U.S. Delays Report On Chinese Yuan
Seeking diplomacy over confrontation, the U.S. Treasury Department has announced it will delay the release of a much-anticipated report that would have potentially declared China a currency manipulator. The decision eases pressure on the Chinese government, which has been increasingly criticized by U.S. lawmakers who believe China's currency, the yuan, is undervalued by as much as 40%. Analysts believe the move to delay the report will reduce tensions, while allowing the Chinese to voluntarily raise the value of the yuan to improve the flow of global trade. "China's inflexible exchange rate has made it difficult for other emerging market economies to let their currencies appreciate," said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. "A move by China to a more market-oriented exchange rate will make an essential contribution to global rebalancing."

While prior presidential administrations have consistently urged Beijing to revalue its currency, the U.S. has not found the Asian nation to be a currency manipulator since 1994. Feeling China is intentionally stagnating trade markets, Congressional leaders introduced legislation last month designed to create retaliatory trade barriers against Chinese-made products. "Everyone knows China is manipulating the value of its currency to gain an unfair advantage in international trade," said Senator Chuck Grassley. "If we want the Chinese to take us seriously, we need to be willing to say so in public."

If the yuan appreciates, analysts agree the U.S. economy would benefit, stimulating jobs and private savings, as imports would be more expensive and exports less expensive. In raising the yuan, China could also gain protection against inflation. However, an appreciating yuan would also result in rising prices on goods imported from China – like many of the promotional items sold in the ad specialty market. If, instead, China maintains the yuan's value, it could counter American duty threats by dumping U.S. Treasury bonds, weakening the dollar and adding to financial unrest. Regardless of what actions Beijing takes, President Hu Jintao of China has committed to attend a summit in Washington later this month, likely signaling the start of an open dialogue.

To this point publicly, China has contested U.S. claims of currency manipulation. However, analysts believe China, privately, is preparing to allow the yuan to start strengthening as much as 4% as early as the second quarter.

Survey: Small Businesses Forecast Growth
After surviving the worst, small business owners are now planning for the best. A new study, "U.S. Small Business Outlook 2010: Lessons Learned—A Case for Greater Optimism," conducted by CIT Group and Forbes Insights, found that 60% of small business owners believe their businesses will grow this year. "We think we're going to hold our own and grow very slowly," says Mark Astle, owner of M.L. Schuman Co. (asi/321200). "Last year we were down about five percent and cut expenses and took care of that. This year we're slightly ahead of last year. We're optimistic about it."

Part of the positive attitude comes from the challenges since the financial crisis hit. Of the 220 owners surveyed in the CIT study, 81% say they feel smarter about running a small business now, with 70% saying that the challenges of the recession made them stronger leaders. "2009 was really rough in particular for small companies," said Stuart Feil, editorial director of Forbes Insights, a research group at Forbes Publishing, which co-authored the study. "It's really ‘what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' and sometimes small business owners have to be forced into an appraisal of their company and their abilities."

Tuesday Morning Radio Show Live On The Air
Every Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. eastern time to 11:00 a.m., a team of ASI editors debate the most important topics facing the industry. We also, of course, offer our own off-beat look at the market. This morning, we shared nine traits of successful small businesses, and revealed the things a boss should never say to an employee. Plus, we had a special guest call in to the show: real estate tycoon and business maven Barbara Corcoran, who shared her no-nonsense secrets to business success.

If you missed the show, don't worry. A recording is now available at www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us next Tuesday, April 13, for our next radio broadcast. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. eastern time and give us a call at 215-953-4979. We want to hear from you!

The Joe Show: Executive Gifts
In this episode of The Joe Show, Counselor Managing Editor Joe Haley shows off some of the newest executive gift items to hit the ad specialty market. Have clients looking to honor big-time award winners? Check out these items. 

Click here to see this executive gifts edition of The Joe Show.

Share Your Story With Counselor Mag & Earn $100
Have you recently lost a client because he's had his budget cut, moved on to another job or simply gone to a competitor? Share your story with Counselor magazine's reporters and we'll have a team of experts offer you valuable strategies you can use to regain that client's business. Plus, we'll feature you in an upcoming issue of Counselor AND give you a $100 American Express Gift Card for your efforts.

If you're interested, please send an e-mail to acohen@asicentral.com and tell us in 100 words or less how you lost a recent client (you needn't reveal the name or company of the client) and any efforts you've made to win him/her back.

Nominate Your Company For The Best Places To Work Contest
For the third year in a row, Counselor is setting out to identify the industry companies that employees simply love to work for. These are the distributors and suppliers that have a loyal work force and that provide a work environment which employees want to go to every morning.

Counselor will be unveiling its second-annual Best Places To Work issue in September, and it will undoubtedly include an elite list of industry companies. Do you want your company to be considered? Getting involved is easy – and it's completely free to participate. The only necessary qualification is that a company has at least 10 employees. To nominate your company, or any others in the market that you think deserve to be recognized, simply click here. Also, there's no risk to participating. Only the honorees – those companies with the best scores from the survey – will be published in Counselor.

So, don't delay. Click here to register your company to be considered for one of the most exclusive lists in the ad specialty market: Counselor's Best Places To Work.

ASICentral: Vote Now For Your Fave Promo Product
Last month our Facebook users uploaded images of their favorite promotional products. From the Cigar Holder Divot Tool to the Meat Tray Compressed T-shirt, we got a lot of great submissions, many of which are both fun and functional. Check out the products and their descriptions, then vote for the one you like best [http://asicentralblog.com/blog/2010/03/31/whats-your-favorite-promotional-product/].

Got questions, comments or any type of feedback regarding anything ASICentral, don't hesitate to contact us at feedback@asicentral.com. Also, follow ASICentral at: .

In The News
Boundless Network (asi/143717) has signed a partnership agreement with Identity Austin (formerly asi/229872).  

Spectrum Uniforms (asi/88680) announced that it is offering new sales materials, including customizable and downloadable sales flyers.

The PeerNet Group recently announced the following awards: David Cardin Supplier of the Year – Leed's (asi/66887); Outstanding Supplier Commitment – Ash City (asi/37127), Cutter & Buck (asi/47965), Gemline (asi/56070) and Norwood; Preferred Partner with Outstanding Growth – Visions (asi/93986) / Awardcraft (asi/37650).

TravelChair (asi/91916) has announced that its Insect Shield chair was selected as one of the 10 "Best New Products of 2010" by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.

Tri-Mountain (asi/92125) has launched its new 2010 spring collection. The company's latest catalog can be downloaded at: www.trimountain.com.

People On The Move
Points of Light (asi/78825) has hired Scott Nussinow as executive vice president of marketing.

Sterling Cut Glass (asi/89663) has announced that Jack Friedman and David Friedman from Ad Specialty Sales will provide sales representation in FL, GA, AL, MS, NC and SC.