The Oakland A's baseball team used data-driven decision-making to build a competitive team despite a limited budget compared to wealthier teams.

This approach came to be known as "Moneyball" and was popularized by author Michael Lewis in his book of the same name.

"Moneyball" explores themes of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and challenging the status quo in the world of sports.

In today's podcast, Bud Dunn from VxP explains how beer distributors can adopt a moneyball approach to sell more beer.

Key Topics

• How to move from "subjective" to "objective" selling 
• "Inspire and enroll"...It's the new command and control
• Tactics to gain a volume x profit mindset
• How to avoid easy placements and gain the right placements

Resources

• Connect with Bud Dunn and learn more about VxP: [email protected]
• Learn more about the beer finance network

In today's podcast we hear from Orman Anderson, CFO for Glazers Beer and Beverage.

Orman shares his process for financial analysis, budget planning, key metrics to track, and compensation planning.  

Key Topics

• Wholesaler financial planning tactics
• Key metrics Glazers follows
• Compensation planning strategies
• Glazers software stack

Resources

• Learn more about Glazers Beer and Beverage or connect with Orman Anderson 
• Join the network of beer industry finance professionals

Today we talk sales compensation planning with the leadership team at Stokes Distributing.

Sparkman Walker, President, Matt Mumme, VP of Sales and GM, and Chris Leonard, CFO, share their experiences, challenges and benefits they've seen since partnering with Volume x Profit (VxP).

Key Topics

• How Stokes Distributing reduced finished product loss by 90% 
• Best practices to implement a change in compensation plans
• How Stokes uses data to make better business decisions

Resources

• Connect with Matt Mumme, VP of Sales and GM: [email protected]
• Contact Bud Dunn to learn more about VxP: [email protected]
• Join the Beer Business Finance Association, a network of beer industry professionals

Distributors are always on the lookout for ways to reduce costs and increase sales. In today's podcast we talk with Bud Dunn from VxP, who shares a tool that you can use to reduce finished product loss by 50% or more, and increase gross profit per CE by 20 cents or more. 

Key Topics

• Volume is good, profits are better, how to use VxP to increase both
• How to align sales rep incentives with overall growth of the business
• How to get suppliers involved with incentives and co-op dollars

Resources

• Learn how to increase gross profit by 20 cents per CE in your business
• Check out the new network for beer wholesaler financial professionals

Today we talk about navigating current market challenges and brand slumps with Bud Dunn from VxP.

These days, beer wholesalers have a doozy of a "brand slump" with the Bud Light debacle.  Bud and I talk about tactics and strategies that distributors can use to navigate the current chaos, and overcome future brand slumps when they occur. 

Key Topics

• Factors that cause a brand slump, and what to do when it happens
• Tactics, strategies and best practices to deal with a brand slump  
• How to use VxP as a tool to identify market opportunities and overcome challenges

Resources

• Read the article: Strategies for beer distributors to master market shifts
• Get the FREE beer business financial newsletter
• Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association

The goal of our new wholesaler finance group is to bring people together to solve problems, overcome challenges, and share best practices.

In our virtual meetings we talk about the key issues facing beer wholesalers: how to build a better sales compensation plan, ideas to manage expenses, next generation succession planning, and gross profit management to name a few.

Key Topics

• How to achieve budget accountability through manager training
• Tactics and specific ideas to reduce costs

Resources

• Learn more about the Beer Business Finance Association
• Sign up for the free beer business finance newsletter

In today's podcast we hear from VxP's Bud Dunn and Brad White. VxP is a tool that can help your beer business substantially improve gross profit. 

We dig in on this important question: Why are we afraid to show a gross profit to our sales reps?  Basically, all other industries do it, why not beer wholesalers?

Key Topics

• Most common reasons why owners in the beer industry are hesitant to share gross profit information with their sales reps
• Beer company's that have successfully implemented a program to share gross profit information with its sales team
• How sales reps can use knowledge of gross profit margins to make better decisions about pricing, promotions, and other sales-related activities

Resources

• Learn more about how VxP can transform your sales team
• Sign up for the free beer finance newsletter

In today's podcast we hear from Lester Jones, Chief Economist and VP of Analytics for the National Beer Wholesalers Association. 

Lester's job is to track everything quantitative, economic and demographic about the beer industry. And today he shares what happened in 2022 and his outlook for 2023. 

Key Questions Asked and Answered

• How did beer do last year? 
• What's the outlook for 2023? 
• What is the data telling us? 
• How can beer wholesalers use this information to increase sales?

Key Topics

• Total beer consumption 
• On / Off Premise trends
• Sales growth by product segment
• Inflation, cost pressures, and supply chain issues

Resources

• Check out the Beer Purchaser's Index
• Get the beer wholesaler financial training newsletter

Today we hear from Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewer's Association. Bart breaks down 2022 beer data, shares trends, volume and market share on the beer industry.

Key Topics

• Beer data and trends to watch
• On premise vs. off premise volume and growth
• Trends in pack counts, sizes, formats
• Brewery openings and closings
• Bart's forecast for 2023

Resources

• Learn more about Bart's work with the Brewer's Association
• Get the free wholesaler financial training newsletter

Today we hear from Everlance CEO Alex Marlantes.  Everlance helps beer wholesalers modernize their vehicle program and lower costs without creating an administrative burden.

If you have a vehicle reimbursement program, you'll want to hear what Alex has to say about how to re-claim the tax waste for your business and your employees. 

Key Topics

• Common mistakes beer wholesalers make with vehicle programs
• Tips to automate painful everyday tasks, and help people save time and money
• The high cost of tax waste and how you can get it back
• How Del Papa Distributing saved money with Everlance

Resources

• Learn how Del Papa saved money with Everlance
• Calculate the tax waste associated with vehicle programs
• Learn more about how Everlance helps beer distributors

Sign up for the beer industry financial training newsletter