THE IDEAS
HAVE IT!
How One Simple Request Generated Lots and Lots and Lots of New Product Suggestions.

At this writing, 106 to be exact! When Peter Cardello, president of Albums Inc., posted his blog and sent the e-mail asking for new product ideas, his hopes were much higher than his expectations. He knew first hand how busy photographers could be. And he wasn’t sure if, right around the holidays, anybody would have the time to get back to him. But 48 hours after the request went out, Peter Cardello was surprised … delighted … and then astounded by the results!

“Most of the suggestions came within the first 48 hours of posting my blog,” said Cardello. “That alone amazed me. But the suggestions themselves were also fascinating. Yes, some of them were for “new” products we already carry – which told me something about the size of our catalog! But the majority of the suggestions were new, and they really got me thinking,” commented Cardello.

Most of the new ideas Pete received broke into two groups: those that dealt with the company’s web site, and those that were product specific.

Every single suggestion sent in was responded to by Albums Inc., and most were answered personally by Pete Cardello himself. In fact he was so impressed with the ideas, and so pleased to be talking to his customers, that he decided to expand his reward structure. Originally the best idea submitted was to receive a $100 gift certificate. NOW EVERY IDEA DEEMED WORTHY WILL RECEIVE A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE!

“We’re going to reward several of the best ideas, not just one,” said Cardello. “We might give out five awards, we might give out ten. The rewards will be given based on the strength of the ideas received, and I will be actively looking for suppliers to implement them,” added Cardello.

As pleased as Cardello is about the ideas he received, he is equally happy about having reached out to his customer base. “No matter when we implement these ideas, I’m delighted to have received them, and to have had the opportunity to talk to our photographers,” he said. “Sure, I heard a few complaints (which we addressed right away), but more importantly, I got the chance to talk to customers about new and better ways to meet their needs. And that’s what Albums Inc. is all about.”

The multiple winners and all the new ideas will be announced via Pete’s next blog shortly after February 15th.