Marketing for distribution today requires more nuance than ever before. It is no longer solely counter days, events (especially golf!), flyers, short-term promotions and logoed items. It's more about strategy, analysis, targeting customers, determining messaging, tailoring offers to selected audiences, promoting your value proposition and more. Further, giving a flyer to … [Read more...] about CRM … Today’s Marketing Backbone
Insights
Are / Can Industrial Distributors Be Demand Generators?
Recently I visited a manufacturer client who asked me about “the channel”. Specifically, they wanted to know: “What drives distributor product selection, what is the food chain, what’s the value of each?” “Are distributors proactive in creating opportunities and selling our types of products?” In all transparency, this is a manufacturer who is owned by a PE firm and … [Read more...] about Are / Can Industrial Distributors Be Demand Generators?
Why Industrial Product Launches Fail
We're finally through 2024 and some of the manufacturers in your planning meetings likely discussed their new product launch plans (and maybe a distributor shared their approach to new product introductions.) During the planning process some manufacturers communicate to their distributors about their upcoming product launches. Why do we say "some"? Because many are skeptical … [Read more...] about Why Industrial Product Launches Fail
Is Your Team Curious? Are You Investing in “Ventures?”
Recently I was talking with a client about strategic planning as they are beginning their journey to define their path forward to 2030. They’ve set a goal, identified values, have a vision of their purpose, and currently have a strong business. The executive management team is being brought together to share insights and build the “framework” of the plan. After that, others … [Read more...] about Is Your Team Curious? Are You Investing in “Ventures?”
The Top 5 tips to manage your inventory risk
This article originally was published in our HVACRtrends publication and edited for Industrial Supply Trends. Bonus wisdom - from the Hughes Brothers. During Covid and for some time after dealing with supply chain issues made is difficult to find that balance between low cost and available product. The business dynamics didn't change, but the risks have made managing your … [Read more...] about The Top 5 tips to manage your inventory risk
Prokeep Helps Capture the Text and Turn it Into Dollars
As distributors seek cost-effective ways to improve customer experience, improve productivity and have a cost-effective sales tool, while doing all of these digitally, Industrial Trends is pleased to welcome our newest partner, Prokeep. Prokeep offers a unique solution to distributors, which can also cost-effectively and easily be used by manufacturer representatives, which … [Read more...] about Prokeep Helps Capture the Text and Turn it Into Dollars
Do you value your Industrial Manufacturing reps?
There’s long been been “scuttle butt” conversation in the industry regarding some manufacturers cutting rep commissions. Their premise is that they need to do this due to their price increases. While some of the conversations are what manufacturers are thinking (so, “water cooler conversation”), some at times have reduced commissions which has dismayed many and demotivated the … [Read more...] about Do you value your Industrial Manufacturing reps?
Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Given the importance of rebates to the net profitability of distributors, I reached out to a friend and former distributor client, Greg Smith, to share his first-hand experience, and best practices, to help distributors optimize their rebate earnings. For those who don’t know Greg, he owned a small electrical distributor, sold the business to a regional distributor and then, … [Read more...] about Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Manufacturers – Is Your Customer King?
My colleague, Gene Biben, penned an article for ElectricalTrends, discussing a disturbing trends, that affects many manufacturers. As background, Gene spent over 40 years as a manufacturer rep. The agency was passed from father to son. He has since retired, with his son-in-law taking over, but he stays involved in the business and the industry. Many of you know that the … [Read more...] about Manufacturers – Is Your Customer King?
Interviewing Strategy to Deliver The Right Candidate
In our meetings with distributors and manufacturers, all comment on their need for qualified talent to support growth, to replace open positions or, in some cases, a need to upgrade their current talent. The challenge is "how to find the 'right' person?" And many are concerned, although this isn't vocalized, about the cost of making a "less than optimal" decision. Further, … [Read more...] about Interviewing Strategy to Deliver The Right Candidate
