Go Green – 5 Ways To Celebrate Earth Month

April is Earth Month, which means spreading awareness to keep our planet clean. “Going green” is a trend many corporations and small businesses have implemented into the products and services over the years. However, we all need a reminder every now and then to be conscious of how our lives affect the planet. Here are five green ideas for your company Earth Month contribution.

1.       Participate in EPA’s pick five campaign. Choose categories your company is passionate

  about such as air, water, energy, waste, land or general advocacy. Then select five actions your company will pledge to fulfill.

2.       Spread awareness about Earth Month with custom logoed apparel and products for your company store or upcoming April event. Choose from many shades of green, styles and fits at app-co.com.

3.       Honor Earth Month by joining Arbor Day Foundation’s plant a tree program. Join many other corporations with partnerships including FedEx, John Deere, Toyota and more. 

4.       Institute reusable products at work. Encourage employees to bring reusable lunch containers, water bottles, and coffee mugs for a chance to win a coveted prize.

5.       Do a team building event to support company morale and Mother Nature. There are a number of events and volunteer options to participate in, including festivals, fairs, expos and more. Find what activities are going on in your region.

How is your company celebrating Earth Month?

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Spring Cleaning - Freshen Up Your Business In 3 Ways Flat

It is hard to believe that spring is right around the corner. For our team at APP, spring time is about cleaning out the old to make room for the new. For your retail store it also means starting fresh with new products, and inventory. Every store undergoes seasonal changes throughout the year, and spring is no exception.

In retail you can do this by introducing new products to boost sales, provide custom clothing options, or offer additional services to meet your market demands. Here are our top three spring cleaning tips for any business:

 

•Clean out old paperwork. Step into 2013, it’s time to organize accounting documents, receipts, and other paperwork digitally. This way you can file away hard copies, plus have a backup saved if needed. If you do discard anything in the trash make sure you shred all paperwork with personal information on it.

•Update your business cards. Customized business cards are an excellent way to keep your name and the name of your company in the minds of your customers. Make sure your custom business cards are concise, professional and up to date to ensure you leave the right impression.

 

•Follow up on business goals.  Did you make any New Year’s goals in January? There’s no time like the present to put your new ideas in motion and market your business. Get a promotional event together, do a charity run or host a trunk show this spring.

What are your business goals this spring? Share with us now!

 

Spring Break Essentials

Spring break is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to put together your list of vacation essentials. Whether you’re jetting to the bahamas to relax in the sun or visiting Cabo for the first time -  we’ve got you covered. Don’t ruin your trip by leaving something at home. Here’s what you’ll need to make your trip a memorable one.

1.       Extra sun screen and aloe. Both can be expensive to purchase once you need them on vacation. Be sure to pack a good quality sunscreen with at least 20 SPF to protect your winter skin from the sizzling sun. In case you’re out in the sun a little too long, aloe is the perfect cooling fix to have on hand to make sure you enjoy the rest of your trip.

2.       Swimwear and coverups. Going to and from the beach daily is a given. Do it in style with an array of swimsuits and cover ups to sheild you from the sun.

3.       Personalized T-shirts and koozies. Vacations are a time for making fun memories. Make it memorable for your friends this springbreak with 2013 t-shirts and koozies.  

4.       Protect your eyes from the sun with a wide brim hat and polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.

5.       Versatile footwear. Bring casual sandals for the daytime and dressy shoes for night incase flipflops arent appropriate.

 

What’s on your list of Spring break essentials? Share with us now!

What To Get Her For Valentine's Day

Cupid is about to strike. Will you get hit? Whether you already have your Valentines planned or you have no idea what to get your special someone we’re here to bring you inspiration. Women have certain expectations when it comes to Valentine’s Day - Flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears are the commercialized norm. Instead, give her a surprise this year with something expected. Here’s our 6 Do’s and Don’ts for Valentine’s Day!

1.       Do splurge on a romantic evening. Pull out all the stops with a romantic dinner, flowers and a decadent dessert.

2.       Do get her something personalized. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but so is something uniquely hers. Is she a sports fanatic? Try a personalized hat or visor.

3.       Don’t buy commercialized sweets. Instead do something thoughtful and unexpected, like bake her cupcakes with love.

4.       Don’t forget! Mark your calendar now, and plan ahead before restaurants and venues are all booked.

5.       Don’t invite your guy friends over to celebrate. This will kill the mood, and make it about you, not her.

6.       Do stay in. If you’re on a budget, you can still do something to make her feel loved. Be her chef for the night, and cook a homemade meal accompanied by her favorite champagne.

How are you planning to sweep her off her feet this Valentine’s Day? Share with us now!

Market your Real Estate Business – With Promotional Products

As you may know real estate is all about first impressions. It’s important to present an honest and positive image of yourself to your current and prospective clients. In order to be successful in the real estate industry it’s important to build a network of people to help market your brand by word of mouth. 

There are many ways to grow a network of clients to become your word of mouth referrals. Here’s 3 ways you can boost your marketing efforts and make 2013 your best year yet.

• Go the extra mile. Get your clients a thoughtful house warming gift, instead of a typical pre-packaged one. For example, if they just moved to a waterfront property, give them 2 beach chairs and some custom koozie cups.
•  Offer referral incentives. Give an iPad to the big ticket referral, and a Starbucks gift card for the referral of smaller deals.
• Give your website, and social media profiles a boost by promoting customer testimonials. Positive experiences from your clients are a great way to illustrate your strengths to potential clients. Leverage social media channels to connect, and engage with current and potential clients. The more relationships you build the stronger your referral network will become.

With record numbers of new agents entering the field each year competition is fierce.  In order to be successful in the real estate arena, it’s increasingly important to utilize word of mouth marketing. Word of mouth marketing can be ensured by applying the suggested efforts above. It is proven to be the most effective way to receive referrals and build your reputation through existing clientele.

How do you build your brand in real estate, what’s been most effective for you? Share with us.

What to Bring to your Office Christmas Party

It’s that time of year again for peppermint mochas, listening to Bing Crosby’s ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ on repeat and the annual office Christmas party. With all the holiday cheer it’s easy to forget to plan ahead. Are you having trouble deciding what to gift your co-workers and clients this year? Do you know what you’re bringing to the party? Don’t fret, you still have time.

Instead of the same old fruit basket, think about spicing it up this year with some of these unique and thoughtful holiday ideas.

Take the reins. Design personalized vests for your team’s Christmas 5k run for a cure to show team spirit and initiative.

•   Make homemade treats for an easy and inexpensive gift. Try chocolate covered pretzels or peppermint bark. Check out Food Network for recipes and more here.
• Be festive for the holidays. Decorate the office with an LED Christmas tree, a wreath for the front door, or Christmas cutouts for decorating the cubicles or common areas.
• Create a Christmas music playlist to play at the party. We suggest the classics including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole.

What are you planning for your office Christmas party this year? Share with us now.

Our team at APP wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Give More than Thanks this Thanksgiving

For most families, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for their health, life, friends, and family. Busy schedules can make it easy to forget about all we have to be grateful for in our lives.  We must take a moment to remind ourselves of those struggling without a job, good health, or a stable community and  give back to  those in need. Here are a three ways you can help those less fortunate this thanksgiving:

1.       Donate a Turkey. Visit Thanksgiving For All to send a turkey to hungry families in need who would otherwise not have a Thanksgiving day meal.

2.       Walk for a cause in a charity Turkey Trot. Stay fit this Thanksgiving by participating in a charity run. Make it memorable with customized t-shirts or hats for the group. Turkey Trot proceeds typically go to your local food bank or charity so it’s a great way to support the community. Find a Turkey Trot in your area at http://www.active.com/running/turkeytrot .

3.       Visit hospital patients. For sick patients who don’t have family nearby to visit them, Thanksgiving can be a sad and lonely day. Call your local hospital to find out if there are any patients who would like a visitor. Bring them a gift instead of food; most hospitals have a strict food policy.

What do you have to be thankful for this year? Share with us now.

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