Independent Dealer Magazine

22/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers, why not spend the holiday checking out the latest issue of ID? The November issue is out now at www.idealercentral.com. Our cover story by Lisa Veeck this month is on Vis-coms and how to improve and make the most out your board sales. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents in Secrets of Success focusing on 1st Source Business Supplies, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Industry News; WSA updates; Mike Gentile reflects on his tenure at Independent Suppliers Group; Troy Harrison on the difference between “training” and “learning”; Marisa Pensa on empowerment over exhaustion; Mara Gannon on how B2B is changing; and more…

05/10/2023

The Sept/Oct issue of Independent Dealer is online now at https://idealercentral.com. Our cover story by Lisa Veeck this month is on Breakroom Breakthroughs and the continuing importance being placed on the breakroom as the return to the office gains pace. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents Secrets of Success A-Z Office Resource; Industry News; WSA updates; NOAPA preview; Tom Buxton on why you should consider joining AOPD now; Troy Harrison on the power of customer relationships; Mara Gannon on boosting your e-commerce game; Marisa Pensa on tech-savvy teams; and more…

09/08/2023

The August issue of Independent Dealer is online now! Our cover story this issue is called Branching Out and looks at out how dealers have begun delving into more unusual areas to increase their customer base and profits. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents Secrets of Success featuring Intivity, Rochester, New York; Industry News; WSA updates; Tom Buxton on whether to cut prices or not; Troy Harrison on four top sales trends for the future; Mara Gannon on supercharge your marketing strategy with Google Ads; Marisa Pensa on five ways to build modern learning into your sales culture; and more…

30/06/2023

The June/July issue of Independent Dealer is online now! Our cover story this issue is on furniture and how sustainable the growth in sector post-pandemic might be. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents in Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success featuring Office360, Indianapolis, Indiana; Industry News; Workplace Solutions Association, Powered by ISSA updates; Seen at NeoCon; Tom Buxton on fishing, hunting or dating; Troy Harrison on managing your processes; Mara Gannon on tips for humanizing your brand; Marisa Pensa on how to answer customers’ questions on pricing; and more

25/05/2023

The May issue of Independent Dealer is online now! Our cover story this issue is on the Health and Wellness sector and how it continues to thrive. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents in Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success featuring The Orange Stationer, Orange, Texas; Industry News; WSA updates; Tom Buxton on why there are no perfect prices; Troy Harrison on the future of selling; Mara Gannon on navigating artificial intelligence in e-commerce; Marisa Pensa on three common pipeline and performance management problems and how to fix them; and more…

24/03/2023

The March/April issue of Independent Dealer is online now! It is led by our annual technology feature Tech Tips, in which we talk to a number of independents about their choice of technology partner. Also in this issue: good things happening to independents in Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success featuring Spry Inc. of Anderson, Indiana; Industry News; IOPFDA updates; Tom Buxton on inflation frustration; Troy Harrison on how to create presentations on the spot; Mara Gannon explains that data is the new oil; Marisa Pensa on leveraging technology to coach your inside sales team; and more…

16/02/2023

The February issue of Independent Dealer is online now featuring the Cover Story - Jan/san - Winning by a landslide: Why independent dealers shouldn’t let falling mask sales deter them; Good things happening to independents in Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success featuring Honoré Office Products, Dallas, Texas; Industry News, including an update on the S.P. Richards sale; IOPFDA updates; Tom Buxton admits he was wrong! Mara Gannon asks what does your brand convey? Marisa Pensa shares five steps to confidently utilizing your support team and getting back to doing what you do best; and more

Cover Story: Jan/san - Winning by a landslide: Why independent dealers shouldn’t let falling mask sales deter them The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Honoré Office Products, Dallas, Texas

19/12/2022

The new Dec/jan issue of Independent Dealer is online now featuring the Cover Story - Will the rollercoaster ride continue: Dealers share insights into the top trends for 2023; Good things happening to independents in Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success featuring Storey Kenworthy in Des Moines, Iowa; Essendant and S.P. Richards' marketing updates for 2022; Industry News; IOPFDA updates; Supply Side on Domtar Paper; Tom Buxton asks who you will be in 2023; Mara Gannon on the top digital marketing trends for 2023; Valerie Santanasto on dealing with changing work models; Marisa Pensa shares tips for mastering your recipe for sales success; and more… oh and a rather lovely new redesign! https://idealercentral.com/

10/11/2022

Many congratulations to the winners of the NAOPAs at Industry Week yesterday. See the next issue of Independent Dealer magazine for full details of those honored.

03/11/2022

Phil Kirschner, Senior Expert at McKinsey and Company, will be giving the keynote address at this year’s ISG General Session during Industry Week ’22. His address will cover the disruptive business environment that we’ve been navigating over the past few years and how to take advantage of the opportunities it has created. To learn more about Phil and to get a preview of what his speech will cover, visit the ISG General Session page on the Industry Week ’22 website.

https://industryweek22.cventevents.com/event/87be34cc-3778-4d0d-b70a-f7b70dfe2ab2/websitePage:02767662-117e-47e5-9625-d2311e4d06a7

14/10/2022

The new Sept/Oct issue of Independent Dealer is online and it's a whopper! Featuring a cover story on the ways we can encourage a return to the breakroom; Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success on Blaisdell's Business Products in California, Industry News; IOPFDA updates; North American Office Products Awards update; Mara Gannon on three ways video marketing is key to promoting your business; Tom Buxton thanks heaven for wholesalers; Marisa Pensa on how to get decision makers involved early in the sales process; and more

Cover Story: Back From the Break: How companies are adapting their breakrooms to encourage employees to return to the office and appeal to the next generations The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Blaisdell’s Business Products, Richmond, California

15/08/2022

Our latest issue is online now!

Cover Story: Filling the Gap: dealers explain how they have weathered the COVID-19 storm thus far and are anticipating further shifts in the future The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Stinson’s Office Supply, Bakersfield, California

15/06/2021

Latest issue of Independent Dealer now available to read on our website! Take a look! https://idealercentral.com/

Cover Story: The Future of Office Furniture – With the pandemic on the wane, employees are heading back to the workplace, if they haven’t already. What opportunities does the “new normal” hold for furniture dealers?

The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents

Secrets of Success: Community Office Solutions, Reno, Nevada

Plus: Industry News; IOPFDA updates; Paul Miller on getting workers back on the job; Supply Side: Thea Thanas and Tony McGinn of Nestlé Professional; Tom Buxton on celebrating inflation; Marisa Pensa on the top five traits of great inside sales professionals; Troy Harrison on Zoom etiquette; and more.

Cover Story: The Future of Office Furniture – With the pandemic on the wane, employees are heading back to the workplace, if they haven’t already. What opportunities does the “new normal” hold for furniture dealers? The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Succ...

14/04/2021

Latest issue of Independent Dealer now available to read on our website! Take a look! https://idealercentral.com/

• Cover Story: Technology Here and Now – We’re all guilty of kicking the proverbial can down the road at times, but when it comes to technology, that would be a grave mistake in today’s increasingly online world. However, solutions are out there…
• 2021 COVID-19 reader survey
• Interview with Paul Miller on 20 years with IOPDFA

Plus: The Winner’s Circle, Good things happening to independents; Secrets of Success: GBP Direct, Kenner, Louisiana; Industry News; IOPFDA update on the Virtual Fly-in; Supply Side: Walter Johnsen of Acme United.; Tom Buxton on one thing the most successful dealers have in common; Anthony Hansen on combining Technology and skilled labor; Marisa Pensa on resilience in virtual selling, Alicia Raeburn on post COVID-19 marketing trends; Troy Harrison on maintaining your sales fundamentals; and more.

Cover Story: Technology Here and Now – We’re all guilty of kicking the proverbial can down the road at times, but when it comes to technology, that would be a grave mistake in today’s increasingly online world. However, solutions are out there… 2021 COVID-19 reader survey Interview with Paul...

11/03/2021

Independent Suppliers Group Announces New Dates for Industry Week 2021

Independent Suppliers Group announced it is hosting Industry Week ’21, powered by ISG, taking place November 7-12, 2021 in Orlando, Florida at Orlando World Center Marriott. ISG is planning the largest Business Products industry event of the year by bringing together its members, suppliers and industry partners for a week-long agenda.

Industry Week ’21 will feature a General Session, Educational Seminars, Member-to-Member Peer Networking, NEXT Young Leaders Peer Exchange, One-on-One Member/Supplier Meetings, an Exhibitor Tradeshow and more.

Jordan Kudler, ISG Chairman of the Board, said, “We’re very excited about Industry Week. I believe this ground-breaking event will allow ISG members and vendors to collaborate at an even higher level. Members are anxious to spend some quality time together and engage in some good old-fashioned networking. While video conferencing served as an adequate bridge for communicating, there is nothing like some live face-to-face time.”

With the cancellation of Industry Week 2020 and the March 2021 events, ISG developed a series of creative virtual events to connect with its members, including member and supplier Townhall meetings, One-on-One Member/Supplier meetings, Peer Exchanges, SMART Solution Supplier Presentations and the latest initiative, Discover Your Next Move, to help ISG members uncover opportunities for today and beyond the pandemic environment.

03/03/2021

The industry received a big congressional show of support yesterday when Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) teamed-up to introduce House Resolution 184, expressing support for the designation of the week of March 28, 2021, through April 3, 2021, as National Small Business Workplace Solutions Week. (Click on the link below for full text of the resolution.)

To some this may not seem like a big deal, but it is. It shows the IDC has champions in Congress (from both sides of the aisle) who know how critical the dealers are, not only to their communities but to the economy rebounding. This Resolution is a show of support at a time when the industry continues to look for ways to regain the opportunities lost in 2020 due to the shutdowns.

Please remember to join IOPFDA's virtual fly-in on March 30-31 to hear what Washington is doing, especially as it relates to how Congress can provide further support for your business.

A special mention for making this resolution happen is due to Mike Tucker, executive director of IOPFDA, and Melissa Ball, CEO, Ball Office Products and a constituent of Rep. Rob Wittman. Our voice is being heard because of IOPFDA and its members!

We will have more on this story in the next issue of INDEPENDENT DEALER.

03/03/2021

02/03/2021

What makes the IDC great!

02/03/2021

24/02/2021

Applications now open for IOPFDA Scholarship Program

Created more than 50 years ago, the National Office Products Alliance (NOPA) Scholarship Fund started with a $5,000 donation and has now awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to deserving families of office products and office furniture dealers. Supported entirely through individual and member contributions, the fund recognized 40 college students receiving one-year scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Judged by an independent panel, not only are applicants scored for their academic success but for their outside interests, extracurricular activities, community services and financial need. Any person who is an employee or related to an employee of an IOPFDA member firm may apply.

Membership status is verified. Candidates must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before July 1 of the year in which they would use the scholarship. Candidates must have an academic record sufficient to be accepted by an accredited college, junior college or technical institute. Students already in college or graduate school may also apply.

The 2021 IOPFDA Scholarship Applications opened on February 22. Please visit the IOPFDA website for more information www.iopfda.org

The mission of the National Office Products Alliance (NOPA) is to provide independent office products dealers with the information, knowledge and tools they need to help them to be successful in today's ever-evolving business environment.