The US trade association for promotional products, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) is alerting members to a bill that cuts US government spending on promotional products.
Christmas brings distinct challenges to cashflow. Don’t get caught out, says Mike Collins Whisper it but the ‘C is on the Yes indeed, Christmas is coming and no matter how much we may not like it or be looking forward to it, you must be prepared for it. Regular readers will know that we at Direct Route like to keep BPMA members informed and educated as to handy hints and tips to ensure their credit management is as up to date, and as robust and successful as it can be.
The speed at which we browse, download and upload data are about to get a whole lot quicker due to a refresh of the Wi-Fi standard. Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax to give it its technical name is just around the corner – the sixth change of the standards since it was invented, so how will it affect us?
It’s been a hectic nine months both in our industry and at the BPMA. Taking on the role of Chairman, having been Vice Chairman for the past two years, has not only meant getting more involved with the team but also with engaged members and the wider-reaching trade association network both in the UK and in Europe. Juggling the voluntary role of Chair for the BPMA, my own business, and my family can be tough at times, especially with two teenage daughters.
A household name, BIC became synonymous with quality and reliability in 1950 with the launch of the BIC Cristal, the first high-quality ballpoint pen at an affordable price. BIC took its first step in the promotional sector 50 years ago in 1969, the same year Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon. In the 1970s it launched the iconic BIC Lighter and BIC Shaver, and today sells 32 million BIC products every day worldwide, 20.2 million of which are stationery products. BIC is known for pens but sees itself as selling solutions.
With Merchandise World taking place this month, Clive Allcott advises you to plan to get the most from the event –
As a seasoned attendee and exhibitor, it’s only fair to pass on my top tips for getting the most out of your visit. You have one day, so use it wisely.
Research carried out in 2018 indicated that 40% of millennials who don’t receive the necessary on the job training to become more effective in their role will leave their positions within the first year. That’s quite a high percentage, but it’s not only the modern workforce that ranks training and development opportunities in the workplace so highly.
Of all the inspirational business people from the last 50 years, perhaps no-one has made a bigger impact than Apple’s founder, the late Steve Jobs. His career is one I followed closely over the years, and I rarely failed to find something worthy of emulating.
Double bagging doesn’t just happen in the supermarket. Clive Allcott says the clothing industry needs to wean itself off overpackaging
With single-use plastic concerns across the promotional industry, how can garment decorators, clothing suppliers and distributors help in this global issue? Overpackaging is a great concern not only in textiles but across all trading platforms.