Mobile Apps Make Tasks A Snap

By: Danny Sirmon, MAS

We are almost halfway through 2011 and the mobile apps keep coming. They generally make our lives easier in this fast-paced world and provide a source of entertainment in an intelligent, addictive and charming sort of way.

Okay, not all of them fall into these two categories, but the ones on my mobile phone meet one or both of these criteria. The other great thing about mobile apps is that you don’t have to wait while your mobile device powers up (think laptop or desktop)—they are generally always on and in your pocket, purse or very close by.

Business Apps
From an industry perspective, the greatest app on my mobile devices is SAGE Mobile (www.sageworld.com). I no longer have to get back to my computer or a wireless connection to find something for a client. I can respond to clients with answers between appointments, in a tree or on a boat. This is my kind of mobility. I use it daily to find products on the fly when I am out of the office. I can search by product name, category or just confirm a price of an item.

I don’t know if you ever have this problem but I can’t remember all of my suppliers’ web addresses and contact info. With SAGE Mobile, all I have to know is the supplier’s line or company name and, from the supplier’s screen, I can call, fax or send an e-mail. I can also access the suppliers’ websites directly from my smart phone. (A side note to suppliers: If you use Flash on your website, remember that 62 percent of websites are now being accessed via a mobile device and most do not work with Flash.)

There is also a Project Center button where I can access any of the presentations I have made to clients. If I need to find out about or who to contact regarding upcoming shows across the country or in my own backyard, SAGE Mobile has a neat section that lists contact and show information—including lists by booth or supplier and a printable walking tradeshow list.

Personal Apps
Under the personal category, my favorite app is Google mobile (www.google.com). This app does just about everything but start the coffee pot in the morning. (I’m sure it won’t be long before Google will provide a home automation program, too.) Since it’s free, it’s probably the most undervalued app on my mobile. It’s also overlooked because most of us are familiar with using Google to search on our computers. I am happy to report Google will do this just as well on your smart phone. You can access Google mail, calendar, news and most all of its other products wherever you are with a touch of a finger.

The greatest feature for me is Google Voice. It allows me to speak to Google and ask what I need. For example, if I’m planning on grilling for dinner and need to call the local meat market, I simply touch the voice search and say, “Mosley’s Meat Market, Mobile, Alabama, phone number.” Faster than I can get out a phone book or type those words, a button appears that I can touch and the phone is already dialing the number. Pretty cool, huh?

The voice recognition software must have taken a class on Alabama dialect, too, because 95 percent of the time Google Voice understands me and pulls up exactly what I’m looking for. In addition to the phone number, generally there is also a button I can touch to show the location of Mosley’s on a map or go straight to the store’s website for more information.

I also like using Google Goggles to take photos of famous landmarks, books, logos, bar codes and signs, and then using the app to learn more about them.

My other favorite mobile app is called Trip-It (www.tripit.com). This is a free app and the premise is simple and powerful. You know those pesky e-mail confirmations you get from airlines, hotels and car rental companies? Trip-It lets you store them all in one convenient location and add phone numbers, maps and weather information too. After you have set it up, you only have to forward those confirmation e-mails to Trip-It and the app takes care of all the organization work. 

Gaming Apps
Hello my name is Danny and I am an Angry Bird player. I must admit the very first game I ever played on a mobile device was Solitaire. It’s a simple game and everyone knows how to play. Then came Brick Breaker and I really thought I had arrived.

When I shared this game with my teenage son, he smiled and asked to see my phone. In 15 minutes he handed it back to me and said, “Dad, I broke your high score. See if you can break mine.”

My son still holds the record on my phone, but he did give me reason to invest more time improving my gaming skills and increasing my own personal best score.

Angry Birds is well worth the $1.99 price tag and it’s very addictive. The goal of the game is to use your slingshot to propel the birds toward the pigs and knock them down. Each level requires more thought on the best way to accomplish this feat as you break through concrete, wood and glass to hit the pigs. Players advance to the next level by taking out all the pigs. It’s a simple premise I know, but again very addictive. But don’t take my advice alone—ask your kids or grandkids to get the full scoop on this amazing game.
Danny Sirmon, MAS, is executive vice president of Zebra Marketing Corporation in Mobile, Alabama, former PPAI Board chairman and now serves as leader of the PPAI Technology Action Group.

A Breath of Fresh Air

How outdoor products can improve your attitude and your bottom line

By Nichole Stella

Unless you are a member of the Bikini Icefishing team (yes, there is such a thing), chances are you, your clients and their end-users have been in a deep hibernation over the last few months. Everyone has been waiting for warmer weather, and springtime sunshine is at long last about to emerge from behind those cold dark clouds.

At first strike of the sun's warm rays, we humanoid creatures begin our exodus back to the great outdoors. Whether it be to sandy beaches, mountain trails or a BBQ right in the back yard, there are promotional opportunities galore that will put your client's brand outside for all the world to see.

WHAT'S HOT UNDER THE SUN
Today, no matter what the market is, portability reigns supreme. End-users like to take their stuff with them, and today's technology has enabled this trend to grow. "With the growth and popularity of portable digital electronics, outdoor products that cater to these products have become all the rage," said Sunny Mehta, sales B2B markets for 365 Wholesale, Deer Park, N.Y. "Portable speaker systems for iPod and audio jacks in food coolers are now the norm."

Bill Lines, director of marketing for RoadPro, Palmyra, Pa., explained the most enduring of trends are those that are time-tested. He noted, "Name brand products are popular in the leisure products and camp gear arena, like Stanley drinkware, Igloo coolers and Esbit stoves. The rugged reputation of these brands are what end-buyers are looking for in outdoor products."

For those who like to camp out at home, the hottest trend hitting the marketplace is BBQ products. Mehta explained why this trend is popular right now. "In the past few years we've seen a big surge in the overall interest of barbecue cooking. Because of food shows like Boy Meets Grill, Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay, more people than ever are trying barbecue throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months," he said. The universal appeal of cooking on the grill makes BBQ products an easy sell. "BBQ sets are a perfect fit on every count," Mehta continued. "They are hard-wearing, used by nearly every household and primarily used in social settings." There is simply no better way for you to get your client increased brand exposure than when a product is used in front of a crowd.

HOW TO GET 'ER DONE
While outdoor markets tend to hold up well in tight financial times—because they cater to within budget "staycation-type" leisure time activities—there is still skill required when it comes to making the sale. "[Distributors] need to make sure they know the products they are selling and the market they are selling to," said Bernie Trowbridge, vice president of Dallas-based Redline.

Lines noted the importance of seasonality. "Spring is the time to close sales. Sell to this market early in the year, while inventories are plentiful and opportunities abound," he said. But spring isn't the only time to seal the deal. "Late summer is the other popular time for these products, primarily in the picnic and tailgating arenas," Lines said.

Mehta agreed that spring is prime selling season for outdoor products, but urged distributors not to forget the biggest selling season of the year. "One shouldn't underestimate the holiday season as well. Someone who enjoys the outdoors will be excited about the right gift in any season it is given," he explained.

By far the most important educational point in selling outdoor promotional items is finding products that will stand up over the test of time. Distributors don't want to have an end-user in the middle woods have a product fail or fall apart on them, because sometimes a memory can last a lifetime. "For the maximum benefit to the gift-giver over the long term, it pays to pick quality products with durability, high potential for brand exposure and universal appeal," Mehta stated.

TO SUMMER-IZE
Regardless of economics, employment statistics and budgets, outdoor products are still in recovery mode. Lines explained, "The leisure/camping market has struggled along with the rest of the industry. However sales are rebounding this year, and we look for further gains into next year. This market niche is great because it gives the distributor an opportunity to think outside the box and stretch their product offering."

With a product offering that is for sure a feel good sell, who wouldn't want to be a part of helping friends and family make memories that last a lifetime? "Most outdoor products get used during the best leisure time a family experiences—summer days at the beach, picnics at the park, camping in the mountains. There is nothing better than having your brand associated with those memories," said Mehta.

But, as always there is the bottom line to consider, and outdoor products are sure to increase yours as a distributor. Trowbridge summed it up perfectly, saying, "If you take the time to get to know the products and the type of people that use them there is a lot of money to be made. Many areas in the outdoor sports and leisure markets are not afraid to spend money."

TOP PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS FOR …

Lazy Days at the Beach

• Flip-Flops
• Sun Glasses
• iPod in a Protective Case
• Portable Speakers
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cooler
• Beach Chairs
• Neoprene Beverage Holder
• Frisbee/Water Toys

Fun by the Campfire

• Small Tool Set and Knife
• Thermos Camp Cup/Cooler
• Bug Spray/First Aid Kit
• iPod in a Protective Case
• Portable Speakers
• Blankets/Chairs
• Cook Set with Sterno and Cooking Utensils
• Camp Lights
• Backpack, Tent and Sleeping Bags
• Binoculars

*This list doesn’t include promotional hot dogs and marshmallows, but they are sure to be available somewhere.

A BBQ with Friends

• BBQ and BBQ Utensil Set
• Cooler
• Utensils/Plates/Napkins
• Outdoor Wine/Beer Glasses
• Portable Speakers
• Outdoor Games
• Picnic Blankets
• Foldable Chairs
• Tiki Lights
• BBQ and Hot Sauce
• Neoprene Beverage Holder
• Hand Sanitizer

 

Going Postal... Or At Least Understanding It.

What the "New"U.S. Postal Service Means for Your Business:

The US Postal Service (USPS) is in the midst of a sweeping reorganization and change in focus, which began with the October 2010 appointment of a new postmaster general, followed by significant organizational changes in January, which will continue for some months to come.

What does this mean for cross-channel retailers and others who depend on the use of the mail? According to the new postmaster general, it a means a new focus on improving the customer experience and growing the mailing business.

Changes Began at the Top:
To date, the new PMG has made changes or announced plans which include a 16 to 25 percent reduction in the USPS's headquarters/senior management ranks, a possible reduction in work force and or voluntary early retirement process to come, a new "flatter, leaner" organization. There may be consolidation and elimination of filed organizations at the area and district levels and a more aggressive focus on network design changes, including consolidating processing facilities and post offices. 

They also intend to improve the customer experience and grow the mailing business. Both for the USPS and for the companies and service providers that use the mail. The USPS has created a new consumer and industry relations organization as the first step in its efforts to improve the customer experience.

Concrete Changes in Approach Already Being Seen:
Proving that is not only can "talk the talk" but also "walk the walk", the USPS leadership already is putting in place changes that demonstrate its new approach.

The USPS announced that it no longer plans to require mailers to switch to Intelligent Mail bar codes which was to be implemented in 2011. Instead, it plans to increase the value of IMb to the point where it hopes customers will choose to switch from POSTNET bar codes to IMn on their own accord. The USPS has said it will provide enhances mail visibility to IMb customers in the future at no charge.

They also announced an unprecedented move involving refunding postage fees erroneously charged to IMb full-service mailers for some address corrections notices. This is something the USPS had advertised as a "free" feature of that offering. They also changes the way they update the software releases, which impacts not only the presort and mailing software developers, but its end users.

What Does it Mean for You Business?

The changes the USPS is putting in place in terms of its organization, leadership and focus are already having an impact on those cross-channel retailers which use the mail as a marketing vehicle. Catalogers and others may see changes in local or national USPS contacts, as well as a renewed focus on the USPS's behalf to strengthen ts relationships with its customers.

Right or Wrong?

For the last few thousand years we have learned to think through a linear thinking model. We have competed with each other, first for food or mates, then for the corner office or the coolest car. We compete over who has the greenest lawns and the smartest children. We've learned to decide who's important and who's not, by who's on top and who's on the bottom of the corporate ladder. This has defined how we relate to each other, how we conduct business and how we set our goals. 

This form of thinking goes by a number of different names - "linear thinking" since it's defined by a line that ranks and divides; "hierarchical thinking" as it's defined by who's on the top of the hierarchy and who's at the bottom; "competitive thinking" since it demands that we compete with each other; or sometimes "patriarchal thinking" since the male patriarch got the respect and was considered the head honcho. 

Recently, a new form of thinking has been emerging called "team thinking," "collaborative thinking" or sometimes "web-thinking" since it focuses on the team rather than one individual, and, like a spider web, uses the metaphor of the line to connect us, rather than separate us. But why does it seem necessary to change our thinking model in business and in our lives? What's wrong with the concept of linear thinking?

The Line Is Not Natural

If you look at nature, you'll notice that there are no straight lines. Rivers meander, trees bend, galaxies swirl in spiral shapes. Even our DNA is a spiral, not a line. Some of the few straight lines in nature are in crystals, which grow in a straight line. But crystals can become rigid and break, just as we can break by getting ill or getting too stressed out when we are too rigid and always stay within the lines. Our rigidity diffuses our ability to be innovative and to free up our imagination.

The Line is Too One-Dimensional

We live multi-dimensional lives and the skills and gifts we have are not easily defined and don't easily fit within a role. The person who's a junior executive during the work week on the surface might look as if her abilities are limited but that's rarely true. She might fulfill many other roles when not at work. She might coach the youth basketball team in the evening. She may plan a complicated vacation with the spouse and sing in the church choir. The abilities developed for one job are often transferable to another, yet often the junior member of a team is asked: "Don't be too assertive" and to "Remember your place!" The project suffers because everyone must hold back and fit within their roles, rather than just using the many skills and talents for the good of the team and to bring success to a project.

The Line Can Lead to Imitation, Not Vision

The Line encourages us to fit into a box. We are asked to be similar to the person who last held our job, to fit neatly into a job description, and are pushed to achieve by being the same as others. In spite of the different ways we can achieve a goal and do a project, we are asked to imitate, rather than innovate. As a result, we learn to define ourselves not by our own individual gifts and potential, but by trying to be like others. We can easily hide or split off the abilities that are most needed, because these gifts aren't welcomed aren't part of the job description or don't fit neatly into the mentality of the company.

This can lead us to comparing ourselves with the person just ahead of us, and we try to be like them. We envy them, often have ill feelings towards them, even find ways to do them harm. As a result, we diffuse our identity and limit ourselves rather than expand ourselves. 

The Line Guards Information, Rather Than Shares Information

In the linear model the person at the top has the power because he or she is privy to information that others don't have. This information is guarded, doled out slowly, with the person at the top deciding who needs it and making sire no more is given to others than is needed. The one who knows the most has the power, and it's essential that others never know as much as the person at the top. But this is no longer a viable model for the future since, in the age of the internet, almost everyone has access to information. Even the military has changed from the stovepipe model for leadership, recognizing that holding power and knowledge in the hands of just the generals does not give the necessary information to the captains and lieutenants who might have to carry on. For many, the concept of power has changed to empowerment: sharing knowledge so everyone has what they need to do the job.

Why Change the Model Now?

The strange duality of our times occurs partly because of the clash between our muli-dimensional humanity and a linear metaphor that ranks, separates and divides. It's not necessary. Many of the best business people have moved from a linear business model to become more collaborative thinkers. They are finding new thinking models, including the more inclusive circle model of teamwork and the web model of mutuality and interdependence that values all the people on the team and creates a synergy between its many parts.

Adjusting Your Busness to the "New Normal"

After the most hard-hitting financial crisis the United States has seen since the Great Depression - and the seemingly relentless recessions that followed- many surviving decorated apparel shops are left wondering if business ever will return to "normal."

 
Most companies have been doing the bare minimum to survive since the economy took its turn for the worse. They've cut costs as far as they can manage and have removed most non-essential expenditures. This meant also halting investments in research and development, resulting in a better bottom line.

However, this purely maintenance level of business can last only for so long before companies have to invest in their infrastructure, products and development. And when these costs are once again incurred, bottom lines inevitably will take another hit.

What is most concerning about this new economic phase is not knowing how these lowered bottom lines will affect the stock market. Another round of decreasing profits will not look good in the stock holder's eyes and could bring about a dip in the stock market. Due to this new phase the economy will be forced to face, we can assume we'll go through another period of adjustment before we find real financial stability and predictability. So how do you prepare for this next potential dip?  By adapting to the "new normal."

Here are a few things API has seen great results from doing.

1. Doing More For Less: Don't charge less for your products, offer more value for the service. Simply put, work harder to retain your customer's business. Our team of customer service professionals are pleasant, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in making your day. Our sales staff, fulfillment team and other departments all get involved to ensure the accuracy and quality of what you want.



2. Running Lean: Another crucial factor to our survival during the toughest of times is to learn how to run as lean as possible. We cut the fat off so to speak and reinvested in our staff. We are able to produce a higher volume with fewer people because we got good people.



3. Looking to the Future: As we reap the benefits of adapting we will start implementing more changes. We will continue to offer excellent and attentive customer service, top of the line technology and guarantee the quality of our products. We accept the idea that change can be beneficial and if you stay as you are, nothing is going to change. Which to us means, we're not achieving higher levels.