What's Your Industry IQ?

Promotional Production Association International (PPAI) has had a long-standing certification program that has been expanded to include the Trained Advertising Specialist Program (TAS) for people just getting started. A project based Master Advertising Specialist + (MAS+) designation that takes MAS to a higher level has been added. You can learn through on-line classes and on-demand webinars. The PPAI Expo and Expo East offer many education opportunities as do other PPAI events. PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, shares about their education program in this video interview.

Supplier Fields Manufacturing is focused on education, supporting a variety of professional development events. Their innovative "Fields of Opportunity" books will not only help you be more effective with your selling efforts, they are certified for education credits through PPAI and ASI.

Promo Marketing is doing online education. I just attended one of their sessions presented by SnugZ. It was excellent. Suppliers like Maple Ridge Farms are also offering quality education on how to be effective selling food gifts.

Regional Associations around the country have education events. Their trade shows enable you connect with suppliers. Suppliers are an excellent education resource. They can help you better understand how you can be more successful presenting their products. This information is invaluable.

My own industry resource program FreePromoTips has launched Success Tracks, an online learning experience component that offers unique personal development content. Conversations on Topics That Matter started with a discussion with Rod Brown, CFO of distributor MadeToOrder talking about why (and how) he takes two months off in the summer to recharge. Watch for more interesting topics coming soon: Communicating Your Message with award winning Toastmaster - the Sicilian Mentor, Maurice DiMino. And in October, Creating a Business Annuity will be presented.

Being connected is key component for success. On our inaugural "Sail to Success" cruise to the Bahamas September 17th all these elements will be in play. I look forward to sharing some of what happens and the lessons that are being learned during the cruise. To enable reporting on this cruise in video, we want to express our appreciation to a few companies. These suppliers understand the value of education and building relationships. Thanks go to Jetline, Pro Towels Etc., Warwick, Dyenomite, World Wide, Ad Mints and Vault Promotions for providing goodies and supporting this SuccessTracks event.