12 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

I guess this is a rhetorical question, but it's one that I asked myself today after realizing that it is already May 1st. Can you believe that? We're on track to have a great year, but I am not convinced that I have done all I can with these first 4 months. In fact, I don't even know how they got behind me so fast.

Are you on track with the goals you set at the beginning of the year?

[ScottH]

I'm ahead of last year - which was a petty good year. I always figure out an 'average' month from the previous year and try to make sure I beat the average each month. So far, so good. When you get those crazy big months, it's like a bonus.

[debbiew]

I'm behind last year. But Since I had a few Great years, I can't complain. But if it is ok, I will anyway :)

[Cyncor]

We are over double of last year (which was lower than 07), and signficantly above 2007.

February was stressful but we made it up in March and April.

Heading for a record year!

Cynthia

[ProPrinters]

i have changed my business model significantly. I am going after program sales, which has made me focus on bigger longer sales cycle. In the ong run I will be way ahead, but due to the shift in focus, I am behind.

[jimknecht]

Chris Miller said:

Are you on track with the goals you set at the beginning of the year?

Yep. Our goal was & is to weather this economic crisis. To survive.

I am tickled pink some of y'all are having great years, but let me tell you, you are the exception. There is a reason suppliers have closed plants & laid off so many folks... distributors are struggling mightily. Not just a few but across the board. Not just certain products or certain geographical areas. I will say that my personal experience is the online marketers are doing better than your "traditional" distributor.

Just as natural selection works in nature, the same concept of survival of the fittest applies in our industry. These downturns can weed out the competition... folks less prepared for these times. These folks you always complain about that sell for so cheap... they can't survive. Suppliers that are dirt cheap & have crappy service... they shut down or consolidate.

[ProPrinters]

Jim

I agree, it is times like this where the "Darwinism" takes over. We need to invest more money in marketing, to keep our brands in front of our customers.

[jimknecht]

ProPrinters said:

Jim

I agree, it is times like this where the "Darwinism" takes over. We need to invest more money in marketing, to keep our brands in front of our customers.

I guess I am old school & practice what I preach. I will spend much more advertising this year than in years past. One thing that used to make this industry special was that years ago, our business actually used to improve during recessions. The old saying was you always need to advertise but MUST advertise during bad times. Something has changed. Now folks want to hunker down or stick their head in a hole. I choose to be proactive & advertise much more. I just wish you folks could get your clients to do similar.

[CBuerki]

Last year we ended up at about 60% of where we were the year before. Influenced mostly by the changes in the real estate agent/broker markets where we've been able to book a nice chunk of business over the last few years.

What I ran into the last quarter of 08 was very interesting. I aggressively tried to increase my market share among my existing non real estate customers and found them wanting me to drop my prices for a chance to take business away from another local distributor. The operative word being "chance". I declined to play the game cause the other 4 locals all have kids to feed and I don't.

Several weeks ago I ran through my entire customer list looking for interest in tee shirts thinking I'd at least find a few. I did come up with a request for six, each with unique decorations for an RV park in Florida, and one customer in Kansas needs some garters for their cowtown-type dance group, and they had been paying $1 each for them and wanted me to match that price.

Think I'll have another beer!

Chuck

[Cyncor]

Im laughing Chuck! We all have these stories!! Mine is usually along the lines of, " I found a purple tshirt on the web for $4.00 imprinted with my logo in one colour...can you match that?"

My reply," Sounds like a great deal. Where are they shipping from?"

Reply," Ohhhhh Arizona."

My last reply," Okay, so US Dollars, 17% customs tarriff, gets stuck at customs because the paperwork is not filled out accurately, shipping costs from AZ. Let me know if you need me to make an Order Confirmation for you or if you are going to buy from the web."

~sigh~ lol

[debbiew]

Oh yes, my favorite line "I found it cheaper....(fill in the blank) " So here are my alternatives- cheaper or let the order go---- if I want the biz, I bite the bullet, going out of the catalog list price is not working for me this year- Yes I am selling a service, but 90% of my clients are price shopping now. Service (which I give 100%) is not the number one priority to my clients.
And to add one more note- its hard to compete with the big box On Line Promotional companies when their selling a name brand pen for less than what my EQP pricing is.

[Promo Man]

I notice an upturn right now.

[pluspromo2]

My reply is the same as Debbie's. Maybe its the area of the Country. Anyway, I'm rethinking my business plan and re-organizing.

alfrieda