About James Dorn

James is President of Dorn Group. Read more about us.

Tariffs Are Today’s Headline—But Main Street Is Tomorrow’s Movement

Not just selling. Serving. Staying. Building. While tariffs are currently dominating headlines, the most strategic companies aren’t just reacting to today’s pricing pressure—they’re planning for what’s next. They’re using this moment to rethink how they show up in the market, how they create value beyond product, and how they connect with the people and communities they serve. Yes—tariffs matter.They’re shaking up supply chains, pricing strategies, and cost structures in real time. Manufacturers Are Asking: Do we raise prices? Hold steady? Drop to grab share? What’s our competitive posture—and how do we [...]

Tariffs Are Today’s Headline—But Main Street Is Tomorrow’s Movement2025-04-11T16:52:35-05:00

If a Product Launches in Distribution and No One Notices, Did It Even Happen?

MFG: This is a game changer—why aren't you selling more... DIST: Because customers don't know they need it yet Your R&D team spent years perfecting the product. Operations nailed production. Sales secured distribution. And yet… the launch stalls. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Our NPI Benchmarking Study reveals a harsh reality: Only 1 in 4 new industrial products hits its revenue targets in the first year. Even more concerning? Only 10% of manufacturers believe they outperform competitors in new product introduction capabilities. Too often, manufacturers assume that getting into distribution means [...]

If a Product Launches in Distribution and No One Notices, Did It Even Happen?2025-03-13T17:50:15-05:00

Demand, Not Just Distribution: The Missing Investment in Growth

Whoa—what logo was on that car? Moving too fast to see. Kind of like big co-op spends… instead of smarter programs that drive sales Most manufacturers spend years securing distribution—but far less time ensuring their product actually sells once it’s there. Instead of shifting strategy, companies often double down on what feels familiar. “Let’s add more sales reps and expand into new verticals.” Or, “Let’s invest in more co-op programs with our biggest distributors—even if it just means our logo ends up on their sponsored NASCAR car for one race out [...]

Demand, Not Just Distribution: The Missing Investment in Growth2025-03-13T17:52:10-05:00

Why Your Brand Stalls in Distribution (And How to Fix It)

I talk to manufacturers, IMRs, distributors, and end users almost every day, and one challenge keeps coming up: “We’re in distribution, but sales aren’t moving like they should.” Distributors carry thousands of SKUs. Even if your product has been in the system for years, that doesn’t mean it’s a priority today. The hard truth? Most distributors aren’t in the business of creating demand—they focus on fulfilling it. And for the few that do, your product is likely competing with bigger priorities in their revenue and profit strategy. That’s why the manufacturers [...]

Why Your Brand Stalls in Distribution (And How to Fix It)2025-03-06T17:11:08-06:00

Heavy-Duty Commercial Operating Model: How an Industrial Machinery Manufacturer Grows Sales and Profit

In the competitive landscape of industrial equipment sales and marketing, achieving sustainable growth and profitability requires more than just innovation in products or services. It demands a strategic evolution that aligns vision, operations, and sales processes to meet the dynamic needs of customers while maximizing internal efficiencies. The story of Compass Systems and Sales, a leading provider of engineered material handling solutions, exemplifies this journey of transformation and success. https://youtu.be/soUBVLUoB0k Crafting the Blueprint: Strategic Vision and Foundational Framework At the heart of Compass Systems and Sales' journey was a strategic vision [...]

Heavy-Duty Commercial Operating Model: How an Industrial Machinery Manufacturer Grows Sales and Profit2025-03-06T17:12:11-06:00