Market Data: Government Statistics

June 11, 2008

• 2.7 million: Total full-time U.S. government employees as of 2006. Part-time employees total 2.4 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

• 16.1 million: Total full-time state and local government employees as of 2006.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

• $50 million: The marketing budget of the Air Force Recruit Services division (up from $15 million just a few years ago).
Source: Department of the Air Force

• 11,000: Number of companies that have a Government Service Agency (GSA) schedule.
Source: Government Marketing Best Practices

• 60%: Over 60% of the dollars awarded through GSA Schedules in FY 2005 went to fewer than 5% of the companies that have schedules.
Source: Government Marketing Best Practices

Thank You for the Opportunity to Correct the Problem
Understanding the basic rules of customer service can build customer loyalty and offer competitive advantage.
In case you haven’t noticed, customer service isn’t what it used to be. Enter a department store and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone to serve you — sometimes even to take your money — much less someone who’s knowledgeable enough about the product to be of genuine help.
August 12, 2008

Tips for Writing Great Proposals
Drawing up successful sales proposals requires a clear understanding of your client’s needs.
Many companies and their decision-makers require written proposals, and many salespeople shudder at the thought of writing one. However, writing a good proposal doesn't have to be painful, providing you keep a few points in mind.
August 07, 2008

Market Data: Trade and Professional Associations and Civic Clubs
Did you know that last year more than $33 million in revenue was received by nonprofit trade and professional organizations, business leagues and chambers of commerce? As a promotional products distributor, you can capitalize on this by staying abreast of current industry trends and statistics.
July 09, 2008

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Don't expect finding opportunity during bad economic times to be easy. It requires rolling up your sleeves and doing your homework.
If you've been reading Promotional Impressions for a while, you know that the vertical markets we cover represent moving targets. Among other factors, they're subject to the ups and downs of the business cycle and to industry structural change. In addition, when the economy's good, a particular market may offer a large, inviting target. But when it stumbles, as many are currently doing, you may have to roll up your sleeves and do a lot more research to uncover opportunity.
July 08, 2008

Join the Club
Clubs and associations promote a feeling of comradery and exclusivity. Now, you can capitalize on their promotions by providing customized products.
Clubs and associations have been around for centuries. The English poet Thomas Occleve (c. 1368 – 1426) was one of the first to acknowledge membership in a club, in his La Court de Bone Compaignie (The Court of Good Company). Since then, clubs and associations have sprung up for a variety of reasons, targeting all sorts of members. Professional societies, service clubs, sports clubs and country clubs are just a few examples.
July 08, 2008