If you are talking tech or processes with anyone inevitably the topic quickly turns to AI. There is much going on in this space and it seemingly changes daily. I've recently had conversations with some people inquiring what distributors are doing and why it wasn't going faster. They asked if distributors had thought how they could use AI. I laughed (to myself) and said, … [Read more...] about Up Your AI Knowledge at the MDM AI Summit … for Free
Distribution Strategy
Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
"Workforce development" is the new euphemism that many are using to describe the need for employee recruitment, development, and retention. It's all about how to attract and keep talent. It's about finding your "next generation." The why is that, as much as technology companies would like everyone to believe that technology will enable improved production and help reduce the … [Read more...] about Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
How HVACR Distributors can create a Successful Contractor Loyalty Program
It is always fun to write about Distributor Loyalty programs and Channel Marketing Group. David Gordon has been involved with over 100 programs (as he started his career in the incentive space and has worked with countless distributors on their programs. I was fortunate to be involved and help lead 9 loyalty programs as a program, so we spend a lot of time talking about … [Read more...] about How HVACR Distributors can create a Successful Contractor Loyalty Program
Tariff talk – Tips on how to prepare for wherever the talks end up
We have been writing, crossing out, rewriting on the impact of tariff battles between the US, Canada, Mexico and China. We had a number of articles ready to publish then had to hit the stop button to react to another announced change. Late last week it was "Let's get ready to rumble" and now the cage match tariff talk has gone back into a 30-day negotiation talk period at … [Read more...] about Tariff talk – Tips on how to prepare for wherever the talks end up
Digital Commerce Tools Make You, and Demand Generation, Easy
For years I’ve talked to clients and communicated on HVACRTrends that eCommerce is not about buying online via a website. That it is about is doing commerce (business) electronically. It’s not a branch (some used the term eBranch and tried to sell the ROI that way), it’s eBusiness. Because “business” is about interacting with your customers how THEY want to interact with … [Read more...] about Digital Commerce Tools Make You, and Demand Generation, Easy
Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 2
In Part One of our Distributor Spotlight series, we started to share the Johnstone Supply Orion Group (JSOG) Story. The original intent was to edit the article, but the information was so interesting that we decided to share is unedited which meant it needed to be told in two parts. Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group - Part 1 - HVACR Trends In Part One - … [Read more...] about Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 2
Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 1
I have been writing a Distributor series for/with Modern Distribution Management this past year where we profile large public distributors (WATSO, Ferguson, WESCO, Fastenal, and MSC Industrial). We write about the available information they release publicly to the market. That has been a fun experience taking a deep dive into the public side, but the independent distribution … [Read more...] about Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 1
