I recently shared some thoughts with Shelter Magazine that were published
in a March article
about the tactics I believe a wholesale building products' distributor could
take to solidify the value they provide to their customers, to their suppliers,
and to the market in general. Editor Samantha
Carpenter focuses in on the variations from "the norm" that can
become a focused set of initiatives within a distributor's operating plan.
Response to the ideas I shared has been positive, for the most part--with only
one former retailer expressing that the ideas are too far stretched and that
they may collide with current retailer initiatives.
However, the majority of the feedback has been very supportive--from
distributors and retailers alike. The supply chain CAN be improved,
redundancies eliminated, and a new tier of service can be created to benefit
the end-user.
If you're a wholesaler, I invite you to read and decide for yourself whether
adopting a greater interest in services and programs can and will be the
initiative that drives you forward--onto new and better results.