Distribution Talk
Dive into the stories, struggles, and solutions from business owners and thought leaders in the wholesale distribution market.
Episodes
If you're in the distribution business, you're in the business of creating opportunities. Charles "Monty" Clayton is a classic example of that adage. He has played a significant role in shaping the southwest's fastener industry since the late-80s. Now, Monty is enjoying a third act fueled by the connections he's embraced along the way. Jason finally caught up with Monty to discuss his legendary career and the art of always putting ...
If you've ever daydreamed about selling your distribution business, this episode is for you. If not, bookmark it for future reference. The fundamentals of a successful acquisition remain evergreen, beginning with the need for a knowledgeable advisor.
Marshall Jones, senior advisor with The Distribution Team, joins Jason to discuss his latest client win, a year-long transaction process that resulted in an e...
Choosing the right warehouse management system (WMS) system can simplify your warehouse operations, bolster staff performance and morale, and improve your bottom line. But, before you sign on the dotted line, have you given serious (and honest) thought to how your growing pains might manifest in that pricey new platform?
In this revisited conversation with Casey Winans, CEO of Fullstride, Jason digs into ...
Could you step away from your business for a month? A week? A day? If the answer to any of those scenarios is "no," then you're not running a business; you're stuck with a job. Chyle Edic, owner of Efficiency-Edge, LLC, helps owners of small-to-medium-sized organizations break their micromanaging habits and shift their attention to growth and, possibly, a vacation.
Jason caught up with Chyle to discuss th...
The 21st century is well underway. So, why are distributors and manufacturers still using 20th-century warehouse management systems? Steve Shebuski, managing director of MCA Connect, says that an outdated WMS costs companies more than they realize.
Jason caught up with Steve to discuss insights gained from his long career in Microsoft-based warehouse solutions, as well as the benefits of a modern WMS on o...
"Distribution has a PR problem." Fans of Distribution Talk will recognize that quote as one of Jason Bader's favorite industry laments. It's more than a pithy soundbite, however. The phrase is shorthand for the talent acquisition and development issues facing most small-to-mid-sized wholesale distributors.
One answer? A tiered progression plan.
We're revisiting this rare and insightful solo ...
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software companies sell a simple premise: if you can manage customer data, you can grow your business. But capitalizing on that promise is complicated, as any company struggling with CRM implementation knows.
Kristen Thom, senior vice president of customer experience for White Cup, has an easy fix for this persistent CRM pain point. She helps distributors reframe the...
The past is always present at Industrial Supply Company, thanks to a treasure trove of historical documents dating back to 1915. While the Utah-based company's century+ heritage is impressive, Jessica Yurgaitis has no intention of dwelling in the dust of the organization's bygone era, even if the history major in her loves posting those old handwritten letters and sales slips.
We're revisiting Jason's con...
AI isn't coming; it's here, optimizing behind-the-scenes tasks like forecasting, inventory management, and CRM oversight. John Long, CEO of THYNK AI, says artificial intelligence is ready to take on client-facing interactions. His company has the ultimate tool for the job: Eric, an AI-powered agent.
Jason caught up with John to discuss the evolution of the company's Thynk Agent and the cost-effective adva...
It's rare to come across a company that has evolved as profitably or organically as Threaded Fasteners, Inc. While it's tempting to award all the credit to Billy Duren, president and CEO of the Alabama-based manufacturer and distributor, he'd be the first to tell you that the company's success is wholly due to the creativity of its employee-owners.
Jason caught up with Billy to learn more about the organi...
Ever heard the phrase "chain of pain?" If you're a wholesale distributor, chances are you've experienced it via the cascading agony of outdated workflows or missed sales opportunities.
Pierre Barbeau, co-founder and CEO of Moblico, returns to chat with Jason about his company's supercharged mobile technology solution to common pain points, including proprietary innovations such as unified business messagin...
Remember when eCommerce was going to revolutionize B2B sales? Twenty years in, only a handful of channels have capitalized on the initial promise. But distributors aren't to blame for the operational failure, says Justin Johnson, Founder of Motivate. He maintains that the major e-commerce platforms should bear the blame. They failed to grasp that most orders are placed from the job site via mobile, a recurring purchase...
Hot on the heels of a real life internal fraud disaster for one of his clients, this episode is top of mind for Jason. Listen for actions you can take right now to protect your business.
Movies portray embezzlement as a big-money, high-flying romp. Fact is decidedly different than fiction—and surprisingly common!
Jason dives into the realities of pink-collar crime with Kelly Paxton, a workpla...
Want to know a time-tested business secret? Commitment to the long game always pays off. Vic Wilson is a virtuoso practitioner of that adage. Decades before immigrating to the US and taking over as head of sales at voestalpine Böhler Welding, the Canadian-born Wilson was busy forging relationships across the country.
Jason caught up with Vic to discuss what it means to build a successful 35-year career on...
Most AI conversations revolve around the tech. That's understandable, given its computational superiority and unlimited potential, especially when applied to distribution. Nick Pericle, Vice President of ProfitOptics, engages in more expansive discussions, complete with sessions of task-oriented, experiential learning.
Jason caught up with Nick to learn about ProfitOptics' experiential approach to creating scalable solutions and se...
When was the last time curiosity got the better of you on a business trip? In this rare solo episode, Jason explores roads less traveled. Literally. Calling on clients is what business travel is all about, but is there room in your schedule for unexpected experiences?
Are you open to making mundane travel more magical this time around?
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Leading with compassion is one thing (and a good thing at that). But what if whole departments ran on a standard of sensitivity and genuine emotional concern for the people in their care, be they customers or employees? Before leaving The Granite Group to start her own consultancy, Tracie Sponenberg held the title of Chief People Officer. She's credited with shifting the company's human resources perspective towards co...
Pop quiz: What does CRM stand for? Brian Gardner says there's more to the acronym than customer relationship management. He's the Founder and CEO of SalesProcess360, a consultancy that helps distributors secure greater ROI from their CRM.
Jason caught up with Brian to learn more about the company's "reverse order" approach to picking the perfect CRM. They explore the differences between ERPs with CRM add...
Relationships drive distribution. The theory holds up even as automations and AI integrations infiltrate every aspect of business. But how do personal affinity and an enduring professional alliance actually work in practice?
Darin Arnold has decades of experience forging relationships. As president of Sales Northwest, Inc., a manufacturer's rep based in Seattle, WA., he's charged with balancing the needs ...
Conversations often go sideways when the topic turns to AI. Most of the anxiety stems from widespread misunderstanding about the activities this tech can and will eventually execute.
Brooks Hamilton is the guy that C-suites rely on to cut through the chatter. He's the CEO of Hamilton AI Strategy Advisors, a development service specializing in artificial intelligence for distribution. Jason caught up with ...
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