Category Archives for Products With Punch

Are You Ready For Trade Show Season?

21531952January brings cold weather, another chance to make a New Year’s resolution that may last beyond February, and two of the most high profile trade shows in the country – The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and The International Auto Show in Detroit.  Besides giving us nerd-worthy gadgets and the newest trends in car design, those two shows remind us that trade show season is in full swing!  Are you ready?

One of the first things to consider when planning for an upcoming trade show is the signage.  Printed handouts and creative booth giveaways are normally front of mind, but banners, table covers and flags should also be refreshed occasionally for attention-grabbing exposure.  Consistent branding is crucial, but the vehicle for that branding should be crafted in a way that stands out, making it hard to ignore.

Whether your trade show is inside a convention center, or you are hosting a community event outside on the town square, there are several different options for promoting your brand and driving event attendees to your booth.

  • Retractable Banner Stands
  • Custom Inflatables
  • Event Tents
  • Stands and Displays
  • Advertising Flags
  • Promotional Seating
  • Custom Games
  • Indoor and Outdoor Displays
  • Table Covers and Runners

In 2016, start early and resolve to take a new approach to driving traffic to your trade show booth with creative banners, flags and tents.

Social Media, Golf And The Millennials

6917-miniature-golfAccording to data cited by the Wall Street Journal, golf participation rates among the 18-to-34 crowd (defined as the millennials) were down 13% in 2013 from 2009, while rates for active sports like running jumped 29%.  In 2013 alone, some 400,000 people gave up the sport in the U.S., according to the National Golf Foundation.  But now, we have youthful champions like Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.  Their high profile wins have brought welcome attention to a game that desperately needs a way to connect with the millennials populating and influencing corporate culture.

Millennials, also known as GenY, were born into a new era of technology and founded the social media movement.  How a company – golf market agents or any other company – markets to a demographic that thrives in this fast-paced, ever-changing technological fray is an ongoing uncertainty in the business world.  In order to draw them into a game that requires 4+ hours of time, expensive gear and and an income that can allow for greens fees that can easily exceed $40 for 18 holes, companies must incorporate tools that support and enhance their tech experience.  (I must add here that the snowsports industry, another expensive, time-consuming pastime, is facing the same challenges with millennials).

What marketing tools would drive excitement for a game struggling to stay relevant while increasing brand visibility for your firm?  Read on for a few ideas on how to integrate golf, social media and the millennials.

  • Selfie Snapper:  Wireless bluetooth remote for snapping pictures on a smartphone.  Great for post-round pics of the foursome.
  • Silicone Phone Backstrap:  Holds credit cards, license, cash on the back of a phone, giving the recipient a useful reminder of the giver every time he texts, tweets or talks.
  • GPS Rangefinder:  Handheld or on the wrist, a touchscreen, bluetooth-enabled tool for saving strokes will appeal to those players who don’t have time to walk off the yardage.
  • Microfiber Cell Phone Bag Pouch:  Holds the phone – cleans the phone.  Taking care of the millennial golfers most prized tool will be appreciated well after the last hole.

The game of golf is here to stay, but the new generation of golfers will expect to experience it in different ways.  Give them something in their gift bag they can relate to besides that sleeve of balls.  They will reward you with appreciation for your foresight and your brand.

Embrace The Rain

622-MMRain might be a nuisance if you’re planning a picnic or attending the opening day of baseball season, but, as a vital part of our existence, everyone agrees rain is a good thing. Humans, animals, vegetation, lakes, oceans and farmlands all need the water that comes from rain. And at this time of year it’s particularly plentiful, so why not embrace the rain and all the opportunities it brings for increased brand awareness.

Rainy-day gear may not be the first thing companies think about when planning for a marketing giveaway, but many times it’s the just the thing that everyone needs, and don’t think to buy until they get caught in a rainstorm.  Be the brand that protects your customers and consider some of these popular gifts for staying dry.

  • Umbrellas:  From purse-size models to double-canopy golf umbrellas, there is a style and price for every audience.
  • Rain Jacket:  Available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, and offered in several different colors to support any corporate or school identity.
  • Rain Pants:  For serious golfers, rain paints are a must!
  • Poncho:  These handy rain protectors come in single-use, disposable material for a one-time event, or in durable PVC for a lifetime of use.
  • Rain Hat:  Bucket or cap style hats for men and women come in water resistant fabrics that work well for any outdoor sporting event.

At your next corporate outing, team-building event or community outreach, give branded rain gear so everyone can embrace the rain!

(Image via AAA Innovations)

And The Winner Is …

awardAccording to a Forbes research project, companies that scored in the top 20% for building a “recognition-rich culture” actually had 31% lower voluntary turnover rates.  Lower turnover rates reduce recruiting and training costs, while increasing productivity and morale.  Reduced costs mean higher profits.  Higher profits equals happy shareholders.  So what’s the down side?  There isn’t one!

Recognition comes in all forms – from a simple, but genuine “thank you” to an all-expenses-paid trip to a sunny destination.  Rewards for practicing specific behaviors and achieving well-defined goals should be chosen carefully and with the recipient in mind.  But the exact gift isn’t as important as how the strategy is executed.  The budget will drive the gift options, but regardless of the size of that budget, a well-planned, clearly communicated recognition approach will always trump the mad dash at the end of the year to come up with one gift for every employee just because they still happen to be working there at holiday time.

The overall “experience” of receiving the award should also be calculated so that the recipient isn’t just walking away with something in his/her hand, they are also walking away with a sense of pride, accomplishment and renewed energy.  For instance:

  • Think out-of-the-box with an unexpected “free day” given to the associate who demonstrated the most talent for reducing costs with process improvements, more aggressive supplier negotiations or less overtime.  There are few employees who wouldn’t appreciate the value of an extra vacation day.
  • Don’t underestimate the value of great chair!  Those employees that spend a lot of time sitting at the desk would be ecstatic to see the manager rolling brand new ergonomic office chairs into their work spaces.  The IT department that just successfully completed a grueling software conversion after working 14 hour days over a 12 month period will understand how much you appreciate their efforts.
  • Communicate to the other employees a clear description of the behavior being rewarded.  Describing the awesome feedback the customer service associate of the month has received from customers will make everyone on the team work a little harder to do the same.
  • Go the extra mile by packaging the award, point redemption card or gift card for successfully avoiding work-related accidents for another 6 months, in an attractive box with gift wrap.  We all know from a lifetime of birthday and holiday gifts that a wrapped gift is twice as nice.

The point is, it’s good business to recognize valuable employees.  But it requires a management team that’s willing to devote time and energy to the development of a solid plan, and then the dedication to follow through.  It’s only February – it’s not too late to get started!