The Article Series

Every business problem begins long before it shows.

Practical thinking for owners, executives, manufacturers, distributors and dealers in the building products industry. Each article takes on a real decision, such as how to structure a sales force, how to win the specification, or how to enter a new market, and works through it the way it plays out in practice. It draws on nearly five decades in the industry.

The Series

New articles are published regularly. The most recent appear first.

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Oct 2026

Manufacturers’ Reps or a Direct Sales Force: How I Would Decide

Manufacturers' reps or a direct sales force? A four-question framework for choosing a manufacturer sales strategy your factory support can actually carry.

Rebuilding starts with seeing the problem clearly.