The Platform Group Gallery has been a member of PPAI since 1999 and is a proud supplier of made in the USA, ecologically friendly promotional packaging to the Industry.
Our line - GalleryBoard packaging features gift boxes, press kits, binders, desk accessories & more. Every item in the GalleryBoard line is made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and FSC Certified paper-stock. The line is made is USA with company employees and ships quickly!
Take advantage of our award-winning distributor support tools by emailing CustomerService@theplatformgroupgallery.com. Tools include a no-charge self-promotion and branded web-sites.
During our recent participation in ASI's Virtual Trade Show, The Platform Group Gallery conducted a survey with promotional distributors. Here are selected results - (of those surveyed)
Only 37% of distributors had offered to provide a printed gift box to a client.
WOW! Think of the incremental sales you would have if you offered a gift box from the ecologically friendly galleryboard packaging line.
Over 300 ready-made styles -- made from 100% recycled content fiberboard -- made in the USA -- decorated with offset, screen, vignette or blind deboss -- accessorized (optionally) with a PE Foam Insert -- shipping in 7 business days from art approval. GalleryBoard Packaging has been an industry favorite since 1999 -- winning accolades from both PPAI and ASI for quality, service and distributor marketing tools.
It's easy to get started and to make that first successful & lucrative presentation of packaging -- contact CustomerService for your no-charge samples and no-charge self-promo program.
83% of distributors are willing to present a line using a web-site branded with the distributor's logo & contact information.
That is great - because The Platform Group Gallery offers no-charge distributor branded web-sites that display the entire over 300+ item line of GalleryBoard packaging. The sites feature a request a sample and contact us for quotes submission that goes directly to the associated distributor. The items are virutal sample enabled - using technologo technology - the same VS system used by ASI on ESP.
Use your site to present the line virtually and in person to your clients. You can also use our GREENCat - a page-turner style catalog that features the best sellers.
95% of distributors would like to receive end-user leads in their geographic area.
Super -- because we offer a referral program that SENDS end-users to distributors. Get listed - it is totally free and boy does it work (read these testimonials). End-users find The Platform Group Gallery because they google packaging or gift boxes - so they contact us directly -- and we get them sorted out with samples and match them immediately to a listed distributor. These end-users are ready to buy - and often they buy a lot!
90% of distributors are interested in receiving free gift boxes with their logo.
Wonderful - because as part of our Gold Award winning Sales & Marketing Tools we offer a 50 piece, decorated, no-charge self-promo program to professional distributors. Choose your gift box, present it to your clients packed with promo items and guess what -- they will ask you to not ONLY source their promo items, but also source their packaging.
Get Started with any of the above at CustomerService@theplatformgroupgallery.com or 888-880-4790. We look forward to working with you!
Recently Rosalie Marcus asked The Platform Group Gallery to provide a special offer for the summer '09 to Promotional Distributors. Allison Gower, President of the supplier, which manufactures galleryboard packaging is offering distributors a way to be 'part of the solution' this summer.
Listen to the full-interview and here the spectacular offer - - Download Platform
If you missed ASI's first ever virtual trade-show yesterday - don't worry - the exhibit hall will be open for the next six months. Yesterday you could chat with us suppliers in booths and network with other distributors -- but all of the presentations, videos and resources documents are all still live and I've just been in to look - and it is still a really great resource!
Visit ASI Central to get a free registration to log-in -- and walk through virtual booths from award winning industry suppliers like The Platform Group Gallery, Norwood, Avaline, Moderne Glass and many more!
At our booth, see the full-line of ecologically friendly galleryboard packaging, featuring press kits, portfolios, folders, binders and gift boxes. Don't miss our free give-away!
Everyday, each of us experiences disappointing customer service and less-than optimal quality with a product or service. I'm currently remodeling my kitchen, and am just in awe of the inability to order anything from a major remodeling company without it being damaged, back-ordered, lost or just plain incorrect. And for the very first time, I've had an order with Amazon just not ship -- and after several emails with them, I'm being told that it's my fault for not getting it, even though they can't supply a tracking number.
Guess what this means?
It means that for those willing to be part of the solution - you have sales just waiting there for you, ready to take from those who are part of the problem.
It means that YOU will get the orders and the repeat orders if you do something simple - put yourselves in the customer's shoes and then do for them what you would like done for you.
We do this at The Platform Group Gallery. Recently we've had a shipping company mess up two orders -- I suppose they packed a refrigerator on top of our cases in order to cause the damage they did. But we just replace them -- sight unseen, and get the product to the customer quickly! Without arguing. Does this cost money, yes. Would it cost me a customer if I didn't do it? Yes. It is a no-brainer.
Get $100 off any order placed between June 1st and August 31st -- on any item in the galleryboard packaging line.
We provide confirmed ship dates, firm freight quotes and always ship top quality product. Every item in our line is made from 100% recycled content fiberboard and is designed to be re-usable, and if must be discarded, can be recycled.
We are GOLD Award winning and named to ASI's hot list.
And even more importantly -- we treat you how we would like to be treated!
The Platform Group Gallery is a huge huge fan of Communities in Schools, and works very closely with the Houston organization to help them keep kids in schools. There is very exciting news out of the Washington HQ for CIS today -- as they welcomed Michelle Obama to Ferebee Hope Elementary School in Washington DC.
Houston's CIS is celebrating it's 30th year of serving children, on campus, and keeping them in school. 98% of CIS case managed students stay in school. That is a big deal.
Communities In Schools Welcomes
First Lady Michelle Obama to Ferebee Hope Elementary School in Washington,
D.C.
Mrs. Obama lauds after-school programs, meets
Communities In Schools group to discuss best practices to serve families
Washington, D.C. – Communities In Schools, the nation’s
largest dropout prevention organization, is proud to announce that First Lady
Michelle Obama today visited with students participating in an after-school
program at Ferebee Hope Elementary, one of their partner schools in Southeast
Washington, D.C. Before spending time reading with students, Mrs. Obama
addressed and met with the Communities In Schools board of directors, and
listened to their presentations about the organization.
“We were delighted to have First Lady Michelle Obama visit
one of our partner schools,” said Bill Milliken, founder and vice chairman,
Communities In Schools. “The long-term sustainability of this city – and our
nation – is tied to the success of the public school system,” he added.
“There is no greater priority than ensuring all children have access to a
quality education, and the community resources they need to build their
futures. We all have a stake in this.”
Joining Mrs. Obama at Ferebee Hope Elementary were School
Principal Sharron Stroman, Communities In Schools National Board Chairman
Elaine Wynn and Milliken. She visited a tutoring program and an after-school
program, both run by Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital, the
local affiliate of this national organization. The visit was a special
surprise for the students, when Mrs. Obama dropped in for story time today
with approximately 30 3rd graders at the school.
Communities In Schools works in partnership with public
schools to identify and connect students with the community resources they
need to stay engaged in school. These resources are then coordinated through
a school-based coordinator and brought directly to the children who need
them. Examples include mentoring, tutoring, health care, after-school
programs and cultural enrichment.
“We were thrilled to have Mrs. Obama at our school today,”
said Ms. Stroman. “For most children, school is a stabilizing force in their
lives -- the place where they spend most of their days. It meant so much to
have the First Lady show her support for these students.”
President and Mrs. Obama have voiced strong support for
community engagement and improvements in both the quality of public education
and the nation’s dropout rate, which is nearly 33 percent. In communities
like Anacostia, where Ferebee Hope Elementary is located, the dropout rate
can be as high as 50 percent. Communities In Schools is fiercely committed to
supporting these communities.
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout
prevention organization, working in more than 3,200 K-12 public schools.
Founded in 1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in Alexandria, Va.
Today, 1.2 million young people annually receive direct services through more
than 200 Communities In Schools local affiliates in 27 states and the District
of Columbia.
Between 80-90 percent of Communities In Schools’ tracked
students show improvement in academic achievement, attendance, behavior and
promotion to the next grade level.
HAAS Associates is Bringing Back the Bull with a robust marketing program aimed at reminding corporations that now is not the time to cut-back on advertising. Joe Haas created a program complete with gift boxes and press kits and select premium items to demonstrate to his clients that he walks the talk and can help them get noticed.
Rosalie Marcus, The PromoBiz Coach, offered industry distributors advice on how to Boost sales with her 2nd Quarter Sales Boost Teleconference. Each of the featured suppliers answered 5 questions, with the objective of providing tips & ideas for grow sales in 2009.
Rosalie: What's the single best tip you can give distributors for
getting business in today's economy?
Allison: Target companies that are on the leading edge of new product / service / technology.
For example; there are banks forming that are mobile-only, that is, they bank all online vs. bricks & mortar, and they need to create awareness. USAA is one of these, and so is GreenBank.
The WSJ is a great resource for 'cutting/leading' edge companies / programs and is a good place to identify targets.
Another good indicator is watching what companies are hiring -- there are some -- and those should be good targets, both for marketplace education and raising awareness with recruits. CNN is a good source for this.
Rosalie: What is the best new idea you
can give us for selling your product line now (in the spring season?)
Allison: Ask questions and make suggestions. Your client is too busy doing their 'real' jobs to think through a program totally, and you can drum up business by being the first to point out gaps and providing solutions.
For example, gift programs always need a gift-box. Brochures need a leave-behind. Trade-shows required display packaging. But your client will either forget totally or leave it until it is too late. Bringing it up with a solution will earn you business.
Rosalie: Can
you share a case history with us...or a successful promotion another distributor
did?
Allison:
Bring Back the Bull -- gift box / portfolio program by a distributor (self-promo program). Filled with accessibly priced promotional items in a printed package.
Baker Hughes -- same distributor - many different offices within company -- gift boxes, portfolios. Ask for referrals within a company.
Rosalie: What industries or niche markets do you see orders coming from?
Allison: Industries to watch include services using technology, for example, the mobile-based banking, education and non-profits (these maybe not surprisingly are growing & hiring). Government is hiring, particularly in areas of intelligence like CIA and FBI. They need to raise awareness with recruits and in marketplace.
Rosalie: What
special offer do you have for our group? ( See attached coupons, you can use
this offer or add another.)
Allison: EQP pricing on any gift box + 15% discount of custom foam insert. Good through end of June on any gift box item, across all price groups.
Featured Suppliers -
1. Allison Gower, The Platform Group Gallery 2.
Viktoria Sokolova, EMT 3. Bob Hechler, Windbrella 4. Pam Centina, Direct
Connections 5. Julie Nieves, Wash. Promo Group 6. Glen Hersh, Admints and
Zagabor 7. Ross Silverstein, iPromoteu
Did you know that Communities in Schools is Houston's most successful drop-out prevention organization?
When a child drops out, he or she is likely to live below the poverty line - almost a third of drop-outs 25 and older do.
Children who drop-out, if they had stayed in school, would be generated billions for the economy, versus draining our national resources.
I challenge you to find a better investment than keeping a child in school.
Come to CoffeeGroundz (2503 Bagby, Houston TX) on May 7th to learn more about how you can help keep children in school. Communities in Schools can't do it alone.
Obama recently asked supporters of his Health Care plan to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers. I sent this letter to both the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Business Journal. It ran in the Houston Business Journal on 4/17/09.
As a business owner in the Houston area, I want to weigh in on the debate regarding health care.
One in six Americans are uninsured, and millions more are
underinsured for the coverage they need. Currently, it is next to
impossible for a small to medium-sized business to provide health
coverage for employees.
Our group rates have increased a minimum of 15 percent each year for
the past 10 years, we are required to provide at least 75 percent of
the premium and at least 75 percent of our employees have to
participate in order for us to qualify for a group plan.
These three things in combination make it impossible to continue
coverage. I have done so at great cost, and do not know if it can
continue.
Certainly any start-up or struggling new company will not be able to
afford to provide group insurance in this economy and in the face of
other rising raw material and energy costs — the situation is untenable.
If I have to stop my group plan, all those covered will then not be
covered for pre-existing conditions (if they then choose to get private
insurance), and their premiums will double or more (if they can get
insurance).
A business should not be the only way a person can get affordable
coverage. It should be an accessible purchase comparable to life, home
and auto insurance. It should be handled by the individual — not an
employer.
Choices are limited by employers, and the group policies are always
at risk of disappearing for the employee. This can happen either
because the employer can no longer afford it, they lose their job, or
the company goes out of business. Individuals need to be able to
control health insurance for themselves and their families,
irrespective of their employment situation.
I support President Obama’s proposed plan of allowing individuals to
access government plans. However, if Obama’s health care plan gets
changed to exclude a public option like Medicare, then it is not health
care reform. A public option is the only way to guarantee health care
for all Americans. Any legislation without it is just more of the same
broken system.
America deserves a choice. Let people choose between keeping the
for-profit insurance they already have — if they want it — or a public
health care option like Medicare.
Insurance companies and health maintenance organizations are afraid
of a public health care option because competition will force them to
provide better service at lower cost.
In the long-run, however, it will take them to a new level of
effectiveness and performance — as competition does for any industry.
The way they perform now is inefficient, too reliant on paperwork and
man-hours.
