What is your strategy in this era of technology disruption and transformation?

From NAW

Leading technology companies are offering customers new ways of ordering — by voice or product image. In addition, leading distributors and retailers are using AI-enabled business intelligence to understand their customer needs better, and they are applying autonomous vehicles, including drones, for deliveries. How important is all of this technology capability to your customers?

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3 Reasons to Invest in AI Now

There are a lot of reasons for distributors to adopt AI. As I explain in previous posts, the technology can help inside and outside sales reps sell more, transform customer service branches into revenue drivers and boost e-commerce performance by double-digit percentage points. At this point, the real question for distributors is not if they should adopt AI, but when. In this post, I’ll answer that question.  READ MORE

 

NAW Supports the INFORM Consumers Act

NAW Press Release:

Washington, DC (September 1, 2020) … Today the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) announces its support of the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) which will require common-sense disclosures from third-party marketplace sellers who use online platforms like Amazon to sell products to American consumers. A companion bill has also been introduced in the House by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

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Are Your Managers Managing Your Culture?

From NAW blog:

A new article by Mark Dancer, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas

 

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CDP: The Three Letters You Need to Know

From NAW:

A new article by Benj Cohen, Entrepreneur of Artificial Intelligence Technology and Third-generation Distributor, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas

Here is a preview.

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What is Innovate to Dominate

From NAW:

What is Innovate to Dominate? 

In these uncertain times when you are looking to strengthen your business in the second half of 2020 and beyond, we hope you’ll use these timely educational resources as your roadmap to create B2B innovation. NAW and PROS are partnering to provide these essential tools to help you on your digital transformation journey so you can get ahead of the increasingly disruptive and transformational forces around your business. Our goal with these resources is for you to not only see into the future of distribution, but to step into it with world-class, scalable solutions.

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3 Steps to Managing Market Shifts with Inventory Analytics

From NAW Blog:

A new article by Senthil Gunasekaran, Co-author of Seven Enduring NAW Institute Best Sellers, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas

Here is a preview.

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Fundraiser

Würth Industry North America and Elgin Fastener Group have partnered with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and are hosting a charity auction to raise funds for a fantastic cause. Purchase a $98 raffle ticket, and you will be entered to win a 98-year-old custom, classic car! 100% of our proceeds will go directly to St. Jude, and there is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase! The winner will be announced LIVE on September 16th on Würth Industry North America's LinkedIn Page and Elgin Fastener Group's Facebook pages!

Click here for details.

What's the Net Investment Income Tax and How does it Apply to Me?

What's the Net Investment Income Tax and How does it Apply to Me?

August 2020 Article by:

Matthew A. Dolan & Roman A. Basi
Basi, Basi & Associates at The Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc.

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How to Build a Foundation for Sustainable Competitive Advantage

From NAW blog:

A new article by J. Michael Marks, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas:


Here is a preview.

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Distributors' Views on Technology Disruption and How to Respond

From NAW:

As part of NAW’s exciting new digital series of seven research reports and seven webinars titled, How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution,” we urge you to register for our second webinar, “Distributors’ Views on Technology Disruption and How to Respond,” on Tuesday, August 18, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, with speaker and author Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group.

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Are You Innovating with One Arm Tied Behind Your Back?

From NAW blog:

A new article by Mark Dancer, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas


Here is a preview.

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Increasing Sales with Personalization or Segmentation

From the NAW blog:

A new article by Benj Cohen, Entrepreneur of Artificial Intelligence Technology and Third-generation Distributor, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas

Here is a preview.

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IFE Cancels September 2020 Event

IFE Press Release:

Since 1981, the International Fastener Expo (IFE) has brought the entire fastener industry together at one time and one place. Each year, the community gathers at the show to see customers and vendors, network with colleagues, and source new products or suppliers. We heard our community and deeply appreciate the consistent feedback which has enabled us to continually improve IFE year after year and remain the #1 Fastener Expo in North America.

Driven by our responsibility to serve your best interests, we regret to announce that we are cancelling this year’s International Fastener Expo, which was scheduled to take place September 28-30, 2020, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre Las Vegas, NV.

Recent developments have made it impossible to bring our community together safely and successfully. This is due to the ongoing progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the latest government data, measures, and guidelines on phased reopening plans in the U.S.; the number of confirmed cases worldwide and domestically; current quarantines, containment areas, stay at home orders, and restrictions on congregating and large gatherings imposed by states and other government and public health authorities; the inability of IFE's international community to travel to the show due to travel restrictions and bans; and the various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies. The health and safety of our customers, partners, and employees remains of paramount concern to us.

Though we won’t get to see you in person this year, our team is committed to finding new ways to keep the industry connected and we are in the process of launching IFE Online Experience. Our goal is to provide a platform where you can virtually meet customers you have been missing all year, have access to a proven match-making program, and learn from industry leaders and about current trends. Please expect more updates on this in coming weeks.

We are also confirmed to return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas next year on September 21-23, 2021. We are excited to welcome you to the International Fastener Expo 2021!

As a valued attendee, please know that our team is currently working out all the details on logistics and policies affected by this cancellation and around your participation and registration fees. We appreciate your patience as we work through these details. You will receive communication with complete information as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support and for being a valued member of the International Fastener Expo community.  












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How Technology Will Transform Distribution Research Reports and Webinars

From NAW:

There is no time like the present to explore the future. And that is what the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence, along with Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein of Distribution Strategy Group, are doing to help wholesaler-distributors plan for their future. Through a series of seven research reports and seven accompanying webinars, you’ll receive the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology transformation.  As a member of (put your association name or acronym here), you are welcome and encouraged to download these reports as they are released and participate in each accompanying webinar.  There is no charge for download or participation.

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How to Reinvigorate Your Pricing Strategy

From the NAW blog:

A new article by Pradip Krishnadevarajan, Co-author of Seven Perennial NAW Institute Best Sellers, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas
 

Here is a preview.

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Leading the Sales Team into a New Normal

From NAW blog:

A new article by J. Michael Marks, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas:

 

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IFE Will Take Place as Scheduled

Registration Open for the
International Fastener Expo 2020 

LAS VEGAS, NV - June 24, 2020 - Registration is open at www.fastenershows.com for the International Fastener Expo (IFE) 2020. IFE 2020 will continue to take place as scheduled on Sept. 28-30 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Halls C & D, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The expo is North America’s most extensive business-to-business tradeshow of its kind for all types of fasteners, machinery & tooling, and other industrial products. 

This September, IFE will host a robust conference schedule with highlights on technology, leadership and business management, and current market challenges and best practices - all in environment that places the health & safety of IFE’s customers and staff as its top priority. IFE, which is owned by Emerald, will be implementing the Company’s Preparedness, Prevention and Response Plan, which outlines the specific protocols being implemented both during the event-planning phase and onsite at IFE. For further information, please click here or visit the show website. 

“This year, more than ever, an event such as IFE is crucial in connecting professionals in the industry. Attendance at IFE allows buyers to connect with their existing suppliers and develop new relationships too. Our team is working hard to ensure an environment that is safe for all those in attendance and has put together a plan detailing on-site protocols,” said Morgan Wilson, show manager, International Fastener Expo. 

Leading industry experts will speak on product standards and materials, quality issues and more. In addition, attendees at IFE can expect to see the latest that is on offer in the industry and stay informed on everything happening in import and export law, trade regulations, and so on through conference sessions at the show. 

Each year, IFE brings together thousands of attendees, buyers, and sellers from across the entire supply chain. These include manufacturers, distributors & master distributors, and OEMs. VIP attendees at IFE are consistently included in Industrial Distribution’s Big 50 List and exhibitors are among the top international and domestic manufacturers, material suppliers, tooling and machinery providers and ancillary services. 

Attendees to the show are encouraged to register early in order to take advantage of early-bird pricing at only $50. Pricing will increase to $75 after June 30, and the on-site fee will be $85. 

To register, visit https://www.fastenershows.com/attendees/register-to-attend/. For more information on IFE, visit www.fastenershows.com.  

About International Fastener Expo
The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is the largest and most diverse gathering of fastener and industrial professionals in North America. Founded in 1981 it serves all reaches of the supply chain, from manufacturer to distributor to OEMs, and features nearly 70 product categories. With over 850 vendors and more than 5,000 attendees from 30+ nations, the International Fastener Expo delivers industry‐leading content and facilitates vital industry connections at their annual three‐day show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment and trade show capital of North America. International Fastener Expo is owned and produced by Emerald. . 

About Emerald Expositions 
Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit http://www.emeraldx.com 

IFE Media Contact: 
Karishma Lulla
[email protected]

NAW Podcast Episode 5

Today NAW released Episode 5: Gut Check: A Distribution Point of View on Disruption and Change to subscribers of the NAW Podcast Series: INNOVATE TO DOMINATE, sponsored by PROS.

In this episode, Mark Dancer, Author of NAW’s Innovate to Dominate: The 12th Edition in the Facing the Forces of Change Series, and Richard Blatcher of PROS interview Ian Heller, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Distribution Strategy Group. Among the many ideas and recommendations for the distribution industry that Ian offers, he argues that every distributor must have a strategy for virtual marketplaces, and that the industry may need to create its distribution-centric platform. Ian’s insights are essential for every distributor’s plans for surviving the COVID-19 crisis and emerging stronger than before.

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Are Distributors Learning from Retail's E-Commerce Transformation?

From the NAW Blog:

A new article by Mark Dancer, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow, is live in the NAW Blog: Distributing Ideas


Here is a preview.

In many ways, the impact of digital transformation and disruption on the retail industry is ahead of similar changes happening in distribution. Distributors can learn from retail and then upgrade their strategies and operational plans to be better prepared for changes that are certain to come. Distributors that fail to learn from retail’s transformation risk being blindsided by predictable changes that will come to distribution. Forewarned is forearmed, and in the war for digital dominance, every distributor must strive to be armed to the teeth and ready for battle. 




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