The last two years were full of disruption and upheaval in the supply chain and logistics sectors. Surging demand, record cargo volumes, skyrocketing prices and unprecedented congestion are just a few of the challenges that distributors have faced in their efforts to obtain goods from their suppliers and deliver products to their customers. In this episode of The Discerning Distributor, host Alex Chausovsky and his guest Samantha Jones of Rocketshipping will explore all these topics and more. Most importantly, they will discuss the latest pertinent data as we close out 2022 with a softening economy and offer insights and guidance on what distributors should do to optimize their supply chain strategy for 2023 and beyond.  

Join us on Oct. 20 at 9 PT/12 ET for our next episode of The Discerning Distributor. 

The war for talent rages on. Some organizations are ill-prepared to handle the challenges of an increasingly complex labor market, shackled by the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. Others are thriving, armed with analytical insights and surrounded by allies, allowing them to snap up and retain high-performing impact players and supercharge their growth.  

What kind of an organization are you? More importantly, what kind do you want to be in the future?  

In this episode, host Alex Chausovsky and his guests, Jay Denton and Dr. Mallory Vachon, will discuss the latest labor market developments and offer key insights designed to help business leaders and decision-makers elevate their talent-focused activities and develop labor strategies that work in this candidate-driven market. 

How do manufacturers determine their go-to-market strategy? What factors do they weigh and how do those factors change based on company size, industry or geographic footprint? Furthermore, a growing number of manufacturers are using ecommerce to sell directly to end customers. In recent surveys, they disclosed that it’s because many distributors still lack digital capabilities and a strong marketing acumen. 

The rapid evolution of market dynamics in recent years demands that distributors seek a better understanding of the manufacturer mindset. In this episode of The Discerning Distributor, Alex Chausovsky and his guest will explore the factors that manufacturers consider when evaluating their go-to-market strategies – both direct and through various channels, including distribution.  

Join us on Oct. 6, 2022, at 9 PT/12 ET for a live presentation – and come prepared to expand your horizons! 

A slowing macro economy will likely be a headwind for investment, affecting everything from capacity planning to capital expenditures and inventory levels. The pandemic-era swings in both supply and demand are likely to calm, but persistent uncertainties – the war in Ukraine, mid-term elections and the Fed’s interest rate policy – all cloud the decision-making process. What does it all mean to the distribution community? 

In this episode of The Discerning Distributor, Alex Chausovsky and his guest will delve deep into these critical topics. They will discuss the current Capex and inventory landscape, explore what is likely to occur down the road and provide some sage advice to distributors looking for clarity on what’s to come.  

Join us on Sept. 22, 2022, at 9 PT/12 ET for a live presentation – and walk away with new insights and ideas to help you deal with the uncertainty.

Volatile commodity prices have made it difficult for the distribution community to predict input costs and manage budgets since the start of the pandemic. The fallout of this volatility includes squeezed margins and pressured profitability for distributors across a spectrum of industries. The decelerating macroeconomy in mid-2022 reflects a pivotal change from the aggressive pace of business in 2021, with commodities like copper, steel, lumber and oil all declining in price.

In this episode, host Alex Chausovsky and his guest will explore the factors that drive commodity and input prices. They will also discuss the current and likely future trajectory of commodities and other input costs, and provide guidance on what distribution leaders need to do now to prepare their business for what’s to come.

Top of mind for many distribution executives, inflation is currently at the highest level in more than 40 years. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates for several months to try and bring down inflation – so far to no avail. That’s because the Fed uses the Federal Funds Rate – the basis for all other borrowing costs such as mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and business loans – as a tool to manage inflation.

In this episode of The Discerning Distributor, Alex Chausovsky will dig into this critical topic to help you better understand that relationship, and what you can expect in the face of a potential economic slowdown.

Join us on Aug. 25, 2022, at 9 PT/12 ET for a live presentation – and come with your own questions.