FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2012
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Creating a Brand Book new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – ‘Creating a Brand Book: Establishing and communicating brand guidelines’ the latest Blue Paper from promotional items distributor 4imprint looks at the process of branding or re-branding a company from the inside out. The Blue Paper takes a comprehensive look at the reasons why an organisation needs to make sure that their brand guidelines are clearly set out in a Brand Book and how to go about creating one.

The top ten elements of brand guidelines section covers everything from brand introduction through to logo use, colours, typefaces, use of social media and intellectual property policies while the second section explains what a Brand Book is and how to go about creating one that’s meaningful and valuable to your organisation.

“The ‘how to’ section of this Blue Paper is essential reading,” says Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK and Ireland. “I also really enjoyed reading the case studies of how organisations tackle this enormous topic. Our aim for this Blue Paper was to break down each element into easy to manage pieces so that readers are able to tackle producing their own Brand Book after reading it.”

The paper also covers ‘what next’ in terms of how to communicate the brand guidelines to all employees and external consultants as well as measuring their effectiveness before concluding with an extensive ‘Brand Guidelines Checklist’ covering everything from stationery, literature and packaging to uniforms, signage and promotional products.

To read this paper, visit www.4imprint.co.uk/BluePaper/Brand-Book

ENDS

8.2.12

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, printed mugs, keyrings, printed cotton bags, mousemats, drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2012
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

The Art of Negotiation new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – The Art of Negotiation, the latest Blue Paper from promotional items distributor 4imprint sheds light on something that every one of us does every day, even if we don’t think of our interactions as negotiation. The Blue Paper considers the psychology and theory behind negotiating, considers gender differences and gives a step by step guide to developing a strategy to successfully negotiate the next big deal, purchase or indeed pay rise.

Some say that negotiation can be defined as all interactions between two or more points of view, while others quite simply define it as bargaining. Where some people consider it almost a dark art with one party manipulating the other into submission; others believe it consists of open, honest communication based on mutual respect.

Whatever your belief, there’s no avoiding negotiation either in the workplace or in your daily life. Just think about asking for time off during a busy time at work, buying a car or even getting your children to tidy their room and you’ll know what we’re talking about!

“Negotiating is unavoidable. It’s very much a necessary part of business – and life,” says Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK and Ireland. “That’s why we thought exploring this topic was so important. We hope it will help the reader understand the art and science and how to create a ‘win/win’ situation for everyone concerned.”

Successful negotiators are worth their weight in gold to an organisation, not only for the money they make by selling well and savings made by negotiating a good price for purchases, but for the relationships they are able to build with clients and suppliers. 

By devising a clear strategy and understanding what’s important to the other side the paper outlines the important steps to successful negotiation and offers tools get the very best out of any opportunity to negotiate.

To read this paper, visit www.4imprint.co.uk/BluePaper/negotiation

ENDS

18.01.12

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, printed mugs, keyrings, printed cotton bags, mousemats, drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2012
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Promotional Products : New for 2012 from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – 4imprint, the promotional products distributor, has today introduced a wide range of new and exciting products for 2012, many of which are featured in their Spring 2012 catalogue. There are fun items like bendy rulers and bendy pencils and new aluminium sports bottles ideal for sports events, health promotions and schools. Other new items include a document folder made in the UK from 90% recycled waste material in a wide range of vibrant colours including lime green, pink and purple, a credit card shaped USB flash drive and the Santorini pen, available in 5 colours, exclusive to 4imprint and with a minimum order of just 100.

“Over the past months, we have worked really hard sourcing new product to suit every organisation whether they have thousands to spend or less than £150. Our merchandising team has really excelled themselves this year,” says Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland.

“We’ve even solved the problem of the disappearing pen! Our new exclusive Pocket Buddy pad and pen combo features our bestselling promotional pen along with an 80 sheet notepad that has a handy clear zipped pocket at the back for the pen so you’ll never lose it again!”

“It’s more important than ever to keep your brand in front of your target audience,” says Cheryl Jackson-Leafield. “When budgets are tight it’s essential to get maximum value for every pound spent and promotional products are proven to be both cost effective and popular with the recipient. Whether it’s promotional clothing to be worn by staff, a new money box to help them (or their children) to save the pennies, an ice scraper or umbrella to ease the burden of bad weather, or treat sized chocolate boxes everyone loves to be given a gift.”

All products in the 4imprint range come with a ‘no quibble’ guarantee, sliding scale prices shown online and a ‘despatched on time or free’ promise.

Request a copy of the 4imprint Spring catalogue online, or call 0845 054 4405 to request a copy.

ENDS

09.01.12

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, personalised mugs, keyrings, cotton bags, mousemats, printed drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if your order is not despatched on time it’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

All Good Things Come in Threes at 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – Customised trolley coin keyrings for WellChild, printed T-Shirts for Donaldson’s School for the Deaf and cotton shopping bags for the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) are the three latest donations of promotional items given to worthy causes by promotional products distributor 4imprint as part of their Helping Hand programme.

WellChild is the national charity for sick children. It supports seriously ill children and their families through its programmes of care, support and research. The charity funds WellChild Nurses who care for sick children in their homes, organises Helping Hands projects where teams of volunteers give practical help such as bedroom and garden makeovers and funds medical research into a host of health issues which affect children.

“We also run a programme called Helping Hand which currently helps more than 30 families a year and we were delighted to be given trolley coin keyrings which we’re giving to volunteers who undertake the bedroom and garden refurbishments,” said Karl Gwilliam, Senior Fundraiser for WellChild. “We’re a national charity relying entirely on volunteers and corporate contributions so donations like this are a real boost.”

Donaldson’s School, Scotland’s national school for children who are deaf or have communication difficulties, were delighted to be awarded printed T-Shirts which are being used to raise the school’s profile at fundraising events including the Christmas shopping evening.

“We are currently trying to raise £40,000 to buy a range of communication aids for our pupils to help them interact better with each other and their teachers,” said Gill Sinclair, Donaldson School Fundraiser. “As a grant aided special school we are always grateful for the support of companies and volunteers at fundraising events and 4imprint’s Helping Hand programme is particularly valuable with the added pressure of an economic downturn.”

While looking through 4imprint’s catalogue SVP’s fundraising officer Jessica Bray noticed the Helping Hand programme and immediately applied for cotton shopping bags to give to those running in Santa Races on behalf of SVP. The Santa Runs take place throughout the country during December as part of the organisations fundraising to continue their work helping people in poverty.

“Unfortunately we’ve seen a marked increase in requests for our services as people face increased hardship,” added Bray. “It’s great to know that there are businesses like 4imprint who are happy to help us promote our services and in turn help us alleviate poverty.”

Details of 4imprint’s Helping Hand programme can be found at: www.4imprint.co.uk/HelpingHand

ENDS

20.12.11

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, personalised mugs, keyrings, cotton bags, mousemats, printed drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

About WellChild, see www.wellchild.org.uk

About St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), see www.svp.org.uk  

About Donaldson’s School, see www.donaldsons.org.uk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Cracking the Workplace Personality Code new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – Workplace Personalities the latest Blue Paper from promotional items distributor 4imprint looks at the use of psychometric assessments as part of a firm’s overall HR and people policy. The free Blue Paper looks at the most widely used tests and assesses their effectiveness.

Many large professional service firms use assessments as part of the recruitment process and, like Eversheds solicitors, when considering candidates for promotion. Global accountancy practice Mazars also successfully uses psychometric assessments when conducting ‘people’ due diligence in preparation for a potential merger as well as it playing a part in their on-going teambuilding initiatives.

“Most people will come across these assessments in one form or another during the course of their career,” says Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK & Ireland.  “This Blue Paper gives advice to companies considering using psychometrics to look at their current team and improve organisational success as well as giving some useful pointers for individuals facing such a test”.

Understanding your own workplace personality in relation to that of your colleagues creates a win-win environment where people feel respected and differences can be harnessed for the greater good rather than causing conflict.  It enables employees to leverage their strengths in the workplace, work co-operatively and feel valued.

To read this paper, visit www.4imprint.co.uk/BluePaper/Personality

ENDS

13.12.11

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, printed mugs, keyrings, printed cotton bags, mousemats, drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit http://www.4imprint.co.uk/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

A Blogger’s Guide to Blogging new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – A Blogger’s Guide to Blogging the latest Blue Paper from promotional items distributor 4imprint, looks at blogging from the perspective of an existing blogger. Aimed at savvy marketers who already run a blog, the Blue Paper examines ways to build and develop readership that can take a company blog to the next level of effectiveness.

 “As more and more companies are investing in blogs, we thought a paper that looks at ways to maximise that investment would be helpful,” said Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK and Ireland. “It provides plenty of food for thought around the topic of getting the most for your blogging efforts.”

A Blogger’s Guide to Blogging looks at ways to increase readership and traffic by being attentive to newsworthy topics, radiating passion, seeking input from and thanking readers regularly, and explores the value of increasing comments to your blog posts and developing participatory content. It also suggests starting with a review of an organisation’s blogging strategy and content development and suggests a few ideas to help produce winning content.

To read this paper, visit www.4imprint.co.uk/BluePaper/Blogging

ENDS

21.11.11

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, printed mugs, keyrings, printed cotton bags, mousemats, drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit http://www.4imprint.co.uk/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Trade Show Know How, new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – Trade Show Know How is the latest Blue Paper from 4imprint, the promotional items distributor dissects the world of the Trade Show and gives practical, clear advice on choosing the right show, including details of the UKTIs Tradeshow Access Programme from UKTI for overseas shows, formulating a strategy and a step by step guide to pre-show planning, is available now.

The Blue Paper looks at the reasons why you might consider taking a stand at a Trade Show, identifying which show is best for you and how to choose the right location within the show itself. 

This practical guide helps you to consider what marketing and support materials you need as well as pre and post-show publicity. Choosing the right staff and making sure they have everything they need during the show is essential as Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK and Ireland explains: “By including all departments at an early stage, from those manning the stand itself to back-office support staff, you’ll be able to identify the veteran trade show team members and have them mentor less experienced staff.

Manning a stand can be highly stressful with staff effectively ‘on show’ for 8-10 hours a day.  As representatives of your company and brand it is essential that they are well prepared and supported throughout the show.”

Trade Show Know How provides a countdown to show time with a handy checklist of everything you’ll need to organise starting two months prior, the day of departure, the show itself and post show with useful information on follow-up of leads and evaluation of the stand and show.

ENDS

07.11.11

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional products and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, personalised mugs, keyrings, cotton bags, mousemats, printed drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit http://www.4imprint.co.uk/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Water for Africa supported by 4imprint in latest Helping Hand Giveaway

(Manchester, UK) – As part of their Helping Hand programme 4imprint, the promotional items distributor, has donated printed umbrellas to the charity Water for Africa to help with their fundraising and awareness campaigns.

“We noticed the Helping Hand programme in the 4imprint catalogue, went online and applied for the branded umbrellas. We were thrilled to receive them as we’ve been able to send some out to Africa to help protect the drilling team and communities from the intense heat during the dry season and of course during the rainy season” says Sheryl Greentree, Trustee of Water for Africa. “The rest we will use as prizes for schools who are supporting us through fundraising initiatives.”

The charity was established by a group of philanthropically minded business people back in 2003 that used their own capital to fund a drilling machine, trucks, vehicles and drilling consumables which they shipped over to The Gambia. They became a registered charity in the UK in 2006 and since that time, working only with donations from private individuals and their own fundraising efforts, including a foundation grant from The Waterloo Foundation, Water for Africa have drilled over 98 boreholes. These serve a variety of communities, health clinics, schools, agricultural gardens and farms and the charity estimate that more than 325,000 people have benefited from their work to date.

“With over 60% of water sources now failing across Africa, it is imperative that permanent support is provided to the communities on the ground,” continues Sheryl Greentree. “We are proud that our model provides this necessary infrastructure, after all, we should not expect communities in Africa to be independent and completely self-sufficient, when we in the developed world receive services which are maintained, upgraded and supported.”

Water for Africa only drill boreholes and not open wells because a borehole reaches the deeper aquifers and does not diminish in the dry season. It can be cost effectively upgraded from a hand-pump to a fully integrated irrigation system for agriculture and is safe to use by all members of the community with no risk of livestock or children falling into an open well.

As Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, 4imprint’s Marketing Manager UK and Ireland explains: “We were very impressed with Water for Africa’s philosophy of joint co-operation and long-term follow up programmes with the communities they help. A large part of their success must be down to the work they put in upfront reaching agreement with communities on how best to ensure they ring-fence contributions towards future repairs, service and upgrades and training a ‘community water resources manager’ to enable them to take ownership of the water system on a day to day basis.”

During October 4imprint are offering promotional wristbands through their Helping Hand programme and printed cotton bags will be featured in November. More details about the Helping Hand charity giveaway can be found at: www.4imprint.co.uk/helpinghand

ENDS

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, personalised mugs, keyrings, cotton bags, mousemats, printed drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

About Water for Africa

Water for Africa is a UK charity which specialises in ground water resource management, drilling boreholes and health care projects within Africa. For additional information, visit www.waterforafrica.org.uk

24.10.11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Knowing your Twitters from your Tweets; Mastering micro-blogging for business, new Blue Paper available from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – The latest Blue Paper from 4imprint, the promotional items distributor, which uncovers the meteoric rise of Twitter from its accidental beginnings as a simple messaging system to the largest micro-blogging community in the world, is available now.

Entitled Twitter for Business this Blue Paper looks at the business case for using Twitter with ‘big-name’ brand examples such as Dell Computers and explains how every organisation, irrespective of their size, can also enjoy the 11 advantages that businesses witness from tweeting as outlined in the book ‘Twitter Revolution’ by Deborah Micek and Warren Whitlock.

As well as these benefits, which include communication, brand visibility and recognition, attracting customers and gaining quick feedback for immediate research, the paper explores the commitment needed by the organisation with a breakdown of exactly how much time will need to be spent on listening, participating and generating buzz on Twitter. As Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK and Ireland explains: “Twitter is all about conversations; it’s not about swamping people with offers and streams of tweets like a monologue. It’s about listening to their conversations, following champions in your area of interest and engaging with your followers.”

The Blue Paper considers the different ways of establishing your Twitter presence by examining tweeting as a brand, as an individual on behalf of a brand, ghost written tweets and a combination of all three. It gives practical advice on developing your micro-blogging strategy and setting goals as well as ways to measure effectiveness of your tweets.

From a virtually unknown web quirk in 2006 to hundreds of thousands of tweets per hour today, one thing is for sure, Twitter is not only here to stay, but is increasingly seen as a legitimate and valuable business tool.

ENDS

10.10.11

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional products and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, personalised mugs, keyrings, cotton bags, mousemats, printed drawstring bags, drink bottles, printed USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk or follow 4imprintUK on Twitter – @4imprintUK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2011
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

‘CSR, Good for Business’ Blue Paper Available Now From 4imprint

(Manchester – UK) ‘CSR, Good for Business’ the latest Blue Paper from 4imprint, the promotional products distributor. Available to download free online, the Blue Paper looks at the benefits of adopting a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme whatever the size of your business.

The Blue Paper looks at the different ways businesses can get involved with different communities, how to identify the best way to develop a mutually rewarding relationship and how to ensure the backing of everyone within the team.

Global advertising giant Hill and Knowlton reported back in 2002 that 79% of Americans take CSR practices into consideration when deciding on a product purchase. More recently, the latest Citizenship Survey found that 41% of the adult population formally volunteered in England during 2009 which seems to make a strong case for companies to look at ways of connecting more closely with communities – to the benefit of all concerned.

As Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager of 4imprint UK explains: “It’s not just about companies writing out a cheque to a particular charity however valuable that can sometimes be. It’s also about identifying communities that can benefit from a two way relationship, possibly by receiving your goods or services for free, by funding research into a mutually important issue or by providing staff manpower during working hours.”

Whether you are just starting out down the CSR route, or are seasoned professionals, this Blue Paper provides advice and practical reminders of what to look for both in terms of giving, and receiving to create on-going relationships that are pleasurable, sustainable and effective for all concerned.

ENDS

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, promotional mugs, printed cotton bags, drink bottles, promotional USBs, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit http://www.4imprint.co.uk

ENDS

12.9.11