Career pivots don't always happen on impulse or as the result of a 180º turn. More often than not, change occurs slowly until the protagonist finds themself in different but not unfamiliar territory. 

That's the story with Steve Bailey, president of Bailey Safety. He parlayed a successful career in his family's distribution business into a lucrative safety consulting and training venture. Jason caught up with Steve to discover what it's like to transition from a traditional distributorship to a safety specialist focused on the construction industry and how he plans to innovate in that space.

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price; and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

Margins are slim for small distributors, especially in the food service industry. So, how does a local supplier take advantage of bespoke technology solutions without breaking the bank? Chris Elliott has the answer. He’s the co-founder and head of new business development at Kimelo by Cheetah Technologies, an elegant eCommerce platform that’s purpose-built for food distribution. 

Jason caught up with Chris to discuss the tech company’s humble warehouse beginnings, its commitment to designing financially accessible solutions, and the app's role in strengthening relationships between distributor and restaurateur. 

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Kimelo

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices; and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

Team training is hit-or-miss. Businesses either choose a generic version that doesn’t directly address their industry or a vertical-specific program that’s so complex the team fails to fully implement it. 

Jeremy Wall has a simple solution. He’s the co-founder and CEO of GoalMakers, a learning platform that bills itself as the 10-week MBA. Jason chats with Jeremy about the company’s ongoing evolution, its hybrid learning environment, and its secret to providing cost-effective facilitation. 

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited & mixed by The Creative Impostor Studios

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Connected Peers, providing virtual communities for wholesale distributors, and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry. 

Want to know a hiring secret? A self-directed development strategy can help you attract and retain top-notch talent in today's transient employment climate. 

J Carlton Harwood, a consultant and 30-year vet of Ferguson Enterprises, believes that staff success isn’t acquired through mandatory coursework. Instead, he champions a “hands-off,” self-directed model. Give employees autonomy and an environment where they can create unique improvement plans. Jason welcomes Carlton to share talent development lessons learned throughout his enviable career. They also discuss strategies for turning challenging company assignments into golden career opportunities.

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited & mixed by The Creative Impostor Studios 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price, and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

The future of HVACR distribution is already here. But if your company is solely focused on the impending changeover to more eco-friendly components, it’s missing out on future-proofing the industry’s workforce. Rhonda Wight is miles ahead on both fronts. As CEO of Ohio-based Refrigeration Sales Corporation (RSC), she believes that developing next-gen talent is everyone’s job. 

Jason chats with Rhonda about her commitment to mentorship and why it’s beneficial to the entire HVACR ecosystem. The pair also discuss RSC’s systematic approach to budget planning and how it pays off in the long run.

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***

For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices, and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry. 

If your C-suite isn’t entertaining conversations about artificial intelligence, is it interested in profitability? Perhaps that’s not a fair assessment. Maybe the C-Suite just needs a crash course in what the technology can do for distribution. 

Justin J. Johnson, founder and CEO of Motivate AI, is the perfect spokesperson for the job. Jason caught up with Justin to learn more about Motivate AI’s purpose-built automated solutions for distribution and how they boost sales team performance, enhance customer engagement, and streamline the quote and order process.

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***

For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Connected Peers, providing virtual communities for wholesale distributors, and INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

It’s the one hot topic in business that never seems to go away… PRICING.

If you haven’t addressed your company’s pricing plan in a while, Dave Roller says you’re leaving good money on the table. As president of Profit2, Dave has built his career helping distributors optimize their strategy - even against e-conn’s biggest names. 

Though this conversion was recorded in 2020, it’s as relevant as ever today. Jason and Dave break down about the art and science of pricing as well as overcoming pricing challenges - even in challenging times. 

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***

For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios. 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry; and Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price.

Conventional business wisdom holds that everyone wants to join the marketing team; no one wants to work in sales anymore. 

Dr. Lee Allison rejects this defeatist attitude and the generational stereotypes that often accompany it. As Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University, she has a literal front row seat to the rise of GenZ and Gen Alpha––and all reports from campus are good!  

CONNECT WITH JASON

LinkedIn

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios. 

Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry; and Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices.

Selling your company is one of the most challenging aspects of owning a business. Longtime colleague and Distribution Team Senior Advisor, Marshall Jones knows the mental, emotional, and procedural challenges well. Those experiences put him in a unique position to assist other sellers through the process. 

Jason and Marshall review a client case study highlighting critical aspects of securing a successful (and profitable!) sale and tips for avoiding deal-breaking pitfalls. 

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LInkedIn

***

For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited & mixed by The Creative Impostor Studios. 

Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry. 

Returns, warranties, and repairs are a headache for distribution. Much of that pain stems from the antiquated systems that most companies still rely on to process their returns. Alex Witcpalek, founder and CEO of Continuum.ai, recognized the optimization potential of this largely overlooked in-house activity and created the first B2B returns network for distributors and manufacturers. 

Jason caught up with Alex during a recent conference in Chicago to find out what drew this ex-college footballer to distribution (and podcasting!), why Continuum.ai’s platform is a perfect match for a niche operation with so many variables, and how it boosts the user’s overall profitability. The pair also discuss the role that Continuum.ai’s quality culture plays in attracting and keeping a top-tier workforce. 

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GoContinuum.ai

Podcast

For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios. 

Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software, an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry. 

Welcome back for part 2 with the Bader boys, Jason’s in-depth look at his family’s distribution business with patriarch and founder of Acme Construction Supply Co, Inc., Dick Bader, and younger brother Jordan, the company’s current president and CEO. As they wrap up their visit, Dick and Jordan reveal the fundamental principles that have supported Acme’s thriving culture and growth initiatives. They also share the rewards of trade organization participation in this “revisited” episode. 

LinkedIn

LinkedIn

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For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com

Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.   

This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios. 

Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software, integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.