This week, I had a webinar announcement caught my eye from ISA and Mark Gilham. It reminded me of how valuable basic finance training was when I first got started in my career at Crescent Electric Supply Company. All the sales and marketing type newbies had to attend a new manager training finance session that was in-depth, that was led by our CEO - Jim Etheredge (he was … [Read more...] about Finance Training is often overlooked by Industrial Channel leaders
Why the ISA Executive Network Matters More Than Ever
For the past few months, the ISA leadership team and the ISA Educational Council have been working behind the scenes on this project. It has been fun to be part of the project led by Brendan Breen, his entire ISA team, and all the great educational committee and board leaders (leaders who are working every day in the channel) who are committed to this program. So, getting … [Read more...] about Why the ISA Executive Network Matters More Than Ever
Industrial Planning season is here, are you ready for 2026?
As the 4th quarter approaches and planning season happens, the importance of year-end profit numbers grows by the day. Many channel leaders have to see-saw from a meeting about this year to a Planning meeting for 2026 about every hour. I found when I was in those meetings every day, that I needed to focus my energy into buckets, to do the best job possible for the year end … [Read more...] about Industrial Planning season is here, are you ready for 2026?
Part 2 – All good things in distribution start when a pick ticket prints in the warehouse
I wrote a recent column reminding Industrial Channel leaders about not forgetting about the business fundamentals of the channel that hit a nerve with many readers. The column focused on that even with all the changes over the past two decades - smart phones, instant access to data, end customers who want self-service digital tools and full-service support, and many other … [Read more...] about Part 2 – All good things in distribution start when a pick ticket prints in the warehouse
ISA Member Haggard and Stocking – Acquisition News
A few weeks ago, I was able to do an IST profile on Haggard and Stocking and their history. It was a fun story to write on an Industrial Channel leader who has shown steady growth over the past five decades. As what always seems to happen if right after you write a story the company, they go out and make a big move right after it is published. Haggard and Stocking make an … [Read more...] about ISA Member Haggard and Stocking – Acquisition News
