PPB December 2019

Larry Cohen, CAS President Axis Promotions If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing that would make a huge impact on how you work today, what would that be? Find an organizational system that works for you and then find the commitment and dedication to work that system each day so that you can be the most productive when you’re at work. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? Given all the transparency in the world today, I think people need to be prepared to compete with something other than price. People are going to need to learn how to add value by being creative and providing solutions. I think that any business that focuses on just selling product will go the way of the dinosaur. Danny Rosin, CAS Co-President Brand Fuel, Inc. If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing that would make a huge impact on how you work today, what would that be? I would focus the business on specific industries that excited us where we could be the thought leaders, truly understanding our customer’s marketplaces and challenges/ opportunities. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? The obvious answers will likely be around technology, predictive analysis, AI, etc. I think we will be teaching a generation currently tied to their devices (vices) how to be human, how to interact and develop genuine in-person connections; to remind them of the importance of nature. We will crave the “old way” but will not know how to get there. Marshall Atkinson Owner Atkinson Consulting, LLC If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing that would make a huge impact on how you work today, what would that be? Stop and actively listen to people. Find out what makes them tick, where their challenges intersect and how you can help them. There is always so much to learn about people if you simply take a minute to engage. That engagement is what drives more opportunities. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? The business landscape 10 years from now will look vastly different. While we’ll certainly have more fantastic tools and technology to make things easier, at the end of the day it will still come down to people wanting to engage with people. The learning that needs to happen is how to build the keys to that. Know, like, trust and buy are the four corners of any sales process. [We need to teach ] an understanding of how those basic concepts will fit into any new tool that people will use. Charity Gibson National Account Coordinator Peerless Umbrella If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing that would make a huge impact on how you work today, what would that be? If I could go back and tell myself one thing that would make an impact on how I work today it would be, “Asking for help when you don’t know the answer doesn’t make you look foolish. In fact, quite the opposite.” The only way we can learn is by admitting ignorance and seeking wisdom. The sooner you say, “I don’t know, please teach me,” the sooner you’ll be able to acquire the knowledge you need and move on to the next lesson. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? Things that we can teach now that will make a difference are that the foundational values and principles that drive business are evergreen. Take time to learn basic economic principles. Understand supply and demand, as well what drives human behavior. Looking Back, Looking Forward | FEATURE | DECEMBER 2019 | 29