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Whether you're running a hamburger joint at a corner Main Street in a small city of America's Heartland, or working at a bustling investment business right in the heart of Chicago, there will be times when you need a little something extra to pamper a client, a supplier, a business associate, partner or secretary.

Making sure that the office or your business has a small stock of Promotional Products is a sign of a well-planned, structured company or organization. It doesn't have to contain hundreds of items, but it is a good idea to always keep at hand some gifts or give always for the unexpected.
Here's a good, upgraded list of Promotional Products that any business should have in stock to give deserving individuals:

1. Pens - An all-time classic that will always be needed. But don't settle for just plastic. Get something exciting like the Gripper, the Rubber Gripper or the Executive Grip Pen to make an impression.

2. T-Shirts - Everybody loves a free T-Shirt, but don't forget that you need to stock both men's and ladies versions! Unless it fits your company profile, white, Navy Blue and Black are always safe buys.

3. Padfolio/Portfolio - Because carrying around note pads and pens simply needs a good organizer!

4. Mouse pad - Everybody uses a computer these days. For an exclusive style, get a Leatherette version with built in wrist support, and a calculator

5. Mugs - A must for any business. You can go for the standard 11 oz. Ceramic mugs but you will get bonus points from anyone if you choose a different design such as the Barrel, or a stainless travel mug.

6. Key Chains - Because everybody has at least one set of keys that they carry around and this is a good place to have brand presence. A modern flashlight key chain or Compass key chain will give an old product a new life.

7. Bottle Openers - A lot of people drink beer and quite frankly you never know when you need to crack a cold one open. Works great for a tailgate party or going camping.

8. Tote bags - Not only do you need Tote bags for your trade shows, but a Tote bag is an excellent vehicle to get your brand out in the streets - literally. It is recommend you stock a Fashion type Tote Bag for the ladies.

9. Caps - Everybody wears hats for outdoor and indoor activities. A high quality baseball cap, or how about an acrylic beanie for the younger generation?

10. Wine Glasses - Not to say you'll be handing out wine glasses every week, but for that special person, a set of exclusive hand-blown wine Glasses will definitely give a strong impression.

If you keep inventory of these Promotional Products it does not guarantee that you will have everything you will always need, but will guarantee that you will always have something to bring out for that special person who walked the extra mile for you today. And it goes without saying - that all of the Promotional Products need to be branded with your company name, logo or slogan.

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This is my confession. I have to be honest with you. I always thought promotional products was a waste of marketing resources. Until I started my own business and everything changed!

I am a former marketing director and executive who frowned on the whole world of merchandise and promotional products.

In 2008 I was laid off due to budget cuts - business reality of the new millennium, right? - I started my own business selling software in the pharmaceutical field. It was an eye opener and for the first time I was confronted with trying to find out what marketing activity, strategy and materials really work to win over clients and new business.

Anyone who starts up a business knows, that when you start your own business you have to do everything yourself:

you answer the phone, make the copies, run the books, build and maintain the website, file taxes, write reports, set pricing, clean the office - and somewhere in this 24-hour a day operation you have to do what matters - make customer calls and make a good impression.

I started showing up at meetings armed to my teeth with sales arguments, spiffy presentations and well-rehearsed for price-discussions. Over 4 weeks I made 100 sales calls. I did not close one sale. And with every meeting, I had this weird feeling that the customers considered me "cold". Myself, I just felt business focused.

I had been a marketing executive for so long, that I had forgotten it takes more to close a sale than just talk.

Then it hit me when I was surfing the web for ideas and stumbled upon promotional products - I can't just show up at meetings empty handed. I have to go back to the roots of building business the right way: building a relationship. And that's what it's all about.

Here i've been calling this poor secretary for weeks to get my foot in the door - the least I can do is bring her some sort of promotional product. And get my name out there at the same time.

And how about the poor chap i'm boring with my sales talk? Could I improve my odds and his mood with a great promotional gift?

And that was all it took. I was happy to find that the world of promotional products has so much to offer at competitive prices. I spent a fraction of what I would spend on expensive brochures and a 30-second tv-commercial filmed in some studio.

2 days later a box of travel mugs with handles, personalized shot glasses, beer bottle openers, t-shirts and hats stood at the door step of my office. Delivery was so fast.

Armed with promotional products and a new attitude I spent the next month calling on prospect customers. I was determined not just to close the business, but build relationships with the people that I met.

After only 5 days on the road, I had signed my first client to the company. It turned out that the client was a big fan of Mexican food and I brought in these awesome personalized margarita glasses (hint: the secretary had told me on the phone that her boss was a big fan of spicy tacos - I took note!)

not only was this promotional gift a perfect gift - for about 20 bucks, me and the client started of a great discussion that led to a great dinner. 1 year later, he's a friend, and represents 30% of the turnover of my little business.

And it started over a margarita poured in a personalized margarita glass.

I will never frown on promotional products again!

keen targhee ii