Some thoughts regarding technology and training: Technology Did you see the e-newsletter last week from Trade Service? A year ago they parted company with IDEA and many questioned the move. Seems like it has worked out well for Trade Service […]
We’ve been talking with distributors the last couple of weeks and a common refrain is the lack of profitability in much of their businesses. Many are attributing this to marketplace pricing strategies and some distributors’ desire to take share based […]
As we celebrate our 233rd birthday this weekend we wanted to wish you a wonderful weekend with family and loved ones. The Declaration of Independence was conceived based upon the concept that people had the “right” to pursue “life, liberty […]
The recent NAED Electrical Leadership Summit (aka NAED Annual or National) was one of the quietest conferences we’ve been to in a while. While attendance was 50-60% below recent annual meetings, and was more like a regional meeting (the number […]
The NAED National Leadership Summit (formerly the NAED Annual) begins on Saturday and ends Tuesday evening. From conversations with manufacturers and distributors, there are a number of thorny issues that promise to add spice to many meetings (after everyone comments […]
Much has occurred over the past couple of months and many manufacturers and distributors have cut to the bone in an effort to preserve profitability. These cuts have focused on people, programs (in the case of manufacturers) and products (in […]
On Monday, NAED forwarded members a message from the NAW regarding proposed legislation that could significantly impact manufacturers and distributors.Our “legislators” are getting ready to discuss the misnamed “Employee Free Choice Act”. According to the NAED email, “Under the proposed […]
In the words of Electrical Marketing, “Not surprisingly, attendance is (was) down at the conference.” Overall, there were an estimated / registered 420 manufacturer and distributor attendees. About 60 distributors were represented. Observations from attendees was that cost-cutting probably was […]
On Monday we presented at NEMA’s Small Manufacturer Forum, which was NEMA’s inaugural endeavor in serving this audience’s interest in small manufacturer networking. The event, according to all, was a resounding success.The quality of the speakers and the information communicated […]
Last week we posted an entry entitled “Influencing Direction to Create Industry Opportunities” and referenced the endeavors that NEMA is undertaking to influence the economic stimulus package and that NAW is doing to ensure the competitiveness of distributors.Bill Weisberg, CEO […]
