PPB September 2021

PPAI PromoTalks Podcast Shares Leader Insights For Happy Employees PPAI’s PromoTalks podcast series brings industry thought leaders, business executives and subject matter experts together for insightful, engaging conversations important to promotional products professionals and their businesses. Fifty-two industry companies earned a coveted spot on this year’s list of PPB ’s Greatest Companies To Work For based on employee nominations and survey results. For the July 26 episode of PromoTalks, PPB presented “Leader Insights From the 2021 Greatest Companies To Work For,” PPB Editor Tina Berres Filipski moderated a discussion with leaders from four of these companies to find out what they do to create a productive and satisfying workplace where employees are valued, engaged and happy. Filipski was joined by guests Nigel Harris, CEO/co-founder of supplier Powerstick.com; Laura Ward, CEO/president of distributor Ward Promotional Marketing Solutions, Inc.; Alan Vaught, president of supplier Evans Manufacturing Inc.; and Joshua White, SVP of strategic growth at distributor BAMKO. The podcast is sponsored by Kaeser and Blair. Tune in to listen to this 56-minute podcast and the full library of podcasts available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and at pubs.ppai.org/promotalks. Readers Share Opinions On Supply Chain, Hiring Challenges AndMore In The Latest PromoPolls PPAI’s weekly PromoPolls gauge industry positions on a wide variety of promotional products and business subjects. The poll, included in every issue of PPB Newslink and on the PPAI Media website, provides an anecdotal snapshot of insights on key issues. July’s PromoPolls questions sought industry professionals’ perspectives on a range of issues, including the state of their supply chain. One question asked industry members, “How challenging are supply chain issues for your company right now?” and 64 percent said it is very challenging and they are struggling to fill orders, 33 percent said that it is somewhat challenging but they are able to fill orders without too much delay, and three percent said that is not at all challenging and that they have found workable sources to help fill orders. To another question, “Which of these do you think would most help ease the industry’s supply chain issues?” 20 percent of respondents said more transparency and communication from suppliers, seven percent said more choices and alternatives for products and sources, and five percent said more flexibility and creativity from distributors. And 59 104 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | CONNECT