In this MDM Podcast, our analytics manager interviews ETIM North America Executive Director Mary Shaw, who provides expert insight into the current state of data standardization for manufacturers, distributors and end users. The discussion explores the benefits of standardizing product data and taking the next step into your data journey.

We all know the distribution sector is highly fragmented, but to what extent? A chat with McKinsey partners Alex Abdelnour and Kevin Sachs dives into the state of fragmentation within various markets and the factors that separate leading distributors from laggards.

Ranga Bodla, NetSuite’s head of Industrial Marketing, stops by to discuss how the role of distribution associations and buying groups has evolved over the past decade — particularly from 2020 onward — and his company’s newly-launched initiative to better support those groups with education and networking opportunities.

Mike Marks and Tom Gale explore the impact of recent landmark acquisitions and how the mission of strategic deals runs counter to that of private equity.

Ferguson’s Vice President of Sustainability discusses the plumbing, PVF and waterworks distribution giant’s bold emissions reduction goals and what it will take to reach them, as well as Ferguson’s now-completed primary listing move from the London Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange and what it means for the company.

Sponsored by Epicor

Our latest QuickTake podcast focuses on the importance of maintaining perspective and paying attention to actions and tangible data, rather than taking broad economic downturn talk at face value.

Monique Elliott, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Industrial Automation for Schneider Electric, explores successful customer engagement strategies in an increasingly distracted world. Not only crafting an effective customer experience – digital and otherwise – but as importantly how to help your own team overcome the internal challenges and develop a digital-first mindset and culture.

Communication was the central topic in the latest Quicktake podcast featuring MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks, as the two dug into what transparency really means.

VUCA, unfortunately, has become a well-known acronym among business leaders since early 2020. MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks explore where things stand as a swath of pessimistic economic reports have fueled even more volatility, uncertainty, chaos and ambiguity.

The latest on the outlook for second half of the year for distributors, ways to manage inventory and inflation volatility, and a popcorn shortage. In this weekly review of current events and themes in distribution channels, Tom Gale & IRCG’s Mike Marks cut through the noise to share thoughts on what’s important, what’s not, and a peak around the corner on what really matters in creating value for customers.

During the recent NAHAD Convention May 14-17 in Miami Beach, MDM Editor Mike Hockett was able to sit down with NAHAD Executive Vice President Molly Mullins for an interview to discuss the key factors that went into planning this year’s event, why members like attending it and being a part of the association, as well as how those members are handling market challenges.

Summit Electric’s Vice President of Marketing and Supplier Relations Sheila Hernandez’s latest role in leading the company’s marketing efforts includes category management, supplier relations, digital presence and customer lifecycle. We talk marketing plus her contributions to the industry over 35 years with her generous leadership and mentorship.

At the age of 19, Doug Savage, President of Bearing Service, Inc., unexpectedly took over running the distribution company his grandfather started. In this podcast, Doug talks about his passion for education, his early adoption of the Entrepreneurial Operating System, the opportunities for independent distributors ahead, and his many leadership roles across a 47-year career.

Sponsored by Epicor

Gartner’s Maria Boulden, Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group and Tom Gale tackle all things sales transformation: Massive shifts in customer buying behavior, digital-first go-to-market strategy, supplier partnerships and the new sales skills needed to compete, including situational awareness, data literacy and digital dexterity.

Fastenal CEO Dan Florness and MDM Editor Mike Hockett chat from the company’s recent Fastenal Expo about the company’s considerable digital growth and how it’s continued to find ways to become closer with its customers. We also touch on Fastenal’s manufacturing capabilities, how the company is addressing labor and lessons learned from the pandemic.

Sponsored by Epicor

Dirk Beveridge, founder of UnleashWD and executive producer of We Supply America, and Tom Gale talk about research into the changing nature of leadership post-Covid. We also touch on  Dirk’s mission of telling the stories of wholesale distribution teams across America – the spirit, the heart, the humanity of what has built the strongest and most resilient economy in the world.

Tom Fournier, president of Shade’s Mills Group, a sales strategy consultancy based in Cambridge, Ontario, shares insights from a career managing sales channels in Canada and the U.S. with an international jan-san products manufacturer. Topics discussed include unique sales coverage characteristics of Canadian markets, and recent shifts as the sector has commoditized and targeted by Amazon Business and other non-traditional competitors.

Chester Collier, Walter Senior Vice President, shares four decades of international sales management and business development experience across industrial distribution channels. Collier is deeply passionate about the value of distribution and leadership. We discuss the current state of channel dynamics and ways in which sales management has and has not changed in the face of rapid change the past few years.

IRCG’s Mike Marks talks with Tom Gale about core elements of sales transformation, distilling six years of research from distributors innovating their sales process to a more profitable model. We preview our virtual Sales Transformation Bootcamp series this spring and outline the three keys to successful sales transformation: Benchmark current state, rethink the process, execute the change.

Global Industrial is investing in key strategic initiatives, in sales, marketing, private brand, digital transformation and distribution, that they believe will drive sales, including its new NASCAR partnership. Litwin discusses 2021 financial performance, the critical importance of B2B e-commerce to Global’s strategy, and where the industry is headed in 2022.