It is our responsibility as humans to care for the environment and keep the earth safe, not only for the sake of mankind but also for the animals and plants.  The majority of experts, and the non-experts agree that humankind has not done enough to keep up their responsibility.  It is time to improve on our work.

In an effort to continue moving forward regarding environmental care, we would do better to market our efforts.  Too many businesses rely on chintzy products that are funneled to landfills; thereby, adding to the problem of environmental destruction instead of environmental reform.  Our company advocates an alternative approach where your marketing collateral will help save the earth.

Instead of utilizing paper bags that are as detrimental to the planet as plastic bags, if not more, it is time to modify the bags into items that can be reused.  One should also consider clothing, office supplies, accessories and awards that are not created using renewable materials and do not pollute the water or air.  To make a dent in the green movement’s objectives, while still impressing customers and generating crucial band impressions, you should consider taking these factors into account.

Promotional Products That Do Not Harm The Planet

This post is going to focus primarily on bags.  Why?  Well, statistics show that bags tend to build more impressions than any other promotional item.  For example, a promotional bag will over 900 impressions per dollar; whereas, writing utensils and shirts receive only 500 impressions, and even billboards receive only 500 impressions. 

Taking these statistics into account, brand impressions increase for fewer items overall.  This means that you can purchase fewer products and be more environmentally friendly and you can get them at low low prices.  So, why do people insist on buying mountains of collateral when they could purchase some promotional bags and see the same level of promotional efficacy?

Of course, not all situations call for bags.  Regardless of whether you are sending thank you gifts to a customer, filling out a convention booth or dressing up a gift store, you may prefer other products.  With this in mind, below are our top ten favorite eco-friendly items from the baggy side of life and beyond.

1.  The rPET Bags

Considered the holy grail of all eco-friendly products, the rPET bag is one that can be reused each day and can be recycled itself.  The rPET bag is created using recycled poly terephthalate and is available if a four-color silkscreen.  It is developed using 80 percent recycled water bottles, and it comes in both matte or gloss lamination.  The 20-inch laminated handles are available for maximum comfort.  Use this eco-friendly bag when at conventions, trade shows, at a retail register or to say thank you to customers.

2.  Cotton Toiletry Bags

Cotton is one of the renewable and biodegradable resources, making it an ideal option for all types of promotional products.  Due to the fact that people require storage bags when travelling, we recommend the cotton toiletry bag as a promotional product.  They can also be used for alternative functions, such as a snack pack for health-conscious travellers, so you don’t have to rely on take-away services or as art supplies for children.

3.  The Cooler

Coolers are traditional fare for fishing trips, picnics, hiking, and other outdoor activities.  With a good cooler at your side, you can keep all beverages and food cold during a long, hot day without relying on an air conditioner or ice.  As the majority of people enjoy using a cooler, and keep them on hand in their trucks and cabinets, they are also a great promotional product.  Not only are you are guaranteed that the cooler will not be thrown away before their usefulness runs out, but they are a great canvas for store names, logos, missions statements and much more.

4.  Clothing

While shirts gain fewer impressions per dollar than promotional bags, 200 impressions is not something to turn your nose up at.  Moreover, clothing tends to last much longer than most items, particularly if you order items that are made to fit the human body – say goodbye to shapeless t-shirts for females!  When the clothing is made from 100 percent, organic cotton, then the item is also biodegradable.

5.  Storable Pouch Bags

The storable pouch bag has become a mainstay in grocery stores and artisan shops, primarily because they are so useful.  Our Ripstop nylon fabric with drawstring closure bags is lightweight, strong and cheerful; therefore, they are able to fold into small package for storage in center consoles, glove compartments, drawers and backpacks.  The final result?  A bag with high durability that will last for years, and will always be useful when travelling.  Due to the fact that it is so small, this type of bag is less likely to be thrown away than other bags.

6.  Reclaimed Cork Pet Mats

Humans and their furry friends have a long history of comradeship, regardless of whether you are a cat or a dog person.  So, what better way of drawing in the pet crowd than by using reusable cork mats?  The reusable or reclaimed cork mats are ideal for sleeping, eating and litter-boxing (in the case of cats).  They are made from reused cork, so you can use the material to absorb spilled liquids or give the companion a comfortable place to curl up.

7.  Kitchen Accessories

Kitchen accessories are an instant hit regarding reusable items ranging from customized bag clips to bamboo cutting boards.  The boards are a renewable resource and clips can be used until the end of time.  Providing promotional kitchen accessories is a great way of stocking customers with branded items, safe in the knowledge that you are not contributing to their world of rubbish.

8.  Beer Bags And Wine

We are not going to step over the line and say that all people enjoy beer and wine, liquor and cider, or even fizzy soda.  However, during a survey of family, friends and work colleagues, we came to the conclusion that most people enjoy a cold drink of some sort.  This is where beer and wine bags can be beneficial as they make the ideal gifts with value-added advantages and for-sale perks.

9.  Small Totes

Not all people enjoy an extra large grocery bag, particularly at a small boutique or trade show where items are less bulky.  In some cases, the more beneficial option is a small tote.  This tote bag is ideal for holding pamphlets and papers and conventions, clothing and jewelry at boutiques, and jars of truffles or olives at upscale grocery stores.

10.  Edible Promotional

The ultimate eco-friendly promo item is the one you can eat.  The edible gift leaves no trace, so it is maintaining a green approach to environmental care.  Aside from small packaging, nothing enters the landfill.  If you want to stack up on promotional items, you can always fill a bag with edibles for a gift basket or package for purchase in the store.  The latter offers customers the option to purchase gifts for others, and your branded bag leaves the store to begin generating promotional impressions.

Final Words

Using the information above, you can see that you do not need to look too far to find environmentally friendly alternatives to suit your needs and begin generating brand impressions.

Now that exhibitions are again in full swing, we have assembled a series of handy tips that can be used by delegates preparing to attend the business shows across the southwestern region.

Below is a synopsis of Jamie Breese’s very best advice for delegates on the proper way to handle business exhibitions and get the most from these experiences.

1. Never Attempt To Make Sales To Exhibitors

You do not want to be “that” person who is roaming around trying to sell. Exhibitors complain about this often, and it is not surprising why that is. They are there to make solid connections with prospects, and you will be viewed as an irritating time-waster.

2. Get Past Your Fear Of Approaching Others

This really is the best way to achieve networking success, improve your reputation and get where you want to be in the business world. Conquer your nerves when it comes to public speaking. No matter the audience involved, it is vital that you get a firm handle on this realm as soon as possible.

3. Come With A Stack Of Cards

Having a sharp-looking business card at the ready is essential. When you receive other people’s cards, store them in a notebook and jot down some notes next to each one. This is a great way to prepare for the follow-up contacts you will be making in the immediate future.

4. Early Registration

It is not uncommon for the most desirable networking events and business seminars to sell out rapidly, so make sure your registration is in early.

5. Politeness Rules

This is a fundamental truth of life. Being polite and considerate is a great way to impress exhibitors and make the best possible showing for your firm.

6. Quality Stand

Having a quality stand can really attract people and get more business and this is why you should invest in good exhibition panels.

7. Smart Socials

Not only is it wise to make a terrific impression when dealing face-to-face with exhibitors, it may also make sense to post particularly interesting content and photos while you attend an event. This can raise your profile and generate buzz for yourself as an influencer and expert in your niche.

8. Following Up

Whenever you make a successful connection with an exhibitor or attendee, make sure to send a quick note of follow-up soon afterward. Use LinkedIn to solidify contacts, and make sure to promptly respond to anyone who follows up with you.

Photo credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-barcode-1243362/

Starting a new business can be very overwhelming sometimes. Entrepreneurship is definitely not a piece of cake, but once everything falls right in the place, you will definitely enjoy the fruit out of it. There are two things that you need to be successful in life, hard work and dedication. There is no such thing that you cannot achieve, if you have enough interest, you are going to get whatever you set your eye on. Obviously, in the beginning, there are going to be some hurdles, somethings might not go as you have planned them to be. Sometimes you might have to change the direction of your work as well, but continuous work will definitely take you somewhere.

Here are some branding and marketing tips that will definitely help you in making progress.

1. Be different

No matter what your field is, try to produce unique content. Sometimes you are selling some ordinary product, which has been a common attraction already. But if your content is attractive, you will be able to form a market and attract more people to yourself. Even if it requires the following things that are not usually common. Find your own way of doing things and work on your own strategy. Remember, your main target is people, you have got to leave an impact on them, so your content should be influenceable. Especially, when you have got to post some content on your website, you should be able to define your statement in just one look. Make your site as presentable as possible.

2. Make use of social media

Social media is the biggest platform to get people under your influence. Just make one post, and thousands of people are going to see it. If your post is interesting enough, obviously you are going to get some shares, which can be very helpful. The best part about social media is that, once you make enough audience, half of your work is already done. People are going to see whatever you post and that way you can attract more people on daily biases. If you are having a problem with getting your stuff noticed, you can also boost up your posts. First, you will have to through in some money, but later, when you will be able to get likes, your business will grow rapidly.

3. Do constant advertisement

One of the most important business tactics is to do constant advertisement. Yes, everyone tries it at first, but if your efforts are not noticed at first go, many of us give up. The key point is to no matter, if you are getting a response or not, keep on advertising. Every single platform that you see, avail the opportunity and keep posting. If you have a new offer coming up, advertise it as much as possible. Do countdowns, make posts every day. Remember one thing, as soon as you stop posting, people are going to forget about you. So, make sure your option comes up every time they are searching for any product.

4. Make business contacts

Being social can benefit you A LOT! Try to have good relationships with other businessmen and industrialist, so that they can pass some customers to you. Sometimes a little favor can help you in ways that you cannot think of. It works in both ways, sometimes you can help them out in difficult situations too. Having relations like this are big support, in case of any problem, you will have something to fall back on. Also, try to make no enemies, when you are working on such big level, obviously there are going to be some people who are going to create problems, try to ignore them, instead of creating any further problems.

This guest post is submitted by Qurban Shah from reviewsbite.com

We often are asked to help a business in making new shop signs for their advertising needs. Since this is the case, here is a list we have compiled at our headquarters in Mansfield that will help you get a great looking sign that attracts clients.

Give The Sign Some Life

You will want to make sure your sign has some life and will draw in people who are looking for your company. You probably have a lot of personality in your shop, but you need to make sure the sign you are using is going to reflect this personality as well. You just want to think about the impression you are going to make to your customers. Is the shop a fun place to be or is it one that has a more professional setting? No matter what, you will want to make sure the sign you are getting is going to give the visitors an idea on the type of things they can expect to see in the shop.

Remember: Good signs are going to tell the clients what they can see in the business and know what kind of line is in the brand.

Do Not Overdo It

You will want to make sure your signs are short and to the point. You just want to make sure your sign does not fail. You want o make sure you get your key point across quickly, not have multiple points on a single sign. By getting the main point listed, it will attract potential customers, but it will also make it easier for people to know more about what they can expect to see when they are here.

You will want to be to the point, but you need to remember that you can still be funny if you want to be.

Fonts

You will find that the first step is to find the best font for your sign – your sign company can help you here You will notice that quite a few sign shops have been ruined because they did not properly pick their logos. The shop sign is going to need to get the attention of people who are driving or walking by, so you need to make sure the letters are big and easy to see. Remember: People typically will not take the time out of their business to read what your handwritten script is going to say.

Colors

You will want to consider a variety of colors for your sign. Will they look good in the sunlight or when it is evening? What color pattern is going to make the shop sign look great and standout from the rest of the place. To really look at the colors you may want to look at the other signs in the area. You will think about the red ads in the paper, if it has other red ads it can be hard to see, but you will want to check out the how your sign can stand out. You will want to find colors that are going to look great, but also think about the people who have vision problems when looking at the sign and suffering from color blindness.

Design

You will notice that one thing that is going to really bring the sign together is the brand that you are going to present with the sign and how everything is tied together. You do not want to change things simply because you can, but you will want to make sure you have a uniform brand across the platform. Remember when you are launching your business you want to make sure it is going to look great and have an amazing feel.

Materials

Now that you have a great design in mind, you should know how to bring your signs to life. When are you going to be opening and what time frame as well? Are you going to need to have lights installed on the sign to make it easier for you to see the sign? Is the brand more of a high end location or a mass market place? What types of materials would you need to get to reach your target area? You want the sign to look great and not make your customers think you are cheap.

You will find that you have multiple choices of materials, which is why you need to find a material that will suit you best.

Size

You will want to know more about the amount of space you have available for the sign and how you can use this space properly. You will notice that signs can go on brick, hang out front, or even be above the windows to draw in attention. So you will want to know more about how to use the most of the space to get the attention you need to have.

Most people believe that everyone should visit the dentist twice a year, even if they don’t do it themselves. It’s not clear, however, where these six-month check-ups initially came from. Some believe that they originated back in the 18th century, long before we had randomised controlled trials that could test their effectiveness. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 7 people aged 15 and over had toothache in the last year. People prone to dental problems and children should visit the dentist often, but permanent teeth are no less vulnerable to decay, and in the teen years teeth are generally less vulnerable, at least until wisdom teeth come through in the early twenties. So, the risk varies at different points in our life.

Keeping bad habits in line

There are some bad habits that can impact our oral health that we’re not even aware of. Chewing ice, biting your nails, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, drinking coffee and red wine, smoking, but also brushing your teeth too hard and using a wrong technique – all of these can increase the risk for your dental health or contribute to discoloration. When you appear for regular dental check-ups, your dentist will check for any damage caused by any of these habits. Being informed about specific deteriorating habits allows you to change your lifestyle to prevent further damage.

When brushing and flossing come short

Even if you use the best brush three times a day and floss regularly after every meal, there are still small areas that are easy to miss. When plaque builds up it becomes more difficult to remove, solidifying and turning into tartar, which is extremely difficult to remove without a professional intervention. Regular dental cleanings can prevent tartar from eroding the teeth or creating holes in the enamel, which is a highway to cavities. When they appear, cavities don’t give any warning signs, apart from a small ache once the tooth is already decayed. When the damage is done, you need to have them filled and fixed, but it’s always better to take care of plaque and tartar before they can damage your teeth. In addition, a cleaning appointment is also more affordable than getting a filling.

To stay on top of your treatment plan

That first visit to the orthodontist for consultations should never be your last. While everyone’s situation is different, making sure you that you attend the regular visits is a small cost for the benefits of your oral health and bright smile. After you’re given a plan for orthodontic treatment, you need to stick to the schedule for your return visits. This way, your orthodontic team will have a chance to track your progress and make adjustments to your braces. It’s important, however, that even the patients with Invisalign still make their regular check-ups, just to make sure the teeth are shifting as planned. So if you live in the greater Sydney area, check out the best Zetland orthodontist and get informed on the range of personal tailor-made plans they provide.

Before complications occur

To make matters worse, the plaque and tartar build-up does not only cause tooth decay, but also erodes the mouth gum tissues. The build-up can cause an infection at the point where the gum meets the tooth, making the gum pull away. This diagnose is called gingivitis, and as it progresses, the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth breaks down, paving the way for gum disease. At this point, there’s likely to be swelling, bleeding and soreness in the mouth, but apart from breaking down gum tissue, gum disease can also cause the bone that holds the teeth in place to deteriorate. In order to avoid costly series of specialist treatments, make sure you make your cleaning appointments and address early signs of gingivitis as soon as possible.

Dentists and dental specialists are not only concerned with fixing your teeth. They take care of your oral health, prevent the onset of gum disease and check for abnormalities that may need orthodontic treatment, which may otherwise go unnoticed. Skipping dental appointments may not seem like a big deal, but in the long run, they are the better option both healthwise and moneywise.

There are many aspects of working that can help your employees feel stressed. Of course, that is not what you want for them. You want your employees to flourish and feel like they are a part of a team doing important work. Stress is common in the workplace but there are ways you can support a more calming environment. You can also help them calm down to a level of relaxation so your employees have more clarity.

Yoga helps every muscle in your body and shifts brain chemistry back to normal. In our bodies, the feelings we have tend to sit in certain areas. For examples, the hip holds emotional stress and tension. Stretching them out helps to release that tension. The abdominal organs can often hold onto stagnant bodily fluids. Certain poses massage these areas and help the fluids move on which is something like a holistic detox. Here are five ways that yoga is going to help your employees feel less stressed out while at work.

1. Yoga and Cortisol Levels

Yoga is considered holistic therapy for lowering cortisol levels, according to a study. Cortisol levels occur due to too many instances of stress. While it is produced in our bodies and is a natural chemical, if there is too much cortisol, it can cause major health issues. They include:

• Rapid weight gain.
• Muscles can become weak.
• It becomes difficult to think.
• The thyroid doesn’t work optimally.
• Blood sugar problems.

Probably one of the worst symptoms that most people suffer from is a chronic mood problem. This is usually anxiety which perpetuates the additional release of cortisol levels. Simply explained, when one of your employees gets stressed out about a meeting or a deadline, this may become a moment of anxiety. This is where the fight or flight response kicks in which is a part of the nervous system function.  It was originally designated to save us from sabretooth tigers or bears and lions in this more modern time.

Using this tool when we aren’t running or fighting for our lives means that cortisol just stays in the body. We get tense in the muscles because we have this energy being drawn up to be used and it never is. This tension will often sit in our neck, shoulders, or hips. Ironically, these areas will usually be pain points from sitting for long periods of time. This sends a message to the brain that the body is under stress and it becomes cyclical in your pain.

So how does yoga help?

Yoga reduces stress which means that cortisol levels have a chance to lower. The breathing poses and meditative aspects of yoga all help to fully de-stress a person. Your employees will naturally relax just by taking in a few deep breaths midday. If you provide an area for them to do yoga at the workplace, they can get into Childs Pose to find their center and safety. This alleviates the onset of stress immediately.

2. Rebalances the Body and Mind

When the body is tense, the mind has a hard time retaining information. This causes your employees to have a harder time getting work done. Yoga rebalances the body, bringing back strength, and flexibility. This helps kick-start the brain. Yoga has specific poses to balance energy in the body. Your employees will also grow more mentally stronger as parts of yoga take mental discipline.

You also have more flexibility which allows the body to soften up. This means your employees will experience less chronic pain. They will be agiler and have more energy. The feeling that yoga gives your employees when they regularly practice gives them ease and freedom. This promotes ultimate happiness that gives them increased energy.

3. More Mindfulness to Cope with Stressful Situations

Your employees will have the clarity to deal with all the stress that comes up during work. They are generally happier and have a good demeanor. They will harness compassion which results in excellent team building. This is what yoga can do for people. Stress often occurs from the things we think about. We ruminate about all the possibilities of a future outcome. This doesn’t serve us well at all because really, the future is out of our control anyway.

Yoga allows us the space to learn how to see what comes up in our mind. We can then begin to control it as opposed to it controlling us. We can create a presence and build up the thought of compassion instead of feeling confused and unsure. The poses of yoga are designed to relax us. Then we can finish up with meditation which is what helps us to gain a grasp of what it is to be mindful.

4. We Learn How to Breathe Properly

Stress and the nervous system have a strong connection. It can be quite debilitating for a person to go through major bouts of stress. Through yoga, you can learn how to negate all that stress. Breathwork in yoga is as important as the poses. It comes with as many health benefits too. It can relieve someone’s anxiety in an instant. It also helps relax the body on a consistent basis so you’re less likely to stay in anxiety for very long. With yoga asking you to focus on your breath, you become more able to use the breath in times of stress.

5. They Get Exercise

Yoga is a physical exercise and it’s important to offer it to your employees. While it would be great if everyone could play a game of soccer, it’s likely some of your employees have physical limitations. This is the nice thing about yoga. People can be doing their own thing in any given yoga class. There are modifications that can be done and there are props to make it easier.

The point is exercise matters. This is especially true for those bound at their desks. Through stretching and holding poses, your employees will get their blood moving. They become stronger and perhaps more confident. They stretch out all the tension from constant sitting or standing. Exercise helps to improve one’s mood and cognitive thinking. It is a great form of exercise that anyone can do.

To be able to provide your employees with the gift of yoga will bring everyone together. They will feel more supported, less stressed out, and healthier all around. You may be making a major difference to their life which will certainly trickle into their overall productivity and happiness.