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Independent Thinking Podcast

173: The Benefits of a Tech Stack Review with AppDirect

173: The Benefits of a Tech Stack Review with AppDirect

When’s the last time you checked to see how much you’re spending on phone, internet, security software and other business technology solutions? We sat down with Jason DiFulvio, director of channel sales for AppDirect, to talk about how they’re finding hidden savings for retailers and much more.

172: Launching Ellipsys, Nationwide’s New Commercial Integration Group

172: Launching Ellipsys, Nationwide’s New Commercial Integration Group

Ellipsys Commercial Technology Group, a new network of commercial integration businesses and vendor partners within Nationwide, will make its debut this week at a major industry trade show. Ahead of that event, we sat down with Chris Whitley, who’s been charged with leading and growing that group.

171: Exploring Updates to the eXchange Platform with Randy Derr

171: Exploring Updates to the eXchange Platform with Randy Derr

It’s been a while since we checked in with Randy Derr, director of distribution and eXchange at Nationwide Marketing Group, about the powerful platform. While we were together at the Oasys Summit in Nashville, we sat down with him to talk through recent updates, future plans and more.

170: Detroit-Based AV Imagined Shares Its Origin Story

170: Detroit-Based AV Imagined Shares Its Origin Story

In just under two years, AV Imagined has grown from an idea among friends to one of the more successful custom integration firms in the Detroit area. Lawrence Walters, a co-owner of the business, shares what it’s been like to build a business from the ground up.

169: An Oasys Summit Debrief

169: An Oasys Summit Debrief

At the tail end of the first-ever Oasys Summit, we sat down with the Director of Oasys Hank Alexander to get his near-immediate reaction to the event. And, beyond the Summit, Hank covers what’s next for the group in the lead up to CEDIA Expo this fall.

168: Diving Into Nationwide’s New Region Realignment with Patrick Maloney

168: Diving Into Nationwide’s New Region Realignment with Patrick Maloney

Earlier this month, Nationwide Marketing Group unveiled a new streamlined structure for its field team, which resulted in the creation of several new regions. We dive into the new structure — and how it ties into the ongoing Customer Obsessed conversation — with Nationwide’s EVP of Membership Patrick Maloney. 

167: What Role Does AI Have to Play in the Future of Independent Retail?

167: What Role Does AI Have to Play in the Future of Independent Retail?

With the meteoric rise of tools like ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence-powered, content-producing platforms, it’s only natural to wonder what role these tools can and will play in retail.

166: David Niedzielski on Joining NMG to Tackle Furniture & Outdoor

166: David Niedzielski on Joining NMG to Tackle Furniture & Outdoor

Barely two weeks into his new role as director of furniture and outdoor for Nationwide Marketing Group, David Niedzielski found himself roaming the buildings and showrooms at High Point Market. Post-show, we sat down with him to talk about joining Nationwide and what excites him about the opportunity to go to work for the independent retail channel.

165: David Watt on Joining NMG and the Opportunities in Consumer Electronics

165: David Watt on Joining NMG and the Opportunities in Consumer Electronics

Less than two weeks into his tenure as Senior Director of Consumer Electronics for Nationwide Marketing Group, 20-year CE industry veteran David Watt jumps on the podcast. Beyond his introduction to the group, Watt dives into the world of CE, where he sees some opportunities for CE dealers to grow and more.

164: How Retailers Can Leverage the ENERGY STAR Message in Their Marketing

164: How Retailers Can Leverage the ENERGY STAR Message in Their Marketing

Kaleb Behm, marketing and project manager at Nationwide, joins the podcast to discuss ways retailers can leverage the ENERGY STAR message in their own marketing. Specifically, ENERGY STAR has a unique program that helps visualize the real-world impact that selling ENERGY STAR Certified product has on the environment.

163: Mattress Retailer Keith Moneymaker Dives Into His Dreams 4 All Foundation

163: Mattress Retailer Keith Moneymaker Dives Into His Dreams 4 All Foundation

Retail has been in Keith Moneymaker’s blood since he was born. But in 2016 he found his calling, as he puts it. That’s the year Moneymaker started the Dreams 4 All Foundation — a nonprofit that takes old mattresses (like the ones his customers are replacing when they purchase a new one from his Sweet Dreams Mattresses & More store), refurbishes them and puts them in the homes of those most in need.

162: No Child Hungry Talks Turkey and Syria Giveback Efforts

162: No Child Hungry Talks Turkey and Syria Giveback Efforts

Ahead of PrimeTime in Dallas, the Nationwide Marketing Group team, on behalf of Members attending the show, offered support for No Child Hungry and their efforts to get critical supplies to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. During the show, William Lowry, founder of No Child Hungry, was on hand to continue to raise awareness. 

161: Introducing Oasys Residential Technology Group

161: Introducing Oasys Residential Technology Group

During Nationwide Marketing Group’s PrimeTime show in Dallas, it was announced that our custom integration group was sunsetting its old name (HTSN). The team will move forward as Oasys Residential Technology Group, or Oasys for short. We sat down with Director of Oasys Hank Alexander to talk about the new name, the group’s new strategy and more.

160: Synchrony Shares Tips for Tackling Consumer Finance in an Evolving Market

160: Synchrony Shares Tips for Tackling Consumer Finance in an Evolving Market

The evolution in consumer finance has streamlined the credit-approval process, which is a benefit to both the customer and the retailer. Synchrony Financial shares some tips for success.

159: EPA’s Dan Cronin Talks Earth Day, ENERGY STAR and More

159: EPA’s Dan Cronin Talks Earth Day, ENERGY STAR and More

Ahead of Earth Day 2023, we sat down with Dan Cronin, program manager for ENERGY STAR at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to talk about the program’s impact, the Inflation Reduction Act and much more.

158: Getting Seriously Small Town with Sorenson’s Appliance & TV

158: Getting Seriously Small Town with Sorenson’s Appliance & TV

Geneva, Minnesota is town of just over 500 residents, and it also happens to be the home of Nationwide Marketing Group Member Sorenson’s Appliance & TV. Co-owner Dak Sorenson and his team have found success by leaning heavily into that small-town mindset in every aspect of the business.

157: Independent Retail Through the Eyes of a Nationwide Member Support Manager

157: Independent Retail Through the Eyes of a Nationwide Member Support Manager

Brett Kelley joined the Nationwide Marketing Group team roughly one year ago as a Member Support Manager — the team that sits on the front lines of the independent retail channel, engaging with our Members and helping them thrive on their own terms. As such, he (and the full MSM team) has a very unique perspective into what life is like as an independent retailer. We tap into that experience and more.

156: Pushing the Limits of Luxury Appliances with JennAir

156: Pushing the Limits of Luxury Appliances with JennAir

JennAir is a company founded on the idea of challenging conventional norms in the appliance industry. That way of thinking hasn’t changed over the past 57-plus years, and it’s helped the brand continue to stand out as a true innovator of luxury appliances. We dive into all that JennAir has to offer with Nathan Puplis, who leads up the buying group initiative for the company.

155: A Crash Course in Retail Financing with Wells Fargo

155: A Crash Course in Retail Financing with Wells Fargo

From inventory financing to consumer credit, the world of retail financing is vast. To help get a handle on it all, we tapped into our partners over at Well Fargo Retail Services to dive into it. Steve Jermier, SVP of Relationship Management at Wells Fargo, sat down to talk about the work his team does behind the scenes to help independent retailers navigate the ins and outs of retail finance, the cause behind the recent rate changes and strategies to avoid letting it impact your business.

154: How Pocatello Electric Became a Community Staple

154: How Pocatello Electric Became a Community Staple

For over 120 years, Pocatello Electric has served the many needs of its local residents in southeast Idaho. That longevity has helped them become the oldest family-owned appliance store in the country. We chat with current-day owner Suzie Vigliaturo about business, what’s worked and how they’ve evolved over the years to remain relevant with their customers.