Best Practices. It's a term we hear all the time and use just as frequently. But as we constantly try to define and codify what those best practices are, one of the major questions is, "Am I getting the big picture here, or am I leaving something important out?"

To ensure we're looking at best practices from a macro view, we brought in a guest from Bavaria: Max Meister from Ludwig Meister, one of the largest distributors in Germany. Max shared insights into his unique approach to business, which includes using technology like AI and machine learning to enhance operations. For Max, it's all about aligning goals across departments, such as marketing, sales, e-commerce, and purchasing, to ensure a cohesive strategy.

We also touch on the significance of providing value to customers through meaningful conversations and leveraging data to drive decision-making. How much should you know about a customer in your conversations? Is there such a thing as "too much" in this case?

We then look at the impact of AI on modern manufacturing, the importance of data quality in marketing strategies, and the need for continuous adaptation and pivoting in response to changing business landscapes. The conversation highlighted the evolving role of sales and marketing departments, emphasizing the need for collaboration and goal alignment to achieve organizational success.

Are you ready to get outside your comfort zone? Want to look at your organization from a different angle and get a fresh perspective from our European partners? Then have a listen to Max's innovative strategies and focus on customer value. It really serves as a testament to the importance of embracing digital transformation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in today's competitive business environment.

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Ready or not, AI is making a huge impact in wholesale distribution and manufacturing (and in our opinion, it's definitely better to be ready than not).

In this week's episode, Kevin and Tom look at that basic challenges facing businesses that want to—or at least know they should—adopt AI. We start by discussing the most common issues businesses face when integrating AI into marketing strategies. How does AI help with relevance, confidence, and trust in customer acquisition and retention?

And have you heard about Amazon using generative AI to scan packages for defects? How does this highlight the potential for AI to enhance quality control processes in distribution and manufacturing? Can this kind of technology optimize human roles or replace them?

Furthermore, we explore the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, focusing on the shift away from traditional MQL approaches towards more customer-centric strategies. Nothing can replace the need for seamless e-commerce experiences to build customer confidence and trust...but can AI assist with that, too?

Finally, we delve into the distinction between open and closed AI systems, discussing the implications for executives and decision-makers in choosing the right AI solutions for their organizations. This episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology, marketing, and AI in the modern business landscape.

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If you're looking for insights to the current state of wholesale distribution, there's perhaps no greater authority than Eric Hoplin, Chief Executive Officer at the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. In this episode, Eric sits down with us for a very special hour to provide his unique perspective on a variety of topics.

From the impact of technology, to mergers and acquisitions, to the importance of family-owned and employee-owned businesses, Eric spills the tea on the most important topics in wholesale distribution. We also touched on the challenges and opportunities in the industry, such as supply chain issues, port labor talks, and the influence of Chinese investments in Latin America.

It's one of our most insightful episodes yet, highlighting the importance of technology, talent, and strategic planning in the evolving landscape of wholesale distribution.

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The wholesale distribution landscape is changing fast, and in this week's episode, we've got the insight and information to help you make heads or tails of it. We're joined by Dr. Jonathan Bein, Managing Partner at Distribution Strategy Group and a seasoned entrepreneur who leverages his marketing, technical, and sales expertise to develop clear value propositions based on economic value.

In this episode, we start by discussing the importance of making promises to customers and how it can significantly impact market share growth. The conversation also touched on the evolving landscape of SEO with the integration of AI in search engines, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt to these changes.

Next, we explore the significance of product data enrichment and the shift towards multimodal content in marketing strategies. Yes, it's a mouthful, but we help you make sense of it! In essence, we highlight the importance of focusing on the top revenue-generating SKUs and enhancing product data to meet consumer expectations.

Perhaps most importantly, we examine the role of branding in B2B marketing and distribution, emphasizing the value of creating strong brands in a competitive market. The conversation underscores the shift towards value-driven marketing in the B2B sector and the need for distributors to focus on building effective brands to stay competitive.

If you like this episode, please do us the favor of a good review! And remember to follow Jonathan Bein on LinkedIn!

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AI is changing the landscape of B2B eCommerce faster than we can imagine...and sometimes, faster than businesses can keep up with. In this episode, Kevin and Tom discuss the challenges—and improvements—AI can pose to the economy, supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, e-commerce, marketing, cybersecurity, and more.

We start by taking a deep dive into the recent announcement by OpenAI regarding their new multimodal model, GPT-4. What will be the potential impact of this new technology on different roles within organizations, such as field salespersons, inside salespersons, and counter persons?

The big question, however, is will AI for business enhance efficiency, provide valuable business insights, and potentially transform the way sales interactions are conducted? Or will the challenges and cultural shifts that may arise with the adoption of such advanced technologies change the very model of wholesale distribution and manufacturing as we know it?

If you're looking for valuable insights into the evolving landscape of technology and its implications for distribution and manufacturing, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

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As AI advances on a seemingly daily basis, wholesale distributors have a new tool to establish thought leadership, create marketing innovations, and deepen partnerships with manufacturers.

But how does this new tool work? And is it authentic?

On this week's episode, Kevin and Tom take a closer look at the impact of B2B AI on content creation, and the importance of authentic thought leadership in marketing. (Hint: it's all about the need for data-driven marketing strategies and the challenges of content authentication in the age of AI-generated content).

We also touch on the significance of brand integrity and the use of blockchain technology for content authentication.

The discussion also moves into the importance of security in Generative AI projects, emphasizing the need to prioritize security measures in AI initiatives.

If you're looking for insights to the current trends and challenges in the wholesale distribution and manufacturing industry—with a healthy dose of the importance of data, authenticity, and security in marketing and technology initiatives—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

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Do you know what a buying signal is? Could you read one if you saw one? And if you can recognize them, what do they tell you?

If you're a little lost, you're not alone. Buying signals refer to the various behaviors, content consumption, and social interactions that indicate a potential buyer's interest and engagement with a product or service. In this episode, we look at how finding them, and reading them correctly, is a key to understanding (and nurturing) the customer journey.

And ready or not, AI has become a powerful tool—and an influence—in wholesale distribution and manufacturing. Like an octopus, its tentacles have spread into every facet of business. This week, we look into the implications of the U.S. Homeland Security naming an AI Safety Security Advisory Board, highlighting the potential risks and benefits of tech giants influencing government decisions.

Furthermore, we explored the surge in AI-related lawsuits, particularly focusing on content creators and media organizations suing AI models for using their content without permission. This issue raises complex legal and ethical questions that may eventually reach the Supreme Court.

The landscape of technology is constantly evolving for wholesale distributors. Listen to this week's episode to help stay informed about the developments that affect your business the most.

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Let's face it: when it comes to the tech adoption curve, wholesale distributors and manufacturers can be a little behind (Are you? Hint: if you don't know what "adoption curve" means, you are).

On this episode, we dive into the critical role that digital resources play in driving both growth and customer engagement. From providing valuable digital content, to the challenges of balancing self-service experiences with the need for personalized interactions, we'll help you assess your own digital landscape...and show you how it directly impacts your ROI.

In addition, we take a deep dive into the news that affects wholesalers the most: the impact of inflation on the economy, the potential of the industrial metaverse for businesses of all sizes, and a new look at the building blocks for AI in your business.

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