Latest In Strategy

Future-focused distributors are embracing the market upheaval brought on by the coronavirus to strengthen their brands, step up communication with customers and suppliers and put themselves in a position of strength to thrive in the coming post-pandemic economy. Consultant Mark Dancer during Fridays MDM Live webcast shared several ways distributors can show leadership now.

NAW Chief Government Relations Officer Jade West discusses the industry associations effort to promote distributors as essential businesses and ensure distributors are not cut out of the supply chain, as well as ongoing initiatives such as financial support for distribution businesses with more than 500 employees.

In this second of our three-part conversation on innovation in distribution, J Schneider of strategy and consulting firm Dorn joins host Tom Gale to discuss what innovation looks like in 2020 for distributors and manufacturers. In this episode, we look at the ways smaller distributors often have an advantage to identify opportunities for innovation, the need to be selective in building manufacturer-distributor partnerships around a shared vision for innovation, and how to build a culture of innovation.

A major part of the equation that has built so many incredible ongoing success stories in distribution face-to-face communication and interaction has virtually overnight been removed from the table indefinitely. But the real strength has always been in the depth and quality of our personal relationships, writes MDMs Tom Gale. That won't change.

The title of MDMs newest award is actually a bit of a misnomer. The Future Leader Award implies the recipients will be leading at some indeterminate time beyond the present. But what we found from all nine of our 2020 honorees is that each is making a tangible impact right now, not only on their company and colleagues but also throughout the wider industry.