My husband and I recently took our son, Brett, to a Storm’s minor league baseball game. To our surprise, Brett was chosen to participate in an event called “Beat Thunder to Home Plate.” (Thunder is the Storm’s mascot.) My husband and I were so proud our son was chosen and all three of us were excited as we sat in the stands waiting for Brett’s upcoming contest against Thunder. We waited anxiously… then it was finally the fifth inning – time for the race! So the plan was for Brett stand on first base while Thunder was on second. All Brett had to do was beat Thunder to home. The announcer introduced Brett as “Skeeter” and said, “Ready, set, GO!” And they’re off! Brett was running his little legs off…going the wrong way…straight to home plate… It was over in a matter of seconds. Mortified, my husband and I sat together in stunned silence while the crowd cheered for Brett. We looked at each other with terror in our eyes, each of us thinking, “What was he doing? He knows how to play baseball. He knows the rules of the game.” And maaaaybe we were also secretly thinking, “Thank God they didn’t use his real name! Maybe we should we leave before he gets back to the seats…”

Brett – uhh, I mean Skeeter – came back to his seat with a huge grin saying, “I WON! I beat Thunder!” I looked at him and said, “But Brett, why did you run straight to home plate when you know you’re supposed to go to second, third and then home?” His answer was, “Well Mom, they didn’t say I had to do that. They just told me I had to beat him to home plate, so I did!”

WOW.

Now I have to admit, we did leave the game early (letting Brett walk way in front of us) and it took the entire drive home to really let that sink in. But it made me think… You know, bookstores are loaded with “how to” marketing guides on how to sell. Some people talk about ‘typing’ the person you are selling to. Some talk about building relationships. Others go into great detail on body language, negotiating, using reverse psychology, and so on. The bottom line is sometimes we get stuck in how to charm, read, and woo the buyer instead of focusing in the end result – to make the sale – or in this case, to reach home plate first. Don’t get me wrong, you have to do a little charming, reading and wooing along the way, but don’t lose sight of your goal. Brett didn’t exhaust himself coming up with a plan of action – he knew exactly what he was going to do and he did it. When we get lost in the details and rules and wait for just the right moment, the next thing we know, someone like Brett has already swooped in and won the sale.

So although others may be in awe over your unusual tactics, there’s a really good chance you’ll leave the game with a t-shirt that says you beat Thunder to home plate.

Brett thought outside the diamond…and so should YOU!

According to Wikipedia, a uniform means a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization’s activity. People generally wearing uniforms are armed forces, police, emergency services, schools and workplaces. Uniform also means to be the same, and without any difference.

With these basic ideas in mind the concept of having a common dress came in to picture. If the dress of the members of an organization remains the same then there is a sense on commonality which develops amongst them. Uniforms also depict solidarity, and this has been this way through out, right from the days of the Roman Empire to the modern day manufacturing houses.

These days wearing uniform is common with the paramilitary organizations like police etc and the armed forces. These help them, stand out of the crowd so that they can be easily recognizable and also distinguish them for the service they do. These uniforms not only make them feel proud but also have an imposing effect on others and with the presence of a person in uniform, can change the mood of people around.

Sometimes uniforms are made mandatory by the organizations like schools, work places like hospitals, restaurants etc. The model of these organization require, people who are part of it to be in proper uniform and follow the discipline of the uniform. Some organizations which don’t have a complete dress code do have some sort of uniform codes like a common shirt of a particular color etc.

So why is it that most of the organizations prefer uniforms? Here are five reasons which make uniform an integral part of work culture and also the lifestyle at times.

1. Industry demands: There are certain service industries which are focused on the customer, like the department store, restaurants or hospitals. These industries demand that the workforce look more united and eager to serve the customer, so the role of the uniform becomes very important. When the workforce is wearing a pleasant uniform the customers approach them more confidently.
2. Uniform as perks: In some large organizations, it is considered as an honor and a kind of perk to receive uniform. This results in considerable conservation of time and energy of the personnel, as he doesn’t have to choose again and again the clothes to be worn at the work place. Also a lot of money is saved since rarely will that personnel will be buying new clothes.
3. A sense of belonging: If the work force wears the same clothes to the work place then they share a feeling of commonness and belonging, which other wise gets very difficult to achieve.
4. A feeling of equality: Uniform brings every one to the same platform, no matter how rich or poor he or she is and thus inculcating a feeling of equality amongst those wearing the uniform.
5. Mutual growth: People wearing uniform are more caring for their fellows and colleagues, they care not only for their growth but the growth of their peers as well. Uniforms are very important and fosters traits which are very necessary for a person as an individual and an organization as a whole to thrive and prosper.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – 5 Reasons Why Wearing a Proper Uniform is Important

The first part of the study, titled “Effectiveness Of Promotional Products As An Advertising Medium,” focused solely on promotional products and evaluated the action, reaction and relationship of products and their recipients. The study found that:

• 94 percent could recall a promotional product they had received in the past two years
• 89 percent could also recall the advertiser
• 83 percent reported that they liked receiving promotional products
• 48 percent would like to receive promotional products more often
• 69 percent generally keep the promotional product

The study also looked at which promotional products are most popular and where popular items are kept. According to consumers, the top five items that would motivate them to take a particular action and/or lead them to have a more favorable impression of the advertiser were food baskets, MP3 players, clocks/watches, digital picture frames and luggage. Consumers also reported the kitchen and the office as the two most common places to display these items.

(Read more at PromoMarketing.com)