Tom Gale, Author at Modern Distribution Management - Page 11 of 28

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Tom Gale

Tom Gale has been an MDM researcher and industry analyst for 30+ years on independent distribution channel trends, consolidation, technology and competitive landscape. He is a frequent speaker and moderator on these topics at company, marketing group and association meetings in North America and Europe.
Posts By Tom Gale
Data & Analytics
Commentary: Apply Your Analytics Strategically

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

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  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform
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Companies
Commentary: Amazon Marches On, and On…

In case you missed it, Amazon just announced 2017 results. Once again, they didnt hold back on bulleted highlights, including items related to Amazon Business and its continued growth into distribution channels. Here is some color commentary on Amazons 2017 advances.

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  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform
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Research & Analytics
Commentary: 2018 is an Inflection Point – Are You Ready?

MDM held its 2018 Distribution Industry Outlook webcast in January, including the latest economic outlook, financial and trend indicators, and MDM’s thesis that 2018 is an inflection point of several multi-year trends.Subscribers should log in below to read this article.

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  • Millennials in Distribution: No Magic in US LUMBERs Strategy
  • Endgame Strategy: A Must for Distributors
  • Graingers Pricing Initiative, pt 2: The Quest for Optimization
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Free
Commentary: Amazon Business: Where There’s Smoke

The story about a North Sea oil rig workers leap into the water in 1988 from a scorching platform works well to apply to the knowns, unknowns, hype and misconceptions that have accompanied Amazons infiltration, integration and displacement of distribution channels.

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Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution
Commentary: Welcome to MDM President Ian Heller

MDM is thrilled to start a new chapter for the company.

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  • Millennials in Distribution: No Magic in US LUMBERs Strategy
  • Endgame Strategy: A Must for Distributors
  • Graingers Pricing Initiative, pt 2: The Quest for Optimization
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Data & Analytics
Commentary: Data is Only Half the Story

The power of analytics and data to improve company performance has grabbed everyones attention, and with extremely positive impacts overall, but too often we fixate on specific data points and then lose sight of the larger (and sometimes smaller) picture.

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  • Millennials in Distribution: No Magic in US LUMBERs Strategy
  • Endgame Strategy: A Must for Distributors
  • Graingers Pricing Initiative, pt 2: The Quest for Optimization
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Economic Trends
Commentary: Winter is Coming – or is It?

The latest forecast from ITR Economics is that the Industrial Production Index will peak in February and then slowly taper the rest of the year, dropping more sharply in 2019. In light of whats coming, ITRs Alan Beaulieu delivered an important message at the NIBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit now, more than ever, is the time for strong leadership and investing in your business.

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  • Millennials in Distribution: Culture Trumps Everything
  • Endgame Strategy: A Must for Distributors
  • Commentary: Best Practices for Recruiting Millennials
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Research & Analytics
Commentary: Fighting the Digital Disruption War

For more than 20 years, technology adoption in distribution has lived with this axiom: The distribution industry moves at its own pace, and it reflects the wants and needs of its customers. On the other side is this: distribution, particularly industrial channels, is on the slow end of the technology adoption curve. As with most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

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  • Distribution M&A Playbook, pt. 2: The 8 Fatal Flaws in M&A
  • Top Trends for 2017
  • MDM Interview: Watsco Aims for ‘Bigger, Better, Faster’
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Uncategorized
Commentary: A Tribute to Rusty Duncan

This article originally ran as a blog on mdm.com. Rusty contributed to this column over many years. He was passionate about this newsletter, and in this day of blogs and 24/7 content, it is fitting to include it here to honor him in the printed edition, which takes a deeper look at the industry issues he cared so much about.

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  • Culture as a Competitive Advantage
  • Amazon Elevates ‘Right-Now’ Expectations
  • Data Redefines Channel Roles
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amazon-v-grainger
Companies
Commentary: Is an Amazon-Grainger Deal Next?

If it can’t dominate an industry digitally, Amazon will buy the bricks and mortar to get there.

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  • Can Grainger Make it up on Volume?
  • 2017 State of M&A in Distribution: ‘Never Been a Better Time to Sell’
  • Don’t Confuse Rules with Policies
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Companies
Commentary: Grainger Scratches Its Niche

Earlier this month, W.W. Grainger launched a new website, Gamut.com. It’s a natural waypoint on their digital transformation journey. It also illustrates challenges to traditional business models – and Grainger is not getting a hall pass on this one!

This article includes:

  • Gamut.com's strategy
  • How to target a niche market
  • Grainger's vulnerability

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  • Wholesale Distribution Disrupted, Part 2: Engage to Combat Disruption
  • Top Trends for 2017
  • ‘Digital Branch’ Strategy Drives AD eContent
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