While the last year has been a challenge for everyone, it has also brought many opportunities. Jumping into or expanding your business in the automotive vertical market is one of them. Dealerships have rebounded better than expected and business is projected to build back rapidly over the next two years. Don’t miss out on this market…
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The Power of Relationships With Fred Albrecht
Fred Albrecht is an accomplished business owner, mentor and coach, who together with his wife, Suzette, built a $40 million business in the promotional products and print industry, Proforma Albrecht & Co. “Relationships matter more than anything,” Albrecht says. “It’s all about building a company one great person at a time.”…
Read MoreFor Promo Distributors, the Key to Success in 2021 Is Changing the Conversation—by Asking the Right Questions
In 2021, the “What” matters less. “We don’t have a budget for that” or “We’re not doing that event this year” should not be the conversation. “How are you getting new customers?” and “How are you saying ‘thank you’ to your employees?” will drive more fruitful conversations. It requires a paradigm shift. We can no longer focus on low prices and…
Read MoreHow to Be Successful in Promotional Products Sales
This month, I decided to bring in a new voice to show what it takes to make it in this ever-changing industry. Crissy Manwaring, an industry veteran and expert specializing in business development and recruiting talented salespeople, was kind enough to sit down with me to discuss what it takes to truly be successful in promotional products sales…
Read MoreThe Savvy Gift Giver’s Katie Taylor on Importance of Discussing Diversity and Speaking Beyond Soundbites
The Savvy Gift Giver’s Katie Taylor is one of the most articulate advocates for diversity and inclusion in the promo industry. She has established a successful and diverse company on the platform of an inclusive partnership with her staff and clients. Katie approaches the challenge of creating industry diversity with great enthusiasm and…
Read MorePutting It All on the Line With Jim Hummer
Jim Hummer founded two health care companies and invested in over 30 cutting-edge ventures, creating over $4 billion in shareholder value. Hummer discusses with host Greg Muzzillo the lessons he learned from opportunities and failures during his career, including when he sold his company, Whole Health Management, to pharmacy store giant Walgreens…
Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of Specializing in the Distributor Business
Do you specialize in a particular market? This is one question I always ask distributors at educational presentations as well as one-to-one consultations. Nine out of 10 times, the answer is no. Most feel it’s best to serve as many industries as possible and not limit themselves. Is that the right approach?…
Read MoreOur 5 Favorite Promotional Products of the Week: Earth Day Apparel, Lanyards for Cats and More
Earth Day is April 22, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate. (Even just going for a walk in the park and paying special attention to the sounds of nature around you would work.) This week’s edition of the Fave 5 includes some Earth Day themed apparel, as well as lanyards for cats and more…
Read MoreWorking From Home or Living at Work? 6 Strategies to Create Balance When Your House and Office Collide
Because we are forced to, these days working from home feels more like living at work—and that’s not conducive to mental, social or even physical health. It’s important to intentionally create actions that get around this feeling. Below are six strategies I’ve employed to maintain a semblance of balance and sanity…
Read MoreTime Is Money. Really.
I have said many times that there is no excuse for not making $500,000 per year in this industry, whether you are a business owner or a sales rep. Time is money. You heard it before. But do you really believe it? Do you really treat time like money? Think about it this way. Let’s say…
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