Monthly Archives: January 2021

229. Distributors Create a 3PL, Systems Division

Why Do Distributors Economically Exist?

Most “merchant” distributors cannot answer this question effectively. So, they fear the unknown, economic boundaries for:

  1. Suppliers selling more customers direct.
  2. Suppliers selling (partial) lines through Amazon.
  3. Integrated Supply distributors taking over their biggest accounts.
  4. Digital disruptors stealing both spot and big, commodity orders with lower prices.

Continue reading 229. Distributors Create a 3PL, Systems Division

228. Disrupt Your Own Business and Selling Models in 2021

Survey: 80% of McKinsey Clients Fret Business-Model Risk

So much for global-2000 CEOs. What are distributor CEOs thinking?    

  1. What percent of distributors – with commissioned, field-sales reps- have business-model worries?
  2. What percent believe the results (from multiple surveys) that: a majority of millennial B2B buyers don’t want regular sales calls; or, to pay for them in higher prices?  
  3. How many CEOs are “well-informed” about their key suppliers’ plans for: digital engagement of end-user customers along with new, omnichannel journeys for them?
  4. What are the dis- and re-intermediation realities of suppliers’ digital plans?

Continue reading 228. Disrupt Your Own Business and Selling Models in 2021

227. In 2021, do the Numbers, Strategy and Catalytic

Beginning of the year Planning Questions:

Does your firm set target “numbers”: budgets and financial, in the form of “stretch” goals?

  1. If so, what will you do differently to fill the stretch gap? And, any specifics for digital transformation necessities?
  2. Will your “strategy changes” threaten the status quo? Or,
  3. Will they fine-tune what you know and have been doing?
  4. Will debates be only about choosing and prioritizing the type of lipstick or dresses to put on the same old activity bundle?
  5. Has this process achieved stretch goals in each of the past five years?

Continue reading 227. In 2021, do the Numbers, Strategy and Catalytic