If your winning pricing model is still being led by just your experienced sales team, it is probably time to make changes for the future. I had the opportunity to sit in on an excellent Pricing certification session that kicked off recently with my friends and colleagues leading the session from ACTvantage: Senthil Gunasekaran and Pradip Krishnadevarajan. Senthil and Pradip … [Read more...] about Is your experienced associate led pricing model approaching a cliff?
Insights
Launching New Products Effectively
Channel Marketing Group's Gene Biben, with over 40 years' experience in helping manufacturers generate demand for new products, recently shared some thoughts on effectively launching new products and a major flaw in many manufacturers' product launch strategy ... not properly funding the launch strategy with an appropriate sales investment. He uses an experience he had in … [Read more...] about Launching New Products Effectively
Building and Keeping a Winning Culture Through Leadership
The famous Peter Drucker said "culture eats strategy for breakfast." The one thing he didn't say, but inferred, is that culture stems from great leadership. In a time where seemingly everyone is running faster than ever and, for much of your staff, 2024 may have been a grind, a strong culture that is reinforced by appreciative leadership, is critical. Consider today's … [Read more...] about Building and Keeping a Winning Culture Through Leadership
Embrace Change to Adopt AI and Improve Profits in the Industrial Channel
The concept of digital transformation, let alone AI, as a future driver for your organization is probably a folly unless … You have a leader, and leadership team, which believes in change. There are two key words in the above sentence … “leadership” and “change.” Leadership infers vision, an ability to perceive “need,” an entrepreneurial mentality that desires growth, … [Read more...] about Embrace Change to Adopt AI and Improve Profits in the Industrial Channel
Update – AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
We wrote the below article for our other CMG Trends Publications (Electrical and HVACRtrends) that we wanted to update with new news. AD News: AD’s Center for Independent Distributor Leadership Launches Second Cohort of Leadership Experience Program. In November of 2024 AD announced the continuation of this program. The points in our original article are confirmed as we move … [Read more...] about Update – AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
Why do strong B2B Industrial distributor websites fail
Your website journey is often the most difficult journey for a B2B Construction focused distributor. By Jason Capshaw and John Gunderson The digital journey for some Industrial distributors started like a race where you psyche yourself up for the 100 Yard Dash. What often starts as what you think is a sprint actually turns into a 110 meter hurdle race. For many distributors … [Read more...] about Why do strong B2B Industrial distributor websites fail
CRM … Today’s Marketing Backbone
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
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?”
