by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each time we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk to VP of Sales with Branded Logistics…Roger Burnett. Roger is a veteran of the Promo industry and has worn many hats in the industry. Today, Roger lends his (many) talents today to Hasseman Marketing for Brand-ecdotes. Take it away Roger!
1. What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?The tee-shirt, hands down. So much room for branding, great array of styles, fabrics & colors. As I wrote in this piece, the tee shirt gives a wearer a chance to outwardly tell a story, any story. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?Back in 2006, we visited the AT Cross booth at PPAI Expo. The good people at Cross allowed us to select a pen from their collection as a gift. Additionally, they had us fill out and sign a comment card. Upon returning from the show we each were delivered the pen we chose, laser etched with our signature. It was a highly personal item, one that I loved so much I refused to use it for fear of losing it, and I have had a crush on their product line ever since. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?I am currently sporting a Lifeproof waterproof backpack for my outdoor adventures. I alternate it with my OrigAudio backpack when I’m carrying a bag for work
4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?Outerwear. Users wear a different piece of apparel every day, but typically only wear one or two coats in a season. Why not take advantage of that notion and offer more branded outerwear to increase impressions and return a better cost per impression?
5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media? Longevity. This is an A.D.D. world and ours is a media that stays with people. What better way to keep your message in front of people than with our relevant and long-lasting form of advertisement?
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Roger Burnett for taking the time to jump in on this project! Awesome stuff here!
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by Kirby Hasseman
My wife was looking for something in our “junk drawer” the other day, and she came across these phones. They range from a flip phone to an iPhone in progression. And with the exception of the iPhone, which was one of my daughters’, they are in pretty good shape. But what else do they represent? To me they show you a series in devices that were the latest and greatest technology of their time. They show, in one picture, how we have completely changed in our use of the “phone” as a culture. They also show how fast technology is changing. My wife and I are not usually people who keep things. We are not super sentimental about “stuff.” So when something outlasts it’s usefulness, we tend to throw it out (or give it to someone who can use it). So at first it seemed funny that we would have these phones. But then it occurred to me that, when we put each of these phones in the junk drawer, they were just one step away from current technology. They were not completely obsolete. So they were our insurance in case something went wrong (like it did with that iPhone). And yet, looking at this picture now, most of them look ancient. It reminds me of a a few things… 1. Tech is changing so fast: This photo of phones represents probably 10 or 15 years. This picture shows us going from a mobile phone to a mobile computer in the blink of an eye. 2. Don’t Get Too Romantic: I loved my flip phone. I liked it’s size and ease of making calls. At the time, it was state of the art. But if I still had one I would be missing so much of what our technology has to offer. This picture makes me wonder what is next. Though these were all “the next thing” at one time, each advancement has taken big leaps forward. This picture reminds me to embrace the new steps forward…and make the most of them. Oh…and this picture reminds me its time to clean out my junk drawer. Make sure you never miss an update. We do a weekly recap on our VIP newsletter. You can sign up here. Oh, and if you want to check out the latest in Promo, you can head to our website here.
by Kirby Hasseman
In business, it’s always important to pay attention to the metrics…right? Well…sometimes. If you read this blog on a regular basis, you might know I really enjoyed the book “The 4 Disciplines of Execution.” I talk about that book and it’s concepts a bit here. One of the concepts I love in the book is the idea of focusing on “lead measures.” It allows you to focus on numbers that will lead to the success you want. For example, if you focus on making sales calls, (which you have control over) you should ultimately push your sales up (a lag measure). I love it because I have control over the lead measure. I decide whether I do it or not. The challenge for me recently, is I was focusing almost solely on the lead measure. The lead measure is great. But at some point you have to sell something. At some point you need to re-evaluate to make sure you are hitting your numbers. This gives you a chance to evaluate whether you are using the right lead measure. If it does not ultimately lead to sales, it’s not a great lead measure. Without sales, you will fail. But don’t worry…I am not throwing out the baby with the bath water. I need to focus on both. I need to continue to track my number of meetings. I need to make sure I am actively sending ideas to clients. But I need to make sure my sales (and the sales of my team) are following the activity. If it doesn’t, then I am missing the point. Our content efforts are up. Our web traffic is up. Our time on our website is up. That’s all great. But as in any effort, the metrics are important…so long as you are focusing on the right ones. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. We are posting new content each and every day.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right! Today on the podcast I take a look at 10 tips that every new sales person should hear! Oh…and most of us veterans can use to be reminded of these as well! Listen in and see what you think!So what do you think? Did I hit them all? What other tips do you give new sales people in your industry? What have I left out? Please let me know! Make sure you never miss an update by signing up for our VIP Newsletter here. Or you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Sticher, Soundcloud…or where ever you listen to podcasts!
by Kirby Hasseman
One of the mental challenges I have with creating content on an every day basis is “the voice.” I talked about that here. We all have it. My voice regularly tells me that I come off as a know it all. I am writing about personal development issues. So naturally, I must think I know everything. I don’t. As a matter of fact, I really struggle, every day with many things that I am not good at. It’s not that I beat myself up over it. I just don’t get it right. A lot. So in the interest of transparency, I thought I would share some of the things I suck at. My Temper: When my stress levels go up, the length of my fuse goes way down. Then all of a sudden I find myself blowing up at someone (who is perfectly nice) over something stupid. Though my temper is way better than it used to be…I still struggle here. The Numbers Game: This is painful to admit. I have been in business now for many years and reading a P & L is still painful to me. I can do it. But it takes all of my mental energy. So I don’t analyze and work on these details nearly as much as I should. Listening: I know (intellectually) that the number one skill in sales is to listen. I know it. But sometimes I cannot simply shut up! Maybe it’s because I am excited to tell the person something new. Maybe it’s because I have the attention span of a gnat. Maybe it’s because I am a narcissistic jerk. Either way…I need to work on it. Switching gears: Though I believe in single tasking, sometimes business and life requires us to change from one thing to another. Sometimes I struggle with this…and it leads me back to number one (my temper). I need to take a breath…and move on. Meditate: I know I need to meditate. I am learning more and more of the benefits. And I am even doing it…sometimes. But just like exercise (or anything else you want to be good at) I need to do it every day. I am not. This list is woefully incomplete. But I guess…so am I. I struggle with a lot. This is not an exercise in beating myself up. It’s just an exercise in transparency. The fact is, I suck at this stuff. But I am getting getter…slow but sure. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter and we can try and get better together.
