Distributor networks can be extremely beneficial, as they provide business support and services beyond what one person can do alone. However, not all distributor networks are created equal. If you can relate to any of the sentiments below, it might be time to make the switch to a new organization that's a better match for your business.
#1. You feel lost in a large organization.
While there are many benefits to being in a large distributor organization, one of the downsides is at times feeling lost in the noise. You want to make sure that your distributorship is getting the attention and support it needs, which can be difficult when you're one among hundreds, if not thousands, of other companies. It begs the question: If you're not getting the individual attention your business needs to thrive, are the benefits of being in a larger group really worth it overall?
That will never be an issue with The Ampersand Group. With this distributor organization, you really get the best of both worlds, as you'll be a member of a
The Ampersand Group distributors experienced between 10-40% growth last year, with 12% overall growth on average.
#2. Your company doesn't have a clear identity.
At the end of the day, distributors are entrepreneurs. While you want to gain support to grow your business to be the best it can be, you also want to maintain your independence and identity. After all, it's your brand you want your clients to feel a connection with, not just the organization you're a part of. If you feel like your brand identity is a bit muddled, your clients probably do too – which doesn't bode well for continued business.
Are you ready for a new approach? Consider The Ampersand Group your invisible partner, providing all the support you need in the background – unless you'd like their identity to be known, of course! Members are always able and encouraged to keep their own company name and brand, as well as the freedom to choose their own vendors. The Ampersand Group also doesn't load rebate percentages into their vendor pricing, so their pricing model is the most competitive in the industry and gives members the most options. The end result? Freedom to represent and run your business the way you want.
The Ampersand Group has a member retention rate of over 99%.
#3. You're using outdated technology.
In today's digital world, your business is often only as good as the tech you're using. Unfortunately, the fastest and most powerful programs are often too expensive for a distributor to afford on their own. In these cases, you then turn to your distributor organization to provide that perk as part of their services. Are you satisfied with the technology you've been given? If you feel like there's room for upgrades, it's probably because there is – and you shouldn't have to compromise as a paying member.
The Ampersand Group understands the importance of innovative technology. That's why they invest hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in state-of-the-art technology and software to ensure they're offering the best in the marketplace. They also don't charge a monthly fee to use their programs, which many competitors do. This means you can do your job faster, easier and cheaper – a trifecta of business improvement, all by using the best tech.
The technology and software from The Ampersand Group has assisted their members in facilitating orders with multiple Fortune 100 companies.
#4. You often feel short on time.
There are only so many hours in the day. You should be spending your time doing what you do best: connecting with clients and bringing their promotional ideas to life. However, as distributors know all too well, there are tons of other tasks that need to get done, from administrative duties to financial invoices and quotes and beyond. Your distributor organization should be taking all of these responsibilities off your plate so you can focus on your unique skillset and use your time wisely.
You can free up hours of your day simply by joining The Ampersand Group. They're happy to take over any task you don't feel like doing, including:
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Inventory Management
- Invoicing
- Purchase Orders
- Releases
- Requests for Quote (RFQ)
- Client Quotes
- Crystal Reports Interface
- Data Retention & Daily Backup of Data
- Order Funding
- And more
The Ampersand Group members usually spend 5-10% less on fees than members of competitor organizations.
#5. You're looking for new revenue opportunities.
Distributors typically join a distributor organization because they're looking for ways to grow their business. That includes identifying new revenue opportunities that you may not be taking advantage of. One of the most successful tactics is cross-selling into new product lines, such as commercial print products like flyers and brochures. Almost all businesses need these print products along with promo, so it's a no-brainer upsell opportunity. However, very few distributor groups also work within the print space, rendering them useless in helping you tap into this revenue stream.
On the other hand, The Ampersand Group is proud to call themselves experts in both the promotional and print industries. Whether you're familiar with selling commercial print items or this is your first time, The Ampersand Group will be able to guide you on the best products to sell, where to source them from and how to make every client's order a success.