Winsupply is building the Richard W. Schwartz Center for Innovation in Moraine, Ohio, named after the company's chairman and former CEO, who is also past chairman of the board of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. The center will provide training for support-services employees and serve as headquarters for plumbing distributor Winsupply of Dayton.

The ongoing growth of data volumes is making managing data a challenge, opening doors for channel partners to offer new solutions. Insight Enterprises has worked with several clients to provide data-management frameworks and policies that improve efficiency.

Blockchain technology has potential supply chain uses that include error reduction, real-time location information and asset life cycle monitoring, writes Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group.

Two more companies have been authorized to equip commercial trucks with digital cameras instead of rear-vision mirrors. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has added Robert Bosch and Mekra Lang North America to the list of companies allowed to use the technology, which the agency says eliminates blind spots and improves drivers' field of vision, especially in low-light conditions.

This infographic from Facebook IQ offers insights into the behaviors and preferences of Generation Z during the pandemic and advises marketers how to engage with them. Connecting with Gen Z via their communities on social, showing how your brand shares their values and making shopping and e-commerce convenient are among the tips.

EMarketer analysts Jillian Ryan and Nicole Perrin talk about how the pandemic is fueling a surge in business-to-business digital advertising spend and the future of physical events. "B2Bs are able to really get themselves into those prime digital advertising real estate positions," Ryan says, explaining how a drop in digital ad prices is benefiting the industry.

People crave a sense of control, but relying on power rather than meaningful choices to satisfy that urge has several pitfalls for leaders, writes Susan Fowler. "Feeling in control is essential for your own well-being, but most importantly for the creativity, innovation and resilience to be the leader your people deserve," she writes.

NAW Institute Fellow and Author Mark Dancer says, "Virtually every distributor I encounter understands that mastering data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) is essential if distributors are to survive and thrive in the digital age. However, very few leaders have a comprehensive game plan for turning their company into a data-driven business." Read his post, which is post #8 of 10 in his miniseries on B2B innovation.

What will be the impact of AI on distributor sales and operations? While AI hasn't transformed distribution yet, the change is coming soon. Integral to research being done by the NAW Institute is hearing directly from distributor executives. Will you please spare 5-10 minutes to help ensure that we get the most accurate data to inform this research? All individual answers will be kept confidential. In return for your time, we'll send you benchmark data on your AI readiness, and an AI opportunity analysis upon your request. Take the survey.

Old school distribution is about stocking inventory, taking orders and serving demand. New school distribution is about innovating through customer services and working side-by-side with customers in the real world. The future of distribution is about solving problems in your customer's business -- often before your customer even knows a problem exists. Innovate to Dominate provides breakthrough ideas, lessons from leading distributors who are innovating and inspiration to help you lead your customers into the future and sustain your competitive advantage.