MDM is Looking for Exemplary Women in Distribution
MDM’s new award nomination period is open through March 19, 2021.
MDM is Looking for Exemplary Women in Distribution Read More »
Articles
The 6 Attributes of Super-Profit Companies (laser focus is the key to your goals)
There are certain, specific attributes shared by companies that deliver profit rates three- to five- times the industry average. Most companies can immediately adopt them, and get significant cash-flow and profit gains beginning right away.
The 6 Attributes of Super-Profit Companies (laser focus is the key to your goals) Read More »
5 Ways an E-Commerce Strategy Can Strengthen a Distributor’s Playbook
While e-commerce platforms and marketplaces aren’t new, the pandemic is fueling the need for distributors to take a harder look at them. The latest MDM webcast featured Zoro’s Tracy Buelow breaking down how distributors can have a successful presence online.
5 Ways an E-Commerce Strategy Can Strengthen a Distributor’s Playbook Read More »
Digital Transformations Are Key to Distributors Realizing Optimistic Projections for 2021
To make this a successful year, distributors looking to grow their businesses are likely to improve their chances if they grow their digital capabilities, said industry experts Diane Yarrow and David Saunders.
Johnson Controls Joins Amazon’s Climate Pledge
The commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 aligns with the company’s mission to preserve the environment in part by helping to deliver energy efficiencies to customers.
Johnson Controls Joins Amazon’s Climate Pledge Read More »
How AI Can Turn Sales Reps Into Full-Catalog Product Experts
AI can map the products you already have, without a detailed and painstaking master data project. This makes the sales rep look good and allows the customer to get back to work. It’s all part of an omnichannel experience for the customer, says proton.ai’s Benj Cohen.
How AI Can Turn Sales Reps Into Full-Catalog Product Experts Read More »
Watsco’s Outlook: More M&A, Customer Focus, Tech Investment
Miami-based HVACR distribution giant Watsco sees 2021 as optimal for ramping up existing growth drivers in hopes of continuing at its record-setting pace.
Watsco’s Outlook: More M&A, Customer Focus, Tech Investment Read More »
The 5 Things Customers Want (and how to deliver them)
There’s only five fundamental items that truly influence customer purchasing decisions. Distributors with mastery of these items always lead the market, says WayPoint Analytics’ Randy MacLean.
The 5 Things Customers Want (and how to deliver them) Read More »
Successful Habits Often Start with a Small Step in the Right Direction
What does it take to build successful habits and keep them going for the long term? Consider setting micro goals for yourself and your business.
Successful Habits Often Start with a Small Step in the Right Direction Read More »
How to Tackle Complex Product Configuration Documentation Challenges with Component Content
Break content up into smaller, reusable pieces that can be reassembled based on configuration choices. Darwin Information Typing Architecture, the standard used to design component content, ensures that the correct content is associated with each configured product variation.
What Happened to Grainger’s Margins in 4Q?
“Disappointing” was how one analyst described the industrial distributor’s gross margin performance (down 290bps) in the period, but such a plunge was all too familiar for many companies in these pandemic-plagued times.
What Happened to Grainger’s Margins in 4Q? Read More »
‘Go, Go, Go’: How to Build Your Business in Today’s Economy
“Make sure you’re making acquisitions — now,” Alan Beaulieu told distributors at last week’s NAW Digital Summit. See why he says companies have the green light to grow.
‘Go, Go, Go’: How to Build Your Business in Today’s Economy Read More »
The Role of Leadership in Business Transformation (Hint: It’s Everything)
“Companies don’t transform, leaders do,” said Peter Sheahan in his keynote to kick off NAW’s Digital Summit. We recap his playbook for how distribution execs can drive transformation within themselves — and their businesses.
The Role of Leadership in Business Transformation (Hint: It’s Everything) Read More »
How to Structure the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain
Trying to shoehorn the needed supply chain structure into the current fragmented system is the root cause of the existing problem, say supply chain and analytics experts Jonathan Byrnes and John Wass.
How to Structure the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain Read More »
Recovery Should Gain Steam Throughout 2021
During MDM’s Distribution Industry Outlook webcast, Baird analyst Dave Manthey outlined how economic momentum will pick up in the new year but especially in later quarters.
Recovery Should Gain Steam Throughout 2021 Read More »
3 Reasons Providing Employee Education Can Be Better Than a Pay Raise for Distribution Professionals
Employee education is a retention tool that leads to internal advancement and provides a direct benefit for the distributors who invest in it, says Texas A&M’s Kourtney Gruner.
Expectations Hinge on a Better Second Half
Distributors, manufacturers and industry representatives alike are pinning their expectations for the year primarily on the speed of the vaccine rollout. With that in mind, they are largely bullish on the second half of the year.
Expectations Hinge on a Better Second Half Read More »
Why Customer Experience Should Be a Priority Now
We’re in a Twilight Zone between a pandemic-induced recession and a predicted strong recovery. This is the time to recalibrate and upgrade how customers experience your company’s value.
Why Customer Experience Should Be a Priority Now Read More »
6 Steps to Create a Portfolio Management Plan that Will Strengthen Customer Loyalty
Understand the market, get to know your customers and use appropriate benchmarks in creating a portfolio management approach to customer retention.
6 Steps to Create a Portfolio Management Plan that Will Strengthen Customer Loyalty Read More »
The Secret ‘Value-Add’ in Distribution: Portfolio Management
Portfolio reviews are more valued by core customers with greater breadth of spending across categories. These are exactly the clients you want to nurture (and conversely, can’t afford to lose).
The Secret ‘Value-Add’ in Distribution: Portfolio Management Read More »
