The changes continue! At last month’s NEMRA conference, manufacturers emphasized selling rather than the supply chain issues of the past few years as they pursue growth in 2023. For many, the supply chain has dramatically improved. From conversations with manufacturers, […]
Recently I wrote about channel loyalty and asked what mattered – loyalty or volume and defined loyalty based upon “earned loyalty” (living up to commitments.) We received a good number of calls and comments. Most shared that loyalty, as described […]
I was speaking to a large regional VP of Sales for an electrical distributor recently. His comment was “everyone wants loyalty, but when you give it, what is given in return?” This got me thinking, What is loyalty and how […]
I was speaking with a manufacturer who was contemplating converting his direct sales force to a rep network. He was having difficulty replacing salespeople leaving his company either for retirement or other reasons (some of which were revealed in our […]
Recently I was contemplating the news that is impacting our industry and considering if what we are doing today will enable us to be successful going forward. Key headlines you hear repeatedly business newscasts include: Increased Interest rates making it […]
It seems that more manufacturers are seeing value in the hybrid sales deployment. Utilizing rep organizations with direct factory people in a geography is a growing trend. Allow me to give my view of its advantages and the necessary management […]
My last article comparing the lighting and supply representation models produced discussions that continue. It was then requested we consider other channels to see what manufacturers and distributors could learn. I decided to look at the HVAC channel with given […]
Having spent many years in the electrical industry as a 4th generation rep agency, my grandfather told everyone that my first words as an infant were “thank you, but we choose not to get into lighting.” Things have certainly changed, […]
Welcome to a new year and let me be one of the first to say, “happy New Year to you.” While some manufacturers, reps and distributors started their joint 2022 planning in Q4, for the majority of us the planning […]
Many of us “old-timers” have previously gone through product shortages in this industry. However, I never recall so many products being involved at the same time. How companies deal with this may have longer term affects, however, than in the […]
