Knowledge is Power

"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." - Peter Drucker

January 19 is Get to Know Your Customer Day. It seems like we should spend more than a day learning
about our customers, right? Customers are the key to your success so it's important to get to know them as well as you can. Learn about their interests, needs, and challenges so you can offer the products and services that are best suited for them.

What are the best ways to do this?

Surveys: An easy way to learn about your customers is to just ask. There are plenty of easy-to-use online survey tools that you can use to collect feedback. Ask about their satisfaction, where you can improve, what needs are not currently met. The benefit of doing this online is that customers will speak candidly and let you know the good and the not so good. Also include some questions that can help build your relationship. Do they like to travel or play sports? Do they have kids? You may find you have more in common than just your business relationship.

Personal Meetings: If you're in the sales field, take your top customers out for lunch or coffee. Instead of just sticking to business, keep the conversation diverse so you learn as much as you can. If you have a retail or service location, consider providing refreshments for an hour or two when you can mingle and chat with customers.

Social Media: The Internet makes it possible to connect to your customers year-round. Set up accounts on Yelp, Facebook and/or Linked In for your business. Let customers know where to find you so you can keep an open dialog with them. The bonus to you is that new customers may find you online, especially when you get rave reviews!

The most important thing about getting to know your customers is taking the time to interpret what you learned. Listen to what they're telling you, and read through their comments. Based on what you now know, think about what you can do to best meet their needs. Answer that succesfully and you'll have more customers to get to know next time around! Happy customers tell their friends...

We value your support would love to know more about you and what you think about National Pen. Please let us know how we're doing!

It's National Thank Your Customers Week

The first week of January is usually a busy week for everyone. We set business and personal goals, get excited about the promises of a new year, and are often just taking time to catch up after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This week is also National Thank Your Customers Week. As you begin 2012, remember to take a moment to thank those who supported your business in 2011. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.



Showing your appreciation can be as simple as writing a personal note to your best customers. Include a favorite inspirational quote to help set the tone for a great year. If you didn't get a chance to give thank you gifts last month, here's your chance. Personalized calendars are a timely option. You can also give gifts that support your customer's resolutions for the New Year - a lunch bag to pack healthy meals, a duffle bag to take to the gym, or a new padfolio or business card holder to get organized.

However you choose to thank your customers, make sure they know you value them. Keep your message personal and memorable, and you'll be off to a great start!

Are you prepared for winter?

Cold and wet weather is here. We recently received this note from a customer that reminded us that our LED Flashlight Keychain could come in handy right about now. If you're looking for a practical gift that your customers will appreciate in the winter months, look no further. We can't tell you how many times we hear about how this little flashlight has saved the day. Just imagine how much your customers would love you if your name was on it!

"Well, there I was. It was 10:30 last night, and my son called me saying he’d gone in the ditch about 10 miles from our house. We had 10 inches of snow yesterday and it was very slick out. So, I bundled up and drove out on the very dark windswept county road to pull him out with my truck. As I backed up to his van turned backwards in the ditch, I realized I had no flashlight with me. I had to crawl under his van which was packed with snow and try and find a place to hook up the tow strap without any light to see what I was doing. I was upset…… Then a thought came somewhere from the back of my head- “didn’t I get a sample flashlight from National Pen about a month ago- and didn’t I put that in the truck…..” Yes, I did have the flashlight with, and it worked great. The little tiny keychain flashlight was more than bright enough to illuminate the whole undercarriage and although I still had to belly through 10 inches of snow, at least I was able to see what I was doing, thanks to National Pen! Just thought I’d send a special thank you from me, and my son, who I hope will drive a little more carefully now on icy roads."

Changing the shape of business cards

Watch what happens to a lot of business cards. Don't let yours end up at the bottom of a stack, in a drawer, or worse - in the trash. Combine your business card with our best-selling Contour pen and your customers will be sure to keep your pen on (and in) hand!

Ordering your business card pens is easy. Just upload or send us your business card and we'll take care of the rest.

For a free sample of your business card pen, go to http://www.freebusinesscardpen.com/.

Wanna be even more creative? Put your business card on a mug, magnet, or hand sanitizer spray.

'Tis the Season for Giving

Holiday celebrations are all about making others feel good, and what feels better than knowing you have helped someone in need? A great way to bring your employees together during the holidays is through charitable giving. Organize your team to sponsor a local family that cannot afford gifts this year, or collect toys to donate to a children's center.

We try to support those less fortunate throughout the year, and always enjoy seeing photos and reading stories about the happy recipients (like those you see below).

If you add a giving element to your holiday celebration, we're sure you'll feel the same way!

"Well, our trip to Kenya was a delightful success! Many of the pens and pencils went to St. Gerald Children's Centre, Nyeri, Kenya. The 120 children were very happy to get them. I wish it was possible to get a picture of kids with pencils where the joy was still in their faces...Thanks again for the pens and pencils, and for the shipping!"