New year, fresh start. Now how do I achieve my goals?

Posted: January 2022

It’s 2022! Many of us make resolutions or set goals at the start of a new year. But how do we achieve them? If you’re in sales or just trying to improve your connections with colleagues or clients, here are three essential qualities of good salespeople that can positively influence success:

Practice Active Listening

Identify the real need of the client, customer, boss, colleague or anyone with whom you interact. Match that with a solution that meets the need. Don’t try to fit a square peg in a round hole, which means really listening. Understand other constraints like financial, technical or structural – eg. what is their budget, are there physical considerations, what is the chain of command?

Find An Emotional Connection

Whether it’s online or in person, find a way to genuinely connect. People make decisions based on their feelings some times more than on logic. So, the strongest salespeople are strong storytellers. Share a personal anecdote if you have one. With context, a listener can imagine themselves in the story and see what the potential outcome or solution can be.

Understand The Product

Understand your product and the value it creates. Review sales materials, specs and features. Take training courses. Choose the right product and explain how it can solve the need. For example, labour is a challenge right now. For high traffic operations, like healthcare facilities and restaurants, a small core bathroom tissue roll or ultra long roll towel means staff aren’t refilling dispensers as often, giving them back time to focus on other priorities.

So, when conversing with your customer or a colleague, keep in mind that listening, connecting through stories, and understanding the product can help you find a mutual solution and achieve your goals.

Avoid Disappointment: Order Early and Buy Local

Posted: November 2021

Supply chain issues and labour shortages are straining the system. From international shipping delays to port backups and container shortages, supply chains are being challenged. With the holidays ahead of us soon, concerns are mounting about stockouts and empty shelves. Here are 2 tips for avoiding disappointment:

Order Early

Timelines for receiving shipments have doubled, some even tripled. This year, more than any year, is the time to order early. Think about what you need weeks, or even months, ahead to be sure you receive it in time. Start thinking about next year now. If necessary, be flexible and look at other options that might meet your needs. Consumers are expected to get out more this year, and earlier, so property and public facility managers, foodservice operators, and wholesale distributors want to be fully stocked with items like towels and tissues to ensure a positive experience for visitors.

Buy Local

It not only makes you feel good to help local businesses and support local workers, but these company’s products are typically more available and accessible. Look for businesses who manufacture and produce domestically to avoid extended shipping times, additional costs, and potential delays. Kruger Products operates 7 domestic papermaking and converting facilities in BC, Ontario and Quebec. With 8 North American plants total, our total papermaking capacity is just over one- third of Canada’s total tissue manufacturing capacity, all located within the continent.

We are all learning to live in this new world full of change and challenges. In many cases it has required us to think and act differently. The more that you are aware and can be prepared, the better the result tends to be. And in the end, remember to be kind and be prepared to be flexible… we’re all in this together!

3 Tips To Stay Safe When You’re Out – Proper Handwashing is Still #1

Posted: October 2021

We’re starting to make our way back out into the world, which after the last year and a half can be a source of joy, as well as source of anxiety. Many of us are now getting back to the office, dining out and starting to travel – or at least thinking about it. While it’s impossible to avoid germs completely when we’re out, there are ways to make our experience outside the home more comfortable, safe and enjoyable.

1) Continue to practice good habits from home when you’re out
Proper handwashing is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid spreading infections and germs. No matter where you are – work, school, shopping, dining or travelling, take the time to soap, lather and wash your hands. Handwashing is particularly important before eating, after using the washroom and after touching an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles or elevator buttons. If you are concerned about getting germs on your hands after you wash them, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and on the door handle to exit the bathroom.

2) When travelling, find places that are implementing high health and safety standards
Trends show that local travel in particular is on the rise. There’s nothing worse than needing to use the restroom when travelling and wondering “what are the bathrooms going to look like?”. And there’s nothing better than walking in and seeing that they’re clean and well stocked with bathroom tissue and paper towels! When you find somewhere that clearly implements high health and safety standards, you’re more likely to go there again. Did you know that germs spread more easily when hands are wet? Make sure to dry your hands completely with a paper towel after you’ve washed them.

3) Go where you know, or check beforehand
We all like to go to places, like hotels or restaurants, where we’ve had a good experience, or have been recommended to us. The travel industry is working harder than ever to serve guests safely, with increased cleaning procedures and safety protocols. Seeing staff frequently sanitize high touch surfaces like counters, tables and doors can help us feel more comfortable. Even so, germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Use cocktail and dinner napkins to wipe food or drinks from your face, rather than your hands. And always wash your hands before you eat.

The world around us has changed. Hygiene concerns due to the pandemic are expected to continue, however interactions are important for our physical and mental well-being. By practicing proper handwashing inside and outside the home, and planning trips and outings to places and businesses where high safety standards are implemented, we can lessen our stress and more safely ease ourselves back into this new world.