14 replies to this topic

[DavidBlaise]

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[FindingPromo]

Great Post David as always!

I was just working with a Distributor in Long Beach this afternoon, following up from meetings at the SAAC show and we both agreed. The "R" word is being used more and more, but from all of the research we both have seen, now is the best time to "Stand Out" in the marketplace. For those that are using targeted promotional product campaigns will be branding themselves and making impressions while some of the competition is sitting on the sidelines waiting for the business to come to them.

Thanks Again!

[DavidBlaise]

FindingPromo said:

I was just working with a Distributor in Long Beach this afternoon, following up from meetings at the SAAC show and we both agreed. The "R" word is being used more and more, but from all of the research we both have seen, now is the best time to "Stand Out" in the marketplace. For those that are using targeted promotional product campaigns will be branding themselves and making impressions while some of the competition is sitting on the sidelines waiting for the business to come to them.

Exactly right. Those determined to "wait it out" will lose BIG TIME to those who are committed to creating awareness now.

[DBeavers]

For those willing to participate in the so-called recession, just sit in the office waiting for the phone to ring.

For those of us hitting the bricks, it's not that hard to find buyers who are ready to order now, in order to get a leg up on their competition, as well as having an little extra incentive for those customers who are buying with them currently.

Remember, it can cost 5 to 12 times as much to add a new customer, compared to the cost of maintaining an existing one.

I'm in the business of selling products that are useful for customer retention. My buyers are still interested.

Dennis

P.S. I've made my business more recession-proof by spreading myself out geographically from SW Louisiana to Houston as well as adding some online orders.

I've also spread myself across several industries to avoid to much dependence on one primary market giving more balance to my sales.

Additionally, instead of focusing on one primary product line, such as apparel, I train my customers to look to me for anything and everything that can carry a logo.

[DavidBlaise]

DBeavers said:

For those of us hitting the bricks, it's not that hard to find buyers who are ready to order now, in order to get a leg up on their competition, as well as having an little extra incentive for those customers who are buying with them currently.

I've made my business more recession-proof by spreading myself out geographically from SW Louisiana to Houston as well as adding some online orders.

I've also spread myself across several industries to avoid to much dependence on one primary market giving more balance to my sales.

You hit on several great points in your post, Dennis:

• "Hitting the bricks" and being proactive about finding those ready to order now.
  
• Spreading yourself out geographically to counter the effects of any local economic issues and
  
• Spreading yourself across several industries to counter the effects of the economy on any one industry

All smart, proactive recommendations that can help any industry professional from acting like (and feeling like) a victim of the economy!

[ProPrinters]

There is only a recession in your mind gang. If you think negative your customers will pick up on it too.

[DavidBlaise]

Some additional feedback I've received recently about the economy:

Mike in Michegan said:
"Any one who says the economy killed their business, didn't have a business. They had a charity that people stopped giving money to."
Tell it, Mike!

Barb in Oklahoma said:
"We're busier than ever - it never missed a beat."
That's 'cause YOU never missed a beat when it comes to doing things right, Barb!

Eileen in Minnesota said:
"People should stop believing the hype and using it as an excuse."
Great advice, Eileen. It's been said that you can make money or you can make excuses, but you CAN'T MAKE BOTH!"

Monica in New York said:
"Hmmmm...... we're swamped!"
Sure you're swamped, Monica. When you do the RIGHT things, at the RIGHT times with the RIGHT people, that's what happens.

Clarence in Edmonton wrote:
"The Canadian economy is strong. Alberta, Canada has the best economy in North America. We are oil rich. Canadians are spending, spending, spending. We do not need to hear this American gloom and doom in Canada."
Right you are, Clarence. We don't need to hear it here in the US either.

FACT: In every economy, there are winners and losers.
FACT: In every market, there are doers and dreamers.
FACT: Our ACTION or INACTION determines which group we belong to.

Congratulations to all the doers! Thanks for your feedback and keep up the great work.

[DBeavers]

Hello Clarence,

The US is oil rich as well, but the 'greenies' down here would rather Canada rip up an area the size of New York state to get those oil bearing sands, and deny US companies the right to drill on our own soil and water bottoms.

How ecologically friendly is that, where it's fine for us to import your Canadian oil, as long as we can't see what it's doing to your land?

Dennis

[DBeavers]

Admin,

Feel free to delete my last response. I forgot about the rule to stay on topic, and hijacked this thread.

Dennis

[Chris Miller]

Absolutely swamped here as well. We're hiring, buying new equipment, upgrading old stuff, changing from a free order management system, to a high end, in-house solution. Lots of growth going on here.

I like the quote about making excuses or making money but not being able to make both. If you aren't completely swamped right now, you're doing something wrong.

[ProPrinters]

ditto here, very busy rolling out new marketing campaign to about 30-50 high end prospects over the next 6 weeks, which will start off the new year with some good leads. Fill that pipeline.

[DavidBlaise]

ProPrinters said:

ditto here, very busy rolling out new marketing campaign to about 30-50 high end prospects over the next 6 weeks, which will start off the new year with some good leads. Fill that pipeline.

So, you really think that rolling out a new marketing campaign to 30-50 high end prospects over the next six weeks will work better than just sitting around complaining about the economy? What are you, some kind of contrarian? :)

[DBeavers]

Or it's just possible that Derek recognizes that the mass media and their news programs have a vested interest in displaying and proving a bad economy to impact the election that is less than 3 weeks away. If you don't buy their "the sky is falling" viewpoint, you'd naturally keep doing what is working for you, while moving on from what isn't working.

[DavidBlaise]

DBeavers said:

Or it's just possible that Derek recognizes that the mass media and their news programs have a vested interest in displaying and proving a bad economy to impact the election that is less than 3 weeks away. If you don't buy their "the sky is falling" viewpoint, you'd naturally keep doing what is working for you, while moving on from what isn't working.

Good point. But doing what's working for you, while moving on from what isn't working is a good approach regardless of the economy. I've lived through several economic downturns and here's what I've noticed: Unfortunately, all the doom and gloom on TV does scare some people into cutting back. When that happens, those who continue to take positive action to move forward almost inevitably take business away from those who decide to hibernate and wait it out.

As I mentioned earlier, there are winners and losers in every economy. Our actions today will determine which group we belong to.

[ProPrinters]

If even if you happen to have one of the cut back companies on your list but they are a worthy prospect, when the economy turns around, hopefully you made a good enough impression as somebody different that they want to do business with.