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sales

Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 3

June 24, 2010   in   MSS news

Credit Card SecurityIn talking with ProPay®, we have learned they have a service available called ProtectPay™. ProtectPay allows users to store credit cards within ProPay’s system, for a fee, and then submit charges when applicable. Because the information is not being stored on the merchant’s computer, the merchant does not have to be PCI or PA-DSS compliant. Instead, ProPay is and their systems ensure the security required by the credit card industry. However, ProtectPay as it is available now is not what ProPay recommends for the Mary Kay community.

ProPay tells us that phase 1 of their Virtual Terminal ProtectPay is expected to be released mid-July. The Virtual Terminal ProtectPay service is designed for micro merchants – AKA Mary Kay Consultants and Directors. Phase 1 will allow users to save the cards in ProPay’s system, creating a unique identifier for each card, and charge them for subsequent orders similarly to the regular ProtectPay. During a later phase, Virtual Terminal will allow for the user’s Boulevard to integrate and process against stored card identifiers.

Main Street Software empathizes with each of you in this transition period. We, too, have had to make changes in our own Mary Kay businesses to store card information for customers who have requested this. Our company has a history of making sure we do what it takes to do the right thing, to not step on any toes, and, above all, not break any rules just for convenience sake. Main Street Software will continue to communicate with you regarding every development.

Thank you for your understanding and stay tuned for updates as they occur.

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Did you know… Boulevard can provide the information needed to track your year-end Seminar sales goals?

May 25, 2010   in   Did you know...

We’re taught that setting a goal is the first step toward achievement. Follow-through is key, though. In your business, this means tracking.

Weekly Accomplishment Sheet & Personal Sales Tracking

Unit or Area recognition is often based on retail product sold during the seminar year. From Preferences inside Boulevard software, click on the Weekly Accomplishment tab and ensure Base YTD totals on Seminar Year is checked. The New Year-to-Date Sales Total on the Weekly Accomplishment Sheet will now reflect your seminar year sales.

   To view your sales, from under the Utility menu select Weekly Accomplishment (or by selecting the dollar sign symbol from the main toolbar).  Then File and Print Preview.

When retrieving weekly accomplishment information, if a message appears that tells you the seminar year is undefined, return to Preferences and select the Seminar tab this time.

 

In order to retrieve information for seminar year-to-date, the seminar year selected must be entered. For our customers on the premium Product Update Service, the summer CD will update this information for the upcoming year.

Queen’s Court of Sales Tracking

Unlike the Weekly Accomplishment Sheet, the Queen’s Court dialog shows the retail credit you have earned from Mary Kay® based on product orders placed throughout the seminar year. This is an excellent tool for tracking Queen’s Court of Personal Sales.  It shows a list of all product order totals in the current or previous seminar year as well as the total retail value of all orders and the Queen’s Court qualifying amount. To view personal production entered into your Boulevard software, click on the Product menu, then Order. In the Maintain Orders dialog select the Queen’s Court button.

Additional information can be found in the Help by hitting the F1 key at any time in either of these areas of Boulevard. 

We’d love to hear if you met your seminar goals and about your walk across stage in July! You can do it – and we’re here to help.

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Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 2

May 14, 2010   in   MSS news

When we become accustomed to performing a task in a certain way that is both convenient and timesaving, it can be difficult to give it up. Main Street Software, Inc. knows you would prefer to continue to process credit card charges from your Boulevard software. We know how convenient it is for you and your customer to keep their payment information on file. However, each of us also knows how often information is stolen and how insecure the Internet can be. Security is of utmost importance and we are confident you want us to look after your best interests.

Therefore, come July 1, 2010, no matter what version of Boulevard software you are using, you will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions directly to ProPay.

ProPay is being required to change the way it allows any company to submit transactions to them directly. Propay is seeking to find another way to have interaction between Boulevard and them that will meet the industry requirements.

As new information becomes available, we will be sure to post the information here on our blog, via email, or as a NewsFlash message. When you upgrade to Boulevard 2011, all credit card information previously in the program will no longer be stored. Prior to installation, we recommend one of the following to keep track of preferred payment methods for your customers.

Option 1 – Pop Up Message:


For all customers who choose to pay by credit card,

  1. Open the customer profile.
  2. Click on the Notes tab.
  3. Type a note. (E.g. Prefers to pay by Credit Card or Credit Card)
  4. Highlight your note using your mouse.
  5. Click F8 on your keyboard.
  6. Click OK to save the note.

You can use the same steps for customers who prefer to pay by check, cash, or who you allow to carry a balance and make payments. This option is flexible to meet your needs.

Option 2 – User Codes:


If you would like to be able to pull reports based upon payment preferences,

  1. Open the customer profile.
  2. Click on the Recruiting tab.
  3. Select one of the available User Code fields. You will use the same field for each whom you are designating a preferred payment method.
  4. Type your note. (E.g. Credit Card or Cash)
  5. Click OK to save.

Now you’ll be able to retrieve a report based upon the information you have entered into the field.

The next time you talk to your customer, just let him or her know their financial security is important to you and you can no longer store their credit card number on your computer. For sample words to use when informing your customers, please visit Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 1.

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Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 1

April 27, 2010   in   MSS news

Security is an increasing concern with regard to identity and financial information. As a small business owner, you should be aware of some changes that will affect how you run your business. Effective July 1, 2010, changes will be in place that will affect how you process credit card transactions for your customers and the information you are allowed to store.

For detailed information, please visit the Cardholder Information Security Program section on Visa’s website.

For your convenience, please refer to the following chart to ensure you comply with VISA’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements if you choose to continue to store credit card data for your customers.

As a software vendor, Main Street Software, Inc. was required to make modifications to comply with these new regulations, too. At this time, we are approaching the new security regulations in two steps. The first step was to ensure the latest version of the software, Boulevard 2011, met the standards and expectations for maintaining cardholder security.

With the installation of Boulevard 2011, existing users must agree to the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA) which specify that cardholder data previously stored in the provided credit card field(s) in Boulevard will be wiped out as this feature is no longer offered.

  • New users installing Boulevard 2011 will not have the credit card fields previously included in the software.
  • Users will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions from Boulevard to ProPay™ (US & Canada feature only).
  • Credit card numbers can no longer be entered as a payment method in Avenue and any credit card information entered into payment method in the Palm® application will be lost during synchronization.

These steps were taken for our users’ protection as well as ours. Boulevard users who choose not to upgrade to Boulevard 2011, who choose to store credit card data on their systems, or who choose to store that credit card data in other areas of Boulevard are solely responsible for any breach in security they may face. Main Street Software, Inc. is not liable for any fraud or security breach on its users’ systems.

Here is a sample of what some of our employees are telling their customers:

Dear Susie,

I want to let you know about some changes I have to make with regard to your account security. As you know, thousands of people every day deal with identity theft and credit card fraud. There are some new regulations that affect me as your consultant.

From this point forward, I am no longer able to keep your credit/debit card on file. I’m sure you can understand I want to comply with these laws and ensure your information is secure. I’ll note your account as preferring to pay by card and that way I can get the information each time you place an order.

Thanks for understanding!

Subsequent to the changes made to the Boulevard software for the 2011 version, Main Street Software, Inc. will continue to work with ProPay to find an appropriate future solution, if possible, to integrate payment submission. We want you to know that we are committed to a high-quality product that simplifies processes within your business. However, we are also committed to maintaining the integrity of Boulevard and complying with laws and regulations surrounding small business owners including security and fraud prevention.

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Starting and Running a Successful Mary Kay Business

March 10, 2010   in   From LuAnn,MK business tools

Selling Mary Kay products can be the perfect career choice, especially for people who prefer flexible hours and enjoy connecting with customers. But to move your business from a sideline hobby to a profitable career requires attention to some key factors. This article provides fundamental guidelines that can make the difference between success and failure, from why Mary Kay products are a good choice to effective customer service techniques.

Your business success starts with the company and products you represent.
When you choose selling Mary Kay products as a career, you are choosing a reputable, high-quality product line from a stable, ethical, and successful company. Mary Kay has been providing high quality skin care and cosmetic products since 1963, and is a well-respected global leader in direct sales. Mary Kay as a company and Mary Kay executives have been directly involved with the Direct Selling Association (DSA), an established trade association that requires its member companies to follow best business practices and adhere to a strict code of ethics. And Mary Kay products stand on solid scientific research in collaboration with dermatologists and medical experts worldwide.

Selling products you use and love makes your job easier and much more fun!
Unless you’re a good actor, it’s hard to fake enthusiasm. But it’s easy to be genuine and passionate about products you use and love. If you have been using Mary Kay products for any time, you’re an excellent candidate for a successful career selling Mary Kay. Your knowledge and experience with the products as well as your passion for them is infectious, and will give your customers confidence that they’re buying tried and true products.

Treat your business with professionalism right from the start.
Success as an Independent Beauty Consultant requires you to keep track of myriad details regarding customers, inventory, time, and money. Computers have streamlined such tasks, and a professional-level software program that tracks the details for you is worth its weight in gold. Find out what software tools are available, especially programs that are designed for the Mary Kay industry. Then pick the right one, not the cheapest. Look at the reputation of the company, the software features, the frequency of upgrades and improvements, and customer service. A professional business management software program with excellent customer support puts a winning team on your side right from the start.

Get to know your customers as individuals.
Find out when their birthday and anniversary is. Pay attention to their likes and dislikes, what products they buy and how often. Then keep track of all these details meticulously in your software program. Personal service is one of the reasons customers like to buy from you rather than a department store, and the key to great personal service is anticipating your customers’ needs before they know they have them.

Manage your inventory effectively.
Besides your customers, your Mary Kay inventory is the next most important aspect of your business. Carry too much and you’ll tie up too much money on your shelf. But carrying too little means you may not have what your customers need when they need them. If you’re tracking your customers’ buying preferences, you’ll notice trends. This helps you set the right inventory levels and decide which products to stock. A good software program should allow you to look at your inventory and your customers’ product usage and give you the exact information you need.

Automate as many aspects of your business as you can.
You make money by servicing your customers, not by figuring out what you should be doing with your time or counting the products on your shelf over and over again. Notice the amount of time you spend on each aspect of your business and look for ways to streamline by using your computer and mobile device. Does the Mary Kay software program you chose have a calendar feature? Does it sync with a PDA? Can you generate invoices electronically? How can you better use web tools? Let your computer and PDA do their job so that you can concentrate on what you do best: interact with your customers.

Follow up with leads and customers.
You never know when you’ll meet a potential customer. Carry your marketing material with you and develop a way of recording information about each meeting or interaction. Remembering and recounting details about your first meeting and all subsequent interactions with a person tells them they are important to you, and indicates your dedication to customer service right from the start. Follow up on samples and, later, purchases to see how they like your products. Send them birthday cards and offer special discounts during their birthday month. From lead to customer, show them they are special. Chances are, they don’t get that kind of treatment from a department store.

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Let Us Help You Boost Your Mary Kay Holiday Sales!

October 29, 2009   in   MK business tools,Special offers

There’s no better time than the holidays to show your Mary Kay customers you’re thinking of them and appreciate their loyalty. Why not let Main Street Software help you with our postcard design and mailing service? Our postcards can promote your holiday open house, current or upcoming sale, or simply thank your customers for being part of a successful year.

Work with our designers to customize a postcard or series of postcards that are perfect for your Mary Kay business. Provide us with your mailing list and we’ll send them out for you. Just imagine what can happen when we work together to boost your sales!

Sample Custom Holiday Postcard

You can also view the birthday/anniversary postcards we have in stock to offer. These are great for your customers, team members/unit, family, and friends!

Already have cards you’d like to use? We’ll save you time by sending them for you.

Contact us today to begin the design process for your unique holiday postcard. You’ll love what we have to offer.

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Did you know… Gift certificates are not handled as a sale?

October 13, 2009   in   Did you know...

Gift certificates are not a sale until product changes hands. Tax forms ask you for the amount of product sold. Since no product has been sold yet, nothing needs to be recorded.

Preferred method:

  1. Nothing is done at the time of sale with the purchaser.
  2. At the time of redemption, record the Gift Certificate as a payment made on the recipient’s invoice.

We recommend handling gift certificates in this manner to avoid duplicating your sales data. If you were to create a sale for the Gift Certificate at the time it was paid and then entered a sale for the product when the recipient redeems it, you will be claiming the sales value twice. This increases your tax liability. By handling it as recommended, you will have all the tools in place to help you when the time comes to redeem the certificate, and your tax record will be accurate.Customer Payment
Alternate method:

  1. Right-click on the recipient from the appropriate list in Boulevard and select Account Balance.
  2. Select Payment.
  3. Complete the fields as indicated.Tip: Gift Certificate
  4. When the recipient redeems the certificate (in part or full), just enter a new invoice. Do not enter a payment. The sale will deduct from the balance on the account.

If the buyer requests a receipt, follow these steps:

  1. New InvoiceCreate a New Invoice for the buyer.Invoice Note
  2. Click on the Note button then type a note indicating the invoice is for a gift certificate purchase. Include the recipient name, if known.
  3. Do not enter any items as being sold.
  4. Enter the amount of the gift certificate as a payment, selecting cash/check or credit card accordingly.
  5. If the buyer is also purchasing other products, make a separate invoice so that is isn’t confused with the Gift Certificate transaction. Print the receipt(s).

Once the payment is complete, to help you remember the transaction, we recommend adding a Call Note. You can do so by clicking on the Calls tab of the recipient’s profile and selecting New.

Customer Profile - New Call

If the recipient is not yet a customer, don’t worry. Just find out his or her name and add to the Customer List. Find out more about tracking sales in Boulevard software by visiting our website.

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Did you know… your Boulevard software invoices offer color coding?

October 6, 2009   in   Did you know...

Color Coding on an Invoice

Your Boulevard software arrives pre-set with color coding to better manage invoicing your Mary Kay customers. For instance, items not in stock (Backordered) will appear in aqua. When you are selling the last of an item, it will appear in fluorescent green. When you are repeating the GWP you have listed in Preferences, it will appear in pink.

Important Tip!To find out what other color options are available, click on the File menu then Preferences. Select the Format tab.

Learn more about customizing your Boulevard software from our website, or type the key word Preferences in the Search tab of Help, select the topic titled About setting Preferences. Selecting #8 provides additional instructions on customization and the topic titled Preferences goes into detail on Color Coding options.

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