Quick Thoughts from SHIFT: Distribution Remains “Prime” for Disruption
Mike Hockett distills key themes and takeaways from MDM's marquee thought leadership conference event, held Sept. 18-20 in Denver.
Articles
Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Strategies to Foster Innovation and Growth
Will Quinn reflects on a career that has seen organizations embrace continuous improvement and those that haven't. The former tend to outperform the latter, and here's what it looks like.
How to Build World-Class Analytics Capability
Many distributors can build the strong data teams, but most distributors really struggle to use that data muscle effectively to move the business forward. Here's how to make it stick.
Podcast: MDM’s AI Research Report Highlights
Research lead Kevin Reid-Morris and Tom Gale discuss the insights, surprises and hopes for AI that this 2023 exploration surfaced, along with behaviors and supporting building blocks for distributor AI success.
Amazon Asked Staff to Return to the Office. Will Distributors Follow Suit?
It may be too early to tell how some return-to-office policies affect productivity, but many workers have voiced opposition to returning even part time.
MDM Distributor Spotlight: First Supply
In MDM's debut Spotlight feature, we profile how flexibility and forward vision continue to lead this plumbing, HVAC and PVC supplies distributor after more than 126 years.
Your Team’s Ability to Change & Grow Will Be Your Future
Distributors who build a learning organization empower creativity and agility, differentiating themselves in the face of challenges and nurturing growth.
Ahead of MDM’s SHIFT, a Wide Variety of August Content
With less industry concern over the economy and supply chain, August gave MDM a chance to explore other topics that haven’t dominated headlines in 2023.
MDM Podcast: Education, Industry Demand and What STAFDA’s Up To
STAFDA CEO Georgia Foley stops by to discuss the association's new educational initiative, how U.S. Infrastructure Bill funds are impacting industry demand and to preview the group's annual convention.
Furthering the Innovation Journey
Aspirations direct our distributor innovations, so let’s aim high and build a supply chain worthy of our future. Mark Dancer advises in the third part of his Facing the Forces of Change initiative with NAW.
QuickTake: Distributors’ Key Business Objectives for 2024
With budgets and operational planning already eyeing the year ahead, Mike Marks and Tom Gale explore where distributors have the most leverage, and where their common gaps are.
MDM Podcast: Higher EBITDA Multiple Drivers – A McKinsey Keynote Preview
McKinsey Partner Kevin Sachs previews his team’s SHIFT conference keynote on the differentiators of those who are convincing shareholders they are growing revenue faster, expanding margins and improving their capital leverage.
How the Right Incentives Restore Trust Between Trading Partners
Despite improved conditions, distributor-supplier relations still suffer from damaged trust, inefficient processes and low visibility. This piece advises on leveraging rebates to sustain partnerships.
Digital-First, Data-Driven, Culture-Led: The Future Distributor
Where is your team today in the skills and capabilities that will define your future growth rate and ability to out-compete effectively? Tom Gale eyes the critical next few years in B2B distribution.
Q&A: Cooper Electric Branch Manager on Her Career Path & Women in Distribution
As Aug. 26 marks Women’s Equality Day in the U.S., we share a conversation with a newly-promoted Sonepar subsidiary branch manager about her background and perspective on women in the industry.
MDM Podcast: Distribution’s Technology Leverage Shift
Hisco IT leader Ana Bennett — one of MDM's upcoming SHIFT conference speakers — joins Tom Gale for a conversation about the evolving role of distribution technology and where it's headed.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing Key Supplier Partners
Picking the right supplier partners can make or break a distributor's long-term success. Here are top factors to consider as you vet a new strategic supplier partnership.
Quicktake: Culture as a Competitive Differentiator
Consultant Mike Marks talks culture as the critical differentiator in periods of uncertainty, and the shift from command-and-control leadership.
The Fatal Error in Copy-Pasting an Outside Sales Model Inside
As Benj Cohen explains, these two sides have different environments, challenges and approaches.
Where Do Industrial, Commercial & Construction Distributors Rank on the 2023 Inc. 5000?
See which MDM-oriented distributors made Inc.'s annual list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America.
