Nevada-based roofing supplier Washoe Building Supply has been acquired by SRS Distribution and will continue to be led by Scott McGrath, Zach McGrath and Christina McGrath. "Washoe's dedicated employees have been at the center of the company's success, and we look forward to growing with them for years to come," said Dan Tinker, president and CEO of SRS.
Enterprise resource planning can enable more accurate inventory counts and several other benefits once IT platforms are integrated, writes Karthik Chidambaram, founder and CEO of digital commerce firm DCKAP. ERP integration also contributes to bigger operating margins, more timely shipments and the ability to make more data-informed decisions, Chidambaram writes.
Distributors may find it tempting to create private label programs with the sole focus of low pricing, but failing to consider other value components can be detrimental, writes supply chain consultant Steve Gettleman. Successful private brand programs should also prioritize making quality products and helping customers connect emotionally to the products, Gettleman advises.
Companies around the globe continue to reduce risk in supply chains by eliminating reliance on a single country for any given supply need, and "supply chain digitalization has become an indisputable necessity as the supply chain has grown more complex and more outsourced," writes Eric Linxwiler of TradeBeyond. Multi-enterprise platforms can aid in end-to-end digitalization, Linxwiler explains.
Reducing emissions is a top priority for 94% of transportation executives that's spurred by consumer demand for sustainable products, according to research conducted by transportation management tech provider Breakthrough. Nearly 60% of carriers plan to add electric vehicles to fleets within the next year, and 99% of shippers say they'd take advantage of alternative energy vehicles if their carriers offered them.
Some leads are more directly profitable than others, but they all have value, writes Susan Merlo of The Digital Distributor, noting that there's something to learn by analyzing why weak leads didn't progress. Merlo also recommends tracking metrics such as conversion rate in addition to the cost per lead, having a realistic outlook on how leads will perform and testing alternative strategies.
When a colleague talks down to you or is sarcastic, it's best to try to remain calm and assess whether this is an ongoing behavior that should be addressed in a deeper manner or just someone blowing off steam, writes Jennifer V. Miller. "By responding in a non-confrontational manner and addressing the underlying issues, you pave the way for healthier communication and stronger relationships with your colleagues," Miller writes.
When a team member dies, it's up to leaders to help those left behind cope by easing their workload, giving them time to talk about and honor their colleague and appreciating the skills current team members contribute, writes Alaina Love, the CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting. "Check in with people daily in the first few weeks to assess how they are coping and offer the support they need," Love writes.
