SUPPLIERS...CAN'T YOU DO BETTER?
As the New Year begins, we are challenged to start 2010 with
a renewed vigor and position our companies to prosper in these challenging
economic times.
We have many opportunities to do that, but are we missing the boat?
Suppliers still barrage us with product focused e-blasts
touting an amazing new low price on the same items distributors can buy from
several sources. How does reducing the
bottom line and selling with a cheap price represent a successful business
model? (See our articles, Don't Do It and The Price is Not Right.) It may be helpful for a
supplier to offer compelling reasons why doing business with them makes good
business sense.
As we enter the first of the year show season, the supplier
e-mails that really are humorous are those that ask you to visit them in Booth
1232 at XYZ trade show.
Supplier Company: Might I ask why I should visit you? Will
you offer me ideas and showcase products that will meet a need for our clients?
I strongly believe in the traditional supplier distributor
relationship. Quality
forward-thinking suppliers can help quality forward-thinking distributors be effective in
selling their products, which creates profitable business for all. But is that really happening?
Distributors...Can You Do Better?
Distributors...you are not off the hook in this rant
either. Can you be more
successful in 2010? May I
ask what you will be doing in these "interesting" times to stand out from the
crowd and provide marketing solutions for your clients that will benefit their
business? Isn't that what we are
supposed to do?
I could be wrong about this...and God knows I've been wrong
many times before, (ask my wife) but I think we need to approach business
differently in this current economic climate. The same old business strategies for suppliers and distributors
just won't cut it.
Your friends at FreePromoTips are responding to this new
market. We are launching and
entirely new web platform that will offer you more information and more ways to
prosper. A couple of these
new features are the PromoTips Art Dept. that will enable you to provide profitable
graphic design services. Our
Marketing Dept., which is being directed by Affinity Cloud Marketing, will show
you how you can more effectively reach your clients. Our partners will help you prosper in 2010!
I'm a bit feistier in this issue than I normally am, but I'm
excited about the opportunities ahead...and frustrated by the lack of fresh thinking on our industry. It's time to stop messing around and get serious about
doing business...but not too serious. We can still have fun as we actually make money!
If I have offended anyone in this issue...or if you would like
to comment on what I have said, click here and post your thoughts at the bottom
of this commentary.
Watch for the ALL NEW FreePromoTips.com!
It's Coming Soon!
Happy New Year!
Jeff Solomon, MAS
FPT.com
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THE PAPER AIRPLANE MOVIE
As we begin the New Year, I invite you view this movie from Simple Truths. It addresses changing the way we traditional think.
Click here for the movie.
Happy New Year From Your
Friends at FreePromoTips!
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