There’s something in the air, and unfortunately it’s not the sound of music or the homey aroma of cookies baking in the oven. It’s stress blowing down the streets and wafting freely from room to room. There’s no hiding it or even pretending anymore. With the economy just now bottoming out, unemployment still increasing and the health care debate growing uglier, there are definitely enough reasons to feel stressed out.
No matter how much everyone wants to look on the bright side, life is more than visions of bunnies playing with puppies. Real world worries—large and small—work their way into hearts and minds. For promotional products professionals, this means only one thing: opportunity.
Just as the H1N1 virus has been a boon to anyone selling anything mildly antiseptic, so too can the spate of dour news lead to sales for distributors offering stress-relieving products. Instead of leading with, “I know times are tight, but …,” distributors might want to come at the pitch from a different angle and even have a little fun with the fact that people may be stressed out.
It’s a non-lethal attraction
That’s a pitch no human resource director can resist. Everyone has had the urge to throw something at a coworker. Maybe it’s Derick from IT who just won’t let the meeting end. Or Chaz, who is on the fifth straight day of slurping chicken soup. Or Big Mike, who can’t stop interrupting co-workers with (what he thinks is) witty over-the-cube-wall chatter. In any case, if you have to let something fly, better to toss a foam banana than an embellished paperweight.
Stress is sexy
It’s really not such a hard argument to make. While foam stress reducers are good, they may be dwarfed by stress relieving spa products. These days, distributors are sure to find end-users seeking out a soothing solution. Whether it’s silky bath beads or aroma therapy candles, end-users will surely remember the promotion or company that helped loosen up those tense shoulders and forget about life for awhile.
Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings
End-users love stress reducers because they help them think, focus and most importantly, look busy. Next to carrying around a bunch of papers or donning an angry scowl, there may be no better way to look busy than sitting back in your chair, fiddling with the foam Rubik’s cube, and making it look like you’re thinking really hard. Muttering to yourself and taking copious yet totally bogus notes also helps.
A woobie for the workplace
Three-year-olds may have a favorite stuffed bear. Six-year-olds trail soft, fleecy blankets behind them until the rules of kindergarten prevent it. For adults, stress reducers can provide this very same sense of security. Workers all across the world can be found sitting quietly in their cubes kneading and squeezing small foam brains.
Trade show gold
That’s all you have to tell end-users wanting a successful show. Stress balls disappear faster than leftover sandwiches in a boardroom. Distributors can stress to end-buyers how a stress reducer can help set their booth apart from the others. Someone else will already be giving away a recycled tote bag, so encourage your customers to provide people with something to fill it.
All shapes and sizes
If you think you can’t find the shape you need, remember suppliers are truly pushing the envelope these days. Try these shapes on for size: yellow star, pink pig, cow wearing pants, cow not wearing pants, chain saw, blue thumbs up, Rubik’s cube, chicken with a key chain, hot dog, panther, barrel of oil, bag of money, state of California, bulldozer, drop of water, chili pepper, acorn, cow with a key chain, fortune cookie, shark, dragon, musical note, flip-flop, awareness ribbon, cow that vibrates, and, yes, pile of fake poo (stay classy).
Bounce. Catch. Repeat.
The traditional stress ball can do more than just supply end-users with something to take out his or her frustrations—it can provide a means to help encourage office interaction. A quick game of catch can ease conversation and problem solving. Instead of concentrating on personal dynamics, a stress ball can put the focus on the problem at hand.
Family fun
Let’s face it, times are tight and stress reducers come at a good price point. With some companies offering stress balls priced below a dollar, they become relevant for many events. Distributors would do well to think unconventionally and propose stress relievers for events such as weddings, family reunions and retirement parties. In addition, many companies offer stress products that can be customized with family photographs.
For the sheer awesomeness of them all
Call it the “it” factor of promotional products. There is just something inexplicably appealing about the foamy, spongy, smooth shapes.
While not all end-buyers will buy into a fun approach to stress reduction, there surely will be a large audience of people so tired of taking the ills of the world to heart, and a fun-loving stress reliever or soul-soothing spa product might just strike the right note. And, everyone will agree the sound of music in the air would be a nice change of pace.
