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“Either run the day or the day runs you.”

— JIM ROHN

If your BusinessScope

Idoesn’t forecast a more productive year, you better read on. To get control of your time, you need to first get control of your calendar, which probably fills up faster than a beer mug at Cheap Seats. But won’t worry, there’s an app for that. And if you need other people to be more productive, what better way to incentivize them than with a calendar (according to a research study by ASI, 25 percent of consumers have a company-branded calendar). And for those who say paper and print are dead, we can prove you wrong: 1. Calendars still sell, and 2. You read LOCAL Biz magazine. ■

Get mugged

A promotional mug with your logo on it is like free advertising if you factor the impressions you will get on Zoom calls when your customers use your mug.

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Contest alert!

SHOW US YOUR BRANDED PRODUCT AND WIN ONE OF OURS.

Send us a photo of your favorite promotional product, like logoed water bottles, mugs, shirts and pens. One lucky winner will win LOCAL Biz swag, including our soft-touch notebook – perfect for your to-do lists.

Save time with Calendar Apps

FIVE HOURS A WEEK ARE WASTED JUST SCHEDULING MEETINGS

BY MORA TIMEPLEASE

O

Online scheduling app Doodle’s research found that businesses waste, on average, 4.8 hours just scheduling meetings. Even with the many scheduling apps and tools, most people still set up meetings the ‘old school’ way, which goes something like this (names have been changed to protect the innocent):

Joe emails five people about meeting for one hour on Friday. Sam and Sarah respond that only the afternoon works for them. Jack never responds. Taylor and Dante both say they can’t make Friday but Thursday would work. Sam responds yes but only at 3 p.m. Jack still doesn't respond. Joe responds he is on vacation until Thursday. You’ve seen this movie before! Cut the back-and-forth and wasted time by using a meeting scheduling tool. Many tools and apps are free or have free versions, but even if there is a small charge, it will be much lower than the value of the time that is wasted. Here are three simple tools

you can try out today:

1. DOODLE

This is a great and free way to start with a scheduling app. It is easy to use, and for many people the free version is all that is needed to eliminate the backand-forth emails. • Easy booking page for users • Automated reminders eliminate no-shows • Keep your time private by only showing time slots you choose to share • Identify time zones for guests • Broadcast updates and changes

2. CALENDLY

Over 10 million people use Calendly to simplify meeting scheduling by offering only times that work with your availability. Features include: • Add a scheduling link to your website, emails or text messages • Send your preferred times • Schedule in-person and virtual meetings • Set up automated alerts and reminders • Manage your meetings with the mobile app

3. APPOINTY

If you teach classes or provide services, this is the tool for you. Your clients can book with you online and free up your time to do what you do best. Features include: • Accept bookings 24/7 (55 percent of people book outside business hours) • Share your booking link in social media, ads and on your website • Set up automatic appointment and booking reminders for guests • Integrate with payment systems if you want to charge for no-shows • Assign staff to appointments to help with staff management

Think your customers don’t want another branded mug? Think again.

The ASI conducted a study that validates what your gut is telling you – people like promotional products, but just how much they like them may surprise you.

WHAT’S TRENDING?

According to Mandy Arnold of Eagle Creations, a local Lowcountry promotional product company, “Since Covid we have seen an increase in safety-related items, like branded masks and hand sanitizer. Being in the South, we found branded sunscreen and lip balm are always customer favorites, and work-from-home related products like branded notebooks, mouse pads and post-it notes also have become more popular. Fortunately, despite supply-chain challenges we have been able to meet soaring demand and tighter timelines.”

56%

PENS 56 percent own a branded writing instrument, women slightly more so than men.

34% 46%

BAGS

34 percent own a logoed bag, women much more than men. Little known fact: Branded bags garner the most impressions of surveyed branded products with over 5,700 impressions.

T-SHIRTS

46 percent own a T-shirt with a logo on it, men much more so than women. And shirts in the Southeast garner many more impressions of that logo than elsewhere. Must be the warmer weather.

THOUGHT STARTER

When a nonprofit had to cancel its annual fundraising dinner due to Covid, a golf course donated its clubhouse patio and practice putting green for a socially distanced, outdoor event. The organization held a putting contest, silent auction and happy-hour event, which drew more attendees than the previous year’s gala. In return for the donated space, the nonprofit included a Two Ball Pillow Pack – Titleist TruFeel imprinted with the golf course’s logo and a course brochure in attendees' gift bags.

#TRENDING ITEMS

Local flavors – Grits, cornmeal, tea and popcorn are some local treats that are always appreciated as gifts, incentives or rewards. Virtual event & team items – Webcams, bandanas, headphones and even martini sets can add fun to an otherwise boring Zoom. Work-from-home products – Mousepads, desk sets and the ever-popular stress ball add the fun to functional. Eco-friendly items – According to an ASI study, 46 percent of people feel more favorably about a brand if their product is environmentally friendly. Bamboo cutting boards, backpacks made from recycled bottles and reusable drink ware are good examples. So don’t worry that a pen or mug is boring, your customers still appreciate traditional promotional products. But you can think out of the box and find unique and affordable items if you put your (branded) thinking cap on. Visit Eaglecreations16.com for some great thought-starters.

Mama Odie's Q1 BusinessScope

WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WORK, A RAISE, OR A PROMOTION, LOOK TO THE STARS TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS HEADED. STARS TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS HEADED.

Aries

Sink further into those couch cushions, Aries. These chilly mornings make it extra tempting to check your emails at home with a warm mug and soft music playing in the background. While January might not feel like the ideal time for self-care, there’s nothing wrong with cashing in on those personal days that carried over from last year. If you don’t honor your need for a little R&R, you’ll ram into a wall (literally) before Q2.

Taurus

“Boundaries” is your word of the quarter, Taurus. Bulls tend to believe that if they want things done right, they need to do it themselves, but that’s not always true. After all, you hired your employees for a reason. So even if you’re tempted to pick up another project just to save the day or clean up that work “emergency” which could easily be handled by a different department, that’s not the hill you want your soul to die on. Remember, no is a complete sentence. die on. Remember, no is a complete sentence.

Gemini

Be careful not to go into “analysis paralysis,” Gem. Your mind is both a blessing and a curse: on the one hand, your quick wit has led to some of your biggest breakthroughs, but on the other hand, over-analyzing the details can send you into a tailspin. Don’t let the nitty-gritty leave you frozen in your tracks. When you put the spreadsheets down and take some time to get out of your head, you’ll be able to see the big-picture more clearly when you come back to your desk.

Cancer

Who says the personal and professional can’t mix? This quarter you have cosmic license to prioritize your passions. Doing more of what you love at work will make it easier to love what you do. If you have a serious case of wanderlust, why not organize a corporate retreat this year? If you have an eye for photography, start offering your services to clients as an added bonus. You might be surprised at how profitable your passions are.

Leo

Temper your impulse, Leo. Lions are natural-born leaders, which means your first instinct might be to rally the troops and act fast when you see an opportunity. But if something seems too good to be true...well, you know the rest. Triple-check the fine print before you pounce – it might save you (and your team) a major migraine down the road.

Virgo

With 2021 officially behind us, you’re embracing an “out with the old, in with the new” mentality this quarter, Virgo. Your practical sign is ready to buckle down and do some housecleaning. Those 12-year-old documents? Shredded. Your 2022 objectives? Approved. The noisy, black-tar coffee maker in the breakroom? Yeah, it’s time to splurge on an upgrade. And that outdated vacation-day policy? You might be ready to adopt a more flexible business model or make other major policy changes.

Libra

As the sign of the scales, Libras are especially concerned with achieving peace and harmony – sometimes at their own expense. If you feel like you’ve been getting the short end of the stick, the stars are giving you the green light to voice your concerns. Selfless Libras sometimes don’t realize that it’s alright to speak up if they feel they’re being taken advantage of. After all, true harmony can only be achieved if your happiness is weighed in as well.

Scorpio

Step on the accelerator, Scorpio! Scorpions are known for their determination, and with your ambition getting turned up to 11 this quarter, there’s nothing you can’t do. Deadlines and demands will also ramp up now that you’re on a mission, so you’ll have to be vigilant about managing your schedule if you want to make serious strides towards your goals. You don’t have time for drama and nonsense right now, so mute your notifications, drink that shot of espresso, and get to it – the only way to go is up!

Sagittarius

Did someone say payday?! You’re aiming for a fresh financial start this quarter, Archer, and you’re on track to hit your mark. This quarter you’ll be motivated to extend your business hours, amp up your marketing efforts or shake hands on a promising partnership – whatever gets you closer to those dollar signs you’ve been dreaming of.

Capricorn

Momentum...or mayhem? Capricorns’ work ethics are unmatched, but as you move fullsteam-ahead with your new year’s plans, you risk getting derailed by competing deadlines and jam-packed days. You want to do it all, Cap, and we believe you could – but not at the risk of your sanity. The stars are urging your ultra-productive sign to prioritize. Taking things one day (or hour!) at a time could be a lifesaving practice. Break big projects down into small tasks, and look for ways you can be more efficient with your time, budget and habits.

Aquarius

Get out there, Aquarius! And we mean way out there. Dreamy Aquarians have a serious case of wanderlust right now that Pinterest just can’t cure. Explore new vistas and wriggle out of confining situations. Book a weekend getaway, take a personal-growth workshop, or plant the seeds for a startup venture. A little change of scenery might be just what you need to feel inspired again.

Pisces

Our productivity issue was practically written for you this quarter, Pisces. How can you make your money and your connections work harder for you? The stars are calling you to work smarter, not harder this month. Look at how you could combine your superpowers with a savvy, wellconnected collaborator for mutual gain, or what workflows would make life easier at the office.