PromoKitchen

Bruce Perryman of Embroidery Unlimited joins us to discuss the changing decoration world and the new app they were inspired to build after reading the book The Age of the Platform. Always insightful with a keen interest in technology, Bruce enlightens us, both by example and by encouragement, to stay in tune with modern changes to enhance your business. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Mitch Mounger, the erudite and candid CEO of Sunrise Identity, a very successful distributor located in Washington, joins us to discuss some of the secrets behind their success, including their open book management philosophy and getting services ahead of product in the selling cycle. Among other topics, (including best sales types and answering our '10 questions about Mitch'), he also shares his transition from having a closed attitude towards suppliers to opening up and sharing more information that results in stronger relationships and closed sales. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Seth Godin once wrote that "Small is the new big only when the person running the small thinks big". Kamran Popkin is a big thinker. Sightly irreverent, with a bold humor and a disruptive business model, Kamran is refreshingly direct with us about how many people in our industry are doing it completely wrong and, most importantly, introduces us to a better way to build a stronger tribe and a lasting business. (This is a PG-13 episode: you've been warned). Fasten your seat belts promofriends, this is one rambunctious ride! The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Can American factories compete with Chinese made manufacturers in the promotional products space? If so, how? In this episode Michael Woody provides some fascinating insight into how North American companies can out perform China and build thriving businesses competing against Chinese made goods. Join us for an instructive lesson on safety concerns, jobs, and more from one of the legendary minds in our industry. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

There are exciting, new alternatives to tradeshows. Unique formats for seeing the newest product and partnering with the right people are rapidly gaining popularity in our show-saturated profession. In this episode Dana Zezzo, Bobby Lehew and Mark Graham discuss some of the unconventional venues that exist and midway through our broadcast, we are joined by key members of one of these exciting ventures: Eric Taras, President and Lauren Fox, VP of Sales and Marketing for the EME Event. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

What is the PPAI Board? What does it do? Why does it matter to our profession? In this episode Brad White, VP of Sales Development at Boundless Network, sits down with Paul Bellantone, President and CEO of PPAI and Mark Jenkins, Sales Director at Pioneer Ballon Company and Chairman Elect for 2013 to answer these specific questions. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Why do you do what you do? Long term gain? Short term success? Is it solely about money or are you motivated by something else? If something else, what? Danny Sirmon, Executive Vice President at Zebra Marketing sparked this discussion and challenges us to reflect and review why we do what we do. The conversation in this podcast episode includes: Growth goals and how this fits into your personal development Is happiness related to gross sales? Are you doing what you love? How do you do more of what you love? Creating the appropriate benchmarks for fulfillment The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

This episode is a new feature we are calling, "News You Can Use (or Abuse)" where we cover top headlines that affect the promotional products business and provide questionably humorous and ever-so-occasionally helpful commentary! In this first episode, Dana, Bobby and Mark are joined, halfway through the show, by Paul Bellantone to chat exclusively about the new Expo East. Other topics in this episode include: The front page Wall Street Journal article featuring Norman Cohn NPD: 70% Of Consumers Now Watch TV On Non-TV Devices; PCs Reign Supreme and how this relates to our industry (TechCrunch) Social news: Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest Apps in the promotional products industry (or rather, the lack thereof) Dana's RAC volunteer of the year award (he had hoped his acceptance speech was not public and like the good friends that we are, we will tell the whole world it's right here; wow, Dana, you're right, you did blubber like a baby!) The North American Leadership Summit (NALC) and why you should go The 2011 Industry Sales Summary from PPAI (download the PDF) Want to be on a future News You Can Use episode? Email us and let us know! The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Janie Gaunce, President and CEO of Grapevine Designs joins us to talk about the unique DNA of Grapevine, how she got started and where Grapevine stands today as a promotional marketing agency, the conversation in this podcast includes: Getting noticed by prospects (the wow! factor) How to develop compelling differentiation for your brand Branding (or rebranding) for success Recovering from set-backs and advice for those getting started The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Bobby Lehew and Mark Graham visit with fellow chef and one half of the Brandfuelian leadership duo, Danny Rosin, President and Co-Owner of BrandFuel and President of Band Together. The conversation in this podcast includes a discussion around the unique service offerings of BrandFuel, plus: The Band Together story, a charity Danny founded that has raised over two million dollars How BrandFuel got started and secrets to a successful start-up Keys to a successful partnership (Robert Fiveash is the brilliantly sharp co-owner of BrandFuel) Developing your brand Strengthening your value proposition The emotional connectedness and power of promotional products Show notes: During this episode, Danny and I wrestle with our response to the "trinkets and trash" moniker. Pictured here and mentioned in the conversation is the famous "Tchotchke Lounge" shot, a spoof on PromoKitchen reportedly authored by the wickedly witty Jake Krolick with ASI. (Jake: love it). The Joanie loves tchotchke shot pictured here is yet another Brandfuel brainchild. The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Bobby Lehew and Mark Graham chat once again with notable chef, Roger Burnett (National Director of Branded Merchandise for Workflow One) on the topic of sales and sales leadership. The conversation in this podcast includes a discussion around sales and the uniqueness of Workflow One: Working with large clients Business development pipeline, the struggle to say 'no' How to assess good opportunities Developing a checklist to determine excellent opportunities Distinctions in the selling process of program business vs drop ship business Assessing the needs of a client and matching them with your abilities The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Our guest for this episode is fellow chef Tonia Allen Gould, President and CEO of TAG! The Creative Source. For nineteen years, Tonia has been running a successful  distributorship located in Los Angeles, CA. Sharp, creative, ambitious and tenacious, Tonia has been a contributing chef to PromoKitchen and joins us for the very first time on the podcast to discuss the unique aspects of TAG! and her philosophy on what it takes to operate a successful business. Included in this week's discussion: Her start in the business, including her reticence to begin in our industry Leading with selling ideas, not merely product Handling objections to the response "you all do the same thing" Helping clients achieve their objectives with promotional marketing Building and sustaining a healthy, creative team The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!

Jim Franklyn, VP of Sales and Marketing and a partner in the successful online distributorship InkHead, joins us for an extremely rich and positive conversation regarding the future of ecommerce sales in the promotional products industry. Included in this week's discussion: The potential with online sales Order averages and expectations for large volume orders What makes a successful internet company The positives and negatives of online selling Search engine optimization (SEO) and the crucial aspect of keyword searches The importance of drip marketing/selling The PK Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Mark Graham and Bobby Lehew featuring guest suppliers, distributors and service providers discussing opportunities, challenges and insights into the promotional products business. The purpose of the podcast is to to bring the conversation we are already having at shows and restaurants to a public forum where we can all listen and learn. As a continued commitment to mentor those new in the industry, the podcast will feature a broad spectrum of topics. If you wish to participate in the podcast, please read our editorial guidelines then fill out our form and we’ll be in touch!