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Thursday
March 19, 2009 Help Requested for Arts Council of PrincetonFiled under: Community, News About ASI
The Arts Council of Princeton (I’m on the board) moved into a wonderful new building a few months ago, assuming several years ago that it would be paid off by construction’s completion. While $8 million was raised, there’s still a $2 million mortgage. Given the current economic situation, raising big dollars has been tough. So, we’re keeping the mortgage for now, to the tune of $10,000 per month. The Arts Council of Princeton deserves to thrive. We provide low-cost arts programs — painting, music, dance, theater — to the community and no-cost arts programs to underprivileged children who otherwise wouldn’t experience the power of the arts. I think the arts can impact people in very positive ways, and know in my heart that my early exposure to the arts made me realize there were more possibilities in life than what I saw growing up. I’d like your assistance to help the Arts Council. Any amount of money is very appreciated. It could be $10, $20, $50 or $1,000 — or $10,000 if you just hit the lottery. And I really mean any amount. We’ve already downsized the staff, and there isn’t much more we can do on the cost side. To donate online, click here. If you prefer to mail your contribution, the address is: The overall site, at artscouncilofprinceton.org, explains the programs and why the organization is so vital to the community. For those of you who don’t know, Princeton is in Mercer County, New Jersey. The Arts Council serves the entire county and beyond, which includes a number of economically-challenged areas. (You aren’t giving to a bunch of Princeton fat cats.) If you are involved and passionate about another charitable organization and prefer not to support the Arts Council, I understand and appreciate that. In that case, I’d suggest you make a contribution to that group if you can. I’ll tell you that every charitable group needs help — overall giving is off 30-50% in most places. Thanks very much for considering my request, and for doing what you can for whatever charitable cause you want to support.
Wednesday
March 18, 2009 ASICentral Enhances Navigation, Education and SearchFiled under: Education, Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI, Research One thing that really makes my day is when I visit a website that’s well-designed, easy to navigate, and provides useful information – which is why I’m delighted to announce ASI’s recent upgrade of ASICentral.com. The new website is all part of our commitment to provide the best industry education for our members and to also help buyers and prospects understand the power of promotional products – especially now.
The user-friendly design and enhanced content enables suppliers and distributors to find the tools to help them grow their business, and provides more interactive videos and educational articles and webinars from the award-winning Counselor magazine and all of ASI’s six publications. Here are some more great enhancements:
There’s lots more. Click here to read the full press release. Let me know your favorite websites by posting a comment on the blog now.
Monday
March 2, 2009 Industry Captain Retiring After 47 YearsFiled under: Guest Blog, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI From Matthew Cohn, vice chairman of ASI Family of Companies: When Judy Moore-Keefe first began working for the Cohn family, the year was 1962 and the company was Santa Claus Industries. Judy started out as a typist for Maurice Cohn (father of ASI chairman Norman Cohn).
From left in photo: Julie Thomas, Dave Wirth, Tim Andrews (president and CEO of ASI), Judy Moore-Keefe, Debra Cohn, and Matthew Cohn (son of ASI chairman Norman Cohn). How times have changed. Fast forward 47 years and there are now more than one billion computers in use worldwide. And Judy is retiring as director of operations at ASI Computer Systems. From now on, every day is Saturday for Judy, who plans to spend more time with family (especially grandkids) and travel more with her husband. ASI Chairman Norman Cohn says of the long-term employee, “Judy has been the hardest working and most consistent force in driving ASI Computer Systems forward. Her tireless efforts and constant attention to detail have proven invaluable to this company as well as to countless organizations and people whom she has worked with over her outstanding career.” Calling Judy an integral part of the team, Dave Wirth, president and COO of ASI Computer Systems, says her leadership and support will be missed. “I wish her the absolute best and hope she can enjoy this next phase of life as much as I have enjoyed my time working with her over the last 30 years,” says Dave. “It is really a tribute to the Cohns and how they went about building good and loyal employees that are willing to work for 47 years for the same company.” At retirement, Judy’s responsibilities included all development, support and training of the ProfitMaker systems. Judy worked most closely with the management team that included Dave and Julie Thomas, director of administration and finance. Together, they brought more than 100 years of experience to the promotional products industry. For over 25 years, ASI Computer Systems has been a leader in providing complete business management software solutions to the promotional products and document management industries. ASI Computer Systems began out of a need for computer software designed specifically for the promotional products industry. Prior to the introduction of the computer division, Maurice and his son, Norman Cohn, had been very active in the specialty advertising industry. At one time their business included five lines that were marketed nationwide. Due to the many years of experience in the specialty industry, the ASI software was born, and included the necessary requirements and specifications essential to the promotional products industry.
Friday
February 6, 2009 Hot Product Videos and Record Dallas AttendanceFiled under: ASI Shows, Education, Member Benefits, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties
Read the press release here. I enjoyed checking out “must have” products for this year, meeting with distributors and suppliers, and of course sampling Texas barbeque at Eddie’s Deen’s Ranch. Also, watch my products video from the ASI booth featuring these cool items for 2009, like:
There’s also my video on closing day, featuring the new stainless steel drinkware with digital wrap-around printing and a double-wall acrylic travel cup with leak-proof seal. They’re all great products that will brighten your day and interest clients, no matter what the economic challenges are. Now, more than ever, marketers need the impact and high ROI that advertising specialties provide. Everyone’s been really excited after attending Don Hutson’s keynote and we’re ready to put into action the sales tools and strategies he’s devised to get any business cracking. Everyone who attended his session also received a copy of his book, The One-Minute Entrepreneur: How to Prosper Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. Along with all the great distributors and suppliers I met and friends I reconnected with, I’m returning to ASI more energized for the year and with a really interesting piece of Texas trivia: In the Lone Star State, it’s illegal to put graffiti on someone else’s cow. What products have you seen that caught your eye in Dallas or elsewhere? Post a comment on the blog now or email me anytime at tim.andrews@asicentral.com.
Wednesday
February 4, 2009 $1 Million in Data Protection and Texas Trivia at ASI DallasFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI
Did you know the name “Texas” actually comes from an Indian word meaning friends? So, it’s no surprise how much networking there is at the show and especially during today’s 70 free education sessions. Here in longhorn country, everything is big, which makes it the perfect place to announce ASI’s investment of over $1 million to protect industry data – information you rely on every day to run your business. Check out the full details in the press release here. What it comes down to is this: If there’s a natural disaster or other emergency, ASI has acted to help ensure that our products — including ESP Online and over 10,000 LogoMall Websites — will be operating. We’re providing the most up-time to give you more time for selling, especially in this challenging economic environment.
The remote location depends on a different portion of the nation’s power grid and source, and is located alongside backup systems for Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s largest financial services firms. Even if a regional power grid crashes, we can respond quickly by activating this facility. How’s that for peace of mind? Read the full press release here. If you have any other Texas-sized ideas, I’d love to hear them. Post a comment on the blog now or email me anytime at tim.andrews@asicentral.com.
Thursday
January 22, 2009 Preview of Power Summit at La Costa Resort in CAFiled under: Education, Guest Blog, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI
We’re delivering the most informed speakers and the hottest networking activities, including a “speed dating” type event to let you meet as many industry leaders as possible. This is your summit: Tell us what topics you want covered by emailing Rich Fairfield, at rfairfield@asicentral.com, or Melinda Ligos, at mligos@asicentral.com. In addition to the rigorous program, we’re sure you’ll agree ASI picked another great destination. Watch this short video, and check out these photos of the resort.
The 2009 Power Summit is Sunday, November 1 through Tuesday, November 3. You can reserve your seat now at a special price. For more information and to register, click here. From what we’ve seen so far here in California, this is an event you won’t want to miss. So make plans early to join us, as the Summit sold out the last two years at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. – Susanne Curry – Rich Fairfield, Publisher and Senior VP, Counselor, Advantages, Stitches, Successful Promotions, Supplier Global Resource and Wearables Magazines
Tuesday
January 13, 2009 Enhancing LogoMall with More CustomizationFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties One resolution I haven’t had any trouble keeping is helping industry companies become stronger and more streamlined throughout 2009 and ASI is delivering.
The new ASIsecure design manager now provides distributors and suppliers with a time-saving way to update their site’s design and content, including featured products, and to pick up client order requests and traffic reports in one place. Users can also export orders, leads and catalog inquiries in batches to an electronic file to eliminate double entry and streamline order processes. Also, LogoMall customers who use ProfitMaker will have the ability to export shopping cart orders directly into ProfitMaker, allowing for a more seamless ordering system. ProfitMaker, from ASI Computer Systems Inc., is advanced business software that provides electronic links between distributors and suppliers. If you’re not a web designer you’ll also be happy to learn that ASIsecure doesn’t require you to know HTML coding, and comes with all the support, video tutorials and tips you need to create a more visually exciting online presence – one that clients are sure to notice. All of these features will provide distributors and suppliers with more time to hone in on selling.
Also, check out the earlier posts for four videos of unique products from ASI Orlando, and visit my YouTube channel for more product videos and ideas for your clients from our shows. If only sticking to the rest of my resolutions was this easy! |
When ASI Computer Systems was started in 1978, Judy became the original support person and trainer for the system. Back then — when just a half million computers were in use in the U.S. — Judy was a rarity in a field traditionally dominated by men.
We’re blogging from the site of the upcoming ASI Power Summit at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. We’re here to personally inspect every feature available to you come November. The industry’s premier event will be more interactive than ever, with a detailed agenda packed with proven strategies to ramp up your business in any economic environment.
Network at the two PGA Championship 18-hole golf courses, deepen friendships over a heated game of tennis, or swim out the tension in the pools or jaccuzzis.
