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 MoreTag: Promotional products
QuickBooks Shortcuts You Might Not Know
Ask the Accountant… Question: There are lots on ins and outs in software, and the percentage that any user knows about is likely very small. I was working with a distributor, and he pointed out a shortcut with which I was not familiar. I have shared it below. Answer: In QuickBooks Desktop (Pro, Premier, or…
Read MoreTips for Selling Ballpoint Pens, a Perfect Promo for Your Clients
As we celebrate National Ballpoint Pen Day on June 10, it’s a good time to reflect on one of the promotional industry’s best sellers. Here’s why I recommend ballpoint pens for cost-effective, memorable branding and why you should suggest them for your corporate clients…
Read MoreAre You a Pit Bull or Pitiful?
The truth is that in most selling situations, the prospect isn’t always ready to buy when you are ready to sell. You know this. There are two kinds of sales types: the pit bull and the pitiful. If you go on a sales call and the prospect tells you they will call you the next…
Read MoreI Hit $500K in Sales and Have Reached My Ceiling! Now What?
Throughout the years, I have seen talented salespeople enter this industry with an eye on becoming a million-dollar producer. They work hard early on, have some customer wins, and see their sales increase. By years two and three, they become much smarter regarding the nuances of this industry. They see sales continue to progressively grow,…
Read MoreShould You Enter Transactions as Journal Entries in QuickBooks?
Ask the Accountant… Question: I had some accounting in college. Can I enter transactions in QuickBooks as Journal Entries instead of learning the software? Answer: QuickBooks is designed to follow their designated flow so that your entries are recorded correctly. By doing this, the debits and credits are recorded automatically in the background of the…
Read MoreIs There a Perfect Management System for a Distributor?
Ask the Accountant… Question: What is the perfect system for a promotional products distributor? Answer: I wish I had the perfect answer for that. Unfortunately, there is not a perfect system for our complex and unique industry regardless of cost. Ad specialty distributors have had to figure out their own systems, mostly by trial and…
Read MoreWhich Edition of QuickBooks Premier Is Right for You?
Ask the Accountant… Question: I am downloading QuickBooks Premier. There is a question about which edition I want. Which one do I pick? Answer: When you purchase QuickBooks Premier, there will be options of editions when you download the program. The edition that is best suited for our industry is Manufacturing and Wholesale. By selecting…
Read MoreHow to Handle Multiple Companies on QuickBooks
Ask the Accountant… Question: Can I run more than one company when I buy QuickBooks? Answer: Yes and yes, but…. Yes: QuickBooks Pro and Premier allow multiple company files for one flat fee, which makes these two versions of QB an even more cost-effective accounting software for those running multiple business entities. One word of…
Read MoreMy 5 Favorite Promotions of the Week: Chicago Cubs Branded Fanny Packs, Bloody Amazon Echos and More
From “Stranger Things”-inspired sports giveaways and a blood-spattered Amazon Echo to (yes, you guessed it) more brewery merchandise, here is this week’s installment of the Fave 5…
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