PPB November 2017

How Independent Distributors Thrive | FEATURE I n an average work day, the to-do list for any distributor is likely a mile long. Today’s industry players offer distributors countless options to help them pare down that list; from affiliate programs to business services providers, companies offer distributors numerous options to move administrative, sourcing and technology-related tasks off their plates so they can focus on building and growing the business. But for distributor owners who choose to operate independently, the challenge of balancing sales growth with daily operations —while also developing strategies to continue to thrive in a competitive marketplace—is a daily race against the clock. Yvonne Lyngaas Zeman, owner and CEO of Chicago, Illinois-based Monarch & Company, says the time and labor commitment she applies to managing administrative tasks has Independent distributors reveal their strategies for growing successful stand-alone businesses. by Jen Alexander A BALANCING A C T | NOVEMBER 2017 | 55