The IMR Business Model–Crossing the Chasm to Professional Management - ISA

The IMR Business Model – Crossing the Chasm to Professional Management

Available at the IMR Summit 2018

The IMR Business Model – Crossing the Chasm to Professional Management

Monday, February 19, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, IMR Summit 2018
Speakers: Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group, and Abram Walton, PhD, Ivory Bridge Group & Florida Institute of Technology

Most rep firms are created, grow and age out as lifestyle businesses that have little value when the founder departs. The first major professionally managed rep firm was Mr. Phone in the mid-seventies. It had a national footprint and ended up being acquired by WR Grace for a significant purchase price. History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. There are proven practices that can be employed to create this transition. Much of the shift is working on the business instead of in the business.

This session is part of the educational programming planned for the IMR Summit 2018. To attend or learn more about this session, visit the IMR Summit 2018 page.

About the Speakers

Mike Marks
Mike Marks co-founded Indian River Consulting Group (IRCG) in April 1987. He began his consulting practice after working in distribution management for more than 20 years. Over the years, his narrow focus in B2B channel-driven markets has created an extensive number of deep executive relationships within virtually every business vertical in construction, industrial, OEM, agricultural, and health care.

Abram Walton, Phd
Dr. Abram Walton is the Senior Partner at Ivory Bridge Group, a strategy and innovation Management consulting firm. He is also the Director for the Center for Innovation and professor of management and innovation at Florida Institute of Technology. He is an author, consultant, and researcher actively speaking on topics related to innovation, product and service strategy, and product lifecycle management. He was previously the Director for the Center for Ethics and Leadership.

To learn more about these speaker and this session, visit the IMR Summit 2018 page.

To all ISA Members and ISA Atlanta 2020 Attendees,

After continuous monitoring of the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and much deliberation, the Industrial Supply Association (ISA) is announcing today that the ISA Board of Directors have voted to cancel ISA Atlanta 2020 scheduled to take place April 20-22 in Atlanta, Georgia. Everyone at ISA understands and appreciates the time, effort, and resources that you have put into preparing for this event. Like you, we have been working hard, and were looking forward to coming together to Engage, Learn and Lead.

This decision was made after careful review of the most recent facts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), the Georgia Department of Public Health and other local authorities. Ultimately, the health, safety and well-being of our members, management team and the community at large led to this decision. Although difficult, as this decision comes at a significant cost to ISA which is a nonprofit, we know it’s the right thing to do.

With that in mind, it’s important to note that ISA is YOUR ASSOCIATION and ISA is OUR INDUSTRY. With over 118 years of history, our mission is to provide the strategies and tools to help companies remain relevant throughout industry change. This global pandemic, combined with the accelerating disruption we all are facing, demonstrates now more than ever the need for ISA to continue its pursuit of Leading the Channel Forward®.

The good news is that we have the financial strength to weather this storm. We plan to access our financial reserves to make that happen. These reserves are intended to protect ISA in times like this and for investing in value added programs that benefit ISA members and our industry.

With this decision, we are prepared to refund 100% of all registration, booth and sponsorship fees. However, recognizing the significant impact on our reserves, we are asking for your consideration in donating your registration, booth fees and/or sponsorships to the ISA Foundation, all or in part, at the level your organization is able to support. Foundation funds will only be used for education, research and/or scholarships and your organization will be recognized as a supporting patron of the Foundation helping ISA continue its mission critical purpose. Your donation will help continue the momentum and fuel the future of the Industrial MROP Channel. We recognize the magnitude of this ask, but if each company can help in some way, together, we will strengthen ISA, our community and industry overall.

In the coming weeks, a member of the ISA team will contact all ISA Atlanta 2020 participants to discuss refunds and or donations. Due to the large number of companies and attendees we ask for your patience as we begin this process. This is a priority and will be given the urgency it deserves.

In closing, I would like to thank everyone that has reached out with overwhelming support and positive feedback regarding the path and mission we are on. To all, please keep an eye out for upcoming announcements regarding the Lifetime Achievement Award, Innovation Impact Awards, Phase 2 Analytics for Distributor, Manufacturers and IMRs, Scholarships and so much more.

On behalf of the ISA Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your patience throughout this decision-making process and your commitment to your association – ISA.

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