Brief rant on product marketing

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Author Message Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 644 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Sunday, October 27, 2019 - 10:55 am:    I just took the recycle stuff to the bin. It included the complex packaging for a box of promotional stuff I received from a building product manufacturer as a follow up marketing effort to CONSTRUCT. Box inside of box inside of box (thankfully recyclable). Contained a product sample I did not need, and a cute set of Chinese tool spiffs I did not need - they will sit around for awhile and then go in the garbage. What were they thinking? We all spec their products already. This promotion had to have cost tens of thousands of dollars, and only illustrates that their marketing department is out of touch with 1) the needs of specifiers and 2) sustainable business practices. Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 51 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Sunday, October 27, 2019 - 03:43 pm:    Phil, Specifiers are a rare bread. The marketers have to aim at DESIGNERS, with a nod to technical architects and a little less than specifiers. I've felt for a long time that I really have input on "invisible"components of the project except for coatings (paint). Colin Gilboy Senior Member Username: colin Post Number: 467 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Sunday, October 27, 2019 - 11:12 pm:    I disagree. The 4specs monthly newsletter to manufacturers in April this year breaks product marketing into 3 categories: Basis of Design, Comparable Products and Substitutions The 4specs newsletter on “What is Your Marketing Strategy” can be found here: http://www.4specs.com/s2a/news/1904_strategy.html The Basis of Design products are ones that have been around for a long time and dominate their category in specification and frequently sales. While there are a few products for a specific project that may be adopted for green or other reasons, they are few in number. I propose that the majority of products are best marketed as a Comparable Product to be included in the specification and best aimed at the specifier and not the designer or Project Architect where there is a full-time architectural specifier. As the products are used and liked by the contractors they may work into being the basis of design in the future. The CSI Construct show in Long Beach last year had about 120 manufacturers exhibiting. AIA in Las Vegas this year had around 374 manufacturers exhibiting, many of whom would have been better served at the CSI Construct show in Baltimore this year. Just my thoughts. Colin Gilboy Publisher, 4specs.com 702-505-9119 - Las Vegas David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 313 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 08:02 am:    Ed, I agree that we are a rare bread. A little burned on the outside and raw in the middle, like rye prepared by a novice baker. Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 52 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 02:04 pm:    David, Thanks for pointing that out - I hadn't used the word breed in a while. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 314 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 02:38 pm:    Ed, your bread imagery was fine. I admit my response was half-baked. I just hope you don't think of me as a crumb. George A. Everding, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 902 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 02:54 pm:    Spelling should be the yeast of your worries. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2208 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 02:58 pm:    Now, let's not punch anyone down, but rise to the occasion. Dewayne Dean Senior Member Username: ddean Post Number: 206 Registered: 02-2016 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 03:13 pm:    Sounds half-baked to me, we won't make any dough if we keep this up. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 757 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 05:06 pm:    But those of us who are retired, like Lynn and George and myself, have time to loaf and to make wry comments. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2209 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 05:23 pm:    Or is that "rye" comments? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 758 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 05:44 pm:    Let's not get caraway-ed. Rosa Cheney Advanced Member Username: rdcaia Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2018 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 05:45 pm:    Is it just me, or have these bread puns gotten a little stale? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2210 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 06:41 pm:    Yeah, we're just all toast now ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1250 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 07:44 pm:    Or at least crusty. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 645 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 07:59 pm:    Sorry for starting this sour bunch of dough! Brian E. Trimble, CDT Senior Member Username: brian_e_trimble_cdt Post Number: 116 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 04:54 pm:    Maybe I'll redirect the conversation a little. So what are some useful things to remind designers of their products? As an association we aren't selling things, just the idea and we have pens, notepads, carabiners and the like with our logo. Are these still useful? do you have enough thumb drives now? Chip clips? Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP, AIA Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 193 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 05:14 pm:    Chip clips? Wrong chip. How about chocolate chip cookies Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2211 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 06:01 pm:    I'm not sure those things are useful anymore. Information is more readily available on websites; it's hopefully more current than the thumb drive you gave me 6 months ago. I certainly have enough pens and notepads, and carabiners are useful, but one can only use so many. (That's true of any give-away, of course) Obviously, what we need is information and we need to be able to pick your brain for not only what we need but also for what we don't need. At shows, something edible (like the cookies Ron mentioned) is good, but that's not usually a take away. I rarely take anything; it's too much to carry. But a promise to send information, either by snail mail or electronically, depending on the item, is golden. Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 07:39 pm:    Coffee mugs, or anything else that will work as a pen cup. One can never have too many pen cups. Colin Gilboy Senior Member Username: colin Post Number: 468 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 12:15 pm:    Interesting article forwarded to me by Holly Robinson on reducing environmental cost of swag: https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-us-firm-looking-to-slash-the-environmental-cost-of-that-supposedly-free-swag/ Colin Gilboy Publisher, 4specs.com 702-505-9119 - Las Vegas Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2212 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 02:34 pm:    OK, then. Let's talk with CSI and Informa and request this: "For example, the firm is talking to conference and event organizers about placing SwagCycle recycling bins inside and outside of venues." Brian E. Trimble, CDT Senior Member Username: brian_e_trimble_cdt Post Number: 117 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 03:47 pm:    Lynn, We're always there to answer questions and be that trusted advisor, but sometimes we want you to remember our product long after we've talked. I love the pen cup. We will have to supply you with more pens to fill the cup... And Ron how about these chip clips for your chocolate chip cookies? https://www.vat19.com/item/roach-bag-clips Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2213 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 04:05 pm:    Not exactly what I remember as "roach clips" - LOL. However, as with most anything, one can have to many or too much. I recently posted a FB message to the effect that I have enough return address labels to last for the rest of my life. I could probably cover my casket with them, too, if I could be sent back. Seriously, I wish there were something that could serve as that reminder, yet be consumable enough (say in a month or so) that would require me to contact you for another one. That would be perfect. Liz O'Sullivan Senior Member Username: liz_osullivan Post Number: 252 Registered: 10-2011 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 04:15 pm:    I like sticky-note cubes. With the logo mostly on the sides, not too much on the writing surface. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2214 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 04:39 pm:    Liz, yes! Excellent. Useful and consumable; and maybe it could even come with a really nice pen or a holder - but just once. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1253 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 05:26 pm:    I like letter openers with magnets so I can stick them to vertical surfaces and find them when needed. Mine always disappear whenever I have "visitors" so I can never have too many. Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 54 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 09:56 pm:    Letter openers are my favorite swag. My sister had a switchblade knife as her letter opener. It always made an impression, but never a wound. Letter openers get lost, they get dull, and a fresh one is always welcome. I'm reminded almost daily of the company that gave it to me. Simple note pads are nice too. Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 55 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 09:57 pm:    Letter openers are my favorite swag. They get lost, they get dull, and a fresh one is always welcome. I'm reminded almost daily of the company that gave it to me. Simple note pads are nice too. Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 538 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 10:29 am:    the BEST EVER swag/card was a business card from a small local egg company (back in my restaurant days) they had printed their information on thermochromic plastic. As you held it, it changed colors....well that business card NEVER left the management desk....if it did, you heard this yell "WHERE IS THAT EGG CARD!" It was the ultimate ...stuck on the phone something to keep your fingers occupied... toy. Most swag and cards never serve their purpose. this one sure did. We got eggs from that company all the time and referred them to others (but never gave away the card). Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 674 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 02:56 pm:    The reps I work with from the Woodwork Institute (WI) have business cards printed on actual veneer samples. The one closest to hand from a local inspector notes it is "2 Ply Beech". Some in our office find these very cool. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 675 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 03:11 pm:    The coolest swag I have that I often use is a USB Battery from a Landscape Architect we worked with on several projects. Sometimes you wonder how they decided on the swag they send to us. A major organization for dimensional stone sent me a nicely crafted wood box, about 6 by 9 by 5 inches in size. Inside is a hardbound guide to mixing cocktails and an ice cube tray for stylish cube shaped ice cubes. But no stone at all. Lastly, I tend to be a little suspicious of those USB thumb drives that get handed out so often. I suspect they may have got them through the nice guy with a heavy Russian accent they met in a bar one night. Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP, AIA Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 194 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 03:21 pm:    I am not surprised that junk has a more polite term “SWAG.” Still, most of it is junk. When I got out of college, decades ago, one of the first “reps” I met was a local subcontractor/product rep that brought doughnuts to every architect’s office he called on. The doughnut costs were high enough to trigger an IRS audit one year. Every office in town knew this guy, and many, like me, considered him a friend, and not just because of the free doughnuts. Another subcontractor I met, soon after college, was the owner of a now internationally known sheet metal company. The owner’s business card was stainless steel. That is no longer the case for the company’s business cards. As memorable as these individuals and their companies were, I still stand by my initially chocolate chip cookies statement. They can be mailed, Lynn Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 03:33 pm:    Never, ever, bring me a pen unless it's a good quality fountain pen or tech pen - I'm very particular about my pens, and every one I get from a rep goes straight to the office supplies "random pens" bucket (not in the trash, I'm not a monster) - it never sees my desk. On the other hand, if you could make a deal with Sakura to bring me sets of Microns with your logo, I'd be using them every day. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 676 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 03:57 pm:    Ditto for the nicely fabricated aluminum architect's scales with your company logo on them. Can we get metric next year? Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 539 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 04:08 pm:    I have received 2 mechanical pencils....those I kept. (fountain pen....haha that would be the day.) the rest I would give away as "prizes" to the office as I would pose questions like "how many levels of gyp board finishes are there... correct answer would win some piece of gypsum related swag...etc of course all of you know the "real" answer Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 783 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, November 04, 2019 - 07:05 pm:    I would like a simple business card that has a QR code on it that would load the contact file into my Outlook Contacts when scanned. That would be super convenient. T.J. Simons, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: tsimons Post Number: 25 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2019 - 11:09 am:    I love Nathan's idea about the QR code on the cards; that would be immensely helpful. Every so often, somebody will offer to make you 3-4 laminated luggage tags if you give them a few business cards-that's something I have actually used and appreciated. I hate ballpoint pens, so those go straight to the "random pens" box at home or office. If anyone were to offer me a fountain pen that I'd actually use, I suspect it would exceed my firm's vendor gift amount limit, and I could not accept it. James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 285 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2019 - 01:49 pm:    This might be a bit "off-the-wall" but how about a PEZ candy dispenser with the company's logo? It could be 3-dimensional so a firm such as Sherwin-Williams could be represented by the "covered" earth. In fact, skip the candy and load mine with ibuprofen. That would really be useful. :-) Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 468 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2019 - 01:56 pm:    Problem with that suggestion, James, is what will do tomorrow? "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp Jerome J. Lazar, CCS, CDT, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 2069 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2019 - 02:04 pm:    James, stop popping Ibuprofen like candy unless you want to start spitting up blood. Too much of anything is bad, except for probiotics, eat as much no sugar yogurt, kimchi, fermented vegetables, as you want, and you might correct your ibuprofen addiction and the damage to your gut. James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 286 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2019 - 09:07 am:    Jerome, rest assured as the child of a pharmacist and a nurse, I am very judicious in my use of all medications. I've probably ingested fewer than five analgesics of any type this year. I didn't mean to make light of the misuse of even over-the-counter drugs. Maybe not so ironically, my father (the pharmacist) has always advocated taking the least amount of medication necessary. At my home we find "refrigerator magnets" to be a useful give away. We have numerous pictures of nieces and nephews (perhaps grandchildren too someday) covering our 'fridge. I still like the PEZ dispenser idea but perhaps with a sugar-free breath mint instead. I like wintergreen. Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 469 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 07, 2019 - 07:44 pm:    One of my favorite and most useful item was from BSD SpecLink from the 2018 SCIP Conference or maybe the Construct Conference. It was made of lightweight plastic about 1 1/2" by 1/2" in size with a sliding 'door' which slid to the side. When opened the background substrate is revealed. This was designed to be mounted on the top edge of a laptop to cover up the camera lens. It can unblock the lens when opened. I looked for another one back in October but couldn’t find one. But my most favorite item was my blue 4Specs.com polo shirt from many years ago. Thanks, Colin. "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: chris_grimm_ccs_scip Post Number: 518 Registered: 02-2014 Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2019 - 08:32 pm:    So many people at SCIP said they love my site when I was wearing said 4specs shirt! I said I like the site too, I'm just a user and fan of what Colin does. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1039 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2019 - 11:55 am:    Good stuff I have collected includes sticky-back notepads, backup batteries, small flashlights, USB speakers (one that was on the bottom of an insulated beverage container). My chapter considered tape measures (always useful) instead of plaques for awards. Most of the stuff mentioned above is useful, but how many pens or pencils or coffee cups do you need? Many years ago, my SWAG search devolved to stuff for the grandkids. It wasn't bad at first, but after the third one came along, it was too embarrassing to ask for more stuffed animals or whatever. "That's a great frammis! Can I have six of them?" Not too cool. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2218 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2019 - 12:06 pm:    Since my twin grand sons were born in 2000, I have been asking as politely as possible for two - of the Behr bears, the PPG "armadillos", and other assorted cute kids stuff. As they aged, and younger ones came along, I've revised my requests to suit their needs. But I usually wait until the last day when vendors are wanting to get rid of their stuff! Otherwise, I have been pleased with the same things Sheldon mentioned above, and still have some of those. I take less now that I'm retired (and the grands are all almost grown). George A. Everding, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 908 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2019 - 03:02 pm:    By far the best giveaway was Twin Ports chapter's ice scraper with attached glove, from the 2018 NCR Conference. I think most of us who drove used those escaping Duluth as the big snowstorm blew in on Saturday. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2219 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2019 - 05:50 pm:    That one is in my car right now! Very "handy" David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 318 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Monday, December 02, 2019 - 08:51 am:    A long time ago, I received a View Master viewer from a cladding rep. The slides showed photos of some of the manufacturer's best projects. I thought that was original and cool (Boomer alert). Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1040 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2019 - 11:47 pm:    The bags have improved a lot over the years, from simple bags with open tops to bags with two straps, side pockets, interior pockets, sometimes with backpack straps, and even waterproof. I've kept many of those over the years. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1041 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2019 - 11:49 pm:    David, I also have a View Master, and a couple of cardboard VR viewers as well. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1042 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2019 - 02:31 am:    This would be a great freebie: https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-3rd-Data-Blocker-Pack/dp/B06XCJP4WV/ Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1043 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2019 - 11:19 am:    I'm sure you all know that thumb drives can harbor malware; that makes them a dangerous freebie that should be avoided. I recently learned that a seemingly innocent USB cable can do the same thing. To be safe, get a data blocker and take it along when you leave the (relative) safety of your home. http://bit.ly/38aMkuv Of course, that raises another question: How do you know if the data blocker I mentioned in my previous post is safe if it's a freebie? ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1263 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, December 05, 2019 - 12:54 pm:    In the juice-jacking article it says to try the data blocker first between your device and your computer. If anything pops up trying to share or sync information, it's not working properly. Another option would be to get a cable that only provides power and not data sharing. Most uploading is now done automatically either through work servers or cloud backups systems. I haven't used a cable to sync or transfer data in awhile. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1044 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Friday, December 06, 2019 - 08:19 pm:    While I was posting about the USB data blocker, I also was corresponding with the manufacturer. This morning, they sent an email to me, asking "Hi, We seem to be having a surge in sales today in the us, I don't suppose you know the reason? Have we been in a news show?" Just curious, did anyone order a data blocker from PortaPow? If this discussion led to a lot of sales, maybe Colin should start charging more for click-throughs.