Marketing and Sales

Should You Upgrade to QuickBooks 2016?
March 11, 2016 at 4:02 pm

Question: Is it time to upgrade to QuickBooks Premier 2016? Answer: QuickBooks Premier 2016 was released in November 2015. Every year when software comes out, it takes time for the bugs to get worked out, and Premier 2016 is no exception. It's wise to wait a few months after the initial release to upgrade. My…

Supernova Success Equals Organizational Skills
March 10, 2016 at 6:31 pm

Time to spill a few more sales secrets, kids! And these secrets are organizational in nature … This past week, I once again sat down with a multi-million-dollar producer and interviewed her, trying to uncover attributes, work habits and her secrets of success. Just call me Bernstein from The Washington Post. Wait, maybe I should…

10 Travel-ready Items
March 9, 2016 at 4:30 pm

The warm weather looks like it's here to stay, so what better time than to take a vacation? Here are 10 items that travelers, hotel patrons and adventurers will love...

What Millennials Want at Brand Events
March 8, 2016 at 4:38 pm

Many brands are making efforts to appeal to millennials. According to Forbes, this enigmatic generation makes up one-third of the U.S. workforce—53.5 million employees. So, naturally, many brands are trying to reach this young generation through advertising and products. According to Adweek, Splash, a creator of marketing software, used data to show what branded items…

Proforma Concludes First Ever Planning Retreats
March 8, 2016 at 3:57 pm

Proforma, Cleveland, recently concluded its Planning Retreats, formerly known as Proforma’s Regional Meetings. This seven-city event provided Proforma owners with the opportunity to connect with suppliers, learn innovative selling techniques for 2016 and network with industry experts. Proforma’s annual meetings featured a new format to facilitate more group sharing and collaboration, and to include motivational…

The Image Group Acquires Bag Warehouse, Thirsty Promo
March 8, 2016 at 2:42 pm

The Image Group, Holland, Ohio, announced yesterday that it has acquired Santa Ana, California-based companies Bag Warehouse and Thirsty Promo from Mark-it Smart. According to a press release, the deal includes Mark-it Smart's Web-based sales platform. Bag Warehouse and Thirsty Promo sell branded items directly to businesses, rather than through distributors. Jon Levine, president of The…

11 Keys to Great Success in Life and Business: Key 11: Know Your 'Big Why'
March 7, 2016 at 6:57 pm

Most industry folks want to focus on the “how.” How do I sell more? How can I make more money? How? I believe with all my heart that “how” doesn’t matter until you know “why.” The truth is that most folks reading this already know “how” to double their sales and incomes. The reason they…

China's Hoverboard Sellers Form Trade Industry
March 7, 2016 at 4:25 pm

In response to the growing safety concerns surrounding the hoverboard industry, more than 100 Chinese companies in the industry have come together to form a trade association, the Hoverboard Industry Alliance, which held its second conference on March 3, according to Quartz. The group…

Peyton Manning's Retirement Spurs Merchandise Sales
March 7, 2016 at 4:15 pm

After 18 seasons in the NFL, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said that he will retire from the game. It's not a bad time for Manning to hang up his helmet. After all, his last game was a Super Bowl 50 victory, and he…

Last Chance to Vote! PM Video Battle: Prime Line Versus Williams Advertising Co.
March 4, 2016 at 6:31 pm

Promo Marketing’s Video Battle pits two industry videos against each other for the chance at the ultimate bragging right: Being declared our readership’s absolute favorite. (Next up: It snowed today in Philadelphia. I guess the sled I still have in my hallway can get one last ride.) Last week, Prime Line won again, so now it will challenge…