Monday, November 12, 2007
GET ON THE TRAIN Don't sit and watch it go by.
'Ideaspotting' How to find your next great idea, by Sam Harrison. It's one of those little books you keep handy as a manual.
'You can drift toward becoming the trainspotting type by sitting where you are, doing what you're doing and getting what your getting. Or you can start becoming an IdeaSpotter by climbing aboard. Because this train is leaving the station.
Want a new idea. Here's one.
A company called EYI at www.eyicom.com/winning has been selling a eco/fuel saving product to individuals since Jan 2007 and have been so successful they have been awarded an new 'industrial' product aimed at big industry, transportation, shipping etc. Both these products reduce exhaust emissions greatly, improve fuel efficiency and save the users money. Well I figured out there are always going to be a majority of people sitting at the train station watching, and not that many of us getting on the train.
Call me about Ultimate ME2 and Mach3.
If you know someone that works in a company that uses a lot of fuel, please pass on the name
and number to me.
Rod Winning
rod@winningfairways.com
rod-fairways@hotmail.com
rod.winning@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
READ YOUR COFFEE CUP AND GET INSPIRED.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
10 GREAT IDEAS FOR YOU AND/OR YOUR BUSINESS
rod.winning@gmail.com rod-fairways@hotmail.com
Friday, August 31, 2007
NETWORKWORKING USED TO BE FACE TO FACE - Email and the Internet have changed that..
People doing business with people. Let's get back to the topic.
I spent a long time in the Steel Service Centre industry and did big business with steel mills all over the world. I recall meeting and dealing with managers but often my own buyers would not meet the suppliers office salespeople they were dealing with on a day to day business. The only thing they had in common was the product and the fact that they both new their manager managers had met and made an arrangement.
Often times a company will have a relationship or contract with another company for supply of goods & services. This would appear to be company doing business with a company, but it is really people doing business with people. If the people can't make it work, the contract ends.
A great portion of your business can be done with your Long Distance Contact. Someone who trusts you do live up to what you've said. Business will often follow the contact person when they leave the company and go to a competitor or start their own business.
Friday, August 24, 2007
RECOGNITION and the PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT
THE THEORY OF RECOGNITION -
Recognize and be recognized.
Recognition causes friendly ripples in the pond of life. I think here, we are saying the same thing differently but the importance is there. It works for all concerned.
Recognition of an employee or a friend flows in every direction,
as does the imprinted promotional item.
It flows:
-Forward through the recipient to whoever they meet and talk to,
-Sideways to all the peers and fellows,
-Backwards to you,
-Friendly ripples.
Call Rod Winning for Promotional Products to assist in the success of your event.
info@winningfairways.com rod.winning@gmail.com rod-fairways@hotmail.com
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF? 1 customer at a time!
I'm Rod Winning
rod-fairways@hotmail.com
Saturday, June 30, 2007
WHY WOULD PEOPLE BUY FROM YOUR COMPANY? There's lots of companies competing for the business.
My Company provides quality imprintable promotional products, from qualified manufacturers and suppliers with excellent delivery records.
My Company is ready to serve customers with quick, quality work. With personal visit and catalogs we continue to be competitive.
Why should you consider My Company?
There are many promotional products companies all competing vigorously, many offering the same products with excellent prices and service.
What does My Company offer that the others don’t?
The short answer is nothing.
There are many similar companies that are just as good as My Company, by any objective measure.
But bear in mind the following. You didn’t search the world over to find your best friends. Your best friendships are fundamentally happy accidents.. chance combinations of compatibility, shared experience and time.
Likewise, it is meaningless to try & search out the “very best” possible promotional products supplier. A more appropriate approach is to verify that the company meets your technical & financial requirements, and then use your intuition about who you will be comfortable with.
Many business relationships are long distance affairs, by phone, fax and email, sometimes doing business for years without the people actually meeting face to face yet forming strong relationships.
At My Company a primary goal is to do business with people we like and respect.
Our plan—‘give the customer more than they expect’.
How does Your Company stack up?
My Company is Winning FairWays Inc. We sell Promotional Products for Success.
Yours in Networking
Rod Winning
President
www.winningfairways.com rod-fairways@hotmail.com rod.winning@gmail.com
Sunday, June 24, 2007
It Takes a Community to Raise a Successful Business
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY To Raise a successful business
It takes a community to raise a successful business. Everyone working in concert. Staff, Suppliers, Customers, IT, Couriers, Banking, Family, everybody.
Do you really know what you want for your business or even from your business? Once you decide, and I'm not really the guy to tell you what you need, you will want to find a way to reach your goals. Everyone knows that you need a goal and a plan. Pretty easy to say but not so easy to do. Might as well get at it, just write it down now and head off in the right direction. Remember, the goal keeps changing. When you think you're getting close to your goal, take another look at where you started and where you want to be.
Things change eh?
My business is aimed at helping people who are helping themselves. Helping yourself probably started when you first had the idea to be in business or when you took on that new job.
If you want to get yourself and your business noticed amongst the crowd of competitors, suppliers and customers, try advertising through promotional products directed to the target.
If you want to promote your product, company or event, try advertising through promotional products directed to the target.
If you want to reward your faithful, loyal, hardworking, innovative employees, try rewards through promotional products directed to the target.
If you want to be remembered and stand out at a Trade Show event, try promotional products directed to the target.
If you want to succeed in general, try a promotional products program directed to the target. Just one target at a time? That's up to you. Who or what is the Target, your Target?
The target is the person you need on your side all the way to reaching your goals. The target is not just a customer but it is a supplier, tradesman, IT person, key employee, general help employee, their families, your family and friends.The target is the community in which you live and work.
AS IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD! AND IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A FAMILY! IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS!
Do you see the comparison?
Call Rod Winning www.winningfairways.com
Rod Winning is the president of Winning Fairways Inc. Promotional Products for Success
Rod has a background in business. contact at http://www.winningfairways.com
rod-fairways@hotmail.com
rod.winning@gmail.com
Idea Spotting - Tightly linked to Networking
I've been reading this book called - 'Ideaspotting' How to find your next great idea, by Sam Harrison.
It's one of those little books you can read and keep handy as a manual. 18 chapters with several sub chapters each, filled with life experience, how to, suggestions, self tests, pictures and diagrams, this book will be on my desk for a long time.
Sam's opening page is 'Be an Idea Spotter not a Trainspotter'.
'You can drift toward becoming the trainspotting type by sitting where you are, doing what you're doing and getting what your getting.
Or you can start becoming an IdeaSpotter by climbing aboard. Because this train is leaving the station.'
The first chapter (like all chapters) has a unique title.
NOBODY SPOTS HOT IDEAS IN COLD OFFICES. SO WHY SIT THERE?
Where, Why, When, What & How.
Even some encouraging words in the title of the last chapter. YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.
I'll keep this book handy for ideas on how to get new ideas. The promotional products business is everchanging. Our customers are forcing us to change as most customers want something different than the last order. What's new?
Any way I look at it, we'll always be looking for that new idea so I guess we'd better be looking around at all times. If we get complacent and comfortable with our current successes, we could find ourself slowly drifting out of the loop.
Surround yourself with the right network of people you require for the particular service or product you have.
It is important to know that you can have several networks going at the same time. Not everybody is interested in everything you do just like you are not necessarily interested in everything all your network people do.
ie You may have a musical interest & business and have created a network which works very well for give and get.
You may also be involved with a multi-level sales organization and find that your products / services aren't suited for everyone in your 'musical' network. Simply start another network of people for that interest. Your data base for each network could include some of the same people but each network would be a different list.
I wanted make an opinion about 'Ideaspottin' being linked tightly to Networking. Don't sit by the railway tracks and watch the trains go by. Get on that train. Look around, meet people and see what's out there.
At Promotional Products 101 we'll keep on 'IdeaSpotting' thanks to Sam Harrison.
I'm Rod Winning contact me at http://www.winningfairways.com/ rod-fairways@hotmail.com
Friday, June 15, 2007
You Are The Networker - how to get it done
Not having any success networking?Are you actually networking or are you just going to a lot of meetings?
I sell promotional products. Virtually anything imprinted to be given to a target audience.
My customers could be literally anyone from the elementary school volleyball team to a multi-national corportation, and anywhere in between.
My target is wide to the extreme.
To effectively network, YOU ARE THE NETWORKER.
You talk to people about your business and learn about thier business. They will hopefully refer their network of acquaintences to you while you can refer your network of friends to them.
Sounds pretty easy but of course it's not. You'll collect and hand out a lot of cards.
Contact by follow ups via email or phone, and sometimes refer one contact to another contact.
It takes time but it's worth it to build that data base.
Try targeting the areas of business you'd like to attract. I don't mean that you don't talk to people who aren't on your target list, but just try to make sure you're at the right meetings, luncheons, associations, clubs, charities, etc.
Be seen and heard where ever you go.
Have your elevator speech memorized.
The 6 degrees of separation is a revolutionary concept putting each of us a max of only 6 people away from any one with whom we'd like to talk.
Plan and Network towards your Target.
Promotional Products can be used in networking. There are lots of inexpensive items like pens and scratch pads emblazoned with your name and products which say to the prospect
'Remember me when I've gone.'
While you're networking, remember me. I'm Rod Winning www.WinningFairWays.com
rod-fairways@hotmail.com
Saturday, June 9, 2007
NEED TO SUCCEED? NEED TO GET NOTICED?
What do I have to do to get noticed?
Do I need a promotional product?
Tired of keeping on keeping on. Let's make some changes in the way we do things.
Let's get noticed. But just how am I going to do it?
What works best for me and my product or service?
Well, some people are comfortable to put the ad in the yellow pages, some local newspapers and set up a website, then wait for the phone to ring.
That's okay if it's working well for you but you may want to add the Networking effect where you volunteer in strategic places and network with the people there.
Strategically sponsor teams and put your business card ad in special programs.
Networking doesn't happen to you.
You have to network. Plan or just let it happen but make sure you are the networker.
When you go to a luncheon, you move around, introduce yourself, trade cards and move on.
You will soon figure out who you need to talk to in the room.
Always remember that networking is not direct selling.
You want the other person to know what you do but you must also find out what they do. The whole idea in networking is to help others while they help you.
I just about forgot... Promotional Products are always a great value for your dollar. Any item you choose (and budget) goes directly to the target.
What or Who is your TARGET?
Who is your IDEAL CUSTOMER?
I'll cover that again in another blog.
There is probably more questions here than answers but if you're like me, you probably already have the answers, you just have to remember to ask yourself the questions.
Ever go to a motivational speaker event and find that everything the famous speaker
said, you already knew. Common sense is everywhere. Ask yourself the questions, you'll surprise yourself when you find out how much you know.
If you have any questions or would like to contact me, email rod-fairways@hotmail.com
That's Rod Winning
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Who or what inspires you.
From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma
When I first read Robin Sharma book, I more like studied it
rather than read it. There is a nice little story in there but
there is much more wisdom than you can pick up just reading
it like a novel. No other book of mine has so much markings in it.
Not to mention the lists of info I wrote separately.
This quotation from the book became my mantra.
I have an engraved plate which I keep close, just in
case I need a little more inspiration.
Extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their
Bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your
Conciousness expands in every direction and you find
Yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant
Forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover
Yourself to be a greater person than you ever
Dreamed yourself to be."
Patanjali – A Great Indian Philosopher
Monday, May 21, 2007
Is That Your Real Name?
People often ask if Winning is my real name or if I just use it because it's the name of my company Winning FairWays Inc. promotional products.
Well it is my name and has been since I was born many years ago, right in Vancouver BC.
All those years I worked in the Steel Service Centre Industry as Purchasing Manager mostly, then Sales Manager and eventually General Manager of a variety of very large companies that have since disappeared from business.
Nothing to do with me, all 'corporate' decisions back east or down south, some to cash in the huge inventories for money for other 0pportunities or others with just bad corporate decisions.
Anyway I met people named Steele and Rusty which fit right in to that business.
Not until I started my Trophy & Engraving shop did my name really fit into the business. Now that I am selling Promotional Products, Winning really fits in.
What a nice business this is. Awards, Recognition, Incentives, Attraction, Thank you's, etc. We just help people do the nice things they are doing for their players, employees, customers, suppliers.
It's our business to help people who want to help their own businesses succeed.
Call Rod Winning info@winningfairways.com or rod.winning@gmail.com
Promotional products don't make your business or event successful. They help them to be successful.
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Next Great Idea - Cheap, Different or useful (choose 2 ?)
They generally want something they haven't bought or used
before so they can give thier customers or prospects something
different.
Some people want something useful as well.
The other thing they need is a cheap price.
Let me see, Different, Useful, Cheap.
It's hard to get it all. When I had the Trophy & Engraving business
we offered a choice of 2 of the following.
-High Quality
-Dependable Delivery
-Cheap Price
It's hard to pick the 2 that you want.
Let's see
-Different
-Useful
-Cheap
Same thing, hard to pick the right 2 items isn't it.
While I'm telling you this, I better let you know now that there
are products that fall into this category but once the customer has
bought them, they are no longer different.
Let's go with being not different.. Maybe we show some continuity
with the customer / prospect / staff / etc. Maybe we could use
the same item but change the logo / text / colour / etc.
Maybe the result would be an appreciation for the continuity of
item from that supplier. Get known for that item. Start a collection.
Have a contest for the complete collection. Whatever comes to mind.
How many ways can you get your prospect to look at the cheap, different
and useful item you gave them?
Call me for ideas Rod Winning rod.winning@gmail.com
or info@winningfairways.com
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Help others to be ecologically friendly. cloth shopping bags
Eco friendly shopping bags - plastic bags banned. Tofino BC is looking at a plastic bag tax as a way to reduce plastic in the landfill. Leaf Rapids, Manitoba banning plastic bags.Rossland BC banning plastic shopping bags Ireland has a plastic bag levy since 2002 and reduced use by 90%. It will take a desire from businesses to offer alternatives and a desire from customers to consider how they can make a difference.
Shop owners want thier customers to walk out of thier store with the store logo/name advertised throughout the mall.
Ladner village (Delta BC) is looking at more ways to become eco friendly.
The promotional products industry for years has been selling custom imprinted tote bags which will be reusable and which will carry the logo / message of the supplier.These have always been a good promotion tool.
Imagine your name, logo and message being carried to the shopping mall, packed with goods, taken home, unpacked and put back in the car for the next trip. These could last literally forever. People will also develop their favourite bag. Just like ladies have their favourite purse.
How do you want to be seen? Like you're doing something to help? or like you don't care?
Call for pictures of bags and pricing for imprinting of logo and message.www.winningfairways.com shows some promotional products pictures.With Gratitude. Rod Winning info@winningfairways.com
Friday, April 27, 2007
Timing, Timing, Timing (not location, location, location)
1. Timing, Timing, Timing. (Not Location, Location, Location)
2. Quality (not cheap, does the trick)
3. Appropriateness (choose the award to match the event)
4. First Impression, Last Impression
5. Corporate Image
6. Achievability of contests or programs
7. Image building. Communicate/advertise the program, the winners
8. Reciprocation creates obligation payoff – repayment
9. Consistency exudes reliability
10. Focus on your
- Business
- Product
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Employees.
Focus on each one, one at a time.
Remember these items as Promotional Products 101 hopefully takes us through all the reasons and results of well executed presentations.
Call Rod Winning rod.winning@gmail.com
Monday, April 23, 2007
INUKSHUKS - a symbol of dependence on strong relationships.
Although the original sign posts are found in North West Territories and the Arctic, they have become popular all over Canada and have been adopted by
the West Coast with a giant Inukshuk in Vancouver overlooking English Bay. Even the 2010 Olympic's has chosen it as their symbol.
The most popular Inukshuks are made from frosted glass blocks and built into shape from 2" high to 11" high. They have become popular as Awards of excellence, Corportate team building, Sports achievement or just gifts from visitors.
The Inukshuks we sell are made in Vancouver BC Canada.
We always include a card which tells the story of the Inukshuk. The stories vary but have the same relative meaning.
Stone figures built to resemble humans, Inukshuks originally found along Canada’s northern shores are now popular in B.C. and throughout Canada. Built as landmarks to aid in navigation, the Inukshuk has been adopted as a symbol to remind us of our dependence on each other and the value of strong relationships.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Who Get's It? - I mean, Who gets the recognition?
When promotional products are used to recognize things, people, events, etc., everyone gets it..
The Recipients
The Winner
The Also Rans
The Participants
The Donors & Patients
The Employers & Corporations
The Employees & Families
The Coaches & Trainers
The Buyers & Promoters
The Customers & Prospects
The plan – give everyone more than they expect.
Just be nice to them
Recognize their effort.
It’s an investment.
Recognition must not only be done but it must be seen to be done.
Have you been recognized lately.
Have you recognized anyone lately.
The more recognition you give, the more you receive.
A little recognition goes a long way.
Stand and be recognized.
How many ways to recognize??
How many ways to get recognition??
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
My 'THEORY OF RECOGNITION' questions & answers thoughts & ideas
Recognize and be recognized. A little recognition goes a long way. The importance of recognition. Pay attention to the recognition process and it will take care of you.
Recognition of an employee or a friend flows in every direction,
as does the imprinted promotional item.
Forward through the recipient to who ever they meet and talk to,
Sideways to all the peers and fellows,
Backwards to you,
Friendly ripples.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Imprint and be recognized. If you put your name on it, you will be recognized.
The Dictionary says about “Recognition”
The act of recognizing , or the state of being recognized..
Friendly notice..
Salutation..
Attention..
Acknowledgment and acceptance on the part of one government of the independence of another..
Recognitory
Recognitive
Recognizance
An obligation of record, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear and answer..
A sum of money deposited as surety for fulfillment of such act or obligation, and foreited by its nonperformance
Recognize
Recognizing
Recognized
To perceive as identical with someone or something previously known..
To identify, as by previous experience: I recognize good work when I see it.
To perceive as true: To recognize the facts in a case..
To acknowledge the independence and validity of, as a newly constituted government.
To indicate appreciation or approval of..
To regard as valid or genuine: To recognize a claim..
To give ( someone ) permission to speak, as in a legislative body.
To admit the aquiantance of ; Greet.
Recognizable
Recognizably
Recognizer
Roget’s
Gratitude (907 Roget’s)
Reward (962 Roget’s)
Discovery, Invention, Sensitive, Thoughtful, Take cognizance of, distinguishable, intelligibility.
Well that's a lot about recognition. Call me to put your name on any item and send it out
to be recognized. Promotional Products are all about recognition. Rod Winning
Friday, April 13, 2007
WHAT?? Have your people call our people?? No! YOU CALL ME!!
When you’re looking for an idea for promotional products for an upcoming event, it makes sense to talk to an ‘expert’, someone who you can bounce ideas off and create the right item for the particular occasion. Whether it’s a Trade Show give-away item for maximum return at lowest cost or a Year End Thank You item for preferred customers, clients or even suppliers, there are many choices.
Besides, there is a lot more to this than just the item. There is a variety of choices for imprinting and packaging to consider and then of course delivery. All this and the budget to meet. You really want no surprises once you’ve placed your order. You really want to feel confident that everything will arrive as and when planned.
We say ‘your ideas and our experience’ should equal the right choice. It has alway been our policy to make it easy to deal with us. Call me.
Call Rod Winning info@winningfairways.com and feel that confidence.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Fun, cheap and they promote like gold
Golf Tournaments - Tourism Boards - Sporting Events - Raising School Spirit - Awareness - Corporate Stores - Retail - Realty Companies - Business or Trade Shows - Corporate Identity -Collectibles - and on and on.
You name it and there's a zoogee to do the job. Nice packaging, good 'no surprise' pricing.
Take a look at the www.zoogee.com website, and then call
Rod Winning
email info@winningfairways.com
phone 604-946-0644
Send your logo and message along with the promotional product item number an I will return a free electronic sample of your item so you can see just how it will look.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Eco friendly shopping bags - plastic bags banned
Tofino is looking at a plastic bag tax as a way to reduce plastic in the landfill.
Leaf Rapids, Manitoba banning plastic bags.
Ireland has a plastic bag levy since 2002 and reduced use by 90%.
It will take a desire from businesses to offer alternatives and a desire from customers to consider how they can make a difference.
The promotional products industry for years has been selling custom imprinted tote bags which will be reusable and which will carry the logo / message of the supplier.
These have always been a good promotion tool. Imagine your name, logo and message being carried to the shopping mall, packed with goods, taken home, unpacked and put back in the car for the next trip. These could last literally forever. People will also develop their favourite bag. Just like ladies have their favourite purse.
How do you want to be seen? Like you're doing something to help? or like you don't care?
Call for pictures of bags and pricing for imprinting of logo and message.
www.winningfairways.com shows some promotional products pictures.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
What Promotional Products should I buy and why?
Ranging from cheap (less expensive) giveaway items to nice Calculators and USP Flash Cards to fancy embroidered wearables like Ball Caps and Leather Jackets as well as Luggage, Artwork, Drinkware, Umbrellas, Wristbands/Lanyards, Lapel pins, Medals, Coins, Belt Buckles and on, they are really a platform for your MESSAGE / LOGO.
Any one of these items imprinted, will carry your message to the target.
All you have to do is decide what the target is and set your aim for it. Do the homework before you start looking through catalogs. Decide the following
- Who is your target
- What is your message
- How much is your budget
- Why are you doing this
- When is your event and when will you require delivery
Using Promotional Products in your business or organization can be very beneficial.
Don't leave this job to the new person in the office. Pay attention and get the most bang for your well spent dollars.
Call Rod info@winningfairways.com for ideas and information.
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Ideal Customer for Promotional Products
Is there really an ideal customer?
- 800,000 promotional products 101 available.
- Huge market from the largest multi national corporations to the local church youth group.
- Many event requirements such as:
Annual Employee Awards - Incentives for customers - Trade Show promotions - Sports Day ribbons - Thank you gifts for charitable donations -Gratitude to customers and employees -
Recognition and Appreciation.
www.winningfairways.com makes it as easy as possible for the customer to make the decision and to feel comfortable with quality of goods and promised delivery.
I'm sure there are a few multi national companies who buy huge quantities of promotional products on a monthly basis and have them delivered all over the world. Now that is an ideal customer! 1 customer, 1 product, many delivery points, orders placed regularly.
Call for discussion, pricing or catalogs
With Gratitude,
Rod Winning
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Promotional Products 101
That's history though, now we have assembled a list top suppliers of quality promotional products, set up accounts, collected the sales catalogs an samples and have been spending time with my favourite pastime, networking. I'll speak about networking in another message.
Already there have been satisfied customers of the new www.winningfairways.com business and lots of saying they'll keep our information. There's a lot to learn about when you get into a new business. Who would have known all the styles, fabrics, attachments, sizes, shapes, colours, adornments, closures, history, etc of ball caps. Wow, that's just ball caps. What about the rest of the 800,000 items available to the industry.
I'll be back with more interesting and hopefully educational stuff with Promotional Products 101