Aggression is more visible in America than at any other point in my 48 years on the planet. Aggression has historically been in the form of riots. Outbursts simultaneously sad and shameful, the kind that reflect a community rising up against real (or perceived) oppression.
Aggression is morphing now. More than ever, it’s taking form as marches. Protest in the streets between warring viewpoints, fueled by digital vitriol supporting the notion of escalation.
Take it to the enemy. Make your viewpoint the dominant message.
The rhetoric battle is not the victory sought any longer. Suppression of the opposing viewpoint is the current flag on the mountaintop.
I’ve never been more worried.
I’ve never been more worried. I’ve also never been more inspired to counter what I fear with a dedication to create and spread kindness and good into the world. Since I spend most of my waking hours working, why not marry those two things into something great for our industry, great for the world, and great for the buyers out there looking for purpose for their purchases?
You may have noticed some recent activity amongst a few folk around the Promotional Marketing industry with respect to the ever-increasing desire for members of our marketplace to be able to tie a giving and/or goodness component to their commerce. Given a vacuum, consumers increasingly are turning their dollars toward those making a difference in the communities they serve, our modeling of that behavior makes us better as an industry and it’s important to meet the growing demand for this kind of Corporate Social Responsibility.
A meeting of like minded individuals at PPAI EXPO last January revealed the burning desire to immediately commence broadcasting the numerous and jaw-dropping amazing stories of good works being done by members of the Promotional Products industry in local, regional, national and in some instances, international efforts to spread goodness in the world in a time when the need for that kind of thing has never seemed more important.
These stories will inspire you, motivate you, challenge you and, perhaps, even scare you. Let them mostly inspire you, and keep an eye on the PromoCares properties on Social Media to learn more about the amazing ways your company might help enrich even more lives with a concerted effort. 
If you’ve ever wanted the chance to be an integral part of the way our industry can market itself effectively in an increasingly difficult marketplace, this is a great chance to study and see if we can pull it off. Whatever happens in the process, stories will be told, inspiration will be spread, and perhaps we do more because we do better.
We’re organizing as a tribe to create more goodness for the world, using that which we sell and the businesses we run to help make the world a kinder place. We’re doing it one person-to-person and one story at a time. Check out your favorite Social Media channel to follow along @PromoCares with us and learn more about how you can get involved. We’re all able to participate in this project, it’s meant for everyone!
With that I present you with the first in the Series of stories produced in conjunction with @PromoCares. Read and watch as my very good friend Bill Petrie tells the most personal of stories about the moment he nearly lost his wife, the good fortune that found him the hero of the moment, and the ways his and his family’s life have been forever changed in the process. What an amazing way to open the Series, and we’re excited to continue to bring you new stories every Friday.
Connect with the PromoCares movement here:
Roger has spent 20+ years making complex concepts more understandable for both buyers and sellers alike, and has devoted the majority of his recent career to writing and executing sales and marketing plans for early and mid-stage businesses. He is a student of organizational behavior and the disciplines successful selling organizations use to achieve the greatest reach, even in instances of scarce resources. He loves the outdoors and seeks memorable experiences whenever possible. Contact Roger at roger@branded-logistics.com or 810-986-5369