Direct selling software provider Exigo announced Gary Fitzgerald as its new Chief Executive Officer. Fitzgerald brings wide-ranging experience in the tech sector, including more than 20 years as a leader at General Electric, and has expertise in acquisitions and mergers, transitioning business ownership models and creating robust growth frameworks. 

In his new role as CEO, Fitzgerald will oversee Exigo’s vision, expand on the company’s existing product portfolio, streamline workflows, strategically wield data analysis and metrics to enhance growth and track success, and foster a transparent and communicative organizational culture. 

In a press release, the company stated: “Gary Fitzgerald’s leadership philosophy is intricately linked to his extensive experience in the tech sector, where he has consistently used innovations to tackle complex challenges. His strategic mindset is complemented by a genuine commitment to fostering an environment where every team member is equipped to excel and evolve professionally. His dedication to creating this supportive and adaptable corporate culture will accelerate Exigo’s trajectory towards unprecedented growth and market leadership.” 

The post Exigo Names Gary Fitzgerald CEO  first appeared on Direct Selling News.

If there’s one thing the entire direct selling industry can agree on, it’s the need to look for competitive advantage wherever it takes us: new markets, new products and new ways to become more efficient and profitable.

Traditionally, distributors relied heavily on intuition, trends and past performance when making strategic decisions. But now, with access to data at an unimagined level, this approach is no longer sufficient. Competition is fierce; customer expectations are evolving; and market trends are shifting rapidly.

Use an Industry Compass

Data and analytics provide a compass, guiding direct sales companies towards success by uncovering previously hidden valuable insights—insights that shine a light on hard-to-find costs and difficult-to-imagine revenue streams.

By leveraging advanced analytics tools, we can gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior, preferences and needs from data we already own and have access to but have not yet mined to the degree that is necessary in this current competitive climate.

This knowledge can be leveraged to identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities as well as develop targeted marketing campaigns and personalized customer experiences. Through data analysis, companies can tap into new revenue streams and optimize existing ones, ultimately driving business growth.

Historically, direct sales companies that have utilized data analysis have done so internally. “A lot of our clients have built data and insights packages, whether it be Domo or Tableau, but they’re often comparing themselves to themselves…which is not exactly an objective way to utilize actionable intelligence,” shared Jack Farris, Chief Sales Officer at Exigo. “We help customers not only compare their data to their previous activations but—more importantly—compare themselves to the industry at large.”

Optimizing Your Data

Another key area where data and analytics enable direct sales companies is optimizing their operations and improving efficiency. By analyzing sales data, companies can identify bottlenecks in their sales processes; understand the factors that contribute to successful sales; and uncover areas for improvement. This can lead to streamlined workflows, enhanced productivity and reduced costs.

For example, data-driven insights can help identify the most effective sales channels, allocate resources efficiently and optimize inventory management. By using data to drive operational decisions, companies can achieve significant cost savings and boost their bottom line.

In addition to improving revenue and operational efficiency, data helps companies stay ahead of the competition by identifying emerging trends and consumer preferences. By analyzing market data and customer behavior patterns, direct selling companies can gain a competitive edge by adapting their product offerings, sales strategies and marketing campaigns to meet changing market demands.

For instance, data may reveal that a particular demographic is showing a preference for a specific product feature or that a new distribution channel is gaining traction. Armed with these insights, companies can pivot strategies; capitalize on market trends; and outperform competitors.

Jim Marks, Senior Vice President of Sales at Exigo warns this can cost a pretty penny. “There’s a significant cost associated not only with developing your own data and analytics package but also maintaining it over time. The value proposition is clear with our Exigo Insights suite. We listened to the feedback and needs of hundreds of customers, and now it’s time to move the needle on your business at a fraction of the cost of doing it yourself.”

Some notable enhancements to Exigo Insights since its launch include:

• Industry Comparison Data: real-time data from across the industry. Compare your performance with the industry averages and see where you stand, helping you to create a data-informed strategy.
• Retention Data: identify trends; understand what factors contribute to customer loyalty; and implement strategies to increase retention rates.
• Commissions Data: comprehensive insights into your payout structure, helping you to optimize your compensation plans and make them more appealing and effective.
• Distributor Analysis: detailed distributor analysis, providing visibility into the behavior patterns of different groups over time, helping you to tailor your strategies and maximize customer lifetime value.

Not Just Data but Actionable Insights

However, it’s important to note that the real value of data lies not in its mere existence but in how it’s transformed into actionable insights. Tools like Exigo Insights allow companies to generate valuable reports; conduct predictive analysis; and develop data-driven strategies. Moreover, they enable companies to make data accessible to all stakeholders, empowering teams throughout the organization to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork.

Still, many direct sales companies struggle to fully embrace this transformative approach. Common barriers include a lack of data literacy, inadequate technology infrastructure and cultural resistance to change. Overcoming these obstacles requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to fostering a data-driven culture.

“We always tell our customers who are reluctant to embrace this next level of operational analysis that your data tells a story. Whether you like the story or not, the data reveals the good, the bad and the ugly of your business. Who are your heavy lifters? How can we or how should we focus on them? What’s working and not working in your operation? What’s working across the industry?” said Marks.

Leadership must champion the adoption of data-driven decision making and create an environment that values data as a strategic asset to run the business more efficiently first then grow it further. “To me it’s simple,” shared Farris, “as a leader you must do whatever you can with your data to drive actions and drive revenue. This is now totally available to anyone in direct sales.”

Remember, the dollars are in the data. It’s up to you to find them.

In an industry that demands adaptability, Exigo delivers unrivaled access to the data that drives your business, from CRM to transactions to commissions. With Exigo’s proven, powerful performance, the possibilities are unlimited. Does your tech stack have you feeling lost? Find your way back to real growth, unmatched accuracy and security, and lightning speed with Exigo. Contact us with questions or to schedule a demo.

The post Finding the Dollars in Your Data first appeared on Direct Selling News.

DirectScale also coordinates with third-party providers, like tax and logistics, so companies can continue to partner with the third-party vendors they trust, and allows brands to tailor the IT experience to the specific needs of their target audience or distributor. 

Exigo described the acquisition as part of its strategy to “seek out, develop, acquire and integrate industry-leading products, people and technology” to advance its position as a leader in its category. 

The post Exigo Acquires DirectScale, Inc.  first appeared on Direct Selling News.

• Michael A. Davis—CEO, InClaro Group, Inc. 
• Heather Chastain—Founder and CEO, Bridgehead Collective 
• Wayne Moorehead—Marketing, Brand Strategy and Direct-to-Consumer Industry Expert and Podcast Host 
• Jesse McKinney and Amanda Moore—Co-Founders, Red Aspen 
• Noah Westerlund, Ami Perry and Brian Corpron—NOW Technologies 
• Mike Edwards—Executive Leader in Digital Transformation 
• Doug Hepfner—President, Hepfner & Associates 
• Chris Postler—Chief Operating Officer, Pure Romance 
• Beau Coplin—CEO, Exigo Professional Services 
• Reuben Cook—Consulting Partner, Squire 

There have been significant changes in customer security, data privacy and authentic account protection in recent months, and industry experts provided answers for how to secure customer trust with a new level of awareness and insight. 

“2021 changed the way attackers focused,” said Michael A. Davis, CEO, InClaro Group, Inc. “They’re now increasing the level of technology they use, just like we are. Whereas we’re looking at things like machine learning and AI to improve our data analytics, so are they. It is a very targeted, aggressive campaign now by these organizations because there’s real money at risk here.” 

Technology experts also offered a roadmap for selecting what technology really matters, how to design an ecommerce vision that helps distributors bring customers through the sales process faster and more efficiently, and why a shareable shopping cart can be the building block for helping a new distributor build a booming business. 

“If you can see you’re in growth mode and forecasting as such, now is better than later. Investing in technology is insurance against a company’s success,” said Reuben Cook, Consulting Partner, Squire.

DSN Members will have access to the event content through their DSU On-Demand Library exclusive access.

The post DSN Tech Summit Event Offers Cutting-Edge Insight on All Things Technology first appeared on Direct Selling News.

The Ahlen, Germany-based company teamed with American software provider Exigo to develop the tool, which can be used on Pcs, tablets and smartphones. With LR MyOffice, sales partners can get information on all relevant business figures and activities at a glance. The data, which is continuously updated, allows partners to see sales achieved for the month and how team members are developing. The tool also works as a personal assistant, alerting partners to team member birthdays and anniversaries with the company.

“The program helps LR partners to better understand their business figures and to control their business activities,” said Andreas Friesch, CEO and management spokesman of LR.

A special feature of LR MyOffice is the ability for each sales partner and team members to see at first glance what is needed to reach the next bonus or career level.

“We were very pleased to partner with LR to leverage our technical expertise and platform, and to create the new tool for LR’s partners,” said Ed Jarrin, president of Exigo.

The prelaunch phase for LR MyOffice began in February and ended May 14. The tool is now available for all LR sales partners. According to the company, over the next few months new functions will be added to the program.

The post LR Health & Beauty Launches “LR MyOffice” first appeared on Direct Selling News.