What do tariffs, Fed rate cuts, and AI-driven search mean for the future of wholesale distribution?

In this milestone episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down the latest updates on GDP growth, jobless claims, and U.S.–China tariffs, while exploring how AI Engine Optimization (AEO), digital payments, and LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ are rewriting the rules for distributors and manufacturers.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the latest GDP and job data signal surprising economic resilience despite tariff pressures
• How LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ is reinventing CRM as an AI-enabled customer intelligence platform for distributors
• Why AI-powered search and AEO are replacing traditional SEO as the new driver of high-quality leads
• How digital currencies, stablecoins, and real-time payments will transform B2B transactions by 2026
• The hidden strategies manufacturers use to absorb tariffs and stabilize pricing in volatile global markets

Episode Highlights:

• 02:35 – Milestone reflections: 160 episodes and a growing global audience
• 10:22 – GDP third-round update: AI hardware and business equipment drive unexpected growth
• 23:18 – Jobless claims dip to a two-month low as the Fed debates further rate cuts
• 38:41 – Tariff probes into robotics, PPE, and industrial machinery—and why manufacturers may be absorbing costs
• 54:07 – AI vs. Google: ChatGPT captures 85% of AI-generated leads
• 01:05:12 – B2B buyers demand “free + fast” delivery as drone logistics reshape expectations
• 01:17:44 – Digital currency disruption: agentic AI, stablecoins, and the coming payments revolution

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform
• AI Engine Optimization (AEO) – new strategies for ranking in AI-powered search
• Agentic AI Workflows – automated processes for smarter decision-making
• Digital Twin Modeling – replicating branches, warehouses, and store layouts for predictive planning
• Stablecoins & Real-Time Payments – faster, cheaper B2B transactions

Closing Insight:

“If you have siloed data, you have siloed AI. Winners unify data to future-proof supply chains.” – Kevin Brown

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Is the Fed too late to cut rates—and what does it mean for distributors?

In this episode of Around The Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the week’s economic headlines and explore how interest rate cuts, tariffs, and global supply chain volatility are reshaping the manufacturing and wholesale distribution landscape. From AI-driven sales playbooks to the hidden risks in employment data, Kevin and Tom reveal the trends that matter most for distributors, manufacturers, and independent sales agencies navigating digital transformation.

What You’ll Learn:

• Economic Risk Signals – Why the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut may not be enough to counter labor market headwinds or supply chain slowdowns.
• AI Adoption in Distribution – How smart CRM platforms and industry-specific AI agents are transforming sales enablement and customer intelligence.
• Tariff Strategy & USMCA – How Canada and Mexico are positioning ahead of 2025 trade renegotiations and what that means for North American distributors.
• Future of B2B Buying – Why millennial buyers are shifting to app-based e-commerce and conversational AI instead of traditional catalogs.
• Sales Playbooks that Work – How AI-powered, buyer-centric playbooks outperform static sales scripts in today’s digitally mature market.

Episode Highlights:

• 03:22 – Fed rate cuts and why lagging indicators may lead to late action
• 11:48 – Labor market trends and the rise of “bandwagon layoffs”
• 21:35 – Tariff uncertainty and how distributors are rewriting supplier contracts
• 34:57 – Global Supply Chain Volatility Index: what a negative reading signals for Q4
• 48:29 – How Reddit, Wikipedia, and Amazon shape AI model training data
• 58:12 – AI-driven e-commerce: the shift from website traffic to mobile buying apps
• 01:09:46 – Building dynamic, AI-powered sales playbooks that meet the modern buyer
• 01:21:30 – Why top talent quits when career growth stalls—and how leaders can respond

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are lifelong friends, seasoned entrepreneurs, and co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, the AI-enabled CRM and customer intelligence platform built exclusively for wholesale distribution and manufacturing.

Tools, Frameworks & Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart AI-Enabled Customer Intelligence Platform – A smart CRM built for distributors and manufacturers.
• Global Supply Chain Volatility Index (GEP/S&P) – A new indicator tracking global supply chain stress.
• AI Sales Playbook Model – Dynamic, signal-based playbooks for B2B sales teams.

Closing Insight:

“Today’s layoffs aren’t always about a weak eco

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What happens when AI adoption, tariffs, and interest rate cuts collide with the future of wholesale distribution?

In this lively episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton tackle the jobs report, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, and why AI regulation needs a federal playbook, not 50 state ones. You’ll learn how LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ is cracking the code on CRM adoption, why decentralized data may surface economic truth faster than the Fed, and what ethical AI frameworks mean for hiring and sales.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why CRM adoption fails, and how LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ is reframing it as a Customer Enablement Tool
• How decentralized markets like Polymarket highlight flaws in outdated economic data models
• Why the Supreme Court tariff decision could trigger refunds, reboot negotiations, or reinforce continuity
• How state-by-state AI laws risk creating chaos, and why federal AI policy is the only scalable solution
• Why businesses need AI ethics and HR policies before innovation turns into liability

Episode Highlights:

• 04:05 – Moonwalking office chairs, beach fog, and 157 weeks of distribution insights
• 12:20 – Why CRM adoption stalls, and how to build a system for willing adoption
• 23:42 – Jobs report shock: only 22,000 new jobs and what it signals for the Fed
• 35:18 – Polymarket vs. the Fed: can decentralized prediction markets beat outdated models?
• 47:02 – Tariff ruling chaos: Emergency Powers Act, refunds, and six statutory alternatives
• 59:15 – Why state-level AI laws could stifle innovation and confuse distributors
• 01:12:40 – AI in hiring: keyword-stuffed resumes, ethics policies, and the new HR reality
• 01:25:33 – Closing reflections: community, leadership, and why balanced trade matters

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform
• AI Co-Pilot for Sales – embedding intelligence into daily sales activity
• Polymarket – decentralized prediction market surfacing sentiment
• E³ Model – Experience, Efficiency, Effectiveness as leadership priorities
• AI Ethics Policies – workplace guidelines for safe, compliant AI adoption

Closing Insight:

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What do college football, tariffs, and AI pilots gone wrong have in common?

In this week’s Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton connect cultural trends, economic contradictions, and digital transformation in wholesale distribution. From the E³ Model (Experience, Efficiency, Effectiveness) to LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ and the failure rate of corporate AI pilots, this episode explores why distributors must move from siloed data to customer intelligence platforms that drive real growth.

What You’ll Learn

• Why redefining CRM as a Customer Enablement Tool changes adoption and ROI
• How tariff extensions and Liberation Day shifts affect supply chain planning
• Why most AI pilot projects fail, and how to avoid repeating their mistakes
• How the hidden buyer phenomenon is reshaping B2B purchasing decisions
• Why customer experience investment will be the biggest trend in 2026

Episode Highlights:

• 03:55 – College football, NIL money, and how it parallels short-term vs. long-term strategy in distribution
• 12:40 – LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ and why CRM reimagined means measurable outcomes
• 22:05 – Breaking down GDP growth: why a 3.3% headline hides real 1.6% growth
• 31:48 – Tariffs beyond China: Liberation Day shocks for Southeast Asia supply chains
• 42:15 – The E³ Model: Experience, Efficiency, and Effectiveness as the new playbook
• 53:02 – Why 95% of AI pilots fail and how to set success criteria
• 01:04:18 – Invisible influencers: the hidden buyers shaping B2B decisions
• 01:19:50 – Customer experience as the driver—not the byproduct—of transactions

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform
• GeniusFeed – AI-driven smart alerts for reps
• E³ Model – Experience, Efficiency, Effectiveness as growth pillars
• Agentic AI Workflows – AI-driven automation with expert oversight
• Hidden Revenue Detection – surfacing untapped opportunities in ERP/eCommerce data
  
  

Closing Insight:

“If you have siloed data, you have siloed AI. The winners will unify data to make supply chains resilient and future-proof.” – Kevin Brown

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

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What happens when AI-driven workflows, tariff pressures, and shifting B2B buyer expectations collide?

In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton explore the trends redefining distribution: from AI co-pilots for sales and customer intelligence platforms to Fed rate cuts, tariff extensions, and the rise of Millennial and Gen Z buyers. You’ll learn why reframing CRM as a Customer Enablement Tool is critical, and how distributors can prepare for agentic AI, semantic clarity in marketing, and seismic shifts in buying behavior
.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ represents the next evolution of CRM for distributors
• How to prepare for agentic AI workflows by aligning data and processes
• The economic outlook from Jackson Hole: what interest rate cuts could mean for growth
• Why tariff extensions create a window to future-proof supply chains
• The new rules of B2B buying, 8.2 stakeholders, rep-free preferences, and the dominance of social proof

Episode Highlights:

04:10 – How LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ reframes CRM as a Customer Enablement Tool
13:45 – Breaking down Powell’s Jackson Hole speech and the debate over a 3% inflation target
24:05 – Tariffs hit the highest level since 1934—and what it means for supply chain resilience
33:28 – Why B2B lags behind B2C in adopting agentic AI workflows
44:12 – Build vs. buy: navigating low-code tools versus industry-specific platforms
55:40 – AI in the workplace: why 40% of employees admit to using banned tools
01:04:55 – How Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping B2B buying groups
01:20:25 – Closing reflections on resilience, innovation, and AI policy in distribution

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform
• AI Co-Pilot for Sales – positioning AI as a digital sales assistant
• Hidden Revenue Detection – surfacing opportunities in ERP and eCommerce data
• Future-Proofing Distribution – strategies for mitigating supply chain risk
• Agentic AI Workflows – autonomous decision-making models for B2B processes

Closing Insight

Here's a link to the report we discussed - you can watch it on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=t2ppETF4oUA&feature=youtu.be

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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Is your CRM really driving revenue growth, or just storing notes no one reads?

In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton pull back the curtain on how AI-enabled customer intelligence platforms like LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ are transforming sales enablement, workflow automation, and decision-making in distribution.

You’ll hear fresh economic insights, a candid look at tariff strategy, and why agentic AI workflows could be the future of competitive advantage in B2B.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why redefining “CRM” as a Customer Enablement Tool changes adoption rates and sales results
• How to prepare your organization for agentic AI workflows by codifying your processes
• The economic signals driving the Fed’s next move and what that means for distributors
• How tariff extensions create hidden opportunities for future-proofing distribution supply chains
• Why AI policies are as important as HR policies in protecting your business

Episode Highlights:

• 04:15 – Why Kevin thinks it’s time to rebrand CRM for the modern salesforce
• 13:35 – Breaking down the PPI spike and its tariff-driven impact on inflation
• 22:48 – The overlooked advantage of the U.S.–China tariff extension for supply chain planning
• 33:12 – Agentic AI workflows: what they are and how B2B can catch up to B2C
• 44:50 – Build vs. buy: deciding between low-code prototypes and industry-specific platforms
• 55:19 – The silent AI adoption wave—why 40% of employees use banned tools at work
• 01:04:38 – Balancing innovation with risk in AI implementation
• 01:21:05 – Closing reflections and calls-to-action for distributors

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform for distributors
• Hidden Revenue Detection – uncovering untapped sales opportunities in ERP and eCommerce data
• Customer Enablement Tool (CET) – reframing CRM as a proactive sales asset
• Agentic AI Workflows – autonomous, decision-making processes powered by AI
• Future-Proofing Distribution – strategies for mitigating supply chain and economic risks

Closing Insight:

“Data and workflows are the key readiness factors for adopting AI, you can’t automate what you haven’t defined.” – Tom Burton

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

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You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

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When the U.S. jobs report is off by tens of thousands, what does that mean for leaders in wholesale distribution?

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down the latest economic numbers—and why massive revisions to jobs data should concern every distributor, manufacturer, and revenue leader. Beyond the headlines, they explore how faulty metrics distort strategy, trigger bad decisions, and create pressure across supply chains and sales teams.

But it’s not just about problems. The hosts highlight how LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, AI-enabled CRM tools, and smart data integration can help revenue teams regain clarity, turning siloed information into real-time intelligence.

Whether you're navigating inflation, digital transformation, or demand forecasting, this episode explains how to lead with insight when the facts are fuzzy.

What’s the Real Risk When the Data Is Wrong?

Whether it’s a 70,000-job gap or a delayed Fed signal, inaccurate economic metrics can lead to:

• Over-correcting on hiring and budgeting
• Missed sales targets due to false confidence
• Burnout and misalignment in leadership teams
• Pressure across CRM, ERP, and marketing systems that aren’t integrated

Episode Highlights

• 04:02 – The July jobs report: What the government got wrong
• 11:15 – Why flawed data creates flawed decisions in distribution
• 21:30 – Paladin and the danger of disconnected insights
• 33:10 – How AI for Bob makes frontline sales smarter
• 48:42 – CRM and ERP integration as an antidote to chaos
• 59:55 – The rise of distributor newsletters as executive intelligence tools
• 01:08:17 – When to trust your data—and when to override it
• 01:18:50 – Final take: Use AI to see clearly when the markets can’t

Meet the Hosts

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, a company building intelligent CRM platforms for manufacturers, distributors, and sales agents. With decades of experience, they help B2B teams align systems, strategy, and leadership insight.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – A CRM and customer intelligence platform for distribution
• AI for Bob – A metaphor for practical AI co-pilots in B2B sales
• Silo Elimination – Connecting CRM, ERP, and marketing for real-time clarity
• Newsletter as Dashboard – Treating curated content as operational strategy fuel

Closing Insight

“If the signal’s broken, build your own dashboard—and make sure your team knows how to read it.”

Stay ahead of the next surprise. Subscribe, sync your data, and lead with clarity.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

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Is your business ready for the AI economy, tariff turbulence, and the rapid rise of programmable payments?

In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, co-founders Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the week's most pressing trends, from stablecoin legislation to humanoid robotics, from AI-fueled job disruption to smart supply chain control towers.

Perfect for manufacturers, distributors, and B2B leaders navigating the evolving intersection of tech, trade, and trust, this episode delivers strategic insights designed for an AI-first, policy-volatile, automation-driven market.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the Trump AI Strategic Plan could be a game-changer for infrastructure and manufacturing
  
  
• How Plaid-like smart data integration is informing the future of supply chain pricing and tariff management
  
  
• Why stablecoins and the Genius Act may reinvent B2B invoicing and ERP workflows
  
  
• How to build executive-ready marketing narratives in the age of agentic AI
  
  
• What AI security, deepfakes, and robotic warehouse staff mean for your operational risk in 2025 and beyond

Episode Highlights:

05:10 – Why the Fed’s latest interest rate signals matter to distributors
12:42 – The Trump AI Plan and how it could power U.S. supply chain reinvention
28:04 – How MDM’s “Tariff Control Tower” could future-proof your pricing strategy
35:19 – Storytelling in B2B marketing: selling outcomes, not features
42:51 – The growing role of application-specific reviews in AI-first marketing funnels
59:03 – Why stablecoins and programmable money will change B2B payment models
01:07:25 – Are AI risks bigger than ransomware? What CISOs say now
01:14:48 – How AI is subtly changing the way we speak and lead

👤 Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, a RevOps CRM platform designed for manufacturers, distributors, and independent sales reps. Together, they host Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, a podcast that translates tech disruption into operational strategy for industrial B2B leaders.

Tools, Frameworks, and Models Mentioned

• MDM’s “Tariff Control Tower” Model
  
  
• Agentic AI and revenue department integration
  
  
• The Genius Act (U.S. Stablecoin Legislation)
  
  
• AI Risk Profiles: Ransomware vs. Generative Misuse
  
  
• HVAC/Electrical demand surge forecast (post-tariff and AI infrastructure boom)

Closing InsightL

“This is ACH 2.0, faster, cheaper, and built for modern logistics.”
From AI infrastructure planning to programmable payments and robotic labor, the future of distribution isn’t just digital, it’s autonomous, semantic, and strategic.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.