More Power To You!

Funny thing about superheroes ... Their lives are not always so super after all. They seem to have common struggles — juggling their day and night jobs, sustaining relationships with their loved ones, meeting the expectations of those who have no clue about their extracurricular activities. And all that while getting clobbered by the latest and greatest assortment of creepy villains.

Sound familiar? It’s really not far off from many distributors’ lives. There is always work to be done, whether it’s prospecting new clients or servicing existing customers. Oftentimes, extra effort is required beyond the regular workday — attending local association events, meeting with others, brainstorming, cleaning up paperwork or even leaving town for shows.

Competitors who thrive on price wars and suppliers who haven’t established good reputations can jeopardize a distributor’s livelihood, forcing him or her to work even harder, while possibly earning less. On top of that, loved ones not involved with the industry may come to resent the amount of time and energy they see going into the job. As always, it is up to the distributor superhero to find that perfect balance.

In a world that wants more products and services for less time and money, the industry’s superheroes need to rise up and combine forces to provide a happy ending. Distributors should take advantage of associations, publications and forums to communicate with one another about what — and who — works well. They need to stand their ground on pricing and seek out supplier partners who give them the superpowers needed to keep customers happy. Contrary to what an “every man for himself” world recommends, distributors should even pool their resources to help each other succeed in the workplace — thereby freeing up much-needed downtime to devote to their families, personal interests and communities.

Many a superhero likes to work alone. However, it is often in their best interest to team up for victory, taking advantage of the resources that are all around. Distributors should follow this example. Let’s lay down the preconceived notions about “what’s in it for me,” check our paranoia at the door and break down the walls that separate too many of this industry’s greatest assets. The old adage “work smarter, not harder” holds great truth, but it can only be accomplished if we all catch the same vision and sacrifice equally to obtain it. Sure, there will be some wise guys who take advantage and try to steal away with more than their fair share.

However, we can count on our increased manpower to expose and correct those situations, while also keeping them in mind as an impetus for fighting the good fight. This year, start seeing yourself as part of the superhero alliance that you belong to — and get ready to reap some truly super-sized benefits.

God bless!

Karen Butler
Editor
kbutler@vpico.com