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Home » Authors » Ian Heller
Ian Heller

Ian Heller

Ian Heller is co-founder and chief strategy officer for Distribution Strategy Group. He started his distribution career as a truck unloader at a Grainger branch and rose to vice president of marketing for the company. Ian later served in similar roles at GE Capital, Newark Electronics, Corporate Express and HD Supply. He writes, speaks and consults on technology-driven changes and disruption in the wholesale distribution industry. He can be reached at [email protected].


Articles

ARTICLES

TW1025_worker in warehouse.jpg
Distribution Strategy

Entitlement Comes Here to Die: How One VP’s Kid Grew Up in My Warehouse

I may have read Jimmy accurately from the start, but I misread his dad. He knew Jimmy needed a ‘boot camp’ job to help him grow up — and it worked.
October 1, 2025
Ian Heller

When a VP’s son arrived expecting an easy summer job, it took a no-nonsense veteran’s tough love to teach him the true value of hard work — changing his life forever.


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Distribution Strategy

Grow the Pie Before You Slice It

Don’t start with kung fu mode during rebate and marketing co-op talks.
July 1, 2025
Ian Heller

During an executive MBA program, a class of seasoned leaders learned a vital lesson: tough negotiations often miss opportunities to collaborate and grow the pie before dividing it. In business, focusing first on joint growth leads to stronger, more profitable partnerships.


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AIM/R Rep Corner

Will AI Supercharge or Eliminate B2B Sales Roles? Yes!

Technology has a mind of its own, especially artificial intelligence.
June 2, 2025
Ian Heller

AI is changing everything — including your job. This smart, witty take explores why sales roles are (mostly) safe for now, how tech is reshaping business in unexpected ways, and what you need to do to stay ahead in the age of machines.


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Distribution Strategy

Got AI Burnout? Here’s Why You Need to Keep Paying Attention

To remain competitive, it is essential to engage with AI, upgrade skills and adapt to the changing landscape.
May 1, 2025
Ian Heller

Trying to keep up with what’s new in AI is like trying to follow current political events but without the nastiness. So, given the choice between the two, I’ll choose to follow AI.


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Distribution Strategy

Why Distribution is So Sexy

You’ll love your work and find recruiting easier if you stop putting down your own company.
December 2, 2024
Ian Heller

“I love the smell of a warehouse in the morning!” I used to say back when I managed branches. 


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Distribution Strategy

Soon, There Will Be No Foreign Languages

Real-time translation brings ‘Star Trek’ communications to your phone.
August 5, 2024
Ian Heller

I suggest you watch some demo videos highlighting the amazing new capabilities of ChatGPT 4o (that’s the letter “o” and not a zero, proving that even the smartest technology in the world can be victimized by dumb branding decisions). 


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Distribution Strategy

Customer Service and the Art of Handling Dumb Questions

Mocking customers is a dangerous game.
May 6, 2024
Ian Heller

It was 33 years ago on a blistering cold Friday night in Billings, Mont., when the Grainger emergency service operator notified me that I needed to call a customer immediately. 


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Distribution Strategy

What Does AI Mean to Distributors?

It’s the most profound — and baffling — technological revolution in history.
October 2, 2023
Ian Heller

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the first technology that learns and improves on its own. Previous technologies relied on humans to get better at their tasks.


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