IP's Spin-off to
In December, International Paper, the $20Bn paper & packaging powerhouse announced plans to spin-off the $3Bn printing paper division. A Seeking Alpha investment analyst comments on the move and assesses future prospects. We discuss...
IQ v EQ: Logic
Cognitive intelligence (IQ) was once a primary determinant of success in the office. Today there's growing evidence Emotional intelligence (EQ) has a more profound impact on leadership ability and business’ profitability. As the following articles & stats demonstrate EQ has a direct effect on corporate performance.
Productivity in
In 2020, a roundup of go-to productivity tips for working from home was one of our most popular pieces on Forbes. Nearly one year later, as many prepare to shift to a hybrid work environment, Google’s executive productivity advisor Laura Mae Martin offers a fresh set of tactics for how to prepare.
AMZN Business
Amazon Business recenty released annual sales numbers trending at $25Bn worldwide. Based on PPSources we believe these figures hugely underestimate total business supplies GMV inc Micro/SMB's, since it started back in 2006.
Retail recession?
Retail has been in retreat for many years with the fall of the malls even pre-Covid. Now we are seeing ecommerce king Amazon add physical stores as symbolic showrooms; and retailers adding services to build destination and increase ticket value. We explore the successful case studies...
Direct to User
Technology has provided tools for original brand makers to transform & nurture direct customer relationships e.g. HP & 3M. This was accelerated by the Covid disruption and disintermediation of normal trading relationships. We explore D2C trends and highlight successful examples and probable weaknesses....
Paper retailers'
Paper Source is the latest stationery & greeting card retailer to file for bankruptcy. In recent years Paperchase, Papyrus and Paper Store have all crashed and failed. So what is the future for the greeting card industry? We explore latest trends in consumers' stationery buying behaviour...
HPs Instant Ink-as
Last December, HP announced it will allow pre-existing "free ink for life" Instant Ink subscribers to continue their 15-page-a-month free plan. We discuss this decision reversal and get OP distributors' reaction to the tremendous growth of the IaaS direct supply to consumers service that eliminates them. Updated again
B2B or B2C that
Amazon's meteoric growth in business supplies since 2006 accelerated by 40%, during Covid 2020, to reach $58Bn worldwide. Its invasion of the corporate supply market by delivering direct to WFH users has probably been the most disruptive market move this century. Is B2B marketing dead? Yes dealers, so pivot now to B2U (aka B2C) marketing and same day delivery.
Resilient resellers
Covid unmasked some resilient resellers who parried the pandemic and pivoted quickly to essential supply in WFH hygiene & tech. It also highlighted the weakness of trad dealers that were stuck with narrow OP ranges; obsolete B2B marketing methods; B2U ignorance; and slow service models. We discuss the best and worst practices. Updated again today
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