By now many have zeroed in on their 2018 sales goals. With DISC, Electrical Wholesaling and many manufacturers coalescing around 4-6% numbers (some a little higher, some a little lower) and recognizing that it can change a little due to commercial or industrial focus as well as, for manufacturers, by product category, we have a “ballpark” for 2018. The number is a little … [Read more...] about Distributors, Where Will Your Growth Come From?
Aligning Compensation with Channel Selling
A core philosophy in developing sales compensation models is to reward salespeople for what you want them to do ... which is sell. Salespeople need to be aligned with their company\'s, and in the case of manufacturer reps their manufacturers, goals. Historically for electrical manufacturer reps this typically related to selling to electrical distributors and their agreements … [Read more...] about Aligning Compensation with Channel Selling
Interviewing Strategy to Deliver The Right Candidate
In our meetings with distributors and manufacturers, all comment on their need for qualified talent to support growth, to replace open positions or, in some cases, a need to upgrade their current talent. The challenge is \"how to find the \'right\' person?\" And many are concerned, although this isn\'t vocalized, about the cost of making a \"less than optimal\" decision. … [Read more...] about Interviewing Strategy to Deliver The Right Candidate
What\’s the Value of a Manufacturer’s Brand?
Over the past few months as we\'ve sat in strategy development meetings with distributors, reviewed distributor purchasing information and talked to manufacturer reps and contractors we\'ve seen a purchasing trend that is roiling the industry. The trend, which mirrors what is happening in lighting with \"unfamiliar brands\" is accelerated growth, and acceptance, of less … [Read more...] about What\’s the Value of a Manufacturer’s Brand?
Info to Help Your 2018 Planning
Occasionally we come across information that can assist your planning. Below is info regarding the MidAtlantic industrial market, the residential market and how to improve warehouse operations. Industrial Planning Information The Mid-Atlantic market region, which includes Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, is preparing for $49.8 billion in … [Read more...] about Info to Help Your 2018 Planning
Thinking About 2018 GDP
An interesting report was released by Goldman Sachs this week titled \"As Good as It Gets.\" The article shares Goldman\'s 2018 GDP outlook, globally as well as for the US. Given that many are finalizing their 2018 forecasts, thought is may be helpful on what leading analysts are thinking. This is not an endorsement, just sharing some observations. The following are comments … [Read more...] about Thinking About 2018 GDP
Improving Profitability Through Warehouse Transformation
Recently we\'ve been talking to distributors and manufacturers about the impact of eCommerce on their business as well as assisting on their 2018 planning. While growth is a recurring theme (as expected) as is the goal of improved profitability, an area that unites these two is the ability to cost-effectively deliver the business. Cost-effectively is being defined as ways to … [Read more...] about Improving Profitability Through Warehouse Transformation
Amazon Business Isn\’t the Greatest Threat, Customer Expectations Is
As electrical distributors launch, or prepare to launch, their eCommerce sites, they need to be aware of a key customer dynamic that is changing...the expectation of accuracy. While many have talked about Amazon Business being a key competitor (or threat), their biggest impact may be on customer expectations ... and the expectation that the inventory information on the website … [Read more...] about Amazon Business Isn\’t the Greatest Threat, Customer Expectations Is
Grainger Turning a Corner?
Continuing our Q3 earnings observations, next up is Grainger which is a traditionally a good barometer for the industrial MRO space and lately has been a case study in value proposition, price and fear of Amazon Business. From the earnings call and their slides: Overall \"a solid quarter and there were some positive signs\". Seeing growth coming from their price reduction … [Read more...] about Grainger Turning a Corner?
Focusing on People in Need with Disaster Relief
At last month’s AD meeting (our observations here) Bill Weisberg announced the launch of the AD Disaster Relief Foundation. While the timing was serendipitous given the recent tragedies in Houston, Florida, the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Mexico and now California with the wildfires, the concept was in discussion for over a year due to floods in West Virginia … [Read more...] about Focusing on People in Need with Disaster Relief
