Kevin Hunter's blog

A recent Gallup Poll survey on employee engagement in the workplace produced some rather disturbing results.

The reform affects everyone in the chain of distribution of consumer products in the United States, from manufacturers, importers and private labelers to retailers and distributors.

In a three to two vote, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted today to implement a 100 parts-per-million (ppm) limit on lead in substrates for products intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. The limit goes into effect on August 14, 2011.

Here is a very inexpensive way to set your company's message apart from the competition.  With a little creativity, the opportunities are endless.

Promotion Objective

The goal of this promotion was for BlackRock's customers to know that they are a company that stands out among the rest. They were looking for a low cost item that had widespread appeal.

Making It Happen

Business owners are growing more optimistic about their companies’ prospects, according to a study by Robert Half International. Interviewing more than 4,000 business leaders for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report, it found that 92 percent are confident that their companies will show growth in 2011’s third quarter. This is an increase from the company’s survey for the second quarter, when 86 percent of respondents felt confident about their company’s performance.

With the holidays six months away, you should start to prepare an appropriate giveaway for preferred clients. Sending a holiday gift is a good way to get your brand remembered and show customer and employee appreciation.   Whatever you consider for this year's holiday gift giving season, start planning now and order early.  With inventory levels suffering due to overseas production and labor issues, inventory levels for the best items will be scarce come fall.

Flocked graphics offer a new category beyond traditional embroidery or screen printing; and Flock Heat Transfers are the only technology in the world that apply very quickly for on-demand service (20 seconds or less) while at the same time offering the highest perceived value beyond what is possible with embroidery.

Look around....QR codes are everywhere.  I was in Sam's Club yesterday and scanned a QR code on a giant box of watermellons.  I scanned the code and was taken to the grower's website where I learned more about watermellons than I ever wanted to.

When applicable, try and utilize promotional merchandise that can measure ROI (return on investment). By requiring your target audience to do something in order to get something, you can effectively measure the success of your promotion. Here is an example:

With competition for employees at an all-time high, Cosi, a convenience restaurant with locations in more than 15 states, was looking for a way to drive job hunters its way and build a database of interested applicants. The solution? A music download promotion tied to a customized online registration page.

BPA free products were supposed to be the “safe” alternative to polycarbonate plastic bottles. In the promotional product industry suppliers were rushing to manufacturer new “BPA Free” bottles. A new market was created. Then this…

In his latest push to close his state's staggering deficit, Brown has forbidden all state agencies from wasting tax dollars on freebie trinkets like hats and cups.  "Not a cent of taxpayer money should be spent on flashlights, ashtrays or other unnecessary items, most of which likely end up in landfills," Brown said in an official statement.