ONE CAN NEVER know too much about apparel printing. Consider this: Two stacks of T-shirts folded side by side on the shelves of a trendy retailer. Pricing is similar. One stack is comprised of non-descript, white tees, while the other features shirts with members of a popular band, a funny saying or an intricate design splashed across their surface. Unless the consumer is in the market for a non-descript, white tee, he or she would likely purchase one from the neighboring stack. These days, consumers are looking for garments that pop—that say something. Apparel printing plays as important a role in customer satisfaction as
Read More2007 Supplier Excellence Awards
LOYALTY HOLDS POWERFUL sway over many people’s actions. It is difficult to settle for good when the best is just a little further. Loyalty will see the extra mile traveled, the extra call made and the extra cost paid. Often, it is a result of superior quality or superior service, while other times familiarity can be held accountable, and yet other people will have a simple affection toward a brand. This is the dream of any corporation: To be known of not as a source, but as the definitive source for a commodity. Promotional Marketing’s 2007 Supplier Excellence Awards recognize the best in more
Read MoreThe myth of great relationships
THE WORLD IS full of salespeople who claim, quite proudly, to have great relationships with their customers. If that were true, it really would be great. But unfortunately, the term “great relationships” is too often a veil that salespeople hide behind to keep from exposing their sales skills weaknesses. Here’s how it works. An experienced salesperson believes that he or she has developed great relationships with customers. Therefore, he spends his time visiting these great customers, and focusing on maintaining the relationship. He can’t really dig deeper into the motivations and needs of the customer because he’s never really had those conversations before, and to
Read MoreTips of the Trade: Are Your Proposals Too Generic?
By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor Would this be an accurate description of the proposals you write: “Fluff in the front and back with a tidbit about the project sandwiched in between.” If so, maybe that’s why they end up in a black hole. You need a template, of course, for material that applies to many prospects. But the key to an effective proposal is customizing each one so that your prospects can tell that you really took time to think through their situation. As on a Web site, the first thing they see should be all about them: what you understand their challenge
Read MoreImproved Rebate Program to Replace Long-Running Norwood Rewards
Norwood Promotional Products, Indianapolis, will replace its points-for-purchase program (Norwood Rewards) with an improved rebate program. Norwood has earmarked the funds used to operate its Rewards program for an expanded 2008 Distributor Volume Rebate Program. Distributor principals will be contacted directly with details about the new rebate program. Norwood Rewards was launched in 2003 with the intent of creating a positive incentive for distributor salespeople to sell Norwood products. The program, however, has generated some concerns from distributor principals. “We’re committed to honoring the supplier-distributor principal relationship,” noted Paul Lage, Norwood president. “[Norwood Rewards] is perceived to be in conflict with that relationship and we want
Read MoreCutter & Buck Rolls Out First Dedicated Fall Corporate Offering
Cutter & Buck, Seattle, recently introduced the expansion of its corporate offering for Fall 2007, with the latest technical applications from its CB ProTec family of apparel, including CB DryTec and CB WeatherTec. The Fall 2007 offering marks the first time Cutter & Buck has taken a two-season approach to the corporate wearables market. Silhouettes in Fall’s latest hues will be prevalent, including long-sleeve knits, wovens and outerwear. “We’re continually evolving our product line to meet the diverse needs of both customers and their end-users by providing compelling new technical benefits, as well as highest level of quality and product diversity,” said
Read MoreS&S Activewear Expands Category-Specific Catalog Program
S&S Activewear, Bolingbrook, Il., has expanded its category-specific catalog program to include brand-specific catalogs focusing on several of its 2007 offerings. Available catalogs include: ·School & Team Collection—showcasing the latest styles, innovative fabrics and vibrant colors, in everything from spiritwear to team gear ·Golf Collection—items for both men and women from the best-known names in corporate golf apparel ·Boardroom & Gleice—fashionable styles featuring technical performance fabrics and the latest trends ·FeatherLite by Sierra Pacific—quality sport shirts and wovens in a wide range of colors and sizes ·French Toast—America’s most trusted and best-selling brand of school uniforms Each four-color category and brand-specific catalog ranges from
Read MoreSnugZ USA V.P. on Mission to Change World
When was the last time you heard of a movie spinning off into a real-life event? Usually, it’s the other way around. For one man, though, the message in the 2000 flick, “Pay it Forward” was too important to be confined only to the silver screen. He set out to make it a global reality. In the movie, a young boy, troubled by his mother’s alcoholism and fears of his abusive but absent father, attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. The boy’s social studies assignment led to social changes that spread from city-to-city. After seeing
Read MoreTimeCal offers four-color process on calculators and timepieces
TimeCal offers four-color process on calculators and timepieces
Read MoreAmerican Artisan’s suede aprons and pot-holders considered top-selling item at Promotions East
American Artisan’s suede aprons and pot-holders considered top-selling item at Promotions East
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