Now More Than Ever, Many Are Contemplating
More Efficient, Profitable Ways to Build Their Business.

As a 20+ year industry veteran, who has earned an MAS designation, won multiple PPAI Pyramid Awards and the ASI Spirit Award, I understand the dynamics of this industry. I've personally experienced the challenges of running a small distributor company. For years I had felt that giving away a percentage of my profits by being a part of a larger company didn't make any sense.

Over time, however, I found that the stresses and complexities of running a business were eating me alive. (Well, not literally...but I was getting burned out.) I started to re-think what truly is important in my life. In my search for new business options, I realized that there are many quality distributor companies that would LOVE to have you join them. Let's be honest, recruiting salespeople is a key part of their growth strategy. What I have discovered in my own search is that there are different business models, different personalities and different value propositions. In talking to leadership of these very successful companies, I have been amazed at how confident they are of their value proposition.

In these challenging economic times, I truly believe that affiliating with a larger organization has distinct advantages for salespeople. I also believe that it is important for salespeople to have a means to easily evaluate the options available to them. Compiling a snapshot on a few good companies for evaluation is a beneficial service and one more way FreePromoTips is an asset to our industry. 

When I am asked about affiliation, I always encourage people to look at all their options and make the choice that is best for their personal situation. If you are looking to change the direction of your career, I would highly encourage you to contact these successful companies and see what company fits you best.  There certainly is no risk in learning more. You may ultimately discover that staying independent is the best choice for your life. By exploring your options you will be in a better position to evaluate what is right for you.  Perhaps you will benefit from a change of direction, or be more confident that staying independent is the best direction for your business.

NAME: AIA Corporation
YEARS IN BUSINESS:  Since 1981
SALES VOLUME: $92MM in 2009
FINANCIAL STABILITY: Private equity partner. Extremely solid financial stability

• Distributors keep brand intact, they own their business and customers while they are with AIA and after, should we part ways at any time.

• Strong back-office support with service level options.

• State-of-the-art technology, sales and lead generation programs, marketing programs incorporating a variety of channels using the distributor’s brand and approach, business advisory services, flexible business model. True partnership relationship with suppliers.

WEBSITE:  http://www.aiagearedforgrowth.com/

NAME:  Vernon Company
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 109 years
SALES VOLUME: $55 million
FINANCIAL STABILITY: AAAA1 D&B rating

BUSINESS MODEL TYPE:  We have both employees (who are eligible to receive benefits like health/dental insurance, 401K, etc.) and independent corporations.
All services and support are the same, regardless of model.
EMPLOYEE or INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR:  Employee AND Independent Corporation
COMPENSATION MODEL: Commission, employee benefits (if Employee model), bonus opportunities and other fringe benefits
KEY DIFFERENTIATION FACTORS - We offer Account Executives:
The Good Life: We understand the need for work/life balance and we’re flexible to meet their needs.
What You Need, When You Need It: The best sales and marketing tools in the industry to help grow your business – with current customers and prospects
We’ve Got Your Back: Experienced, knowledgeable home office staff primarily focused on assisting Vernon Account Executives so they can focus on selling
Vernon is Financially Rock Solid: We have no long-term debt, and we’re the only Top 40 distributor with a consistent AAAA1 rating from D&B – this is the highest rating available and we receive this rating year after year!
CORPORATE CULTURE: Family-owned business; sales-centric support staff; company loyalty is prevalent with approx. 95% retention rate with both home office staff and Account Executives
CONTACT PERSON: rocksolid@vernoncompany.com 
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:  800-743-7545 - Chris (x 8224), Dave (x8256), Andrea (x8168) and Sharla (x8242)
WEBSITE:  http://www.vernoncompany.com/a-new-direction

Learn more about Vernon

NAME: Proforma
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 31
SALES VOLUME: $350 Million

FINANCIAL STABILITY: Financial documents provided to all interested and qualified prospective Owners
BUSINESS MODEL TYPE: (Associates are, employees, independent contractors, owners, franchisees, ?) Independent business Owners within a franchise model.
COMPENSATION MODEL: Net proceeds paid twice a month.
KEY DIFFERENTIATION FACTORS:
-    Only Proforma is designed to help you, an existing distributor or sales rep, grow your business.
-    Only Proforma will help you vertically integrate yourself with your clients by selling them promotional products, business documents, printing, multi-media and e-commerce solutions. (Don’t know how to do that? Only Proforma will teach you!)
-    Only Proforma will offer you free credit insurance to protect your receivables.
-    Only Proforma will provide you with custom marketing and sales programs to help you obtain new clients.
CORPORATE CULTURE: The corporate culture is not viewed as corporate at all, rather a Support Center to our franchise Owners. Proforma’s founder, Greg Muzzillo, leads this Support Center in a way that encourages both professional and personal goal setting of the staff but also  combines that with the highest level of customer service so that each Proforma franchise Owner is worked with personally and one on one.
CONTACT PERSON: Melissa Banning
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 1-800-PROFORMA (776-3676) or mbanning1@proforma.com
WEBSITE: http://www.onlyproforma.com

In this video Greg Muzzillo shares about Proforma today and in the future

MadeToOrder offers propriety technology and custom tailored to a client needs, personalization, order processing and reporting solutions. Their business model differs from a traditional large distributor in that they operate more like a law firm, working with select group of partners who have an ownership interest.

If you are looking for a change, MadeToOrder would love to hear your story and share their vision for the future with you...contact: Rod.Brown@madetoorder.com - Phone: 925.484.0600 Ext #113 

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