Making Maximum Impact at a Conference

It's a shocking fact that after 20 minutes of learning something new, on average we've forgotten 47% of it, and after 31 days, 78% has been erased from our memory.

Because of this, your audience at a conference will not remember the majority of your presentation, no matter how attentive they are. This can not only be frustrating, but also damaging to your business if you were there to gain new clients.

Leather conference folders are a great way of getting your business to the forefront of people's minds and keeping it there. It's also a really handy tool to use during the conference. As the presentation begins, the audience can open their leather conference folder to find a notepad and pen, perfect for jotting any notes as you present. This way, everything is kept together too and notes are not lost in pockets or at the bottom of handbags shortly after the conference.

There's no need for your audience to write every word of your speech either thanks to the promotional CD or USB you've added to the leather conference folders. This can contain all of the slides from your presentation, plus much more in-depth information and further reading.

You can also add business cards, handouts, flyers - whatever you like! It's all kept neatly in your branded leather business folder, ready to be referred to at a later date. Your conference presentation can also be viewed by colleagues and managers upon returning to the office - it’s a great way to spread the word, giving maximum information to a wider audience in a compact leather a4 folder.

So next time you are one of the many speakers at a conference, don't let your company be forgotten shortly after your presentation. Hand out some high quality a4 leather folders to wow the crowd and prolong the memory of your business.

Maurice Joins Zest Promotional Products

Antony Showman, the Managing Director of Zest Promotional had taken a leisurely drive to Royston from Manchester, booked himself into the Old Bull Inn which had been recommended to him by a client and then waited for Maurice who had arranged to meet him in the bar because it was only a short distance from the office.  Although Antony had only known Maurice for a short while, and then only through his purchases of promotional products, Antony got on really well with him and was quite concerned about what had happened to the poor guy in the last week.

Maurice arrived and joined Antony at the bar, ordering a large scotch from Joaquim the pub landlord.  Trying to make light of the situation Antony told Maurice that he had the expression on his face of the donkey that asked the mole to look after his carrot in the TV advertisement for something or another adding “now tell me your life story?” 

“Who was it then?” asked Maurice

“Who was who?” replied Antony.

“The company that is running that silly donkey and mole ad”

Antony thought about that for a while and admitted that he knew it was something about a bank but couldn’t think which bank it was.

“That’s where the marketing agency has made the mistake” said Maurice “people can remember the ad but not the product or service, so it isn’t a good advertisement.  It’s a bit like that ad where they had hedgehogs running over cars and ducks firing guns at people.  We all remember the TV ad but not what it was advertising.  Now if they offered to give a donkey or mole toy away for every account opened then it would be memorable for the product.   Look at the way the meerkat campaign has taken off.”

Antony agreed with him because in reality the meerkats are effectively promotional products to back up a TV ad campaign for the website www.comparethemarket.com and it has worked really well for them.

“Anyway, how are you?” asked Antony.

“A bit shell shocked but I’ll get over it” said Maurice.

Antony asked if Maurice had got any plans for the future and Maurice said that normally he wouldn’t be too worried about getting another job because he was very good at what he did and had an impressive CV; but with the economy as it was he knew that, albeit stupidly, businesses always seemed to cut down expense on marketing when times were hard. 

“Do you think you could market Zest Promotional products and enhance our brand?” asked Antony.

Maurice said that he could but he didn’t want Antony creating a job just because of the circumstances and Antony assured him that this wasn’t what he was doing.  He explained that Zest Promotional had received enquiries from lots of small to medium size businesses and what was needed was someone who could advise prospective clients as to how they could use promotional products to enhance their marketing campaigns.  Since Maurice had used selected products to achieve outstanding results in his previous job, it would be great for Zest Promotional to have someone on board for that purpose among many other things.

“Would I have to move to Manchester?” Maurice asked.

“Only if you want to” said Antony “but we supply nationwide and internationally so provided you come in for regular meetings you could work from home or we could look for a satellite office here in Hertfordshire.”

After a few drinks, Antony invited Maurice to stay for a dinner and the two ironed out details of what Maurice’s job would entail; his salary and benefits etc.  It was arranged for Maurice to visit the Zest Promotional offices in Manchester the following week, meet the people who were to become his colleagues, familiarise himself with the promotional products range and then come up with a plan of action for his newly created role.

Unlike the donkey and mole TV ad, at the end of the meal Maurice didn’t have to go away and “forget the whole sorry business” because he could look forward to a much brighter future.

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.