by Kirby Hasseman
This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the largest trade show in the Promotional Industry in Las Vegas. The PPAI Expo is the industry’s premier event and features education, networking and a huge trade show full of “trade show items.” I love this event. First of all it’s become a yearly class reunion for me because of the wonderful, diverse and dynamic people I get to call my peers. In addition, I get the chance to learn the latest and greatest going on in the industry. Oh, and the PPAI Expo would not be the same if I did not attend Skucon, the coolest conference in our industry as well. It was a lot to get to, so I wanted to share some trends and themes I noticed at the event. Tariffs are a huge concern: The Promotional Products industry is a 24-Billion-dollar industry built on the back of importing. A huge number of “imprint able items of awesome-ness” come from China. The impact of tariffs on the industry could be big. The cost of many promo items are likely going to be effected. With that in mind, let’s have the conversation and a plan. I think this means that products that are already domestically produced will see a boost in the coming year. Dream Teams are being built: There is a ton of consolidation in the promo industry…and quite a bit of concern about it. But that is not what I am talking about. Though some Venture Capital Groups are acquiring some awesome brands, I am noticing individual teams that are creating “dream teams” of talent. These are the brands that I see making huge gains in the coming year. Commonsku, Starline, and Snugz are brands in our industry that come to mind as talented, cool teams that I (and many in the industry) admire. Good Seems To Be Winning: As I walked the enormous show floor, I found myself saying “she is a great person,” or “that is a great guy,” a lot. Not coincidentally, these are the companies I am looking for opportunities to work with. In an industry where we can often source the same (or very similar) product from multiple vendors, the quality of the people really matter. The same is true, I think, for nearly any industry. Despite the concerns surrounding tariffs, I did notice an air of positivity in the industry. My hope is that this is a good sign for the economy in general. Time will tell. Either way, here’s to a happy and healthy 2019! Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP list today.
by Kirby Hasseman
There is a correlation between Fear and Fire. I heard a great analogy about fear from Grant Cardone. Grant is a hard charging sales trainer and real estate entrepreneur and author. He has penned several books including the 10X Rule. Grant compares Fear to Fire. Fire is powerful and is fueled by oxygen. The more oxygen a fire gets, the more likely it is to grow. But if you cut out the oxygen, the fire goes away. No oxygen = no fire. Fear is powerful as well. It can drive us or stop us. The fuel for fear is time. The more time you give fear, the bigger the fear gets! So the way to cut out fear is to cut out time. When you have that urge to make that next sales call, or go to that next conference, or go up to that stranger and introduce yourself, your brain will try and talk you out of it. It wants to keep you comfortable. So, it gives you fear. In response to the fear, our natural response is to wait. We have to wait until we are ready, or until the music is right or the script is better or until the website is complete. We feed the fear with time…and the fear gets bigger. So the next time you have that urge to do something you know you need to do, don’t wait until you are ready. Take advice from Nike. Just do it. Don’t wait until the time is right…it never will be. Don’t wait for the script to be perfect, it can’t be. Just act. Take away the time…and you will choke out the fear. Now might be a great time to act for you. Join our VIP list. We send out an email once a week with all of our content in one place. You can sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Since my treadmill broke, I have had a tough time consistently working out in the morning. It’s not that I never work out anymore. I have made the conscious effort to do it. I have worked out in the morning and I have gotten in steps in the evening. At times, I have even done more…but it’s not consistent. It’s not a part of my morning routine. And I was trying to figure out why. Knowledge: I mean, I know I need to do it. Intellectually, I know it makes me healthier and it makes me feel better all day. I have the knowledge that it needs to happen. I even know how to get it done. Options: In addition, there are plenty of other options. I could walk outside. Though I don’t like the cold temperatures, I could certainly do it. I could go for a run. I could go to a local facility called Kids America and walk around the track. In addition, I have a DVD routine called P90X3. I even kind of like that workout routine! So while I know I should do it, and I know how to do it, I am struggling to make it happen! It comes down to two reasons for me. The First Step: While I know I need to workout, and I even like the workout, I do know it will be hard! P90X3 is a pretty intense program. So while I can do it in my basement, I need to get myself to go to my basement to get started. Once I am in the basement, no problem. It’s getting myself from upstairs to downstairs. It’s simple…but not easy. So many mornings, it’s just easier to hit the snooze button or decide to do it later. It’s the first steps to go down the stairs that trip me up. No Routine: This is the power of a routine (and why I talk about them a lot). When the treadmill was there, I had a routine. I did not have to think about it. It had become a part of my morning. I did not have to “make a decision” each morning to work out. And since I did not have to burn mental calories, I almost always found myself on the treadmill. That is why I talk a lot about creating positive routines in our lives. If we create them intentionally, then our subconscious mind can steer us (on autopilot) the direction we want to go. “Great,” you might be thinking. “But what if I don’t have a routine now?” It’s time to start creating one. We all have routines in our lives. Most of the time, though, they are unintentional. So now is a great time to start creating a positive routine, on purpose. If you want a great book to help you get started, check out the “The 5 Second Rule,” by Mel Robbins. So regardless of what you want to create in your life, start to work toward it today. It can happen, one small decision at a time. As for me, I need to go work out. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up to be a VIP today. You can sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
There is a simple business strategy that helps you; *Grow your business. *Keep more customers. *Be happier. *Have better employees. *Create better culture. This strategy works (at least over the long term) almost every time. Your customers and prospects can see it…and they appreciate it. As a matter of fact, they seek it out. It’s a rarity, so it stands out. But it’s really hard to measure and quantify. It’s impossible to find it in a spreadsheet. It’s a strategy that is simple…but not easy. What is this magic strategy? Care. More. A Care More strategy will help you create better work that matters more. It will help you finish what you started. It will help you listen with empathy to those you want to serve. Caring more will help your team rally around the mission. As you begin this New Year, try to Care More. Make sure you never miss an update update. Join our VIP list! You can do that here.
by Kirby Hasseman
If you are like a lot of people, the New Year means there is a special feeling in the air. It’s not just the feeling of being tired and hung over. I mean, it’s that too. But in addition, there is a feeling of hope. It’s a new page, a new year, a new day full of new possibilities. I talked a bit about why this matters here. But for some of us, it can be overwhelming too. Sure, we can start over and have a great new year. But where do I start? How do I get the ball rolling? What can I do to get 2019 started off better than 2018? That challenge is real. When I feel a bit overwhelmed, I like to try and fill my brain with good and inspirational stuff. It often helps get me in the right mindset, so I can take action toward whatever goal I am working on. With that in mind, I wanted to share a few pieces of content that I enjoy that might help you! Dr. Mark Powell on Delivering Marketing Joy: I really enjoy doing Delivering Marketing Joy. I get to talk to some amazing and smart folks. So each episode is fun for me. But this one is perfect for this time of year. Dr. Powell has a new book called “Clutch” and he spends some time talking about that with me here. I love the idea of creating “rituals” in your life to create a happier and more productive you. My YouTube Channel: One of my goals for 2019 is to increase the amount of value I deliver through video…and I want to increase my subscribers! You can help me with that by clicking here and subscribing. Oh, and here is a recent video that went sideways when we “misplaced” our drone. Watch that here. Akimbo Podcast: If you know me at all, you know that I really enjoy the work of Seth Godin. He is smart and thoughtful and he brings that to his podcast. For me, this is “must listen” content. So that’s a short list to get you started today. And of course if you have some great content that I should check out, let me know! Happy New Year everyone! Let’s make it a great one! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It’s the last day of 2018. Whether you had a great year, a terrible year or (like most of us) a year that had a little bit of both, the New Year represents the opportunity for new beginnings. The reality, of course, is that tomorrow is just another day. There is nothing special about January 1st that gives us a new start. Or does it? Here’s the thing…it does if we think it does. There is an amazing power in our mind and the story we tell ourselves. Most of us are living the life that we believe we deserve. Whether we know it or not, our thoughts are foundational in the life we create. As pastor Dwight Mason, from NewPointe Community Church, says on a regular basis, “You cannot live inconsistently with how you think.” So your mind is driving the bus. Your thoughts are the power (and sometimes the detriment) to the life you are seeking to create. My friends, that is great news! It means that you have the power to create the life you want. You just have to believe it. Then you have to consistently take action on it. It’s not JUST about the power of thought. But that thought is where it starts. So maybe the New Year does have power. Maybe January 1st can have a magical gift to give us. That magic lies in each of our own minds. The flip of that calendar gives us permission to believe that we can create a new year (and a new life) that we truly desire. And if we believe it…that’s a great start. So Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I hope you finish 2018 happy and healthy. But maybe more importantly, I hope you give yourself permission to create the life you truly want in 2019. P.S. As a side note, New Year’s Eve is also my lovely bride’s birthday. So if you get a chance, please help me wish her a Happy Birthday! Thanks for reaching and engaging! If you want to make sure you never miss an update, or a piece of content, please join our VIP list here.
