『Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast』のカバーアート

Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast

Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast

著者： Kevin Brown & Tom Burton
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Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution is the weekly podcast sponsored by LeadSmart Technologies that takes a deep dive into the topics impacting manufacturers, wholesale distribution, independent sales agents, and the global wholesale supply chain.


Hosted by Kevin Brown, a 30-year veteran of wholesale distribution, and Tom Burton, a recognized thought leader in SaaS platforms for distributors, each episode reveals a unique perspective and valuable information about wholesale distribution. Debuting in February 2023, the ATHIWD podcast springboards from Kevin & Tom's popular LinkedIn and Facebook Live shows, bringing their industry insights to a wider audience.


Whether it's M&A, SaaS and cloud computing, B2B e-Commerce or supply chain issues, we peel back the onion into the topics that impact your business most.

© 2026 Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast マネジメント マネジメント・リーダーシップ 経済学
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  • AI Fears, Fed Rate Rises, and Distribution's Next Growth Platform

    AI Fears, Fed Rate Rises, and Distribution's Next Growth Platform
    2026/09/18
    Wholesale distributors and manufacturers are facing a complicated mix of rate pressure, tariff tension, AI noise, and technology decisions. Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down what matters, what's overhyped, and why connected business data may become one of the clearest paths to growth.Wholesale distribution leaders are trying to plan in an economy where the signals aren't simple. Interest rates are rising, the 10-year Treasury is shaping market expectations, fuel prices remain a pressure point, U.S.-Canada tariff tension continues, and AI headlines are getting louder and scarier.In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton discuss the Fed’s latest rate increase, what the 10-year Treasury may indicate for planning, and why inflation, consumer spending, import prices, and fuel costs remain difficult to interpret. They also look at Canada’s tariff conflict with the U.S., the possibility of closer Canada-EU alignment, and why reshoring is becoming a larger manufacturing conversation.The second half of the episode focuses on AI risk, regulation, Anthropic, OpenAI, open-source models, and the business incentives behind some of the latest AI safety warnings. Kevin and Tom also discuss why distributors may be tired of scattered AI point solutions and why enterprise growth platforms, CRM-ERP integration, connected data, hidden revenue detection, white space analysis, and customer intelligence may be more useful than chasing every new tool.What You’ll LearnWhy the 10-year Treasury may influence distribution planning more than the Fed funds rateHow rate increases, inflation, fuel costs, and retail spending create mixed signals for business leadersWhy U.S.-Canada tariff tension matters for manufacturers and distributorsHow AI risk warnings connect to regulation, open-source models, and public-market incentivesWhy connected data and enterprise growth platforms may be more valuable than isolated AI toolsEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Kevin and Tom open Episode 205 and discuss the show’s growing international reach06:30 – LeadSmart previews a major product launch and the move beyond traditional CRM12:00 – The Fed rate increase, the 10-year Treasury, and why the tail may be wagging the dog29:30 – Import prices, retail sales, and consumer behavior in a high-rate environment39:30 – Canada, tariffs, the EU, and the pressure on North American trade relationships51:30 – Reshoring, manufacturing strategy, and Northern Tool’s insourcing move55:00 – AI safety warnings, Anthropic, OpenAI, and the incentives behind the headlines1:10:30 – AI point-solution fatigue and the need for connected systems of record1:18:00 – Office Depot, EB Horsman, LeadSmart launch updates, and closing thoughtsTools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Enterprise Growth Platform: A broader technology platform designed to help distributors connect data, understand customers and teams, identify risk, and uncover growth opportunities.CRM-ERP Integration: The connection of customer-facing activity with financial and operational data to create a more complete view of the business.White Space Analysis: A way to identify untapped customer, product, or revenue opportunities.Hidden Revenue Detection: The process of finding growth opportunities that may be buried in disconnected systems or underused data.AI Model Routing: The emerging idea of directing different AI requests to different models based on cost, complexity, and performance.Closing Insight:The biggest technology advantage for distributors may not come from chasing every new AI tool. It may come from connecting the right data, asking better questions, and building a platform that helps people make better decisions faster.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
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    1 時間 23 分
  • AI Spend, Tariff Tensions, and the Data Center Economy

    AI Spend, Tariff Tensions, and the Data Center Economy
    2026/09/12

    Whwere were you on September 11th?

    Tom’s was in New York near the World Trade Center that morning. 25 years later, it's sill burned in his memory...and it provides a fitting tribute to open this episode.

    From there, we turn to the latest news affecting wholesale distribution, manufacturing, independent sales agents, and the global supply chain.

    We look at interest rate pressure, the Fed’s likely next move, inflation, fuel costs, hiring data, and why today’s economic signals continue to send mixed messages. We also look at Canadian tariff retaliation, Costco’s tariff refund lawsuit, Williams-Sonoma’s approach to sharing tariff-related benefits, and the broader challenge of fairness when tariff costs and refunds move through the supply chain.

    The episode also covers port and freight conditions, the continuing impact of global shipping disruptions, data center construction, AI infrastructure, and the economic opportunities and pushback surrounding new data center development.

    In the AI and technology section, we dig into AI spending, token-based pricing, consumption models, and why many distributors and manufacturers are still trying to understand how to budget for AI. They also discuss the Salesforce and Anthropic partnership, the growing importance of systems of record, and why connected data across ERP, CRM, marketing automation, e-commerce, and other business systems may become one of the biggest advantages for distributors.

    The episode closes with a shoutout to DCKAP and the quality of its podcast and industry conversations.

    Timestamps/Chapters:

    00:00 — Introduction

    03:30 — What Around The Horn Covers Each Week

    06:45 — LeadSmart Technologies and Enterprise Growth Platforms

    11:30 — Remembering September 11th

    20:00 — Tom’s Firsthand 9/11 Story

    31:00 — How People Came Together After 9/11

    38:00 — Interest Rates, Inflation, and Fed Pressure

    47:00 — Tariff Tensions Between the U.S. and Canada

    55:30 — Costco, Williams-Sonoma, and Tariff Refunds

    1:02:30 — Port Activity, Freight Markets, and Supply Chain Risk

    1:08:30 — Data Centers, AI Infrastructure, and Energy Demand

    1:14:30 — AI Spend, Token Pricing, and Budget Risk

    1:20:00 — Salesforce, Anthropic, and Systems of Record

    1:23:00 — DCKAP Podcast Shoutout and Closing Thoughts

    Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

    Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

    Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

    Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

    You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

    Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
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    1 時間 30 分
  • Is AI about to create real turmoil for distributors, or are we still too early to know what comes next?

    Is AI about to create real turmoil for distributors, or are we still too early to know what comes next?
    2026/08/28

    After celebrating 200 episodes, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are back for Episode 203 of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, looking at the latest news affecting manufacturers, wholesale distributors, independent sales agents, and the global supply chain.

    This week, Kevin and Tom reflect on the 200th episode celebration, the growth of the podcast, and what may be coming next for Around the Horn, including more interview-style episodes and expanded industry coverage.

    From there, they dig into the economy, including the latest Fed signals from Jackson Hole, interest rate expectations, inflation pressure, consumer spending, and why the tools available to the Fed may not be enough to solve today’s price challenges.

    The conversation also covers new Iran sanctions, pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, Canadian tariffs, the impact of Canada’s role in U.S. energy, aluminum, lumber, and electricity imports, and the growing concern around Panama Canal delays and potential El Niño-related supply chain disruption.

    Kevin and Tom then turn to AI and technology, including Bill Gates’ warning about AI-driven upheaval, the real impact of AI on jobs, why historical comparisons to the internet and personal computers may still matter, and how distributors and manufacturers can use AI to elevate people, improve decision-making, and unlock more value from existing systems of record.

    The episode also includes updates on APR Supply’s acquisition of Mutual Wholesalers, the continuing evolution of LeadSmart’s enterprise growth platform, physical AI, humanoid robots, sales and marketing visibility, and what distributors should be watching as we move toward our next 100 episodes.

    What You’ll Learn

    • Why the Fed may still be leaning toward a rate increase
    • How inflation, fuel prices, and consumer spending are affecting business planning
    • Why Canada tariffs could have a major impact on U.S. manufacturing and distribution
    • How Panama Canal delays and El Niño could create new supply chain pressure
    • Why AI disruption may be real, but not as simple as job loss
    • How distributors can use connected data, AI, and automation to elevate their teams
    • Why physical AI and humanoid robots matter for the future of operations

    Topics Covered

    • Federal Reserve policy and interest rates
    • Inflation and consumer spending
    • Iran sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz
    • Canada tariffs and North American trade
    • Panama Canal delays
    • Super El Niño supply chain risk
    • AI upheaval and job displacement
    • CRM, ERP, and enterprise growth platforms
    • Physical AI and humanoid robots
    • Wholesale distribution technology
    • APR Supply and Mutual Wholesalers

    Timestamps/Chapters:

    00:00 — Introduction and Dolly Parton Tribute

    04:30 — Reflecting on the 200th Episode Celebration

    10:15 — What Comes Next for Around The Horn

    15:30 — Housekeeping, Newsletter, and LeadSmart Technologies

    22:00 — Fed Signals from Jackson Hole

    29:15 — Interest Rates, Inflation, and Market Expectations

    38:00 — Core Prices, B2B Need, and Economic Uncertainty

    44:30 — Iran Sanctions and Strait of Hormuz Risk

    52:00 — Canada Tariffs and North American Trade Pressure

    59:30 — Panama Canal Delays and Supply Chain Costs

    1:05:00 — Super El Niño and Port Disruption Risk

    1:11:00 — APR Supply Acquisition and Industry Updates

    1:14:30 — Bill Gates, AI Turmoil, and Job Disruption

    1:20:00 — AI, Systems of Record, and Enterprise Growth Platforms

    1:24:00 — End of Episode

    Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

    Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

    Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

    Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

    You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

    Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
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    1 時間 29 分
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