Coach's Corner
by Fred Albrecht
Welcome to the New Year which seems to have flown in as fast as 2014 ended. In the last few weeks, I have read just about every form and fashion of "Get Ready for the New Year", resolutions, plans and new and better. Chan sent along something from one of my favorite authors Jeffrey Gittomer. Rick Tapio introduced him to me and I read the "Little Red Book" of selling on my way back from one of the PPAI shows many years ago. Well, here is Jeffrey again talking way too much "common sense" about achieving "Happiness NOW". Check it out, I know it will resonate and make you think.
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On Choosing Happiness. What's Your Choice?Good morning Fellow Brain Pickers and Important Friends,
I'm not preaching but I thought this message was too good not to share with our group. Hope you all find the happiness in life you all deserve and desire. Thanks to all of our group members for your friendship and willingness to share ways for all of us to grow and prosper.
Happy New Year............................................ Sell, Sell, Sell not necessarily in that order!
Sincerely,
Chan T. Williams
 | | On Choosing Happiness. What's your Choice? |
Happy New Year! Or...is it?
People wish it to you, to me - all the time.
So how happy are you right now? Really?
What's your plan to be happy this year? Or are you just going back to the "goal" and "resolution" process that really hasn't worked that well for you over the past decade. Or is it two decades?
CAUTION: This is not one of those silly "have your best year ever" or "set your goals for the new
year" messages. This is a challenge and an insight. It started for me when I realized how
debilitating and UN-happy the word "after" is.
"After" is a self-defeating word. It robs you of the present and resigns you to wait, without
taking any action.
You convince yourself that life will be better after something: After you get a new job, after
you get a better job, after you get more money, after you get out of debt, after the economy
rebounds, after your stocks go back up, after you get that big order.
You convince yourself that life will be better after an event: After you get married, after you
have a baby, after you get a new house, after you take a vacation, after you come back from
vacation, after summer is over, or some other action-procrastinating "after."
Are you frustrated your kids aren't old enough, and believe you'll be more content after they're
in high school or out of high school? Are you frustrated that you have teenagers to deal with?
You will certainly be happy after they're out of that stage. You'll be even happier after they're
in college, or is it out of college?
You tell yourself your life will be more complete when your spouse gets his or her act together,
when you get a nicer car, a new house, a raise in pay, a new boss, or worse, after you retire.
Really?
The truth is, the fact is, the reality is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If
not now, when? After the economy gets better? You may not be able to wait that long.
Your life will always be filled with challenges, barriers, and disappointments. It's best to
admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. There is no after to happiness. Happiness is now.
HERE'S THE ANSWER: It's inside your head FIRST and everyplace else second. Happiness is a treasure. Your (missed) opportunity is to treasure every moment that you have.
Stop waiting - until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until after you quit smoking, until your kids
leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get
divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get your new car or home, until
your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the
first or the fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered
up, until you win the lottery, or until the cows come home - to decide that there is no better
time than right now to be happy. Happy New Year!
Treasure the happiness of now because you share it with someone special enough to invest your time in and love your life as it is.
Happiness is: Not a sale or a commission. Not an economy or a budget. Not a yes or a no. Not a game-winning hit, or a last second touchdown.
Happiness is a way of life that is inside you at all times. It helps you get over the tough times
and it helps you celebrate the special times. Seems pretty simple to define on paper but real
difficult to manifest when the chips are down.
My experience has taught me the difference between resign and resolve. You can resign yourself to what is, and hope or wait for a better day. Or, you can resolve that you are a positive person who finds the good, the positive, the happiness, the smile, and especially the opportunity in everything.
Happiness is now, not a goal or a destination.
Happiness is not an after. It's a before.
And it's up to you. All you have to do is decide.
Happy New Year!
Jeffrey
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GET CHARGED!
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I am overwhelmed by the success that many of our Account Executives have sent in over the last few weeks of 2014 and the first week in January. We really have not slowed down and bit and a ready to record another record January to start out 2015. Check out some of the successes.
Chan Williams has started his "EMC" (Electric Coop) "Season" early this year. His base of customers needed gifts to welcome and entice their shareholders to come to their annual meetings in order to guarantee a "quorum". He is constantly challenged to come up with just the right gift in the budget needed for each customer. Generally, the "Best Idea" gets the order. His competition continues to challenge him so each season he has to be ahead of the game. Check out these two nice orders.
1200 Custom "Step" stools, from Phenix Direct, Stuart and Chan found this unique item in a unique color. Great order for over $15,000.00.
1100 Galvanized Buckets were just the ticket for another customer, over $12,000.00 worth of buckets, again sourced through our most reliable "import" source, Phenix Direct, Stuart McClelland.
David Grimm - I am sure you all remember when I introduced you to our college intern, David Grimm, back in July at our convention. Well David has graduated and he is out in the "real world" with the rest of us. Here is a very nice email I received from him this week:
Fred, Your generosity and help I received over the summer will pay dividends. I just wrote a $8600 order this morning with 44% profit. I wanted to personally thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of the sales team. I will keep the ball rollin! A great way to start off the first week of the year.
David J. Grimm
Proforma Albrecht & Co.
 David's order was for a total of 225 garments, mixed of men's womans and style including #6250 Jackets, 7338 Hooded Sweatshirts,#224 Campus Polos, and several more all from Tri Mountain, Decorated by Tri Mountain. Boy did he learn the right way, one vendor, decorated and out the door hassle-free apparel selling, for sure and at the right margin. Great Job David. You should not bother to cash that deposit, just frame it as a memento of your first big sale after graduation.
 Michelle Rockwell has hit the street running this year as well. Her new client, which is a technology company for the Eye industry, ordered 5000 of the 18784 Kurv Stand from PLP Handstands, ASI 59525. The order totals close to $11,000.00. She credits the "West Coast" factory rep for helping her make the sale at an "end user" trade show Michelle attended this last fall.
She also sold them 1000 T2137 Lazollo Power Banks from ASI 61005 Hirsch Gift totaling $12,605.00. 
I happen to know this is just the "tip of the iceberg" for Michelle and this new clients as she has many other new projects in the works!
Becky Lankford - In earlier editions, we talked about a client of Becky's that purchased Jackets for Christmas gifts for their employees, now they came and ordered some- an assortment of garments from Alphabroder and San Mar, decorated by Shirt Lizard....total over $5000.00 with recorders on the way.
 John Fairchild - John joined us last year as part of the "S" group from Akron Ohio. Over the years John has become known as the "Energy King" as he has a great relationship with one of the areas largest energy companies. His most recent order is for 2500 Alstyle Athletic Heather shirts from ASI 34817 in Anaheim California, decorated by his trusted decorator "Talk of the Town" in Akron, Ohio. The total order comes to over $15,000.00. Great Order for John and Proforma Albrecht & Co
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Proforma Interactive Business Cards
I hope 2015 is off to a good start. Business cards can be one of the most effective marketing tools you invest in. You always have them with you and with the Interactive business card people will remember you and your message. We've put together a regular schedule for Proforma Interactive Business cards in 2015 that will eliminate the bottlenecks we've experienced in the past. The last week of each month we'll be printing. Orders will ship by the 2nd week of the following month. The cost is $245 for 1,000 and $155 for 500 cards. If you would like to order or just watch the video to see how this card can help you reach new clients, click this link. Mike Vitamvas Wall Printing/Printery P.S. We have created a number of videos to help educate your customers about the Interactive card along with a price list are located here.
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Upcoming Proforma Campaigns
1Q MBA: Roadmap to Success Mail Campaign
 SCHEDULE:
Opens: January 16, 2015
Closes: January 30, 2015
Mail Date A: February 20
Mail Date B: February 27
Mail Date C: March 6
Mail Date D: March 13
Follow-Up: March 20
ASSIGN CONTACTS:
ProSMART / PROvision
PRICING:
$40.00 per contact
The MBA (More and Better Appointments) campaigns are designed to get you in front of higher quality prospects by demonstrating Proforma's full range of capabilities. These multi-part, multi-dimensional campaigns are offered quarterly. Each campaign is delivered over four consecutive weeks, building anticipation and excitement with the recipients. The new MBA theme is 'Roadmap to Success.' This campaign plays off of Proforma's positioning as a full-range marketing agency without the high agency fees. The recipient will be guided through Proforma's capabilities including print, promotional products, packaging, fulfillment, and of course, creative. Each mailing consists of a Proforma-branded package and variable data print, all on your behalf. To keep you informed of the mailing schedule, you will receive email announcements on each of the mailing dates. MBA PREVIEW To learn more about the MBA campaign, contact Danny Trizio at the Proforma Support Center.
Click image above for a full size PDF to download.
Below is a PDF to download of the schedule of ALL of the Campaigns for 2015 so you can decide which campaigns you would like to participate in.
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Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant Acquires A La Carte
Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant, Freeport, N.Y., has completed the acquisition of the assets of A La Carte, Chicago. Through this acquisition, Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant has greatly expanded its capabilities with new flexographic printing, custom candy imprinting and expanded die cutting capabilities. In addition, Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant will add a range of new everyday products, including customizable multicolor bags in 1 oz. to 8 oz. sizes, fortune cookies, mini roll mints and more. In total, Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant is expected to add more than 75 A La Carte items to its product line in 2015. "We are extremely excited to announce the acquisition of A La Carte," said David Miller, president of Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant. "We believe that our distributor customers will benefit from a growing product assortment, particularly with flexographic printing, which, combined with our new direct imprint personalized candy buttons, will make for a dynamite product. And we look forward to servicing and interacting with the A La Carte customers and introducing them to the expanded offerings of the Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant family." Mike Shulkin, A La Carte's current president, will join Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant as Midwest regional sales manager. "Adding A La Carte products and capabilities to the Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant product line will give us the most extensive food and candy line in the industry," said Shulkin. "The opportunities available to distributors with this complete product line and with our custom capabilities are enormous." "I am excited to welcome Mike Shulkin to the team," said Miller. "He is an industry veteran and I know [he] will do a tremendous job in helping grow our business with his existing customers and new prospects." The acquisition marks Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant's first major strategic growth initiative since its merger in 2011. Visit www.taylor-grant.com for more information.
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Are You On Track or Off Course?
Hi, David Blaise here. Recently in my newsletter, I raised the issue of the straight line approach to sales and marketing, which we'll continue this week.
You May Have Heard that an Airplane is Technically
"Off-Course" for as Much as 90% of the Flight..
For example, if I'm flying from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, the "straight line approach" - the most direct path - is basically heading southwest. But maybe the wind conditions make it necessary to take off toward the northeast. At that point, I'm traveling in exactly the opposite direction of my goal. But as we reach our cruising altitude, we're able to turn around and adjust our course.
Like the Airplane, If We Continue to Make the Necessary
Adjustments to Our Course, We Will Eventually Get There...
But some in our industry make a critical mistake. They fail to clearly outline for themselves exactly where they want to go. And as Lewis Carroll reminds us in Alice in Wonderland, that can be a problem: "Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in the tree. 'Which road do I take?' she
asked. His response was a question. 'Where do you want to go?' 'I don't know,' Alice answered.
'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter. If you don't know where you are going, any road will
take you there.'"
We All Know That the Shortest Distance Between Two Points is a Straight Line. But Without a Destination, There Can be No Straight Line.
Where do you want to be in your business? What kinds of clients do you want to have? What is the very minimum gross sales volume and profit percentage that you will allow yourself to achieve? What are your goals for yourself and your family? I encourage you to ask these questions and answer them for yourself. Because if you don't know where you want to go, then any road will take you there. Need Help Mapping Out Your Straight Line Approach?
Since 1998, Top Secrets of Promotional Products Sales has helped to transform typical distributors into true promotional advisors. We do this by providing you with all the necessary tools and strategies you need. Click here if you're just getting started or doing less than $250,000 a year in promotional products sales. Click here if you're already established and generating $250,000 a year or more in annual gross sales. Click here if you just need to get new clients now with no excuses. You don't have to learn it all yourself the hard way or wait years to figure out the things you need to know. To take your business to the next level now, click the link in our Resources box that best describes your current situation or call 1-800-494-2721. Here's to your success! Sincerely,  David Blaise Top Secrets of Promotional Products Sales PS To get your own subscription, click here.
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Great Deals from Vitronic
 I hope your holidays were restful and pleasurable. If you are heading out to Las Vegas please stop by Booth 1323 - Vitronic and take a look at our NEW Trade Show Booth. We are on the first floor at the main entrance as in 2014. Our name has changed from Vitronic Promotional Group to just Vitronic. Also, if you have not received a 2015 catalog and wish to receive please send me a quick note with all details; your name, company name, mailing address and quantity of catalogs desired. As we begin 2015 I want to wish you a prosperous, satisfying and productive New Year. Along with the 2015 great new items which you can link to here..... New Promotions Self-Promo 2015 Flyer
Attached above is our Distributor Self Promo flyer, great products all for just $50! The orders must have Promo Code: #SELF2015. Click image to download.
FREE FREIGHT ON ALL QUANTITIES OF THE FOLLOWING UMBRELLAS:
FT812
F702
F737
F801
Yes, this is HUGE! So what if a Distributor orders 5,000 umbrellas, will they receive free freight? The answer is ABSOLUTELY!!! Promote, promote, promote this-it goes from now until March 31st!
NEW! Beginning January 5th
FREE SET-UP and FREE SHIPPING (including reorders) on
2015 Calendar Year Pads
Save up to 50%. Now with 5 day production*
250 piece minimum, 1 color hot stamp, 2015 calendar year only
*after proof approval (if requested)
Must Use Promo Code #15CALPADPROMO
THIS OFFER GOOD ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
V7870 $0.33
V8858 $0.38
V8860 $0.74
V8873 $0.44
V8876 $0.38
V8879 $0.52
V8884 $0.51
V8885 $0.51
V8889 $0.51
V8890 $0.51
V8891 $0.58
V8892 $0.51
V8893 $0.51
V8896 $0.51
V8897 $0.51
Beginning January 5th ...50% Off on all 2015 WALL CALENDARS and NOW WITH FREE FREIGHT!!!
Must Use Promo Code #15WALLPROMO
In addition, Vitronic is offering many very exciting new capabilities;
2) Prior to 2015 we offered 'Vivid Expression' (4 color transfer) decorating at a 250 pc. MOQ. We are NOW offering this process with ONLY a 100 pcs. MOQ!
3) If you purchase headwear you will love this next offer. We have lowered our pricing on many of our caps and we now offer '10,000 ANYWHERE STITCHES' plus a Free Tape for the first location!
4) Last but not least, when your projects demand larger quantities and you have the necessary time please consider our 'Overseas Direct Program'. The minimums are smaller than you think and the timing is better than you imagine but more importantly ..... the price is right!
Our website has been updated and has a lot more functionality including LIVE inventory, hi res images and many Exclusive Items which you can link to here;
I look forward to either seeing you soon or hearing from you soon and , as always, send me your project specs and I will give you 'Vitronic Solutions'!
Thank you and Happy Selling!
Marty Buddenbohn Jr.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager
Vitronic
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Goldbond and Worldwide are now officially one company, catalog and support team.
One catalog, one spot to send orders (Goldbond), you now get the EQP less 3% on the Worldwide line of products, which you have always received with Gold Bond.
We have a catalog minimum, if you need less than that, it's not a problem. We will just charge a LTM charge of $40 net. This applies to most items with a few exceptions but will produce as few as one piece.
Inside Sales:
Katie Pope
katiep@goldbondinc.com
877-842-1283
Nation Account Rep:
Ryan Meulemans
ryanm@goldbondinc.com
423-432-0665
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If you would like to review any of our past issues, we now have them archived.
Click Here for the archive page. |
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Fred Albrecht 513-753-2580
Proforma Albrecht & Co. |
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