What happens when two industry veterans break down the biggest stories shaping wholesale distribution, AI adoption, and the global economy, live and unfiltered?

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton analyze everything from Fed rate cuts and tariffs to the rise of AI-driven commerce and the evolving role of leadership in an age of automation. Through their signature mix of insight and humor, they explore how distributors can stay resilient, data-smart, and human-centered amid rapid technological and economic change.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why AI-driven transformation is redefining productivity and workforce trust
• How agentic commerce and AI-powered purchasing are disrupting e-commerce models
• The real-world effects of rate cuts, tariffs, and government shutdowns on the wholesale channel
• Why contextual intelligence and digital ecosystems are the new growth drivers
• How leaders can leverage AI and emotional intelligence to future-proof their organizations
  
  

Episode Highlights:

• 04:08 – A look at market sentiment in wholesale distribution heading into 2025
• 16:42 – What the Fed’s latest rate cut means for lending, mortgages, and growth capital
• 31:55 – The ripple effects of the ongoing government shutdown on supply chains
• 46:30 – Trump’s proposed tariff reset and its implications for import-dependent industries
• 59:18 – How AI adoption is reshaping manufacturing and reducing burnout in operations
• 01:10:05 – Agentic commerce and how PayPal is leading the charge in AI-driven transactions
• 01:20:44 – Why distributors must rethink e-commerce or risk losing 25% of their market share

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are the co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, creators of LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, an AI-powered CRM and customer intelligence platform built for distributors and manufacturers. Together, they bring over 40 years of experience in digital transformation, AI strategy, and industrial growth, translating complex trends into actionable insights for industry leaders.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM and Customer Intelligence platform
• Agentic Commerce – AI-driven transactional automation and conversational e-commerce
• Context Engineering – Framework for aligning AI and workflow intent
• Human + Machine Collaboration Model – Integrating empathy and analytics for smarter teams
• ISA Leadership Academy – Developing adaptive, future-ready leaders across the supply chain

Closing Insight:

“AI isn’t going to take your job; it’s someone using AI that will.” — Kevin Brown

From economic volatility to AI-enabled innovation, this episode challenges distribution leaders to rethink strategy, leverage intelligence, and lead through disruption.

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