Podcasts about crm erp

What happens when wholesale distributors realize “CRM” is no longer the real conversation, growth, data, AI, and sales enablement are?In Episode 198 of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the shift they saw firsthand at the Affiliated Distributors Functional Success Summit: distributors are moving beyond traditional CRM adoption questions and toward connected data systems, AI-enabled sales strategy, and future-proofing distribution. The episode connects macroeconomic uncertainty, supply chain risk, AI governance, human judgment, and enterprise growth strategy to the real decisions facing wholesale distribution teams today.What You'll Learn:Why distributors are moving past traditional CRM conversations and focusing instead on how to help sales teams create more value, become more consultative, and grow revenueHow CRM-ERP integration, data warehouses, e-commerce platforms, marketing automation, and disconnected point solutions can limit customer visibility unless they are unified into a true enterprise growth platformWhy inflation measurement, interest rate uncertainty, and prediction markets matter to revenue leaders in distribution making investment and growth decisionsHow Strait of Hormuz disruption, Suez Canal risk, oil volatility, plastics, fertilizers, helium, and global logistics instability can ripple through manufacturing and wholesale distributionWhy AI still needs human judgment, oversight, and strategy, and why many companies miss expected ROI when they assume full automation instead of building a realistic digital transformation planEpisode Highlights:01:16 – Lessons from the Affiliated Distributors Functional Success Summit and why sales enablement is replacing traditional CRM talk03:55 – Why disconnected data across ERP, marketing automation, e-commerce, and point software creates risk for distributors06:37 – Episode 198 begins: how Around the Horn connects the economy, supply chain, M&A, sales, marketing, AI, and robotics to wholesale distribution08:30 – LeadSmart's Meridian 360 Enterprise Growth Platform and the move from Smart CRM to broader business growth engines12:32 – Inflation cooling, gas prices, and why energy volatility still affects distributors, manufacturers, fertilizers, heavy minerals, and supply chains15:23 – Kevin Warsh, Fed measurement reviews, CPI, PPI, the 2% inflation target, and the need for more real-time data20:25 – Prediction markets, PolyMarket, Kalshi, and whether betting markets can offer useful economic signals27:17 – Strait of Hormuz risk, Iran, shipping disruption, oil exposure, the Suez Canal, Houthi rebels, and what it means for global supply chains43:02 – AI watchdogs, model testing, DeepMind, Fable, Mythos, and the role of government QA for high-powered AI systems48:38 – Human judgment in the age of AI, digital twins, job displacement fears, and why AI ROI depends on data readiness and realistic automation expectations56:00 – APR Supply's sales tool adoption gains and how better sales technology can support outside sales revenue growthTools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:LeadSmart TechnologiesMeridian 360 Enterprise Growth PlatformSales CompassSmart CRMSales Co-PilotAI Co-Pilot for SalesCRM-ERP IntegrationCRM Data Enrichment with AIHidden Revenue DetectionSales Automation Without Losing the Human TouchFuture-Proofing DistributionHybrid Selling ModelsConsultative CommerceData warehouses and data lakesMarketing automationE-commerce data integrationERP data unificationAI-enabled business intelligencePrediction marketsPolyMarketKalshiCPI and PPI measurement reviewsAI model QA and AI watchdog conceptsHuman judgment in AI strategyAPR Supply sales tool adoptionMaster of Distribution Management programClosing Insight:The episode's central message is clear: the future of distribution is not about buying more disconnected technology. It is about connecting data, people, process, and AI into a strategy that helps teams sell smarter, serve customers better, and make better decisions under uncertainty.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What does the next era of B2B e-commerce look like when buyers, bots, AI agents, and self-service expectations all collide?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome Jason Hein, Vice President of Academy at the B2B E-Commerce Association, for a sharp conversation on digital buying behavior, AI-powered customer intelligence, hybrid selling models, CRM-ERP integration, and the future of consultative commerce. This episode explores why e-commerce is no longer just a transaction portal, it is part of a broader digital customer experience that helps distributors build trust, support complex sales, and future-proof distribution.What You'll Learn:Why B2B e-commerce should be viewed as a digital customer experience, not just a website with a checkout buttonHow younger buyers research, compare, and validate distributors before ever talking to salesWhy complex products still need consultative selling—and how digital tools can support that buyer journeyHow AI agents, bots, and non-human traffic are changing how customers may interact with distributor websitesWhy CRM-ERP integration, product content quality, and AI-powered customer intelligence are essential for revenue leaders in distributionHow distributors can use hybrid selling models to combine self-service, sales expertise, and human-centric sales automationEpisode Highlights:06:01 – Jason Hein explains the mission of the B2B E-Commerce Association and why education matters in digital transformation11:59 – The Fed, inflation targets, and why economic uncertainty still affects distributors and manufacturers31:50 – AD's Supply Force acquisition and what buying group consolidation means for independent distributors44:08 – AI job displacement, software engineering, and why leverage may matter more than replacement1:00:21 – Bots, AI agents, and the “dead internet” problem for B2B e-commerce1:04:23 – Complex vs. commodity products: why self-service does not eliminate consultative sales1:09:49 – How trust, product content, and McMaster-Carr's digital experience shape buyer loyalty1:15:23 – Why e-commerce alone does not drive demand generation—but a strong digital experience can1:22:35 – Omnichannel strategy, silver tsunami knowledge loss, and institutionalizing customer intelligenceMeet the Guest:Jason Hein is Vice President of Academy at the B2B E-Commerce Association, where he helps manufacturers, distributors, agencies, and technology providers understand how to build better digital experiences. With nearly 30 years in B2B, Jason has worked across manufacturing, distribution, consulting, software, and e-commerce strategy.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:B2B E-Commerce Association AcademyDigital customer experience strategyHybrid selling modelsConsultative commerceOmnichannel customer experienceProduct content quality and product data standardsAI agents and agentic buying behaviorCRM-ERP integrationCRM data enrichment with AISmart CRM strategySales Co-Pilot and AI Co-Pilot for SalesLeadSmart Channel Cloud™LeadSmart Enterprise Growth PlatformHidden revenue detectionSales automation without losing the human touchFuture-proofing distributionDigital readiness for successionCustomer knowledge institutionalizationClosing Insight:E-commerce in wholesale distribution is not just about letting customers place orders online. It is about creating a digital experience that helps buyers research, trust, validate, reorder, and engage with your team more effectively.As Jason explains, younger buyers may prefer self-service, but that does not mean they reject expertise. The winning distributors will combine strong product content, connected data systems, CRM-ERP integration, and human-guided consultative commerce to meet buyers wherever they are in the journey.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

George Wright III hosts Anthony Perera on The Daily Mastermind to discuss Perera's operator-first approach to building and investing in companies through his family office, Exuma Capital Partners. Perera shares his background scaling Air Pros USA from one HVAC truck to a $200M+ nationwide business and explains Exuma's thesis of acquiring founder-led companies typically earning $2–10M EBITDA, installing infrastructure (KPIs, CRM/ERP, leadership teams), driving organic growth and M&A, and positioning them for private equity acquisition. He emphasizes real-time visibility into leading indicators over month-end lagging reports, looks for fragmented, AI-resistant service industries, and describes operational upgrades like implementing CRMs and modern marketing. Perera highlights AI's ability to automate or augment nearly every business process and recounts pivoting inspected.com multiple times before scaling and exiting. Timestamps:02:03 — From Operator To Investor03:21 — Exuma Private Equity Starter Kit04:49 — Visibility And KPI Tracking06:17 — Fragmented Industries Thesis09:31 — Why Operators Win11:33 — Grooming COOs Into CEOs12:57 — Fast Operational Wins15:15 — AI For Service Businesses18:19 — Inspected Pivot Story21:27 — EOS And Portfolio Support22:23 — Exuma Priorities And Wrap UpThanks for listening, and Please Share this Episode with someone. It would really help us to grow our show and share these valuable tips and strategies with others. Have a great day.George Wright III“It's Never Too Late to Start Living the Life You Were Meant to Live”FREE Daily Mastermind Resources:CONNECT with George & Access Tons of ResourcesGet access to Proven Strategies and Time-Test Principles for Success. Plus, download and access tons of FREE resources and online events by joining our Exclusive Community of Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and High Achievers like YOU.Join FREE at DailyMastermind.comFollow me on social media Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | TikTok | YoutubeGrow Your Authority and Personal Brand with a FREE Interview in a Top Global Magazine HERE.Guest Bio:Anthony Perera is the Managing Partner of Exuma Capital Partners, a serial entrepreneur turned private equity investor. He has scaled multiple companies before launching Exuma Capital Partners, a family office focused on the lower middle market. Anthony brings the rare perspective of someone who has built, operated, and now acquires companies. His insights are especially relevant to operational private equity, AI disruption, and consolidation strategies. He emphasizes founder-led investing, operational scaling, and the opportunities in fragmented industries for value creation and roll-up strategies. He also discusses how AI will reshape middle-market businesses and why operator-led private equity is increasingly successful.Links:Website: https://www.exumacapital.com/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/anthonypereraAdditional links: https://www.exumacapital.com/ | https://linkedin.com/in/anthonyperera

What happens when inflation pressure, tariff uncertainty, supply chain disruption, and AI platform strategy all hit wholesale distribution at the same time?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the forces shaping distributors and manufacturers right now, from core inflation and the Strait of Hormuz to tariff refunds, B2B customer experience, data center demand, and AI adoption. This episode gives revenue leaders in distribution a practical lens on how to manage volatility, avoid disconnected technology silos, and build a smarter path toward CRM-ERP integration, customer intelligence, and future-proofing distribution.What You'll Learn:Why core inflation, oil prices, and energy volatility continue to affect freight, plastics, fertilizer, and downstream manufacturing costsHow tariff refunds, FedEx reimbursements, Section 301 tariffs, and trade negotiations could impact importers, distributors, contractors, and end customersWhy supply chain uncertainty remains elevated—and why distributors need better inventory visibility tools, demand planning, and collaborative forecastingHow the B2B buying experience is becoming more like B2C, especially for contractors and professional buyers using Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon Business, and traditional distributorsWhy AI adoption in wholesale distribution needs to move beyond point solutions and toward connected data systems, Smart CRM, AI-powered customer intelligence, and true platform strategyEpisode Highlights:03:20 – LeadSmart's Enterprise Growth Platform and why connected data matters for distributors04:40 – Core inflation, energy prices, and the delayed cost impact across freight, plastics, and manufacturing15:10 – Strait of Hormuz volatility and why open shipping lanes do not always mean stable supply chains20:10 – FedEx tariff refunds, customer reimbursement complexity, and why downstream recovery is difficult31:50 – Supply chain uncertainty, port volatility, and whether distributors are better prepared than they were during COVID46:40 – The blurring line between B2B and B2C customer experience in wholesale distribution58:40 – Data centers, AI infrastructure, and why distributors in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, industrial, and construction markets should pay attention1:12:40 – AI adoption, order processing automation, platform strategy, and the risk of creating new data silosTools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:LeadSmart TechnologiesLeadSmart Channel Cloud™Enterprise Growth PlatformData360 HubSmart CRMSales Co-PilotAI Co-Pilot for SalesCRM-ERP IntegrationCRM Data Enrichment with AIHidden Revenue DetectionSales Automation Without Losing the Human TouchConsultative CommerceHybrid Selling ModelsInventory Visibility ToolsCollaborative Planning & ForecastingFuture-Proofing DistributionB2B Customer Experience StrategyAI Platform StrategyData Center InfrastructureCORE: CapEx Optimization Reliability and Execution by Lone Star Electric SupplyClosing Insight:The biggest technology risk for distributors is not simply falling behind on AI—it is adopting disconnected tools that recreate the same data silos they were meant to solve.For wholesale distributors and manufacturers, the next stage of growth will depend on connected systems, CRM-ERP integration, customer intelligence, supply chain visibility, and AI tools that solve real business problems. Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly conversations on the economy, supply chain, technology, and the future of distribution.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

In this solo episode of the CPQ Podcast, Frank Sohn discusses why many organizations are reassessing their Salesforce CPQ roadmap, what the shift toward Salesforce's newer Revenue Cloud and Agentforce Revenue Management direction may mean, and why customers should evaluate their next step through a practical lens: CPQ fit, technical debt, ERP integration, lifecycle requirements, administrative capacity, and total cost. Frank also discusses four possible paths Salesforce CPQ customers may consider: maintaining the current Salesforce CPQ environment, rebuilding in the newer Salesforce revenue architecture, evaluating adjacent CPQ solutions, or pursuing a hybrid CRM/ERP-connected approach. Frank is also running a LinkedIn poll to better understand how Salesforce CPQ customers, partners, and the broader CPQ community are responding to the End-of-Sale announcement. The goal is to reach at least 150 responses, with input from existing Salesforce CPQ customers especially valuable. Please participate in the poll here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franksohn_cpq-salesforcecpq-revops-ugcPost-7467355151666851842-TPBl/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAU2i0BWKhaM_S5HnJZQ0umyO26waCmOM8 

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM A practical discussion with Mary Pantelopoulou on quantifying and realising business value from AI and low code, using the Business Value Assessment to tie Power Platform, M365 Copilot, and autonomous agents to top‑line growth, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and redesigned processes that free people to focus on higher‑value work.

“Press 1 is dead. If you haven't integrated AI into your core telephony stack, you're on the path to obsolescence.” — Andy Abramson, Founder & CEO, Comunicano In this conversation with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, Andy Abramson—32 years into leading Comunicano—explains why legacy, menu-tree IVRs are being displaced by SIP-native AI and real-time voice agents. The result: faster resolution, lower latency, and human-like interactions that finally match the urgency of today's callers. What's changing SIP ↔ AI interconnect: Direct SIP trunking into AI (e.g., OpenAI) turns agents into callable endpoints—simplifying deployment much like early CPaaS did. Network path matters: Zero-hop/HD direct connectivity (e.g., CarrierX/Found/freeconferencecall.com) and Cloudflare's global edge for WebRTC cut jitter, packet loss, and delay—feeding cleaner “robot food” to AI. Voice that sounds human: Advances in neural voices (e.g., ElevenLabs) raise comprehension and comfort, improving CX outcomes. Tool orchestration made simple: MCP/agent frameworks (e.g., Anthropic-style tool calling) connect CRM/ERP and data sources without brittle middleware. Who wins, who loses Winners: UCaaS/CPaaS and AI-forward CCaaS that treat AI agents as first-class endpoints; telcos bundling AI with SIP routing and data plans; high-volume enterprises offloading Tier-1 to real-time AI. At risk: IVR-only vendors, low-end CCaaS, and speech-to-text middleware that don't adopt AI—“adopt or die.” Why it matters for MSPs & channel partners The migration path is here now: swap tree-based IVR for NLP-driven, real-time voice agents, integrate with existing stacks via SIP, and monetize AI minutes + memories. Business impact: shorter handle times, higher first-contact resolution, lower OpEx, and fewer abandoned calls—especially for customers calling with urgent needs. This episode includes a slide presentation outlining the end of menu trees, the SIP-AI architecture, and four go-to-market “wins” for carriers, UC/CPaaS, CCaaS, and large enterprises. Learn more about Andy's work at comunicano.com (one “m”) and his commentary at AndyAbramson.com and on LinkedIn.

У новому епізоді подкасту The CEO говоримо про те, як побудувати системний бізнес на українському софті — без космічного бюджету й надмірної складності.Наша гостя — Олеся Демченко, CEO та співзасновниця LBS Cloud — української CRM/ERP-системи, яка автоматизує бізнес будь-якого розміру: від ФОПа до виробництва.

✏️ Suscribirse https://youtu.be/hm7pMMUtTb0 Si te estás planteando aprender WordPress desde cero en 2025 para convertirte en un profesional del diseño web o simplemente gestionar tu propia web, este artículo te interesa. A continuación veremos las estrategias, herramientas necesarias y conceptos que debes dominar, adaptados al último panorama de WordPress, incluyendo herramientas dinámicas, plugins premium y decisiones estratégicas para avanzar en tu carrera digital. ¿Por qué aprender WordPress en 2025? WordPress sigue siendo la plataforma líder para la creación de contenidos y páginas web profesionales. En 2025, con grandes novedades como el Site Editor, es imprescindible saber dominar su ecosistema para construir páginas dinámicas y efectivas. Tanto si quieres ofrecer tus servicios como freelance autónomo, como si buscas mejorar tu propia presencia digital, aprender a manejar WordPress correctamente sigue siendo clave. ¿WordPress para usuarios o para futuros profesionales? Esta suele ser la primera decisión importante que debes tomar al aprender WordPress. Curso WordPress orientado a usuarios Conocerás los aspectos generales de administración. Conceptos básicos: qué son páginas, entradas, menús, ajustes generales. SEO y posicionamiento básico de contenidos. Uso del editor por bloques (Gutenberg) a nivel básico. Curso WordPress orientado a profesionales autónomos Llevará tu aprendizaje más allá, entendiendo cómo funcionan los Custom Post Types (CPT), campos personalizados y consultas personalizadas. Conceptos claros sobre bases de datos, CSS básico y estructuras dinámicas. Atención especial a cómo ofrecer estos servicios a clientes y optimizar un flujo de trabajo profesional. ¿Qué recomiendo? Para empezar fuerte, recomiendo formarte como profesional aunque tu fin más inmediato sea gestionar tu propia web. Así tendrás un mayor dominio y libertad sobre tu proyecto y posteriores trabajos. Herramientas premium vs plugins gratuitos: ¿cuál usar en tu primer curso WordPress? Una de las mayores preguntas al aprender WordPress es ¿qué plugins usar? Aquí tienes las alternativas más potentes: Plugins Gratuitos (ACF, por ejemplo) Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) es la solución más conocida y popular. Su versión gratuita permite crear estos campos personalizados esenciales. Buen punto de entrada inicial al ecosistema avanzado de WordPress. La versión gratuita limita algunas cosas avanzadas, como filtros y consultas más complejas. Plugins Premium: JetEngine y la suite Crocoblock Crocoblock (que patrocina habitualmente Negocios y WordPress, nuestro podcast favorito), cuenta con herramientas premium potentes: JetEngine: ideal para gestionar CPT, queries avanzadas y campos personalizados de forma completa. JetSmartFilters: para crear filtros dinámicos potentes fáciles de usar. JetAppointment, JetBooking: ideales para sitios de reservas y citas. Si planeas dedicarte seriamente al desarrollo web profesional, aunque sea desde cero, invertir desde el principio en herramientas premium intuyo es la mejor opción. Acortarás la curva de aprendizaje y dominarás rápidamente herramientas que se emplean en el día a día profesional. Si empiezas con herramientas gratuitas, ACF es una apuesta segura, aunque tendrás limitaciones al hacer queries complejas, filtros dinámicos o personalizaciones muy específicas. Cómo funciona Site Editor (Editor del sitio) en WordPress En 2025, el Site Editor de WordPress (antiguo Full Site Editing) será esencial. Debes dominar: Plantillas personalizadas (Single, Archive, 404). Estilización global fácilmente accesible. Creación visual basada en bloques nativos de WordPress Gutenberg. Conócelos con detalle en WordPress.org Caso práctico: ¿aprendes creando tu propia web o la de un cliente? Otra decisión clave para tu curso de WordPress desde cero: Web Personal (tipo portfolio de freelancer) Pros: Puedes aprovechar a pensar de manera estratégica sobre tus propios servicios desde el minuto uno. Aplicar conocimientos de branding personal (método LMB de la Máquina del Branding, por ejemplo) desde el principio. Contras: Se pueden mezclar conceptos sobre estrategias de ventas y contenidos web con los propiamente técnicos del curso. Quizás pierdes objetividad y claridad conceptual. Web Cliente (restaurante, hotel, pyme) Pros: Se entienden mejor los conceptos universales (productos, cartas, citas/reservas) El proceso es más neutro y objetivo, simplificando la comprensión. Puedes replicar en otros clientes fácilmente las estructuras aprendidas. Contras: Pierdes oportunidad de reflexionar sobre tu propio negocio digital. Mi consejo: comienza con un ejemplo claro y entendible por cualquier audiencia. Un pequeño restaurante es fácilmente entendible por todos y permite entender conceptos universales claramente. El valor del contenido vertical (Shorts, Reels, TikTok) en tu aprendizaje WordPress Otra tendencia clave actual es el formato de vídeo vertical (Shorts, Reels, TikTok). ¿Es útil? Es atractivo para captar tu atención rápida sobre "qué puedes hacer con WordPress". Menos útil para explicar "cómo hacer" (tutorial paso a paso). Recomiendo utilizar estos formatos para aprender conceptos, trucos rápidos y consejos estratégicos breves. Ejemplos prácticos disponibles en TikTok, Shorts YouTube y Reels Instagram. Automatización, APIs y CRM/ERP avanzado para WordPress Finalmente, otro aspecto que todo webmaster y desarrollador profesional debería conocer para complementar WordPress es: Automatizaciones: configurar conexiones con Make, Zapier, Airtable, etc. Entender APIs (JSON, REST) para conectar con servicios externos. Gestionar el negocio del cliente con un CRM o ERP avanzado (por ejemplo, Airtable combinado con Square para ventas en tiendas físicas). Te recomiendo ver casos prácticos como el desarrollado en Cobardes y Gallinas, donde han aplicado todo un sistema ERP construido alrededor del ecosistema no-code como Airtable y Square. Preguntas Frecuentes sobre aprender WordPress desde cero ¿Qué necesito para empezar a aprender WordPress en 2025? Solo necesitas: Instalación local o web con WordPress. Ganas de aprender: aprovecha herramientas como JetEngine o ACF para estructuras dinámicas. ¿Debo usar plugins premium al empezar a aprender? Recomendado si quieres profesionalizarte rápidamente. Si solo deseas explorar gratis, comienza con opciones gratis (ACF) y luego invierte en premium una vez domines lo básico. Conclusión final: tu ruta estratégica para aprender WordPress en 2025 Para obtener el máximo rendimiento y estabilidad a largo plazo, piensa desde hoy en las necesidades profesionales que tarde o temprano surgirán en tu camino WordPress: Aprende Site Editor y conceptos universales de bases de datos personalizadas. Decántate por plugins premium si ves claramente tu futuro en desarrollo web profesional. Usa ejemplos prácticos neutros inicialmente (web de negocio-pyme). Combina contenidos largos con píldoras rápidas en formato vertical ideando una estrategia completa. Ahora, deja en los comentarios cuál es tu situación actual con WordPress: ¿acabas de empezar? ¿qué dudas o necesidades específicas tienes para tu perfil? ¡Quiero leerte e interactuar contigo en profundidad!

How will distributors thrive in the age of digital transformation, AI disruption, and customer experience redefinition?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Ian Heller sits down with John Gunderson and Kevin to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping B2B sales strategy, channel alignment, and customer segmentation.With insightful commentary and bold predictions, the team explores the future of CRM-ERP integration, why distributors must evolve beyond legacy thinking, and how AI-powered selling is no longer optional; it's inevitable.What You'll Learn:Why many distributors are trapped in the “inside-out” mindset—and how to flip it for real growthThe biggest blind spot in traditional CRM strategy (and how AI Co-Pilots are changing that)How top-performing distributors use segmentation and persona-based selling to drive hidden revenueWhat manufacturers really want in channel partnerships todayPractical frameworks for modernizing your sales org—without losing your human touchEpisode Highlights:04:29 – The role of entertainment and personality in B2B podcasting 12:17 – Why segmentation is the missing link in most distributor sales strategies 23:40 – How “AI Co-Pilots” reshape the sales conversation 31:05 – A behind-the-scenes look at channel misalignment and how to fix it 41:18 – The value of CRM-ERP integration for surfacing hidden revenue 52:44 – Persona-based selling: what it is and why it matters 59:59 – A human-centric view of sales automation 1:08:22 – Predictions on the next phase of distributor evolutionMeet the Guest:John Gunderson is VP of Sales at Distribution Strategy Group and a veteran advisor to the wholesale distribution industry. With deep expertise in sales strategy, segmentation, and manufacturer-distributor alignment, John brings pragmatic insight to the digital transformation conversation.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:AI Co-Pilot for SalesCRM-ERP IntegrationHidden Revenue DetectionPersona-Based SegmentationSales Automation Without Losing the Human TouchLeave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/ Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What happens when a fourth-generation industrial distributor embraces digital transformation? In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by Max Meister of Ludwig Meister GmbH to explore what it really takes to modernize sales, systems, and mindsets in a legacy-driven industry. From CRM reimagination to cultural adoption strategies, this episode is a masterclass in building a future-ready distribution business without losing your human edge.  What You'll Learn Why CRM adoption strategies often fail—and how to fix themHow to turn your CRM into an AI sales co-pilot that delivers real valueWhat European distributors can teach U.S. businesses about sustainable innovationHow to balance sales automation with human connectionThe role of CRM-ERP integration in uncovering hidden revenue opportunities Episode Highlights04:10 – Why European distributors struggle to embrace digital transformation09:25 – Max Meister on building cultural readiness for CRM adoption14:45 – How Ludwig Meister approached CRM-ERP integration for real sales insights21:30 – Why most CRM platforms fail frontline reps—and how to fix it28:05 – Moving from sales reporting to revenue intelligence with smart systems34:50 – Using AI as a true co-pilot: automating insight, not just workflow41:15 – The role of trust and emotion in tech adoption across generations48:00 – Balancing tradition with innovation in long-standing businesses56:30 – Sustainable innovation: What U.S. distributors can learn from the EU model1:03:15 – Real-world tactics for increasing CRM adoption and frontline usage1:11:40 – Future-proofing sales teams through digital confidence, not pressure1:21:00 – Final insights: Why your CRM should feel like your smartest teammate Meet the Guest Max Meister is the Managing Director of Ludwig Meister GmbH, a century-old German distribution company that has become a model for smart digital transformation in the industrial sector. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedCRM Reimagined – CRM as a real-time assistant, not a reporting toolSales Co-Pilot Model – Using AI for next-best-action guidanceData-Driven Adoption Framework – Cultural change meets system valueClosing Insight“Digital transformation doesn't succeed because of software—it succeeds because people trust it will help them sell better.”Adoption isn't about compliance—it's about confidence. If you want to future-proof your sales team, start by making your systems indispensable.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/ Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Begin your exploration of CRM and ERP integration with the first episode of our engaging 3-part series, offering invaluable insights for business leaders and analysts alike. Gain valuable insights into essential tools such as Dual-Write in Finance & Supply Chain and also the innovative Dataverse Connector. Tune in to learn the significance of CRM and ERP integration. Make sure to subscribe to notified of parts 2 and 3 of this series! Visit us at our website: https://dynamicshotdish.com/

Je vous raconte l'expérience que j'ai vécue dans mon agence de communication. En 2012 et dès le départ de notre entreprise, nous nous sommes décidés de mettre en place un CRM pour gérer notre relation avec les prospects et les clients ainsi qu'un ERP pour gérer les devis et les factures. Vu notre expérience dans le numérique, j'ai cru bon me diriger vers une solution open source, en l'occurrence Sugar CRM. Après plusieurs semaines de configuration et de mise en place sur notre serveur, la solution ne convenait pas à nos objectifs. Par après, nous avons aussi essayé d'autres CRM ERP avec des versions dévaluation gratuites et à chaque fois, les semaines passaient et la déception s'installaient ! J'ai certainement dû perdre une dizaine de jours de travail dans ses recherches qui n'ont mené rien ! Notre société fonctionnait à merveille et la relation avec nos clients s'organisait sur un tableur Excel. Quelle galère une fois qu'on dépasse un certain nombre de champs sans parler des devis et facture sur Word. On commençait à perdre du temps et à mettre en péril l'avenir de notre agence. J'ai rencontré Thierry et Catalyst grâce au bouche-à-oreille. Il était précurseur d'une méthode unique et innovante dans le choix CRM ERP. Choisir le bon CRM avec notre méthode Je pense sincèrement qu'il nous a sauvés. Heureusement, aujourd'hui, plusieurs ambassadeurs Catalyst sillonnent la France et la Belgique, vous n'aurez sûrement pas de mal à en trouver un. La démarche CRM ERP Catalyst Thierry a écouté attentivement ce que nous attendions. Après cet audit, il a utilisé sa méthode pour isoler parmi les nombreux CRM et ERP (il paraît qu'il y en a plus de 300 !) et il nous a proposé 3 solutions dans un beau benchmark avec les prix et toutes les infos. Il a même rajouté le marketing automation dans le cahier des charges, nous n'y avions pas pensé, je vous rappelle que c'était en 2012. Il a ensuite organisé les RV avec les intégrateurs et je vous assure que ces derniers ont tout donner devant l'expert de Catalyst, ils n'étaient pas là pour nous vendre une solution, mais pour l'adapter au mieux à nos besoins. Ça change tout ! Quelques semaines après, le CRM et l'ERP étaient en place et pendant plusieurs années, ils ont été nos plus fidèles outils. Encore merci Thierry et de CRM ERP Catalyst! Les leçons que j'ai apprises : Même si vous êtes à l'aise avec les outils numériques, l'open source et le gratuit ne résolvent pas tous les problèmes Un expert permet de gagner beaucoup de temps et d'argent, j'en ai fait l'expérience Le rapport commercial avec un intégrateur est plus efficient avec un expert qu'en direct --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/weickmann/message

In der Mittagsfolge sprechen wir heute mit Benedikt Sauter, CEO und Co-Founder von Xentral. Das Startup verkündete kürzlich die Übernahme der Onboarding- und Lernplattform Otaja. Das Unternehmen Xentral wurde von dem Ehepaar Claudia und Benedikt Sauter gegründet. Es ist eine Enterprise-Resource-Planning(ERP)-Cloud-Software für kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen, die sämtliche Geschäftsprozesse zentral an einem Ort bündelt – von E-Commerce, Lager und Produktion bis hin zu Fulfillment und Buchhaltung. Mit über 1.000 Funktionen und Schnittstellen zu vielen Tech Tools soll jedes Business seine individuellen Prozesse Schritt-für-Schritt selbst digitalisieren und automatisieren können. Das Startup verfolgt das Ziel, Online-Unternehmern bei ihrem Geschäftserfolg zu unterstützen und weiteres Wachstum zu ermöglichen. Mit der Integration der Onboarding- und Lernplattform Otaja will Xentral seine Position als Anbieter des ERP-Systems Xentral ERP für E-Commerce-Unternehmen stärken. Xentral übernimmt hierbei das bestehende operative Geschäft und sämtliche Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter. Der Plan ist es die von Otaja entwickelte, intuitiv bedienbare Onboarding- und Lernplattform allen Kundinnen und Kunden und Service-Partnern kostenfrei zur Verfügung zu stellen und weiter auszubauen. hier geht es zur letzten Xentral-Folge über die Finanzierungsrunde i.H.v. 20 Mio. Dollar: https://lnk.to/Xentral-8returns One more thing wird präsentiert von Sastrify – Die smarte Lösung für das Management eurer Software-Verträge. Erhaltet jetzt eine kostenlose Analyse eurer SaaS Tools und alle weiteren Informationen unter https://www.sastrify.com/insider

With a wealth of experience in the contact center field, Wally Wasilewski discusses how customer relationship management tools can become an organizations secret weapon for customer service and the customer experience. 

111 The One with Eric Russo, CWT Episode 111: Show Notes I am sure I have shared with the Nation! before that I love hearing from people who listen to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. At last year's AWT Convention and Expo, I met Eric Russo. Eric told me that he absolutely loved the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. He went on to say it was the perfect format for a water treater because we drive so much. What else are you going to do during “windshield” time? Eric graciously shared with me some ideas he had about guests and topics. We also started to get to know each other during that encounter. So, I invited him to come on Scaling UP! H2O. You will soon learn why I am so impressed with Eric. Join me as I interview, Eric Russo, CWT. More about Eric Russo: Eric Russo is the New England Area Manager for Suez. He has been working in the water treatment industry since 2012 after earning a BS in Chemical Engineering. Eric obtained his Certified Water Technologist designation in 2017 and most recently completed his MBA in Marketing in 2018. He takes a process-oriented view of how value is delivered to the customer and continuously improves upon internal systems to consistently and more efficiently achieve the desired result. Eric has worked with teams to design and implement a company-wide cloud-based CRM/ERP solution. Key Points From This Episode: Eric Russo's Advice [0:05:30] Catalytic Converter [0:07:05] Obtaining CWT Designation [0:14:16] Taking a Computer Based Test [0:20:01] Being A Young Professional [0:25:15] Customer Resource Management (CRM) [0:29:45] Advice On Putting Up The Software [0:33:38] Metrics To The Service Process [0:34:40] Recommendation On Leading Metrics [0:39:34] And A Lot More! Tweetables:  "Don't only focus on efficiency, but also factor and effectiveness." - Eric Russo @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithEricRussoCWT  #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond Links Mentioned On This Episode: Eric Russo, CWT on LinkedIn Million Dollar Maverick by Alan Weiss  The Advantage by Patrick M. Lencioni  The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande 102 The Other One with Colin Frayne, CWT 101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT Colin Frayne on Linkedin

Jake Horn has 19 years of technology and management experience spanning industries such as financial, commercial real estate, insurance, construction, internet, manufacturing, distribution, and energy. Today he is an expert in CRM/ERP platforms and technologies at Trustantial but... why did he join the industry? Tune in to find out!

Detta är avsnitt 173 och spelades in den 8 juli, och eftersom Istanbul i Turkiet är den enda staden i världen som ligger på två kontinenter så handlar dagens avsnitt om: Feedback och backlog:* Björn har varit ute och gått, Mats skall åka till Las Vegas, Johan fick inte berätta vad han gjort…    * BONUSLÄNK: 7 tips för att överleva tradeshows i Las Vegas * QuickLook. En app för att köra preview på filer i Windows 10 * Microsoft skjuter upp Andromeda till 2019 * Dell planerar att bli börsnoterade igen * Skatteverket har gått ut med information om att Telenor hade otur när de tänkte    * BONUSLÄNK: Forskningsartikeln som Mats pratade om    * BONUSLÄNK: Facebook har skickat info till Spotify    * BONUSLÄNK: Gmail visar ibland mail för 3:e part Microsoft:* Bloggartikel som pratar om Server Core och Server with Desktop, när skall man använda vad * Dynamics 365 CRM/ERP kommer att börja uppdatera två gånger per år * Microsoft börjar rulla ut ”Known Folder Migration (KFM)” * Juli uppdateringen för Xbox One Apple:* WatchOS 5 beta får ”Raise To Speak” Siri * Airpods kan hjälpa personer med hörselproblem. Google:* Google släpper en ”nästan klar” Android P beta    * BONUSLÄNK: Nyheterna i Android P * Huawei har fått ett patent godkänt på att ha trådlösa earbuds * ARCore support på fler telefoner Övriga nyheter:* ”Spotify light” har börjat dyka upp i Brasilien * Adobe använder Machine Learning för att hitta editerade bilder *Enkät: Samtliga i Podden är bra människor och använder ”Show/hide Formatting characters” BONUSLÄNK: Bra att ha keyboard shortcurts i Word Pryllista:* Mats: En stor röd grill!! * Björn: HoloSuit * Johan: OnePlus 6 röd Deltagare i avsnittet:* Johan: @JoPe72* Björn: @DiverseTips* Mats: @Mahu78 Frånvarande deltagare i avsnittet:* David: @dlilja Egna länkar* En Liten Podd Om IT på webben* En Liten Podd Om IT på Facebook Länkar till podden:* Apple Podcaster (iTunes)* Overcast

We talk with the CEO and Founder of Adherence Compliance, Steve Owens about cannabis and compliance. Steve is a highly accomplished, results-driven entrepreneur with a proven track record in developing, growing, and improving the profitability, performance and overall value of companies. He has more than 16 years of collaborative management experience with a deep knowledge of business and enterprise process architecture, Financials (Lead-to-Cash), Audits, CRM/ERP and cloud-based technologies. In 2014, Steve established Adherence Compliance – the cannabis industry’s first automated risk-based compliance solution platform and tracking software available on the Apple App Store. Steve is a former software executive with more than 17 years of enterprise IT and Financials solutions delivery experience. His previous work history includes Oracle, Alcatel-Lucent and AT&T. Steve is beyond knowledgable in the realm of business and cannabis compliance. For full show notes, go to: http://liv-consulting.com/cannabis-compliance-software-can-save-thousands/

Steve & Sam discuss the differences between integrating CRM & ERP and unifying the two product categories, as well as the challenges that come with either scenario. Sponsored by http://crmswitch.com

Morgan Harris, President of Dynamic Methods talks about how increasing business intelligence can help companies "ride the waves of change.  Morgan and host Ric Franzi discuss how his technology company has grown throughout Southern California by serving the CRM/ERP needs of mid-market firms. Kevin Mello and Thomas Griego, Founders of FlexCell Systems Inc. discuss how they are utilizing a global supply chain to reduce their costs and decrease their time-to-market.