Developing and Training Talent

It applies to educating suppliers and customers about using a distributor's new technologies, such as web portals for ordering, customer service, and orders status.

Effectively developing and training employees is an issue that crosses size and lines of trade.  Distributors must continue to invest their own time, money, and resources in developing and implementing training programs for their personnel.

One of the challenges with all of these efforts is finding the right balance between cultivating employees, customers, and suppliers, and getting too far ahead of their capabilities.  This is where change management comes into play.  As we discussed earlier, managing change is a real consideration when it comes to developing your people.  It applies to educating suppliers and customers about using a distributor's new technologies, such as web portals for ordering, customer service, and orders status

ACTION POINT: Consider customers and suppliers in your training and development plans for your employees.