True Confessions.  I have never really cared for the use of the term “adult” as a verb.  Over the past few weeks, after h earing lame and seemingly made up excuses from several people, I have decided it is appropriate in many ways, especially in the field of Sales.   You see, I spent my entire life in one way or another tied to the selling process.  I self-categorize myself as a salesperson. I love everything about the whole concept of asking questions and presenting potential solutions to engaged customers.  I have made it my job to help others get started and grow in the business.  In the process, a trend has surfaced. I would call it a lack of Adulting. "Alexa, order me an alarm clock on wheels" Adults get to appointments on time. Let’s start with the simple premise, you tell someone you will be at their office at 9:00.  Cool, be there on time.  Set two alarms if you must.  There might be traffic, plan for it.  Bring th...

Online order entry seems to be the next big thing in distribution.  Reading the distributor trade press, we are deafened with calls urging distributors to invest in the technology.  For some, the idea makes sense.  But before whipping out the wallet, let’s put some thought into the subject.  All of these experts trot out Amazon, W.W. Grainer and a handful of online retailers as the poster children of how online order entry has changed our world.  No doubt about it, these folks are growing their business at the expense of brick and mortar based organizations.  True confessions here, I am a dedicated Amazon shopper; buying everything from books to dog treats.  That being said, we aren’t talking apples to apples here. I believe most solutions oriented distributors cannot afford to make a play in the “internet store” business.  Here’s how I came to this conclusion: ·          Most solution pro...