IMPRINT CANADA THE MARKETING AND INFORMATION SOURCE FOR IMPRINTABLE PRODUCTS BMDQ'9M?MKL *()1
A Tristan Communications Ltd. Publication
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Volume 26, Issue 4
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O@9L AK :J9F< 9FQO9Q7 Author and brand strategist Lindsay Pedersen highlights the seven layers of â&#x20AC;&#x153;brandâ&#x20AC;? and how they fuel your business. 16
F=O HJG<M;L KHGLDA?@LK Leading suppliers showcase their newest product offerings. 20
Part two of a three-part feature series written by Garry Bell, industry veteran, sustainability advocate and VP Corporate Communications at Gildan Activewear Inc.
I was asked recently to describe our business to someone from another industry. After thinking about the thousands of conversations I have had with printers and distributors about prices, free freight, product availability and other factors related to our products, I was tempted to describe it as a hypercompetitive industry where basic commodity products are decorated and sold at very slim margins on really short timelines. I knew that failed to capture the vibrant energy, entrepreneurial spirit and amazing creativity that I .^MZa [\ISMPWTLMZ \PI\ KWUXIVQM[ PI^M NZWU
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FREE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN visit www.imprintcanada.com
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When was the last time you took a hard look at your sales style, your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s values, and the true direction you and your company are going? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably been a while, right? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty common when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re busy selling, running a business, and dealing with the crazy day-to-day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard enough setting time aside for the monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals, much less finding time to reflect and analyze. So, take a few minutes of your time to consider what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m discussing and then reflect.
What makes you special? How do you define the value that you provide clients? Is it your experience? Is it your creativity? Is it your deep understanding of the target audience? Or do you define your value as fast turnaround times and competitive pricing? @PMV aW] JZQVO ^IT]M aW] IZM [PW_QVO KTQMV\[ \PI\ aW] IZM _WZ\P
How do you stand out from your competition? What JZQVOQVO J][QVM[[ \W W^MZ IVL W^MZ IOIQV do you tell your prospects what differentiates you? On top of that, do you actually stick to what you say? Does your value proposition talk about creative design and agency-style consultation, but at the end of the day, your main focus is price? ?IT]M KWV\QV]ML WV 9IOM