Management Archives

As data moves from paper to digital, information is easier to store and manage – and to move and steal – than ever before. This is especially true in distribution, where companies are turning to mobile technology to improve customer service, sales and operations. In this article, labor law specialists and distributors weigh in on the biggest data security risks and how distributors can contain them.

This article includes:

Risks to data security that distributors need to consider
Steps to reduce data security risk
How to be proactive about protecting data

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Minding the Gap Between Data & Action
2013 State of E-Commerce in Distribution
Foodservice Sector Tackles Data Standards

August 10, 2013

Companies

United Stationers Sees Growth Potential in Breakroom Supplies

The category can be a natural add-on for current customers.

August 8, 2013

Free

Tip: Invest in a Succession Plan

Make sure a clear roadmap is in place for your distribution business.

August 8, 2013

Economic Trends

The Differences Between ‘Thriving’ and ‘Declining’ Distributors

NAW-McGladrey Distribution Monitor shows thriving distributors are more likely to invest than declining distributors.

August 2, 2013

Free

3 Common Mistakes Made in Strategy Execution

Avoid the trap of building a strategy, only to have it sit on a shelf and gather dust.

August 1, 2013

Featured Blog

How to Win a Price War

Byrnes: The real win strategy is to turn the price war into a value war.

July 29, 2013

Featured Blog

The most popular MDM Premium articles tackled topics such as competitive threats, as well as ways to better manage opportunities.

July 29, 2013

Management

Commentary: Grow Fee-Based Services by Design

Many distributors are launching services or spinning-off separate service-based companies. But to do this successfully, it's critical to build out a services portfolio by design.

In this article, learn:

What areas are popular targets for new services
Characteristics of a successful service-based business
Key things to keep in mind when launching services

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MDM Interview: Services Drive Growth for Valin
Develop Services to Sell
Making Fee-for-Service Work

July 25, 2013

Companies

Service Diversification Drives Arrow Electronics

Arrow finds growth opportunities in services that didn’t exist for the distributor a few years ago

July 25, 2013

Free

Tip: Embrace Revolutionary Change

Incremental improvements worked in the past, but todays market requires more rapidity.

July 24, 2013

Companies

Grainger Builds on Success with Manufacturing Customers

Grainger outlines plans to add more sales reps and KeepStock installations in 2013.

July 18, 2013

Free

Why Even at Large Distributors, Changes to Pricing Can Be Hard

No matter the size of a company, challenges exist to implementing new pricing policies.

July 15, 2013

Companies

Fastenal Backs Off on Aggressive Vending Goal

CEO: Fastenals 30,000-machine goal for 2013 was overzealous.

July 13, 2013

Free

Tip: Include Everyone in the Quest for Cost Savings

Great ideas can come from anywhere in your organization.

July 10, 2013

Management

How Distributors Can Close the Services Gap

Distributors face common profitability challenges in today’s business environment, including slow organic growth. In this article, Steve Deist and Mike Emerson of Indian River Consulting Group explain how to counter these challenges by becoming aware of the service areas where distributors may be spending too much or too little.

This is an exclusive summary of the June episode of MDM Executive Briefing, Finding the Right Plan for Profitable Growth, featuring Deist and Emerson. Watch now at www.mdm.com/executivebriefing-archive.

Many distribution industry leaders are frustrated by the current business environment, says Steve Deist of Indian River Consulting Group. And the reasons are often the same across businesses.

“The fundamental challenge that everyone is facing is …