by Kirby Hasseman
I remember listening to an interview with the late-great Wayne Dyer that really changed my thought process. He was talking to the interviewer about the tremendous power of thoughts. He said, “The thing is, what you really, really, really want in life, you tend to get. But what you really, really, really DON’T want in life, you also tend to get! Your thoughts are very powerful. In both what you want and what you DON’T want, you put your thoughts and attention on.” Then he finished with this. “Once you realize that what you think about shows up in your life, you get REALLY careful about what you think about!’ I was reminded of this at a meeting recently. A group of good, smart people were sitting around discussing the creation of something new. Throughout the discussion, the conversation kept drifting back to the challenges that might be faced, the things that might not work, the obstacles that lay in the way. Those are important to understand and account for, for sure. But one thing we did not discuss…where we wanted to go. I was listening to the book Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi and it reminded me of this lesson. He talked about a group going on a whitewater rafting trip. The water was pretty rough and the guide was continually giving the group coaching and reminders. He told them that when he saw trouble ahead, he would never point to the trouble. He said if I point to the branch that we might run into (and tip us over), human nature will drive us right at it! Instead, he pointed to the spot in the river that the group needed to go. Focus on where you WANT to go. Stop focusing some much on the things that will get in the way. Now, for those of you “realists” in the audience, this does not mean the branch does not exist. The “potholes” in life are still there. But most people spend all of their time focused on the branches in their own life. Then they wonder why they spend every day running into them. What do you want to create? Spend your time, energy and talent focusing on that. Make sure you never miss an update! Each day we create new content with the goal of providing value to you. You can get one email per week with all of the content. Just sign up here to join our VIP list.
by Kirby Hasseman
One of the reasons I love Delivering Marketing Joy is, I not only get to ask some of the smartest people in business a few questions each week, but they get to ask me one. We structure it this way so it’s more of a discussion.
(You can find the latest Delivering Marketing Joy on our blog page here)
I love this because these thoughtful leaders often ask me questions that I have not answered before. Or, more likely, they ask them in different ways that make me think differently.
This happened to today.
The show we recorded will not air for a few weeks, but the question is incredibly timely, so I wanted to share it here. I was asked: “What are 3 things to think about when getting a corporate branded gift to make sure it is on the mark?” Though I get asked about corporate gifts a lot, this was a different way of looking at it. So I wanted to share my answer. Oh…and of course you need to think about how much you want to spend…and how many you want to give. But so many people don’t go any deeper than that! So here is a little different thought process.
Many of us have heard the term “Who? What? Where?” These are the questions you need to answer when telling a story. They are also the things you want your clients to remember…right? But when creating a corporate gift you want to answer “Who? Where? What?” Same questions, but in a specifically different order.
Who: When creating the perfect gift, you want to think hard about WHO you are giving it to? What do they look like? What are they interested in? Are they predominately female, young, old, techy, office, etc. Who are they really?
Where: Next I like to consider WHERE I would like them to enjoy the gift. Do I want to occupy space on their desk? Are they in the office (and do they need to share)? Do I want them to use these in their home? Where do I want them to enjoy the gift?
What: Only after I get the first two figured out do I roll to WHAT I want to give them. Once I know the WHO and the WHERE, this can come together quickly. If they are a young tech-friendly crowd and I want them to use them in the office, maybe I like the idea of bluetooth headphones. You get the idea. Go through this process and you might find just the perfect gift that they might NOT get for themselves.
P.S. If you want a few cool last minute ideas, you can head to our promo site to shop online. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter. Each week we send one email with all of the content for the week so you can catch up!
by Kirby Hasseman
This time of year can be hectic. We hear about it all of the time. So much so, it’s a cliche’. It’s the “hustle and bustle” of the holidays. (I don’t even know what a “bustle” is). But suffice it to say, we all have a lot going on during the holidays. But most of the time this is discussed from a personal perspective. We have holiday parties to attend, gifts to give, and food to make. For many of us, though, this time of year is a busy time for business as well. The 4th quarter is when a lot of businesses make or break their year. We are running hard to keep up with orders, keep customers happy and keep cash flow rolling. All of that can create a stress that we want to escape. But let me remind you, when it comes to business, being “busy” is often the point of the exercise! As I always say, “when I am bored, I am poor.” We want the phones to be ringing. We want email requests coming in. We want the work! Right? We work all year to drive business, then we want it all to slow down! It’s human nature, I think. I talk about this concept here. We work hard to raise our game. Then when we do, we get uncomfortable. When we are uncomfortable, we want to be comfortable again. So we work to change our thermostat. Don’t fall for it. So as the holiday season gets into full swing, I want to encourage you to embrace it. There is no growth inside the comfort zone. Continue to work on the activities you know create results. If you do it over and over again, you will create a new level where you are comfortable performing. Remember, you have to make hay while the sun is shining. When it’s busy or hectic, the sun is out! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, many people look up from their turkey filled haze and realize that we have officially entered “the last minute” for Corporate Gifts! You want to say “thank you” to your best clients and employees (to fix the appreciation gap), but you know you have to hurry! We get it. We do the same thing! So here is a quick list of “last minute” gift ideas that will leave a lasting impression!
Presidio Backpack: If you want a gift that is stylish and functional, this might be right fit for you and your team. The Presidio Backpack is vintage inspired with modern day features and it comes in denim or black. Very cool. To learn more go here.
42 Can Coleman Cooler: I love this cooler so much I wrote an entire blog about it! You can check that out here. But the fact is, this will be the only cooler you need! It’s a good size to hold all you need…and it will keep ice 36 hours. Learn more here.
12 x 18 Year At A Glance Calendar: This is simple. Functional. And we print this in house! If you want to get your contact information up all year long on your best customer’s wall…and provide them value…this might be the answer! Oh…and we also have a new 12 x 18 Calendar product that is nearly indestructible. It’s water proof and so tough to tear. This is THE product you want to have on construction sites, manufacturing, food, healthcare and more. Let us know if you need more information!
Pyramid Copper Vacuum Insulated Tumbler: This piece has a cool design, a great quality and a quick turn around time! It’s all you need in a gift for the holidays. Check out colors and details here.
Urban Peak Drinkware Gift Set: This has plenty of “wow” factor because of the great packaging and the different styles of drinkware. Oh…and did we mention you can do a really cool imprint on it? Learn more here.
So those are 5 quick ideas. Need more? We can help! But time is of the essence. Please email us here and we can help move you in the right direction! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up to be on our VIP list here!
by Kirby Hasseman
When you start something new, there will be plenty of voices. I am not talking about the ones in your head (they are loud enough). Whether you are starting a career in sales, a new business, a new job, or a new location to chase a dream, people will have their opinions. That is totally cool. They are entitled to them. Here are a few you might have… The Cheerleader: This is the person or voice that will tell you how great you are…no matter what. These are great…and you need some of them. But too much can make you think you can’t fail. This person is a bit like sugar. It’s great to spice up the dish, but too much is not good for you! The Realist: It’s good to have one of these people in your corner. But make sure you know them for what they really are. The person who says they are a “realist” are usually a negative person in disguise. It’s good to have them to balance out your optimism. On the other hand, they can be a drag on your confidence. The Hater: These are the people that want you to fail. Though they are simple to deal with (just don’t), that’s easier said than done. But if you waste energy of them, they win. Don’t give them real estate in your head. The Faker: We all know this person. They cheer for you outwardly, but are really a hater in disguise. When dealing with this group I am reminded of the quote from Wayne Dyer. “Other peoples opinions of you are none of your business.” The Encourager: These are my favorite. They have a healthy dose of cheerleader, realist, and listener. They can be an awesome sounding board with suggestions and ideas. In addition, they can help to make you “snap out of it” when you get in a rut. They truly want them best for you. We all want more of the “encourager” in our lives…but they are hard to find. The best way to find one is to become one. We want to encourage you! A great for us to do that is for you to join our VIP list! Sign up here. We make sure you never miss a piece of content. We gather them each week and send you one email with all the content in one place. Sign up here.
