What is an Online Company Store?

Jan 25, 2017 | Proforma Si Blog | 0 comments

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An online company store automates the process of obtaining promotional products, corporate apparel & uniforms, printed and other branded marketing materials.  Marketing teams are free to concentrate their efforts in other more important areas.

Imagine this scenario:

You run a company that sells heavy outdoor machinery. To best meet the needs of your customers, you include a sticker with your customer service phone number on all machinery.

Your east coast office hasn’t had to order new stickers in a long time so they choose a new supplier that is offering an attractive discount for first time orders. They place the order for $100,000 in new stickers.

The new stickers arrive, but a typo in the phone number switched two numbers, making the stickers useless. You now have no choice but to throw away the misprinted stickers.

In this situation, no harm was meant, but due to simple human error and a failure to check proofs thoroughly, you just lost $100,000. Now you need to reprint all new stickers and pay extra to rush the order.

The Importance of Centrally Approved Marketing and Sales Materials

If you’re a mid-sized to large organization with multiple locations across the country or with remote field reps, you may find it difficult to ensure all marketing and sales materials ordered and distributed are approved and accurate.

Companies that sell their goods through dealers, branch networks and distribution channels may also struggle in ensuring all communication sent through these partners accurately represents the brand.

Your marketing team works hard to design integrated campaigns and deliverables, taking time to follow brand guidelines and format the materials for printing on approved merchandise. While they may work closely with remote reps, other office locations and partners, production and logistics are not their core competency.

Moreover, your marketing team may already be gone for the day when a request comes in or may not have the time to place individual orders each time more materials are requested, causing a serious disconnect in your organization.

Marketing and sales materials may include:

  • Brochures
  • Forms and contracts
  • Corporate apparel
  • Uniforms
  • Giveaway items like pens and USB drives
  • Sales kits

Why Un-approved Materials Create Problems Company-Wide

If you don’t have a solid process in place for making materials available, employees and managers may end up having to take matters into their own hands.

When this happens, like in the scenario above, you run into challenges like:

  • Inaccurate information
  • Unapproved versions of your logo and brand
  • Typos, pixilated images and poor formatting
  • Poor quality materials that send a negative message of your brand
  • Difficulties in controlling cost and authorized spending
  • Confused and/or angry customers and phone reps

The Solution: An Online Company Store

Many companies choose to implement an online company store to set up a central control around this process of ordering approved materials.

In doing so, they empower employees to get the materials they need while allowing you to maintain control over your brand.

Benefits of an Online Company Store:

  • 24/7 access to approved corporate assets
  • Warehousing eliminated
  • Simplified and streamlined processes
  • Brand and cost control
  • Vendor consolidation
  • Centralized purchasing
  • Volume discounts
  • Variable product options

Had the machinery company in our scenario above had a centralized location for ordering, the sticker file would already be proofed and loaded for re-order without error, saving the company over $100,000.

An online company store can handle your:

  • Corporate Apparel
  • Uniforms
  • Service Awards
  • Marketing materials
  • Employee recognition prizes
  • Branded promotional items

An Online Company Store Program Ensures Approved Brand Messaging Every Time

An online company store program is a combination of software and expert services designed and built to provide easy access to pre-approved marketing and sales materials across large organizations, regardless of geography or time zone.

Imagine what a world it would be if your employees and partners could get what they need right when they need it!

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If you would like to read more about online company stores and how they help other large organizations automate and manage their marketing materials, download our e-book below.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY OF OUR E-BOOK “Why Should You Consider An Online Company Store”

 

 

 

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