STANDING ON A WHALE, FISHING FOR MINNOWS

Dear Colleagues,

The Polynesians have a wonderful expression, "STANDING ON A WHALE, FISHING FOR MINNOWS." This basically describes any distributor member of our e-Quantum family failing to confront the current economic reality with all the strategic weaponry at their command.

As I contemplate our e-commerce firepower, product lines spanning office consumables, technological efficiencies, global marketing, on-demand capabilities, vendor interfaces, supply chain management... I marvel, and recall my first days on the job at my father's two-person distributorship.

Day One: Fresh out of college, I asked to read all the books that could teach me my new profession. This request was met with a cryptic stare and a welcome to the real world, not college. There were no books or classes. You learned by doing. I spent the day copying repeat orders.

Day Two: I was given a pad of layout paper, drawing pencils and a ruler and told to practice printing letters legibly in various sizes because I would need that skill to craft professional layouts. Then, I received actual sample forms to draw and re-draw, until all errors were corrected or, rather, darkness set in.

Day Three: My father said, "Here are two clear view binders. This binder contains samples of forms we print. The other contains pegboard accounting systems we sell. I could probably keep you in the office for weeks explaining everything, but the best training is to just put them under your arm and get out in front of customers." He provided a half-hour overview, and with that I was booted out the door.

I probably had a sales life expectancy less than the runt of a coyote litter. We sold two product lines and I was virtually ignorant of both. I succeeded primarily for two reasons. People like to help young persons who are trying, and it simply never occurred to me that I would fail.

That was then. This is now.

Now, I view the Agenda of our May 6-8 e-Quantum International Client Conference in Reno NV, see the arsenal of management, marketing, sales and technology solutions … and, I marvel. How did I ever get from my first few days in this industry to here? From using Greyhound Bus Lines for rush orders to attaching PDF files to electronic PO's.

Well, it wasn't by standing on a whale, fishing for minnows.

It may take a few years - and not a few minnows - to become a print professional, but eventually every successful distributor realizes you have to head out to "blue water" with heavy gear to catch "the big ones." That's why every distributor who wants to succeed in this economy needs to attend our May Client Conference. This is not the time to retreat to shallow waters. You'll find a boatload of the most innovative and cost effective technology solutions to impress clients and prospects, and you'll assure your distributorship the most profitable management systems. A random sampling of profit-producing sessions includes:

New Revenue Streams
  • Ennis Online/Q- Net: Vertical Markets Integration
  • New! Q-Net Employee Uniform Apparel Programs
  • Reselling Data Online
  • Intelligent Solutions for Promotional Product Sales
  • Google Search Optimization for Retail Stores
Management Analysis
  • New e-Quantum Analytical Dashboards for CEO's, CFO's, Sales Management and Sales Reps
  • New "Drill-Down" Dashboard Analysis
  • New "Drill Down" Account Management Analysis
Viral Marketing & Target Mailings
  • New "GoldMine Premium" CRM Integration
  • New AccuData/Q-Design Integrated Mailing Lists
  • A Team Dispatch Seminar on "The latest In Digital Print "
  • Turnkey Marketing Solutions For Your Distributorship
New e-Commerce Enhancements
  • Quantum Net End User RFQ
  • Credit Cards by Ship To
  • CCH Sales Tax Data Base Integration
  • Freight Tables
  • Online Coupons
  • Transmission of End User Reports via the Internet
Plus, Over 30 e-Quantum Software Training Sessions for e-Quantum Users!

This is a unique opportunity to learn the very latest technology and software. It's an opportunity to enhance your sales and management skills. Plus, you'll enjoy quality networking with some of our industry's leading vendors and fellow distributors.

I can't wait to see all our "blue water" clients at our May Conference in Reno. It will be a "recession buster" of a conference. I guarantee it! Click here to register for the conference or view the agenda and special events. In the meantime, good selling, and "whale away" out there.

Sincerely,



Ross Barker

P.S. e-Quantum is also sponsoring the PSDA Small Distributor Conference in Dallas. We hope to see many of you there as well.