eCommerce has been all the rage the last couple of years with progressive companies leading the charge and investing in new websites as well as product content. In fact, there are companies that are now on version 2 or 3 of their eCommerce journey. And more distributors are considering integrating eCommerce transformation into their planning ... and suppliers are … [Read more...] about Lessons Learned from eCommerce Transformation of Office Products Distributors
Market Analysis
Does it feel like we’re heading into a recession …
Or are we talking ourselves into a recession? Since the fall and the beginning of planning season there have been some economists who have been warning of a second half 2019 slowdown leading to a 2020 recession. Their prognostications were based upon some trends, the fact that we’ve been in a growth cycle for awhile and “are due”, the last year’s tariffs and the one that was … [Read more...] about Does it feel like we’re heading into a recession …
Embracing Digital Connections…Texting
Yes, we’ve all seen it and most of us have done it…multi-tasking by listening and texting, reading and texting, sending a quick text to touch base or share a piece of information and more. While many thought “texting is for our kids”, it is now mainstream and becoming further integrated into everyday business. We’ve heard of distributor salespeople getting texts from their … [Read more...] about Embracing Digital Connections…Texting
Questionable Meetings. Are you willing to ask uncomfortable questions?
With the NAED meeting season coming to an end this weekend and distributors finally done with their planning sessions with manufacturers (more meetings), the issue of the quality of the meetings defined as “probing questions / value of the meeting time” has been a topic of discussion that we’ve recently had. Our good friend Mike Marks recently resurrected a post he wrote from … [Read more...] about Questionable Meetings. Are you willing to ask uncomfortable questions?
Slow Growth in Industrial MRO … Grainger Reports
The industrial MRO market appears to have slowed its rate of growth as evidenced by Grainger’s 2019 first quarter report. While Grainger is much more than electrical products, products commonly associated with the electrical industry (electrical, lighting, motors) represent 9% of sales with power and hand tools representing another 10% according to Grainger’s 2019 Fact Sheet, … [Read more...] about Slow Growth in Industrial MRO … Grainger Reports
Is the Jetsons\’ Robot Coming to Your Warehouse?
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?
Is the Jetsons’ Robot Coming to Your Warehouse?
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?
