Indian River Consulting Group's Pandemic Revenue Index of 12 distributors increased by 8.6% for the week of Nov. 2-6 after a slight decline the previous week. Eight of the 12 companies reported year-over-year gains.
Alibaba differs from Amazon Business in that it's a marketplace designed for B2B companies, says John Caplan, Alibaba's president of North America and Europe. Alibaba knows that it has to build trust with distributors, Caplan says.
Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model)
(11/10)
[Webinar] Key 2020 Supply Chain findings This year, we've learned that real-time inventory visibility is the most critical component of a reliable supply chain. Without it, we're forced to wait until the problem manifests itself in the form of stock-outs or the production line grinds to a halt. Join supply chain experts for a webinar Nov. 19th as they discuss why localization is gaining favor. Register now
Security-driven networking protects enterprise data, allowing the underlying infrastructure to adapt to changes, writes Bob Fortna, president of security provider Fortinet Federal. "Traditional security solutions no longer provide the level of protection, performance and access control that today's government agencies and missions demand," Fortna writes.
How retailers should embrace the new normal The pandemic has reshaped consumer behaviors and the customer experience, most likely permanently. As we look to 2021, retailers need to focus on planning for the future with strategies that meet both the immediate and long-term needs of their customers and maximize the potential of all their sales channels. Watch SmartBrief and retail industry experts explore how the retail landscape has changed this year and how retailers can succeed in 2021.
Three major trends in business-to-business marketing should shape annual planning this year -- the disappearing line between B2B and business-to-consumer marketing, predictive technology and the rise of mobile, Data Axle's Tom Zawacki writes. "Today's reality is one where we don't separate our personal from our professional selves," he writes, referring to business and consumer customer expectations.
Sales teams can use new product features and integrations to open conversations with potential buyers without being too self-promotional, writes Zac Muir. Customer and partner endorsements also provide a great way of easing into conversations with future customers.
With consumers increasingly shopping both online and in-store, there is a greater need to reach shoppers wherever they are. In this Q&A, Walmart Media Group Vice President of Strategy & Transformation Stephen Howard-Sarin discusses how the largest retailer in the US has adjusted its marketing and advertising strategies to do just that, and how other brands can follow suit.
The idea of managing focuses on how processes and systems affect the bottom line, while "leadership speak" seeks to coach and empower employees, argues Peter Arthur-Smith. "During these difficult COVID-19 times, it is very clear that those with a management speak mindset laid off many of their people very quickly; whereas those operating with leadership speak hung on to their people as long as possible," he writes.
A simple, overarching mission statement that encompasses the value of your product or service and provides a deep rationale for stakeholders is essential to a company's success, says Denise Lee Yohn in this blog post and video. "People want to know that the work they do matters, even if it seems mundane or insignificant," she says.
What does it mean to be a "digital distributor" and how should you change your strategy due to the explosive growth of marketplaces like Amazon Business, Google Shopping, Walmart.com and many others? In an upcoming November NAW research report and webinar, Ian Heller will evaluate trends, discuss alternatives and help you understand how to respond to the disruption in the distribution industry. Join us on Nov. 17 for the free webinar and sign up to be notified when this free research report is ready to download.
Are you prepared for the largest interchange rate increase to impact B2B credit card payments in more than a decade? Stream the informative webinar from NAW Trusted Partner Unified Payments Group to see a demo of modular cash application solutions for ERPs and 0% Cost Credit Card Acceptance with compliant surcharge technology.
Are you well-informed about different best practices and knowledge in our industry? If not, NAW's Top 10 E-book List can help get you up-to-speed quickly so you and your business can stay competitive in these challenging times.
