2008FEB | PPB Mag


How strongly is customer service stressed at your company?
It's the most important thing we do. It's fairly important. We don't focus much on it at all.

2008FEB

Apparel

Making Headway
By: Audrey Sellers Issue: 2008FEB
You probably have a handful of promotional hats, whether they’re representing your favorite sports team or promoting a local 5K....Full Article

Breaking News

Promotional Products Industry Professionals Earn MAS/CAS Designations
Issue: 2008FEB
Fifty-eight promotional products industry professionals passed the Master Advertising Specialist and Certified Advertising Specialist...Full Article

Chair's Letter

Speaking with ONE VOICE
By: Stan Breckenridge Issue: 2008FEB
Thank you so much for honoring me with the opportunity to represent you this year. I want to share with you my vision as I embark upon this new journey as PPAI Board Chairman...Full Article

Datebook

Datebook
By: Staff Issue: 2008FEB
FEBRUARY February 4-8 Showtime Richmond, Virginia; Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia www.showtime.tc February...Full Article

Editor's Picks

Fun In The Sun
By: Audrey Sellers Issue: 2008FEB
Last year, Americans jetted off on more than 54 million beach excursions, according to the Travel Industry Association. And they...Full Article

Fast Forward

Fast Forward
By: Lisa Horn Issue: 2008FEB
Inside Information Executives make purchasing decisions based on recommendations from their high-level counterparts. How do executives make business purchase decisions? By listening to their other executive-level friends, of course...Full Article

Features

The Best Customer Industries And How They Work
By: Richard Alan Nelson, Ph.D., and Rick Ebel Issue: 2008FEB
Which is the better course—pursuing prospects in industries known to be heavy users of promotional products or focusing on light...Full Article

Don’t Become An IRS Target
By: Jodi Hodak, ABC Issue: 2008FEB
Promotional products distributors often use independent contractors to perform a variety of sales services. But should they be classified...Full Article

A Night To Remember
By: Jodi Hodak, ABC Issue: 2008FEB
Grandiose. Electric. Sparkling. The PPAI Awards Presentation & Dinner at The PPAI Expo 2008 in Las Vegas was a star-studded event,...Full Article

Goods

Goods
By: Audrey Sellers Issue: 2008FEB
PARTY ANIMALS No matter what species you choose for the Change-Up Pillows—horse, monkey, moose (shown) or polar bear—they’re bound to energize your youth promotions...Full Article

Inside PPAI

Inside PPAI
By: Staff Issue: 2008FEB
PPAI, RAC Launch First-Ever ADvocate Regional Challenge At The PPAI Expo Ladies and gentlemen, start your competitive engines and...Full Article

Management

Do It All With A Small Staff
By: Kayla Tollen, CAS Issue: 2008FEB
At the end of the day, do you wish that you’ve successfully completed everything you needed to with little or no stress, met all...Full Article

Marketing

You’re No Average Joe
By: Doug Greenhut Issue: 2008FEB
As a promotional products professional, you spend countless hours each day helping others promote their businesses, build their brands and foster relationships...Full Article

Online Exclusives

Canadian promotional product leaders honored for innovation and creativity
Issue: 2008FEB
Liqueur-flavoured lip gloss, wrist bracelets from a leading children's hospital, a spot-cleaning pen and custom etched pumpkins were...Full Article

The Partnering Group Honors Customer Service Reps
Issue: 2008FEB
Northbrook, Illinois-based The Partnering Group, LLC, a group of distributors that partners with suppliers to form a cohesive organization...Full Article

OOPPS Names Winners At Inaugural Salesperson Awards Gala
Issue: 2008FEB
The Organization of Promotional Products Salespeople (OOPPS) held its inaugural “Celebrating the Salesperson” Awards Gala in Las Vegas during The PPAI Expo 2008, Nicole Van Vleck-Brown was named Distributor Salesperson of the Year...Full Article

iPROMOTEu Honors Affiliates, Suppliers In Las Vegas
Issue: 2008FEB
Wayland, Massachusetts-based distributor iPROMOTEu (UPIC: IPRU9320) hosted its fourth annual “Thank You” reception in Las Vegas during...Full Article

People News

People News
By: Staff Issue: 2008FEB
SUPPLIERS Bruce Fox, Inc. (UPIC: BRUC0003)—Leslie Sheehan, relationship manager for strategic accounts Crystal D (UPIC:CRYSTALD)—...Full Article

President's Perspective

An Ever Changing Future
By: Steve Slagle, CAE Issue: 2008FEB
For PPAI, the last year was filled with new initiatives, bold actions by our Board of Directors and some changes we’d rather not have seen...Full Article

Question

Question Of The Month
By: Staff Issue: 2008FEB
A DISTRIBUTOR ASKS:“A supplier billed me $300 additional shipping and handling 45 days after I received the initial invoices. I had already charged my clients for the jobs, and most of the invoices had already been paid...Full Article

Snapshots

Snapshots
By: Staff Issue: 2008FEB
Shumsky’s Annual Meeting Goes From Boardroom To Bowling Alley For sales reps at Dayton, Ohio-based distributor Shumsky (UPIC: SHUMSKY), there’s nothing like hitting the lanes at the local bowling alley to let some creative energy loose...Full Article

Washington Report

Washington Report
By: John Satagaj Issue: 2008FEB
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS The fiscal year 2008 IRS work plan calls for increasing scrutiny of individuals who have been classified as independent contractors, rather than employees...Full Article