February 23, 2018 - Modern Distribution Management

February 23, 2018

When Good Distributors Do Bad Branding

This three-part series examines why distributors struggle with branding. In this, the first article in the series, MDM President & COO Ian Heller contrasts the difference between what branding agencies promise and what they actually deliver. He outlines why such agencies have objectives that conflict with yours, and why you should consider pure B2B advertising agencies that do more than just branding.

This article includes:

  • Convincing distributors to rebrand
  • The myth of branding
  • The reality of branding

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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

When Good Distributors Do Bad Branding Read More »

Commentary: Apply Your Analytics Strategically

If not managed properly, too much of a good thing can backfire.

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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

Commentary: Apply Your Analytics Strategically Read More »

Managing Pricing Algorithms

With advances in tools and technologies to help mine larger and larger available datasets, algorithms are increasingly used across many business functions. However, if not managed appropriately, too much of a good thing can backfire. This was the message of a recent Wall Street Journal report by Deloitte, On the Boards Agenda: Board Oversight of Algorithmic Risk. This article, the first of a two-part series by Lee Nyari, examines the dangers that Deloitte outlines in its report and offers distributors some solutions for reducing algorithmic risk in price management.

This article includes:

  • Pricing as a useful and powerful business lever in distribution
  • Why pricing algorithms may be insufficiently market-informed
  • Updating approaches for developing pricing algorithms

Subscribers should log in below to read this article.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

Managing Pricing Algorithms Read More »

MDM Industrial Inflation Index: January 2018

Modern Distribution Management's monthly Industrial Inflation Index measures a cross-section of industrial supplies.

This index includes:

  • Abrasives Products
  • Cutting Tools
  • Power Transmission Equipment
  • Fasteners
  • Valves, etc.
  • Power Tools
  • Material Handling Equipment
  • Belting
  • Hand Tools
  • Misc. Metal

Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • Distribution M&A Playbook, pt. 3: Integration Best Practices
  • Grainger’s Pricing Initiative, pt 2: The Quest for Optimization
  • Commentary: Harvey’s Stark Reminder on Disaster Planning

MDM Industrial Inflation Index: January 2018 Read More »

Download this Issue in PDF: February 25, 2018

This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.

Table of Contents:

  • When Good Distributors Do Bad Branding
  • Commentary: Apply Your Analytics Strategically
  • Managing Pricing Algorithms
  • Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: December 2017
  • MDM Industrial Inflation Index: January 2018
  • MDM News Digest 4804

Are you a subscriber? Simply log-in to view this issue.

Download this Issue in PDF: February 25, 2018 Read More »

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