Procurement

Lessons learned in 2009

We’ve all heard it before: in 2009 the economy had a big impact on the promotional products industry. And although the industry as a whole took a hit, individual businesses experienced the recession differently. Some people sank, losing up to 50% of their business. Some treaded water, surviving but not thriving. And some people swam, [...]

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2008 vs 2009 Budgets

One thought that has been circulating in my pea brain the past few months centers on the budget cycle of companies that typically takes place in Q4. Are you, as a promotional products professional, planning 2009 based on your clients’ 2008 budgets? This time last year (Q4 of 2007) companies broke into their respective management [...]

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HOT or NOT?

ndustry folks tend to have strong opinions. Love me or hate me, I’m excited that people are increasingly talking about Boundless Network.

While my goal is not to court controversy, I believe Boundless Network represents a new model for the Promotional Products Industry and I want the industry’s top sales professionals to understand the value and opportunity we provide.

Suffice it to say, I was both surprised and pleased that ASI named me to the inaugural 2008 Counselor Magazine HOT List. The award honors the promotional product industry’s most innovative leaders.

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$4 a Gallon and 90 Cent Koozies

Today as I write, gas has hit $4 a gallon at the pump in many parts of the country. We are in the midst of an election year, and the majority of companies are scrutinizing their business to evaluate how a recession will negatively or positively impact their business.

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Knock Knock. Who’s There? The Procurement Department!

I am not expert on how the industry responds to a recession, but I have a few battle wounds from my prior company HotLink in surviving a few “iffy” times.

People say the industry is “recession proof.” Personally, I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say that the successful distributors and salespeople with the right value proposition can actually grow exponentially in a recession economy. I suppose that’s fair to say in any industry.

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