Fastenal had total sales of $530.9 million in February, up 21.3% from a year ago. The distributor's daily average sales were $26.5 million, with 22% growth in the US.

Distributors can improve their value to potential buyers with strong technology stacks and data analytics, writes Kevin McGirl of sales-i. "Having the right technology in place can protect revenue and make a sales team dangerous from day one," McGirl writes.

Mesh networks have connectivity and efficiency advantages over Wi-Fi and hand scanners for facilitating communication between machines in warehouses, and they can also support predictive maintenance and use of data in decision-making, writes Geoff Smith of Rajant. "Before acquiring a mesh network, do your research and talk to customers as some are optimized for fixed deployments, while others are designed to be fully mobile," Smith writes.

Today's buyers are looking for a purchasing experience that provides them with some control, and there are common elements that typify outstanding buyer-driven experiences, writes Ardath Albee. Optimize content and make it easy to access, use multiple channels to engage with buyers and allow customers to move freely throughout the buying process for best results, Albee recommends.

KWI Chief Strategy Officer Celia Willis offers five considerations to help communications executives prioritize corporate needs and determine the best way to focus their creative energy. "Applying focus to our creative process is the key not only to our success but a deeper, more foundational satisfaction overall," Willis writes.

Good leaders have learned over time what really matters, such as generosity, appreciation, seeing success as a journey, and maintaining high standards for yourself and others, Frank Sonnenberg writes. "One of the true tests of integrity is your refusal to compromise your honor at any price," Sonnenberg writes.

Short, direct sentences that create a conversational tone are more effective than a treatise full of jargon, writes John Millen. "My goal is to have a conversation with you about topics that matter and give advice you can take action on right away," Millen writes.

Help your company develop strategic thinkers and an agile team when your employees participate in this one-week course. The NAW Distribution Leadership Program draws on the latest business practices, tailored to the distribution industry, and those business practices are delivered by award-winning faculty from The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. Register your leaders today!

NAW is working with Industry Insights to gather information from companies like yours for the NAW 2022 Employee Compensation & Benefits Study. The comprehensive survey collects data that doesn't just show you what others are doing; it gives you customizable side-by-side comparison tools so you can decide if you need to make any adjustments to your business strategy. Take the survey.

In this week's article, David explores the levers you can control to predictably make an impact on your business: sell-side price performance, purchase-price performance, sales performance, and cost-to-serve (CTS) management. Read the blog here.