The Thomas Blog

How to Find U.S.-Based Suppliers

American manufacturers have increasingly been looking to optimize their production and sourcing processes by bringing them closer to home. These reshoring efforts involve moving production or shifting sourcing from overseas back to the U.S., which can reduce shipping costs, shorten lead times, improve sustainability and help companies avoid supply chain issues brought on by geopolitical uncertainties and sheer distance.

When it comes to reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, many companies have been shifting business away from China. Imports from China declined by 20%, or $105 billion, in 2024, according to the 2024 Reshoring Index from global management consultant Kearney.

Apple is among the prominent manufacturers that have moved business away from China. The technology company’s suppliers have spent an estimated $16 billion to shift production away from China to India, Mexico, Vietnam, and the U.S.

In addition to companies reshoring, there are a growing number of initiatives in the U.S. aimed at building up domestic supply chains for products ranging from rubber to batteries.  

Product Marketing vs. Demand Generation: Their Key Differences

Marketing products and planning campaigns to create customer demand can be essential to a marketer's strategy for attracting new customers. In product marketing, the focus is on showing a product or service to potential customers by highlighting its benefits. On the other hand, demand generation aims to create interest and produce new potential customer contacts through various channels and marketing strategies.

Lead Generation vs. Lead Nurturing: Their Key Differences

Lead generation and lead nurturing are two pivotal processes in the customer acquisition journey. Lead generation is the process of engaging and converting people into prospects who have shown interest in your company's services or products. It's the first step in building a sales pipeline. On the other hand, lead nurturing involves developing buyer relationships at every stage of the sales funnel and the buyer's journey. It focuses on listening to the prospects’ needs and providing the information and answers they need.

Lead Generation vs. Customer Acquisition: Their Key Differences

Lead generation and customer acquisition, because they are so closely related, are sometimes referred to as the same thing, but they are very different. And even though they are interconnected, they serve distinct roles in the sales process. Lead generation focuses on attracting potential customers and gathering their information, setting the stage for initial engagement. On the other hand, customer acquisition takes these leads and converts them into paying customers, solidifying their relationship with the business. 

Event Lead Generation: Definition, How To Generate, and Technology Used

Event lead generation is the process of attracting and converting event attendees into prospects with a potential interest in a company's products or services. At its core, it's about creating valuable interactions that capture participants' attention, whether through a trade show, conference, webinar, or any other type of event. This strategy is pivotal in marketing as it provides a unique opportunity for businesses to engage with their target audience in a live setting, fostering a more personal connection and understanding of customer needs.

Product Qualified Leads (PQLs): Definition, Calculation, and Benefits

Product Qualified Leads (PQLs) differ from conventional lead-generation strategies by prioritizing user engagement with the product as a primary indicator of sales-readiness. Unlike Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs), PQLs are assessed based on their active interaction with the product, indicating a bigger likelihood of conversion. 

Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs): Definition, Qualification Criteria

A Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL) is a lead that has been evaluated by the marketing team as having a higher likelihood of transitioning into a customer compared to other leads. This assessment is grounded on a set of predefined criteria. This typically includes the lead's engagement with the company's marketing content—such as visiting specific web pages, downloading content offers, clicking on calls-to-action (CTAs), and interacting with social-media posts.

Sales Qualified Lead (SQL): Definition, How to Qualify, and Importance

Most organizations have a standard process for transferring a lead from the marketing team to the sales team. This typically occurs when a lead transitions from being a marketing qualified lead (MQL) to a sales qualified lead (SQL). 

How To Generate Sales Leads: Strategies and Best Practices

Sales leads fall under the execution portion of any successful sales strategy. In increasingly differentiated and competitive marketplaces, businesses can only advance by proactively converting prospects into revenue-generating customers.

You can effectively generate high-quality sales leads, increase conversion rates, and drive business growth by incorporating proven strategies and best practices into your strategy.