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  • Ian Heller
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Ian Heller

Ian Heller is the Founder and Chief Strategist for Distribution Strategy Group. He has more than 30 years of experience executing marketing and e-business strategy in the wholesale distribution industry, starting as a truck unloader at a Grainger branch while in college. He’s since held executive roles at GE Capital, Corporate Express, Newark Electronics and HD Supply. Ian has written and spoken extensively on the impact of digital disruption on distributors, and would love to start that conversation with you, your team or group. Reach out today at iheller@distributionstrategy.com.

Articles by Ian Heller

AI in Distribution

Agentic AI: The Next Big Thing after ChatGPT

The advantages of Agentic AI for distributors will be enormous.
  • Ian Heller
  • February 25, 2025
Distribution Sales Strategy

What I Wish I Knew About Driving Profits 20 Years Ago

Ian Heller shares 3 lessons on profitability from 4 decades in distribution.
  • Ian Heller
  • October 9, 2024
Operations

How Much Control Do You Really Have Over Your Profitability?

High-profit distributors analyze every operating metric for opportunities.
  • Ian Heller
  • September 23, 2024
Operations

Distributor Profitability Is So Much More than Gross Margin

Gross margin matters, but it’s just the starting point.
  • Ian Heller
  • September 11, 2024
AI in Distribution

Don’t Listen to the Hype: AI is Not Hype

In the 1980s, there was a hype around symbolic AI. Today, the AI is real.
  • Ian Heller
  • April 16, 2024
AI in Distribution

How Distributors Will Use Artificial Intelligence in Marketing in 2028

What could the future look like for marketing operations?
  • Ian Heller
  • March 13, 2024
AI in Distribution

Why AI Holds More Potential for Distributors than Retailers

AI enables solutions that until now were impossible to build.
  • Ian Heller
  • February 7, 2024
Strategy

What Distribution Leaders Can Learn (Good and Bad) from Elon Musk

Takeaways for distribution leaders from Elon Musk’s history at SpaceX, Tesla and Twitter (X).
  • Ian Heller
  • November 8, 2023
Workers in a distribution warehouse
Operations

A Personal Perspective: White Cap CEO John Stegeman to Retire – Alan Sollenberger Takes the Reins

John Stegeman, who is retiring, made an impact at White Cap.
  • Ian Heller
  • September 29, 2023
Distribution Technology

Don’t Scan into a Scam: QR Codes a Growing Cyber Risk

Scammers are catching innocent folk off guard.
  • Ian Heller
  • September 22, 2023
AI in Distribution

The Promise and Perils of AI for Distributors: Who Can Write Better Song Lyrics? AI or Me?

It’s a man vs. machine battle of wordsmithing: Who will win?
  • Ian Heller
  • September 5, 2023
AI Will Eliminate Jobs and You Can’t Stop It
AI in Distribution

The Promise and Perils of AI for Distributors: AI Will Eliminate Jobs and You Can’t Stop It

Prepare to acquire new job skills if yours appear to be threatened.
  • Ian Heller
  • August 31, 2023
AI in Distribution

The Promise and Perils of AI for Distributors: Open the Pod Bay Doors, Hal. I’m Getting Out.

How well does your company understand the risks of AI?
  • Ian Heller
  • August 28, 2023
AI in Distribution

The Promise and Perils of AI for Distributors: What is AI and What Does It Do?

A primer on what makes AI different, and where distributors will benefit most.
  • Ian Heller
  • August 21, 2023
It’s Not the Customers Who Hate You That Are the Problem
Distribution Marketing

It’s Not the Customers Who Hate You That Are the Problem

Indifferent customers pose the biggest challenge to your business.
  • Ian Heller
  • July 28, 2023
news distribution
Distribution Industry News

AZP Multifamily Closes Doors: What Happened?

Fast-growing multifamily MRO distributor was hit with a perfect storm.
  • Ian Heller
  • July 14, 2023
Business person playing chess
Distribution Technology

Artificial Intelligence 2023 vs. eCommerce 1996: Which is Bigger?

A history lesson on why a head start in AI can give distributors an advantage.
  • Ian Heller
  • July 10, 2023
10 Areas Distributors Must Prioritize for Digital Success
Digital Strategy

10 Areas Distributors Must Prioritize for Digital Success

Here’s how to ensure your digital capabilities are competitive.
  • Ian Heller
  • May 22, 2023
news distribution
Distribution Industry News

Sonepar Sales Jump 28% in 2022

Sonepar completed 20 acquisitions in 2022.
  • Ian Heller
  • March 23, 2023
Construction equipment in a dirt lot with the sunsetting
Wholesale Change Show

A B2B Marketplace – Where You Can’t Order Online

Ryan Loos, Chief Financial Officer at ConEquip Parts & Equipment, talks with Distribution Strategy Group about growth without an ecommerce footprint.
  • Ian Heller
  • March 23, 2023
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