The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) Institute for Distribution Excellence is hosting a free webcast, "Thriving in a Connected World." The event will be held live on Wed., March 5 at 1 P.M. Eastern. The topic and content is based on the newly released industry trends study, Facing the Forces of Change®: Reimagining Distribution in a Connected World. The study is the 10th edition in a series that NAW noted has been recognized over the last 30-plus years as the finest research to look at the future of wholesale distribution.

Guy Blissett, author of the book will summarize the key research findings and messages around mobility, e-commerce, and social networking. His comments will include putting these technologies individually and collectively into context for distributors. Joining Guy will be executives from leading distributors in three different lines of business — Charmer Sunbelt, BDI, and Ingram Micro — who will share their activities and perspectives in these areas as well.

The discussion will include how to leverage these technologies to innovate the customer experience while preserving the value of traditional interactions; business case considerations when evaluating investments in these areas; transformational opportunities enabled through e-commerce, mobile, and social networking; applications of social media to distribution businesses; and shifts in required functional capabilities, in particular in relation to the CMO and CIO, as a consequence of these technologies.