Try this test with your team. When our company took it, we learned that if you demand that employees give the same level of accelerated effort every day, month to month and year to year, their energy will fail and company performance will ultimately suffer.

Ohio gift company P. Graham Dunn hosted its 10th Dealer Conference, March 23-24, topping off the two-day event with a $10,000 product giveaway.

Company President Peter Dunn said he was "very pleased" with the increase in attendance, up from 75 registrations last year to 133 this year.

Big Sky Carvers/The Yellowstone Company has merged into gift and home-accent company Demdaco.

"We recognize that in this new economy we have to look for opportunities to operate more efficiently and effectively," said Marc Pierce, Big Sky Carvers founder and president. "Having our business become part of one of the premier companies in our industry makes great sense all around."

Rebecca Ellis' wrapped wire crosses were the center of attention when Logos Bookstore in Dallas hosted a trunk show March 25 to display her unique art.

Wisconsin-based gift company HeartSteps has changed hands.

In order to move closer to family members, Pat and Missy McCormick sold the company to Scott and Jamie Kolpien, owners of Impact Publications, in February. Impact Publications will provide marketing and design services for HeartSteps.

Wildlife enthusiast and Harvest House artist James Hautman has been named Ducks Unlimited 2011 Artist of the Year, MHS Licensing has announced. Next month he will be honored for his painting titled First Light-Canvasbacks in Dallas at the national convention of Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit conservation organization.

Gary Alan Johnson, owner of The Marketing Companies who represented about a dozen Christian market vendors, died April 1. A resident of Plymouth, Minn., he was 64.

Peter Dunn, president of P. Graham Dunn, noted that for years Johnson worked the CBA show for Abbey Press and Cathedral Art. He also represented P. Graham Dunn in the Minneapolis markets.

AngelStar, a company known for its ivory-colored inspirational products and Worry Stones, has expanded its sales representation, hiring three new agencies.

E1 Entertainment Distribution's MusicSkins protect phones and laptops with style-and highlight Christian recording artists Red, The Devil Wears Prada, Third Day and Casting Crowns. The Jesus Fish symbol is also available, and Max Lucado's "3:16" theme comes in two styles.

The MusicSkins can be easily applied and removed, leaving no residue. They also protect cell phones or laptop computers from scratches and scuffs.

List based on sales data for March 1-31, 2010, provided by Christian Books & More Gold and used with permission.