Every year, Promo Marketing releases its Top 50 Distributors list. To give you some insight into what it takes to make it to the top, we spoke to Justin Zavadil, president of American Solutions for Business, our No. 9 distributor.
Promo Marketing: What led to your company’s success in 2016?
Justin Zavadil: Our success in 2016 was due to a combination of things. First, and always first, we have the best salespeople in the industry. I know a lot of people say that, but I truly believe the sales associates at ASB really know the market well and are always looking out for what is best for their customers. Another reason for our success is technology advancement. Our proprietary e-commerce system and company store platform was greatly enhanced in 2016, allowing our sales associates the tools they need to become a one-stop shop for their customers. Lastly, I think diversification of our product offerings was integral to our success. We are always looking for innovative solutions to bring to our customers outside of just print and promotional products.
PM: What was the craziest, weirdest or coolest thing you’ve seen on your journey to becoming a Top Distributor?
JZ: We have come across a lot of different products that I didn’t think we’d ever get into. For me, it is always the things that you would never notice in your everyday life that are the most fascinating. One of the coolest was a patented ice cream tray that operates in the freezer and pushes pints of ice cream forward so they are always front and center. You’d never notice this product, but it was proven to increase the company’s ice cream sales exponentially.
PM: What’s the one thing you know now you wish you’d have known when you started in the promotional products industry?
JZ: Education is very important. You can’t be an extension of your customer’s marketing department if you don’t know what is going on in the industry. Take the time to learn about new products and leverage the knowledge and tools that your suppliers provide.
PM: What is the key to becoming (and remaining) a Top Distributor?
JZ: Adaptability. You need to be able to move with the marketplace and be flexible. The world is changing very quickly and the companies that are going to be successful will be ready to adapt when necessary.
