As a Brand Ambassador your schedule can get filled up pretty quickly. Suddenly you have no personal time and you have not slept in bed for weeks. To be transparent sometimes this is the gig and you just have to get through it the best you can. If you use the tools in the module "Planning for Success" it will give you the tools to not to become overwhelmed.

So when should you push back and when do you have to say yes?

At the beginning to be honest you need to say yes to almost everything. Say "yes" allows you to build relationships with some of the key players, bond with other people on the team and establish your expertise within the company. Use the tools in "Planning for Success" to make sure you stay organized and achieve your top priorities first.

When to push back and how to do it

Before you become overwhelmed and begin neglecting your priorities, take a step back before responding to the next request. Look at you calendar as a whole for the next two -three months. Look at your goals and priorities, as well your personal obligations. Decide how long these task will take ( be realistic) and schedule them into your calender.

Before Committing Ask yourself these questions?

1. Are you available on this day?
2. Do you have time to fly in and out? Look at the days before and after you event to see where you need to be.
3. How much time do you need to prep and when will you have time to do this?
   
4. Does this event truly need someone at your level? or

• • Could a well trained promotional model be a great fit.
  • Could a talented bartender fill in
  • Could you participate via zoom
  • The ROI does work out. i.e. 1 hour event for 30 consumers, across the country. Is it worth the cost to bring you in?

When should you always say "YES" unless you are truly not available:

1. Distributor meetings
2. Press events
3. Internal Presentations
4. Meetings with top accounts
5. Presentation to the Trade
6. Trade events (if you are hosting or presenting)
7. Liqour Store Tasting at A-List Accounts are stores such as( Astor wine and spirits, Binny's, etc, a Craft store, any place where the owners have educated staff on the floor) the staff and the consumers will expect your level of expertise
   

IN THIS VIDEO BELOW MARIE CHRISTOFFERSEN AND CESAR SANDOVAL, BOTH MANAGERS OF BRAND AMBASSADORS SHARE THEIR WISDOM OF WHEN
AN AMBASSADOR SHOULD PUSH BACK AND HOW TO HANDLE IT.

To recap:

When can you say "NO"

1. Consumer tastings - If a well trained promotional model or a bartender can fill in.
2. Liquor Store tastings: At B list accounts
3. Internal agency events: your client or brand agency is hosting an internal party just for themselves or other clients ( not your brand team)
4. Any event where the ROI does not line up
5. You are burnt out.
6. You have family obligations
7. Weddings or Funerals
8. When this will prevent you fullfilling more important obligations.

How do you Push Back

1. Come to table with a solution.- This is a must, if you are unable to commit have alternative solution in mind. For example:

• • A well trained promotional person to fill in
  • A trained bartender
  • Suggest an alternative date or time frame
  • Another Brand Ambassador
  • Train a local person from that market via zoom to handle the job.
    
    
• Speak to your manager- Always speak to your manager before turning down a
  request. Let them know why you feel you should turn it down and what your solution is.
  • Ask you manager to help you to come up with a solution
  • Always CC your manager in your communication about the request and your push back.