Promoting Wellness

A Celebration of Life

2009-05-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

This past 3-day holiday weekend ended up being very special for us. We did not have the more traditional picnic or beach barbecue nor did we go camping for the weekend.
In fact, our original plans for these weekend was having some out of town friends coming in for the full three days.

Sometimes an event comes along that just demands you stop and take notice. An event that commands your respect, leaves you in awe and builds your faith. An event where you call up your dear out of town friends and apologize for having to reschedule a great weekend but you know they will absolutely understand.

A couple of months back we got a "Save the Date" note. Well it actually was an imprinted refrigerator magnet (hurrah for our promotional products industry!). It was for a 50th celebration. And as great as it is for making it to 50 years old, this was not a birthday nor even a "years in business" anniversary. No, this was a 50th wedding anniversary. The Golden One. Five decades of being husband and wife, after a period of courting, dating, wooing and romancing. Fifty years of being each other's everything. Complete with a couple of generations of legacy to show for it.

The "kids" threw a grand celebration to honor their parents. They invited the extended family to share in the celebration. They made sure they invited members of the original wedding party to gather and be recognized. A champagne toast (I am sure I counted at least one!) was held. The emotions that cracked through the accompanying words by each of their children touched all in attendance. And then they had the DJ play the same first song to which their parents had danced on their wedding day 50 years ago.

There was so much to be honored this night. Family. Love. Faith. Belief in Humankind. And while we were thanked for making the trip and sharing in their celebration, the honor was ours. We feel absolutely and truly honored to be part of this family and to have been part of this grand occasion.

A Page From Our Playbook

2009-05-19T21:47:00.000-07:00

We want to share with both potential buyers of promotional products and with our professional consulting distributors, a few ideas on creating real promotions from your promotional product purchase.

The type of product selected should be matched to the message the organization wants to convey. Certain items can create an altruistic image of caring, of concern for well-being, of someone willing to make a positive difference where we work, live and play. These types of products lend themselves very well to creating public relations that speak with heart to our communities.

Typically, organizations that are willing to give away these types of products are members of the local Chamber or Commerce as well as one or more of the local service clubs. As a community service item, ask for some floor time to explain the benevolent program being sponsored even before you are ready for distribution. Accompany this with a write-up for any associated print or on-line publications.

There may be some great opportunities ahead for the formal introduction and distribution as well. Depending on the specific product, select from items such as a Health Fair, Jaycees Carnival, Community Festival, new or classic Car Show, etc. This may provide an additional forum for delivering your message to the community, particularly if there is an associated website or social media network.

There may also be ways to coordinate service clubs, boys or girls community organizations, church youth groups, etc., to help with distribution. Volunteers helping seniors with information, or helping parents with child identification kits, build an even greater sense of community. In some cases, it might even create a perfect blend for asking first responders such as police, fire and EMS/EMT teams to join your event.

The goal really amounts to putting the PROMOTION back into promotional product purchase. As a sponsor, the buyer is helping individuals, their families and the community at large in exchange for placing their logo or message on the item. It amounts to a unique opportunity where the benefit is an altruistic message of caring to make a difference.

While this is written with our particular line of products in mind, many specialty advertising items can indeed benefit from a similar approach. While we won't encourage others to "lift" our ideas verbatim, we share the concepts presented here with an open mind. We believe potential buyers can work better with their promotional product consultants to build better programs. We have faith that the professionals in our distributor network will find value with these approaches and remember Medi-Facts as the source, and even take a few extra minutes to understand our products. And finally, we even openly sharing the ideas with fellow suppliers as we have a firm belief that when the industry as a whole succeeds, we all can ride a higher wave.

This information was extracted from the Medi-Facts Public Relations MediaKit, a toolkit for our professional consultanting distributors. Qualifying distributors may obtain a free download by following the "Distributors, learn more here" link found on our website.

Las Vegas For My Health, Yeah, That's It, It's For My Health!

2009-05-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

It is time for one of my favorite events of the year, an annual mini-getaway with some great friends. I guarantee within 5 minutes of greeting each other in the baggage claim area, we will be rolling with laughter. And it won't let up until we part at the airport again on Friday.

The weeks and months of stress will begin to dissipate. Withing a few hours, I'll have forgotten how difficult just yesterday felt. Without taking an extra vitamin or adding any notable exercise, I will actually feel better, healthier. This is the great wonder of time-off, of good friends, of laughter.

Laughter. Absolutely great medicine.

We've known each other for over 30 years. We have been taking an annual trip together for over 20 years. This year is our most common destination, Las Vegas. We have done a few other things like weekend cruises or even Hawaii, but Vegas is our mainstay. And it doesn't matter where we go, what we do, who else we see, it will be full on honest-to-goodness hearty laughs. By now we have amassed more stories than we can remember in a single day.

Among those stories are different trips, different days, where one or two of the group of four have been under the weather, faced food poisoning, or otherwise dealt with health issues. While it may seem to ruin a moment here or there, it always ends up with some funny story associated with it.

Have you ever tried to find some chicken soup, to go, at a casino in Las Vegas? We've got a terribly funny story about that. Have you ever seen somebody actually appear to turn green from something eaten? Fortunately that ended up closer to funny than terrible (at least looking back at it now). There is one evening, my poor wife dragged herself out of the room after recouping the entire day. She even missed dinner but she got up and dressed to meet us for a late night show. It was about the worst show we've ever seen and so now the running gag is, "I got out of bed for THAT?"

And on occasion, we've seen one or another having a bit of a slow morning *wink* after a little extra champagne while celebrating the night before.

I can say though, that the incidence of illness while traveling has not been significantly different for us as compared to being home. We use all the basic standard precautions. We cover our mouths when coughing or sneezing, usually with a tissue if it isn't a "sneak attack." We routinely wash our hands throughout the day and especially whenever we sit down to eat (we've handled all sorts of stuff from doorknobs to money to casino chips all day). Several years back we started carrying hand sanitizer with us no matter where we go. We eat at reputable places although that isn't always a guarantee (ask my "green" buddy mentioned earlier). We will travel in the confines of airplanes. We will ride in taxis. We will meet and greet many people along the way. We will use typical precautions but we won't stop living.

And, we won't stop laughing!

Here are some ideas for you to share.
-Do you have a favorite way of getting your dose of laughter?
-Do you have an annual event with friends you've done for years?
-How about a favored destination?

Health Caregivers Recognition in May

2009-05-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Month of May has a quite few month-long observations that fit quite well into the theme of our blog, Promoting Wellness. There are proclamations covering everything from specific health conditions such as Arthritis, Lupus and Osteoporosis to wellness lifestyle choices such as Clean Air, Healthy Vision, Physical Fitness And Sports, Better Sleep and even Motorcycle Safety.

We start adding in the various week long observations and then specific days, you can go crazy trying to keep up. (Did I mention that May is also Mental Health Month?) Given the recent high level of attention to healthcare, there are two particular "causes" I really want to give some extra attention. These are two groups of caregivers.

Starting today, May 6, it is National Nurses Week. Their theme this year is "Nurses: Building a Healthy America." This observation runs through May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. As you may know, she is recognized as the founder of what we would consider modern nursing. This is a perfect time to show nurses true appreciation for their contributions to patients and your communities.

A good starting point for learning more about how they contribute, and how you can become involved with the profession, is the American Nurses Association website

National EMS, or Emergency Medical Services, Week runs May 17th to 23rd. This week recognizes the dedication of first responders servicing as emergency medicine's "front line." Along with your local communities and medical personnel, take a moment to express thanks and gratitude to these individuals that face lifesaving situations daily.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is a good place to learn find links to additional information about this profession.

If you would like to find more information about special recognition days, weeks, or months devoted to promoting particular health concerns, visit the National Health Information Center. While there are a large number of resources available on the web (just do a search using your favorite site) this one is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Links in this post:
American Nurses Association website
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
National Health Information Center

Opportunity Vs. Insensitive Opportunism

2009-04-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Events occur and daily life evolves into a history that unfolds itself before our very eyes. It seems that the most prominent news, and in today's world, the hottest trending online posts, tend to deal with the bad, the ugly, the catastrophic.

There are certain words or phrases that require no additional description for most people to conjure images, emotions and even fear. Today it is "swine flu." Here is another one for you, "Katrina." (We had a whole list but we are not after sensationalism here.)

And there are others that feel much more personal when you hear them. It really depends much more on your private experience and exposure. For example, "Cancer." Or "Alzheimer's."

We create a line of kits that can literally make a difference in somebody's life. A difference in which organizations and merchants, in essence, help sponsor the health and well-being of members of our communities. Our products can help individuals, their families and their communities deal with things similar to the buzzwords in the previous paragraphs. We want to help people see that value, but putting in context of high fear levels does not feel right.

And this is the fine line we are trying to find. We also know we are not alone in this dilemma. These events, this unfolding history, can actually help raise awareness of various needs. If done right, this raised awareness can be harnessed to make positive change. If not done so well, it can be worse than just a squandered chance to make a difference, it can leave such a bad taste that it closes off all future chances as well.

We absolutely believe that there is a need for self-identification and self-care through items like Personal Health Records. Ask emergency responders how difficult their job can be when information is scarce or absent but the case is urgent. Having prepared personal information can make a huge difference in both personal situations and community-wide ones. Our company, Medi-Facts, was founded on this belief.

We want to educate business leaders, civic leaders, community organizations and others that we can help them make a huge difference. We want to encourage promotional product professionals to help their clients see the possibilities that await. We are trying to help all to see the opportunity for positive change while we stay away from insensitive opportunism that simply pursues a buck regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.

By chance, and I really do mean that given editorial calendars are built so far in advance, Identity Marketing magazine's just-released May issue's lead story is "Healthy and Safe Sales." Results of an earlier interview with their writers yield some pretty good coverage for Medi-Facts. I especially enjoyed that they used one of my quotes to close the article. (Hint, if you are in the promotional products business, go read it.) I bring this up though because this represents a case of providing some education in a positive light. It is an example of what we try to do year around and not just during a (real or perceived) crisis.

Without creating panic, without exploiting fears, we would love for the people with raised awareness seek an opportunity to make a difference.

You are encouraged to post your comments and ideas on how anyone, not just our company, can find that fine line. Whether you are viewer or "end-user" individual, a leader or organization, a specialty advertising distributor, or even a fellow promotional products supplier, we ask that you share. Together we can do a better job of harnessing raised awareness.

Family Wellness -- And A Visit By My Mom

2009-04-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

I was browsing upcoming observances such as National Teacher Day (May 5, which happens to also be Cinco De Mayo), National Nurses Week (May 6 - May 12) and National Safety Month (June). I stumbled across an observation called National Family Wellness Month and it just struck a big, loud chord.

So what really struck that chord with me? We just had a fantastic, endearing, week-long visit by my Mom. What I want to share with you is what an accomplishment this visit represents.

My Mom is in her late seventies and has been through a few difficult, painful years with some family losses. She may not be as sprightly as some other septuagenarians but is still able to self-manage with day-to-day activities. On the other hand, she uses a cane for assistance in walking any distance and tires very easily. She lives alone in a triplex by choice while my siblings and I would really prefer her unit would be in a community with other seniors. I think that helps paint the picture.

You see, she has not really been out of the house for more than a couple of days at the most since my father died a few years ago. They were married 54 years and did everything together. Her trips since then have been basically to attend special family events and holidays, or for healthcare, but she has not been on a "vacation" at all. And that's what makes last week so special.

She finally accepted our invitation to stay with us a full week, Sunday to Sunday. We made only a couple of minor, simple accommodations but other than that, it was a case of "here is how we live, just make yourself at home." And she loved it! She absolutely adored being out of her home and having company, when she wanted it, day in and day out.

We showed her some of the local sights and sounds of our town (a coastal town in California is a pretty good place for such things), took her to a couple of our local hangouts, and shared meals both in and out. She went shopping with my wife and even splurged a little on herself for the first time that any of us could remember. We sat and talked, watched TV, read the paper, relaxed and took naps (at least she did!). She took walks and got sunshine in our backyard, something she cannot do at home. And our local Farmers Market was just the right size for her and we happened to have perfect weather too.

My Mom took a week and she "lived" it.

That, right there, is what was so special. Despite all of her self-consciousness concerns about her special needs (again, only the most minor of accommodation on our part) she felt extremely comfortable. She never once had to worry about being judged that she was weak or a bother. She allowed herself and got a taste of life again. The great accomplishment I alluded to in the opening is, that after all this time, my Mom really "lived" the week.

The objective of "Family Wellness," as found on the Words of Wellness website: Spend more time with family and appreciate those closest to you. Love is the glue that binds.

It has taken years of effort by all of my siblings and our families to get to this week. More importantly, it took a huge effort by her. And of course, it really is a credit to and acknowledgement of how we, as a family, were raised. At the end of the week, the contentment in her voice, the glow in her face and the smile in her eyes were priceless.

In the name of Family Wellness, I ask that you please be patient an persevere with family. We know that it isn't always easy. We know it isn't always fun. But when you get to moments like these, they are always priceless. May is Family Wellness Month, please do something special with it.

A personal note in closing, Thank you Mom and Dad for teaching us so well what family, what love, really means.

Links in this post:
Words of Wellness

Some Fun Observances Since Tax Day Is Never Fun

2009-04-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

We all know the dreaded April 15th Deadline as Tax Day, but what else gets observed in April? Here are a few items a bit lighter than Tax Day:

April Fools Day: - April 1 - Most of you already knew this one and if not, well you might be somebody's easy target!
No Housework Day: - April 7 - Did you happen to miss this one? Or did you accidentally "celebrate" without knowing about it!
National Egg Salad Week: - This Week! - Of course this is going to follow Easter with all those hard-boiled eggs. It wouldn't make sense for it to be after Halloween, unless of course, it was call Egg Toss Week.
International "Louie Louie" Day: - April 11 - Yes, that "Louie Louie" song, and it is even supported by an organization called LLAMAS (Louie Louie Advocacy and Music Appreciation Society).
National High Five Day: - April 16 - You've heard the phrase or quote "Random Acts of Kindness" before, well, this is sort of a similar deal originated at the University of Virginia.
National Jelly Bean Day: - April 22 - I don't make this stuff up even though I really do like jelly beans!
Sense of Smell Day: - Late April (25ish - 29ish) - It just sounded funny even though it really is an educational event at children’s museums
National Karaoke Week: - Last Week of April - Great fun if you enjoy Karaoke, a week to avoid neighborhood bars if you don't!

You can look these up on your favorite search engine to find more info.

This post is done with a sense of wonder and humor. After all, in line with wellness, "laughter is the best medicine." I hope this helped lighten your outlook for the month of April.

Promotional Products, Specialty Advertising, Incentive Marketing -- in the On-Line Age

2009-04-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

The tools of the Internet are rapidly changing how we do business. For all of us. There are a great number of benefits from this that include a reduction in the number of printed catalogs (which is gaining great momentum), the ability to throw a much wider net as we look for sources and deals, and reducing the number of gallons of gas spent in search of that perfect item.

Probably the most telling factor is how many times phrases such as "Oh, I'll just do a search and get a better price" are spoken. That search can be a double edged sword. Getting search results is also a bit like the proverbial trying to take a sip from a fire hose. How many pages deep into search results can you go before you've feel like you're getting way too much water up your nostrils?

When we come to promotional advertising items in particular, we ask, do you really get a better value? With on-line searches you might find a better price, but do you find a better value?

What we cover here is how to blend the resources of the Internet with the resourcefulness of your promotional products consultant or distributor.

A note for end-buyers not familiar with the industry: A promotional products consultant develops solutions to your marketing challenges. They specialize in building promotions and campaigns for corporate buyers, marketing professionals and others wanting to create brand affinity, increase brand awareness, generate trade show traffic, retain employees, etc. They work on your behalf with a network of approximately 3,500 promotional product suppliers (this is the category are company falls into) that imprint or customize items they have manufactured, imported, converted, or otherwise adapted for incentive programs, trade show giveaways, premium gifts and more.

Why should you use a consultant/distributor of promotional products?

A seasoned marketer knows there is a difference between investing in a promotional campaign and buying an item with your organization's good name on it. The creative ideas delivered by an innovative consult will bring you brilliant ways you may have never considered for using a product or series of products to support your campaign.
Consultants have chosen a vast network of resources they can turn to for help. There are colleagues in over 20,000 firms; there are national industry organizations such as Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) and SAGE which provide training, tools, resources and lots of real people with tremendous experience. There are approximately twenty-eight regional associations across the U.S. alone, plus distributor groups and affiliations.
A qualified consultant or distributor listens to what you want but then helps you understand and find what you need. These are more than just salespeople, like some PR specialists and marketing departments, we suggest you bring them in during planning strategies.
They work to develop programs that can measure your success.
And of course they can help you with the other pieces of a successful project: Helping ensure you get accurate, reproducible artwork with correct colors, fonts, proportions for the selected materials; quoting the total price and realistic delivery times up-front reducing surprises, and monitoring the progress of your order.

Taking advantage of on-line resources.
Rather than necessarily searching for best prices, use the Internet to become an informed buyer. Online catalogs can give you starting points to make suggestions or to ask questions. In fact, a couple of extracts from a post on about.com help illustrate the point:

Event planners spend a lot of money on promotional products and corporate gifts used at trade shows, seminars, conferences, product launches and other special events. However, many don't know if they are buying the best products at cost effective prices... Instead, search the items and discuss the pros and cons associated with various suppliers with your promotional products distributor in order to achieve maximum value.

In addition to the tools available to distributors, more and more services are being made available to help the end-buyer. Most of these that support end-buyers provide information for finding consultants in addition to a catalogs from a collection of suppliers. In addition to industry association Internet tools, you will see new arrivals too. One such site is a new Promotional Product eCatalog search engine, ZOOMcatalog that is in testing now. This one comes from new a senior at University of Colorado Leeds School Of Business working with a veteran distributor.

Where else can you find distributors or consultants? The industry trade groups mentioned earlier provide a great start. There is PromoMart, linked from ASI, that is sponsored by a large group of both national and international advertising specialty distributors. A visit PPAI's Buyer page will help you find a member consultant assist you with promotional products or ideas for your next campaign. There are basic tools too, such as ThomasNet (Thomas Publishing Company) Search and even Google. I suggest you put in a location or maybe a product specialty in addition to "Promotion Products Distributors" or you get an even bigger fire hose.

Links in this post:
PPAI
ASI
SAGE
ZOOMcatalog (coming soon / testing only)
PromoMart (find a distributor)
PPAI's Buyer page (find a distributor)
ThomasNet (Thomas Publishing Company) Search
Google (search: promotional product distributors)

End of the 1st Quarter 2009 -- Well?

2009-03-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here we are, one full quarter of the year is up. How has your world changed since January 1st? How much is it the same? On April 30, you will hear a lot about Obama's "100 Days" report, but right now, you can assess your own "90 Days" report.

Despite all the "downturn" news, I hope this posting finds you doing decently well. Maybe you set some goals at the start of the year and are making progress. Or you have lost a few pounds or inches. You could be feeling good about your contributions to a better, greener earth. Spring has sprung, hopefully you've had at least a couple of days decent weather to step out of the house.

We have seen markets tumble. We have seen our friends get laid off. We all know (or are) some of the folks that have not been able to land a new job. Has this created excessive stress for you? Tell us a little about your way of dealing with it.

Some big name retailers, and countless small businesses across the nation have folded up their tents. Some of our favorite places to get a "deal" are gone. Share a little bit about what you are doing in place of that?

Do some of your goals seem a little more difficult than you thought they might be? Sometimes that is a sign you have a good goal, if it was too easy, you probably didn't set it high enough. On the other hand, don't forget that sometimes our goals need a reality check too. Setting goals is perfect and helps us get places. But blindly aiming for a goal that is no longer relevant could be wasting valuable energy worth spending elsewhere.

And while you are doing a little 90-day check here, check back on those simpler things we often forget about. Have you been able to laugh and smile? Have you stopped to "smell the flowers" on the road of life? And, have you taken time to tell others you care about exactly that? Don't tell us here, go tell, and show, them... NOW!

Annual American Diabetes Alert Day

2009-03-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today, Tuesday March 24, is the 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day. It is a great day to learn about Diabetes, how it can be managed, and how devastating it can be if left untreated.

More importantly, it is the perfect opportunity to check yourself and loved ones using a free "Diabetes Risk Calculator". The tool is quick, easy, painless and involves answering some fairly quick questions. Please, it takes only about a minute to complete. We have provided it in the sidebar here, courtesy of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) or you can complete it on their homepage if you wish.

And just in case you don't think you or someone you care about might not be affected, the ADA states on their website:

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle), and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and people who have a family history of the disease are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

You can become involved in the fight against this deadly disease. One way is to check the ADA's map to help you find local events near you. Another is to become a Volunteer or a Corporate Sponsor. But if nothing else, be sure to start with yourself. Take the test.

Links in this post:
American Diabetes Association
Become a Volunteer
Become a Corporate Sponsor.

Good News (Sort Of) Regarding Weight Loss

2009-03-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

An interesting study has good news and bad news for anyone of us millions of people that are trying to lose weight. So what do you want first, the good news or the bad news?

Let's start with the bad news and get that out of the way. To lose weight and keep it off, a heart-healthy reduced-calorie diet is the way to go. Yeah, reduced-calorie means less food which is tough for some of us "foodies."

So what, you ask, is the good news? The good news is that regardless of differing proportions of fat, protein, or carbohydrate, you can still lose weight. That's right, you can choose the types of foods you still like as long as you reduce the overall calorie intake. Of course they should be heart-healthy versions of the food you like meaning low in saturated fat and cholesterol while high in dietary fiber. But still, the types of food you like!

According to report discussed in a press release, the 811 participants of a two-year study, on average, lost 13 pounds at six months and maintained a 9 pound loss at two years. Participants also reduced their waistlines by 1 to 3 inches by the end of the study.

In addition, participants showed other health improvements. All variations of the diets use helped risk factors including a reduction in triglycerides, a lower LDL (so-called "bad") cholesterol combined with an increase in HDL (so-called "good") cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. (Here's a little memory helper for remembering which is the good cholesterol and which is the bad: Think of the "L" in LDL as "Lousy" and "H" in HDL as "Healthy." A free tip, no extra charge!)

Here's the bottom line, right from the press release itself:

Previous studies have shown that a loss of 5 to 10 percent of body weight will help reduce risk factors for heart disease and other medical conditions. In this study, 15 percent of patients achieved a 10 percent weight loss after two years.

Just so you know, this study was not from some company trying to promote its own line of products. This was reported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's medical research agency National Institutes of Health. Finally, there's some good news coming out of our government during these challenging times.

Links in this post:
Press Release "Heart-Healthy, Reduced-Calorie Diets Promote Long-term Weight Loss"
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health.

Have you heard about "Healthy Monday" yet?

2009-03-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Healthy Monday.
The day all health breaks loose.

You have got to love that tag line. But what is this Healthy Monday thing? Founded by leaders in the field of public health, they encourage you to "resolve to use Monday to begin a new healthy behavior or stop an unhealthy one." They further state "Monday can be a weekly start for a healthier you!"

Officially, The Healthy Monday movement centers on the use of Monday as a nationally recognized day dedicated to increasing health awareness, empowerment and action. That is from the "Core Principles" listed on their website. Healthy Monday is a project of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Here are some example topics covered: "DO THE MONDAY 2000!" which suggests after a weekend of less-structured eating and indulgence, you use Monday to reset the FDA’s recommendation of 2000 calorie budget you have to spend; there is "Go Red Monday" that encourages women to wear red every Monday to extend and reinforce the message of the millions of women wearing red during February to highlight the risks of heart disease; and also "Quit & Stay Quit Monday!" which asks you to use each subsequent Monday to recommit to something you started, or more specifically, quit on New Years.

Why Mondays? Monday is a fresh start, the January of every week. A day to refocus and recommit, and to celebrate your journey towards your better health.

Here are some ways they encourage us to spread the message:

Raising Health at Work
Want to raise health at work? Join the Healthy Monday campaign! Research shows that a Healthy staff is a productive staff and can save your company lost employee time, sick leave and benefits cost.

Raising Health on Campus
Take the lead by bringing Healthy Monday to your campus and instantly become part of a growing network of Healthy Monday campuses throughout the country.

Raising Health in Town
Be the voice of health in your community by adopting Healthy Monday programs.

I am sure you can see how you can use this same approach to ba an advocate for the health of your family and even for groups and organizations to which you belong. You can sign up for a weekly Monday health tip on their Join The Movement Page too. We here at Medi-Facts encourage to sign up and to help spread the word.

Links in this post:
Healthy Monday
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications
Join The Movement Page

The Promotional Product - What Can It Do?

2009-03-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

We discussed what a Promotion Product was in a February post. Here we want to talk a little bit about how they work or what they can do for you.

We often associate promotional products as the swag we get from vendors at trade shows. Of course we realize that not all items we pick up wandering up and down the aisles are equal. Some exhibitors simply entice you to stop at their booths (quite effectively) with a simple bowl of candy. While this works at the original goal of helping generate traffic at the booth, stop for a minute and try to recall the names of the vendors that provided you these treats at a show six months ago.

On the other hand, chances are you kept (or at least handed off to a friend or family member) something like a pen, a stress ball, a magnet or some other token with a company's name imprinted on it. According to a 2004 study by L.J Market Research, 55% of the study participants generally kept their promotional products for more than a year. That creates a lot of repeat "impressions" for the vendor who chose an imprinted item over a few pieces of candy.

That is one example of how a promotional product can work for you. Here are a few other ideas for you to consider as you notice the environment around you. Hotels have imprinted pens in every room and these pens often leave with guests; but not only does the guest get brand name reinforcement but think about how many times you have loaned a pen that never made it back into your hands? Pizza shops, doctors and dentists, real estate agents, schools and more understand the brand-building power of the refrigerator magnet. Churches, business of all types, civic organizations will gladly give you a calendar for your wall or desk in exchange for a full year's worth of exposure. The idea behind all of these goes beyond brand name recognition though. The sponsor also gets a customer, employee or other recipient that has received a gift with perceived value.

Here is another concept to consider. We tend to think of promotional products as smaller and relatively inexpensive items that are giveaways. There are a number of examples where items have much greater value and are perceived as being "earned." Have you or a family member ever worked for a company and received a t-shirt or hat that has become a favorite? How about more expensive items such as a jacket with an embroidered logo, an engraved desk set, an imprinted bag or briefcase, or a service anniversary gift of even greater value? These too are promotional products. The perceived value when earned is greater and fosters more dedication of the recipient and of those, including co-workers, around them.

We introduced this article by saying we would talk about how promotional products work or what they can do for you. In summary we will answer the "What's in it for me?" question for two parties of a promotional product. For the recipient, they get something of useful, something worth holding on to, something of value. For the sponsor that puts their name on a product, they get the building or reinforcing of their brand identity, typically over a longer term with repeat impressions, plus the enhancement of their image within their target communities.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog. You will find a full mix of health and wellness tips, business thoughts and ideas, and observations of life in general. We also encourage your comments and questions.

The One that Got Away

2009-02-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Today was a reminder of just how fleeting time is. Earlier this month I started a follow-up post discussing Promotional Products. I left it in draft mode when my day was interrupted and I didn't have time to finish it. A day later I went back and no sooner got started when *rinnnng* ... *rinnnng* (OK, in reality it was a digital tone but you get the idea).

I'm sure you know how the rest of the story goes because I have not yet posted the follow-up. So here I sit suddenly realizing that the month of February is the one that got away. It serves as a great reminder of how the trials and tribulations of life can change our best laid plans with time being so fleeting.

Speaking of plans and fleeting time, how are you doing in managing your health? Have you scheduled your routine appointments? Or at least put reminders on your 2009 calendar? Don't forget annual eye exams, semi-annual dental and any other special needs you may have in additional to a routine physical. I suggest this even those of you who feel you are in the best of health. If something should happen down the road, having a "baseline" record and an established doctor can be a huge factor in your care.

Don't forget to keep your personal health record updated too! Be sure that you keep it handy and in a manner that fits your lifestyle (home, work, recreation, etc.).

p.s. Don't forget to look for the Promotional Products follow-up post in early March! *grin*

The Promotional Product - What Is It Anyway?

2009-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Medi-Facts, sponsor of this blog, is part of the Promotional Products industry. Sometimes those of us within the industry forget we, just like other industries, have a bit of our own lingo. We sometimes forget to even define what for us is the most basic of terms. So let's start here for those of you not familiar with this industry.

You may hear the term Promotional Product and while you might make an educated guess, you still wonder exactly what one of those things really is. A few examples go along way toward the explanation. Imagine, if you will, Blue Collar Comedian Jeff Foxworthy's way of saying "you might be a redneck."

If you have a golf ball and the clubhouse's name is imprinted on it, you might have a promotional product.
If you have a pen with the name of the last hotel you stayed at printed on it, you might have a promotional product.
If you are wearing a shirt with an embroidered logo, you might have a promotional product.
If you have a magnet on your refrigerator with your local pizza parlor's phone number on it, you might have a promotional product.

Our apologies for butchering the humor out of Jeff Foxworthy's routine but it certainly helps deliver the point.

Wikipedia (which redirects "Promotional Product" to "Promotional Item") defines

Promotional items or promotional products refers to articles of merchandise that are used in marketing and communication programs. These items are usually imprinted with a company's name, logo or slogan, and given away at trade shows, conferences, and as part of guerrilla marketing campaigns.

Wkikpedia further states "Almost anything can be branded with a company’s name or logo and used for promotion."

As you look around and think of all the things you encounter in the course of a week, or even a day, you might be surprised. Desktop items such as pads of paper, mousepads, pens, stress balls and coffee cups. Clothing is a huge part of the industry including printed or embroidered shirts, socks, hats, jackets and even pajamas. You can find sports items such as golf balls and tees, bowling towels, various equipment covers and bags, sweat bands, wristbands, and more. Other items you might see around you are water bottles, flying discs, calendars, "how-to" hanging guides or magnets, portable CD holders, drink cozies, and so on.

The possibilities are endless and you have probably seen more items than you think. If you have seen something really unusual and cool, we'd like to hear about it; post a comment here and tell us about the item and what logo or message is on it.

You may have heard another term, "Specialty Advertising," and wonder how that differs from Promotional Products. The two terms are quite interchangeable. A Specialty Advertising item in as Promotional item, and in either case, promotions with logos and messages are a special form of advertising. Some make argue the nuances but for all practical purposes, they are the same.

Tune in later in this blog to learn some of the other terms used in the industry. If you would like a good primer in the meantime, see this Promotional Products Glossary Of Terms from PPAI. (And before I forget that we are defining terms, PPAI means Promotional Products Association International, a non-profit trade group).

Down the road we'll also provide guidance for those of you that want to help raise awareness for special causes, promote local groups or teams, and yes, even help promote businesses where you work or may happen to own. Subscribe to our feed to get these updates and all our other observations and posts automatically.

Links in this post:
Wikipedia
Promotional Products Glossary Of Terms
PPAI

Wellness in a Bailout Environment

2009-02-04T23:35:00.000-08:00

Tough economic times create stress. We see family or friends have hours cut or even lose jobs. We see years of savings efforts appear to shrivel to near nothingness. We find it more difficult to make decisions when we don't know how far we have to stretch a dollar. We lose confidence that our jobs will be there tomorrow and the next day and the next. And this is just scratching the surface.

The point is we see much higher levels of stress during more difficult times. By now, we know a lot of the signs: We continually feeling worried, we lose patience, sleeping a full night doesn't happen enough, our eating patterns are disrupted, and we often feel physical affects such as head, back, stomach or muscle aches, or sluggishness and fatigue. This may lead to depression as well. There are a number of reputable sites to get good information about symptoms and treatments, including the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and the Cleveland Clinic to name a few.

We can't always control the world around us. We can focus, however, on how we react to it. We have gathered some the most common ideas for stress relief. We are not acting as medical professionals (simply because we aren't) here, but rather as an old friend with some gentle reminders. That being said, here is a short list:

Start with working at getting regular, full night's sleep.
Cut down, or even cut out altogether, caffeine.
Eat sensible meals, try to do so at regular times if possible.
Try walking 20 minutes or more daily if you are not getting other forms of exercise routinely.
Learn deep breathing and slow stretch techniques, practice them and use them when you feel stress setting in.
We started with getting a full night's sleep and we repeat it. Everything listed here helps to that end. It is more important than you realize.

These are small personal things you can do to improve your body's ability to cope. Combine that with some planning for changes. And take a different perspective on what's next. Here is an example of what I mean. Just earlier this week I was asked if a trip I took years back on a small propeller plane was scary. My answer was along the lines of, "Well, it took a spirit of adventure!"

So make your flight plan, get yourself some rest and ready to cope, and go pilot your new adventure.

Links in this post:
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
WebMD

Time to Reaffirm New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

January 31st, one month into the new year. It is a good time check-up on our resolutions. It is a great time to reaffirm them!

What were your resolutions? Many center around getting healthier, through exercise, through healthier eating, or even through *gasp* dieting. That brings to mind one of my favorite old one-lines, "why do the first 3 letters of the word diet spell die?"

Of course, there are lots of other resolutions we make. They can be related to job changes, your financial picture, family relations, or fun things like make sure to plan and take a real vacation.

Regardless, take a minute and take stock of where you are at. Are you making progress? If so, great! If yes but not as much as you like, remember phrases like "Rome wasn't built in a day" and re-dedicate your purpose. If you haven't made progress, add the word yet, as in, "you haven't made progress yet." And then renew your vow to make that difference.

Yes, January 31st is a perfect time to reaffirm you New Year's Resolutions.

Prepared for Winter Weather?

2009-01-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

The American Red Cross asked Twitter readers "What are your tips for preparing for cold, snow and ice?" Most of the posted responses were very practical but there were a few fun ones mixed in.

Besides advice such as dressing in layers, or having the right supplies on hand, there were cute things such as "Buy hot cocoa before the grocery stores run out!" and "Bundle up with a cup of something warm in front of a fire & enjoy the snowfall." A couple of responses even involved moving to Hawaii. You can find the full posting on the American Red Cross website page: "YOUR Snow Safety Tips"

Are wondering what this Twitter thing is? This is straight from their FAQ:

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called "tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

Visit the Twitter website at http://twitter.com and you just might get hooked. When you do, follow the American Red Cross at http://twitter.com/RedCross or one of your Medi-Facts bloggers at http://twitter.com/jespi55.

Fitness Ideas and Tools

2009-01-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

Come January of each year, we see a surge in the Wellness and Fitness markets. Individuals and small groups of friends everywhere drive the heavy interest. We make resolutions, we want or need to shed some of the holiday pounds, we start to eye the summer vacation, or we simply see the New Year as a great time to start working on the new and improved self.

I came across a great posting at http://lifehacker.com/ that I encourage you to go check out: What Are Your 2009 Fitness Resolutions? The page asks you to share your plans for getting or staying in shape in '09. Of course, that means you've got to think about it and come up with a plan. Now you see why I sent you there?

What's cool too, is a link to another posting of theirs about six months earlier. This one is called The Best Tech Tools and Fitness Plans to Get in Shape. Again, the more help we can get, the better we can do. Among other things are ideas such as Map Your Workout, Pick the Right Running Shoes, and Track Your Fitness on Your Computer

It is this last item that refers on one more post of their own: Get in shape at Traineo. One of the reasons I suggest the post before going directly to the Traineo (http://www.traineo.com) site is to read the comments on the post. The encouragement there really tells the story. Traineo has a blog, but even better there is a community forum for exchanging ideas, asking question and garnering support from other members. The best part? Traineo is free.

If you have thoughts on these links or have other recommended suggestions for fitness, please feel free to add your comments.

Optimism Rides In with Obama's Inauguration

2009-01-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

According to a New York Times poll, Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed With Patience, Americans have tempered confidence that he can turn the economy around.

As we all know, 2008 spiraled to a close on a scale not seen in the lifetime of most of us. We have all at least seen, and more than likely know people directly affected by, events such as lost jobs, budget cuts, well-known companies folding up shop to say nothing of countless small ones. It is the magnitude of the economic downturn, combined with the rest of the State of the Nation that President-elect Obama inherits, that leads to the collective "but the turnaround can't be all accomplished immediately" opinion. From the article accompanying the poll:

Most Americans said they did not expect real progress in improving the economy, reforming the health care system or ending the war in Iraq — three of the central promises of Mr. Obama’s campaign — for at least two years. The poll found that two-thirds of respondents think the recession will last two years or longer.

While polls are great to get a read on the general population, there is always more personal impacts where you work, play, live and at home. First there is the question of where are now: Have you had to shrink your own budget? In the community where you live, are essential services being reduced or cut? If you help oversee a business budget, what changes have you had to make?

Then comes the question of what is your personal outlook? Do you see positive change? If so, how soon? If it will take two or more years as suggested in the article, what will you do differently? Are there steps you will take to help others around you or those impacted by reduced services in the community? Where you work or at other local businesses and organizations, can you make suggestions or influence in ways they can help?

We're all in this together; it doesn't belong to Barack Obama alone. As the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was titled and themed, "We Are One."

Back Home After Vegas Trade Show

2009-01-16T22:55:00.000-08:00

After spending a few days in Las Vegas for "The PPAI Expo 2009" trade show, it is great to be back home.

Mind you, I have no complaints about Vegas, or the Mandalay Bay that played host to the convention, nor the perfect weather, and even the air travel (with connections) was near flawless. But I am glad to be home.

It is always great to re-connect with our fellow exhibiting suppliers. Greeting what
are technically competitors with warm smiles, handshakes and hugs as dear friends. But that simply is because we DO become friends. Exhibiting at shows across the country -- quite literally -- we have shared many meals, many bus and plane rides, many side excursions and outings. This leads to an ever-growing history full of entertaining stories and laughs. And we call these competitors? We understand we each have specialties and niches; we appreciate that we each bring something to the table; we support and help each other in every possible ways. I raise a toast to my friends!

I haven't even mentioned our distributors yet! Our customers at these shows have too become great friends. Walking down a crowded corridor and you hear your name called out. Turning back you see a big smiling face with hands, or even arms, already extended out. Before you answer things like "what's your booth number?" you spend a few moments checking on family and such. The business discussion will wait until you're both at the booth. When I wrote about suppliers helping each other out above, it is in large part because as suppliers, we understand that is the best way that we, collectively, can support our distributors. A case in point: we had a customer asking for a very specific type of product that we don't carry ourselves. We offered three possible suppliers and suggested which was most likely to carry the item. As an example of how good our distributor clients are, this person took the time to come back to our booth -- and this is a big 2-floor show and our distributors walk all day -- just to thank us. They found exactly the item they needed where we suggested they might.

This industry, Promotional Products, really is fabulous. And yet, it is great to be home.

It's Awards Season or Let's Play "What's My Cause?"

2009-01-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

While the various awards shows you see, may be great for the self-serving interest groups that sponsor them, and can even be entertaining, we are sometimes witness to the passions of participants in the events.

You are free to interpret "witness to the passions" as you please since this will vary by your viewpoint of celebrities or their causes. You might think "subjected to tirades" or you might think "validated by much needed public expression." You may even think that a cause is worthwhile but a particular celebrity's endorsement does more harm than good. One thing we do know, the behavior isn't going to change.

Celebrities may choose to be vocal either on the red carpet or as an award winner. If you notice though, there are far more silent statements made by people wearing Cause Awareness ribbons and Cause Awareness wristbands.

Have you seen colors that you don't know what they mean? Do you have a special cause outside of the most popular Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer? Go over and look at the List of awareness ribbons from Wikipedia and see the list assembled so far. Over 20 ribbon color combinations and over five dozen, yes, five dozen causes.

Don't forget that supporting cause near to your heart is something you don't need to be a celebrity to do. You can do it too. What's your color?

Promoting Wellness the Medi-Facts Way

2009-01-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

To blog or not to blog is NOT the question. The question is can we do blog well enough to make a real difference. You see, we create "kits" that help people organize information. Information that could be used in an emergency. The real benefit is in the form of having peace of mind that those you care about can receive the best possible response should an event arise. The hidden goal that goes with this is, of course, that you never even need to have an emergency responder.

The gem behind this idea is making it so individuals like you and those around you don't have to go buy expensive products for this peace of mind. Rather, through a network of distributors, we find buyers that are willing to give them out. These purchasing organizations, companies, emergency teams and the like, have the option to print their logo or other messages on the items in exchange for providing the service to in their communities. There is a benefit to everyone involved all the way down to the final recipient.

And why do we care to blog well enough to make a real difference? Printed on the back of our business card, and as a daily internal reminder on our login screens of our intranet is:

Medi-Facts -- Committed to Making A Positive Difference!

In the Lives of Recipients
In the Quality of Communities
In the Reputation of Purchasers
In the Bottom Line of Distributors
In the Recognition of Partners
In Ourselves and Our Families

We fully expect it will take time for our messages to take root and have an impact but we are indeed commited to making a positive difference.

Welcome 2009 and A New Outlook

2009-01-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

A new year dawns, full of hope, full of desire to see a return to stability, full of promise for a brighter, better future.

By any definition, 2008 is a year that caused strife and stress for many. We ask you to watch this space here, and even participate with us, as we discuss ways to promote the wellness of each of us to strengthen our individual healthy outlooks and in turn, helping our communities stand strong.

We wish you a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year!