Distribution Talk

When Tyler Yelland, vice president of sales and marketing at Primco , approached the company's president, Cam Overacker, about starting a podcast, the pair quickly realized the show's potential beyond sales. Jason chats with the Canada-based duo about telegraphing Primco's company culture via Know Where You Stand (KWYS), their trendsetting podcast in the ordinarily conservative floor covering indu...

Reports of massive employee turnover and dissatisfaction are everywhere––except at Stafford-Smith, Inc. Jason chats with David Stafford, third generation president and CEO of the Kalamazoo-based foodservice equipment distributor, about his company's remarkable retention rate. With 19 locations across 11 states and an overwhelmingly Millennial workforce, Stafford-Smith's culture of loyalty flourish...

Why would anyone spend 97 days on the road visiting 34 privately-held distributors in the middle of a pandemic? To champion the noble cause of distribution, of course! Jason catches up with Dirk Beveridge, fresh from his We Supply America tour. Beyond the business strategies and innovation beats the heart of this industry: humanity. Dirk shares some of the people-powered stories he captured during...

Looking for concrete steps to ease the effects of languishing and regain mental fortitude? Jason and Paul Reilly, speaker, trainer, author, and host of the The Q and A Sales Podcast break down six exercises anyone can implement to improve mental resilience, regardless of company role, industry, or location.  Whether you're in the C-suite or the cold-call trenches, there's no question that the chal...

How honest have you been with your team about their mental health? How honest have you been with yourself? Jason joins business partner Marshall Jones to address mental well-being in the time of COVID from an organizational and personal standpoint.  The pair discuss anecdotal evidence, offer insights from their conversations with clients, and provide tools leaders can use to create a more empathet...

To say Jeff New has earned his upcoming retirement after 40 years at the helm of Mid-City Supply out of Elkhart, IN, is an understatement. His legacy includes expanding the company from one location to nine and the staff from 35 employees to 130. Before he hands the keys to his sons, Jason chats with Jeff about the industry relationships that have helped Mid-City weather growing pains, multiple re...

In an industry stacked with exemplary role models, Shannon Worthington stands among the very best. As president of Dixie Construction Products based in Atlanta, GA, his stewardship extends beyond the company and his era at the helm. Jason chats with Shannon about his commitment to fostering reciprocal relationships and setting the stage for seamless leadership transitions.  Shannon began his caree...

It goes without saying that Mike Adelizzi, CEO of American Supply Association , hopes to never again face a test like the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the crisis thrust distribution into the spotlight; Mike's not about to let all that attention go to waste.  Jason chats with this innovative association exec about serving the plumbing and PVF distribution community through advocacy, education, and pla...

Navigating the current supply chain crisis requires adaptability - and intelligent math . Jason's friend and business partner Marshall Jones asks the questions this time around as the pair chat real-time challenges and opportunities. Jason's simple equation for calculating customer profitability coupled with his tips for strengthening the relationships that matter will help distributors avoid cost...

"You better be thinking towards the future, or you're going to get left behind."  -Kathryne A. Newton, Ph. D How do you manage the generational divide within your company? Kathryne A. Newton, Ph. D., may not have all the answers, but she does possess more than enough intel to coax groups toward more productive communication. Whether those conversations happen face-to-face, through email, or via te...

"We started to create a strong bridge between inside and outside of the house; we were realizing that we needed to make both pieces great."  -Andrew Hartman Teams flourish under teachable leaders. For proof, look no further than Andrew Hartman, president of Hartman Independent Company based in Canonsburg, PA. As the third-generation  decision-maker, his conscious efforts to remain open to new idea...

"The answers don't always come from me; I am asking you for the answers, and I'm asking you to find those answers and to drive change yourself." -Jamie Arguello Could your team pass the litmus test? If you left your distribution business in their hands for four weeks, five, six, would the shop survive in your absence? Jamie Arguello has the real-life data to prove that her business wouldn't simply...

"A distributor is very much about micro marketing; [ ] they win the battle one customer in one relationship at a time." -Steve Deist Distribution has a PR problem. Longtime listeners will no doubt recognize that phrase as one of Jason's favorites. The lament takes aim at the industry's lackluster attempts to attract fresh talent, anyone who hasn't grown up in a family business and, therefore, rema...

"Pick the right system for yourself... At some point, you trust your judgment and whoever you're working with that,'okay, this is gonna work.'" -AJ Maloney AJ Maloney has weathered a lot of changes - as has the family business he once guided. While this former vice president of Coburn Supply in Beaumont, TX, may have passed the baton onto the 4th generation of leaders, he still has plenty of sage...

"One of my clients put it in a really great way. He said, 'Get your arms around the day before it gets its arms around you.'" -Jason Bader Want to sleep better tonight? Sure, it's an odd opener  - until you think about all the nagging issues that keep managers (especially new ones) up at night. In this episode, Jason flies solo, sharing his favorite tips for building a solid day-end routine regard...

"We're always learning. Our customers are teaching us. They are tremendous professors." -Patricia Bible Throughout the pandemic, restaurants have received much of the press. But what about the suppliers behind the pizza joints, Thai carry-outs, and doughnut shops? How are the distributors fairing? Well, at least one of them is thriving through tough times. Patricia Bible, owner and CEO of KaTom Re...

"Now you're able to offer your customers something that will financially protect them from what you know is a potential expense, but they view as a non-expense down the road." -Rich Danchisin If you've listened to the podcast for a while, you know that distributors who can teach a contractor how to make more money foster loyalty for life. The challenge is finding opportunities that don't squeeze a...

"It's very hard to get them to go along with it, to try the new idea, the new way of doing it. Now, once they try it, generally, they'll say, gosh, this is good!" -Gordon Graham After years of using Gordon Graham's methodology to power The Distribution Team, Jason finally sits down for a one-on-one with the man who revolutionized an industry.  Known for his integrity and easy-to-understand logic,...

"I think there's plenty of conversations that can be had with competitors that are valuable and are productive - just not pricing." -John Kelly Oh, the allure of those big government contracts! Not so fast… John Kelly, Chief Corporate Officer of Jo-Kell , a shipboard electrical and industrial automation specialist, sits down with Jason to discuss the great and the not-so-good aspects of working wi...

"We try to live by the golden rule, not only in every day dealing with customers and vendors, but also in our acquisition processes." -Mark Patton Want to know the secret to talent development, mergers and acquisitions, or working with private equity partners? It's not classified information; it's culture . In this episode, Jason speaks with Mark Patton, CEO of Colony Hardware , about managing the...

"And I'm in there -- the hat on backwards, t-shirt, and jeans ripped. I've got no job, but I'm keeping my word, right? That I was going to take care of this person no matter what." -Ward Bassett Ward Bassett understands how quickly one's luck can run out -- and what it takes to persevere when everything goes sideways. Ward's early life played out like a classic teen adventure film befitting someon...

"My theory is that "status quo" kills the future." -Paul Glover In a rush to put distance between this year and the last, what opportunities have you left behind?  Paul Glover , the "no BS" work performance coach, is back, with a new webinar and an urgent directive: stop referring to 2020 as the worst year ever! * He sits down with Jason to discuss keys to building more robust, engaged environment...

"By working together, you can really improve the quality of the solutions that you bring to bear against, you know, the problems that you deal with day in, day out." - Marshall Jones As years go, 2020 didn't leave much behind to recommend it...or did it? Amidst the difficult aspects of the last ten months, distributors managed to string together small but mighty bright spots. In this episode, Jaso...

"The old sales process is dead and, frankly, good riddance. " ~Jason Bader Can a decade-old film about baseball provide fresh ideas for distribution? In this rare solo episode, Jason talks with you about driving company growth using the intelligence you already have at hand. As a self-professed data junkie, it's no great leap for Jason to pull cues from Moneyball while discussing the lessons he's...

"Your best customers are subsidizing your worst customers." ~Franke Hurtte Talking shop with Frank Hurtte is akin to auditing a masterclass in distribution longevity: no matter the vertical, he's always ready with a personal anecdote and answers to some of today's most challenging problems. Frank has successfully parlayed 28 years in direct distribution into a consultancy, as well as a byline on m...