by Kirby Hasseman
I get way too much credit. Really. For nearly everything. This is not a statement of modesty. It’s just a fact. But I have only come to realize it recently. What brought this to my attention was a project that my wife and I have recently tackled. It’s a property on Main Street in Coshocton that we purchased at the end of last year. Since then, work has been being done to improve the property and (we hope) the downtown as well. But here’s the thing…I haven’t been doing any of it. My wife has. She (with the help of my daughters) has been tearing up carpet, taking out cabinets, cleaning, painting, working with contractors and more. They have been working their tails off and making great progress…and I am very proud of them. So it always catches me off guard when someone comes up to Amy and I and asks ME about the project. “How is that coming?” Or “Really appreciate you taking that project on.” That’s great…and I appreciate the sentiment. But I am not doing it. I am just getting the credit for it. Is it because I am the guy?Is it because I am the mouthpiece?Is it because I am the constant, narcissistic self-promoter? Wait. That last one hurt. Amy deserves all of the credit for the project. She is doing a great job. And it made me think of the other things in my life where I get all of the credit…unfairly. Do you enjoy videos we do like Delivering Marketing Joy? If so, Dustin Haywood deserves credit. He is our video guru and makes me look good. Do you like the graphics and look of our marketing? Then you need to give Josh Williams a pat on the back. That’s all him. Happy about the fact that we pay the bills and invoices get moving in a timely fashion? Libbie Granger-Prince handles all of that. And if you have ever had me actually make it to an appointment, or an order made it through the process, then Emily Bradford deserves credit for that. Oh…and one more…if you like the beer at Hasseman Brewing, Robbie Kehl does the work behind the scenes there. It’s humbling to have such a great team of people making me look better than I deserve. So thanks to them…and to our awesome sales team too. That’s where the credit is due. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here for all of the content!
by Kirby Hasseman
This past week, I was recognized in a couple of different posts for online activity and influence. It was beyond humbling. The first was Dale Denham’s Online 18. Each year Dale puts together a list of the people he deems as the most influential online in the Promotional Products industry. He has his own criteria, which outlines at the top of the list, and he spends a lot of time putting it together. Other than me, it’s a veritable Who’s Who of online and content in the industry. Check it out here. Oh…and here is the podcast about this I did yesterday. The second post came from Commonsku. Commonsku is a service provider in the Promo World and created this list of their favorite Podcasts. It includes some newer podcasts and some old favorites…and we made that list too. That post can be found here. So why am I bringing this up (other than a blatant Humble Brag)? I mention this because it’s amazing how much recognition matters…to everyone. The Hasseman Marketing team and I create content on an every day basis. Our goal is to provide value. Our hope is that someone gets something out of each piece of content that either educates or inspires. And for the most part, it happens quietly. But when something like this happens, it’s hard not to take pride. It makes you want to puff up your chest. It is great to know that what you do matters…to someone. The lesson, I think goes back to this blog post about Fixing the Appreciation Gap. Recognition matters to everyone. Many of us would like to think we are above it. We “do the work” regardless of what anyone thinks. And maybe we do. But when we get called out for our good work…we take pride. Guess what? So do your employees. So do your customers. Make sure you are taking the time to “make a list” of the people doing great work in your life and your organization. Give them a chance to “puff up their chest.” And if you want to make sure you never miss any of this “recognized” content, feel free to sign up for our VIP newsletter. You can do that here! Or if you want to head to our site and shop for cool Promotional items to recognize your team, you can do that here.
by Kirby Hasseman
I was in a conversation recently with a person who was looking at their phone. Well, it was sort of a conversation. I would talk to them and they would occasionally nod and say “uh huh.” They continued to scroll through their social media feed and pretend to be in a conversation with me at the same time. Sooner or later I gave up and walked away. I am not sure they noticed. In that situation they did not “tell” me that I wasn’t important. They showed me. And I think that might have hurt worse. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Just about every good mother and father teach their children two phrases just as soon as they can talk. Say them with me… “Please and thank you.”
Awesome. That means this blog is read by wonderful parents (or soon to be parents). But here’s the thing. As nearly any parent will tell you, we get tired of hearing “please.” “Please can I go to friend’s house?” “Can I stay up later, please?” “Please can I have just one more?” On the other hand, we never get tired of hearing “thank you.” That simple sign of appreciation is much more rare. And even if it’s not, it’s never annoying.
We appreciate the appreciation.
Our clients and prospects and employees feel the same way. As business owners, sales people, and leaders, we spend a lot of time asking people for something. We ask employees for their effort. We ask customers for their money. We ask both of them for their time. We ask…a lot. But how often do you really spend time saying “thank you?” Not just the basic “hey thanks” you say in passing or the automatic email that says “thanks for your purchase.” Those are fine…I guess. But they don’t take effort and are not really sincere.
How often do you stop by a customer’s office just to thank them for their business? How often do you pick up the phone to do the same? How often do you schedule a meeting with a person in your organization just to take the time to applaud their efforts? If you are like most of us (me included), the answer is probably “not enough.” So here are 3 ways to fix the “appreciation gap” in your business.
Just “Thanks:”
Go to your clients or your employees with a simple “thanks meeting.” If it’s a client, let them know you are only there to say “thank you for their business.” If it’s an employee schedule a quick meeting. Both will probably give you quizzical looks because they are not used to this sort of meeting. But both will appreciate it.
Send a Card
Yes…we are going old school. Take the time and send out a simple greeting card showing your appreciation. The fact is, most of the mail we get these days is a bill. This will stand out!
Appreciation Program
This is for your best clients. Most businesses have a rule that 80% of the revenue comes from 20% of the clients. This is for that 20%. Create a quarterly program where you get a simple gift for your best clients…just to say “thanks.” It’s simple and it’s easy.
And you will be saying “thank you” instead of “please.” If you want to make sure you never miss an update, please sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
Or if you want to jump right to our site in order to find a great Promo item to show your clients appreciation, you can shop here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It’s time to bring “Marketing Joy” to the masses! At Hasseman Marketing we pride ourselves in providing amazing promotional premiums to customers all over the United States. And frankly, we want to provide the right product to the person for the right situation. It’s NOT just about slinging SWAG.
That’s why we help you ask the right questions (here are 5 you should ask before your next promotion).
On the other hand, we want to be THE place you look for the best cool products for every occasion. We want to create “Brand-Slams” for you and your organization!
This week the featured product on BrandSLAMS is the 10 oz Lowball Viking Tumbler. This amazing tumbler is is a double wall vacuum sealed tumbler that is sure to keep the hot drinks hot for hours and the cold drinks cold for…well…days. It’s amazing. And this size drink works extremely well for the having hot coffee at the office or a cold drink by the pool.
The fact is, this has the functionality and performance of the Yeti drinkware brand, without the price. As you may know, you might spend between $20 and $30 on a brand name item like this. But you can do the 10 oz Lowball Viking Tumbler (with your organizations logo) for only $8.99. You get form. You get function. And you get it at an amazing value.
That’s what makes this a true BrandSlam. For more information on this item (or to order now) you can click on this link. But if you want to discuss options or how this fits in with your other promotional campaigns, feel free to reach out to your HMC representative. Don’t have one? Email us here and can hook you up!
To make sure you stay on top of all of our content (including the next Brand Slam) make sure to sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
