Dirk Beveridge

In today’s chaotic times, leaders throughout distribution are being called to lead in new and purposeful ways. UnleashWD and We Supply America have joined forces with Infor to create this series of eight eBooks. The series will show you how standout distributors empower their teams through meaningful values, inspiring culture, and winning strategy.

In this second discussion with Andrew Berlin and Jeremy Lagomarsino we focus on the importance of and the power of culture. How does a company in distribution – which I have been told numerous times is not a sexy business – attract and retain smart, engaged, energetic, ambitious employees who create superior results?

Andrew and Jeremy have figured it out. They have made distribution sexy while generating double digit compounded annual growth rates. They have created a culture that… Show more

In this second discussion with Andrew Berlin and Jeremy Lagomarsino we focus on the importance of and the power of culture. How does a company in distribution – which I have been told numerous times is not a sexy business – attract and retain smart, engaged, energetic, ambitious employees who create superior results?

Andrew and Jeremy have figured it out. They have made distribution sexy while generating double digit compounded annual growth rates. They have created a culture that acts as a magnet for employees, customers, suppliers, and partners. Not through Silicon Valley type ping pong tables, free massages, or beer bashes. But through a tremendous track record, amazing opportunity in the future, willingness to invest, and clearly communicated mutual obligation.

Berlin’s unique, and importantly … consciously crafted culture is captured with their trademarked belief that Anything is Possible™ and their brilliant T-Chart which defines mutual obligations between the company and employee.

You don’t think distribution is sexy? Your mind will be forever altered after listening to Andrew and Jeremy in this episode.

In this 29 minute episode Andrew, Jeremy and I discuss:

What I said to Andrew that made him respond, “Those are fighting words Dirk.”
What is required to attract smart, motivate, and ambitious employees.
Why psychological contracts with your employees are critical to great communication and predictability of expected behaviors.
Why and how Berlin Packaging measures employee thrill throughout the organization.
Why employee discontent often leads back to a gap in leadership.
Behind the curtain examination of Berlin’s T-Chart which is woven throughout Berlin’s culture
How Berlin defines the mutual obligation between the company and each employee
The importance of defining first … what the company owe’s its employees, and then what can be asked of the employee in return. Show less

I sat down with Andrew Berlin, Chairman and CEO of Berlin Packaging to learn about vision and as always happens when I sit down with Andrew, I learned so much more.

I visited Andrew in his offices for this first interview and his collaborative nature immediately showed itself. Andrew was finishing a meeting with Jeremy Lagomarsino, Berlin Packaging’s brilliant Executive VP of Business Development and Strategy, when off the cuff the three of us decided to have Jeremy join us for the… Show more

I sat down with Andrew Berlin, Chairman and CEO of Berlin Packaging to learn about vision and as always happens when I sit down with Andrew, I learned so much more.

I visited Andrew in his offices for this first interview and his collaborative nature immediately showed itself. Andrew was finishing a meeting with Jeremy Lagomarsino, Berlin Packaging’s brilliant Executive VP of Business Development and Strategy, when off the cuff the three of us decided to have Jeremy join us for the discussion. I’m glad we did, because as provocative as Andrew is, when you put a microphone in front of both of these innovators the real world lessons of success, leadership, and innovation can’t help but reveal themselves.

I wanted to learn from Andrew about his views on the importance of crafting a compelling vision, how to do this in the disruptive world we find ourselves in, and what he sees as he peers into the future. We got that and so much more in this 30 minute conversation including how the Berlin leadership team connects vision, strategy and execution.

And…why Andrew believes it all starts with Fantasy.

In this 29 minute episode Andrew, Jeremy and I discuss:

Why vision is critical to innovation
Andrew’s belief that every goal and objectives begins with a fantasy
How execution integrates with strategy and vision
Andrew’s vision that grew the company from $69 million to $1.43 billion
How to manage around scarcity.
How to get your employee’s “All In”
How a team comes to stand together – shoulder to shoulder
How Andrew used the story of Camelot to articulate his vision
How to craft compelling narratives
How to lead through volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity
How crystal clear communication up and down the supply chain helps cut through the clutter of a complex world.
Why it’s important to be intensely dissatisfied with the status quo
The importance of listening to the customer to define your future Show less

Imagine having a two-and-a-half hour conversation with some of the greatest leaders and innovators on the planet - 30 minutes at a time.

In this new and innovative podcast show, Dirk Beveridge sits with some of the most brilliant leaders and innovators from within distribution and beyond. Each guest is innovating and changing the way business is done. They have chosen to be the disrupter rather than the disrupted. The Innovative Distributor™ framework serves as the context for each… Show more

Imagine having a two-and-a-half hour conversation with some of the greatest leaders and innovators on the planet - 30 minutes at a time.

In this new and innovative podcast show, Dirk Beveridge sits with some of the most brilliant leaders and innovators from within distribution and beyond. Each guest is innovating and changing the way business is done. They have chosen to be the disrupter rather than the disrupted. The Innovative Distributor™ framework serves as the context for each CEO series of five podcast episodes, allowing Dirk to go deep with the innovators you want to learn from Show less

We are living in disruptive times. In fact 76% of distributors surveyed believe we are living in an environment we could call the age of disruption. Leaders throughout the industry are challenged by the constant pressures that come at them from all directions. The pressures could be competitive from the marketplace, or come as a result of new government regulations, shifting demographics, the accelerating pace of technology, and more. Navigating these big shifts to create a sustainable and… Show more

We are living in disruptive times. In fact 76% of distributors surveyed believe we are living in an environment we could call the age of disruption. Leaders throughout the industry are challenged by the constant pressures that come at them from all directions. The pressures could be competitive from the marketplace, or come as a result of new government regulations, shifting demographics, the accelerating pace of technology, and more. Navigating these big shifts to create a sustainable and relevant business has become the new mandate for every leader and every employee in distribution.

Innovation is at the core of this new mandate. Innovative distributors will ensure those on their team relish the challenge - and feel prepared to be a part of change and transformation - that comes with innovation. They will empower those individuals to think critically about how to improve their companies - and to take action on their ideas. For innovation to take place, your employees - every one of them - must be prepared, willing, and excited to look at the business as if they have never seen it. They must understand that the ability to transform for the future resides within them.

And, here is the good news... 95% of leaders surveyed feel personally empowered to be a disruptive change agent within their business. If this is you, INNOVATE! is for you.

Throughout this indispensable book, Beveridge delivers a new voice, a new energy, and a new outlook for distributors.

"This is one of the best business books I have ever read." George Pattee, Chairman and CEO, Parksite, Inc.

"This is a must read for anyone who wants to remain or become an effective leader in our industry." L.T. Gibson, CEO, US LBM Holdings

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With all the possible disruptions we face, I believe that we are experiencing a once in a career opportunity to create a culture of change, transformation, and innovation.

Our white paper The Innovative Distributor™ provides a path to help you seize the moment to catalyze change and innovation.

The Forbes article Amazon's Wholesale Slaughter: jeff Bezos' $8 Trillion B2B Bet has created quite the buzz with over 220,000 views online. It's premise, B2B distribution is likely to be Amazon's' most disruptive move yet and has an $8 trillion swath of the economy running scared.

In this white paper I outline the imperative for all distributors to place a bet on innovation considering we are now competing against the boldest, smartest, and most relentless guys on the planet.