Monthly Update

PromoEQP is entering its “Strategic Era”.

When PromoEQP committed 2025 to “Doing Better” there was never any question as to WHO we are seeking to do better by. The focus, commitment, and dedication is (and, in my hands, always will be) to the Distributor.

To examine HOW PromoEQP could “Do Better” we needed to investigate how the distributors of PromoEQP were impacting the industry and the Supplier Partners of PromoEQP. What we learned was truly eye-opening.

For suppliers viewing PromoEQP’s Distributor Subscription model as a collective, we are the only industry program, since 2019, to report double-digit year-over-year growth. Furthermore, your collective Distributor sales production has so far exceeded the expectations of basic industry Buying Groups that PromoEQP is now only comparable to Affiliate/Franchise programs… It was THIS discovery that opened the doors to PromoEQP receiving – and returning to you – equal level benefits available only to the biggest of distributors in the industry.

What is this new Strategic Supplier Initiative?

The new Strategic Supplier Initiative is an initial grouping of Suppliers who are actively displaying a dedication to place focus on your distributorship’s success. This means increased benefits, resources, communication, and participation.

This is being displayed through:

“STRATEGIC” identification in SAGE and the PromoEQP distributor login page.
Enhanced benefits and offers.
Dedicated, pre-scheduled, Wednesday Webinar series.
A rotating schedule of monthly content

Furthermore, this Supplier Initiative is in “Test Mode”. Just because these Suppliers have announced that they see your value doesn’t mean that other Suppliers won’t come along later. Additionally, this entire Initiative is dependent on “DOING BETTER” by YOU – which means we will need you to provide feedback and recommendations on how to help guide this program into being elite for you!

Does this mean PromoEQP is creating a Tiered System of Suppliers?

No… Let me reiterate that: NO.

My proudest part of PromoEQP is that our network of Suppliers is created EXCLUSIVELY at the request of the distributor. This means that PromoEQP now has the largest distributor-requested supplier preference group in the industry. Given this, there is no way I would ever institutionally break this program into tiers of preference.

This Strategic Supplier Initiative is simply PromoEQP being willing to put a spotlight on suppliers who are seeking to put a spotlight on YOU. These suppliers are demonstrating that they see significant value in focusing on you, and I am willing to encourage that behavior.

Thanks again…

Jeremy Chacon

PromoEQP

312-392-1064

jeremy@promoeqp.com

Insider Information

PromoEQP Strategic Partnership

Market focused Content from Strategic partner 3m.

Building Together: The Power of Collaboration in Sales

Did you know that the game “Jenga” comes from the Swahili word “kujenga”? It means “to build or construct”. As I think about the dynamics of the game, I can’t help but notice the similarities between it and our business – or any business for that matter. As National Sales Manager, I’ve learned that success isn’t built from individual efforts alone. It takes each employee contributing collectively to drive results. In today’s competitive market, collaboration, accountability, and dependability are not just buzzwords; they are essential blocks of our success.

Collaboration: The Heart of Our Success

Collaboration is at the core of everything we do. When we all come together—sales teams, marketing, product development, receptionist, prep, production, shipping, billing —we create a synergy that leads to innovative solutions and better customer experiences. Open communication is crucial. Encouraging team members to share insights and ideas fosters a culture where everyone feels valued. Regular brainstorming sessions & cross-departmental meetings can help us harness our diverse perspectives and skills.

We’ve seen firsthand how collaborative efforts can enhance our strategies. For instance, when sales and marketing align on messaging, we see a marked increase in lead conversion. When prep or production come together with customer facing teams to solve a particular capability concern, we see a smoother workflow. And when shipping and billing teams join forces to automate behind the scenes programs, it decreases time spent doing repetitive tasks that don’t move the needle forward, creating efficiencies. By breaking down silos and working towards common goals, we empower each other to reach our full potential.

Accountability: Owning Our Roles

Accountability is another vital component of building a successful sales culture. Each team member must take ownership of their responsibilities and commitments. This means setting clear expectations, measuring progress, and being honest about challenges. When we hold ourselves accountable, we not only demonstrate our professionalism but also inspire trust among our colleagues and clients.

Creating a culture of accountability starts with leadership. As managers, we need to model this behavior by taking responsibility for our decisions and actions. Regular check-ins and performance reviews provide opportunities for constructive feedback and help ensure that everyone stays on track. When we own our roles, we contribute to a stronger, more resilient team.

Dependability: The Foundation of Trust

Dependability is the glue that holds our collaborative efforts and accountability in place. When team members can rely on each other, it builds trust – a critical element in any successful work environment. Dependability means following through on commitments, meeting deadlines, and supporting one another in challenging times. Opposite of the game of “Jenga”, it would mean not pulling the block out from a crucial resting place that supports those around us.

To cultivate dependability, we must create a supportive atmosphere where individuals feel comfortable asking for help and offering assistance. Establishing clear communication channels and encouraging transparency can go a long way in fostering this environment. When everyone knows they can count on each other, we create a cohesive unit that is more equipped to tackle obstacles and seize opportunities.

Together We Thrive

Building a successful sales organization is not a solo endeavor; it’s a team effort. By prioritizing collaboration, accountability, and dependability, we can create a culture where everyone thrives. As we move forward, let’s continue to embrace these principles, supporting one another as we strive for excellence.

Together, we can achieve remarkable things. Let’s keep building—together.

Misty Friedrichs

Read More from 3M

And, furthermore...

And now for something new

Short Story, Big Picture:

Not Standing Still

Let’s start by asking, “Is your business in a better, worse, or same position as it was last year at this time?”

If you don’t like the answer to that question, it’s time to look for a strategy shift to avoid a growth plateau or worse, downsizing.

Today’s Short Story is a piece to help you achieve your long-term goals, aka the Big Picture..

The goal for any small business is to grow. How do you know you are doing it the “RIGHT” way? Only you can answer that question, but all you know is you are moving forward.

Here are three strategies that you can apply to your business this summer:

Niche Down, Then Scale Up

Trying to be everything to everyone will water down your message and value. Find your wheelhouse (niche) like real estate agents, schools, or tech. Tailor your offers and messaging to them. Specialists in their industry are more trusted and referable. Once you dominate one niche, you can take that formula and expand to others.

Your Value Goes Beyond Products

YOU get lost when you compete solely on price. Become a marketing partner, not just a vendor. Creating ideas like employee welcome kits, trade show giveaways, or client gifts takes some of the work off their plate and gets you closer to creating a client (which we all know is more precious than capturing a sale). Provide insights into which products are trending or selling well in similar businesses. You become indispensable, like a member of their team.

Expand your Digital Presence

Relying on word-of-mouth limits your reach. Explore using some simple digital tools to attract new clients. Customizing your templated website, or landing pages, with testimonials and personally selected product galleries, is a GREAT place to start. From there, you can grow into posting case studies or success stories on social media or an email newsletter.* Each step reiterates who you are with existing clients while telling countless others what you bring to the table.

* Pro Tip: Position yourself as a solutions provider, not just a product pusher. Show how promotional products or apparel can help your clients promote, reward, or grow their business…they’ll keep coming back.**

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** Bonus: Stay Mentally Sharp.

Growth plateaus often come from burnout or worse, comfort. Set personal challenges; attend a couple of webinars each month, pitch a dream client weekly, or go spy on your competitor’s social media to see what they are doing. These activities are not a waste of time, but rather a way to stay engaged and motivated.

Believe me… You got this!