We Want To Know What You Think!

I’d like to thank everyone that has passed along feedback on the new site and those who have sent in press releases about company news or products. We’re optimistic here about building a community of distributors, suppliers and industry experts that can be mutually beneficial to one another.
In any case, the new issue of Promo Marketing Headlines is out and probably already in your inbox. Hopefully everyone will have a chance to read it over. If you haven’t, Here are the new headlines from Bodek and Rhodes, Broder Bros. and Crystal D.
Remember, if your company has news, make sure you

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Making Good on My Word

Well, compared to my last installment, this week’s blog will be quite the little ray of sunshine. At least, that’s what people call me.
I kid, but you see where I’m going with this? It’s a proven fact that a casual joke builds rapport. No need to laugh, I can’t see you. Just know I’m trying to make you feel comfortable. Because, frankly, lead poisoning doesn’t go very far in achieving the laid-back vibe I’m trying to create. And, yes, last week’s call to action had to be aired, but I’d like to choose this moment to move forward from a subject I obviously

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What Is The Secret Ingredient for Marketing & Sales Integration?

In almost 20 years of working in both marketing and sales roles, I’m consistently perplexed by the cross-departmental relationships between marketing and sales teams. Recently, I’ve been working with a number of companies to learn more about the key factors involved in integrating marketing and sales and producing increased sales revenue and ROI.
It has become clear to me that the secret lies in training both your marketing and sales teams to truly listen to your customers. This allows you to better understand your customer, their needs and the solutions and/or experiences they are looking for. Armed with this valuable information, you will be

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Get the Lead Out!

This, the first of my blog entries, was originally supposed to be a “nice to meet you, here’s why I think you should visit with me each week,”- type of intro. Standard fare—easy, breezy and at least vainly attempting to be funny. But, since I believe that candor is essential when forging relationships, there’s something that’s been on my mind that I’d like to share.
I’m a bit of a newcomer to the promotional products arena, but there’s one thing that has been unceremoniously drilled into my head since my very first trade show. This is an industry entrenched in its “process.” Suppliers

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A Great New Beginning

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic somewhere behind the morning.”
J.B. Priestly, British Writer & Broadcaster (1894 – 1984)

I can look around my office and home and find remembrances of the past everywhere. Sometimes simple objects, not necessarily meant to bear great significance, will remind me of beginnings and endings. In these moments, I consider what I have learned and where my choices in both my career and personal life have led me.
This month, there is a new beginning—a

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Today’s News and Notes: PromoMarketing.com is launched!

Today’s news is the launch of the new PromoMarketing.com Website. After months of development, we are happy to say that we’re up and running and raring to go. The goal is to provide distributors and suppliers that latest and greatest information, be it new products or reviews of the best that is out there.
I hope everyone will stop back, or take a minute between searches to see what is going on with all of our industry insider blogs. Publisher Matt Barnes will be sharing his more than 10 years of industry knowledge, as will Promo Marketing magazine editorial director Nichole Stella.

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