IDEAS, INFORMATION & INSPIRATION FOR SALES PROFESSIONALS

Small-Business Hiring Expected To Increase

Small-business owners are planning to hire more employees this year to match expected revenue and profit gains, according to data from Vistage International. In fact, 55% of small-business executives anticipate adding to their staffs in 2012, a 9% increase compared to polling done in the fall. These results closely follow positive news about the U.S. labor market and steadier consumer spending. “The very fact that things didn’t get worse is for some people a cause for optimism,” said Rafael Pastor, CEO of Vistage.

About 41% of survey respondents said they thought the economy improved in 2011, more than double the response in the third quarter of last year. Meanwhile, only 12% of the 1,600 CEOs surveyed said the economy had gotten worse. CEOs still had concerns heading into 2012, however, including the effects of Europe’s financial crisis (cited by 43% of respondents) and the perceived failures of Congress to address U.S. debt and deficit increases (69%).

Coinciding with the mostly positive data from Vistage’s survey, a separate report released by Intuit showed U.S. small businesses created 55,000 jobs in December and also increased working hours for employees. For 2011 overall, Intuit said worker compensation was up by 3.4%, offsetting the 3.3% rise in inflation.

Marketing Connections Partners With The Vernon Company

Hawaii-based distributor Marketing Connections has joined its operations with Counselor Top 40 distributor The Vernon Company (asi/351700). “The addition of Mike Wells and the Marketing Connections’ team gives us a huge lift in this region,” says Dave Regan, vice president of sales for Vernon.

Wells and eight other employees will continue to maintain the Marketing Connections corporate identity, while representing The Vernon Company. In turn, Vernon will assume administrative operations and provide marketing and technology support.

For the last 15 years, Marketing Connections has served clients throughout Hawaii and Guam. A fourth-generation family company, Vernon was founded in 1902 and currently employs over 500 people in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

SpECTOr AND CO. ANNOuNCES NEW DirECTOr Of CuSTOMEr SerViCE

Tanya Abitbol was promoted to the position of director of customer service, effective January, 2012. Tanya has close to 10 years of experience in customer service and business development with Spector and Co., and has been recognized by the company for her expertise in customer service and her professionalism. She will continue to focus on building relationships with clients.

Gill HirES NEW DirECTOr Of SalES

Gill Studios (asi/56950) has announced the hiring of Lisa LeMond as the director of sales for the development and management of a new outside sales force. Lisa has 17 years of industry experience working as the international account manager for Norwood/BIC. This newly created position is to support Gill’s inside sales management team and to develop a bigger presence in the field. “Lisa will bring a wealth of outside sales knowledge and relationships to the company,” says Paul Lage, president and CEO of Gill Studios.

MANzEllA WorlDWiDE CHANGES NAME

Manzella Worldwide (asi/68620) has changed its name to Worldwide Protective Products to better reflect its full range of products and services. The supplier offers custom hand and body protection solutions for unique applications and environments such as automotive and glass markets, sporting goods, law enforcement and military.

Worldwide Protective Products will continue to combine knitting, sewing and coating operations with a commitment to U.S. manufacturing and personalized customer service.