Field Notes

A study of owner-led businesses — how they operate, transition, and endure.

The Biggest Opportunities for Industrial Distributors in 2026

Brian Kabisa 3/2/26 Brian Kabisa 3/2/26

The Biggest Opportunities for Industrial Distributors in 2026

Read More

Lessons From Owners Who Did Not Get the Exit They Expected

Brian Kabisa 2/2/26 Brian Kabisa 2/2/26

Lessons From Owners Who Did Not Get the Exit They Expected

Read More

Why I want to own and lead a business in 2026

Brian Kabisa 1/5/26 Brian Kabisa 1/5/26

Why I want to own and lead a business in 2026

Read More

Sales Compensation That Protects Margin

Brian Kabisa 12/8/25 Brian Kabisa 12/8/25

Sales Compensation That Protects Margin

Read More

Vendor Rebates and Distorted Incentives

Brian Kabisa 11/3/25 Brian Kabisa 11/3/25

Vendor Rebates and Distorted Incentives

Read More

The Hidden Cost of Shipping the Wrong SKU

Brian Kabisa 10/6/25 Brian Kabisa 10/6/25

The Hidden Cost of Shipping the Wrong SKU

Read More

Service Creep and Its Financial Consequences

Brian Kabisa 9/1/25 Brian Kabisa 9/1/25

Service Creep and Its Financial Consequences

Read More

Selling Into Uncertainty: Why Timing Matters When Tariff Pressures Are Still Unfolding

Brian Kabisa 8/4/25 Brian Kabisa 8/4/25

Selling Into Uncertainty: Why Timing Matters When Tariff Pressures Are Still Unfolding

Read More

The Structural Advantages of Regional Distributors

Brian Kabisa 7/7/25 Brian Kabisa 7/7/25

The Structural Advantages of Regional Distributors

Read More

When Technology Investments Pay Off and When They Do Not

Brian Kabisa 6/2/25 Brian Kabisa 6/2/25

When Technology Investments Pay Off and When They Do Not

Read More

The True Cost of Backorders

Brian Kabisa 5/5/25 Brian Kabisa 5/5/25

The True Cost of Backorders

Read More

Credit Policy as a Competitive Advantage

Brian Kabisa 4/7/25 Brian Kabisa 4/7/25

Credit Policy as a Competitive Advantage

Read More

The Myth of Revenue Growth as a Health Indicator

Brian Kabisa 3/17/25 Brian Kabisa 3/17/25

The Myth of Revenue Growth as a Health Indicator

Read More

Managing Dead Stock With Discipline

Brian Kabisa 3/3/25 Brian Kabisa 3/3/25

Managing Dead Stock With Discipline

Read More

Freight Recovery as a Profit Lever

Brian Kabisa 2/17/25 Brian Kabisa 2/17/25

Freight Recovery as a Profit Lever

Read More

When Fill Rate Becomes a Liability

Brian Kabisa 2/10/25 Brian Kabisa 2/10/25

When Fill Rate Becomes a Liability

Read More

How Grainger Built an Enduring Competitive Advantage

Brian Kabisa 2/3/25 Brian Kabisa 2/3/25

How Grainger Built an Enduring Competitive Advantage

Read More

Strategic Pricing in Distribution in 2025

Brian Kabisa 1/23/25 Brian Kabisa 1/23/25

Strategic Pricing in Distribution in 2025

Read More

Vendor Concentration Risk in Industrial Distribution

Brian Kabisa 1/6/25 Brian Kabisa 1/6/25

Vendor Concentration Risk in Industrial Distribution

Read More

Inventory Discipline in 2025 Starts Now

Brian Kabisa 12/13/24 Brian Kabisa 12/13/24

Inventory Discipline in 2025 Starts Now

Read More