Reconcile Before the End of the Period

Ask the Accountant… Question: I produce my month-end statements and then do my reconciliations whenever the statements are ready. Is that the right order? Answer: Reconciliations are an important step in keeping your data up to date. Reconciliations are a safeguard that your numbers are correct, or at least entered in your system. A reconciliation…

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3 Drivers of Change in the Promotional Products Business

Right now, your clients are undergoing major changes that are affecting their needs for promotional products. With events out of the equation, employees working from home and staff reductions, companies are using promotional products very differently. Understanding these changes will help you provide the right solutions for your clients…

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Super-Size Your Business

I am sure you have seen plenty of McDonalds ads, right? But you probably didn’t learn anything new. Right? You already knew McDonalds sold hamburgers, fries, shakes and sodas. You have already tried many things on their menu. So, since you already know everything you need to know about McDonalds why do they advertise? The…

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Success Advice from Paul Bellantone, President and CEO of PPAI

Continuing to ask respected industry leaders to share their thoughts on success, I reached out to Paul Bellantone, president and chief executive officer of PPAI, to share his advice. Thank you, Paul Bellantone, for sharing your advice about financial success with me. Question for Paul: In your years of experience in our industry, what do…

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Promotional Products and How to Elicit an Emotional Response

It’s not the product itself that provides value, but it is how the recipient uses and perceives it that influences branding and promotional efforts. You can assume that swag is a cheap and expendable marketing tactic, or you can leverage every impression possible and evoke valuable emotions in your customers and clientele by choosing the right…

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There Is More Ahead of You Than Behind You

Quit being afraid of the future. That’s where all the good stuff lies. The road to failure is littered by organizations that feared and tried to hold back the future. Just look at Lotus 1-2-3, which owned the database and software business powering PCs in the days before Windows. Or look at Kodak, the company…

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The Law of Attraction: Who Do You Think You Are?

In my last article, I discussed the importance of gratitude. Today, I would like to talk about the two most powerful words in the English language. If I asked you, “Who are you?” your answer would start with two words: “I am.” I am. The two most powerful words in the English language. Don’t believe me?…

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Director of Client Retention

Where’s your focus? It seems like all the glamour and excitement in sales and marketing focuses on account acquisition. Everyone loves the “rainmaker,” the professional who reels in the big fish and new, headliner clients. We spend our time, our resources and our money on carefully crafted marketing plans. We think through objectives, strategies and…

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