For a small promotional products distributor or supplier, learning how to leverage AI tools can be a game-changer in both growth and cost savings.
AI Will Enhance Efficiency
AI tools can automate time-consuming tasks like order processing, inventory management, customer service (via chatbots), and even marketing. This frees employees to focus on higher-level tasks, in particular sales, and allows the business to operate more efficiently without needing to expand staff. You do not need costly outside services and have greater control and understanding of the process.
AI Will Reduce Cost
AI can identify inefficiencies and suggest areas for cost savings, such as optimizing inventory for any stores you may run to reduce overstock or recommending the most cost-effective suppliers and shipping methods.
AI Can Improve Customer Experience
AI tools can help deliver personalized marketing campaigns in print, audio, video, digital and analog resulting in better-targeted promotions, improving customer satisfaction.
AI Makes You A Smarter Marketer
With AI, you can segment your customer base more effectively and send tailored offers based on buying behavior or past interactions. If you have clients in the medical area, they can be targeted, while safety clients have a different approach for you. AI-driven tools can also analyze social media trends, keywords, and competitor actions to help create more relevant and impactful campaigns.
AI Helps You Make Decisions
AI can analyze large volumes of data more quickly and accurately than humans, helping both suppliers and distributors understand trends, forecast demand, and make data-backed decisions. This ability to make more informed choices can improve profitability and speed up decision-making processes.
AI Can Give You The Competitive Advantage
Smaller companies that adopt AI early can gain a significant competitive edge over those that don't. By utilizing AI to streamline operations, improve customer service, and optimize marketing, you can punch above your weight and compete with larger distributors who may already be utilizing advanced technologies.
AI Brings You Innovation and Adaptation
AI offers opportunities for innovation in product offerings, such as personalized promotional products or AI-driven design tools. By staying ahead of technological trends, a business can adapt quickly to changes in the industry and continue to meet customer demands.
A small promotional products distributor or supplier using AI tools can facilitate business growth, helping small businesses become more competitive, efficient, and adaptable in a fast-moving industry.
AI May Replace Costly Industry Search Engines
As an experiment, I fed my AI utility 25 websites. I asked it to get me prices and information on a 9” balloon. I did the same for a “C” handle white coffee mug. In return it fed me exactly what I wanted and more. There are some roadblocks. It did not get codes. It also gave me non industry sources. I went deeper by asking it for other sources in Asia. I stopped there and reached a tentative conclusion. AI can replace industry search engines, but we are far away. Our assets such as ASI and SAGE have defined and refined it all. They provide easy access. They know what you want and how to give you access and data. They will save you time, make you money and provide credibility. If you have ten-year-old child, they probably can build you a tool to replace an outside service and the day will come when you can use AI for this purpose.
Joel D. Schaffer, MAS is CEO and Founder of Soundline, LLC, the pioneering supplier to the promotional products industry of audio products. Joel has 48 years of promotional product industry experience and proudly heralds “I was a distributor.” He has been on the advisory panel of the business and marketing department of St. John’s University in New York and is a frequent speaker at Rutgers Graduate School of Business. He is an industry Advocate and has appeared before the American Bankers Association, American Marketing Association, National Premium Sales Executives, American Booksellers Association and several other major groups. He has been a management consultant to organizations such as The College Board and helped many suppliers enter this industry. He is a frequent contributor to PPB and Counselor magazines. He has facilitated over 200 classes sharing his industry knowledge nationwide. He is known for his cutting humor and enthusiasm in presenting provocative and motivating programs. He is the only person to have received both the Marvin Spike Industry Lifetime Achievement Award (2002) and PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award (2011). He is a past director of PPAI and has chaired several PPAI committees and task forces. He is a past Chair of the SAAGNY Foundation, Past President of SAAGNY and a SAAGNY Hall of Fame member. He was cited by ASI as one of the 50 most influential people in the industry.