Ask any busy executive for a list of their most pressing needs, and having more time will probably show up among the top three items. No surprise. Getting a handle on this important but elusive idea requires a different way of thinking. The paradox of time is that we have all there is. How is it then, that there never seems to be enough? The notion of “time management” is a flawed concept, since we really can’t manage time, we can only manage ourselves, our activities and most of all,…
Read MoreBarker Specialty Announces New Look
Barker Specialty, Cheshire, CT, announced the reveal of its new brand identity, which the company says “embodies Barker Specialty’s cutting-edge and contemporary position as a leader in the world of branded merchandise, company web stores, and proprietary marketing strategies.” The choice was made to maintain similar color schemes, secondary design elements, and the company name…
Read MoreHow Santa Cruz Skateboards Merged Print, Promo, and Apparel for a Collector-Ready Line of Skateboards
Pokemon trading card collectors are always on the hunt for rare variants, like holographic Pokemon cards or other special-edition cards. Skateboard collectors like having rare, one-off or limited-edition decks, too, as they serve as something like a time capsule or special piece of art that can’t be found again. Santa Cruz Skateboards merged the two…
Read MoreManage Your Cash, or It will Manage You
Companies typically don’t go out of business because they lose money in a month, or a quarter, or for the year. They go out of business because they run out of cash. It can just as easily happen to those companies who are making a profit. These operators sometimes lose sight of the fact that cash flow and showing a profit are not the same things. As Joe Becker would always say, “Cash is king!” And he was right. The cash burn begins the moment you get the order. Paper…
Read MoreCrayola Goes Beyond Clothes for Colorful Kohl’s Co-Brand
When it comes to color and creativity, there aren’t many brands that come to mind more quickly than Crayola. After partnering with Vans for a customizable line of sneakers, Crayola is partnering with Kohl’s for an exclusive co-branded apparel line for kids, which rolls out next week.
Read MoreProforma Welcomes Mike Dobozy as Chief Technology Officer and Promotes Brian Carothers to Chief Information Officer
Proforma, Clevelad, announced Mike Dobozy as its new chief technology officer and promoted Brian Carothers to chief information officer, effective immediately. Dobozy, formerly with Red Hat Software as principal architect, is a world-class thought leader in automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. He has served as the Team Lead on Fortune 25 client projects, and…
Read MoreHow to Handle the Charity Request
They come in weekly, even daily during certain times of year: “Is there any way we could convince you to donate the printing/signage/promo? We are a nonprofit.” The natural, snarky response, of course is, “Well, we’re not.” But I advise against that. Instead, try this: “Every year, we budget a certain amount of money to provide work to nonprofits like yours. If you would like an application for next year, I’d be happy to send you one.” Then, create and send out a document which allows you to learn more…
Read MoreFour Tactics to Achieve Operational Excellence for Your Company
The printing industry continues to evolve, with technology advancements, changing customer preferences, and economic fluctuations reshaping the landscape. To thrive in this sector, achieving operational excellence is crucial for printing companies. What is operational excellence? Operational excellence encompasses a range of strategies and practices aimed at optimizing operations, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring profitability. Let’s explore four main points you can use to achieve operational excellence in your business. Embrace Technological Advancements In the general commercial printing industry, technology is a driving force behind achieving operational excellence. Printing technology continues…
Read MoreEasiest Way to Add Over $50,000 in Sales to your Pop-up Shops & Company Stores
Consider this: Businesses Food Gift Sales exceed $7 Billion a year. * $1,200 is the average Maple Ridge order from Pop-up Shops and Company Stores. You can receive 10% off EQP Net by putting 20 of our best-selling gifts in your stores. Maple Ridge makes it super-easy to populate your stores. We provide templates to…
Read MoreThe Taylor Swift Effect and Creating Demand for Branded Merchandise
It seems like Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce are really dating. After Swift popped by the stadium, Kelce and Chiefs merchandise sales exploded nearly 400% over the weekend.
Read More