PPB May 2021

Many businesses are updating the remote work policy and having employees sign-off for just this reason. I have our clients enact policies that require neutral Zoom backgrounds, no hats or caps, and employees must wear company logo apparel or business casual when on calls. LAUREN CHOINIERE, CAS Senior Project Manager Millennium Marketing Solutions, Inc. Annapolis Junction, Maryland PPAI 159584, D3 It’s still a job. You should feel comfortable in asking an employee to look presentable or, at minimum, wear business casual for meetings (in-person or Zoom). This includes what’s behind them during virtual meetings as well. You can always create a virtual company background for employees to use. If you want, let them get creative, but it should be approved by the company. They should understand that they are representing your company. PATRICK EPPERT Owner Arch Marketing Solutions Saint Louis, Missouri PPAI 603788, D1 Say, "I want to talk to you about work attire while participating in video meetings. There are times when your attire is not appropriate for our professional work environment.” Then list your expectations, ensuring they are equitable for everyone in the office. The standards cannot be more strict for women than men or for certain groups. SARA KNEPPER Managing Partner Jumping Ink Promotions Portland, Oregon Q A Distributor Asks: I know this is becoming uncommon, but I’m thinking of opening a showroom for products and idea-sharing. What are your thoughts? Does anyone else have a showroom space and, if so, how is yours set up and what has been your experience so far? I think they are crucial. Mine isn’t very fancy, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve won a client over by saying “I have products you can see and feel in person.” Especially when it comes to apparel, 95 percent of people want to know exactly what they’re buying. DEXTER RENTER Owner Stay Sharp Embroidery Omaha, Nebraska I did it and recently sold the building. Never looking back. It will tie you down and yes, you will attract people that just want to look around while you can be spending time focusing on bigger and better things. CRAIG STEPHENS Owner and Founder Imprint Logo Marblehead, Ohio PPAI 286186, D3 I do not have one. I am a small employee (me) business. I wish at times I did just so I could separate my business from home and the other business (my husband’s) that runs out of my house. But my clients seem to like that I go to them. And an added benefit is I don’t have that overhead, especially since my business dropped over 50 percent since the pandemic hit. LAURA MIZELL Owner Mizell Marketing & Designs Oxford, Alabama I love mine and it helps up my sales. I meet by appointment only. When a client comes in looking to order pens, they end up buying apparel, pizza cutters, caps and more. My average order increased three times. Plus, I no longer get charged residential fees from FedEx. At 100 boxes per month, that basically paid for my showroom. Plus, I now have salespeople using the showroom. It’s good all the way around. HANS ABBEY Owner Purple Snow Promotional Products Billings, Montana PPAI 533522, D3 Do You Have An Answer? A Distributor Asks: Has anyone paid for a freelancer to do market research for them? If so, what sorts of information did they provide and was it worthwhile? A Distributor Asks: Is anyone involved with the development of promotional NFTs? It’s a relatively new and emerging area, but I’d love to get my feet wet, or at least be more informed. Do you have any go-to sources for learning more about this opportunity from a marketing perspective? A Distributor Asks: What should you do if a decorator loses your product, if you have proof of delivery and they claim they never received the items? Email your response(s) to Question@ppai.org for the chance to be featured in a future issue of PPB . Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. | MAY 2021 | 13 INNOVATE