on a need to know basis, the NFSA alerts its members immediately.

One of the biggest advantages of becoming an NFSA member is the standard of integrity that you hold yourself to as well as assisting others in your profession. The NFSA strives in helping entry level employees learn the skills needed to become an above average sales person by offering classes and holding non-business related social gatherings. Being a good citizen, helping people, and respecting the rights of others are all standards that the NFSA upholds no matter they travel. Being a good sales person means being a good guest. NFSA members get the opportunity to serve on association projects and help others that are new to the industry start off on the right foot. When members help each other, they know they are at their best. Have you ever wondered how can I improve my selling abilities? A benefit of becoming a member of the NFSA is that there are conventions and seminars held with outside speakers and industry members on improving ones business tactics. Being involved in the industry is important and the NFSA encourages and wants to hear your thoughts and opinions on how to better the industry. Finally a degree of prestige is held; NFSA members are supporters of America’s free enterprise system and believe in what they do. The NFSA has a code of ethics that companies must comply with and was created to uphold the integrity of the direct sales industry and most importantly provide regulation.

Many businesses have the luxury of an air conditioned office with all the latest amenities such as copiers, office supplies, and definitely electricity. All these are necessary to run a successful business if they are needed but they also produce a lot of waste. Many times if a piece of equipment gets damaged, the office will buy a new product instead of trying to repair the old one and thus reduce waste. Traveling sales crews have the advantage in that their office is the great outdoors. Each sales crew member walks from door to door throughout the day thus decreasing the amount of waste of a normal office environment.

Recycled Paper Receipts

While walking from door to door, traveling sales crew members also carry with them a notebook of sales receipts to give to customers after making a purchase. Normal sales receipts can create a lot of waste for an office and thus increases the amount of trash accumulated throughout the year. The NFSA encourages each of its members to take an active role in doing its part to keep the planet as clean as possible. While using recycled paper receipts may not seem like much help, with hundreds of different traveling sales crews in service today, the amount of waste that has been reduced by taking this one simple step is crucial in preserving the planet.

Recyclable Containers for Cleaning Solutions

There are several different types of traveling sales crews. One of which travels door to door and sells a environment-friendly cleaning product called Eco-Orange. This company has not only made its cleaning product “green” but also the bottle it comes in. Plastic is one of the many substances that is infiltrating the environment we live in and contaminating many of the water supplies and also increasing the size of garbage dumps every year. By replacing a regular plastic bottle with one that has been made from recycled materials, they are making a big difference in how the world is being treated. Eco-Orange is highly effective when it comes to cleaning such things as water stains, rust, cars and windows. Being sold by traveling sales crews in a recycled bottle makes this

product that much more desirable.

Traveling sales crews will not be able to save the world from pollution and garbage. There is no company that can live up to this task. However, each traveling sales crew and the companies they work for have taken small steps in order to create a more eco-friendly environment. If all companies would be willing to take these small steps, think of the difference it could make.

Messages to NFSA Members

Like any trade organization, the NFSA has members all across the country. Previously it was necessary to send physical paper newsletters to each of the members in order to disseminate information to the companies who employ traveling sales crews regarding new standard practices or even governmental regulations regarding the door to door sales industry. Today they use a different approach. Online newsletters and blogs allow the NFSA to keep in contact with each of its members when they subscribe to new updates on the NFSA website. Therefore, every time a new regulation is approved in a specific state, the members can gain insight on the best way to adhere to those regulations.

This type of communication transfer saves the company time and money and even helps keep the planet cleaner. The writing of the information is the same. It still has to be done by a workforce, but on a much smaller scale. Since the communication is sent through electronic means, there is no reason for a printer to print messages, stuff envelopes, or adhere stamps. The newsletter can be easily written in a short amount of time and then passed on to its members within seconds. Luckily, for each of the members of the NFSA this means that their traveling sales crews can be compliant in a much shorter amount of time.

Messages to Traveling Sales Crew Members

Not only has the NFSA used more “green” methods to communicate with its members but the managers of the traveling sales crews have realized the power of technology and the benefits that it can have on the environment and on its own business practices. Each traveling sales crew member is given incentives in order to complete sales goals. Sometimes getting the word to each of the traveling sales crews members can be a daunting task until recently. Some sales crews managers are employing the texting technology to pass on new information. Most of the crew members and all of the managers have cell phones in order to stay in contact with friends and family. Each crew manager uses this to their advantage to send instant SMS messages to the crew members. Thus, delivering the information instantaneously and directly into the palm of the traveling sales crew members hands.

Staying current with technology is something that the NFSA has found to be efficient and effective. Using blogs and online newsletters make it possible for the NFSA to stay in contact with their members and crew managers use texting as a “green” way to get messages to their crew members. Rest assured that the NFSA hasn’t stopped there. They will continue to look for new ways of increasing productivity and reducing waste. The NFSA is doing their part to reduce the waste on the planet and making the world a better place.