Deciding on an ERP system is one of the most challenging decisions for an HVAC distributor given its impact on business operations … everything from easy of doing business, ability to integrate with other tools, access to information, cost (acquisition, maintenance, training, productivity) let alone it touches every person who interacts with a company … associates, suppliers … [Read more...] about The Road to a New ERP System
Distribution Strategy
Labor. Tomorrow’s Workforce is Smaller
Labor. Many have talked about it’s shortage. Be it a lack of electricians, a lack of qualified people for distributors to hire, or a lack of staff for manufacturers. Many have “blamed” Covid, the focus on “work from home”, an emerging “gig” / freelance economy, and other reasons. Lots of efforts, and initiatives, have been undertaken to “get people back to work.” Recently, … [Read more...] about Labor. Tomorrow’s Workforce is Smaller
Using Digitalization to Optimize Operations & Drive New Business in HVACR
To combat the challenges of today’s marketplace, progressive distributors looking towards the future are investing more and more into digitizing their processes to optimize performance. These companies recognize that: Data can be monetized. This means that information in their ERP systems can be acted upon rather than remain in data silos and databases. Whether this is … [Read more...] about Using Digitalization to Optimize Operations & Drive New Business in HVACR
ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
Let’s have a little fun for a change or, in the words of the comedienne Joan Rivers, “can we chat”? For the past few months there has been lots of media coverage, and conversation, about ChatGPT. Microsoft, which reportedly invested over $13 billion into the company for “only” 49% ownership is a major driver of this new AI (artificial intelligence) technology and is taking a … [Read more...] about ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
Why are Salespeople Profit Adverse?
Having worked with many distributors over the years, one observation about many distributor salespeople are that they are customer pleasers. Most are profit adverse. Sure, many are on commission. And many of those commission plans are built around a percent of gross margin but, as soon as a customer hints that they want to negotiate, salespeople are willing to lower the … [Read more...] about Why are Salespeople Profit Adverse?
Better HVACR Sales through Better Sales Coaching
Field level sales management is one of the most challenging roles in the industry, and, in many cases, one of the least effective roles in distributors. Why you ask? Because the people who are placed in these roles typically are: Top producing salespeople who have their process and think others should adopt “their way”. They come into the role with no sales … [Read more...] about Better HVACR Sales through Better Sales Coaching
AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
AD launched an interesting, and perhaps valuable, initiative that, on the face of it, would appear to target a core element of an association’s value proposition … training. And, it is interesting given that, presumably, a significant percentage of leading distributors within the marketing / buying group are members of various associations. However, AD, like many … [Read more...] about AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
