Product Connections’ Post

Today marks a pivotal moment in our journey. The union of CROSSMARK Product Connections with the Acosta Group is more than a merger—it’s a transformative leap forward. As Talent Acquisition Manager, I want to share my perspective on what this means for us and the industry. Strength in Unity: Our combined forces create a powerhouse. CROSSMARK and Product Connections bring fresh perspectives, diverse talents, and a wealth of experience. Together, we amplify our impact. As we welcome our new colleagues, let’s foster collaboration. Reach out, learn from each other, and build bridges. Our collective strength lies in our connections. Endless Possibilities: The horizon is wide open. We’re not just acquiring companies; we’re gaining opportunities. Imagine the innovations, synergies, and breakthroughs waiting to unfold. To our new teammates, Your journey starts now. Dive into the incredible work, brands, and retailers we serve. Let curiosity guide you. People First: Existing team members, embrace this chance to learn and grow. Show our spirit—the very essence that makes Acosta Group exceptional. Business as Usual, Elevated: Our operations continue seamlessly. We remain steadfast in delivering excellence to clients and customers. Let’s celebrate at our All Hands Town Hall. Together, we’ll explore how our combined strengths make us truly ‘Better Together.’ The future is bright. Let’s seize it!

Another consolidation event in the CPG brokerage industry... 🙄 As brands today are seeking high-value strategic broker partners who can provide significant customer expertise and more importantly the ability and the capacity to deliver on expectations, we continue to see the large national brokerage firms march down the path of consolidation - a direction that over the last decade has proven to push brands *away* from this model and towards more customer-focused, best-in-market brokers. I, for one, welcome our consolidated broker overlords.... One thing I know for certain is that brands want (and need) a broker they can trust; a partner that can help solve pain-points and remove the obstacles impeding their growth - a broker that will fight for their business everyday as if it were their own. but what do I know 🤷♂️

A couple of thoughts on this huge news in the retail level services landscape: There is now a vacuum for one of the large brokerage companies outside the current top four (soon to be top three) to fill a major void for their brands and new clients if they offer retail level services in addition to headquarters calls. Who will be the first to step up? Will brands that felt they were underserved with retail level services by these organizations before be further pushed down in importance with this merger? Where will the brand focus for this new entity lie? What about smaller, emerging brands? Lots to unpack here...... #AcostaGroup #Crossmark #CPG #RetailLevelServices

Why participate in Retailer Excellence Award - Retailer Battle? nbda.com/rea 🔵A forced, in-depth analysis of your business practices that you can continue going forward 🔵Gain valuable insights and takeaways from other retailers  🔵Gain valuable insights and takeaways from your staff 🔵Strengthen the industry by showcasing your personal retailer excellence.  🔵Show staff, suppliers, and consumers alike your commitment to and receptiveness of continuous improvement 🔵Because it’s important – show your support for the bicycle industry 

🌟 Proud to be awarded Acosta Group's Quarterly Champion Award (Q2)! 🌟 This last quarter has been filled with so many proud moments that it's difficult to pick just one. If I had to sum it up, my ultimate goal across all my work comes down to three things: 1) Amplifying the growth minded culture here to show candidates that Acosta Group is a place where people build long, fulfilling careers. 2) Helping recruiters streamline their processes, centralize information, and make their jobs easier. 3) Educating TA on innovative ways to attract talent to the company. My journey began last July with a mission to create an employer brand that truly represents Acosta Group and drives talent across all our agencies. It's been a long road, and while there’s still more to do, I’ve learned so much along the way – about myself, the work I do, and the evolving nature of employer branding. Excited to keep pushing forward with everything I’ve learned so far! 💡 #AcostaGroup #EmployerBranding #RecruitmentMarketing #TalentAttraction #QuarterlyChampion #CultureMatters

A flying start saves your sales 🛫 The salesresults you achieve in Q1 are of great importance to the rest of the year. When I worked in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) we always worked extra hard the first quarter because we knew that if we had a good start, everything would run smoother the rest of the year 🏇 If you start the year falling behind on sales, you spend the rest of the year trying to catch up and compensate. When you are ahead of budget it takes some pressure off and you simply work better and the team is optimistic. It is like a Formula 1 race. If you take a lead position from the start, you are more likely to win the race 🏎 #marketing #digitalmarketing #advertising #onlinenewspapers

Ever heard the saying 'fake it till you make it'? Well, let me share a fascinating story from Richard Branson's autobiography. In “Screw It, Let’s Do It,” Richard Branson shares an ingenious story of Edina, who was tasked with selling ad space for a fledgling magazine. Facing resistance from major companies, she devised a bold strategy. Edina approached both PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company claiming the other had already committed to #advertising. To sell the illusion, she created two dummy magazines, each featuring #ads from the rival brand. This audacious move worked! Both giants believed they were in a race to outdo each other and signed on. Edina’s clever tactic secured the magazine’s success, proving that sometimes, taking bold risks and thinking creatively can turn the tide in your favor. Sometimes, a little creative persuasion can turn a bluff into reality. It's not about deceiving, but rather demonstrating confidence and potential. #businessbrilliance #successstories #cocacola #pepsi #Saas #Sales

Champions Products & Services become number ONE Today my Champions quote is: "The momentum can be right or wrong, so better be shrewd about it." Remember that Champ and become always the Champion in You. Just like that. #business #brands #champions #products #services #quote #momentum #Champ #nr1 #numberone

Boost Your Brand Like Ronaldo! 🏆✨ Just as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola move made waves, your SMB can create a lasting impact. Learn the secrets to branding that increases sales, helps you grow your business 🚀 #branding #salesgrowth #businessgrowth #smb #ZyperAI

🚗💡 **Why After-Sales Service is Everything** 💡🚗 In the realm of luxury and performance vehicles, the expectation of excellence is a standard. However, it's the after-sales support that profoundly impacts our lasting impression of a brand. Recently, I ran into a couple of hiccups with my vehicle – nothing major, but enough to need some expert help. That's when the real test of a brand's value comes to light: the after-sales service. And here, I had two vastly different experiences with 2 different brands. I want to thank Laurent LOUYET and the entire team at Louyet Group. When I reached out to Olivier Vinck and William de Donnea for help, they were incredible; their responsiveness and commitment to finding immediate solutions were nothing short of exemplary. Keep it up! This experience was in stark contrast to another luxury brand (that I won't name out of respect) - a reminder that no matter how great a product is, it's the after-sales service that leaves the lasting impression. It's what makes you feel valued and respected as a customer. To all the businesses out there, remember: the quality of your service speaks volumes about your brand. It can turn challenges into opportunities for brand loyalty and advocacy. #CustomerService #Leadership #aftersalesservice #ServiceIsKey