Did U Know?

Did U Know You Can Snag Ink & Toner on the Cheap?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:03:00 +0000

Let’s be honest, everyone wants great-looking print outs (especially for presentations), but no one wants to pay the hefty price for ink and toner. So, what’s a company to do?

Stock-up and save big with PPAI Ink & Toner.

As an Association member, not only can you track orders online, access purchase history and receive free shipping on orders of $50+, but you can also snag incredible savings—up to 65% off—on printer and copier supplies (cha-ching!).

Save on the things you need so you can spend on the things you want—click PPAI Ink & Toner today!

Did U Know An Explosion of Greatness Awaits?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:03:00 +0000

End buyers want greatness when it comes to promotional products, which means distributors need a steady stream of greatness-inducing ideas. Enter Promotional Consultant Digital — the award-winning e-zine designed specifically for distributors. With thought-provoking topics and real-world sales advice, tips, tricks and trends, PC Digital is exploding with ideas.

To read the latest issue or catch up on what you may have missed, click PC Digital.

Did U Know The Office Is A Sales-Rich Space?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Chances are, your next sales call will be in someone’s office. And, if you want to maximize the meeting, you need to work the room … with “In The Office,” the third and final video in the “People Love Promotional Products” series.

Want more? Visit the PPAI Distributor Tool Center.

Did U Know You Can Get Fail-Safe Protection?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:25:00 +0000

Late last year, 57 hard drives containing 220,000 social security numbers (among other things) were stolen from a BlueCross BlueShield call center. The theft affected some 500,000 people. So, here’s the question … is your company protected?

With PPAI Business Partner CoreVault, an online data backup and recovery service, you can rest assured that even your most sensitive files are secure.

For less than $20 a month (that’s exclusive, members-only pricing!), CoreVault offers fail-safe protection of your business files — including billing and accounts receivable info — by moving the records off-site automatically. CoreVault also encrypts your confidential data for increased security and then stores it in two private, geographically separate data centers, so it’s safe from regional weather concerns.

Safety first means fail-safe. Click protection for details.

Did U Know You Can Prove Your Case With PPAI’s Latest Sales Video?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:59:00 +0000

Cutting through the clutter to reach your customers is often a tough job ... one that requires a little extra “something”. Well, great news, PPAI’s got the latest something …

The second release in the “People Love Promotional Products” video series is fresh from the production house and now available for download on the Distributor Tool Center. Love In The Kitchen—Promotional Products Work! is an informative sales tool that focuses on the No. 1 room where people use—and keep—their promotional products: the kitchen.

By highlighting the most frequently mentioned tools, as well as showcasing compelling facts and figures in a fast-paced format, this second video (in the four-part series) provides you with an opportunity to start a conversation, to prove your point, to sell the industry, all in about 60 seconds.

Cook up an impressive ROI for you and your customers by downloading your free copy of Love In The Kitchen—Promotional Products Work! and post on your website/social media channels or use as a visual aid during sales calls. Click kitchen to download now.

Did U Know You Can Give Your Staff A Fun Pass?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:42:00 +0000

Vacations. Staycations. Playcations. A trip to the movies. An afternoon at the zoo. Whatever the plan, you and your employees deserve a little downtime …

So, what makes R&R even more rewarding? Big savings! Your PPAI membership grants you access to the PPAI Fun Pass, your direct ticket to year-round savings on movie tickets, theme parks, zoos and more. Bonus? You can pass on the deep discounts to your staff … a fun little employee perk!

Add PPAI Fun Pass to your benefits package and let your staff reap the rewards. A happy crew equals a happier you (hello, increased productivity!).

For details, click Fun Pass.

Did U Know There’s A Distributor Tool Center?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:49:00 +0000

Facts. Facts. And more facts. That’s what 3 out 4 end buyers say they want from their promotional consultants, according to recent industry research.

So, how do you deliver …

With video. In the age of YouTube and handy cams, video marketing is one of the best, most memorable ways to communicate a stat-heavy message, which is why PPAI just launched the Distributor Tool Center. A repository of powerful (and Free!) sales tools, this online hot spot houses comprehensive videos each backed by our independent, unbiased research:

Upload ’em to your company web site and social media channels to share the power of promotional products
Present ’em during a sales meeting to share compelling statistics
Use ’em to educate employees and staff about industry trends and changes

All videos available on Distributor Tool Center contain the undisputable stats you need to pique interest, to peak sales. Click here to download your copies today.

Did U Know Fido’s Eligible For Insurance?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:41:00 +0000

You insure your home, your car, yourself. And now, thanks to your membership in PPAI, you can insure your four-legged friends, as well ...

PPAI Insurance Solutions gives members access to the most competitive rates and discounts available from best-in-class insurance providers. Offering the only pet insurance licensed throughout the U.S., PPAI Insurance Solutions covers hundreds of medical and injury-related conditions for your dogs, cats, birds and other animals.

And, we know as much as you love your pets, business is top priority, which is why PPAI Insurance Solutions (including medical, auto, home, business and life coverage) is available to your employees, as well. Whether you opt for a small group plan for you and your staff, or individual/family coverage, making insurance services available for your team is a great way to recruit and retain top talent.

For complete details, click PPAI Insurance Solutions.

Did U Know We’ve Got News?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Informed. Educated. Aware. Success in business demands the continuous acquisition of knowledge. So, here’s the question, are you getting enough news …

Online and in hand, PPAI is committed to getting you the information you need. Through updates, newsletters, e-zines and magazines, there’s not a single week that goes by that isn’t covered by your Association news sources. And, for your quick reference, all info is archived online.

To see past issues, click below:

Need to subscribe? For updates, e-mail TessaF@ppai.org; for PC/PCT, e-mail PamW@ppai.org; click PPB and Newslink to start receiving your pubs.

Did U Know Membership Saves You $ At Expo?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:23:00 +0000

Maintaining your competitive edge in an ever-evolving marketplace requires new ideas, inspiration, education. And, during The PPAI Expo you can get a hearty helping of insight all for little cost — thanks to your membership in PPAI …

January 11-15 there will be more than 100 FREE professional development workshops to choose from at Expo, covering business management, incentive marketing, social media and more (nonmembers pay $350 for a week-long pass). And, as a member, you receive a 50-percent discount on paid sessions held Monday-Wednesday. After-hours networking (a night at rumjungle, a wine tasting at China Grill, the PPAI Awards Presentation & Dinner and ONE, the Expo’s closing party) also have deeply discounted tickets for members — a great way to make those connections that count without breaking the budget!

Your PPAI membership doesn’t just save you money at Expo, it gives you the ability to make money, as well … all you have to do is take advantage of the opportunities.

To register to attend The PPAI Expo 2010, click Register Now.

Did U Know The Penny Still Has Buying Power?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:24:00 +0000

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what's your cost to purchase that pic…

With PPAI’s Business Partner iCLIPART, it’s less (waaay less) than you’d expect. As a PPAI member, you receive at least 25-percent off a one-year subscription to the royalty-free clipart site. As the site houses more than 7.8 million images, that's almost 2,000 images for every penny (not to mention access to fonts, sounds, video and more).

Add high-quality photos to your marketing materials, enhance internal communications with colorful clipart and increase the visitor experience on your site with video and web graphics—all for mere pocket change.

For details, click iCLIPART.

Did U Know There Are Customizable Sales Tools?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Promoting the power of promotional products to end buyers is equally as important as promoting your business, especially now when every advertising dollar spent by your client is backed by serious forethought and consideration. So, how do you effectively communicate the benefits of promotional products and your company without breaking your own budget …

Earlier this year, PPAI released two complete marketing campaigns with exclusive, bare bones pricing for members. Each collection—including presentation folder, tri-fold brochure, postcards and graphic e-mails—is print-ready and can be customized with your company logo and contact information by your printer or graphic artist.

Created by the award-winning designers and writers in the PPAI marketing department, these materials offer you a high-quality, cost-effective way to stay top-of-mind, visible, memorable—which is the best way to expand your reach, increase your sales.

To view samples click marketing tools. For questions and additional details, contact Gage Chariton, PPAI senior marketing manager, GageC@ppai.org, 972-258-3045.

Did U Know The Expo’s Guaranteeing Your ROI?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:27:00 +0000

Business requires an investment. With the hope of a big return. But, what if you don’t see the results you’ve been banking on — how often do you get your money back …

The team at PPAI is so confident, so committed to The PPAI Expo’s ability to boost your business and deliver a positive ROI that we’re putting our money where our mouth is — we’re guaranteeing results. For you.

If you’re not 100% convinced that you’ll receive a positive ROI after attending The PPAI Expo next month, PPAI will reimburse you up to $200 — the equivalent of a four-night hotel stay.

The PPAI Expo is the industry’s premier tradeshow for one reason: It works. But now, if it doesn’t work for you, PPAI’s got you covered.

For complete details, click ROI Guarantee.

Did U Know You’re Searchable?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:24:00 +0000

End buyers want to work with promotional consultants they can trust. PPAI makes finding one — makes finding you — super easy, super fast …

As a PPAI member, your business contact info is automatically loaded into our promotional consultant search engine, created specifically for end buyers. Housed on our end-buyer site — Promoideas.org — this unique feature allows idea-seekers to search for consultants in their area by zip code.

Promoted through our end buyer outreach initiative, the promotional consultant search engine is just another way PPAI works to promote you, your business.

For additional details, click Search Engine. For questions, contact PPAI Public Relations Coordinator Erica Edwards, EricaE@ppai.org.

Did U Know Being Different Makes All The Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

In business, it pays to be the odd man out, the one paving the way, setting the trend. Distinction can take you everywhere, which is why when the professional development team was looking for someone to headline The PPAI Expo’s General Session they called on the one man who’s built his career on being different …

Scott McKain, noted author and speaker is an expert on what he calls the “Collapse of Distinction” and during the General Session held Tuesday, January 12 from 3:30-5 pm he’ll be sharing his unique views on avoiding the “sea of sameness.” PPAI marketing manager Hillary Burlbaw recently touched base with McKain to get a sneak peek of what we can expect to learn …

Hillary: During your presentation at The PPAI Expo you’ll be discussing “the collapse of distinction.” What’s causing this phenomenon?

Scott: There are three aspects to the phenomenon that creates the "Collapse of Distinction." They are the "Three Destroyers of Differentiation." Each of these Destroyers have had a powerful impact upon organizations — and individual careers — in the marketplace.

The challenge in today's world is that each of these Destroyers will pull an organization back to the pack like a magnet.

For example — the first Destroyer is: "Copycat Competition." If my competition creates a point of differentiation, my natural tendency is to imitate or even replicate their advancement. Notice the inherent problem: By focusing upon what the competitor is doing, it also means that our activity is centered upon the competition rather than the customer! In addition, this also essentially means we are executing evolutionary advancements — rather than the revolutionary ones true differentiation requires.

Hillary: Why is different better when it comes to business?

Scott: Several years ago, I attended a reception in Hollywood for movie reviewers sponsored by one of the major studios. I had the occasion to meet Roger Ebert and I told him I thought that, “Many of the film critics in the room would have loved Texas Chainsaw Massacre if it had only been produced with subtitles!”

Roger chuckled, then shocked me a bit with his response, which first came in the form of a question: “Scott, how many movies are you normally seeing in any given week?” My answer was the usual total of one.

“Don't you see, that’s your problem!” he responded. “Many of the people in this profession are seeing one or two movies a day! Those little, offbeat, quirky, odd foreign or independent films capture our attention because they are a bit different! When you are overwhelmed with such boring similarity, you begin to perceive that ‘different’ IS ‘better’!”

The remarkable Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and critic taught me a great business lesson I now call “The Ebert Effect” — which is: "When someone, from their perspective, is inundated with indistinguishable choices, they perceive a product, service, approach or experience that possesses a specific point of differentiation to be superior."

It means we have to understand that in every business today, our customers — now overwhelmed with indistinguishable choices — perceive that "different" MEANS "better."

Hillary: How will your presentation help industry professionals set themselves apart from the pack?

Scott: Well, I believe that the easiest tactic for anyone is simply to continue what he or she is currently doing. Let me emphatically state my belief that this is also the most dangerous approach.

Because of the Three Destroyers of Distinction, your job — organizationally and individually — is only going to continue to grow in difficulty. However, if a business will begin to chart a fresh approach based upon the Four Cornerstones of Distinction, you can start to enhance your organization while you nurture and grow yourself.

I remember a Robert Frost poem that I had to memorize for a speech class in high school. For some reason, it impacted me profoundly and I continue to be moved by it to this day. The title is, of course, The Road Not Taken, written by Robert Frost, and published in his collection called, Mountain Interval. You, too, probably remember the work; but haven't thought of it for years. Consider — once again — the conclusion of the poet’s reflection when he states:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

My in-depth research and personal experience both lead me to strongly believe that if you create differentiation and build distinction, it will make all the difference.

For more on what you’ll find at The PPAI Expo 2010, click Expo.

Did U Know UPIC’s Gone Mobile?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:28:00 +0000

You’re at a sales lunch and your client wants to know if there’s a supplier that carries glow-in-the-dark pens. What do you do …

Show that you’re in the know with UPIC Mobile. Offering everything you’ve come to rely on at UPIC.org, UPIC Mobile delivers quick, easily accessible search results on your cell. Search by keyword, UPIC, company or contact name, retrieve phone numbers, websites and e-mails and recognize who’s a fellow member by their “bold” status in your search results.

In meetings, during layovers, a snack-break at Starbuck’s … whenever you’ve got questions, UPIC Mobile’s got answers.

To use, type http://m.upic.org/ into your mobile browser. For questions, e-mail itemail@ppai.org. For more, click UPIC Mobile.

Did U Know There’s A Tool To Help Market Your MAS/CAS?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:03:00 +0000

Here’s something to think about: Less than three percent of all promotional consultants have obtained their MAS/CAS — a fact which makes your level of experience, education and commitment to the industry an incredibly valuable commodity. So make your hard work, work for you …

PPAI’s “Three Small Letters. One Big Impact.” is a newly created marketing brochure designed to highlight the value and significance of your MAS/CAS certification for your clients. A tri-fold with a business-card feature, this piece can be used as a direct-mail promotional piece, a sales-call leave behind or a visual aid in presentations.

Quick. Compelling. Effective. This marketing tool conveys the benefits of doing business with you—the MAS/CAS expert.

Available in bundles of 20 for just $14 (shipping included). To order, contact the PPAI Professional Development department at 972-258-3025 or certification@ppai.org.

Did U Know There’s A Best Practices Cheat Sheet?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:38:00 +0000

Our industry has a very specific supply chain—one that’s powered by the strong, mutually beneficial relationship between the two main players: Suppliers and Distributors. As the success of promotional products is contingent upon the success of these two entities, wouldn’t it be great if there was an informative guide that offered advice on the best ways for the two to work together …

Enter PPAI’s “Best Practices Within The Promotional Products Industry.” This invaluable, downloadable document offers a series of critical steps that suppliers and distributors can take within their own businesses to facilitate a “greater understanding of each other’s products, sales, marketing and operational dynamics.”

To make the best of your business relationships, download this quick “cheat sheet” for info on improving communications, order management, artwork/imprinting, finance, sales/marketing, technology and shipping. Implement on your end and share with others…what’s best for you, is best for them.

To download, click Best Practices.

Did U Know There’s A Product Safety Guide?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Product safety. What do you know about it? Where do you start? What falls within your realm of responsibility? It’s a lot to know and even more to understand…

In an effort to help members stay on top of this critical, complex business issue, PPAI created “Guide to Managing Responsibility for Product Safety, Social and Environmental Standards in the Promotional Products Industry.” This “how-to” manual (a downloadable PDF) provides valuable info on everything you need to know now, including social and environmental standards, age grading and code of conduct, among others.

Customers want to do business with a company they can trust; show that you know product safety. Educate yourself and implement the tips and tools provided in the product safety guide. Bookmark web resources included in the guide for quick reference and use. Download and post PPAI’s product safety icon to your web site.

Be Educated. Proactive. A proponent of safety. Your customers will thank you.

Want specific info on CPSIA? Visit the PPAI product safety page.

Did U Know PPAI Can Expand Your Reach Each Month?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:51:00 +0000

New business leads are big — as in crucial. So, what if we told ya’ there was a way to reach new contacts on a monthly basis …

For members only, PPAI posts the contact info of new distributor and supplier members who joined the Association during the previous month. Available as an Excel spreadsheet or a Word file, these contact lists are updated (for you! for free!) monthly.

Use the info to promote your business, garner potential sales, swap ideas, establish goodwill, welcome the newbies to the industry’s only not-for-profit trade association. Whatever you do, remember this: a new month means new leads, which means new opportunities! Click New Members for the current contact list. Want more? Click List Rentals.

Did U Know You Can Set Yourself Apart From The Pack?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:15:00 +0000

No.1 business objective: differentiate yourself. If you want to stand out, you gotta’ step up …

Launched in 2005, PPAI’s ADvocate program has been training promotional products professionals to successfully educate, inform and make end buyers aware of the power of promotional products — a huge benefit to all involved. By getting in front of the masses, not only do you snag greater face/name recognition with those who pay the bills, you’re able to position yourself as an expert in the industry, while fostering a heightened interest in promotional products, which ultimately enhances your bottom line.

Training is easy, PPAI offers a three-part, on-demand webinar. Getting out there is even easier with PPAI’s suite of support services, including a downloadable self-mailer, speaker guide, PowerPoint presentation and more.

Let the competition play follow the leader, while you lead the way toward bigger, better business.

Did U Know The Kitchen’s A Popular Place For Promotional Products?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:30:00 +0000

In our continuing effort to provide industry research you can use to shape your business, PPAI recently asked 1,005 average American consumers how many promotional products they had in their kitchen. The response? Overwhelming …

More than three-quarters of the group (828 people) had at least one promotional product in their kitchen, while the bulk reported having anywhere between two and 11 or more. But, here’s the part you can really sink your teeth into: The product/advertiser recall was through the roof! A whopping 86% could name not one, but two promotional products in their kitchen, while 50% of those could name the corresponding advertisers.

So, what’s the takeaway? To cook up great sales, think “kitchen.” Create campaigns for your clients that center around cooking, encourage them to purchase items that can be used in the kitchen and think outside the box when pitching products… anything from a memo pad to a hot pad are great tools, as long as the message is on point, making the overall effect one that’s totally memorable.

This complete study, “Effectiveness Of Promotional Products As An Advertising Medium,” will be released next month. Until then, visit PPAI Research for stats from other studies.

Did U Know You Can Search For Members From Your Desktop?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Google ’em. Yahoo! ’em. Bing ’em if you have to. Search engines are key business tools, but there’s a super-simple, super-fast way to skip the online rigmarole of scanning the entire world wide web when you’re looking for industry-specific info …

The PPAI Desktop Navigator is a downloadable tool that parks itself on your desktop so you always have easy, instant access to the PPAI member directory. You can look through listings by zip/area codes, sales volume and keywords, print search results, send e-mails/artwork and bookmark your favorite searches, like women-run companies in Texas or coffee mug suppliers in California. And, even if you’re working wireless and the wi-fi signal is slim, the Desktop Navigator is still up and running, returning great results each and every time.

To download this time-saving tool, click Desktop.

Did U Know We’ve Got (More) Stats From Vertical Markets?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:35:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we first blogged that the Human Resources sector is a huge supporter/user of promotional products (click HR for back story). And now, continuing our commitment to helping you capitalize on the big business opportunities found within vertical markets, we’ve got great news from another industry …

PPAI representatives recently attended the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) show in Salt Lake City, where a poll of attendees revealed that 83% of meeting planners cite promotional products as effective ways to increase brand recognition, generate goodwill and increase booth traffic. Top three most used items in their industry? Pens, bags and water bottles.

Ready to boost that bottom line? It’s time to meet up with meeting planners! Complete MPI poll results will be available soon, until then, check out other useful tidbits at PPAI Research. Oh, and want to see info on a specific market? Join our Facebook conversation here, we're shaping up our show list for 2010 now.

Did U Know You Can Make A Date With PPAI Expo Exhibitors?

noreply@blogger.com (PPAI Did U Know?) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:27:00 +0000

Thousands of people attend The PPAI Expo. But, that doesn’t mean you’ll get lost in the crowd when it comes to checking out your “Top 10” (or 20 or 200) exhibitors … 

Expo PlanIt, a handy dandy online show-planning tool, lets you see who’s exhibiting at Expo AND gives you the chance to schedule some cozy one-on-one time during the show.

Click Expo PlanIt to make a date with destiny (or Sony, Starbuck’s … whomever tickles your financial fancy). No muss, no fuss, no wasted time.