How to Stay Healthy When You're Stressed

The new year is a terrific time to focus on your health.

One of the greatest overall benefits to your health is eliminating or reducing your stress. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy when you’re stressed out.

1. Get regular exercise.

This sounds simple enough, yet most of us struggle with it.

Exercise can include parking farther away so you have a longer walk to work or the mall. It can involve swimming, playing basketball with a friend, and even window shopping at the mall. Just find ways to move around more and things you enjoy.

2. Keep a sense of humor.

Try to relax enough to laugh.

Read a joke book. Read a funny book or watch a funny TV show or movie. Have lunch with a friend who lightens the mood.

3. Try some relaxation techniques.

Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, or even getting a massage are great makes to stop awhile and take care of yourself. This is the best way to stay on top of your game.

4. Take time for hobbies.

Think about what you love to do: golf, swim, read, craft, paint, hike, listen to music, etc. Then add it to your calendar.

Schedule it in so you are sure to do it. It is not a waste of time; it’s necessary for your health.

5. Spend time with family and friends.

Take time for lunch, dinner, or coffee with others. This is an important part of staying healthy.

6. Get organized.

Take time to organize your stressors. This can instantly relieve stress.

When we try to do too much, it can put an unnecessary stress on our bodies. Write out a budget if you’re worried about money—schedule tasks with enough time to accomplish them rather than rushing to get them done in record time.

7. Get outside in nature.

Sometimes we need to disconnect from the Internet, email, social media and TV.

Being in nature can re-set our clocks and give us new perspectives on life. Go for a walk, a bike ride, a canoe ride, or just sit in a park and observe nature at its finest.

8. Get enough sleep and rest.

Did you know that sleep and stress are directly linked?

The CDC has said that the lack of sleep is an epidemic right now. A lack of sleep leads to elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, which leads to weight gain and brain fog. Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

9. Journal about your life and stress.

Write down all the things that come to mind. It doesn’t have to be organized or even well constructed. Just write. Free write so your mind can catch up with itself.

If you’re experiencing stress related to your marketing materials, we can help. We offer organized, high-quality printing that will take the pressure off of you.  Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

Is Die Cutting for Me?

You know how a new haircut can change the way people see you? It can make all the difference in your level of professionalism.

And die-cutting can do the same for your marketing materials.

With die-cutting, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. With fresh, new die-cut marketing materials, the public will definitely take notice.

What is Die-Cutting?

It is a cut using a sharp steel blade that is formed into any specific shape you want.

It is then used to cut through the paper. It’s a lot like a cookie-cutter, except you cut paper instead of dough.

Just think what you could do for your dull, old marketing materials. It’s not just circles and squares. Die-cutting allows you to make stair steps, holes, rounded corners, sharp points, and much more. Make any point you want with fresh, new die-cut materials.

Creative Uses with Die-Cutting

You have probably thought about using die-cutting on your business cards to make them stand out in the pile of rectangles. But have you thought about using this technique on door hangers, postcards, brochures, and presentation materials?

The options are out there. It’s up to your dreams as to what you’d like us to accomplish for you.

Would you like your logo to stand out? We can do that. Or what about an image associated with your type of business?

Let’s say you are an architect, a real estate agent, or a builder. You could use a roof die-cut or a house. Or, if you own a restaurant, let’s create a basil leaf, a loaf of bread, a bowl of pasta, or whatever suits you. Or maybe you own a pet shop or dog training business in which we could cut out the shape of a dog.

No matter what item you choose to die-cut, it will freshen up your marketing materials and help draw attention to the most important aspects of your business as you see fit.

Need ideas? We’re here to help. Our die-cutting is top-notch and will serve your purpose of standing out in a crowd. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

         Psychology Techniques to Drive Sales for Your Business

 

Knowing how the human brain works and what drives people to make decisions is immensely beneficial in marketing.

Luckily, there’s much research and information regarding various psychological tips and tricks to drive sales and expand your business. Here are a few.

Cut down on the options

Sometimes too many decisions can cause a customer to shut down, resulting in no sales. 

To avoid this, research your prospective client beforehand to determine what products or services would best suit their needs. When doing the sales pitch, focus on only these to cut down on the options. Even better, you can lump products into packages, so your prospect needs only to make one big purchasing decision instead of multiple small ones. 

No matter what you ultimately pitch to your client, it’s imperative you do so with the correct framing techniques. 

Utilize positive framing

Framing is how the information is presented. 

Positive framing increases sales. Therefore, try to sell your product or service in a positive light by homing in on the benefits. 

However, feelings other than positive ones can be beneficial if framed correctly. 

Fead your prospect’s fear of missing out (FOMO)

People are much more likely to act when they feel if they’re afraid of missing out on a great opportunity. 

Creating the sense of scarcity is an effective way to fuel FOMO within your prospect.  After all, the more rare something appears, the greater in value it becomes. Scarcity also presents a time limit for them to act, prompting them to buy soon. 

If the product or service is scarce because of high customer demand, then even better! The customer will assume the purchase will be a good choice because many other people seem to enjoy it too. 

The sense of scarcity can be artificially generated through limited editions and limited-time sales. 

Sometimes, FOMO is the main driver of a client’s decisions. Sometimes, it’s something else. Getting your client to articulate their thoughts to you can be immensely beneficial for the sales process. 

Get your client to tell you why

This one’s rather sneaky but highly effective because people are more likely to listen to themselves. 

If you can get your client to verbalize why exactly they want the product, then they will, in effect, want it more. To achieve this, ask your client why the product or service appeals to them and what’s holding them back. Your client will be able to tell you, and affirm to themselves, why they want the product or service. If something is holding them back, you will be able to better adjust your strategy.

You can get your client to want your products or services even more through promotional products. 

Give your prospect promotional products

When someone receives a gift, they’ll want to reciprocate the kind action. This makes them more likely to buy from you. 

Promotional products are ideal because not only are you generating a feeling of trust and reciprocity, you’re also advertising your company. The best promotional products are ones that your client will truly enjoy. Therefore, research your target market to create promotional products customized for this group. 

Giving and receiving are beneficial to both parties. Therefore, it’s helpful to get your client to give something as well. 

Ask your client for small favors

Once your client gets in the habit of doing small favors for you initially, they’re much more likely to agree to more significant favors down the road.

This is known as the Ben Franklin Effect. It is named after the founding father Ben Franklin, who, to build rapport, would ask someone for a small favor, such as lending him a book. This small act would generate feelings of warmth and helpfulness. 

In practice, this may look like asking your client to sign up for a free e-letter, share comments on social media, read blog posts, attend free webinars, or download an ebook. Later, when you ask them for something larger, such as to buy a product or service, they’re much more likely to do so. 

Not only will asking your client for small favors prime them for purchases down the road, but the small favors will help your client become more familiar with your business. 

Generate familiarity

Familiarity is good because it creates positive feelings. 

People like the things they are used to. Making your business familiar to your clients will help increase sales because as your business becomes more familiar, it becomes more trustworthy and good in their eyes. However, balance is essential. Too much can lead to oversaturation, which will backfire. Find the middle ground. 

Psychology is a powerful tool for persuasion. The above strategies will greatly help you increase your sales and the growth of your business! Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

The Potential Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on U.S. Manufacturers Posted by IndustryNet on Tuesday, March 1, 2022

The Potential Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on U.S. Manufacturers 

Posted by IndustryNet on Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Just as pandemic-related supply chain bottlenecks begin to ease, U.S. manufacturers now face an unwelcome déjà vu of global supply chain disruptions emerging from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, further underscoring the role geopolitical risk plays in the reliability of global supply chains.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis has the potential to further upend global supply chains, trigger shortages of key supplies, drive up inflation, and poses significant cybersecurity risks. The impact is already being felt in Europe, with automotive plants dependent on Ukraine-made components shutting down and the prospect of food shortages and food inflation all but a certainty.

As the world’s eleventh largest economy, Russia is a major oil exporter and supplies critical materials for a wide range of manufactured product, impacting diverse industries, from auto and agricultural sectors to pharmaceuticals. As the crisis intensifies, U.S. manufacturers should be aware of the risks and potential impact on their business.

Supply Chains Risks

Although supply chain disruptions triggered by this crisis are not expected to be nearly as severe as they were during the pandemic, there could be notable impact for some companies.

According to supply chain risk management company Interos, more than 2,100 U.S. -based companies have least one direct (Tier 1) Russian supplier. These include a small percentage of items sourced in the industrial machinery, oil, gas, steel and metal categories.

But when considering more indirect (Tier 2 or 3) supplier relationships, the impacts to U.S. companies intensify, with more than 190,000 companies in the U.S. with tier 3 supplier relationships in Russia and 15,000 tier-2 relationships.

Materials Shortages

Both Russia and Ukraine are major export markets, supplying a wide range of critical materials to manufacturers around the world. Known as Europe’s breadbasket, Russia and Ukraine make up nearly a third of the world’s wheat exports.

Here are some specific commodities impacted by the crisis:

Metal Production: The conflict is already having an impact on the steel industry, with some raw materials exporters unable to move cargo out of Ukraine, setting off a domino effect across the global steelmaking industry. Russia is also a major supplier of nickel and platinum and also controls 10% of global copper reserves.

Semiconductor Manufacturing: The semiconductor sector is already contending with pandemic-related chip shortages, leading many to ask if the current crisis in Ukraine has the potential to make things worse. After all, both Ukraine and Russia are significant suppliers of specific gases and metals utilized in the chipmaking process, oftentimes for etching or lithographic purposes. Ukraine, for instance supplies 70% of the world’s neon, used in the lithographic aspect of chipmaking. Other key gases and metals supplied in the region include argon, xenon, krypton, hexafluorobutadiene (a gas used for etching), and palladium (used in making catalytic converters).

However, these potential supply issues had already been identified when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, leading many chipmakers to diversify their supplier base at that time. In fact, The U.S. Semiconductor Industry released a statement to this effect recently, with SIA CEO John Neuffer stating, “The semiconductor industry has a diverse set of suppliers of key materials and gases, so we do not believe there are immediate supply disruptions risks related to Russia and Ukraine.”

Food Processing: Russia and Ukraine account for 29% of the global wheat export market. Other major food exports include barley, sunflower oil, and corn. While Europe is poised to be the hardest hit, the conflict could drive up food inflation even more in the U.S., impacting processors. Wheat and corn prices, for instance, are on the rise.

Prices

The economic disruption fueled by this crisis may drive up prices even more across a wide range of commodities. Oil prices have hit $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014. The price of aluminum is up 20% since this time last year, while palladium (used in the production of fuel cells) is up 26.7% over the same time period.

Shipping

The Russian-Ukraine crisis has the potential to drive up shipping costs beyond already-elevated rates, driven by a spike in crude oil prices. Global freight rates have been dropping generally since hitting a pandemic-related high in September 2021, but the freight industry is now watching the Ukraine situation closely, with its potential to spike rates for tanker, dry bulk and container shipping rates.

Cybersecurity Risks

The crisis poses a significant cybersecurity risk to businesses around the globe, with Russian cyber-attacks expected in response to sanctions imposed by the West. Ukraine’s infrastructure has already been hit with a rash of cyberattacks. Meanwhile, the U.S. cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a “Shield’s Up” statement, encouraging all businesses to be prepared for the increased risk of cyber-attacks. Their guidance for all organizations can be found here. CISA is especially concerned about cyber-attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure, affecting a range of critical industries, including iron and steel mills, engine and turbine manufacturers, aerospace products and transformer manufacturers.

Crisis-Proof Your Supply Chain

While no one is immune to global supply chain disruptions, securing dependable, domestic suppliers is a winning strategy for protecting your supply chains from geopolitical risks. If you’re looking for domestic suppliers, start with IndustryNet, the free industrial marketplace, connecting millions of industrial buyers with suppliers of more than 11,000 products and services. Search, sort and quote for free by starting here.

 Be the Best at Customer Service

We all work in customer service to some extent…it just depends on who the customer is.

If you’re in an office, it’s your boss who is the customer. If you’re in retail, it’s the shopper who is the customer. And the list continues. So, it bears repeating that customer service is important.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our customer service skills could be honed a little bit. Or, maybe you have a new employee who doesn’t see how valuable good customer service is. Well, either way, here are a few ways to brush up on your customer service.

The Importance of Caring for Your Customers

Customer service, or customer care, is vital to us all.

It’s the difference between keeping and losing customers to the competition. One wrong move, and we might lose a valuable customer.

Customer service is how we respond to customers, and it entails a lot of duties. It’s not just how we answer the phone. It’s how we help them when they return items or when we explain policies to them. It’s also when we give deadlines or wait times.

Did you know that acquiring new customers is more expensive than keeping the ones you have?

That’s why customer service needs to be top-notch. It can’t be emphasized enough.

Customers want personalized service, and they will typically pay more for it. If your product is more expensive than the competition, but you have an outstanding customer care program, with engaging employees, you will be more likely to charge more for the same product or service. That’s how important good customer service is.

7 Customer Service Tips from the Pros

1. Greet customers by name.

Learn their names and impress them when they walk into your place of business.

2. Keep notes.

Keep a book with notes on your customers, so you remember things they told you, such as a significant event or date. Then be sure to ask about it the next time they come in.

3. Support each other.

Allow employees to share their frustrations. This will help prevent burnout and ensure they are ready to be pleasant with the next customer.

4. Respond quickly.

Be quick to respond when customers have a question, complaint, or want an estimate.

5. Customize the service, so it’s tailored to each customer.

Some people want to get in and out quickly. Other customers want to chat and take their time, so accommodate them.

6. Offer to help a customer before they even ask.

This shows initiative and evokes positive images of your company.

7. Treat customers like real people, not like a number.

Be sure to talk with them in a conversational tone, rather than like they are just another customer waiting in line.

Dealing with customers can be challenging. But when you keep your focus on staying positive and constantly improving customer service, you are sure to win over even your toughest critic.

We appreciate your business and want the chance to serve you in the near future. Check out our website today and see what we offer. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

Are Your Meetings Worth Attending?

When asking employees what makes a meeting worth attending, 62% said “clear,” “specific,” “defined,” and “concrete” information should be given.

This may sound like basic information, but many bosses hold meetings that are contrary to these terms. So how can you ensure you’re not making this mistake?

Here are 10 tips to keep your meetings effective and productive.

10 Tips to Make Your Meetings More Effective

1. Determine why you are having the meeting.

Try to pinpoint exactly why you are holding a meeting for these particular people.

Start by identifying the purpose and desired outcomes of the meeting, then include it in both the meeting invitation and the meeting agenda.

2. Determine the appropriate attendees.

You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings if they aren’t invited to the meeting.

In fact, people don’t want to waste their time if they aren’t the appropriate people to handle the topic of the meeting. Only invite people who can implement the changes you seek or offer advice on the appropriate department.

3. Create an effective agenda.

Type up the agenda, and list the topics and the presenters. Also, include start and end times so that the meeting doesn’t go off-topic.

Send out the agenda before the meeting so that everyone is ready to contribute.

4. Vary the presenters.

By including different presenters, you will stir up more interest and invite others to engage.

Having different views and topics by different people is much more engaging, and it may provoke others to share their insights as well.

5. Take breaks.

This is the best way to keep people off their phones. A break is the best time to check their emails and texts, get a drink, and use the restroom.

6. Pass out handouts at the beginning.

Be prepared for all participants.

Don’t expect they will bring their agendas; have enough for everyone in attendance. Place the handouts at each spot around the table to minimize the shuffling of papers. 

7. Don’t recap for latecomers.

This wastes time for all who arrived on time.

No matter the reason, don’t recap during the meeting. Latecomers can catch up by reading the agenda and talking to others during the break.

8. Cover the most important topic first.

Then list the next important topic, and so forth.

This gets right down to business. It’s like reading a newspaper article, in which the most important information is given right away, and then the subsequent information is disseminated.

9. Try to hear from everyone.

If it’s a small enough group, allow for input from each person. Give time to ask relevant questions and hear them out.

10.  Assign jobs prior to the meeting.

Have someone take notes, which involves mainly writing down the main talking points and actions that were brought up.

Have a timekeeper who can kindly keep everyone on task. Have a director who introduces each speaker. This keeps the meeting organized and effective. 

These tips should help you review your meeting process and possibly improve it a little if needed. Getting the most out of your meetings will ensure more success for you personally and for your business.

Our goal is to help you be successful as well. Our printing firm knows your time is valuable, and we are here to help you streamline your business. We will get right to the point, create an action plan and get your printing done on time so you will continue to be successful. 

Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

How to Flourish: Focus on Personal Growth

We don’t always talk about personal growth, but it should be the topic of conversation or at least the topic of thought. How do we flourish in such a busy world? Here are ten steps to encourage your growth.

10 Steps to Encourage Your Personal Growth

Volunteer.

We don’t always want to add another thing to our to-do list, but this is important to give you a different perspective. By volunteering, you will feel good about yourself and learn new skills and get different views of the world.

Experience new things and places.

Take a short day trip on your day off. This is the perfect time to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Enjoy learning about new places, and don’t be afraid to take part in local activities. It will do your brain good.

Prioritize your health.

Take a health journey by starting to walk, joining a gym, or taking up a new sport that you can do regularly. Your health is an important part of personal growth.

Evaluate your life.

Use a private journal, or put it in your phone or on a computer. But take time to write down what you like and don’t like about your life. This is time for complete honesty. No one but you is looking. What makes you happy? What frustrates you? What would you like to change in your life? What steps do you need to take to improve?

Learn something new.

Read books that you never thought of reading. Take a class somewhere that will stretch you. Go on a retreat to expand your knowledge.

Set ambitious goals.

Research at the University of California-Riverside found that people with loftier goals were more satisfied than those who set mediocre goals, even if the outcome was similar. Reach for something you think is a bit unattainable but doable. Don’t be afraid to set long goals that take a while to achieve.

Be a good listener.

You might want to call up a friend and practice your listening skills. Or maybe it’s at work. Focus on listening instead of what you’re going to say next.

Stretch yourself creatively.

Do something that stretches you creatively. If it doesn’t come naturally, take a painting or pottery class from an adult education facility. Or watch YouTube to follow along with an artist. Or try Pinterest for ideas on what to do. 

Don’t try to impress people.

This leads only to disappointment. Set goals that are important to you, rather than a goal that will impress others. This is key to personal growth because it’s personal; it’s not what others think of you. 

Teach others.

The best way to learn something is to teach it to others. Evaluate your skills, interests, and hobbies. What can you teach others? This will help you improve as well as help out others. 

We all need reminders to grow on purpose. If we don’t take steps to grow in our personal and professional lives, we remain stagnant.

We are always learning new things at our printing firm, and we love helping you with your goals. If you desire a more creative banner or marketing materials, you know where to go. We’re your partner in personal growth. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com