How to Use Promotional Leather Folders in Business

Zest Promotional Tip of the Week

Promotional leather folders can be used in a number of ways and not just to impress people at conferences, seminars and other group meetings, although they will certainly do that. 

Leather folders are long lasting and so in the long run will save you money in having to regularly replace lesser quality folders.  If members of your staff use folders on a daily basis to carry important papers around or take notes on the job, leather folders will last longer and also promote an image of success whenever they are seen by people your staff deal with.

Anyone who has been in business for a while will know that presentation is very important whether it is in the way you and your staff dress, you website, your stationery, the format of your reports or indeed anything else by which a potential client or customer may judge you.

In the current economic climate any opportunity that comes our way should be grasped with both hands and in the highly competitive marketplace where we are all trying to make a reasonable living, anything that helps to give us an edge on our competitors that doesn’t cost a fortune has to be a bonus.

Delivering reports, large quotations and other documents, presented in promotional leather folders will not fail to give the impression that you are serious in your intent to win the client or customer.  Leather folders are stylish and portrayan image of success.  You can also guarantee that the person who receives it will not forget the branding and name on it in a hurry, since leather folders can last a lifetime.

Manufactured in a variety of styles and colours you will find that matching them to your brand image is not difficult and purchasing them in larger quantities can often reduce the price.

Maurice Picks a Winner with Promotional Passport Holders

The mail campaign with the promotional passport holders didn’t quite hit the 7% response that Maurice achieved with his message in a bottle campaign and promotional USBs, but very nearly did at 6.2%.  The people who received them were intrigued because they really believed that there were passports in the envelopes which made sure that they would be opened.

Three days after the envelopes had been posted, calls started coming in and inspection trips to Tenerife were booked.  Whilst Maurice was feeling extremely happy about this success he still had the underlying problem of what he had learned about Gerald’s mailing company in Wales, playing on his mind.

He hadn’t seen much of Gerald up until the calls started coming in from the direct mail campaign but with all the telesales staff very busy talking to people and sending out promotional USBs with the timeshare resort presentations on them, Gerald could hardly fail to notice that something was going on.  It didn’t take him long to find out that another mailing company had done the job and Maurice was forewarned of impending doom by his secretary exactly two minutes before Gerald came storming into his office, slamming the door behind him.

“Why didn’t you use Gordon for the mailer?” Gerald raged.

“I didn’t use Gordon for the promotional passports mail campaign because he was far too expensive over other quotes that I received” responded Maurice.

“Oh, so you have become Head of Procurement now have you?  When did that happen?”

Trying to remain calm, Maurice explained that he was purchasing his promotional products and chose to use the new mailing company because he had to balance his own marketing budget.   

“Yes, well you tell my wife that when she finds out she isn’t getting her new car next week” hissed Gerald.

“What has my mail campaign got to do with your wife’s new car?” Gerald asked trying to appear incredulous.

“I get a commission don’t I?  I’ve always had a commission on the promotional products and the mailing; it’s one of the perks of the job!”

“But from what I hear this is not just a commission, this is more like a second salary”, said Gerald “in fact there are people in this organisation that don’t make that money in a year even with their bonuses.”

“I’m not Mother Theresa am I?  They signed their contracts and accepted the rate of pay so who gives a toss?”

“Actually I do”, said Maurice “what you are doing amounts to stealing in my book and I have to tell you that I mean to speak to Robert.  He is the project manager and he should know about this.”

A smirk appeared on Gerald’s face as he said “Yes, why don’t you go and do that.”

In that moment Maurice knew that Robert was part of the fraud and realised that his career was over with Global C.O.N.S.

He sat in his office, after Gerald had gone, and drafted a resignation letter.  After that he called Antony Showman at Zest Promotional and told him that he was resigning so he could expect that any orders for promotional products that hadn’t been delivered would be cancelled; he should make those deliveries now because Maurice was certain that the company in Wales would be used in the future. 

Antony arranged to meet Maurice for a drink after work just for a chat, because Antony thought that Maurice sounded pretty depressed.

Maurice Uncovers a Secret when Getting Quotes for Promotional Passport Holders

Maurice arrived bright and early at the office having left the copies of Gerald’s direct mail files at home and sat down to plan a direct mail campaign of his own.  He called the printer and asked for a quotation on how much it would cost to print envelopes that had a clear window and the word “Telegram” printed on them.  He decided that he was going to send promotional passport holders to all the people on a mailing list he had purchased all of whom had expressed an interest in holidays.

He called Antony Showman at Zest Promotional and asked if he had any promotional passport holders that could be printed with “Passport” fairly high up so that it would show through the window in the envelope.  Antony told him that the Belluno PU Passport Holders would probably be the best choice because they were lightweight and came in a range of colours which included the blue Global C.O.N.S brand colour.  Antony asked Maurice whether there had been any progress on changing the name of the company and Maurice said he was working on it.

Within a couple of hours the quotes came in from both the printer and Zest Promotional and Maurice was very pleased because the prices were exceptionally reasonable.  Zest Promotional had sent him through a sample of one of the Belluno PU Promotional Passport Holders and it was ideal for the direct mail campaign.

 Maurice then called Gerald’s mailing company in Wales and told them that he needed a price for sending out 100,000 letters which would be supplied with envelopes and promotional passport holders that would need to be inserted into them.  A guy who sounded like a cross between a used car salesmen and an estate agent said “Well mate, that’s going to be a bit pricey”.

Maurice replied “I am not your mate, I am simply asking for a quotation on this job.  If it comes in pricier than I think it should be I’ll be looking for other quotes”.

“Who are you anyway?” responded the man.

“Who are you?” asked Maurice

“I’m Gordon and usually I deal with Gerald at Global C.O.N.S. so who are you?”

“I’m the Assistant Marketing Director” said Maurice“ and I work for Gerald.”

“Oh right, so he knows about this does he?” said Gordon “No problem, do you want me to add on the normal £25,000?”

Maurice had just had his worst suspicions confirmed and nearly choked as he asked “Is that the normal figure you add on?”

“Oh yes mate, but we can put on a bit more if you want.”

Maurice told him that if this was the normal rate then he should just carry on as usual, asking Gordon to make sure that he included a timeframe for inserting the letters and promotional passport holders into the envelopes when he sent in his quotation, which was needed as quickly as possible.

After the conversation had ended Maurice sat at his desk stunned.  When he’d gone through Gerald’s files at home he had half suspected that something like this was going on but the scale of it was unbelievable.  £25,000 of the company’s money was being added to the price of every mailshot and there had to be a reason for it.  The problem was that now he was in possession of this information he really didn’t know what to do with it.

A couple of days later the quote came in from Gordon and it was astronomical.  Maurice had actually sent out for two other quotes and both were in the same ballpark undercutting Gordon by £30,000.  Whilst waiting for these quotes Maurice hadn’t slept very well and had discussed the matter with his wife.  She couldn’t offer any constructive advice because if he told the Project Manager about the blatant theft of company money, he would be going over Gerald’s head.  If he mentioned it to Gerald there was every possibility that a way would be found to get Maurice fired.  His wife told him to be careful because it was possible that the Project Manager already knew about it and was taking a cut from the money.

Ever loyal to his employers this knowledge played on Maurice’s conscience for days.  The first thing he decided to do was give the direct mail work to a local company in Hertfordshire, because being responsible for his own marketing budget he could not justify paying what really amounted to £50,000 over the odds and he made a further saving with Zest Promotional because they offered to deliver the promotional passport holders direct to the mailing company free of charge because it was such a large order.

We are interested in what you would do in Maurice’s position, so feel free to post your comments on our blog, and next week we’ll tell you what he actually did ……………………………………………

A day in the Life of Promotional Pens

As a promotional pen I have to say you would be amazed where I get to in only a day.

I’m dragged from my drawer at the break of dawn to be shoved in the pocket of the jacket that’s worn

Bounced around as we run for the train I guess we must be late again.

Crushed and pushed but soon we settle, now out with the crossword to test his mettle.

I’m tapped and I’m chewed as he ponders his clues, quick to complete the answers he’ll choose.

We arrive in the city, crossword complete, newspaper discarded, left on the seat

But I’m back in the pocket nice and snug, as he stops for a coffee in a take away mug.

We get to the office, time to spare; jacket is hung on the back of his chair.

Not me his promotional pen, I’m here on the desk for all to see, sitting next to his work PC

Answers the phone with his left, me in his right, ready for note taking, ink shiny and bright

We go to a meeting, top brass are all there, I notice a promotional pen in the hand of the chair

You really can’t miss us or the message we hold, that’s our purpose in life, or so I am told

Manufactured with care printed with style, we are displaying your brand all of the while.

The meeting is ending chairs sliding back, a quick word with you, says a colleague named Jack

Couldn’t help noticing your promotional pen, I need a birthday present for my lovely wife Jen

Just need the website and number it holds of the jeweller who specialises in golds.

You see we are top of our game, when it gets to easily spreading your name.

Back at our desk, me in the pocket, Jack calls by, he’s ordered a locket.

Glad my pen was of help, my master replies, hot date tonight so got to say bye.

Back on the train I’m out and in use, jotting down notes on some sheets that are loose.

Home in a hurry fast as he can, sausage and chips thrown in a pan.

I’m put on the side for about an hour while he eats his dinner and takes a shower

Mouthwash gargled, aftershave spraying looks like he’s out for an evening playing

Sitting in the top pocket of his nice clean shirt, I can see the lady and hear him flirt

He’s doing quite well; she seems really nice, he certainly seems to have broken the ice

They want to swap numbers to give each a call, she looks in her bag he clicks out my ball

Numbers exchanged on a handy beer mat I’m put back in the pocket with a reassuring pat.

Getting back home I’m back in the drawer, be back out tomorrow of that I am sure

We promotional pens are essential you see we are functional, welcome and usually free.

A Day in the Life of Promotional Umbrellas

What better life can there possibly be

Than as a promotional umbrella just like me

With hosepipe bans all in place

I have been up and down at such a pace

I’ve been here and there and round about

And all the time, look at me, I shout.

Smart and bright, I am very proud

To show my message to any crowd

My owner takes me everyday

Into work and out to play

My message travels far and wide

A promotional Umbrella you just can’t hide.

My livery of gold and green

Makes certain that I’m always seen

I carry a message, plain and simple

For car repairs call Frederick Dimple

Get promotional umbrellas as your public voice

We really are the perfect choice.

Been to Wimbledon Tennis today

Very exhausting, I have to say

Up and down all day long

On Murray Mount I sang my song

You must have seen me on your tellies

Dimple’s Promotional umbrella, owner in wellies.

Next time you launch a sales campaign

My message to you is very plain

Forget the normal and mundane

Go for something for using in the rain

Choose the promotional umbrella

It will make you a top notch seller.

Promotional Products & Corporate Gifts - Tip of the Week

Zest Promotional Tip of the Week

It is always important to give the impression to customers and business contacts that you are successful, reliable and trading strongly even in a depressed market. The one area that many businesses seem to cut back on first in times of difficulty is marketing, which is a huge mistake. There may be a need to tailor the budget slightly and definitely make sure that only cost effective potentially successful campaigns are launched. However, if a business which has previously been known for actively promoting its service suddenly stops this will send alarm bells to customers and businesses with whom they trade.

Promotional products and corporate gifts are a great way to promote any company and it is quite easy to continue using these valuable marketing tools even in hard times. It just means that more forethought and planning needs to go into the purchase and distribution of these items. There are excellent gifts available from specialist suppliers giving good value for money and great discounts for buying in bulk. Go for the best quality items possible every time and you may be pleasantly surprised at how economical they can be. There is a vast choice available and it is better to buy small, stylish gifts rather than something loud but cheap. 

Make sure that staff members are fully briefed as to the objective of the campaign and how the promotional products and corporate gifts are to be used.  Clearly outline your target markets so that gifts are not squandered on those who would never require your services or products because this ensures that your corporate gifts are not wasted.  Send promotional products and gifts only to those that you value and want to retain or those who you wish to get on board, not to everyone you have ever dealt with.  Staff will rally round and help promote your business well and appropriately if the objectives are fully explained to them.  After all, the success of the business is paramount in your staff remaining employed as part of a successful team. 

Monitor campaigns regularly and keep looking out for new avenues to get your brand name seen and recognised.  If you have previously used trade shows and exhibitions to promote but now find the costs restrictive, then simply scale down the size of your presence and go with something simple but tasteful. With helpful, smart representatives, great promotional products and corporate gifts these events can be just as successful in generating new trade without the large expense of elaborate, expensive stands.  Small is beautiful as the saying goes and this can be very true when applied correctly.

Maurice the Marketing Manager Drawing Competition

Zest Promotional is running a competition during July for anyone who can draw.  You need to look at the Zest Promotional Blog at zestpromotional.com.blogspot.com and read about Maurice the Marketing Manager.  What we need is a cartoon character drawn of Maurice which portrays his character.

The artist with the best drawing will win £50 and a USB flashdrive.  Bear in mind that the drawing will be used on the web and therefore doesn’t need to be very big (around the size of half a postcard).

All entries must be in by 31^st July 2012 and the winner will be notified 5 days after the closing date.

Send your drawings by email to marketing@zestpromotional.com or post them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ZestPromotional

Good Luck!!

Always Choose the Best in Promotional Clothing and Workwear

Zest Promotional Tip of the Week

When choosing promotional clothing to raise awareness in your business, always go for the best quality item that your budget allows. If you can afford a good quality T shirts but only an inferior fleece jackets then pick the T shirts every time rather than disappoint your customers with  inferior promotional gifts. There is nothing worse than receiving such an item of clothing only to discover that when it is washed it shrinks, the business logo or name runs or peels off or the item looks shoddy. You want any promotional tool to last a reasonable length of time, be seen in good condition by as many people as possible and reflect your company image. You do not want to be seen as cheap and slapdash but rather as professional and reliable so spend your budget wisely and select good designs and fabrics.

When purchasing promotional clothing and work wear follow the same principle; these items are going to shout out your business name and expertise so should always look smart and suitable for the job.  If they appear cheap and shoddy that is how potential customers will view your company so it is well worth making sure you choose the best. Your company image will depend upon it, so send out a positive message.

When selecting brand images, logos or lettering for your promotional clothing and work wear embroidery is by far the best permanent solution but obviously some images will be too complex for this method and printing is the only option. Speak to your supplier for advice as to the different print options available to you and make sure that the one you decide on is a method which will endure through repeated washing.  It rather defeats the object of the exercise if, after all the trouble you have taken to get the right design, it can’t be seen clearly. You need sharp, easily seen designs and lettering so take the time to research which style and method is best for you.

Maurice Motivates the Marketing Team with Better Promotional Products

Maurice realised that the success of the Message in a Bottle campaign with the promotional USB FlashDrives inside had been a team effort and he spent the following week travelling around the UK visiting the company’s 3 other offices and booked himself on a flight to Tenerife over the weekend.

He took all the marketing staff out for breakfast from each office and thanked them for the work they had done in making the campaign a success.  For those telesales operators whose calls had converted to inspection trips he gave them a £50 bonus and for those whose inspection trips had converted to sales, £150.

In Tenerife he rewarded the marketing team with an impromptu day off and a lavish meal at one of the island’s best restaurants.  Since the sales personnel had made the sales, Maurice made a note to tell Gerald that he should reward them in some way, since Gerald has responsibility for them.

Producing promotional products samples that he had received from Zest Promotional, Maurice had meetings with all members of his team, both in Tenerife and the UK, to demonstrate that these products were of a much higher quality than had been used previously and that he would make sure that they had sufficient quantities to help them in their marketing efforts, matching each product to the specific campaigns they were working on.

For the Tenerife team he had decided on promotional umbrellas which would act as great parasols in the sun and also work well in the UK for all those rainy days.  In addition he provided them with messages in bottles with promotional USB Flash Drives containing the company presentation to give out to people along the beaches and around the resorts.  He figured that if they could not be persuaded to visit the resorts whilst on holiday, they could at least take home something useful to look at when they got home.

Also in Tenerife Maurice supplied some quality promotional T Shirts with the company logo printed on them together with promotional baseball caps and environmentally friendly promotional bags for the beach made from recycled denim.  The baseball caps were useful to protect heads in the sun and everybody would use the promotional bags on holiday.

In the UK, he upgraded the cheap promotional pens with higher quality models that were made to last.  Although they weren’t expensive, they looked it and Maurice felt sure that anyone would like the look and feel of the pens.  

He ordered some promotional golf balls for a campaign he was running with golf clubs and also some different promotional golf umbrellas that subtly displayed the company’s logo without the bright colours that were more appropriate in Tenerife. 

For exhibition gifts he ordered more promotional bags Promotional Bags, promotional key rings, promotional USB Flash Drives and for clients who booked inspection trips at the stand, fleeces and more promotional umbrellas.

All marketing personnel were highly motivated by the time he had left them and Maurice looked forward to seeing the results of his efforts during the next month.

When he returned to his office his new car was parked in the company car park, a midnight blue Toyota Supra Hybrid.  Many of the office staff had been out admiring it during the course of the day he learned, when he spoke to his secretary, and Gerald had a face like thunder.

Almost as soon as Maurice sat down at his desk, Gerald appeared in his office.  

“I hope you’ve had a great time swanning around the country and over in Tenerife” he said “I want to see your accounts as soon as possible to make sure you are not spending too much money on promotional gifts.”

Maurice took this opportunity of telling Gerald about the bonuses he had given the various marketing teams and also mentioned that he felt Gerald should compensate the sales team in Tenerife for their efforts.

“What?  You’re having a laugh surely.  They get paid good salaries and commissions for what they do, I’m not giving them any extra and you must be made of money with your new budget if you can just throw it away.” Gerald jeered.  “I want to see exactly what you have spent and if it is too much, you can expect reprisals when I report it to the directors.”

Maurice tried to explain that motivation was an integral part of keeping the workforce happy and he expected that they would produce excellent results over the next few weeks.

“Yeah, right,” sneered Gerald, “we’ll see about that.”

“I’d also like to talk about some new ideas for direct mail campaigns, if you have the time,” said Maurice.

“No, I haven’t got time now and it seems you have enough to get on with anyway,” Gerald replied.

“Yes, I do have a lot on but we need all of the marketing programs working in tandem, so could I just have a look at what you have planned and then I can see where I might be able to fit some of my ideas in”.

“You will not look at anything of mine and nor will you even think about changing suppliers, like you have with promotional products.  We have a direct mailing company that we use and I am very happy with them so keep your hands off my files,” Gerald said rather dismissively. 

When Gerald had gone Maurice called his secretary, Sue, to come in.  He asked her if she could wait until Gerald was out and copy his direct mail files, keeping the matter confidential.  She said that she could.

A few hours later, Sue delivered the copied files and Maurice took them home.  Sitting in his study, Maurice read through the files and was astonished at the amount of money being spent on direct mail with an obscure company bases in Wales.  Having searched for them in Google he found that their main thrust of business was actually in promotional products and corporate gifts with direct mail appearing to be more of a side line.  However, they were being paid over £100,000 each and every month which seemed strange considering that their promotional products were cheap and tacky and there seemed to be so little direct mail activity.

Having spent considerable time, reading and re-reading the files, a suspicion developed and grew in Maurice’s mind and eventually the penny dropped!

Find out what Maurice discovered next week.