The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors will name Eric Hoplin as CEO effective Oct. 19, replacing Dirk Van Dongen as he retires after 41 years. Hoplin has led external relations at Wells Fargo, and past experience includes the Financial Services Roundtable and Booz Allen Hamilton. Read more from NAW.
The Fastener Distributor Index from FCH Sourcing Network and R.W. Baird posted a reading of 49.2 for August, indicating contraction after two months of expansion. Separately, Indian River Consulting Group's Pandemic Revenue Index of 12 companies increased by 3.4% year over year for the week of Aug. 31, adjusted for the Labor Day holiday.
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has made its business-to-business e-commerce platform, known as Proof, available in 27 states, up from six previously. The platform allows direct fulfillment of customer orders, and uses data and insights to enable suppliers and customers to work together in more seamless ways, said Southern Glazer's executive John Wittig.
Improve and accelerate your testing program Now more than ever, retailers must improve their customers' experiences and drive better relationships with their audience across points of contact. In this on-demand webinar, testing experts discuss best practices for unlocking the full potential of automation, as well as how to use crowdtesting to optimize user feedback and how to apply AI for identifying and preventing defects. Watch now
Industrial firms should be looking at direct sales, different partners and, possibly, different channel financial structures as they adjust to the pandemic, according to this ZS Associates analysis. "Some situations call for manufacturers to double down on the largest partners, while others necessitate shifting investment to smaller, up-and-coming partners," the authors write.
This infographic from FLOW compares the pros and cons of using webinars and podcasts in marketing campaigns. Webinar pros include real-time audience interaction and mixed visual and audio content, while podcasts can generate leads continuously and reach large audiences.
Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University, admits her outspoken, ambitious personality nearly derailed her career noting, "I had all the signs of someone who really was not worth the trouble ... and yet people mentored me." Simmons advocates for more mentoring, adding "That's what you need to do in order to make the senior ranks of corporations more diverse."
Are you ready for the technology that is transforming distribution? With the influx of new competitors and new technologies, changes are happening at warp speed. In this NAW series of seven research reports and seven accompanying webinars in seven months, distribution expert Ian Heller will help you to gain the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology transformation. You've got seven months, so let's get started. Sponsors include Unilog, SAP and Conexiom.
In his blog post, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Mike Marks writes, "...a board has three core responsibilities to shareholders: ensure there is a strategy in place that will create long-term growth in shareholder value; ensure the right people are in the right seats (CEO and direct reports); and ensure that the executive team is making adequate progress on achieving the strategy.” He then offered the three things an effective board should never do. Read his post.
Hear wholesale distribution and payment experts answer real questions about the impact of electronic invoices on DSO and margins. Download or stream the 14-minute podcast from NAW's Trusted Partner, Unified Commerce, to learn how Smart e-Invoices can help your business simplify AR and get paid faster, easier and at less costs.
