White Papers: Black Ink releases Independent Dealer Development Report
New report looks at factors limiting distribution channel practitioners.
Black Ink Technologies, a leading SaaS-based customer and sales intelligence analytics platform for durable goods industry, has released their Independent Dealer Development Report and Guidance which features findings and insights from their recent study on the challenges and opportunities concerning the durable goods manufacturing industry that sell through independent, authorized retailers.
In June of 2018, Black Ink Technologies worked in conjunction with EPG Media’s leading industry Power Group’s publications representing the outdoor power equipment (OPE), powersports and boating industries to conduct the online, blind survey. The respondents were OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) distributors, and independent sales representatives.
The study shows that the majority of respondents are well behind the curve of adopting even the most basic sales enablement tools to help mitigate human capital waste, create greater customer-centric value, and engage in more fact-based conversations with dealers about market growth opportunity. Some of the major obstacles include data fidelity and access, automated reporting, and a general mind-set of being product-centric versus market-centric.
“I fully recognize that many OEMs and distributors don’t sell through traditional channels or even through Big Box, but there are lessons to be learned from them that can be applied to their business model,” said Jeff Winsper, President at Black Ink Technologies.
“The irony lies within which type of retailer/dealer truly has the competitive advantage at the local level. Big Box or the independent dealer? The Big Box has very little understanding of their end user customer who buys their product but is armed with real-time retail analytics. The independent dealer is much more customer-centric, even on a personal level, yet they are woefully lagging with analytics and digital presence to take smart actions to grow the business.
"And guess who is growing more these days? The Big Box stores. I believe it is time for the OEM, distributor and independent dealer supply chain to break away from the 1990’s status quo of inertia to grow key consumer/pro segments at a pace it deserves.”
“Inventory planning, driving incremental profit, and creating precise end-user demand are just the beginning steps for empowering field sales people to have more meaningful independent dealer discussions,” said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand. “This report shows the opportunities and shortcomings of OEMs, and distributors.
While technology can’t replace the experience of people, it can certainly complement their sales methods by providing insight and improving their productivity, thus allowing them to sell more, faster.
Study findings include:
- For those that use sales enablement tools, there is no “one size fits all” solution, nor is any leading, “must-have” solution being widely adopted.
- A low percentage of the total respondents use the most basic sales tools such as CRM software and, remarkably, many use “good old-fashioned paper” as common practice to deliver compelling dealer development reports.
- From a dealer’s point of view, over a third of the OEM and distributor salespeople are perceived as a cost, versus collaborative revenue drivers at the local level.
- The ability to measure dealer success is challenging mostly due to lack of access, quality, and visualization of dealer data.
- Relying on a product-centric salesperson versus a market/end-user customer salesperson makes it challenging to upsell and cross-sell.
The full report is available for download at: http://blackinktech.com/developmentreport
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The October/November 2024 of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
Our cover story, A Rewarding Passion - Dale Hahs II, third-generation of Denver's AIS Industrial & Construction Supply, is STAFDA's incoming 2025 president.
A Special STAFDA section featuring a welcome address, an agenda, session previewss by presenters and much more. Also in this issue are our Industry Updates on: Lifting, Moving and Material Handling; Lasers, Levels and Measurement; Hand Tools; Cordless Power Tools; Drill Bits and Cutting Tools; and Toolboxes, Bags and Belts.
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