Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast
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.
Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast
Will Quinn on Modern Warehouse Management, AI Adoption, and Supply Chain Visibility
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What Happens When AI, Supply Chains, and Economic Uncertainty Collide in Wholesale Distribution?
As interest rates remain under scrutiny, supply chains face new disruptions, and artificial intelligence continues to reshape business operations, wholesale distribution leaders are being forced to make smarter decisions with less room for error.
In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome Will Quinn, warehouse leadership expert, supply chain educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. Together, they explore the current economic landscape, tariff uncertainty, warehouse strategy, AI adoption in distribution, and the growing importance of supply chain visibility in an increasingly complex global market.
What You'll Learn:
- Why the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision has major implications for manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain planning
- How tariffs, import uncertainty, and global trade disruptions are influencing inventory strategies and purchasing behavior
- What warehouse leaders can learn from military logistics, operational discipline, and real-world distribution management
- Why AI-enabled supply chain management is becoming one of the fastest-growing skill sets in distribution
- How organizations can improve inventory visibility, forecasting, and operational decision making without chasing every new technology trend
- Why successful AI adoption starts with solving business problems first rather than purchasing shiny new tools
- How CRM-ERP integration, unified data systems, and intelligent business platforms support long-term growth and resilience
Episode Highlights:
- 00:00 – Welcome to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution and introduction to warehouse leadership expert Will Quinn
- 07:10 – The Federal Reserve holds rates steady: what distributors and manufacturers should watch next
- 15:45 – Retail spending, inflation pressures, and what economic signals mean for wholesale distribution teams
- 22:30 – Tariff refunds, import activity, and why companies are accelerating inventory purchases
- 31:50 – Why supply chain resilience remains one of the most important business capabilities in modern distribution
- 38:40 – Lessons from Modern Warehouse Management and the role of steel-toed leadership in warehouse performance
- 48:15 – AI in supply chain operations: where organizations are seeing real value today
- 58:20 – Why AI-skilled supply chain professionals are becoming one of the most in-demand roles in distribution
- 1:06:40 – Understanding AI models, governance, security, and vendor due diligence
- 1:17:30 – Practical guidance for distribution leaders building an AI strategy that actually delivers results
Meet the Guest:
Will Quinn is a supply chain executive, warehouse leadership expert, educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. With decades of experience across leading distribution organizations, Will specializes in warehouse operations, supply chain strategy, workforce development, and operational excellence.
Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:
- Modern Warehouse Management Framework
- Steel-Toed Leadership
- Supply Chain Visibility Strategies
- Inventory Visibility Tools
- Collaborative Planning & Forecasting (CPFR)
- AI-Powered Supply Chain Analytics
- CRM-ERP Integration
- Smart CRM Strategy
- Enterprise Growth Platform
- Digital Readiness for Succession
- Future-Proofing Distribution
- AI Governance and Vendor Due Diligence
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
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