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DECEMBER 2016
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Powerful Partners
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FEATURE
Cory
REESE
Senior Program Director
Ampli i Marketing Solutions
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Nominated by:
Ryan
Lester, CAS, Inside Sales,
Showdown Displays
Cory Reese spent three
years honing his business
development acumen at Palmetto Sports Fundraising before joining
distributor Ampli i in 2013. The company was founded 30 years ago as
a pre-sort mail company, but over the years found its niche in providing
solution-based project management—including promotional products,
print, mail services and online company stores. Today it’s a full-service
marketing solutions provider. Ampli i’s website states that the company’s
most consistent trait is its “ …dedication to love and serve our people and
our customers.”
It’s an aspiration that has molded the company’s culture and is
re ected daily by Reese in his work with his clients. Also among those on
the receiving end of that dedicated service is Ryan Lester, who works in
inside sales for supplier Showdown Displays. While it may seem non-
traditional for Reese to be providing service to Lester, the two know that
give and take on both sides is the way true partnerships are built.
“Cory is very forthcoming with information and gives me his
expectations so we can partner together to meet his clients’ needs,” says
Lester, adding that this way no time is wasted. “He responds quickly to
questions I have and presents as much info as he can in the beginning so
I’m sure we are quoting on the right products from the start.”
The two have worked together since Reese joined the company on
countless projects for some of Reese’s retail clients who use Showdown
Display’s table covers and other products in store openings and new
product rollouts.
“We have a program with Cory that we were hoping would renew,” says
Lester. “He let us know where we need to be to win this project. He is up
front with us and he is willing to give and take. He realizes there are less
expensive options available, but [he knows] we offer a great value. He lets
his customer know that quality trumps price.”
In addition to ef cient communication and the high energy level
Reese brings to the projects, Lester also likes the distributor’s laid-back
personality. “He’s very successful, but he keeps things light.”
What are the most important qualities in a
good business partner?
When choosing a business support partner, I
look for someone who values communication
and follow-through above all else. If the person
I am working on a project with can give me the
attention necessary to get the right information
to my customer, we can typically nd a mutually
bene cial price that works for both parties.
What do you do that sets you apart from other
distributors in the way you work with suppliers?
I always try to understand that as much as I am
trying to work hard and achieve results for my
end user, my chosen suppliers are trying to work
just as hard for me. It creates an understanding
that they really do have my interest in mind and
aren’t just focused on achieving high pro ts for
their companies all the time.
Is there something Ryan does that makes it easy
for you to provide exemplary service?
Ryan always goes to the next level to give me
the opportunity to compete in tight turnaround
and lower margin situations. His communication
ability and quick follow-through makes him a go-to
whenever a need arises in his area of focus. He is
always willing to ask if there is more he can do to
help me win the bid and that goes a long way.
What advice do you have for other distributors
who want to achieve a true partnership with
their suppliers?
Remember that, at the end of the day, the
person on the other end of the phone has a life
and a family just like you do. It’s easy to get
caught up in achieving results and trying to earn
business but it starts with realizing that I can’t
do my job without my supplier doing theirs. I
need them just as much as they need me. I
always try to take a moment to let my suppliers
know how thankful I am for their willingness to
work hard and get me the best price and quality
that my customers are looking for. I don’t want
to be the distributor that suppliers dread hearing
from. I always seek to be a great partner and
advocate in the industry for suppliers who are
willing to do a little bit more to make sure my
customers are always well pleased.
CORY REESE ON PARTNERING
Tina Berres Filipski is editor of
PPB
.
continued from page 64