| This is a brief insight into the day-to-day life at a | | | | not to mention the usual accounts department, |
| promotional pens supplier; a job that I had no idea | | | | marketing, purchasing and sales departments. |
| would be so varied, hectic and interesting. | | | | Everyone was busy all the time and I have never |
| I joined this supplier of printed pens expecting a | | | | known days to pass so quickly. |
| quieter pace having left the hectic world of publishing; | | | | The majority of the day is spent processing orders |
| little did I know! My role was the Key Accounts | | | | and talking to customers. Orders are raced through |
| Manager dealing with the larger pen distributors. We | | | | to artwork and then a paper proof of the artwork |
| were strictly a trade-only supplier never dealing with | | | | and confirmation of the order details are emailed |
| the public or any end users. | | | | back to the supplier for their final sign off. As soon |
| The phones and emails started pouring in at 8.30 | | | | as that is received the order enters production |
| every morning and continued throughout the day. | | | | where the screens are made and then the printing |
| These consisted mainly of quotes and orders; some | | | | process begins. I should mention that printed proofs |
| were for help and advice and the odd query but the | | | | are also available for an additional cost but of course |
| majority were for business already secured by the | | | | this adds to the lead-time. |
| distributor. Speed and accuracy was of paramount | | | | Once the promotional pens or promotional items have |
| importance as in some cases several distributors | | | | been printed they are moved into dispatch where |
| were quoting for the same job. | | | | they are counted and packed ready for the couriers |
| The quantities were quite staggering. In most cases | | | | to collect, which they do several times a day. If they |
| the minimum order is 250 promotional pens, | | | | are metal pens they are taken to the dryers first. |
| promotional pencils or other promotional items but | | | | You have to know where your jobs are at all times |
| you frequently found yourself quoting for | | | | and there are stringent practices and systems, which |
| 50,000-100,000 or more printed pens or pencils. | | | | have to be adhered to. |
| The standard lead-time varies depending on the type | | | | I was amazed at the high levels of customer service |
| of pen ordered and the number of prints required not | | | | afforded to all customers both big and small. Phones |
| to mention the number of colours to be printed. | | | | had to be answered quickly and all jobs completed on |
| These usually ranged from 10-14 working days but | | | | time. Customers are the focus of the business and |
| we also ran a 24-hour express service on certain | | | | this companies approach was very much a can do |
| pens providing they were to be printed one colour | | | | one. |
| and the order was for 5000 pens or less. I had never | | | | I have hardly touched the surface of the printed pen |
| thought that you could have so many printed pens in | | | | and promotional gift industry but I thoroughly |
| such a short space of time. | | | | enjoyed my time working for this promotional pens |
| All printing is done in-house so there has to be an | | | | company and only left recently to move abroad. |
| artwork studio, printing factory, dispatch department | | | | |