I have written two recent columns reminding Industrial Channel leaders to not forget about the business fundamentals of the channel, which hit a nerve with many readers. These columns focused on that even with all the changes over the past two decades - instant access to data, end customers who want self-service digital tools and full-service support, and many other changes- AI … [Read more...] about Part 3 – All good things in distribution start when a pick ticket prints in the warehouse
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Industrial Planning Meetings Part 3, are you ready for 2026?
Last week, I was up in St. Paul, MN and had a chance to speak and meet with the 3M Safety & Industrial team. I had some time in between sessions to walk around the 3M Innovation Center and look at some of the history of 3M. It was like a museum tour for an Industrial distribution leader: The early history of 3M, established as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing … [Read more...] about Industrial Planning Meetings Part 3, are you ready for 2026?
2026 Industrial Planning Season – Finance team leadership is crucial to great outcomes
Yesterday, I was writing a planning season column for a series that I am writing. I was multi-tasking and listening to an ISA webinar hosted by Brendan Breen and Mark Gilham from Enable titled Finance for Future Leaders. As I was writing and listening, I realized in my outline notes that I had not accounted enough on the role of Finance in Annual Planning Meetings. Your … [Read more...] about 2026 Industrial Planning Season – Finance team leadership is crucial to great outcomes
What can Industrial Leaders do to enhance their skill sets?
Last week I was traveling and speaking to key industrial channel leaders and one topic keeps coming up again and again from Manufacturers, Manufacturer Reps, and Distributors in the Channel. How do we retain future leaders in the industrial channel? It is hard to recruit and then retain talent in the industrial channel. So, when you make that investment as a Company or … [Read more...] about What can Industrial Leaders do to enhance their skill sets?
Gain Industry Insights. Participate in the Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey
Industrial Supply Trends is continuing our quarterly series of gaining marketplace insights and sharing it with you, helping you benchmark your performance. The Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply survey is now open, until September 24th. Results will be shared the first week in October. We need input from distributors, manufacturers, and independent manufacturer … [Read more...] about Gain Industry Insights. Participate in the Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey
