Perhaps you may remember the Jetson cartoons and seeing them flying around and interacting with Rosie, their robot? Well, Rosie is turning into a \"Robert\" and he may soon be working in your warehouse. Competing profitably tomorrow will require considering different ways of doing business due to higher operating costs (labor, overhead costs, taxes and overall operating … [Read more...] about Is the Jetsons’ Robot Coming to Your Warehouse?
Punchouts Drive eCommerce
eCommerce is more than, in the words of an Amazon and MRO analyst, “click and ship”. eCommerce is about a methodology and a mindset to do business more electronically. In fact, the commerce element can be very diversified, especially for medium to large MRO buyers. Consider Amazon Business, Grainger and MSC. Both Grainger and MSC report that over 40% of … [Read more...] about Punchouts Drive eCommerce
Here He Comes Again … The RSM
Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken to and met with a number of manufacturer reps, working on topics ranging from strategic planning to marketing initiatives as well as customer satisfaction and succession discussions. Inevitably I’ve been asked a common question that elicits much discussion … “what is the role of a manufacturer regional sales manager?” Now, you may say … [Read more...] about Here He Comes Again … The RSM
Will Alexa Bring Smart?
Many talk about the impact of Amazon. It’s impact on societal expectation. Influence on retail. It’s emergence as an MRO platform through Amazon Business. It’s foray into branded products / private labeling through Amazon Basics and its integration into the platform of many companies through Amazon Web Services (AWS). And, remember, it’s entered into homes (and some … [Read more...] about Will Alexa Bring Smart?
Amazon Business is a Nominal Electrical Distributor Competitor
Interesting article in Electrical Wholesaling, “Amazon Business is Growing. Do Distributors Have a Plan” written by Unilog essentially saying you need to either join or fight Amazon Business because they are / will be taking over the distribution business (and since Unilog placed this article in EW, presumably they believe that the electrical channel is at risk.) The article, … [Read more...] about Amazon Business is a Nominal Electrical Distributor Competitor
Spinning products to improve customer experience
Over the past six months we’ve seen a number of distributors upgrade their websites – either the “look and feel”, evolve to a webstore or upgrade both. Why the investments? Because these distributors recognize that “table stakes” for at least some customers is requiring, or will require, offering an e / omni-channel experience. Customers are evolving to seeking more information … [Read more...] about Spinning products to improve customer experience
A changing MRO environment?
Recently I participated in a networking group that included a number of MRO buyers. The subject was trends in the MRO space. Granted many of the attendees were larger MRO buyers, but the feedback indicated a change in buyer purchasing behaviors. Over the years I\'ve sat in a number of these meetings, albeit with different attendees. The buying and eCommerce trends centered … [Read more...] about A changing MRO environment?
