Distribution Talk

Agentic AI and the Future of Distribution with Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group

AI is here. Now what? If you're a distributor who's struggling to answer, you're in good company. Distributors as a whole are cautious about buying into broad-appeal solutions. But, they're not Luddites. Instead, they want products that provide industry-focused context and bottom-line value. There's no better ambassador for AI and how to successfully apply the tech to distribution than Ian Heller, co-founder and chief strategy officer of the Distribution Strategy Group, and host of the innovative Applied AI for Distributors 2026 [https://appliedaifordistributors.com/] summit. There's also no better way to toast the 200th episode of Distribution Talk than with this conversation between two longtime friends. Jason caught up with Ian to discuss the future of AI in distribution, the expanding use of agentic AI, and the exciting program of expert knowledge, topics, and implementation strategies scheduled for this year's summit. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbader/] CONNECT WITH IAN Distribution Strategy Group [https://distributionstrategy.com/] Applied AI for Distributors 2026 [https://appliedaifordistributors.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianheller/] *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com [https://www.distributionteam.com] Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team [https://www.thedistributionteam.com/], a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios [https://www.thecreativeimposter.com/] Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Connected Peers [https://bit.ly/dtconnectedpeers], providing virtual communities for wholesale distributors; and INxSQL Distribution Software [http://bit.ly/dtinxsql], an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

Teaching Distributors How to Structure Pricing for Profit with Colin Dees, Dees Consulting

There's an adage that says those who cannot do, teach. Colin Dees is a welcome exception. He's an adjunct professor, researcher, author, speaker, and consultant. Colin founded Dees Consulting, LLC [https://www.dees-consulting.com/], to help distributors optimize profitability and growth. Jason caught up with his longtime friend to learn more about his expertise in supply chain management and customer pricing strategies. The pair also explores the rewards of lifelong learning, be it in the classroom or on the warehouse floor. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbader/] CONNECT WITH COLIN Website [https://www.dees-consulting.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-dees-ph-d-88858313/] *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com [https://www.distributionteam.com] Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team [https://www.thedistributionteam.com/], a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios [https://www.thecreativeimposter.com/] Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, [https://bit.ly/dtprofit2] helping distributors charge the right price; and INxSQL Distribution Software [http://bit.ly/dtinxsql], an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

No Fouls, Just Follow-Ups: Using Gamification to Build Customer Relationships with Chris Briggs, Touchpoint Games

Sports pools have long been a company-wide camaraderie-builder. Whether it's squares, brackets, or simple head-to-head match-ups, your staff loves a low-stakes distraction. What if you could turn that interdepartmental activity into a client-facing engagement tool? Chris Briggs, founder and CEO of Touchpoint Games [https://www.touchpointgames.com/] (TPG), helps distributors and manufacturers do just that. Jason caught up with Chris to learn how companies can use gamification to run sports pools that boost brand awareness, strengthen customer relationships, and drive sales. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbader/] CONNECT WITH CHRIS Website [https://www.touchpointgames.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-briggs-48b08979/] *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com [https://www.distributionteam.com] Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team [https://www.thedistributionteam.com/], a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios [https://www.thecreativeimpostor.com/] Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico, [http://bit.ly/dtmoblico] helping businesses do more business on mobile devices; and INxSQL Distribution Software [http://bit.ly/dtinxsql], an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

What AI Agents Mean for Jobs, Growth, and Scale in Distribution with Chris Van Ittersum & Ryan Carroll, Workd (part 2)

What happens when automation becomes a partner—not a replacement for people? Debates about AI agents in the workplace raise provocative questions about the nature of work and the future of the humans who do that work. In part two of Jason's conversation with the team from Workd [https://workd.com/], Chris Van Ittersum, CEO and co-founder, and Ryan Carroll, director of development, share real-world value propositions for distributors and their employees. Catch up from here If you missed part one of our fascinating conversation and live demo, now is a great time to review: From CRM Friction to Sales Intelligence: AI Agents in Distribution with Chris Van Ittersum & Ryan Carroll, Workd [https://www.distributionteam.com/podcast/from-crm-friction-to-sales-intelligence-ai-agents-in-distribution-with-chris-van-ittersum-ryan-carroll-workd/] *** CONNECT WITH JASONLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbader/] CONNECT WITH CHRIS Workd [https://workd.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvanitt/]CONNECT WITH RYAN Workd [https://workd.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-carroll-94182657/] For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com [https://www.distributionteam.com] Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team [https://www.thedistributionteam.com/], a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios [https://www.thecreativeimposter.com/] Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Connected Peers [http://bit.ly/dtconnectedpeers], providing virtual communities for wholesale distributors; and INxSQL Distribution Software [http://bit.ly/dtinxsql], an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

From CRM Friction to Sales Intelligence: AI Agents in Distribution with Chris Van Ittersum & Ryan Carroll, Workd

Distributors often bemoan the AI "revolution" for its lack of practicality. Fair enough. No one likes an endless loops of recorded prompts or laborious input tasks. Workd helps businesses build AI agents that drive B2B growth in the real world. Jason caught up with Chris Van Ittersum, CEO and co-founder, and Ryan Carroll, director of development, to learn more. Queue up for the conversation about AI agent solutions for everything from customer relationships to supply chain logistics. Stay for the live AI agent demo! CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbader/] CONNECT WITH CHRIS Workd [https://workd.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvanitt/] CONNECT WITH RYAN Workd [https://workd.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-carroll-94182657/] *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com [https://www.distributionteam.com] Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team [https://www.thedistributionteam.com/], a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios [https://www.thecreativeimposter.com/] Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, [https://bit.ly/dtprofit2] helping distributors charge the right price; and INxSQL Distribution Software [http://bit.ly/dtinxsql], an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.