Things people need to know while at conventions:  Where is everything?  When/Where is my next class/meeting?  Where should we have lunch/dinner?  What’s in a Mai Tai?

Want to be the talk of the show?  Give the people what they want!  Imprint one side of the banner pen with some useful info (I’ve given you some great examples above) and the other side can be all yours to showcase your product line, introduce new products or advertise an upcoming event.  The possibilities are endless.

Let’s do this!

This time of year is so beautiful. The leaves fall, the air gets a chill, and the political machine goes crazy!

I really do find it interesting to watch our democratic process at work. We get to watch some major political figures show off their rhetorical skills, people get passionate about our democracy, and some of it is awesome. Some of it is hilarious, but some of it is awesome.

Here are some awesome political promo items I found that I just had to share:

This is nail polish. Here is what i got a kick out of :

“Red-y To Win Red – A delightfully deep red, a bold pop of color that makes a statement. Victory White – A soft, clean white perfectly polished for every day wear. Bo Blue – A shimmering sapphire blue, a fun take on the classic navy. Made in the USA. ”

Even the Senate is getting in on the proven power of promotional products!

Tell us what your perfect political promotional item would be? (alliteration intended.)

According to the 2000 National Health Interview survey (which was before the recession!) 75% of the general population experiences at least “some stress” every two weeks.

So, you take a hot bath. Go to the spa. Take a nap. Have a glass of wine. Go for a run. Or you could squeeze something REALLY REALLY hard!

The first stress ball originated in China during the Ming Dynasty in 1368 A.D. and they were called Baoding Balls. Since then, the stress ball has evolved. They can now be so much more than a ball:

You could use a stress stoplight (stop the stress….get it?):

Or a stress heart (squeeze the life out of an imaginary person):

How about a beer mug (until you can have a real beer later this evening):

Match the perfect stress reliever with your business message and put your logo in the hands you need it in.

The best “things” are the things you love…or the things that are useful. Isn’t it awesome when the items can be both?!?!? Here are some items we recently used for a promotion of our business that we think are super fun (yes there is a little bit of dorkinesses involved) and useful, especially if the apocalypse occurs in December of this year! If it does, I for one will be armed with a beautiful, dependable, well made mag light! I will also be able to navigate with my carabinier compass and to quickly assemble shelter and other necessities with my classic multitool. On top of all that, I will be hydrated with my clip on and take anywhere water bottle!

What do you think? Useful? Awesome? Both?

Here are how some of your favorite companies have and may change their image by changing that which people recognize (or are supposed to):

I think it is fascinating to think about the evolution of brand association and logos. You have to wonder though, what will the future look like when you just have a square on your jacket and that is supposed to mean you work for Microsoft? Or will our future barristers have large circles on their aprons? Will my favorite baseball cap have a strange red symbol that looks like it represents a foreign country (Apple’s logo 2042)?

Credit where credit is due: these images were compiled and created by Stocklogos.com .

The promotional item you choose for your special event, if paired correctly, will be more than a walking take home advertisement for your business. It will also compliment to the event itself. It can make the event something that stays in your customers or potential customers mind for a long time. It can also make them feel rewarded for attending.

Last post we talked about employers celebrating their employees on Labor Day. An awesome promotional item for a labor day picnic? A picnic blanket!

Useful, attractive, thoughtful, and complimenting the event.  Here are some more great item pairings:

Polo event: Binoculars

Booth at the County Fair: Sunscreen

Golf Tournament: Hand  towel

Here are some less than desirable pairings for events:

Beach day: Jackets

Health Expo: Candy

Car show: Bike helmets

Another important thing to consider is your business and how you can relate your item to your business in a meaningful way.This process can be creative and fun but sometimes daunting. Let us help you pair the perfect item for your event to compliment and emphasize your event and your business.

Labor Day is coming! Are you ready? Now,  to most Americans this question means: is your picnic ready? is your bathing suit ready? do you have sunscreen? Ext. But to employers it is , hopefully, more philosophical.

Labor Day is meant to celebrate “the economic and social contributions of workers.” The form that the holiday has taken as recreation and festivities does not overshadow the fact that the day is meant to acknowledge and appreciate the time, talents, and hard work that has contributed so much to our society…and your business.

Your employees are a significant investment. When they are not happy, your business suffers. High turnover rate has been shown to negatively effect all types of business – huge and small.  Keep in mind that how well an employee does their job is also often directly linked to how they feel about that  job.  Small businesses are even more effected by their employees as they often become as close as family, or are family.

The question becomes: How do you keep your employees happy? How do you show them that you value them and their hard work?  Is it your superior leadership skills? Is it the amazing work environment you have thoughtfully crafted? Is it the bounteous compensation package you provide?

Needless to say, even the best employer could do more to show their appreciation (and to get the most out of every worker.)

Here are some cool ways to show your gratitude:

VACATIONS!!!!!!! Ok, maybe two weeks in Maui is more part of the compensation package but, little “vacations” or treats like an office lunch outside of the office give employees a quick break and connect them to you and their other employees. Try a donuts morning or Starbucks for all.

Traditions. Fun holiday or special event traditions breed connections that have bound world cultures together for thousands of years. Labor Day traditions are especially appropriate – coffee and lunch meetings for special occasions make people feel “human” and appreciated.

Awards. Employees can touch, feel, and see the appreciation on their desk everyday or at home. They feel validated, recognized for their contributions, and even get admiration from their co-workers.  Important to note that less expensive awards can sometimes come across very “cheesy” so be sure you put thought into the award & how it is presented. (We can help you stay away from the “cheesy” factor!)

Flexibility. Being flexible with hours, or vacations, or whatever shows them that you know that they have lives outside of work and that you value their family & work-balance ratio.  It also means that when push comes to shove, they will likely be more flexible with you.

Gifts. They don’t have to be big or expensive. Getting something other than a paycheck is meaningful and fun. Also, if it is chosen carefully, it becomes a constant reminder of an employers gratitude.

Here are some of the fun things that the London Olympics is doing to provide lasting memories to those attending (and those at home who wish they were.)

A snow globe.

Here is a classic: the T-shirt. I must say, I like this better than the hot pink 2012 design.

Ok, the stuffed toy is a classic too but this one is ….different. Did you know the mascots are meant to be animations depicting two drops of steel from a steelworks in Bolton?

Here is the pillow that MUST be on any 10 year old female gymnasts bed!

This is one of my favorites. Stainless steel playing card! Essential for playing poker with your arch enemy.

Since England is known for it’s tea, this one makes a lot of sense.

You can of course get the key chains, the pins and the fake metals as well.

But, considering all the rain they seem to be getting over there, here is my personal suggestion for a London Olympics Souvenir:

With the Olympic Logo of course!

What would be your perfect swag form the London Olympics?

But uniforms are no longer “uniform.” The JD Power study also found that consumers have a “preferred uniform style” which usually relates to the type and style of business being used as well as the apparel being up to date.  Putting the company logo on something professional, fun and appropriate can create trust, interest, and brand recognition.

Choose “the right fit” for your business. If Law is the business, a suit may be required. However, if the business is river rafting, shorts and a T-Shirt may be most appropriate. Audience also plays into deciding what kind of logo apparel might be best for a business. If the audience is young and trendy, the style might be too (we are not talking revealing or runway.) The styles offered these days are endless! Think moisture wick, fleece, wrinkle- resistant, breathable fabrics, any color, and a shape for everyone. Companies can make use of the most current technology and the trendiest fashions. There is also the classic option, with the increased functionality. And businesses are no longer limited to shirts, now you can put your logo on gloves, hats, suspenders, vests, shoes, and everything in between.

Logo apparel is also key for events and for selling. When customers and happy participants leave, they are reminded every time they use the apparel of the business and their experience. And, as they wear the apparel, they become walking billboards. Having employees wear clothing, like t-shirts, that customers can purchase is hitting all the bases at once!

Power of Two Promotions prides ourselves on creating the perfect match for your company and their logo apparel needs. Let us know how we can help you update your company’s wardrobe!

One of the personal, hands on, ways that we are able to give back is to foster kittens. Working with FatKittyCity.org, located in El Dorado Hills, we foster cats & kittens until they are adopted. Fostering is essential. Fostering helps prevent the spread of disease and socializes kittens so that they are happier and healthier pets in their future homes. They are given 1-on-1 attention, more roaming space, and individual care. We personally donate all litter, food, medicine, and other necessities.

At the end of the fostering program, when the cat or kittens are ready to be adopted, they are given a beautiful start at life with their new families. They have all their shots, they are spayed or neutered, and they are happy and healthy. The cost to the future family is only $85, which is considerably less than the $300+ your average vet would charge.

We have fostered over 30 cats and Kittens so far. Some of it has been hard work, with sick kittens and a little bit of heart break. Overall, we are rewarded with the opportunity to care for, play with, and have in our home some of the cutest creatures on the planet.

Currently, we have a litter of kitten’s that are ready to go to their new forever homes. Ashton, Rowdy, Rizzoli, Isles, and Momma Juno are all in need of a loving forever homes. We even have a website just for showing off their cuteness, in the hopes of introducing them to the world before they can be adopted.

We do not have any families lined up for these kittens yet, let us know if you are interested! Or just take a moment to check out the charming babies and their darling antics.

www.crazycatcam.com

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