Recommended Reading: Top 5 Articles from 3Q - Modern Distribution Management

Recommended Reading: Top 5 Articles from 3Q

Rebates, IoT and several other trends are driving change in distribution.
jenel-white

Change is on the horizon for distribution, and our readers were looking for tips on how to effectively manage that change during the third quarter. General industry trends, a potential shift in rebates and incentives, and the role of the internet of things were among the Top 5 most-read articles on mdm.com during the third quarter.

1. 2016 MDM Distribution Trends Report – Our annual distribution trends report, released in conjunction with the 2016 MDM Market Leaders, dominated the most-read articles for the third quarter, as distributors look to stay on top of the issues affecting their businesses. In addition to the complete report, readers were particularly interested in customer engagement (tip: don't be Amazon), strategic marketing and industrial sector trends.

2. Rethinking Rebates – Rebates play a critical role for the profitability of many distributors. But as the market changes, some manufacturers are rethinking how they incentivize their distributors to grow sales. While disruptive, the changes could ultimately result in stronger relationships.

3. MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Economy Stuck on the Bottom in 2QAfter a calamitous close to 2015, continued downward pressure kept the economy in the trough for the second quarter, according to the quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey.

(Did the downward trend continue? Third-quarter results will be released later this month.)

4. IoT Poised to Alter Supply ChainThe applications for the internet of things are still in the early stages for distribution, but experts expect rapid growth in the next few years. This article examines some of the opportunities and challenges IoT introduces for the supply chain.

5. Listen to Customers or Lose ThemIn the "era of the customer," not enough distributors are actually listening to what their customers want and need. With the rise of Amazon and other unknown disruptors possibly on the horizon, B2B companies must map their customers’ experience to uncover deficiencies – and then work to solve them.

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.