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?
Distribution Strategy
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?
Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Last week we shared highlights from our recent research on the State of Volume Rebates. But, given the importance of rebates to the net profitability of distributors, I reached out to a friend and former distributor client, Greg Smith, to share his first-hand experience, and best practices, to help distributors optimize their rebate earnings. For those who don’t know … [Read more...] about Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Recession? 10 Tips to Help HVACR Distributors Avoid One
You may remember the phrase “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Well, the past two years have had both. And, for that matter, this year for many may encompass both with strong sales in the first half of the year and the rate of growth slowing significantly the second half … especially if you factor out price increases. It is leading to the question, "Is a … [Read more...] about Recession? 10 Tips to Help HVACR Distributors Avoid One
Part 1 – How manufacturers are re-examining their HVACR distribution channel strategy for 2023
Leading manufacturers are always preparing for and examining their HVACR distribution channel for adjustments in 2023. Get yourself prepared for the coming manufacturer-manufacturer rep- distributor realignment games to come. Future-focused manufacturers have been re-examining their channel strategy for the past few years. As business slows, they will step up communication … [Read more...] about Part 1 – How manufacturers are re-examining their HVACR distribution channel strategy for 2023
Understanding Personalities through DISC to Drive Sales and Productivity
Understanding people is integral to success in business. whether it is serving customers, others within your company or managing people. Providing staff with the training to observe behavioral traits that will enable improved interpersonal skills and communications inevitable generates improved teamwork, productivity and can translate into increased sales and … [Read more...] about Understanding Personalities through DISC to Drive Sales and Productivity
