PPB August 2015

“Innovation, not me-too” was the

stark message on my first slide, in large,

boldface type. “Great companies are

built on original products that are novel,

break new barriers or expand on an old

idea in a new way,” I told attendees.

I explained that when our industry

pros scour the booths in Hong Kong,

they’re looking for innovation and new

ideas that will distinguish their compa-

nies, not cheap knock-offs and retreads

of common products—but often the

search is like finding the proverbial nee-

dle in a haystack. The marketplace has

exponentially more “me-too” offerings

than original ideas.

But just as important as explaining

the industry’s hunger for innovation,

standing in front of this audience gave

me the opportunity to talk about PPAI’s

Code of Conduct, its Product

Responsibility Action Group and the

industry’s firm commitment to social

responsibility—the latter referring to the

importance of a safe working environ-

ment for factory employees at fair wages

and in compliance with all applicable

regulations. I also emphasized to these

eager Chinese vendors that while price

is always an important consideration in

product sourcing, it must not come at

the expense of humane working condi-

tions and fair treatment of employees.

Innovation and social responsibility

were two of 11 criteria I spoke about as

essential to gaining the trust and confi-

dence of our industry. The others were

expertise, quality, integrity, transparency,

brand protection, compliance, commit-

ment, reliability and relationship.

At the end of my talk I was excited

to see a long line of attendees waiting to

speak with me—to thank PPAI for com-

ing to Hong Kong and providing this

information, but also to ask some excel-

lent questions. I still remember the fur-

rowed brow of the gentleman who asked

me, “If I give you the transparency you’re

requesting—tell you my factory locations

and provide a detailed bill of materials

for my products—how will I be protect-

ed from my customers trying to buy

direct or produce my product elsewhere?”

The answer to that question is trust

and integrity, and I clearly answered that

the most successful companies in our

industry have developed years-long rela-

tionships with their Chinese trading

partners built on all of the principles I

spoke about. That is what the Chinese

are seeking, too, with new vendors—to

build long-term relationships based on

honesty, mutual respect, trust, integrity

and fair dealing. It was a great question

and a reminder that we owe our Chinese

trading partners all of the same respect

and integrity that we’re asking for from

them.

It was a great privilege to be able to

take the PPAI story to Hong Kong, to

talk about the principles that guide our

industry and to advocate for fair treat-

ment of employees in factories.

The world is indeed changing in

regard to social, corporate and environ-

mental responsibility and PPAI is help-

ing to lead that change within our

industry. Just recently we rebranded our

highly popular and long-running

Product Safety Summit as PPAI

Product Responsibility Summit to more

accurately reflect the event’s scope. This

three-day corporate responsibility and

compliance event takes place September

28-30, 2015, in Bethesda, Maryland.

The new name reflects the program’s

expanded focus on social responsibility

and further demonstrates PPAI’s com-

mitment to addressing all aspects of a

robust responsibility program. If this

article has kindled any questions or

curiosity within your mind, I hope I will

see you there.

A Lesson In Responsibility

PERSPECTIVES

4 •

PPB

• AUGUST 2015

FEW MONTHS AGO, AT THE INVITATION OF

the Hong Kong Trade and Development

Council, and with the able assistance of a translator, I had the honor of speaking to an overflow-

ing audience of Chinese vendors who were anxious to learn how they can participate in the $20

billion U.S. promotional products market. The occasion was the 2015 Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair,

billed as the largest fair of its kind in the world. My presentation was an opportunity to educate this international

audience about our 11,000-company member organization, about what we look for in our overseas vendors, and

perhaps most importantly, about the responsible sourcing and code of conduct principles upon which we stand.

Rick Brenner, MAS+

PPAI Chair of the Board

PERSPECTIVES