Bruce Fox Blog

Estimated Read Time: 7 Minutes

I’m on a few lists, groups, and industry exclusive chats where I see questions, answers, and comments about everything from, “Where can I find this pen?” to “What CRM program do you recommend?” Every single question is valid and I love scrolling through and helping where I can. The exchanging of information allows us to quickly fill our needs, grow, have helpful conversations, and gain further knowledge.

Despite the plethora of information, flyers of deals, and the occasional post about a podcast, I have seen little about growing a current client. It’s usually about the next prospect and going for bigger and better.

Yes, growing your pool of prospects and keeping that sales funnel full is essential. You will never hear me say that’s not important. In fact, I wrote some tips a while ago about selling to new prospects.

However, what I’m saying is that there are two pieces of sales that are often neglected. One is upselling, which I addressed in a previous blog.

The other is about growing and cultivating clients that you already have.

Estimated Read Time: 4.5 Minutes

I have tacos on the brain… thanks @JayBusselle and #promochat.

So, delicious tacos and Engraved Value Plaques – what on the world do those have in common? Certainly not the taste and ability to eat them - obviously.

Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes

Awards tend to travel. Whether they’re going to a local place basically in your backyard, going to an exotic or central location to be presented, or the point of the trophy is to travel, even internationally. We’ve seen it all. We’ve made it all.

So, with our experience, here are a few tips we’ve put together to be aware of when traveling with awards.

Estimated Read Time: 8 Minutes

I’m getting married soon. The countdown clock is ticking and I try not to hyperventilate every time I think about it. It’s not that I don’t want to get married; it’s just that there is so much to do. Too many moving parts, you could say. 

But despite the insanity of planning a destination wedding, there has been my fiancé through it all. Always willing to pitch in, come up with ideas, and give me a much-needed reality check. It’s nice having a partner through it all, right?

Then, being the workaholic that I am, I realized something. Through all the wedding madness that has consumed my life, there is an analogy somewhere in here, likely in a semi-packed box next to the random changes to make everyone happy and the endless gifts and just “stuff.”

Estimated Read Time: 4.5 Minutes

Whether it’s the fruition of a project that’s been 3 years in the making or a huge sale that significantly impacted the bottom line, there are plenty of definitions of accomplishments.

However, for those important moments, how do you celebrate? Some companies or organizations will throw a party or give a small present. A great gesture, but don’t you want to be a bit more personal and give something that they can be proud of? Furthermore, don’t you want to increase the likeliness of this happening again? The best way to do that is to give a custom, personal gift that has a direct connection to the accomplishment.

Estimated Read Time: 3.5 Minutes

Okay, so here’s the deal. I won. But then I lost.

A paradoxical twist of fate that somehow conjoined two personal attributes I happen to possess: My chili-cooking prowess, and my steadfast aversion to all things Walmart. (We’ll get into that another time.)

Unlikely association, say you? Pyrrhic victory, say I.

Estimated Read Time: 3.5 Minutes

No, Bruce Fox is not green with jealously. We’re talking green, as in environmentally friendly. With Earth Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to give you a behind the scenes look at what Bruce Fox does to do our part.

Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes

How do you evaluate and target prospective clients? Do you choose willy-nilly or do you have key markets and audiences that you have researched, analyzed, and campaigned for?

Ok, so sometimes you stumble upon clients, but the majority of the time, you work for them, right?

That’s why it is good to be thankful when a prospect does fall in your lap, but it’s best to plan and have a strategy.

On the subject of strategy, one strategy that our 80 years of experience has found successful is niche marketing.  

Estimated Read Time: 2.5 Minutes

Color is vital in this industry.

Whether you want navy and white branded sunglasses or the perfect shade of maroon for pens, color defines our products and industry. The more color choices and options with color, the better, right?

So why isn’t that the case for the awards and plaques segment? I can’t even begin on how many boring plaques or hanging awards that I’ve seen that don’t even bother with such a classic and basic element. Don’t get me wrong, I like the classy black and white look, but at least spice it up every once and a while.

Estimated Read Time: 5.5 Minutes

When you picture a successful awards event, what do you see? The room decorated perfectly? Happy chatter as party people mingle around the room? The speaker delivering a rousing speech that inspires the crowd to their feet?

What about the awards?

What about the awards delivering that “wow factor” that turns into the talk of the night?

Who wouldn’t want that? Giving an award that inspires awe, happiness, and excitement, while still being on point with the branding, purpose, and all other requirements.

Sounds like a dream come true, right? It doesn’t have to be just a dream.

That’s why I’ve put together two lists – one to help you get the ROI that only an effective award can bring and the other on how to deliver that “wow factor” that you’ve been dreaming about.