In a market where most experience margin stagnation or margin erosion, strategies that can help improve profitability, potentially capture sales and as enhance / ensure quality processes, should be embraced. One of these strategies, which we’ve highlighted this fall, is effective management of SPAs, It is an issue for most distributors in the industry (as well as … [Read more...] about SPAs – Is the Cat Chasing its Tail?
Profitability
SPAs- Are they Worth the Cost?
In a penny nickel business, every penny counts. Which is why SPAs can matter. Increasing gross margins and, more importantly, net profitability, in today’s environment is extremely challenging. Publicly-held national chains such as Rexel and WESCO report net profitability in the 4-4.5% range whereas the NAED PAR report typically proclaims a 2-4% net profitability for … [Read more...] about SPAs- Are they Worth the Cost?
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?
Do Vendor Published Rebate Programs Drive Decisions?
Rebates are a fact of life and the first marketing group rebate negotiation, in 1968, was designed to capture incremental revenue (for a wire company) with the distributors collecting the funds for a social engagement. But the core issue was the manufacturer sought growth / increased market share. Vendor published programs such as Legrand\'s Cornerstone program, Leviton\'s … [Read more...] about Do Vendor Published Rebate Programs Drive Decisions?
Liening Up
Yes, we\'re talking about liens! They types that accounting / credit people like, not \"lean\" as in \"lean processes\" which we\'ll touch on in the near future when we discuss innovation. Why liens? Basically because a couple of weeks ago two pieces of information were received mentioning them. The first had information about a cloud-based lien rights management platform … [Read more...] about Liening Up
