Innovation | Voices “As a smaller distributor, if you don’t start using AI for the efficiencies that these larger organizations are gaining, that gap between large distributors and small distributors is only going to continue to widen,” says Angela Taylor, vice president of customer engagement & digital solutions for AIM Smarter, PPAI 100’s No. 15 distributor. Streamlining Success: Automation Solutions For Distributors Every business handles tasks like sending welcome emails, managing leads and following up with clients. While essential, these tasks can drain your time and attention. In this session, attendees discovered how accessible automation tools can handle the busy work for them, simplifying complex processes and minimizing mistakes. They learned practical ways to take back their time, focus on what matters most and drive meaningful growth – no tech expertise needed. Although AI can simplify many aspects of your business, Eric Granata, CAS, founder of business services provider PromoPilot, told attendees that these four things shouldn’t be automated: • Tasks requiring human judgment. • Low-volume tasks. • Unpredictable tasks. • Problems that don’t exist. Connecting Your Workflow: Unleashing The Power Of Your Business This session, led by Aaron Kucherawy, vice president of customer success at commonsku, was packed with valuable insights to empower attendees to use commonsku to its fullest potential. Those who weren’t commonsku customers got a comprehensive overview of the firm’s powerful features. Attendees discovered how the platform creates a fully connected workflow, enhances collaboration and streamlines processes, ensuring that every team member works seamlessly together. Charlie Moscoe, vice president of product management, also shared exciting highlights from commonsku’s latest developments. Plus, attendees got an exclusive look at the innovative updates that have recently launched and gained insights into commonsku’s immediate and future roadmap for 2025. Industry Integration: A PromoStandards & PDX Conversation The backbone of exceptional customer experiences and stable markets is streamlined order management. When orders flow smoothly, customers stay happy, businesses thrive, and the ripple effect builds a stronger industry. But it’s not magic – it’s systems, standards and collaboration. This session included an insightful panel discussion, where experts from SAGE – PPAI’s technology partner – and PromoStandards shared the stage. Moderated by Chris Anderson of HPG, PPAI 100’s No. 6 supplier, this conversation featured Dana Porter, MAS; Amy Rabideau, MAS, and Joe Hoffmann as they delved into the tools and strategies shaping the future of order management. It was a rare chance to explore how seamless processes aren’t just operational perks – they’re the foundation of trust, loyalty and long-term success. Johnson is a news editor at PPAI. PPAI • MARCH 2025 • 21
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