Supply chain optimization has never been more critical in today’s wholesale distribution market. A stunning 83% of businesses are now focused on creating customer-centric supply chains to improve service and offer flexible delivery options. In fact, the market is set to skyrocket almost $50 billion over the next eight years.

This week, Kevin and Tom are joined by James Gilman, President of Perimeter Office Products, who gives his unique insight to the state of supply chain management and what can be done to improve it. We also take a look at how companies are using AI to improve efficiencies in their supply chain - and how to overcome the hurdles that come with it.

And of course, everyone is waiting with bated breath to see what the Fed will announce next week for rate cuts. The question at this point isn't "will there be a rate cut," it's "how much will the upcoming rate cut be?" We take a look at a few possible scenarios, and what the implications are of a large cut versus a small one.

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Markets are confused. Investors want rate cuts because they are a tailwind for growth. But rate cuts tend to be driven by negative economic data, and the economic data is...weird.

So is a rate cut coming, and if so, how much should it be? and what will this mean for wholesale distributors?

This week, we cut through the economic confusion to bring you informed perspective on the economy, rate cuts, and the implications for wholesale distributors and manufacturers.

We also take a look at some important lessons that B2B marketers can learn from the world of B2C eCommerce. Here's a hint: storytelling is a good start, let's really start talking about customer personalization.

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

This week, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell all but signed off on an upcoming rate cut. The market responded immediately, and a collective cheer went up among businesses and consumers alike.

But the question remains: how much of a cut will we see? And will there be multiple small cuts over time or a large single cut to supercharge growth? Oh, and does this mean a soft landing for the economy - no recession?

More importantly, what does this mean for wholesale distribution?

In this episode, Kevin and Tom look at all the implications of an upcoming rate cut (aside from the prospect of a lost bet and a steak dinner), including how jobless claims, business activity, and the general state of the economy factor into what's ahead.

And of course, we have a deep analysis of all this week's news in AI, B2B eCommerce, M&A, cybersecurity and supply chain!

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

More and more, AI for B2B is more than a way to manage customer data: it directly impacts the customer experience. This week, Tom and Kevin dive into the transformative power of AI in wholesale distribution and manufacturing, exploring how it's reshaping the industry as we know it.

With recent advances pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve, businesses are faced with the challenge of balancing human intuition with machine efficiency. We dissect key insights from recent articles, including how AI is redefining customer interactions in the B2B space and its role as a digital bridge to Industry 4.0.

As AI continues to evolve, what does the future hold for customer relationships and production processes? Tune in as we explore the crossroads of human and machine, and what it means for the future of your business.

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

As you may have noticed, the stock market took a nose dive last week, prompted in no small part to AI-driven tech stocks lowering revenue expectations. This has led many to wonder, is the AI Bubble about to burst?

On this week's episode, we take a closer look at whether AI is the technological revolution it has been touted to be. Will it cure cancer and lead to a life of leisure, or is it just another hammer in your tech tool belt, there to use when called for?

We also take a look at why branding is such an important key to B2B success. DTC marketers talk a lot about differentiation and identity, and find themselves mostly ignored in the B2B world...but do they have a point?

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission determined that Amazon—normally considered an eCommerce company—is in fact a distributor, and therefore responsible for faulty items sold on its site and packed and shipped through its fulfillment service.

Whoa! What will this mean for B2B eComm? Especially in light of the fact that B2B buyers are making purchases online more than ever before, according to the 2024 B2B Buyer Report from Sana Commerce, and it's their experience that determines their decision-making.

Meanwhile, U.S. labor costs increased moderately in the second quarter as private sector wages grew at the slowest pace in 3-1/2 years, providing evidence that inflation is firmly on a downward trend.

How do these events connect, and what does it mean for Wholesale Distributors?

On this week's episode, Tom and Kevin connect the dots from the latest economic news to provide insights to the newest developments in distribution, manufacturing, supply chain, M&A, cybersecurity, technology, and more.

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

It's a milestone years in the making: Around The Horn In Wholesale Distribution's 100th episode!

And to celebrate, we're joined by seven VERY special guests - a veritable "Who's Who" of wholesale distribution:

✅ Ian Heller - Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
✅ Dirk Beveridge - Founder, UnleashWD and We Supply America
✅ Mike Marks - Founding Partner at Indian River Consulting
✅ Mike Hockett - Executive Editor, Modern Distribution Management (MDM)
✅ Marty McLaughlin - Founder and Managing Partner, Mosaic Partners
✅ Dan Schuberth - Chief Revenue Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
✅Paul Kennedy - President and CEO, Dakota Supply Group (DSG)

In this episode, our incredible panel does a mid-year review of the trends, challenges, and technologies impacting the wholesale distribution industry, as well as insights to what to expect through the rest of 2024.

On behalf of all of us at ATHIWD, we'd like to thank each and every one of you who has listened, subscribed, participated, or simply provided encouragement for the podcast. We would never have reached our 100th episode without you, and we look forward to the next 100 with all of you along for the ride!

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

According to logistics execs, the trucking industry is turning a corner after a prolonged freight recession that succeeded the Covid boom in transportation rate and services. Could it be that innovation is driving a new era in logistics and supply chain management?

In this episode, we'll take a look at some of the innovations driving wholesale distribution and manufacturing, including some of the digital solutions that help maximize manual resources and enhance production accuracy, quality, and efficiency.

We also look at the workforce that will be both driving and benefitting from these innovations: Gen Z. Though their priorities may be different from previous generations, these workers may prove to be more loyal and focused than the others before them.

And don't forget: next week, we celebrate our 100th Episode! Join us for a live event with special guests you'll never forget!

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.