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2015 PPAI EXPO REVIEW
INNOVATE
30 •
PPB
• MARCH 2015
STRESS IS A GIVEN in our daily lives … or is it? Can
one really have it all—and how do you get it? PromoKitchen
Chefs Mark Graham, co-founder of commonsku and CEO
of RIGHTSLEEVE Marketing, Inc., and Bobby Lehew,
CAS, chief branding officer for distributor ROBYN, hosted
an intimate, just-among-friends Q&A panel discussion
attended by more than 100 listeners.
Special guests at the table were Jo-an Lantz, MAS, COO
of top distributor Geiger, and Marty Lott, owner and presi-
dent of top apparel supplier SanMar. The hosts asked forth-
right questions; the panelists were thoughtful and often sur-
prising with their answers as they discussed stress manage-
ment, the future and each wants want to be remembered.
TIPS TO MANAGE STRESS:
Lantz:
“Mark a pie plate in quarters and divide up your
life based on the percentage of time you are now spending on
each area—work, family, faith, etc.—and then look at how you
want
to spend it. You can have it all but can you
do
it all?”
Lott:
“I don’t get stressed.” (He said he’s only been
stressed out twice in his life: both times were customer-serv-
ice issues early on in his career.)
ADVICE TO STAY CALM AND FOCUSED:
Lantz:
“Focus on what is most important. Get perspec-
tive by asking yourself: How important will this be in seven
minutes, in seven days, in seven years? Write down the most
important goals you want to accomplish. Running helps me
stay balanced.”
Lott:
“Yoga—at least 20 to 90 minutes every day.”
HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
Lantz:
“When I’m gone, I want to be remembered for
touching and impacting others, and helping them to accom-
plish their goals—whatever those are.”
Lott:
“I want to be known for building a culture where
being nice and telling the truth is expected. I don’t see the
point in being around people who aren’t nice.”
ADVICE FOR A 20-SOMETHING JUST STARTING IN THIS
INDUSTRY:
Lantz:
“I’d ask a lot of questions. I’d also tell them to pay
attention to the numbers—know your cost of doing business,
know the value of your time.”
Lott:
“I would tell them this is a great country we live in.
If you work hard you’ll get more out of it. You’ve got to make
your own way. You’ve also got to save.”
CONCERNS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS:
Lantz:
“A recession is overdue. Change isn’t coming; it’s
here. Not everyone is aware of the change. Buyer channels have
changed. The tipping point will be with the next recession.”
Lott:
“The high chance of another recession. I strategize
over it but don’t stress over it.”
WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT?
Lantz:
“There’s a new skill set to be successful in this indus-
try (based on analytics and how the client interacts with you.)”
Lott:
“The rate of change. I had a comment about our
website from a customer who wanted to order on her own.
Some people want to help themselves. This excites me.”
FINAL BIT OF ADVICE:
Lantz:
“People see things from a different perspective. It’s
important for me to see what you see through your eyes.”
Lott:
“Love what you do. Work is such a big piece of life.
Make it your hobby.”
–TINA BERRES FILIPSKI
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Table Topics With
Jo-an Lantz, MAS,
And Marty Lott
A keynote luncheon spotlighted Jo-an Lantz, MAS,
Geiger (second from left) and Marty Lott, SanMar (sec-
ond from right) with moderators Bobby Lehew, CAS,
ROBYN (left) and Mark Graham, commonsku.