I’ve been in the promotional products industry for more than 25 years, both selling products and programs, and coaching and educating distributor sales professionals. I’ve seen a multitude of changes in that time, but one thing remains the same: our reliance on quality suppliers.
Read More
In 2015, the journey of the promotional products professional in shifting prospects to clients is more challenging than ever. With the Internet, email, texts and blog postings added to phone calls, direct mail, meetings and cold calls all constantly interrupting the day, there is so much noise out there to overcome!
Read More
If that’s your question, here’s the snarky answer: Because you allowed it. An even more indicting answer might be because you encouraged it.
So what is commoditization? It’s the process that your buyers followed to reduce their buying decision to the lowest common denominator, price.
Read More
Sometimes we just miss the obvious. We are so busy doing what we are accustomed to doing that we miss opportunities right in front of us!
Read More
Our evolving industry business model continues to be a hot topic. Recently I started wondering how an online purchasing mentality, I’ll call the Amazon click-to-buy world, affects our industry. It begs the question, are we (aka distributors) really needed? It’s getting easier and easier for end-users to buy online or direct from suppliers.
Read More
There is no question that the subject of product safety and compliance has begun to be mainstream in the promotional products industry.
Read More
This year, the Be Bold, Be Different, Be Memorable blog postings will have a common theme. Promo Marketing has asked me to focus on the topic “My Best Promotion.”
Read More
Have you ever felt reluctant to make a sales call, follow up with a client or attend a networking event? I know I have. Here’s something to keep in mind.
Read More
Every year more and more products are being introduced into the market, and after a while it all looks the same. What if a program was developed that helped generate a true (ROI) return on a trade show investment? During my tenure as a promotional products consultant, I was absolutely amazed at how ineffective most marketing managers were at effectively managing the results of their trade shows.
Read More
Recently, I had a coaching call with a promotional products distributor who was frustrated because some of her clients were taking months to pay their invoices. It was causing her stress-filled days and sleepless nights. Can you relate? Below are seven tips that I shared with her that you too can use to improve cash flow in your business.
Read More