Facing the Forces of Change: Decisive Actions for 2012

It's often been said that distributors are operating in the "new normal" – an environment defined by more risk, more uncertainty and more complexity. But what does that mean for distributors as they look forward, focused on growing their businesses despite the ongoing volatility?

Guy Blissett, author of Facing the Forces of Change: Decisive Actions for an Uncertain Economy and the wholesale distribution lead researcher at IBM, will talk about how distributors can capitalize on current trends to differentiate their businesses in this free 60-minute MDM Webcast, sponsored by Infor. Facing the Forces of Change was published by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. Order the NAW book here.

"A great deal of uncertainty still exists in the economy and the industry about what comes next and where things are going," Blissett said. "The key message for us, doing the research and looking at survey results, is that even though there is probably a sense of collective relief that we made it through this period, now is not the time for complacency in any way, shape or form."

How aggressive can distributors be in decision making and planning? Powerful opportunities exist for distributors to develop targeted approaches to growth at the same time driving efficiencies in their own companies and throughout the supply chain. Distributors must continuously redefine and reassess their role in this new environment.

In this free webcast, Blissett will address how distributors can capitalize on current trends going into 2012, including:

• The Growing Role of Information Technology
• The Expanding Role of Services
• Differentiating with Analytics
• Leveraging Human Capital

Join Blissett and Infor in this free 60-minute webcast on Oct. 20, 2011, at 1 p.m. ET. Can't make it? Register, and we'll send you the link to watch on-demand after the live event.

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Sponsored By:

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Speakers:

Guy Blisset

Guy Blissett leads IBM’s research of wholesale distribution industry issues, drivers, and challenges. He also develops IBM’s point of view on the future of the wholesale distribution industry, identifying implications of trends and recommending responses to both existing and emerging issues. Recent areas of focus include food and foodservice wholesale distribution, and strategies for electrical and industrial wholesaler-distributors. In early 2010, Guy was named a Fellow of the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence. He is the author of NAW’s Facing the Forces of Change: Decisive Actions for an Uncertain Economy.

Andy Berry

Andy joined the Infor team in June 2010.  He has spent the last 15 years in distribution and supply chain, most recently at International Business Systems (IBS) where he served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing Americas.  Prior to IBS, Andy held executive roles at Deposco, a Software-as-a-Service Warehouse Management Systems provider, ORTEC, a global logistics optimization solutions provider, and Viewlocity, a supply chain visibility and integration provider.

 

Moderator:

Tom Gale

Publisher of Modern Distribution Management, a specialized information service that provides insight and analysis on trends in wholesale distribution channels. Modern Distribution Management's information services include paid print/online newsletters, industry intelligence e-newsletters, web site, webcasts, book and special reports publishing - all focused on wholesale distribution. Published since 1967, Tom became the second editor of the publication when he purchased it in 1992.