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When you get a job working for a distributor, you are opening yourself up to an opportunity to network with top companies all over your industry. A distributor comes into contact with at least three levels of business in a distribution channel, and you can use that kind of exposure to make contacts that can sustain your career.

Manufacturers

Distributors get the products out to the retail outlets for manufacturers. That puts your distribution company into direct contact with the largest manufacturers in your industry. The advantage about being a distributor is that you can work with all of the top manufacturers without creating any kind of conflict. Because of your retail connections, the top manufacturers would actually seek you out and try to establish a solid relationship with you and your company.

Wholesalers

People sometimes make the mistake of thinking that a wholesaler is a distributor. The wholesaler is the level between the distributor and the retail channel. Not every distribution model has wholesalers, but the ones that do give a great deal of power to the wholesalers and distributors work to forge strong relationships with wholesalers as well.

Wholesalers also tend to be the technical part of a distribution channel. The wholesalers often do the configurations and technical support work that gives products their individuality and keeps clients happy.

Retail Outlets

In some distribution channels, there is no wholesaler, which puts the distributor in direct contact with the retail outlets. The retail stores deal with the end users and can often have dozens, or even hundreds, of locations in metropolitan areas. If you enjoy travel and dealing with the public, then working for a retail organization is the perfect job for you.

To be successful in the world of product distribution, you need to be familiar with how the business works at all levels. If you can land a job with a distributor, then you have comprehensive access to every level of the distribution network. As you perform your job duties for the distributor, be sure to spend time talking with people at all levels of the channel to understand how the distribution channel works and to keep yourself updated on new employment opportunities.

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14y ago

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