Distributors and Suppliers, Do You Know What You Are Missing?

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!

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Let Me Google That For You

On more than one occasion I have taken the easy road and asked a question of a colleague rather than do a little simple work with a search engine to find the answer for myself. Sometimes I get a quick response to my question that looks more like alphabet soup; “LMGTFY: Let Me Google That For You.”

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The Anatomy of Emotional Marketing

You’ve probably heard the old adage: “It’s the thought that counts.” This could not be any truer, especially in business. When we take the time to show our customers that we value more than just their money and investment, we gain a special place in their hearts.

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What Makes a Champion?


As a consultant, I am often asked, “what are the characteristics of successful people in the industry?” One interesting note—it has nothing to do with gender, age or tenure in the industry. Instead, it has everything to do with the character and integrity of an individual. I have noticed through discussion and observation several factors that I believe truly make a champion. And by the way, becoming a million dollar salesperson isn’t the Holy Grail barometer of success. Success can be measured and identified on many, many levels.

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5 Lessons from a #Socialmedia #Fail

Recently, I started investigating video conferencing systems for meetings with more than 10 video participants and the ability to call into a number from a phone line if you aren’t near a computer. PPAI board member Rod Brown pointed me in the direction of FuzeBox video conferencing. I also found BlueJeans video conferencing in my own searching.

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Promotional Products Industry: Balancing Risk and Reward

One of our biggest challenges is the question of how we can help those promotional product reps actually closing the sales and working with limited resources make it part of their decision to deliver safe and socially compliant product? It’s all in the balance of risk and reward.

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Sink or Swim: Taking Cues from Customers

There is something to be said for the customer perspective. Here’s what went wrong in a recent shopping experience and how ill feelings could’ve been avoided.

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When You Wisch Upon a Star

Nowell Wisch is a veteran multi-line rep in California and other points west. He’s been with TradeNet for over 20 years and has quite a few other great lines, such as Caro-line—the bandana people. He also volunteers as a photographer for SAAC, superbly so. I love that guy because Nowell is Bold, Different and Memorable. Extremely Memorable.

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The Better Question

You were trained to ask three questions in order to sell promotional products: “How many do you need,” “When do you need them” and “What’s your budget?” Granted, these are important questions when you are selling stuff. Selling solutions and moving yourself out of the commodity space requires better questions.

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