Businesses from coffee shops to bars to high-end restaurants may need to adjust their operating models as the country begins to reopen. With sanitary concerns and an increased demand for to-go orders, there is a critical role distributors can play as food and drink companies navigate the new normal…
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected all walks of life in the U.S. since it commenced its late-winter assault in the country. That’s led to a mindset of helping, rather than supplying, that is gaining momentum in the promotional products industry. And Guy Achtzehn is happily playing the role of one of that mindset’s biggest advocates…
Read MoreHow do you balance the search for sales with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s a delicate dance, but promotional products distributors still have businesses to run—and there are still sales to be had. Penny Fleming, founder of Awardpro, Newport Beach, Calif., has some ideas for where to look…
Read MoreIt is easy to get mired down in “what if” or “oh my” or “how am I going to,” but for me, I come to most situations looking to be optimistic. I am working to stay positive. This is easier for me, today, because my business, Sharp Ideas, is a small company. That being said, we do have overhead, we do have expectations and we do have a lot of challenges…
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What do you look for in a big order? You want the end-result to be worth your labor and energy, right? Maybe you want to be part of something bigger. Nick Mirabile, vice president of merchandise and licensing for Stran North America, Quincy, Mass., told us about a promotion that fit both criteria: marketing the U.S. Census…
Read MorePromotional products businesses face plenty of challenges, some bigger than others. Tom Levy, vice president of sales and marketing at Global Sourcing Connection, Riverwoods, Ill., shared some specific instances of disasters he’s had to overcome in his 10 years as a distributor—and how he handled them…
Read MoreThe coronavirus has shut down huge swaths of the economy, putting a big dent in a lot of distributor and supplier sales. As you navigate your current situation, it can serve as an ideal time to plan for future disasters. No matter how small or large a problem may be, having a plan in place to resolve it will be a great tool for the future…
Read MoreThe U.S. government’s $2 trillion stimulus package was the $349 billion in total loans for small businesses. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the lending program opened last week. Here are some key details and questions for promotional products businesses, including eligibility information and a link to the application form…
Read MoreWith everything going on right now, sales calls feel uncomfortable at best, tone deaf at worst. But promo professionals have businesses to run. How do you balance giving your customers the space they need while still doing your job? There’s no single answer that works for everyone, but here are some ideas…
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Not even a high-touch and highly creative industry like promotional products is immune to the “Amazon Effect.” That may have many distributors rushing towards an e-commerce model to meet buyer expectations—but before you completely throw out the traditional relationship-based model, let’s discuss…
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