We attempted to do business with David Pepper as he seemed to be an up front person to do business with. He replied to all calls and emails.  Upon sending an order and a deposit for over $1000, his responses became fewer. Basically we placed an order with him in May and are still awaiting our deposit returned. No product, no nothing, no refund. We really just got hosed.

Out of my 20 years in business, I have never came across such a blatant scam by someone who claims to be a professional. Over the last few months I have met a few others that have also had questionable dealing with him as well. I recommend Professional Gifting for any tap handle manufacturing.

I look forward to any comments that either support or defend him.

I am looking for quotations one the following concrete project.Time frame is completion in 8 weeks.Scope of project is as follows:Demolish and Remove existing 42′ wide by 48 foot sidewalk shown in the top 3 pictures.Replace with new sidewalk, same size.Remove all debrisReplace or Repair existing 8′ x 4′ semi circle by front door.Project is price sensitive.Price should include 3 potential decoration types on the concrete.1. Troweled with border2. Troweled with aggregate border3. Stamped with borderPayment is 1/3 upon demolition, 1/3 upon pouring, 1/3 upon completion

]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/indianapolis-concrete-project/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/deal-of-the-day-discount/ http://www.execmagazine.com/deal-of-the-day-discount/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 12:41:26 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/?p=201 May 24th, 2010, first come first serve. Take another $.05 off.

]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/deal-of-the-day-discount/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/high-end-gifts-designer-cubes-and-desk-accessories/ http://www.execmagazine.com/high-end-gifts-designer-cubes-and-desk-accessories/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:29:47 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/?p=133 Last year I came across a new brand in the industry that really takes post it notes and desk cubes to a new level.  When most people look at corporate gifts as trinkets and trash, these treasures are a keeper.

This form of design is ideal for anyone with an artistic flair.  The multi color cubes start in the $16 range while it’s smaller companion shown below is a little closer to $7.  This piece comes with approximately 1000 sheets and if you do as few as 250 pieces, we can use your corporate colors.  Our design team can also help in designing your new creation.

For more infoormation on these products contact www.ProfessionalGifting.com

Along with a plaque of recognition, Adam received a check from IHM payable to himself and Brebeuf Jesuit High School where Adam will be attending.

People continue to be at the core of many businesses. Your team must collect information, make decisions, and work together — so its often important to have meetings to get the work done’. But without careful planning, meetings can quickly become a waste of time, energy, and your best resources — your staff! The following tips can help to focus meetings and get better results at work.

1.     Write down the outcome. Write down the action or decision that needs to happen. Don’t ever plan a meeting without a written goal.
2.     Ask if a meeting is the best way. Once you have a written goal, it becomes easier to decide if a meeting is needed. Would a phone call work? How about an email? Don’t plan a meeting unless it is the best way to accomplish the goal
3.     Only invite the right people. Too many meetings waste the time and attention of people who don’t directly affect the outcome. Team bonding is important, but holding large meetings simply to promote the team’ is a waste of company time. Respect your fellow workers by freeing them from pointless meetings.
4.     Work from an agenda. Meetings should have a beginning and an end. Work from a focused agenda to make sure that the discussion that is taking place helps accomplish the outcomes you have determined. Don’t plan a meeting with multiple topics, instead have short focused meeting agendas.
5.     Stop run-away meetings. Every 5 minutes ask, “Are we getting closer to the outcome?” — If not, refocus the meeting and get back on topic. Once the outcome has been completed, end the meeting quickly. Don’t wait until the end to make a decision — a meeting ends as soon as the decision or outcome is reached.
6.     Create a parking lot for new ideas. Meetings can often open discussion on subjects that are off topic’ and not part of accomplishing the written outcome. Don’t dismiss these potential topics, but collect them in a physical notebook, list, or other document. Review this list once or twice a month to see if other topics require action or further discussion.
7.     Master the 26 minute meeting. Outlook will default to 1 hour meetings. With travel time and small talk, many work days become a string of endless meetings. Start scheduling smaller meeting that get to the point. Schedule phone meetings to save both time and fuel spent traveling.
8.     Meet with yourself. You may be the best person to accomplish an outcome or make a decision. Schedule time to accomplish your goals with undivided attention.

Author: Josh Brammer
Josh Brammer is Operations Director at SpinWeb. His background includes media design, video production, strategic planning, and organizational productivity. In his spare time, Josh enjoys his family, good films, reading, throwing a frisbee, and quad espresso macchiatos. Contact Josh at josh@spinweb.net or 866.SPINWEB x2200. ]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/8-tips-to-better-meetings/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/blue-generation-apparel/ http://www.execmagazine.com/blue-generation-apparel/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:14:03 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/?p=169 We recently did quality tests on a number of Blue Generation Shirts.  Blue Generation Clothing sells blank apparel that is designed to have logo’s emroidered or silk screened on them.  Their clain to fame is simply that they carry so many colors in sizes that go as high as 6X.

We tested Item number BG-8213 and the ladies coordinate BG-6213 in Kiwi and Red.  After 25 washes, they held the color extemly well.  While 2 shirts lost buttons, the overall durability was excellent.  The red shirt did bleed a little on to a white tee shirt that we included in the wash cycle.

We found prices across the board.  When asked how much would it be to buy 24 shirts, one supplier was as high as $37.99, plus an additional $7.99 for an embroidered logo.  Another vendor was offering them online for $21.65 with up to 6,000 stitches of embroidery, plue $125 for an embroidery tape.  When we asked our sponsor, Indianapolis supplier of embroidery and logo apparel, Professional Gifting for a price, they directed us to their special offer for a free tape and said they would do the order for $21 per shirt.

In general, the Blue Generation line can best be described as:

• Affordability, 10 out of 10
• Quality level, 8 out of 10
• Color Selection, 10 for 10
• Durability, 9 for 10

Their full line of products can be found at www.BlueGeneration.com. ]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/blue-generation-apparel/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/wenger-swiss-army-notebook/ http://www.execmagazine.com/wenger-swiss-army-notebook/#comments Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:00:13 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/?p=174

When looking at holiday gifts, we always recommend using brand name product.  This gives your gift a higher perceived value when compared to standard, non branded goods.  

This item is has a balistic nylon cover with leatherette accents.  The interior offers a snap back ID carrier and an elastic holder for either a swiss army knife, a logo’d pen or a custom USB drive.  Also included is a 100 sheet Wenger Notebook Journal.  The item number for this product is 9355-06.  Setup charge for debossing is $62.50.  Contact Professional Gifting for special pricing of $18 each when ordering 48 pieces.  Be sure to use code # EXECSAB. ]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/wenger-swiss-army-notebook/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/skagen-close-outs-watches-bags-and-sunglasses/ http://www.execmagazine.com/skagen-close-outs-watches-bags-and-sunglasses/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:54:33 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/?p=163

Skagen has long been known as one of the premier sources for very thin designer watches.  Since expanding their line in 2007, they are now offering a number of their items on close out.  This is the closest you will get to a Skagen wholesale price.  These discontinued items have all of the flash that Skagen is known for.  Realistically their close out prices are almost a third of their original retail price.  Many of the bags are from the Svendborg line.  If you have an interest in any of these close out items, please send your request to kr.promo@gmail.com.  Items are first come first serve and there are over 1200 available pieces as of this date.

]]> http://www.execmagazine.com/skagen-close-outs-watches-bags-and-sunglasses/feed/ 0 http://www.execmagazine.com/salvage-interior-idea/ http://www.execmagazine.com/salvage-interior-idea/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:13:14 +0000 admin http://www.execmagazine.com/salvage-interior-idea/ If you are building, renovating or simply looking for an item to add a creative flair to your home, salvage yards are an ideal starting point.  When I say starting point, I mean that while you are planning your new environment, you start with 1, 2 or 3 totally unique pieces that will be the focal point and then you build them into your design.  A couple of good starters are doors and windows.

Looking for these types of items, can be a great hobby for you and your significant other.  We spent probably 5-8 years looking for creative ideas to add to our 1920′s home during our last renovation.  Now I’m back to golf and she’s back to shopping.

The doors shown above date back to the late 1880′s and are priced under $3000.  By incorporating a unique piece like this to your overall design, you mold into your home a story that can be told for years.  For instance, the top set of doors were removed out of a residence in Chicago, that was built in the 1890′s.  The stained glass below also came out of Chicago from a home built in the 1880′s.

This form of neo-classic design helps incorporate the new and the old.  It truly brings a sence of originality to your abode.

Not every environment is suited for these types of additions.  But if you don’t have a great starting point, this direction is both fun for couples and memorable for years to come.  When designing your next space, you may want to add a spice of the golden years.  For assistance in your next world class interior, be sure to contact dot@indydeco.com.

Dot Reinstrom has been helping families throughout the country to create environments that make staying and entertaining at home a pleasure.