Webstore Watch 2010
Browse’n buy
beats bigbox’s
Is this independent’s ‘minimum-clicks’ experience the market’s best

1 Feb 10 (updated)
We’ve just started our annual review of the OP market’s best webstore experiences from a users’ viewpoint. We’re pleased to report major progress by some progressive independent dealers.

In spite of a tough year of declining sales volumes, the top tier of dealers report online sales up 20%+  exceeding 50% of sales for the first time. Webstore designs though are still awful, even the bigbox players. The exception is this one.

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*Proficiency Index*Best Awards 2009*

Review of 2009 Pt.6
The Best Perfomers
Best Ads of the Year…Best CRM in practice

9 Jan ‘10 (Updated and Complete)

Please see final Part 6 of our Best Performers Review for 2009. Here we focus on the FAME Index team’s assessment of the best ads…trade, user TV and magazines; and recognise best practice in building an intimate user database and emarketing communications.

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*Proficiency Index*Best Awards 2009*

Review of 2009 Pt.5 The Best Perfomers

FAME Index - Best Brand Images/logos
...You make me feel brand new.

7 Jan ‘10

Please see below the Part 5 of our Best Performers Review for 2009. Here we focus on the FAME Index team’s assessment of the best brand images for resellers and manufacturers.

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*Proficiency Index*Best Awards 2009*
Review of 2009 Pt.4 The Best Perfomers
Best Leaders - Best Products - Best Webstores - Best Promos - Best Ads - Best brand logos - Best CRM's
4 Jan ‘10 (Updated 2200 UK time;1700 ET)
Part 4 covers the best product and best promotions iof 2009;

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*Proficiency Index*Best Awards 2009 *

Review of 2009
Pt.3 The Best Perfomers
Best Leaders - Best Companies -  Best Products - Best Webstore - Best Productivity - Best Promos -Best Ads 
 2 Jan ‘10 (Updated 2100UK time; 1600ET)
Proficiency Index 2009 Awards
Profiles on the Best performers

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*Proficiency Index*Best Awards 2009 *
Review of 2009
Pt.2 The Best Perfomers
Best Leaders - Best Companies - Best Products - Best Webstore - Best Productivity - Best Promos - Best Ads

2 Jan ‘10 (Updated 2100UK time; 1600ET)

Proficiency Index 2009 Awards

Profiles on the Best performers

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* Proficiency Index * Best Awards 2009 *

Review of 2009
Pt.1 The Best Perfomers
Best Leaders - Best Companies - Best Products -Best Webstore - Best Promos - Best Productivity - Best Ads

1 Jan ‘10 (Updated 2300UK; 1800 ET)

2009 was a grind…a reality check…a tough time. When the going got tough, the tough got going. The best shone through the gloom and inspired

Progressive dealers recognise that when times get tight, it's time to fight with the productivity play and reinforce the single source proposition. Certainly, a great platform was created in 2007 which has been maintained throughout 2009.

It's time for reflection on the key marketing people, companies, products, promotions, ads and marketing developments of the year.

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Special Tribute

Ethics Award

for David Sherwin
Outstanding tenacity on behalf of independent dealers…worldwide

1 Jan 10

David Sherwin the official Office Depot whistleblower was fired by the bigbox giant in April 2008 for “workplace misconduct” according to BSD chief Steve Schmidt. Actually, David vented his displeasure in an email to CEO Steve Odland about the fraudulent and systematic overcharging of his Florida state customers.  

Every independent dealer should recognise David’s  terrific contribution and achievements.

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80-90’s and 2009 compared
Top 30 US and Top 20 UK
OP dealers league table
Superdealer
Superstars
Leaders... rising stars…
drop outs… newcomers...
Twentyteen tips for top

30 Dec’09 (Updated again 1700 UK time; 1200 ET)

The bigbox share of the US and UK markets fell again in 2009. OfficeMax and Office Depot have now lost an estimated $5Bn in sales over the past 2 years. Independent dealers overall fell less than the overall market….the top 25 dealer share grew at the expense of the bigbox's demise and by extending sales into new categories.

Check out the parallels between the superdealer stars of the 80’s and today’s progressive dealers and the risers and fallers in what has been a tough and turbulent year.  

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Results announced
Your Most Admired OP Dealers in 2009
Who has been resilient in recession… Who has been resurgent in recovery?

24 Dec 09 (List finalised 1400 UK time; 0900 ET)
The results of the Most Admired Dealer for 2009 readers poll for dealers in the US and UK are now published. What a poll response! 756 votes have been cast to date with some surprise nominations.

We have discovered some exciting new progressive dealers with usual usual  impressive performers  up there too. We are checking nominees’ sales growth, productivity and marketing collateral and will publish the review with comments before 28 December 2009. 

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