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Thursday
January 7, 2010 ASI Names Members of Advisory BoardsFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI A new era of industry leadership is upon us, thanks to the men and women who stepped-up and accepted a position on ASI’s latest advisory boards. I applaud all of you! Click here for the complete list of all new members. Hundreds of ASI member companies did their part by voting during the online balloting period to help choose leaders of the boards. Here is a sampling of the new members: The ASI Advisory Board —
Marketing, Public Relations & Industry Research Advisory Board —
The Safety & Legislative Advisory Board —
Technology & Operations Advisory Board —
The effort doesn’t stop here. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas with ASI, and especially with these new board members, as we move forward into a new year and confront and conquer fresh challenges. Tell me what you would do to improve the industry by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
January 6, 2010 Educating Buyers on Bumper Stickers – Orlando Sentinel and ASIFiled under: ASI Shows, Media Coverage, News About ASI How many bumper stickers do you have on your car? And do you think they’ve ever influenced your vote? Two Florida politicians interviewed by Counselor editor Andy Cohen at ASI Show Orlando endorsed the bumper sticker as a key promotional product for their campaigns. The interviews were posted today on an Orlando Sentinel blog. Click here to read the post and watch the two interviews. Rep. Kevin Ambler, who is running for the Florida Senate, told Andy his favorite promotional item is the tried-and-true bumper sticker – which he said his research shows accounts for about three to six votes for a candidate. Andy spoke to Ambler and Sen. Paula Dockery, who is running for governor, and both interviews are posted on the Orlando Sentinel‘s business blog along with information on the show. The paper has a circulation of over 206,000 in Central Florida. Let me know what bumper stickers are on your car by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
January 5, 2010 ASI Orlando Energizes Industry for 2010Filed under: ASI Shows, News About ASI The ASI Show Orlando kicked off a brand new show season – and a new year – at what we all hope is a turning point in our industry. This show really had it all – a rousing inspirational speech by General Colin L. Powell before 900, a “Gala Celebration” at Universal Studios attended by more than 700, and a strong Education Day attendance of nearly 1,200. ASI Orlando, which ended Tuesday after three action-packed days, proved to be an interactive event that allowed thousands of distributors to find the newest products, catalogs and pricing for the start of the sales season. We believe the show positioned suppliers and distributors for a great recovery year in 2010. Here’s what a few of them they had to say: Margit Fawbush, marketing manager of Norwood Promotional Products: “This year has been excellent. The traffic is steady. Distributors are eager to start new projects and are coming in with very specific requests as to what they are looking for. We have found ASI Orlando very beneficial.” Scott Anderson, national sales manager of Leed’s: “All the metrics that we consider important for a show are being hit and traffic’s been good. We’re very pleased with The ASI Show Orlando.” Gary Tuchler, VP of the south region for Brown & Bigelow: “ASI Orlando is a great way to kick off the New Year. We can get everyone together, get them motivated and ready to go. There are lots of new ideas, lots of excitement and lots of energy on the show floor.” Dave Crofoot, CEO of Western Associates: “The ASI Show Orlando has been great. Our salespeople are excited and have found many new ideas on the show floor.” You can read the full press release by clicking here. And watch full video coverage of The ASI Show Orlando at asicentral.com, with several education sessions from the New Distributor Success Track, as well as ASI-TV coverage of the 2010 ASI Fashion Show. Don’t forget: It’s not too early to register for the ASI Show in Dallas, from Monday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 3, and the all-new ASI Show in San Diego, from Wednesday, February 24, through Friday, February 26, at asishow.com. Tell me about your Orlando experiences by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
January 5, 2010 Hot Orlando Product Videos and Interview With General PowellFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI The last day of ASI Show Orlando is upon us and by all accounts education day (more than 60 learning opportunities!) and networking have been above par. This morning, a packed house greeted General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), the former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. Show-goers hung on the general’s every word during his keynote, “Leadership: Inspiration for Extraordinary Times.” A standing-room-only crowd of more than 900 distributors, suppliers and decorators cheered as the Bronx-born four-star general told stories of overcoming challenges to lead organizations of all sizes – from a few dozen people to millions – through stressful times that required change, development of new solutions to problems and seeing beyond today. He cautioned the audience to avoid looking back in rearview mirrors, advising that looking forward is the only way to succeed. Giving your “followers” – whether they’re colleagues, family members or customers – superior tools, products and support is the way to win in a difficult economic climate. To watch Counselor editor Andy Cohen’s interview with Gen. Powell, click here. And last night, we also enjoyed a really fun fashion show – ASI’s third march down the runway. For photos, click here. In addition, I’d like to share four “Tim’s Takes” videos, shot right after my “Hot Seat” interview with Mark Godsey, president of Gold Bond and this year’s just-named Supplier of the Year. Mark gave us the inside track on what his company is doing to thrive, his 2010 outlook, and Gold Bond’s focus on customers – the true VIPs. Straight from the Advantages New Product Showcase, hot products highlighted in the videos include: Pocket-sized hand sanitizer from Custom HBC (asi/47935), which won in the Health & Beauty Category at the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. This handy item is huge seller right now in the flu season. A two-in-one pocket calculator and business card holder from Bullet (asi/42424), a Distributor Choice Awards finalist. I just love combo products and this is really innovative – and practical. The nitro tumbler from Gold Bond (asi/57653), which keeps ice up to 15 hours without melting. I tried it this week and it really does work. Tell me what you think is this year’s hottest product by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
January 4, 2010 ASI Provides Savings with UPS Ocean FreightFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI Good deals are wonderful. Great deals are even better, which is what supplier members now get when they ship ocean freight with UPS. This latest ASI benefit can add up to annual savings between $3,000-$10,000. The UPS Ocean Freight program provides suppliers with a full array of global freight and transportation solutions for almost any size shipment, including less-than-container loads, full-container loads, special equipment, and oversized cargo. We specifically chose UPS because it’s a world-class supply chain and transportation leader, with over 100 years of proven service, which is exactly what companies need to help them maneuver today’s complex shipping regulations. For complete details, click here to read the press release. And if you’re at ASI Show Orlando, look out for UPS representatives, who will be on site through Tuesday to discuss the new benefits. I’d love to know how similar benefits have saved your company money, so post a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
January 4, 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Award Winners and “Tim’s Take” VideoFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI We’re having a terrific time at the first show of the year in Orlando, despite getting caught in the same cold snap hitting the rest of the nation. Last night, we warmed things up by honoring the industry’s best at the 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Awards and presenting the Supplier of the Year award to Gold Bond (asi/57653). The awards recognize the most-valued ASI suppliers in 50 product categories, as determined by ASI Supplier Performance Ratings and votes cast by over 2,500 distributors (a record for the competition). Nearly 150 finalists were recognized and 51 suppliers were named winners at a really fun ceremony. For the list of winners and finalists, and to view some awesome photos, visit asicentral.com/dcawards. Also take a look at a new video we just posted called “Tim’s Take,” which offers my insight into the industry and the new year, based on an interview I did for ASI TV with Editor-in-Chief Melinda Ligos. As I say in the video, as we greet 2010 and the first trade show of the year – which is shaping up as a success – I’m bullish as ever. Please let me know your outlook for 2010 by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
December 30, 2009 Sneak-Peek Video of ESP Web and ESP OrdersFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI For my final blog post of 2009, I’d like to offer my best wishes for a very happy New Year – and share with you a cool video we just posted (final edits to come) with a sneak-peek of the new ESP Web and ESP Orders – click here to watch. In the fall, many of you replied to my email requesting feedback on ESP Online and we took literally hundreds of your comments and incorporated them into the new version of ESP and our all-new ESP Orders product. This revolutionary new ESP Web is available across standard Internet browsers — including Explorer, Firefox and Apple’s Safari — for instant access anytime and anywhere to products, supplier data, orders and customer information. The intelligent search engine allows users to find just the right product for clients, and it uses the same technology on sites like Barnes & Noble and Wal-Mart. ESP Orders is a total order management system available with ESP Web that allows distributors to create sales orders, purchase orders and invoices without rekeying any information. The video covers the highlights, but if you or a colleague want to find out more, and you’re at ASI Orlando, Sunday, January 3, through Tuesday, January 5, attend one of the quick free demos of ESP Web and ESP Orders in the training room at the ASI booth (you can’t miss it!) and in “Power Session” rooms. Please let me know any questions you have (or any reactions) by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
