SMB Marketing

It's pretty typical that, when the end of the year rolls around, small and medium size business (SMB) owners think in terms of what is in store for next year. Setting goals and aspiring to new opportunities is part of the entrepreneurial mindset.

We've spent a lot of time on this blog talking about the importance of distinct, eye-catching logos. Whether they appear on two-dimensional surfaces or more tangible and touchable items, they should indeed catch eyes and hold them. There are so many places now for small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to showcase their brands. These include your customers’ websites, brochures and other printed materials, social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and promotional products.

It's getting cold and, in many parts of North America, it feels and looks like winter. You've probably seen your friends and neighbors break out their fall fleece or winter coats, if not their hats and gloves. Winter, just like any other season, presents a great opportunity for businesses to brand and outerwear is the ideal promotional product that distributors can discuss with them.

In the period of booming growth after World War II, the consumer sector and mass media exploded. And long before rank-and-file employees and executives were being rewarded for great results and hard work with stock options, profit sharing plans, or even company trips, "the company watch" became a symbol of achievement and service for American professionals.

Last fall Eater, a prominent online magazine that covers everything culinary from fancy food brands and the charm of local diners to flatware, hotel bar matchbooks and promotional accessories, made an interesting declaration.

"A great work uniform not only makes your employees feel and look good, but it also increases positive brand recognition and company image, and helps promote safety in the workplace," writes PPB Magazine, a publication of the Promotional Products Association International.

That's certainly true. But also remember that a prominent logo on shirts, outwear or other apparel gets the name and brand of companies or institutions out there for all to see.

Just over a week ago sports history was made. After 108 years without a championship, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, in a contentious and exciting seven-game battle with the Cleveland Indians. We knew before the first pitch was thrown was that sports excite people.

Often when we hear about the concept of “the brand” in the business press the focus tends to be on huge companies. In the late 20th century, it was firms that dominated their markets with high-quality, specialized yet mass-produced products that just about everyone used from brands such as Kodak and M&M Mars.

No matter whether you're an iPhone user or have an Android, there's one tool that you and everyone you know will use for the rest or your life. It's not the latest tablet, smart watch or anything that needs electricity of any kind.

All businesses have them: those customers who are just a little more demanding, require a little more attention and can be a little more difficult to deal with than the rest.

For promotional products distributors, it might seem that every customer is absolutely vital and must be cherished. It’s commonly thought that tough customers are a reality you have to deal with, no matter the sector in which you operate. Yet, lots of times "the squeaky wheel" might be the customer we need for revenue and to keep us on our toes.