by Kirby Hasseman
Win the argument. It seems like all anyone wants to do these days is “win the argument.” We all want to be right. Anyone that knows me, knows that I struggle with this. I have opinions on things (some I have even given real thought too), and feel like my perspective is the right one. I even talked a little about my need to be right here recently. The thing is, most of the time in life, it’s not about winning the argument. It’s about creating a level of influence. We want people to move in the direction we would like. It’s not about brow beating them to our way of thinking. It’s about guiding them. So here are a few ways to better influence. Never Insult Them: This is probably the biggest trend I see today. It’s most prevalent on social media, but it bleeds over. We are so sure that our perspective is the right one, we assume anyone that believes the other way is an idiot or (worse yet) evil. So we tell them so! Remember, no one finds you, or your way of thinking smarter if you call them names. Listen To Them: If you want to be heard, you first need to hear. When people feel safe to share their opinions with you, they are much more likely to let you do the same. It also gives you the ability to say “I gave you the chance to give your perspective…will you give me the same?” Validate Them: It’s important to let people know that you respect them. You may disagree, but that doesn’t make them a bad person. There is value in you letting them know that. And here’s a bonus one. Consider their perspective. If this a person you feel compelled to change…you probably respect them. If that’s the case, it might be important to consider you might be wrong. The ultimate show of respect and maturity is to admit that you are wrong. (Oh…and I talked about that here). Just a thought. Thanks for listening and considering! We are working to post value to you each day! Make sure you never miss an update or a post. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. And as alway, you can check out products for your next promo campaign here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It is really hard to admit when you are wrong. Really hard. In almost every situation, it’s tough to swallow the pride (in whatever the decision) and say it out loud. “I was wrong.” That’s why most people try not to do it. It’s so uncomfortable that many people will cling to incorrect assumptions forever. They will work to find new, and often creative, ways to look at the information a different way to tell themselves a different story. And the longer we cling to our truth, the harder it is to abandon it. That truth could be political. That truth could be about people in your life (both good and bad). The truth could be about a project you are working on. In any event, the sooner you get to the real story, the better and happier we will be. That’s why I admire people who change their mind. This is not a weakness. It’s a strength. It takes wisdom to be hard on our own opinions. That’s why most people don’t do it. It takes courage to publicly change your mind. It takes strength to say we failed. But the sooner we can let go of things that don’t serve us, the sooner we can grow. And here’s the thing: In the moment, admitting our failure feels like a weakness. But in the eyes of those around you (at least the strong ones) it is recognized as a position of power. Good people respect a person that can admit they missed the mark. There is just one caveat, of course. You have to learn from it. No one needs someone who just runs around making the same mistakes over and over. If you were wrong, take a step back. Learn from it. Grow. Then you will find it’s easier to admit it the next time. Never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk to Commonsku’s Chief Content Officer Bobby Lehew! Bobby is a gifted promo ambassador and amazing content creator! Today we get to get into the head of Bobby…and learn more about SWAG!
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why? Journals. Journals are tactile, they appeal to our senses, and just as the Russian poet Pasternak said that “a book is a living being,” a journal can serve as a living reminder of the essence of our days. Much of what we work in now (email, social media) is digital, ephemeral. Journals are waypoints and reminders. In the pic are three journals I use and love, each serves a unique purpose. The felt journal (pictured on top of the books) is a design from the creative brain of Isaac Childs and the artisans at Rustico. Their attention to detail is what transforms a journal from a utilitarian notepad to a work of art. I use this one to keep notes for a Buddhism class I’ve been attending at the local monastery. Writing in a separate journal, for different experiences, fixes my mind in that framework, a quick way to give your ideas and thoughts context. 
The skubot leather journal was one of the few journals I’ve ever had that I wore completely out, a gift from our friends at Snugz. I love the suppleness of the leather and the accents and it’s the perfect size to carry anywhere. I use it mostly for notes about what I’m reading or random thoughts. The tan journal beneath it is a gift from Pierre and his team at Chameleon Like, a “Travelite” journal, I’ve enjoyed writing in it, the paper is a unique fabric material, luxurious to write on, and the cover is vegan leather, the thinness of it means I can throw it in my bag without bulk; I use it for business notes. Another fave: matchbooks. I have always loved matchbooks. Matchbooks are mini-canvases. In the pic are a few I’ve picked up, one from a local restaurant, the design reflects the vibe of their retro bar, the perfect product for a throwback experience. I’ll go to R&J’s to get a drink when I run out of matchbooks. How’s that for leveraging a promotional product to bring in customers? Also pictured is a matchbook I picked up while visiting Nick Fouquet’s hat studio in Venice Beach. I had to have that matchbook, it’s one of my favorite promotional pieces, the product reflects the simplicity and elegance of his craft and when you visit his website you’ll see it has become a part of his identity. 
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? A brass letter opener (pictured in the photo above). No one uses letter openers anymore, but it was an iconic campaign for me. It was a campaign we created for a local museum who wanted to give their donors a unique gift; the requirement was that it needed to resemble a stake and yet also be an elegant piece with a high perceived value, so we did these beautiful deep-etched medallion letter openers. The reason it is so important to me: As I sat across the desk from the museum’s director, listening to the story about the founding of their museum, I realized we, as an industry, had been doing marketing all wrong. We were telling stories from the perspective of the product; we needed to tell stories from the perspective of the customer and their objectives, with the product serving as a minor (but important) character in the story. It was my epiphany, how we could reshape the perception of our medium and ignite the imagination of future buyers. I keep it to remind me that, regardless of what you sell, stories are what move buyers. What is the current product you use all the time? Aside from the journals, a coaster. The one pictured above is from High West Distillery in Park City, UT where the Snugz team treated us to dinner. I love it when brands take such intricate care, (on even a coaster), to authentically reflect their brand, the material is rugged, wild, and unfinished, like the wilderness of Utah. I also have a favorite coaster I picked up at blue bicycle Books in Charleston; both companies know that a product is a blank canvas for art. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use? Drinkware. Why drinkware? I still see drinkware as the “t-shirt for the desktop (or car).” Drinkware-as-underutilized is a ridiculous assertion, since it’s one of the largest categories, but I think we underutilize it as a canvas. Too many short-sighted promotional products end up with just a logo and no copy that bonds tribal unity or creative design that inspires the recipient. If we thought more of our products like art canvases (like the coasters, like the matchbooks), we would create more imaginative campaigns. We should elevate the lowly drinkware product to the stature of a cool t-shirt by our kick-ass copy and beautiful design. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media? In an article for PPB, I wrote that every product sold in our industry is intended to serve a purpose. Even when the client just needs “something to give away: and is nonchalant about its intent, the product still serves a purpose. Many a marketing coordinator has called a distributor to order a product for an event and been ambivalent about the outcome, but don’t let this corporate lethargy fool you: every product still serves a purpose. And worse, when a product doesn’t fulfill its purpose, it furthers the “trinkets and trash” myth that we all detest. Find the purpose (or, as Mark Graham says, “solve the problem”) and you’ll find the right product. I realize that much of what we do for clients is sourcing, but the real magic happens when we solve problems through imaginative branding (art) that then produces a desired outcome (commerce). Playing and winning at the intersection of art+commerce is the best thing about promotional products as an advertising medium.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Bobby Lehew for taking the time to jump in on this project! Awesome stuff here!
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by Kirby Hasseman
Kindness is a super power.
Don’t get me wrong. I love all of the Super Hero movies. I love the idea that “someone” with infinite power can save me (and the rest of humanity) if things go terribly wrong. It’s fun. It’s entertaining. The problem with these movies is they help create the idea that we need someone else to be “the hero” of the story.
We don’t.
We have the ability to be a hero each day. We just have to choose to put on the cape. And here’s the thing. It’s not hard. Unlike in the movies, we don’t need to lift cars, dodge bullets, fly or bend the universe with our minds. Making a difference in your every day life is really easy. You just have to be intentional. Here are just a few simple ways to be a super hero.
Give Credit
People are doing interesting and important work every day…in every community. Make sure they get credit for the work. More importantly, give credit for the effort. It’s the effort (not always the results) that they can duplicate.
Give Compliments
Be on the lookout to give compliments. Do you like the color of their shirt? Tell them. Did they get a new hairstyle? Tell them it looks nice. Maybe you appreciate their sense of humor at the office. Don’t keep it a secret. One of my rules of life is, if I catch myself saying something nice about someone “behind their back,” I let them know.
Give Thanks
It’s simple. But it’s amazing how often it doesn’t happen. Make sure you give thanks to your customers. Make sure you appreciate your family and your team. Give thanks to the people that help make your life better…they might just continue it! 🙂
Smile
If you want people to think you are a nice person, smiling at them is the easiest way to make it happen. It costs nothing, but it makes everyone feel acknowledged and appreciated it. And the thing is, most people don’t take the time. So you stand out as well.
Remember: Everyone has the ability to be a Super Hero. You just have to be willing to put on the cape.
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by Kirby Hasseman
“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” I always joke that this is “Kirby Hasseman’s Number 2 Rule of Life.” It’s my rule, but I really struggle to follow it. It seems like the “idiots” are the hardest people not to argue with! They are so clearly wrong. I just need to let them know! Then they will surely proceed to lead a more productive and happy life! Surely I am doing the world a favor by setting them straight. There are a few problems with my rule though. First, it seems like every time I go into an argument sure I am right, it keeps me from learning anything. Sure. Sometimes people are just wrong. But most of the time, they just have a different perspective. If I spend all of my time trying to convince them, I lose out to hear a new way of thought. Second, the moment I call someone an idiot (or any other name for that matter) I will never convince them of anything. No one has ever changed their mind after being insulted. Want to make sure you never miss an update? It’s easy. Just sign up for our VIP newsletter. Each week we do a weekly recap of the content, and sometimes we throw in some specials too! Sign up here.
