The Platform Group Gallery

83% of promotional distributors surveyed willing to promote a line via a web-catalog

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!

Be Part of the Solution - The Platform Group Gallery PromoBiz coach interview

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

Be Part of the Solution this Summer

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 started by taking advantage of

The Platform Group Gallery's

'Be Part of the Solution' offer.

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!

Promo Biz Coach 2nd Quarter Sales-Boost Teleconference

Download Now:  Powerpoint for the 2009 2nd Quarter Spring Sales Boost - Download 2009 2nd Quarter Spring Sales Boost

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.

Other examples would be any company providing an alternative energy.  Read 'Flat Hot & Crowded' by Thomas L. Friedman for a great outline of new energy.

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

Featured Offers -

 

Supplier Specials from The Promo Biz coach featuring The Platform Group Gallery

If you're already signed up, fantastic! If not, you don't want to miss this.

Get Sales Now! Complimentary Teleconference. (featuring The Platform Group Gallery, and other top industry suppliers)

• Great new product ideas to increase your sales
• No-cost/low cost self-promotions that drive business to you
• Sales-boosting tips from industry experts and top suppliers
• Hundreds of dollars in supplier discounts (More income for you!)
• Expert advice and the chance to ask questions and get answers

Date: Tuesday, April 21 Time 2:00 ET, 1:00 CT, 12 Noon MT, 11:00 PT

Register even if you can't attend the live call. Rosalie will send you the recording and supplier discounts.

Grab your spot  The telephone number is sent after you register.  Here's to your success!

Follow twitter.com/aegower!

Navigating The Platform Group Gallery web-site

There are many resources & tools available on www.ThePlatformGroupGallery.com.

These resources & tools are also available in distributor branded web-sites -- with distributor logo and contact information.

A powerpoint to use when presenting GalleryBoard to your clients

The above video is available in a powerpoint format that can be easily edited to replace our company name with yours. This is a great way to present the ecologically friendly galleryboard packaging line to your clients.

The benefits of the line include being made from 100% recycled content fiberboard, in the USA with employees vs. outsourced overseas labor, quick ship times and four decoration methods. We QC our work as we produce and only ship top-quality and always ship on-time. We ship all major freight methods - prepaid add or 3rd party / collect and we pack the product to arrive safely and on-time with no surprises.

Download the powerpoint here - Download The Platform Group Gallery - ecologically friendly packaging supplier

The Platform Group Gallery Support Tools

This past week I heard a story on NPR's Morning Edition about how some businesses are actually thriving in this economy. These businesses are the ones who have done a spectacular job at treating their customers well. I can name, unfortunately, only a very few businesses who have done a great job at treating me well.

Recently I've done some home remodeling and our contractor has been wonderful - - he falls in that category. And there are two vendors in particular that I have worked with for almost a decade at The Platform Group Gallery who are consistently wonderful.

But then I run out of examples. My goal at The Platform Group Gallery has always been to be one of those businesses who treat you well. Just this week -- we had a rough situation with an order, where due to circumstances with an accessory, that were totally out of our control, we had to make a decision to either make a customer happy (and lose a lot of money), or keep the money and have an unhappy conversation with a customer. We made the customer happy. He has no idea how much money it cost us - and he won't learn it from me. I made a decision a long time ago that there is a right way and a wrong way - and often the right way is more expensive. But the fact that a customer is happy is much more valuable than the short-term view of money. In any case - we are here to serve you.

If you haven't already taken advantage of our free distributor self-promo and other GOLD award winning support tools, take a look at the above video. Thanks for your business!

Promotional Distributor Self Promotion Program

Net Promoter Score

Have you heard of something called the Net Promoter Score?  It's a measurement developed by some word-of-mouth marketing guru's to help companies measure what customers think of them and their products & services. 

Basically - companies ask customers "How Likely Are You To Recommend Us?" and ask them to rate from 1 to 10 (being best).

The Platform Group Gallery has been measuring NPS (Net Promoter Score) since Feb 2006, and you can look at our results anytime here.

If you haven't been asked yet to take our Net Promoter Score survey - we invite you now.  It is a quick 1 question survey - thank you!