Distribution Talk
Dive into the stories, struggles, and solutions from business owners and thought leaders in the wholesale distribution market.
10
Strategies for Modern Warehouse Management with Will Quinn, The Distribution Guy
<p >What can distribution warehouse operators learn from the Roman Empire and United States Marine Corps? More than you might think, says Will Quinn, aka The Distribution Guy®. </p> <p >Jason caught up with Will to discuss the evolution of modern warehouse functionality and pragmatic strategies for improving company performance at the ground-level––from receiving and slotting to picking and packing. Will also shares insights from his latest book, Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance, a must-read field guide for distribution center leaders, warehouse managers, and frontline supervisors.</p> <p >CONNECT WITH JASON</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >CONNEC...
Stop Dreading AI and Start Employing It as a Thought Partner with Jason Bader, The Distribution Team
<p>It seems like everyone is using artificial intelligence these days, maybe even your top competitor. But widespread enthusiasm shouldn't deter you from putting AI tools through their paces. Nor should naysayers convince you that the tech is just a fad. So, how do you partner with AI to create distribution-focused solutions without abdicating your innate human expertise? You start by building better AI prompts.</p> <p>In this solo episode of Distribution Talk, host Jason Bader shares insights from his evolving relationship with generative AI, offering pragmatic tips for business owners and execs who want to gain confidence using m...
What It Takes to Join and Lead a Family Business: Revisiting Seth Gordon, Glacier Supply Group
<p >Seth Gordon traded a career in finance for the family HVAC distribution business. Today, as CEO of Glacier Supply Group, he brings a fresh perspective to the industry while navigating the challenges of next-generation leadership.</p> <p >In this revisited conversation, Jason chats with Seth about his journey from finance to duct fittings, the importance of connecting with mentors, and the Glacier team's wildly successful implementation of EOS, the Entrepreneurs Operating System.</p> <h3 >CONNECT WITH JASON</h3> <p >LinkedIn</p> <h3 >CONNECT WITH SETH</h3> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >***</p> <p > For full show notes and services visit...
The Next Era of Wholesale Distribution Is Data-Driven with Renata Morgan, Rheem Northeast Distribution
<p>From Profit21 and ERP consolidation to AI-powered knowledge capture, Renata Morgan shares how modern distributors are evolving beyond "the way we've always done it."</p> <p >What happens when one of the biggest names in HVAC manufacturing invests in independent distribution?</p> <p >A new entity emerges, swiftly followed by conversations around safeguarding the distributor's company culture, autonomy, and institutional knowledge.</p> <p >Jason connects with Renata Morgan, president of Rheem Northeast Distribution (RND), a collection of four manufacturer-owned distributors, to learn more about Rheem's foray into this side of the channel. They discusses innovating under an established brand...
Using AI to Enhance Employee Collaboration and Commitment with Adriana McLane and Dirk Beveridge
<p >If you aren't ready for a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence, employee empowerment, and Aristotle, then you aren't prepared for the future of wholesale distribution. </p> <p >Jason caught up with Adriana McLane, founder of Fulfilling Strategy, and Dirk Beveridge, founder of Unleash Wholesale Distribution, for a lively and informative examination of how wholesale distribution's relationship with AI is evolving—and which of the industry's core tenets will endure.</p> <p >CONNECT WITH JASON</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >CONNECT WITH ADRIANA </p> <p >Fulfilling Strategy</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >CONNECT WITH DIRK</p> <p >Dirk Beveridge</p> <p >L...
Why Hiring Gen Z Might Be Your Next Power Move: Revisiting Dr. Lee Allison, Texas A&M University
<h2 >From mentorship to communication skills, discover how the next generation is redefining sales careers—and why distributors need to rethink their talent strategy now.</h2> <p >Jason revisits his conversation with Dr. Lee Allison, Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University, to explore academia's role in preparing graduates for successful careers in distribution, the reciprocal value of mentorships, and the power of merging STEM talents with effective communication skills.</p> <p >CONNECT WITH JASON</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p>CONNECT WITH LEE</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p> ***</p> <p>For full show notes and services vis...
Agentic AI and the Future of Distribution with Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group
<p >AI is here. Now what? If you're a distributor who's struggling to answer, you're in good company. Distributors as a whole are cautious about buying into broad-appeal solutions. But, they're not Luddites. Instead, they want products that provide industry-focused context and bottom-line value. There's no better ambassador for AI and how to successfully apply the tech to distribution than Ian Heller, co-founder and chief strategy officer of the Distribution Strategy Group, and host of the innovative Applied AI for Distributors 2026 summit. </p> <p >There's also no better way to toast the 200th episode of Distribution Talk than with this c...
Teaching Distributors How to Structure Pricing for Profit with Colin Dees, Dees Consulting
<p >There's an adage that says those who cannot do, teach. Colin Dees is a welcome exception. He's an adjunct professor, researcher, author, speaker, and consultant. Colin founded Dees Consulting, LLC, to help distributors optimize profitability and growth. </p> <p >Jason caught up with his longtime friend to learn more about his expertise in supply chain management and customer pricing strategies. The pair also explores the rewards of lifelong learning, be it in the classroom or on the warehouse floor. <br /></p> <p >CONNECT WITH JASON</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >CONNECT WITH COLIN</p> <p >Website</p> <p >LinkedIn<br...
No Fouls, Just Follow-Ups: Using Gamification to Build Customer Relationships with Chris Briggs, Touchpoint Games
<p >Sports pools have long been a company-wide camaraderie-builder. Whether it's squares, brackets, or simple head-to-head match-ups, your staff loves a low-stakes distraction. What if you could turn that interdepartmental activity into a client-facing engagement tool? </p> <p >Chris Briggs, founder and CEO of Touchpoint Games (TPG), helps distributors and manufacturers do just that. Jason caught up with Chris to learn how companies can use gamification to run sports pools that boost brand awareness, strengthen customer relationships, and drive sales.</p> <p >CONNECT WITH JASON</p> <p >LinkedIn</p> <p >CONNECT WITH CHRIS</p> <p >Website</p> <p >LinkedIn<br /></p...
What AI Agents Mean for Jobs, Growth, and Scale in Distribution with Chris Van Ittersum & Ryan Carroll, Workd (part 2)
<p >What happens when automation becomes a partner—not a replacement for people?</p> <p >Debates about AI agents in the workplace raise provocative questions about the nature of work and the future of the humans who do that work. In part two of Jason's conversation with the team from Workd, Chris Van Ittersum, CEO and co-founder, and Ryan Carroll, director of development, share real-world value propositions for distributors and their employees.</p> <p >Catch up from here</p> <p >If you missed part one of our fascinating conversation and live demo, now is a great time to review: From CRM...
