Our advertising medium is just about the only one that results in a "thank you" from the target audience. Whether it be an employee reward, customer appreciation gift or sales incentive, we need to let our clients know that now is the perfect time to show appreciation to their hungry customers and target audiences using promotional products...
Mark Jenkins
The "Big Quit" is affecting us personally and professionally. We are all experiencing the downsizing of service levels and resources as consumers and sellers. But, as with most challenges, there can be rewards. Organizational voids are an opportunity to dig deeper into accounts and offer more assistance and value to inexperienced and overtaxed buyers...
Now more than ever, it is helpful for your clients to better understand the supply chain and the complexities that you navigate for them. It is where you add value. You not only need to pass on those increases, but you also need to protect your traditional margins to better cover your increases in cost of operations. Here are some ways to do that...
As we take a fresh look at traditional in-person events and experiences, participating in professional development sessions can certainly help maximize the ROI of both our time and money at events. In addition to the knowledge, the extra networking opportunities and connections can certainly make the events more worthwhile...
While some things come out of nowhere without warning, there are always ways to prepare for business challenges. Recognizing that problems are inevitable—and committing to making the sound and sometimes difficult decisions—is easier said than done, but certainly key to enjoying the work more...
While sales forecasting and budgeting can be a draining process with so many unknowns right now, the positive side is we are now taking a new and closer look at our businesses than during “normal” years. We are spending more time strategizing and being reflective of our businesses and our own careers...
It has been a tough year. No matter what kind of success we have had (or not had) as salespeople, work has been harder and the stress level has been off the charts. We need to make sure we are taking some time to take care of ourselves and respond to what comes next...
We have an opportunity to surpass expectations, but first we need to communicate and set realistic expectations that match the times. Then, humility needs to take a back seat to pointing out how you came through successfully, overcoming unprecedented challenges to make your buyers look great...
Just as suppliers benefit from knowing more about your business, you can certainly leverage stronger relationships with suppliers to become more of an expert on their companies and operations. Adopting a supplier’s perspective and having a better understanding of their business only makes you a stronger source for your customers...
The burden of ensuring that your company hits its goals is yours to bear as the sales leader no matter what you’re selling, whether it’s balloons or jumbo jets. With that burden, it just makes sense to take ownership of every business function that can influence your ability to succeed...
It's time for us to hit the show floor once again. Setting all "re-entry" and social stresses aside, will we remember how to do this? What did we learn from not attending in-person trade shows? Can we apply our new knowledge and practices to make trade shows really work better for us now?...
Clients can shop on their own on price (and, yes, that is one of our biggest challenges), but the opportunity for you to add value and earn your piece of the pie rests in providing creative and better solutions without busting their budget, while maintaining your target margins and sales budgets...
