PPB December 2019

Amanda Delaney 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? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is something that took me a long time to do once I came into the outside supplier rep role, and it kicked me from behind way too many times. The mentality that you have to do all and be all will only hurt you, and you grow so much both personally and professionally when you’re able to be humble and ask for a hand when you need it. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? It will, without a doubt, be different—more mergers, more acquisitions—but a lot will be the same as well. New companies will be growing, and I think a lot of suppliers now that have remained on the smaller scale and haven’t merged with other companies will be the big players in 10 years. I think what we need to continue to teach is adaptability, and have a growing focus on continued education so we continue to teach those coming into the industry the importance of staying in-the-know with how the industry is constantly changing. Roger Burnett, CAS Co-Owner Social Good Promotions, 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? Find a way to marry what you do with what matters most to you. When your work is connected to the things you care most about, it stops looking like work. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? Distributorships will compete directly with suppliers for end-buyers’ orders. Our focus needs to stay lasered on the ways members of our industry can continue to provide value for buyers when competing with the factory direct. Robert Fiveash 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? Have the confidence to go for it and not hold back. It’s time for you (yes, you) to lead, and if you don’t step up someone else will and your opportunity will have passed. Even if you are too busy to do it, raise your hand. Don’t you want to see what you’re really capable of? Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? More customization, one-piece orders, even faster production and delivery. Traditional distributors will have to bring value beyond, “You like me, I’m honest, I know what I’m doing” to stay relevant. And traditional suppliers will have to bring value beyond, “You like us, we’re honest, we know what we’re doing” to stay relevant, too. Supply chains will tighten further, squeezing out any “extra” costs—and guess what? Some of the biggest buyers, especially those who see what we sell as commodities, see us as “extra” cost. We’ll all likely have to fight harder for our share, and maybe see our share shrink, but if we can show clients value (as they define it, not us), we will have a loyal client base that’s willing to pay us what we’re worth. And that’s pretty sweet! But you better be as good as you think you are, or as your social media portrays you to be. Kristina Hublar Marketing Specialist Bruce Fox, 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? Put yourself in your audience’s shoes. Understand them before trying to sell or market to them. Describe the promo industry landscape in 2028. What will we need to be teaching now that will make a difference? How to be unique and provide more service; how to do more for customers than the Amazons and Walmarts in the industry; how to be a consultant rather than a “stuff-getter.” Looking Back, Looking Forward | FEATURE | DECEMBER 2019 | 31