Training Archive - Max and the SupplyChainHeroes

Max in conversation with Andrew Larson, CEO Gustave A. Larson

On the occasion of a US visit to the MDM award ceremony for Ludwig Meister, Max Meister took the opportunity to arrange a podcast with Andrew Larson, the family entrepreneur in the third generation.

Less the circumstance of parallelism in matters of family business 3rd generation, but the exciting and stringently implemented management methods of this HVAC and refrigeration distributor from Minnesota are the subject of this podcast.

And the fact that Andrew Larson and his team have found techniques to generate additional value in the supply chain. It goes so far that they offer active and above all successful strategy and digitalisation consulting for their customers.

In another podcast, which we will release shortly, Andrew Larson and Max discuss the topic of Traction and EOS. The fascination About the book of the same name and the topic is another common feature of the two. In the case of Gustave A. Larson, Traction or EOS is concretely anchored in the management of the company. How? More about this in our next podcast episode.

But for now enjoy listening to today’s podcast episode. Transcript and links can be found below. And as always: your opinion please. We welcome comments, suggestions, criticism at max@supplychain-heroes.com.

Continue reading Gustave A. Larson – additional values in the supply chain

Talking to Anthony Akin, Director Marketing and eCommerce at IBT Industrial Solutions, Kansas, USA.

IBT Industrial Solutions is one of the Top 50 Industrial Suppliers in the USA. With over 40 warehouses in the Mid-West of the USA and 70 years of successful history, IBT is one of the players in the area of conflict between the „800 Pound gorillas“ of the Industry and numerous small Shops. And an interesting counterpart in terms of differentiation strategies..

At a visit a couple of years ago I had the chance to get to know IBT a little bit closer. And learning during that visit, that they not only operate successfully in the market, but also follow some unusual paths, like their own HD-film Studio to produce training materials.

Talking to Anthony Akin, Director Marketing and eCommerce at IBT, I not only learn more about the background to this decision, but a lot about positioning issues in competition: e.g. customer-loyalty strategies via competitive factors like product consultancy and technological expertise. Proximity and emotional link up with clients. And as a direct result the needs and challenges for personnel development of the sales teams. Furthermore I was interested in his judgement re the Internet of Things and the role of distribution in this area.

And last but not least I gained insight into his experience regarding the process of EDI/OCI link-up of IBT clients.

Enjoy listening.

Continue reading Product and technological expertise – factor for success in technical distribution in the USA