To understand how vulnerable a distribution vertical is to disruption, look at the relationship between the product category’s complexity and the ability for the distributor to deliver that product using common small-package carriers.
Disruptive Technologies
Burned But Not Destroyed: How Crises Foster Innovation
Recently, the Atlantic posted a story about the resilience of human societies in the face of disaster. The author made a strong historical argument that disasters have, in fact, stoked the development of modern cities.
Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: Why You Should Care
This post summarizes some of the key findings in the second report based on our research for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors into how technology will transform the wholesale distribution industry.
The 3 Ingredients You Need to Build a Successful Marketplace
Marketplaces are among the most successful business models of the modern era. From Amazon to Google to Grainger’s Zoro, there’s clearly good money in the marketplace.
The Role of AI in Building a Better B2B Sales Model
Here’s why hybrid models are ideal for this new sales landscape, how outside sales reps are primed to dominate this disrupted environment, and what tools including AI they’ll need to do it.
Real Advice About AI in Distribution: Get Ready for the Next Tech Revolution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just “advanced technology” – it’s a learning technology that improves on its own without human intervention. AI relies on big pools of data that are fed into machine learning algorithms (math formulas) to continually make decisions, evaluate their own performance and get better over time.
Digital or Die: The Time is Nigh for Distributors to Embrace eBusiness
The gates are closing. It’s now or never for digital adoption in B2B markets. The sharp increase in online engagement with customers in March and April 2020 was more than just a one-off blip due to COVID-19. More and more surveys are emerging that are reinforcing the idea that while COVID-19 spurred the shift to…
Why Distributors Can’t Innovate – and How You Can Start
Distributors are learning how to build cultures that drive innovation; don’t wait. The disruptors are at the gate and the battle for distribution supremacy will likely go to the swift and not the strong.
After the Crisis: What Distributors Must Do Next
Despite the many columns and webcasts predicting distribution’s post-pandemic “new normal,” it’s going to be a long time before our industry settles back into a rhythm. For now, expect a “new abnormal,” where powerful forces will continue to transform the industry and redefine how you must compete to win.
7 Things Distributors Can Do Right Now with Digital to Combat the Impact of COVID-19
My colleagues have written some great articles about the uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak. This article is geared toward what distributors can do right now to continue serving customers and keep productive using digital tools.