Believing in Yourself

The Importance of Believing in Yourself

I have a very close friend of mine that was offered an excellent,
yet risky opportunity back in January.

He had a safe, secure and well paying job as a high powered attorney at a big local firm when he was offered a full partnership at another firm which could bring him greater rewards and freedoms, but also meant that he would have to get out of his comfort zone, leave the security of his existing job and take a big risk by going out on his own and assuming the full responsibility for his own success.

He was torn and asked for my advice.
(By the way, he’s the smart one of the bunch so I was surprised but honored that he asked me for my advice.)

Anyway, knowing the type of quality guy he is,
I knew that he would be up for the challenge and shared one of my life philosophy’s with him:
Life is Short - Live Happily.

I suggested that he go for the higher risk – higher reward opportunity
which would allow him to Be in full control his own destiny.

I remembered back to when, my wife and I first started Gallant.
We both left high paying jobs to go out on our own and follow our dream.
We had little money in our bank account and things were so tough at the time, that actually had to run Gallant out of a one bedroom apartment for a short period.

Remembering back, one of the biggest thing that helped us get through the tough times was our great belief in ourselves and that Gallant would one day be a big success.

At the time, we used the vision of Indiana Jones taking the "Leap of Faith" from the movie Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade to inspire us to take that first brave step towards our dreams.
** see the video below

This video has always served to remind us to believe in ourselves and
trust that we made the right decision.

It’s paid off for us and I’m proud to say that it’s paid off for my friend.
Since starting at his new firm, he has been “On Fire” and
seems to sign a new account just about every other week.
He’s quickly become a sensation at his new firm.

We are all VERY proud of “Francis” and his family for all the support they’ve shown him
throughout this tough but rewarding time.
( Francis is the nickname that he’s given himself through this process – I’ll have to share that story with you later)

I hope you find our stories inspirational and that the Leap of Faith video reminds you to always believe in yourself and follow your passions in life.

Brought to you by http://www.gallantgifts.com/
If you have a need for promotional products please visit our website
Or call us at 1-800-GALLANT (330-1343)

Desk Promotion - Cool NEW Promo

POP AND ROCK
Desk Promotion

Use the Lucite Pop-Up FM Radio to promote a new radio station or CD release. Just pop in the batteries (they’re included), push down and you’re ready to rock. Interior LED lights glow for 30 seconds once the radio is turned on. To adjust the volume and station, users can rotate the unit.

Call 800-GALLANT(330-1343)
for a custom quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com

Motivational Quote - Just Do It

You see, in life,
lots of people know what to do, but very few people actually do what they know.
Knowing is just not enough. You must Take Action!
Anthony Robbins

Just Do It!
Nike

Do or Do Not!
There is no in between.
Yoda

The measure of a person is not in what they say but what they Do.
Not the words they speak but the actions they take.
The magic is in the Doing.
Gallant

brought to you by http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Custom Fantasy Football Trophy

Custom Fantasy Football Trophy’s!
By http://www.gallantgifts.com/

So here’s the thing.
I play fantasy football with a bunch of my long time buddies, other wise known as my cheap GM’s friends.

Well I’ve been trying to get my “cheap GMs” to chip in for a league championship trophy for years now and even went so far as to commission a new fantasy football league logo design and have a custom trophy made for their approval.

Our NEW League CHAMPIONSHIP LOGO

Now I can understand why they may not want to chip in for this trophy.
I ( better known as The.com in our league ) always wins the championship and why would these cheap GM’s want to pay for my custom fantasy football trophy when in most years, it would just go to me.
But what I’m trying to get them to understand is that, once in a blue moon, I acually let another GM win it all.
Not often, but once in a while, just to keep the other little GM’s in our league happy.
It’s only the right thing to do.

And then because The.com won it all once again last year.
I was forced to have a sample league trophy made for myself.
This is what we do so I can get the sample made at a discount.

Introducing our NEW FANTASY FOOTBALL TROPHY
THE.COM Championship Trophy

OK! So regarding the design, I also understand why they may not want to purchase this paticular Trophy as I have so humbly re-named our fantasy football trophy after myself.
But my thinking was that the NFL named their championship trophy after their greatest coach and GM.
(The Lombari Trophy)
So why wouldn’t we re-name our championship trophy after the greatest coach and GM of our league.
i.e. The.com Championship Trophy.

Either way, customizing your own fantasy football trophy seems like a great good idea to me and is a great way to recognize the GM and team that win’s the championship game for your league.
( Posting pictures of your trophy in your blog and rubbing your buddies noses
is worth the cost of admission.
Believe me
;)

Call 800-GALLANT(330-1343)
for a custom quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com/.
Click Here ---> Search for Fantasy Football Awards

Promotional Tools as Client Gifts

TOOLING AROUND with Client Gifts
from http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Use the Four Function 19-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver Set for your home improvement promotions or construction clients. It includes a ratcheting screwdriver, removable stubby screwdriver, precision screwdriver and an extendible magnetic pick-up tool. It also includes 11 full-size bits and four precision bits.

Call 800-GALLAMT(330-1343)
for a custom price quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Personalized Footballs and Basketballs

Full-Size "Personalized" Signature Footballs and Basketballs
by http://www.gallantgifts.com/


Our personalized football and basketballs are made from synthetic leather and have white signature panels for scrawling autographs. Schools can use them as door prizes for sports banquets and charity auctions or as gifts for athletes and season ticket holders.

Call 800-GALLANT (330-1343)
for a custom quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Customized Chef Gifts that Kick it up a Notch

KICK IT UP A NOTCH

from http://www.gallantgifts.com/

For a gift chefs will relish, choose the Stainless Steel Spice Rack. It includes four spice jars and a convenient rack. A window in each container allows cooks to see what’s inside, while the rack offers space for a name or logo.

Call 1-800-GALLANT ( 330-1343)

for a custom quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Custom Cell Phone Covers - Cool Promo Ideas

COVER ALL THE BASES

Customized Cell Phone Covers from Gallant

Silicone iPhone Covers fit snugly over Apple® iPhones, shielding them from bumps and scratches while providing users full access to ports and controls.

Screen print a logo or message on the PMS-matched silicone case for a timely giveaway.

Call 800-GALLANT ( 330-1343)
for a custom quote or visit http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Awards and Recognition a Powerful HR Tool

Awards and Recognition a Powerful HR Tool

Reducing turnover and training costs in the workplace

Corporations across the globe ask the question, “How can we retain our most valuable employees?” With turnover rates skyrocketing across the United States, it’s no wonder companies are searching for ways to secure talent. We live in a world where only 30 percent of employees feel an obligation to stay with their current employer. With the baby boomers retiring and executive mobility doubling each decade, the major challenge for CEOs throughout the next 20 years will be the deployment of human needs.

Award and recognition programs have the ability to reverse the dramatic drop in employee loyalty. A Gallup Poll revealed that recognition programs can produce 50 percent lower turnover and increase employee loyalty by 38 percent.

~ Marble Award Presentation ~

Recognition programs have a large impact on the most basic of human needs. Abraham Maslow’s theory, commonly known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, contends that as people meet their basic desires, they seek to satisfy higher ones. Using this theory of psychology, one can see how recognition and award programs can affect workers on several levels. Included in the theoretical structure are many basic needs that can be addressed in the workplace.

The Hierarchy of Needs pyramid shows us that these programs can affect people on several levels: self-actualization, self-esteem, affiliation and safety. Employees want to be recognized for their achievements and motivated to do better. Recognition taps directly into these human needs.

According to the pyramid, the most basic level is physical needs, satisfied indirectly through a paycheck. The next level up is safety, requiring a safe environment and job security. Next is affiliation and acceptance, followed by self-esteem, all of which are easily bolstered by awards. The top of the pyramid is self-actualization, which includes needs met by a person feeling satisfied with his or her performance and contribution in the workplace.

Through recognizing an employee’s value to a company and encouraging him or her to further accomplishments, an employer can satisfy all levels on Maslow’s pyramid, thus fostering a long working relationship.

According to a Gallup Poll, however, managers tend to be misguided about what their employees really value in terms of career satisfaction. The top three things managers said they thought their employees wanted, in order, were good pay, job security, and promotion and growth. Conversely, the top three things employees said contributed to their career satisfaction, in order, were interesting work, which managers thought would be fifth for their employees;
full appreciation for work done, which managers thought would be eighth; and inclusion, which managers ranked 10th. It is amazing how different these views are! But if employers and managers can tap into recognition to secure and empower their workforce, they will gain employee loyalty — and ultimately, reduce turnover.

Financially Speaking
When it comes to cash, human capital is in the top three company expenditures. Why do companies continue to waste money training and hiring new employees when they could be rewarding current talent and reducing wasted capital? It would be much more profitable to invest in recognition as an accelerant. Organizations that do recognize excellence experience financial performance three times higher than companies that do not, according to the market research firm, The Jackson Organization. Recognition increases a return on asset, equity and margin.

So how should Corporate America go about investing in human capital? They can do so by implementing recognition solutions through various avenues and levels of recognition such as “years of service” awards, “levels of achievement” programs and “job well done” awards. Also, a company can recognize each and every employee with a nameplate and date of hire program; this will make the employee feel valued as part of a team. Every awards and recognition program promotes self-esteem and value, which is a common aspiration — to be acknowledged for a job well done. This, in return, develops and enhances corporate culture. It also promotes effective organizational leadership and becomes a return on any company’s most valuable asset: its people.

Recognition and awards programs are the glue that can bond an employee to a company. They are better than money, gift cards or processions because they stand for more than monetary value. They stand for achievement and are a constant reminder of success that drives an employee to do better.

http://www.gallantgifts.com/

1-800-330-1343

great awards and trophies at AwardsbyGallant.com

Promotional Pens have Marketing Power

The Promotional POWER of the PEN

from http://www.gallantgifts.com/

Awise, savvy promotional products distributor once suggested, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” This person obviously knew sales of swords would fall sharply in a few hundred years, whereas pen sales would continue for an indefinite future. For all this talk of a paperless society and far-reaching computer sales — flash drives, mouse pads, screen cleaners and other assorted Internet-related products — I’m still showing customers a lot of writing instruments.
In fact, this year I came home from the ASI Show in Orlando with a passel of purple pens solely to show one monochromatic I’ll-buy-any-pen-as-long-as-it’s-purple customer. We tested maybe 10 pens the other day for look, feel, writing ability and those intangibles that would separate one inexpensive writing implement from another.

Pens as a fashion statement
I’m not much on suits, but when the occasion fits, I always make certain I’ve got a Parker, Waterman, Cross or Leed’s pen with me. Why go to all the effort to wear a suit — finding socks that match your pants, tie a tie, etc. — and then stuff a 50 cent BIC Clic on your shirt pocket? I don’t trust a guy in a suit with a junky pen, even though some cheesy pens write rather nicely.
Restaurants: The place where all pens go to die
My niece is a waitress at a local restaurant and has fallen hard for those GIANT pens you see now. Pens that would be suitable for jacking up a car. She loves nothing more than to say to her customers, “Here’s a big pen so you’ll leave me a big tip.” She says it works, but she’s also very pretty. Big pen or no, pretty works better.

She’ll take every one I can get my hands on. Plus, no customers attempt to stick a pen that large into their purse or coat pocket. I’ve never sold a big pen, but they rule in restaurants.
I frequent a college bar/restaurant near Michigan State University’s basketball arena before most college games. If you walk in bearing writing implements, you are greeted like a Saint Bernard with a little keg of brandy on a ski slope. On game day, you always manage to be heard over the roar of the pre-game crowd. Pens talk! Sprinkle them about, but don’t give them all to one person or the other servers will shun you. Pens are the mother’s milk of restaurants.
In fact, I highly recommend keeping a collection in your car at all times. Five or six pens (you don’t even need to waste the good ones) and shazzam! You are king of the castle. Retractables are the pens servers like best; you can always see a few jammed into their pants pockets or aprons. A capped pen is acceptable, but those clicker pens? That’s the way to get a table pronto.
If tables are tight on a game day, pens will get you to a table faster than anything. No one would dream of offering up a tip for a table here, but writing instruments? “Right this way sir!” I often wonder if drug reps realize the power they have in their trunks with a good pen collection when it comes to eating out or getting on an airplane.

Pens as and instrument of bribery — or at least decent customer service
While stranded in Washington D.C., on a horrible layover-gone-worse, my traveling companion and I sprinkled pens about like pixie dust. Two airports, two airlines, many counters filled with indifferent airline employees… I ran through my collection of self-promo pens, then got into the pens I keep on hand to use for work. I ended up rooting through the bottom of my laptop bag as we kept pressing pens into the sweaty, stressed-out palms of these poor souls who could make or break our trip home. At the very least, it broke the tension of the moment; with dozens of people in line and three people at the counter, there was definitely some tension on hand.
Pens got us into a Hyatt instead of a Holiday Inn. Pens got our boarding passes the night before our flight out in the morning (which, sadly enough, also ended up being cancelled). Pens even found our luggage. How else would they recognize the name on the bags? We gave them something to compare it to.

A pen in an airport is even better than a pen in a restaurant. And that is some heady praise, indeed. Since then, I never travel without at least a dozen.

Pens as conversation piece
Seek out a pen that writes well and feels right in the hand. As the boomers age, that gripper thing becomes more and more vital, as they’ll be looking for a pen that isn’t painful to use. Sanford pulled the plug on the Sensa and that was, without a doubt, the best-feeling pen I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. Some people like slim pens or light pens or weighty pens. The mistake some buyers make is assuming that what they like, everyone will like.
Pens that light up, have a clever shape, include a light bulb or a foam basketball on the end, or are filled up with shredded money have no place in society. The purpose of a pen is to display an advertising message and write well. That’s it!
If you can find a good pen that also has gimmicks to increase the message’s volume, then I’d like to see it. In my experience, the quality of the writing instrument — and that is its true purpose — suffers when you add the other factors.

You may get the notion that writing instruments are very close to me. I must be careful when I tell people I’m a “pen”ophile. But show nice pens — pens that write well, pens that feel great — and you will reap reorder after reorder.

http://www.gallantgifts.com/

800-330-1343