Discover
Distributors always want better prices. They always want
exclusivity. They do not execute your strategy. They don’t work hard enough for your products.
Or so managers claim.
Yes, you could get a lot more from your distributors. But to do this, you must stop considering
them mainly as your customers and start treating them as an extension to your sales
organisation. Be clearer on your strategic priorities. Hire salespeople who are fit to play in
the premier league. Define the distributor profile you need and learn where to find the right
candidates. Learn to negotiate more effectively and sign better agreements. Understand why your
distributors are working with you and what they expect from you. Set smarter targets. Replace
fear with determination and decisiveness. Your distributors and your team will see and even
enjoy the change. They will work harder for you.
The alternative? You can keep wondering in the next business quarter why your distributors are
not bringing you what you expected. And maybe give that disappointing distributorship yet
another year to show some improvement…