Q Talk

[Shanus]

Instead of bringing in hosts who know very little about everything (one still can’t pronounce names or recognize stones in a jewelry show), I may have a novel idea.

Why not train hosts in specific areas and drill the info into them before they go on air? Host A & B are trained in all things makeup, host C & D have the majority of jewelry shows, others are trained in skincare, fashion, electronics, etc. 

There have been shows where the host knew nothing about the products and the vendor was obviously quite annoyed, often correcting the misinformation given. 

Some of the newer hires have the personality of a rock & are perfectly suited to just stand on set while the vendor explains TVs, electronics, etc. Others are warm, personable and better suited to one on one selling like skincare/makeup/hair products.

Quieter personalities should be paired w/ Mally, Nick and Kim G. Those vendors are animated enough w/o a Kiersten  or JT type who’s also trying to be a star.

Just a suggestion, but of course, QVC doesn’t read these or favor positive changes.

What’s your opinion?

[geezerette]

If I remember correctly, this was a relatively common practice in the past.  I don’t know if all the hosts were specifically trained in one or two areas, although I do remember the hosts that presented jewelry always spoke about having to go through gemology training.

But most of the established hosts had their own areas of interest and expertise and presented products in those areas almost exclusively.  Other hosts were sort of “well-rounded” and did a bit of everything.

[QVCkitty1]

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@Shanus wrote:

Instead of bringing in hosts who know very little about everything (one still can’t pronounce names or recognize stones in a jewelry show), I may have a novel idea.

Why not train hosts in specific areas and drill the info into them before they go on air? Host A & B are trained in all things makeup, host C & D have the majority of jewelry shows, others are trained in skincare, fashion, electronics, etc. 

There have been shows where the host knew nothing about the products and the vendor was obviously quite annoyed, often correcting the misinformation given. 

Some of the newer hires have the personality of a rock & are perfectly suited to just stand on set while the vendor explains TVs, electronics, etc. Others are warm, personable and better suited to one on one selling like skincare/makeup/hair products.

Quieter personalities should be paired w/ Mally, Nick and Kim G. Those vendors are animated enough w/o a Kiersten  or JT type who’s also trying to be a star.

Just a suggestion, but of course, QVC doesn’t read these or favor positive changes.

What’s your opinion?

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I think your suggestions make a lot of sense.

[shaggygirl]

I'll drink to that!

[Shanus]

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@geezerette wrote:

If I remember correctly, this was a relatively common practice in the past.  I don’t know if all the hosts were specifically trained in one or two areas, although I do remember the hosts that presented jewelry always spoke about having to go through gemology training.

But most of the established hosts had their own areas of interest and expertise and presented products in those areas almost exclusively.  Other hosts were sort of “well-rounded” and did a bit of everything.

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@geezerette   Nancy Hornbeck is the only one w/ an actual gemology degree. 

[Shanus]

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@shaggygirl wrote:

I'll drink to that!

@shaggygirl   Some hosts require a glass of wine to be able to watch the show. 😜

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[geezerette]

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@Shanus wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

If I remember correctly, this was a relatively common practice in the past.  I don’t know if all the hosts were specifically trained in one or two areas, although I do remember the hosts that presented jewelry always spoke about having to go through gemology training.

But most of the established hosts had their own areas of interest and expertise and presented products in those areas almost exclusively.  Other hosts were sort of “well-rounded” and did a bit of everything.

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@geezerette   Nancy Hornbeck is the only one w/ an actual gemology degree. 

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@Shanus 

I wasn’t speaking necessarily about formal degrees.  Just above and beyond the general host training they got from QVC itself.  Or even just a host being interested in a certain subject or product type and doing research on their own.  Many of the hosts had specific vendors they would work with.  

And most of the people I’m thinking of are no longer at QVC.  As I said, it was in the past, and no longer seems to be prevalent at all.

[Shanus]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@Shanus wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

If I remember correctly, this was a relatively common practice in the past.  I don’t know if all the hosts were specifically trained in one or two areas, although I do remember the hosts that presented jewelry always spoke about having to go through gemology training.

But most of the established hosts had their own areas of interest and expertise and presented products in those areas almost exclusively.  Other hosts were sort of “well-rounded” and did a bit of everything.

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@geezerette   Nancy Hornbeck is the only one w/ an actual gemology degree. 

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@Shanus 

I wasn’t speaking necessarily about formal degrees.  Just above and beyond the general host training they got from QVC itself.  Or even just a host being interested in a certain subject or product type and doing research on their own.  Many of the hosts had specific vendors they would work with.  

And most of the people I’m thinking of are no longer at QVC.  As I said, it was in the past, and no longer seems to be prevalent at all.

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@geezerette   Bringing up Jill again, for example, she seemed to enjoy decorating, cooking and all things home related.

[Pook]

Not a novel idea using specialization but an old one that most companies have long since abandoned due to cost of needing more  employees. 

When I first started watching in the late '80's, isn't that the way things were with certain hosts doing all jewelry shows, some clothing, others cooking, etc.?  Kathy Levine rarely if ever did a cooking show.  Pat was almost exclusively jewelry shows wasn't she?  I can't remember who else was here at the time and did nearly exclusively certain shows.  I don't think that is cost effective since there would have to be enough hosts thoroughly trained in each category to fill in and some would be used far more than others so they often would have to work more hours or not be able to have off or vacation due to coverage and more hosts would be needed and it would seem that the cost of items would have to go up.   More than likely a scheduling nightmare.  Plus hosts would resent having to be  stuck with only certain shows especially if they are not happy with what they got assigned!  With all hosts being required to do all types of shows better coverage can be had with sickness, vacations, etc.

My opinion is that a host is a host and should be able to do any type of show.  While I don't watch a lot, I have never noticed any host being so unfamiliar with what they are presenting that it's causing issues - just something some think is happening because they watch just looking for issues to complain about.    Nobody is perfect and even with a few pronunciation's or goofs it's not the end of they world.  Also now with the Internet, if anyone doesn't find the presentation acceptable enough they can always go online to find details.  

[geezerette]

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@Shanus wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

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@Shanus wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

If I remember correctly, this was a relatively common practice in the past.  I don’t know if all the hosts were specifically trained in one or two areas, although I do remember the hosts that presented jewelry always spoke about having to go through gemology training.

But most of the established hosts had their own areas of interest and expertise and presented products in those areas almost exclusively.  Other hosts were sort of “well-rounded” and did a bit of everything.

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@geezerette   Nancy Hornbeck is the only one w/ an actual gemology degree. 

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@Shanus 

I wasn’t speaking necessarily about formal degrees.  Just above and beyond the general host training they got from QVC itself.  Or even just a host being interested in a certain subject or product type and doing research on their own.  Many of the hosts had specific vendors they would work with.  

And most of the people I’m thinking of are no longer at QVC.  As I said, it was in the past, and no longer seems to be prevalent at all.

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@geezerette   Bringing up Jill again, for example, she seemed to enjoy decorating, cooking and all things home related.

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@Shanus 

Yes, and she also had a couple of product lines she was interested in and had better knowledge of than some of the other hosts.

I’m actually thinking of years ago—before Jill retired.  I’m reticent to name names and be specific because people tend to get vehement in their like or dislike of past hosts and I don’t want your thread to end up disappearing through no fault of yours! 😉🙂