PPB November 2017

4 Perspectives Looking Back, Moving Forward 8 Feedback 11 INNOVATE 12 Question Over And Above 14 Viewpoint Why The Word ‘Swag’ Isn’t Helping Our Industry 16 Eye On Apparel Made In The USA 22 Management Five Questions You Must Answer To Make 2018 Your Best Year Ever 37 GROW 38 Editor’s Picks Made In The USA 44 Market To Market Youth Sports 50 Sales Three Ways To Develop Rookie Salespeople 52 Sales 12 Notebooks That Led To A Million-Dollar Account 61 THINK 63 Fast Forward What’s The P@$3W0r&? 68 Profile Perry Ellis International 73 CONNECT 74 Close Up Becky Fleury 76 Day In The Life Robert Fiveash of Brand Fuel, Inc. 79 Inside PPAI 84 Snapshots 89 Datebook 92 People News 99 New Members 104 The Creative Calendar contents Promotional Products Business The Official Business Monthly of Promotional Products Association International NOVEMBER 2017 54 A BALANCING ACT Independent distributors share their strategies for thriving in the industry. 27 PPB ’S 2017 SERVICE SUPERHEROES Seven Customer Service Dynamos Who Keep Calm And Carry On. | NOVEMBER 2017 | 3