LATEST ISSUE

Cover Story: Meeting the challenges of sales recruitment: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about how they are handling the challenges of recruiting sales staff
The Winner's Circle: Good things happening with independents
Secrets of Success: BOS IL, Roselle, Illinois

Plus: Industry News; NAOPA shortlist; WSA updates; Paul Miller on government procurement reform; West McDonald on how AI can play a role in staff retention; Tom Buxton on ensuring you get the best from your reps; Jennifer Vitanzo with top tips for hiring stellar salespeople; Marisa Pensa on getting past the gatekeeper to reach decisionmakers; Troy Harrison insists the phone is still an important sales tool; and more…

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August 2026

Cover Story: Print and promo is alive and well: Lisa Veeck on the thriving print and promo category and how your dealership can make the most of this opportunity The Winner’s Circ

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June/July 2026

Cover Story: Furniture fashions: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers who are making the bottom line more comfortable with furniture sales The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to ind

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May 2026

Cover Story: Making plans for jan/san: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers across the country about their successes selling janitorial and sanitation products The Winner’s Circle: Good th

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March/April 2026

Cover Story: Tech on deck: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about the tech-based providers helping their businesses thrive The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents S

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February 2026

Cover Story: Intelligent use of AI in the IDC: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about how to make the most of the available artificial intelligence platforms. The Winner’s Circle: Good

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Dec 25/Jan 26

Cover Story: Sparking Change: 2025 has been called a “catalyst year”—what reactions will we see in 2026? Lisa Veeck canvasses a range of dealers for their opinions. The Winner’s C

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November 2025

Cover Story: Enable the sustainable: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers who are adopting new and varied strategies to help reduce both their own carbon footprints and those of their custo

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Sept/Oct 2025

Cover Story: Succession success: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about planning the next step for your business The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Industry Ne

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August 2025

Cover Story: Growing MRO: Lisa Veeck asks if the maintenance, repairs and operations category can provide the bottom-line boost your dealership is seeking? The Winner’s Circle: Go

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June/July 2025

Cover Story: Furniture forecast: Lisa Veeck documents the continued rise of resimercial office design and other current trends The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to indepe

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May 2025

Cover Story: Retaining customers and increasing spend – Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about their strategies for keeping customers and raising their engagement The Winner’s Circle:

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March/April 2025

Cover Story: Top tech tips: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers using the industry’s leading technology platforms to let you know what’s out there The Winner’s Circle: Good things happeni

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February 2025

Cover Story: Breaking away: Lisa Veeck looks at how the breakroom continues to evolve in the modern office environment The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents

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Dec 24/Jan 25

Cover Story: 2025: the possibilities and pitfalls: Lisa Veeck looks at the industry trends and how they might evolve in the coming year The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening

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November 2024

Cover Story: Sustainable success: Green issues are once again front and center in many buyers’ minds. We look at how to make money AND save the planet at the same time! The Winner

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Sept/Oct 2004

Cover Story: Earn top honors in education—Our associate editor Lisa Veeck looks at how best to prepare for back-to-school sales and make money all year round in the education secto

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August 2024

Cover Story: Selling jan/san in the post-pandemic world—How the jan/san market is adapting after COVID-19 The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Su

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June/July 2024

Cover Story: Furniture fortunes – can furniture sales maintain their post-pandemic pace? Interview: Mike Maggio officially left his post as senior advisor at S.P. Richards at the

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May 2024

Cover Story: Making waves with MRO – Lisa Veeck takes a deep dive into the maintenance, repairs and operations sector and finds that while some dealers are still testing the waters

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March/April 2024

Cover Story: Shock to the system – Is it time to update your technology to improve customer relations, increase profits and make your life easier? Lisa Veeck looks at the industry’

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February 2024

Cover Story: Powering profit with print and promo – Lisa Veeck discovers that there is good money to be made by dealers who get their print and promo offering right The Winner’s C

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Dec 23/Jan 24

Cover Story:Independent dealers channel the future: Lisa Veeck asks a selection of dealers for their predictions on what 2024 will look like for the IDC The Winner’s Circle: Good

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November 2023

Cover Story: Vis-coms: Seeing is believing: Many dealers find white boards an easy and profitable sell, but that’s not to say there are no challenges, Lisa Veeck finds out more Th

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Sept/Oct 2023

Cover Story: Breakroom breakthroughs: As we return to the office, more importance is being placed on the breakroom. Find out how independents can take advantage The Winner’s Circl

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August 2023

Cover Story: Branching out - Find out how dealers have begun delving into more unusual areas to increase their customer base and profits The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening

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June/July 2023

Cover Story: Part of the furniture: There has been growth in furniture sales since the pandemic; but is that growth sustainable? The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to inde

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May 2023

Cover Story: Health and Wellness: the segment is alive and well The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: The Orange Stationer, Orange, Texas

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March/April 2023

Cover Story: Tech Tips: We talk to independents about their choice of technology provider The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Spry Inc.

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February 2023

Cover Story: Jan/san - Winning by a landslide: Why independent dealers shouldn’t let falling mask sales deter them The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secr

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Dec 22/Jan 23

Cover Story: Will the rollercoaster ride continue: Dealers share insights into the top trends for 2023 The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Succe

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November 2022

Cover Story: Safety First: In a world that is more health conscious than in pre-COVID-19 times, why now is a great time to consider the potential of the safety sector The Winner’s

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Sept/Oct 2022

Cover Story:Back From the Break: How companies are adapting their breakrooms to encourage employees to return to the office and appeal to the next generations The Winner’s Circle:

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August 2022

Cover Story: Filling the Gap: dealers explain how they have weathered the COVID-19 storm thus far and are anticipating further shifts in the future The Winner’s Circle: Good thing

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June/July 2022

Cover Story: The Power of Green: why sustainability is good for business The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Walker’s Office Supply, Ro

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May 2022

Cover Story: A Fresh Look at Furniture The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Hummel’s Office Plus, Mohawk, New York Plus: Industry New

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March/April 2022

Cover Story: Tech talk: we take a look at the latest technology offerings available to the IDC and how dealers are utilizing them to best advantage The Winner’s Circle: Good thing

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February 22

Cover Story: The Race is On: how the IDC is becoming increasingly adept at winning customers from other jan/san resellers The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to...

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Dec 21/Jan 22

Cover Story: Looking ahead to 2022 The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Eaton Office Supply, Amherst, New York Plus: Esse...

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November 2021

Breaking: Dealer consortium SCIG debuts plans for new delivery platform for IDC Cover Story: Print + Promotions = Profits The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independen

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October 2021

Cover Story: Independent dealers make the grade in the education market The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Latsons.com, Su...

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September 2021

LATEST ISSUE Cover Story: Breaking Away From The Traditional Breakroom The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Office Solutions ...

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August 2021

Cover Story: Dealers’ Dos and Don’ts of Digital Marketing The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Rocky Mountain Business Products, Denver,

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JULY 2021

Cover Story: Tech Accessories: Chargers, Cables and the Art of Connecting – Should dealers to delve deeper into the technology accessory business? The Winner’s Circle: Good things

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May/June 2021

Cover Story: The Future of Office Furniture – With the pandemic on the wane, employees are heading back to the workplace, if they haven’t already. What opportunities does the “new

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March/April 2021

Cover Story: Technology Here and Now – We’re all guilty of kicking the proverbial can down the road at times, but when it comes to technology, that would be a grave mistake in toda

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Jan/Feb 2021

Cover Story: COVID-19 upended the world as we knew it in 2020, creating untold challenges and disruption, but also unprecedented opportunities. With the virus still not under contr

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Nov/Dec 2020

Cover Story: While the pandemic has hurt many dealers’ traditional office supplies sales, the channel has enjoyed some success with jan/san and PPE. We have also witnessed the birt

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Sept/Oct 2020

Cover Story: The Wild Wild West: The jan/san sector has seen a considerable uptick in recent months. But while dealers across the country have shifted focus to maximize opportuniti

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July/August 2020

Cover Story: Coping with COVID: As we pass the half-year mark and business starts to return to some form of normal—whatever that may be—how has the IDC been weathering the COVID-19

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May/June 2020

Cover Story: Virtually There: With this year’s NeoCon canceled we take a look at some of the latest offerings available from office furniture and accessories vendors. The Winner’s

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April 2020

Covid-19 Update: ID Reader Survey Results Cover Story: Recruiting Risks: Finding and hiring the best new employees is just the start of the process; you then have to acclimate the

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March 2020

COVER STORY: Technology Triumph: The latest dealer technology can improve operations and increase profitability in so many ways. Here is a look at the most popular systems and the

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February 2020

COVER STORY: Blackboard Business: No matter where a dealer is located, selling to schools can be a viable path to increased sales Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to indepen

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January 2020

COVER STORY: Buckle up for 2020: Dealers expect positive growth in 2020 against a backdrop of changing industry dynamics, unprecedented change and growing anxiety Winner’s Circle:

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December 2019

COVER STORY: Project progress: There are a host of ancillary projects and services that dealers can sell in conjunction with furniture projects, we find out more.... Winner’s Circ

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November 2019

COVER STORY: Break Room, Break Through: How dealers can set themselves up as the number one source for breakroom snacks, beverages and accoutrements The Winner’s Circle: Good thin

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October 2019

COVER STORY: Coolly Competitive: Independence comes with many ways to attack your market and win The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Hi

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September 2019

COVER STORY: Maximize MPS: How any dealer can successfully sell managed print services and open the door to increased tech sales The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to inde

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August 2019

COVER STORY: Happy and Healthy: The health and wellness category is gaining traction, find about more about the products in demand The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to in

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July 2019

COVER STORY: Product Proliferation: As sales of office products slow, independents look for different categories to grow sales. The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to indep

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June 2019

COVER STORY: Sanitation superiority: How dealers active in janitorial sales have started to compete at a much higher level. The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Indepen

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May 2019

COVER STORY: Furniture Focus: Make sure your furniture efforts are primed and ready to go The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: OPACS

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April 2019

COVER STORY: Do the hiring hustle: How independents are finding innovative ways to find and recruit the best salespeople? The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independe

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March 2019

COVER STORY: Tech Triumphs: Technology, the Great Equaliser? The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: The Office Shop – Aitkin, Minnesota

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February 2019

Cover Story: Safety Sales Success: The safety product category promises more sales with existing customers, while opening the door to whole new customer groups? The Winner’s Cir

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January 2019

COVER STORY: Heading Into 2019: How can independents plan for the year ahead and which strategies will continue to reap rewards? The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Inde

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December 2018

COVER STORY: Strong Brands Build Business: in today’s highly competitive marketplace a strong brand can help a dealer stand out The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Ind

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November 2018

COVER STORY: A+ For School Sales: Although budgets remain tight there seems to be a resurgence in school sales Independent Dealer Staples-Essendant Reader Survey Results The

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October 2018

COVER STORY: Navigating the New Competitive Landscape The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Butler Business Products, Houston Plus

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September 2018

Control Costs: Make Your Dealership More Profitable EPIC 2018 Show Preview The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Plus, Secrets of Success: Beckley’s O

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August 2018

Sanitation Sales Success: Grow Sales and Gain Market Share S.P. Richards ABC Preview The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Plus, Secrets of Success: C

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July 2018

Growing Market Share: Top Tips on Ways to Rise Above the Crowd The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Hoppstetters Plus, Rick Marle

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June 2018

COVER STORY: The Next Big Thing: Alternative Revenue Streams for Your Business The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Apex Office Prod

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May 2018

Open For Business: How to grow furniture sales in the modern workplace Industry reaction to Essendant/S.P. Richards deal Industry news: No more EPIC show Plus, The Winner’

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April 2018

Grow Your Business with Ad Specialties and Custom Products The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: McGarity’s Business Products Plus

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March 2018

Profit Power-Ups: Our Annual Dealer Technology Update The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Office Source 360 Plus, Independent de

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February 2018

Getting Your Sales Team in Shape The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Best Office Solutions Meet the New Team at ID Plus, Paul

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January 2018

New owners for your e-zine—see this month’s editorial and Industry News section Outlook 2018 The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success:

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2007-2017

December 2017 COVER STORY: Warming Up Those Cold Calls; EDITORIAL: They Still Don’t Get Small Business in Washington, DC; The Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success: Herald Office

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At this time of consolidation, change and increased competition, it has never been more important for independent office supply dealers to work together, share best practices and celebrate their achievements.

That is what Independent Dealer Magazine is all about. Every month, we bring you in-depth coverage of dealer success stories and growth opportunities ... from emerging product categories, hot new vertical markets and ways to boost productivity and efficiency. Plus, you'll find regular columns from industry consultants Krista Moore, Marisa Pensa and Jennifer Schulman, sales training expert Troy Harrison, office moves veteran Ed Katz and NOPA/OFDA government affairs director Paul Miller.

If you like what you see on our web site, subscribe to Independent Dealer today!

There's never been a more important time to put yourself directly in front of your independent dealer customers.

With the number of trade shows on the decline, consolidation, increased pressure on sales and marketing budgets, and dealerships getting into more and more product lines, a platform to give your brands regular exposure, direct to your customers, is what’s required.

Independent Dealer is published by leading trade media organization OPI, and celebrates the successes of today's independents and their trading partners, and turns the spotlight on the opportunities to make them even stronger and more profitable. It is distributed digitally to over 7,000 independent dealer executives in North America every month.

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Rowan McIntyre

Editor & Publisher

Rowan McIntyre is an experienced B2B journalist who is excited to be spending more time concentrating on the U.S. business supplies sector. From 2014-19, he edited the show guide for TriMega and Independent Stationers’ EPIC event and has contributed editorially to OPI since 2008. In his current role as Editor & Publisher at ID, he hopes to continue the great traditions of the magazine by sharing your triumphs and trying to help you understand potential industry obstacles now and in the future. Please reach out to Rowan if you have any news to share. He would love to hear from you.

(703) 531.8507 | Rowan@IDealercentral.com

Chris Turness

Head of Media Sales

Chris Turness leads the Independent Dealer sales team. Chris joined OPI 12 years ago and is currently head of media sales. In his previous role, Chris was responsible for the management and development of customer accounts in North America, making him well acquainted with the U.S. business products industry and a regular attendee at the major trade events. He has more than 20 years’ experience in sales with 15 of those being in media. He is a fitness fanatic and has a collection of sneakers to rival Kanye.

(703) 596 4302 • Chris@IDealercentral.com

Lisa Veeck

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa Veeck is the owner of Clean Communications, a full-service content-generating firm specializing in the office products, cleaning and maintenance, and healthcare fields. Her previous experience includes 24 years with ISSA—the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. Her last position was as global communications and editorial director, overseeing ISSA’s digital and print publications, websites and other communications.

Veeck’s work appears in national and international trade and consumer publications, corporate websites and social media platforms. In addition to operating her own company and serving as associate editor of INDEPENDENT DEALER magazine, she serves on the advisory board of The Infection Prevention Strategy, an organization dedicated to researching and bringing to market innovations in the healthcare, cleaning and safety fields.

(773) 484-7412 • Lisa@IDealercentral.com

Steve Hilleard

CEO | LONDON, UK

Steve Hilleard is CEO of OPI, Independent Dealer’s parent company since it was acquired in January 2018. A former dealer owner himself, Steve has worked in the office supplies industry for 30 years, with the last 25 years as a media guy at OPI. Steve is the second longest serving member of the Executive Committee of the National Business Products Council for City of Hope and a recipient of its ‘Shining Star’ award in 2007. He also chairs the judging panel for the annual European Office Products Awards and the North American Office Products Awards.

(312) 957.8510 • steve@idealercentral.com

Andy Braithwaite

Andy Braithwaite has been writing about the office products/business supplies industry since 2001 and will be a familiar name to those Independent Dealer subscribers who also read OPI where he has occupied a variety of editorial roles since 2008. Although based in France, Andy has a deep knowledge of the U.S. office supply sector and an even stronger understanding of the key issues that are currently impacting the independent reseller channel. Andy will continue to be a regular attendee at key industry events in the U.S. and, through Independent Dealer, hopes to use his market knowledge and contacts to provide interesting and relevant content for the IDC in North America.

+33 (4) 32 62 71 07 • andy.braithwaite@opi.net

Paul Miller

Principal | Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies | Fairfax, Virginia

Paul Miller is a founding partner in Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC, providers of direct and grassroots lobbying, legislative and regulatory tracking, advocacy planning and implementation and related services.

Before setting up Miller/Wenhold, Miller served as government affairs director for the National Office Products Alliance and the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (NOPA/OFDA), where he scored notable wins for independent dealers by securing a greater role for them in the government market through their selection under the Dept. of the Army”s current Blanket Purchase Agreement for Office Supplies and played a key leadership role in the effort to end Federal Prison Industries” preferred status as a sole source provider to government for office furniture.

In addition to his lobbying and regulatory monitoring activities, Paul also provides consulting services to businesses on selling to the federal, state and local government markets.

(703) 934.0219 • PMiller@mwcapitol.com

LATEST ISSUE

Cover Story: Meeting the challenges of sales recruitment: Lisa Veeck talks to dealers about how they are handling the challenges of recruiting sales staff
The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening with independents
Secrets of Success: BOS IL, Roselle, Illinois

Plus: Industry News; NAOPA shortlist; WSA updates; Paul Miller on government procurement reform; West McDonald on how AI can play a role in staff retention; Tom Buxton on ensuring you get the best from your reps; Jennifer Vitanzo with top tips for hiring stellar salespeople; Marisa Pensa on getting past the gatekeeper to reach decisionmakers; Troy Harrison insists the phone is still an important sales tool; and more…

LATEST ISSUE

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