To combat the challenges of today’s marketplace, progressive distributors looking towards the future are investing more and more into digitizing their processes to optimize performance. These companies recognize that: Data can be monetized. This means that information in their ERP systems can be acted upon rather than remain in data silos and databases. Whether this is … [Read more...] about Using Digitalization to Optimize Operations & Drive New Business in Industrial
Insights
Why do strong B2B Industrial distribution websites fail? It’s often a much simpler answer than you might expect
Has your distributor digital transformation journey seemed like an endless race with hurdle after hurdle? I’ve been in the B2B digital race many times as a distributor in my career, and have crashed into more than a few hurdles. It can be a hard journey to make your ERP and tech stack work, build the right functionality, get the product attributes and pricing to work, but even … [Read more...] about Why do strong B2B Industrial distribution websites fail? It’s often a much simpler answer than you might expect
Passion Powers, and Empowers, Industrial Leaders
In 2024, Dr. Jeffrey Magee, a leading “leadership and marketing strategist” asked me to contribute an article to his publication, Professional Performance Magazine. I had recently been talking with some people about the changes in the industry and what was driving the rate of acquisitions over the past few years. This inspired the below article. And remember, most … [Read more...] about Passion Powers, and Empowers, Industrial Leaders
CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
CRM data sharing between independent manufacturer reps and manufacturers is a tricky, and touchy, issue. One of a rep's value propositions is local market knowledge as well as account / opportunity knowledge. No salesperson likes to let their "boss" know everything they know, but times have changed. The value in information sharing is significant and can help close sales … [Read more...] about CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
Employee Engagement Requires Internal Marketing
Much has been discussed about employee retention as well as recruitment. While some elements of both are truly in the hands of the employee / candidate and companies cannot impact, there is a key element that companies do control. it is their culture. And a key ingredient to achieving the desired culture, and sometimes recapturing it, is employee engagement. Essentially, do … [Read more...] about Employee Engagement Requires Internal Marketing
Better Industrial Sales through Better Sales Coaching
Field level sales management is one of the most challenging roles in the industry, and, in many cases, one of the least effective roles in distributors. Why you ask? Because the people who are placed in these roles typically are: It does not mean they are “bad”. They are trying to succeed, and many eventually do. The challenge, however, is how can they better manage … [Read more...] about Better Industrial Sales through Better Sales Coaching
Making AI Real Intelligence
AI has been all the rage since ChatGPT was unveiled. Not only is it the talk of every conversation relating to technology, price management, operational improvement, customer service, marketing and more, it has also powered the construction market with the explosion of data centers, advanced chip manufacturing, and, of course, the stock market. But, it’s impact to date is … [Read more...] about Making AI Real Intelligence
Opinion – Quick thoughts from the 2024 NAW Executive Summit
The National Association of Wholesale-Distributors Executive Summit was held this week in Washington D.C. Jan 30- Feb 1. This event has a wide mix of distribution leaders from leading Electrical, Industrial, MRO, Construction, Food, Packaging, Specialty, and two step distributors. It is one to the few events where you can see Electrical channel leaders sitting next to … [Read more...] about Opinion – Quick thoughts from the 2024 NAW Executive Summit
9 Ideas for Profitable Growth in 2024
Over the holidays I was contemplating writing a “10 Trends” type of article. You know, the type where you theorize what will occur in the coming year and talk about how companies can generate growth and profitability in the new year. And then I starting thinking “why”? I mean, enough has probably been talked about industry challenges. No one has the crystal ball regarding the … [Read more...] about 9 Ideas for Profitable Growth in 2024
What do your customers value the most from you?
Lately I’ve been thinking about “value”. Not necessarily from a financial / pricing / cost viewpoint but from a “what does your customer value THE MOST from you?” You may ask why I’m thinking about this? It relates to customer satisfaction, customer experience, value proposition, customer retention, lead generation, account penetration and potentially profitability … [Read more...] about What do your customers value the most from you?
