Why innovation should be more like Easter eggs

Every year in the Spring, Amy B., a buyer for a large retail chain store, hosts an Easter egg decorating teambuilding party, where she and a bunch of her suppliers spend an entire afternoon coloring and bedazzling hard-boiled eggs. None of them bring their kids—they do this for the sheer pleasure of out-of-the-office bonding, creating interesting and attractive objects. The group is always amazed at the creativity of the resulting...

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What’s your organization’s change context?

Becoming customer-centric isn’t a simple change. Simple changes are linear, predictable, and manageable. Traditional change management techniques work well in these contexts but are less effective in multifaceted, interconnected, and unpredictable ones. A customer-centric change is just that – where relationships, networks, and social influence from peers have a stronger impact on success than top-down influence. This is because...

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Everyone needs a guy

Or a Gal. Or a Person. Take your pick. All of them if you have enough problems to solve. This concept is one of the conclusions reached that the independent equipment dealer convention I attended a couple of weeks ago. What was interesting is how all the speakers wound up drawing the same conclusions about the construction industry and the dealers that serve that industry. If I did not know better, I would have concluded that the...

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Know your Strengths

2022 is shaping up to be a year like none other in the recent past, as supply chain disruptions force us to reassess our priorities and reorganize our assets, our staffing, and our way of doing business.  If there was ever a moment to re-invent yourself, that moment is now. As you enter the 2nd quarter of the year, demand for your products will no doubt be increasing while inventory dwindles.  If you don’t have a battle plan for how...

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MHEDA Convention & Exhibitor Showcase: Tomorrow’s Distributor

Tomorrow” keeps getting closer and closer. Business was already moving fast and then the pandemic momentarily stopped the world. Life changed forever and launched a monumental industrial change. Is your material handling organization addressing these never-before-seen changes? Do you have the right mindset, people, and culture to take advantage of these opportunities? Is your technology smart enough for what your customers are...

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Make the communication before you make the sale

Nido Qubein is a great communicator. One of the finest communicators in the world. The best part about that is that he has dedicated his career to teaching others his expertise. Sharing his gift. How did he get to be a great communicator, you ask? Nido had to deal with change. Big change. It seems that the bigger the changes, the bigger the opportunity for achievement. Check out Nido’s change challenges: Nido Qubein came to America...

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A message from the 2022 Chair of the MHEDA Convention & Exhibitor Showcase

It is exciting to think that the 2022 MHEDA Convention and Exhibitor Showcase is right around the corner in sunny Orlando Florida!  It is an honor and privilege to be the 2022 MHEDA Convention Chair and we have built one tremendous convention program for our members.  There are so many reasons why you should attend this year’s convention and I want to summarize a few. If you haven’t noticed, change is everywhere. . .   With this...

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