Complete Story
09/27/2025
018. Balancing Innovation and Trust: How Distributors Win with AI
Instructor: Benjamin Cohen
Level of Complexity: Intermediate
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Distributors are sitting on mountains of data—from transactions, product catalogs, supplier feeds, and customer interactions—but very few know how to turn that data into a strategic advantage. This session will show how distributors can move beyond surface-level digital tools and use AI to transform messy, underutilized data into actionable insights that drive revenue, margin, and customer loyalty. Benj Cohen will share real-world examples of distributors who are using AI responsibly to grow margins and strengthen customer relationships. And while AI opens doors to growth, it also raises new questions: How do we protect customer trust? How do we balance innovation with risk? Benj will show leaders how to seize the AI opportunity while putting data security at the center of their strategy. Listed below are examples of activities Benj can incorporate into a workshop: Small groups map out their current data landscape (where data lives today) and highlight opportunities where AI could drive quick wins. Distributors rank AI opportunities for their own businesses based on impact, feasibility, and trust. Attendees practice asking “must-know” questions of an AI vendor to separate real value from hype.
Bookstore
The Credit Overlord's Guide to Credit & Collections
Thea Dudley
Being responsible for the credit and collections function in the construction industry is never any little kid's dream. But somebody's got to do it.
In The Credit Overlord's Guide to Credit & Collections, Thea Dudley presents an honest, open, and often hilarious account of her journey through opening contractors with credit lines, collecting, or chasing the payments, managing sales reps, teams and bosses.
Dudley shares her insights into succeeding in keeping your business cash flow moving while still salvaging the customer. She offers practical advice for protecting and collecting your money — written in plain, straightforward language that helps connects the dots. This is a must-read guide for anyone in the construction and building material industry.
