Here’s (more than) a hint: it’s AI Engine Optimization. And right now, it could be even more important than SEO for B2B visibility.

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the latest economic shifts, from the government shutdown’s ripple effects to the rise of AI-driven commerce, and how they’re transforming manufacturing, logistics, and customer engagement. Learn why context engineering and AI-enabled CRM platforms are redefining the way distributors compete and connect in 2025.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why tariffs and supply chain realignments are now “business as usual” for U.S. distributors
• How prediction markets like Polymarket are outperforming traditional economic forecasts
• What the Fed’s next moves could mean for interest rates, hiring, and inflation
• Why AI Engine Optimization (AEO) is replacing traditional SEO for B2B visibility
• How LeadSmart’s AI-enabled Channel Cloud™ is transforming CRM into Customer Intelligence
  

Episode Highlights:

• 04:10 – The government shutdown and why markets barely reacted
• 13:45 – Fed predictions, Polymarket insights, and crowd-sourced forecasting
• 25:30 – Inflation, unemployment, and the rise of AI’s role in economic stability
• 36:48 – Tariffs, China trade tensions, and supply chain recalibration
• 49:05 – Fastenal’s organic growth strategy and the power of data-driven wallet share
• 59:58 – Schneider Electric + NVIDIA: powering AI data centers of the future
• 01:10:22 – From SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): preparing content for AI search
• 01:22:45 – Why AI isn’t replacing people, but empowering those who know how to use it

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-powered CRM + Customer Intelligence platform
• Polymarket – decentralized prediction market forecasting economic probabilities
• AI Engine Optimization (AEO) / Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – frameworks for AI discoverability
• Context Engineering – Gartner’s model for contextual AI and workflow design
• Agentic Workflows – AI-driven automation aligned with distributor processes

Closing Insight:

“AI won’t take your job. But someone using AI better than you will.” — Tom Burton

From government shutdowns to AI search adoption, this episode dives into the forces transforming distribution. Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly conversations on digital transformation, leadership, and customer intelligence in manufacturing and B2B commerce.

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