Blogs from Art Waskey

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The Value of an Industry-Experienced Broker

A career transition I transitioned from being an executive of an industrial gases distributorship to being a deal-maker in that space. After spending 46 successful years in the welding and atmospheric gas business, I retired from my company position but continued to...

Shaping a Meaningful Life

Lessons from The River While exercising the other day, I listened to Garth Brooks’ “The River”, and it inspired this week’s sales/leadership tip to shape a meaningful life.  Here’s the first verse of “The River” …  You know a dream is like a river / Ever changin'...

The Timeless Traits of Success

This article was inspired by a woman whose career path demonstrates the timeless traits of success.  Her early entrepreneurial business endeavor was a bookstore. When her husband was promoted, they moved, and she had to find a new path. In her late 40s, with her...

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What Should I Do With My Business Now?

Get Organized Twenty years ago, as the VP of Sales for industrial gas and welding supply company, I started writing a monthly column, “The Art of Sales,” for CryoGas International (now Gasworld)....

Build Online Confidence

Changing Customer Relationships I consult primarily with distributors with revenues of $10 million and below. This group's success stems from exceptional customer service and quality products....

Lead with Selective Attention

I have the privilege of working with a visionary pioneer who has a passion for using cryogenic gases in unique environments. He focuses on the latest technological advancements in cryogenic...
The Digital Generation of Buyers

The Digital Generation of Buyers

Digital natives The pandemic impacted the role of the outside sales rep (See adjusting-to-changes-in-sales-process-relationships) but what about the...

The 5-Generation Legacy Rule

The 5-Generation Legacy Rule

In Baltimore City, Maryland, my father owned two 20-foot refrigerated displays in a store that sold meat. His five children learned how to develop a...

Customer Outcomes

Customer Outcomes

B2B buyers are doing a lot of purchasing online these days — about $1.6 trillion annually according to projections by Digital Commerce 360. Are...

Workforce Ecosystems

Workforce Ecosystems

My son-in-law works in the motion picture industry. The film projects he works on were staffed with people from multiple companies as well as...

The Added-Value Differentiator

The Added-Value Differentiator

Electric Vehicles (EVS) are coming. I have two Gen X children who are now working professionals and both drive Chevrolet Bolt EVs. In a recent...

Sales: The Psychodynamics of Success

Sales: The Psychodynamics of Success

A sales manager recently described his travel day with a rep who needed to close more business. They called on six prospective accounts and the...

The High-Value Customer

The High-Value Customer

How to Measure Success While VP of Sales, I oversaw a hospital account that was among our leading 10 customers. Their purchases topped the charts....

What Should I Do With My Business Now?

What Should I Do With My Business Now?

Get Organized Twenty years ago, as the VP of Sales for industrial gas and welding supply company, I started writing a monthly column, “The Art of...

The Distributor Differentiation

The Distributor Differentiation

A lot to Consider As an independent regional distributor, you need to take a close look at where to invest your digital dollars. In a recent MDM...

The Digital Differentiator

The Digital Differentiator

Key Differentiator Many B2B purchases are made before a consumer even contacts a vendor. According to data from SiriusDecisions, 67% of the...

Justify Your Price

Justify Your Price

Remind Customers of Your Value As Benjamin Franklin said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is...

From Purchasing to Procurement

From Purchasing to Procurement

Technical Abilities A young woman came into a distributor’s store to buy a robot to automate her company’s business. The counterperson referred her...

Focus on Profit Segmentation

Focus on Profit Segmentation

One of the most challenging responsibilities of a sales manager is bridging the gap on account profitability between sales reps and the executive...

Mentor (ing) for Success

Mentor (ing) for Success

Proverbs 11:14 says “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the abundance of counselors there is victory.”   I find these words...

Leading with Added-Value

The term added value has been a significant part of sales strategy discussions in the last several years. In the digital age, its importance...

Ask Why They Are Leaving

Ask Why They Are Leaving

A sales manager responded to a recent article I wrote which examined the importance of finding out why a customer was unresponsive. He noted that...

Personalize the Selling Process

Personalize the Selling Process

Digitization is altering the way people sell. Sales professionals must now look at how to personalize their processes. A great way to do this is...

Distributor Sales: Best Strategies

Distributor Sales: Best Strategies

The Advent of Distribution Networks As we know it today, distribution sales began in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries....

Grow With Digitalization

Grow With Digitalization

A punch-card solution I have seen how digitalization has transformed society through my long and fulfilling career. I still have my first calling...

Winning Through Relationships

Winning Through Relationships

Focus on core strength Independent distributors have been introducing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms to their businesses over time....

Make Price Increases More Palatable

Make Price Increases More Palatable

Price increase alert The Producer Price Index (PPI) climbed 10% in 12 months through February 2022. In line with economists' expectations, the...