Recession

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

The recession many companies shaking in their proverbial boots. But, as Brian Solis points out in this blog from Techcrunch, fear can be counterproductive when it comes to surviving the downturn. Go take a look at the article–I think it does an excellent job articulating how to position yourself and your business for success. I [...]

---

Boundless Acquires Custom Solutions

Last week we announced the acquisition of Custom Solutions, a Texas-based distributor led by Chris Miner. This press release received a tremendous amount of positive feedback—potentially more so than the previous six press releases combined. Naturally, I’m curious as to the cause of this groundswell of comments. Here are a couple of hypotheses… which do [...]

---

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 [...]

---

The New Economy

Last week I sent an e-mail to top professionals in our industry about the looming recession and its effects on the promotional products world. I invited them to join me in a conversation about what I call the “New Economy.” Not surprisingly, the response has been overwhelming. Hundreds of folks have already signed up to [...]

---

Surviving the “R” Word

I am going to write a couple of blogs on the stress that is being placed on distributors, sales professionals and end customers.I want to inject a little reality into our current situation. I truly want all folks to be successful (with or without Boundless Network). Hopefully some of the topics will create a sense [...]

---

Survivor: Promotional Products Edition

This weekend I performed an experiment: I tried to go the entire weekend without spending one minute thinking about the economy and the politics surrounding it. Between the political campaign and the stock market, it starts to be a little taxing on the psyche.

---

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.

---

Are You a Fox or a Hedgehog?

We’re all talking about the stinking recession. Yes it sucks, but folks… let’s just deal with it. Take the good with the bad, get your head out of the sand and start taking control of the situation. In this environment, the winners will rise to the top—and the losers will prepare their obituaries.

---

$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.

---

Building Your Business in a Recession

A few months ago I wrote about the negative impact a recession will have on the vast majority of promotional products distributors. Since that time, I have attended numerous industry trade shows and have left each one confident that the success of Boundless Network’s sales professionals over the next year (or however long the negative economy sticks around) will increasingly be at the expense of other’s who are not providing true value to their customers.

---