What Experience Do You Deliver?

How would your clients describe the experience of meeting with you? How do they feel as you walk out of their offices? How do they feel about your impending appointments to see them? Here’s the toughest question for you to ponder. I want you to think this through thoroughly. If you are part of a…

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Thoughts on PPAI L.E.A.D. in Washington, D.C.

Last month I had the privilege of joining a select group of promotional products professionals in Washington, D.C., for Promotional Product Association International’s (PPAI) Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.). Influential industry members from across the country volunteered their time to head to our nation’s capitol, to raise awareness about our industry and the legislation…

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The Law of Attraction: Learn How to Talk to Yourself

In my last article, I discussed the importance of using “I am” statements. Today, I would like to discuss another powerful communication tool: questions. Specifically, I want to talk about the questions you ask yourself. The fact is, we ask ourselves at least several hundred, and up to as many as several thousand, questions a…

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Setting Up Items for Blank Goods

Question: How should I set up items for blank goods in QuickBooks? Answer: “Blank goods,” or orders that are then screen printed or embroidered by other vendors, are one of the most complex of orders in our industry. I recommend setting up a blank wearable by its item number and description only—not including color or…

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Are You Smarter than Artificial Intelligence?

What will your role be in the buying and selling of promotional products in 2026? How are you preparing yourself now? We’ve seen some major shifts over the past couple years, and everything points to the fact that change only is going to accelerate. More and more, the buyers of promotional products are digital natives. Those…

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5 Reasons Chance the Rapper is a Marketing Genius

At this point, if you haven’t heard of Chance the Rapper, you’re living under a rock (no offense, Dad). 2016 has been the year of Chance the Rapper, and I’m not upset about it. From his new album “Coloring Book” to his line of Chicago White Sox hats (they sold out before I could even…

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Global Trends in Product Transparency

On November 23, 2015, the world’s largest food manufacturer, Nestle, disclosed publicly that slave labor was being used to produce its seafood sourced from its supply chain in Thailand. An investigation had shown that Thai fishing operators lured migrant with false promises. The migrants were sold systematically and then kept in bondage and degrading conditions…

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