FindSOS

Cool Off with Hot Headwear for Summer

2010-05-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

NEW Screen Print
Digital Print
3D Embroidery
LogoWeld
Decoration Combinations
See More Hats Click Here

It's Summer Selling Season!

Call TODAY

858-875-5056

T-shirt Brand?

2010-04-22T15:06:00.001-07:00

T-shirt Marketing is very similar to Social Media Marketing.....

If someone is willing to wear a T-shirt with a logo, then they are aligning that companies brand with their personal brand.

Let's work together to make sure Your Clients Brands are being endorsed!

Send over your Top 3 Clients Logos & I will create Custom Virtual Mock Ups & Samples for you to have on hand to present.

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

The Compressed Kathleen Project

2010-02-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

This idea grew out of a classic children's book by the name of Flat Stanley, written by Jeff Brown.

In the story, Stanley, a regular boy, is squashed flat by a falling bulletin board & then travels the world meeting new people, places & things.

In this project, Kathleen, a regular Inside Sales Rep at AddVenture Products, is squashed under tremendous pressure by a Compressed T-Shirt machine & then inspires people, products & profits.

She discovers that Advertising Specialty Distributors can:

- Take her along on meetings & presentations
- Place her in an box and ship her off to visit clients in faraway places.
- Snap Pictures of them together!

If you would like to become part of the Compressed Kathleen Project, simply e-mail Kathleen at k.milbier@addv.com and request a Compressed Kathleen.

Green with Envy

2010-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

Why do we all wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Way back when....School children started the tradition because....

- Green is the color of spring, the shamrock, & is connected with hope & nature.

- Green was used in the flags of many revolutionary groups in Ireland & as a result, it now appears in the tri-color country flag.

- Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the lush natural greenery found on the island.

....& the story goes that if you (or your Clients) don't wear Green, you'll get pinched!

Want to have the Luck of the Irish this St. Patrick's Day?

Follow this advice:

1. Buy 4-leaf clover CompressTs. 2. Kiss the blarney stone. 3. Place a PO for screen printed Green T-Shirts (so you don't get pinched). 4. Catch a Leprechaun. 5. Sell these Promotional Products....

In honor of the festivities I leave you with this Irish blessing:

"May your promotional product sales outnumber the shamrocks that grow & may the budget cuts avoid you wherever you go!"

For more S.O.S & info on Digital Printed Beanies, Compressed T-Shirts & WriteOn Tees , contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com or 858-875-5056

"Mommy, I want that"

2010-02-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

KIDS: Have purchasing power. They influence buying decisions & are the consumers of the future.

GOAL: To plant the seeds of brand recognition in very young children, in the hopes that the seeds will grow into lifetime relationships

HOW: One great way to get the word out is through “buzz marketing”. The idea is to have kids in a community wear your product in order to create a buzz around it.

Write, Wash, Write Again....

Includes:

• Screen Printed T-Shirt
• 4 Washable Markers
• Full color, customizable insert card
• Wrapped on 9" x 6.5" chip board and shrink wrapped for easy handling
• Great for meetings, conventions, workshops, camps, children's events and more

For more S.O.S & info on WriteOn Tee , contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

Who are You?

2010-02-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Oprah, Donald, Martha ...you don't even need to add a last name to realize who I am talking about.

Each one of these people have created amazingly successful personal brands.

You can too! By creating one at www.Personalbrandsite.com

Don't be the last one to Brand Yourself!

Check out what The Today's Show is saying about it...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

"The Bunny"

2010-02-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Playboy bunny logo is one of the most recognizable logos in the world.

In 1953, the Playboy magazine was masterminded by the one & only, Hugh Hefner. Playboy has since expanded & diversified to selling videos, network TV, online gambling, and clothing. Its generated revenue is $338.15 million as of 2005.

Love him or hate him, Hugh Hefner provides the ultimate example of successful branding.

Even if you would never purchase a product sold by Playboy, it’s undeniable that the brand is powerful and has lived a long and prosperous life.

Be Yourself:

• SEO
• Differentiate
• True Colors
• Got Milk?

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

The Original Corn Chip

2010-01-29T08:35:00.000-08:00

Today, January 29^th, is National Corn Chip Day! Who’s ready to celebrate the Corn Chip?

In 1932, C.E. Doolin entered a small San Antonio cafe and purchased a bag of corn chips. Little did he dream this savory chip would become one of the nation's most popular snacks.

Did You Know? Fritos Corn Chips were first marketed in 1961. That year the Frito Company and the H.W. Lay company merged to become Frito-Lay, Inc. Today, Frito-Lay brands account for 59% of the U.S. snack chip industry.

Fifty years ago, few Americans knew what Corn Chips were. Today, most American can not imagine life without this tasty, crunchy holder of salsa.

Be Original:

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

Get Out There

2010-01-25T14:13:00.001-08:00

One of the most recognizable "traveling" advertisements has been on the road for almost sixty-five years. The Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile first took to the streets of Chicago in 1936. Today, there are six high-tech Weiner Mobiles hot-dogging it around the country.

Be Everywhere:

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

Inside or Outside the Box?

2010-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Question:

There is a windowless room that contains 3 light bulbs. Outside the room there are 3 switches. All 3 light bulbs are connected to the switches & are switched off.

You are outside the room & the door is closed.

You have one, and only one, opportunity to flip the switches. After that, you can go into the room & look at the lights, but you may not touch the switches again.

How can you tell which switch goes to which light?

Be Different:

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

2009-11-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

Recessions can inspire great entrepreneurial achievements.

Are you....
Thinking outside of the box - Doing things differently?

Are you....
Willing to do the things that others are unwilling or unable to do?

Are you....
Constantly sharpen your skills?

Click Here .......To Expand Your Brand

Inspire people, promotional products, and profits.

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

Money Talks, T-shirts Walk

2009-11-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

What's the point of a "wearable promotion" if no one wears it?

What's the point of Social Media if no one sees it?

Sometimes, all you need is your logo on the left chest of a t-shirt to make your point. Other times, you want a design that not only promotes your subject, but also has a sense of style that keeps up with modern trends. It can be as simple as placing the artwork in an unusual location, or as elaborate as creating a whole new design to capture a mode of fashion.

The same holds true when developing your own Personal Brand Online.

Sometimes, all you need is a signature at the bottom of your e-mail to reach out to your clients. Other times, you want to extend your Personal Brand through various Social Medias to keep up with modern trends. It can be as simple as creating a blog, or as elaborate as creating profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

I encourage you to take advantage of our expertise & experience designing promotional apparel & personal brands. Working together with you & your clients to find that perfect solution is where we thrive.

Become Your Own Walking Billboard through T-shirts & Technology!

For more S.O.S, contact Kathleen Milbier at AddVenture. k.milbier@addv.com

If You Build It, They Will Come

2009-09-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Personal branding, "is the process by which we market ourselves to others."

What's your personal brand?

Each and every one of us is a brand....however, it's up to you on how you project your brand to the masses. Start thinking about what face you want to show to the world and how you want to position yourself for success!

Discover your Brand:

Brand discovery is about figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life, setting goals, writing down a mission, vision and personal brand statement, as well as creating a development plan.
- Your self-impression = How people perceive you
- Select a niche, where you can be the master of your domain.
- Once you sort this all out, it will then be time to create your brand.

Create your Brand:

Now that you know what you want to do and have claimed a niche, it’s time to get it on paper and online so people can view what you are all about:

- Business card: the card should contain your picture, your personal brand statement, contact information and a logo.
- Portfolio: a great way to showcase the work you’ve done in the past. Check out www.Figdig.com and www.carbonmade.com
- Blog: own yourname.com or start writing about your brand on www.blogspot.com
- LinkedIn: a profile on www.LinkedIn.com is a combination of a resume, cover letter, references and a database of your network. Create personal advertising, search for jobs or meet new people.
- Facebook: a profile on www.Facebook.com is known as a social network, but you can also brand your professional self here.
- Twitter: a profile on www.Twitter.com can include a link to your blog & LinkedIn profile. It allows you to quickly tell people about your brand.
- Video: a video resume is a short video of you talking about why you are the best for a specific job opportunity. Keep it short and upload them to www.youtube.com
- Website: create a website that aligns with your name and/or brand in some fashion.
- Email Address: it's a simple way to add opportunity to broadcast your brand

Once you create all of the above (and yes, it will take time!)..... it’s time to show & tell it to the world, especially your target audience.

You MUST actively, continuously, and regularly communicate YOUR consistent BRAND to others.

MY BRAND = Kathleen Milbier is S.O.S (Supplying Organized Support)
- Blog: www.findsos.blogspot.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenmilbier
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/kmilbier
- Website: www.findsos.com

Analog to Digital Converters

2009-08-10T15:30:00.001-07:00

Networking is "developing and using contacts made in business for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact."

The evolution of networking has grown tremendously over the past decade. It has gone from a keeping a Rolodex, to handing out business cards, to joining business groups, to attending industry events, to creating personal profiles on networking websites.

Are you keeping up with the times and focusing on expanding your Network?

Developing a strong presence on 3 out of the Top 5 Networking Websites has been extremely beneficial for AddVenture. Creating profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook has increased exposure and expanded our market. Yet, the innovation does not stop there......

Last week, we attended the Specialty Advertising Association of California trade show in Long Beach.

Our goals were to:

- Increase Brand & Product Awareness
- Demonstrate Value in attending Trade Shows
- Highlight the camaraderie within the Industry
- Expand our Network
- Focus on Relationships

To achieve these goals & leverage our Brand, we launched a NEW & Unique Networking Hub - ADD TV

Don't let the analog signals go dark - convert to ADD TV - it's the future and the future is now broadcasting!

She Shoots, She Scores!

2009-07-28T10:36:00.001-07:00

Dream with a Deadline....."a GOAL is an observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a fixed time frame."

Brandi Chastain scored the game-winning goal against China in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final.

She reached her goal, have you?

If not, Try.....

BREAKING YOUR GOALS DOWN
• most goals are abandoned because they are too big and vague
• choose a concrete and measurable action

COMMITTING 15 MINUTES A DAY
• you don't have to commit hours at a time to accomplish a goal
• the greatest advances are the sum total of a series of small efforts

DEVELOPING A MANTRA
• remind yourself of your goals every day
• repeat regularly and it becomes your natural way of thinking

FINDING A BUDDY
• try to get friends to help out with your project
• you hold each other accountable to accomplishing your goals

LETTING PEOPLE KNOW YOUR PLANS
• make yourself accountable by telling others of your plans
• they become interested in your progress and check in with you

PAINTING YOURSELF INTO A CORNER
• the worst deadline you can set for yourself is "this year"
• too vague, too broad, and too much room for slacking

PUTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER
• if you write a goal down, it is more likely to come to fruition
• putting goals on paper makes you more committed to the outcome

REVIEWING YOUR GOALS REGULARLY
• ask yourself some hard questions about each goal
• ask why you haven't made more progress and what's in your way

REWARDING YOURSELF
• as you plan your goals, attach a specific reward to each
• be consistent about rewarding yourself for every accomplishment

TAKING TIME TO ENJOY YOUR SUCCESS
• remember the time and effort you invested
• savor the feeling of completion
• refresh and renew your enthusiasm to continue

If you want to SHAPE your GOALS.....Click Here

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

2009-07-14T16:41:00.001-07:00

New England and a sprawling Red Sox Nation finally exhaled. No more Curse of the Bambino. No more taunts of "1918." The suffering souls of Bill Buckner, Grady Little, and Johnny Pesky were released from Boston Baseball's Hall of Pain when The Red Sox became World Champs in 2004.

Whether in the workplace or on the baseball field, effective teamwork can produce incredible results. However, working successfully as a team is not as easy as it may seem. Effective teamwork certainly does not just happen automatically; it takes a great deal of hard work and compromise.

For the Boston Red Sox, their winning TEAM took 86 years to build!

Teamwork is a joint action by two or more people, in which each person contributes with different skills to the unity and efficiency of the group in order to achieve common goals.

Do you believe that a Supplier + Distributor + End User = Team ?

Teamwork takes....

COMMITMENT: Commitment to the purpose and values of the ASI Industry with a clear sense of direction. Team members must understand how their work fits into the End Users objectives and agree that their team's goals are achievable and aligned.

CONTRIBUTION: The power of an effective team is in direct correlation to the skill set each member possess and the initiative members expend. In business, companies need people who have strong technical and interpersonal skills and are willing to learn.

COMMUNICATION: For Suppliers & Distributors to reach their full potential, each person must be able to say what they think, ask for help, share new or unpopular ideas, and risk making mistakes. This can only happen in an atmosphere where team members show concern, trust one another, and focus on solutions, not problems.

COOPERATION: Most challenges in the workplace today require much more than good solo performance. In increasingly complex organizations, success depends upon the degree of interdependence recognized within the team.

* Follow-through
* Accuracy
* Creativity
* Timeliness.
* Spirit

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: It is inevitable that teams of bright, diverse thinkers will experience conflict from time to time. The problem is not that differences exist, but in how they are managed.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT: To assist teams in the management of change, leaders should acknowledge any perceived danger in the change and then help teams to see any inherent opportunities. They can provide the security necessary for teams to take risks and the tools for them to innovate; they can also reduce resistance to change by providing vision and information, and by modeling a positive attitude themselves.

****DON'T STOP CHEERING FOR YOUR TEAM ***** Click Here

Manager of Time

2009-07-06T13:49:00.001-07:00

"Time management refers to a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools and techniques."

Do you ever find yourself....

• Procrastinating?
• Failing to delegate?
• With unclear objectives?
• Failing to set priorities?
• Failing to plan?
• Unable to schedule things in advance?
• With a lack of self-discipline?
• Attempting to do too much at once?

.....These are primary causes of poor time management.

How do you Change those Habits and Make Better Use of your Time?

• Set up a routine that contrasts with your old way of doing things.
• Do not allow an exception to occur until the new habit is firmly established.
• Take time to start changing old habits now-don't procrastinate!

80/20 Rule:

This rules states that 80 percent of all that happens at work is really the result of 20 percent effort. In business, "80% of sales come from 20% of clients." To be effective, you must concentrate on the most important items first. Therefore, proceed through the day from the most important to the least important items.

Make A To-Do List with the 80/20 Rule in Mind:

• Reserve a block of time that cannot be interrupted
• Force yourself to stay with an activity until it is completed.
• Identify and use your prime time of each day. i.e. Don't schedule heavy-thinking projects from 8 to 10 am, if you are an afternoon person.
• Do not schedule all of your time. This unscheduled time will help in case of emergencies.
• Break big projects into manageable bites.
• Include time for planning, preparation, thinking, socializing, recreation and travel.
• Include activities that relate to your long term goals.

Your ability to manage time effectively could separate you from unsuccessful business people.

The time is now for:

- Free Screens
- Free Separations
- Free Set Ups

Contact me for more info. 858-875-5056 or k.milbier@addv.com

Are you Proactive?

2009-06-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

“The word proactive is used to describe a person who takes responsibility for his or her life, rather than looking for causes in outside circumstances or other people.”

Are you proactive?

After speaking with a few key Distributor Reps, such as Larry Alford of Axis Promotions, “Being proactive is a mindset and not a skill. If your goal is to work till the job is done and not have fear of failure – then you will do proactive things”

Sadly, this mindset is NOT common in the distributor - supplier relationship and it takes real drive and professionalism to change it. If this mindset is not changed, all you will be left with are a bunch of ...Order Processors.....which will not yield growth.

How do you change the industry standard from reactive to proactive?

Become a proactive driver yourself and you will attract proactive drivers. Be an order processor and you will attract order processors. This mindset will create a domino effect from Supplier to Distributor to End User. So, do you want to attract those who drive or those who process?

Rick Greene of Halo Lee Wayne, who is definitely a proactive driver, was kind enough to thoroughly answer questions about how, in the Advertising Specialty Industry and in this economy, people react, accept, & avoid being proactive. He explained "Most people are receptive and appreciative toward proactivity if the approach is correct. Approach decision making and forward momentum with good spirits, confidence and an in-control ego and you'll enroll people in your vision and get it done."

When asked, What has stopped you from being proactive? Rick replied, "NOTHING stops me from being proactive. I make fast decisions, move into immediate action and get wheels turning no matter what the objective. Buying a car, bringing a new salesperson on board, resolving a client challenge, planning a vacation, picking my breakfast entree - I quickly weigh options and come to conclusions, spring into action and move onto the next opportunity (or to dessert). It's a mindset and a way of life. It's all about being Bold, Different and Memorable. I'd rather make a WRONG choice and work to course correct than to sit back and do nothing and watch."

As a Supplier or a Distributor, how do you know when you have become a driver?

Take a good look at your responsibilities. Ask yourself some questions:

What kinds of tasks do or don't come your way regularly?
What kinds of tasks come in large groups?
What kinds of tasks need immediate attention when they arrive?

Examine critically how you might perform those tasks more efficiently.

Create a plan, procedure, checklist or routine to accomplish the task.
Recruit and instruct others to assist with an urgent or large task.
Gather information you will need to perform a task, or if necessary information comes from a flow of people who bring the tasks, create a script, checklist, or form to capture it consistently.
Look for steps in the process to eliminate, consolidate, or shorten.

Try to prevent problems from ever arising. This means tackling possible failings in advance to prevent them from becoming a reality. Get into the habit of taking precautions and developing fall back plans.
Develop a mindset that looks to solve problems instead of dwelling on them. Here’s how:

a. Define the problem (what is it exactly?)
b. Decide what needs to happen to overcome the problem and how you’re going to do that; and
c. Get on with it!

Get ahead and stay ahead of less-urgent, day-to-day tasks. Doing so means that they'll be out of the way when rushes come and will not be worrying you unnecessarily. Pay particular attention to preventative maintenance, whether that means checking the fluids in your car, restocking your pantry, or setting aside a bit of money in savings each week. A little effort up front could save you from a larger crisis later.
Know which tasks are priorities and which can wait. Write out daily lists of tasks and head the list, ‘I will do’ and not ‘to do’. Boldly cross off each item as it is achieved. Keep this list close at hand and let it direct your actions. If it goes too long without crossing anything off, reassess what you are doing to make sure that you do finish the tasks listed on it.
Eliminate altogether any task that is truly unnecessary. Some things do not need doing, or do not need to be done by you. Do not waste time on them and do not allow a misplaced sense of guilt lead you into thinking that somehow you are responsible for them. If tasks are unnecessary, they will not add to your effort and are thus, a waste of energy. Be ruthless in making this assessment about the value of a task.
Evaluate your procedures and processes as you use them. What works and what does not? Make notes for improvements, and incorporate those improvements during the next lull. Discard anything that does not work but take care to note when something is in need of tweaking and adjust it accordingly so that it does work.
Try to anticipate needs. Are rushes seasonal? Are there extra activities associated with certain times of the day, week, month, or quarter? Can you prepare in advance? Look ahead and do not be afraid of the unknown. A small amount of future stability can be self-generated by planning ahead and being ready for those things over which you do have some control.
Try to anticipate things you will need to know. Can you learn a new skill ahead of time? Can you apply a skill you already have in a new way? Watch the trends around you; keep up-to-date by reading and continuous learning. Proactive people are successful because they are immersed in unfolding history as well as understanding the lessons of the past.
Look for ways to automate routine tasks. Computers can manipulate data in all sorts of ways. Even having a template or a standard plan of action can save time. If you work in a team context, delegation is also a form of automation, in that knowing the best person to do a task will automatically result in its being done to the best level possible, removing it from the pile of "to-do's". Thus, have in place a system that automatically moves tasks to those best suited to them.

In closing, Rick Greene described, "Some people are afraid of NO. And, strangely enough, others are afraid of YES. It's easy to dwell in the great unwashed fields of mediocrity. It's HARD to risk, to move forward, to do the work, to take responsibility. There is no substitute for success and the only way to achieve success is to be proactive."

WARNING!

The opposite of proactive is reactive. If you find yourself "fighting fires", or reacting to problems only after they crop up, take a good look at what is wrong!

Don't get so caught up in planning that you fail to act (i.e. paralysis by analysis). A plan does not need to be watertight, only indicative and motivating. You can always return to it as time goes on and add more. There is no such thing as perfection and trying to reach this at the commencement of a plan is wasted effort.

It is only possible to anticipate so much, so be ready to react, too, if something unexpected comes up. Flexibility is a key positive trait of a proactive person. Being proactive means anticipating and preparing for all possible outcomes, not controlling your future.

**Thanks Rick & Larry for your insight & expertise!

Determine a Process

2009-06-29T13:27:00.001-07:00

"A business process or business method is a collection of related, structured activities or tasks that produce a specific service or product (serve a particular goal) for a particular customer or customers."

Have you determined your process?

My Business Process

Collection of related, structured activities =

1. Identify
2. Qualify
3. Differentiate
4. Get Results

Our specific services & products =

CompressT - 100% Cotton screen printed t-shirt, compressed into over 1000 shapes
Logoweld - 3D Liquid metal appliqué
EcoWipes - Compressed & biodegradable
EcoFresh - Natural toothbrush sanitizer
EcoT - Earth friendly CompressT
EcoBloom - Printable/Plantable Seed Paper
EcoCloth - Compressed Environmentally Friendly Towels
Shapemailers - shaped direct mailing
ShapeBookmarks - shaped bookmarks
AddVision - portable reading glasses

.....The more I know about you and your goals, the more I can Supply Organized Support and help perfect your process.

Supplying Organized Support

2009-06-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

What is FindSOS:

Supply Organized Support for Distributors in the Promotional Product Industry. My goal is to help organize and implement systems to reduce stress and increase sales.

About FindSOS

I created FindSOS.com to help organize, simplify and increase sales. Through my Supplied Organized Support and your drive, we can partner up to ensure growth this year.

Who uses FindSOS:

Distributors who have drive & determination to increase sales. Distributors who are willing to think outside the box. Distributors who are willing to do things that others are unwilling or unable to do. Distributors that are constantly sharpening their skills.

Benefits of FindSOS:

Clear & Consistent One on One Support
Custom Virtual Mock Ups & Samples
Downloadable Product Images
Client Safe Marketing Tools
Case Studies