Why We Build for the Underdog
In the world of B2B commerce, we often talk about strategy, growth, and execution. We obsess over KPIs and OKRs, product roadmaps, and quarterly results. But beneath all the dashboards and data lies a more fundamental question:
Why are we doing this?
Two thinkers have deeply shaped how I answer that question—one from the crucible of human suffering, the other from the front lines of leadership thinking.
The first is Viktor Frankel, whose book, Man’s Search for Meaning, remains one of the most profound psychological works of the 20th century. Frankl survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps and emerged with a singular insight: that meaning—not pleasure or power—is the primary driver of human life.
He wrote, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” In his darkest moments, he observed that prisoners who had a sense of purpose—a reason to live, even in suffering—were more resilient, more alive, even when everything else was stripped away.
The second is Simon Sinek, whose now-famous TED talk and book, Start with Why, brought this same idea to the world of work. Sinek argued that great companies and great leaders don’t start with what they do or how they do it. They start with why. As he put it, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
Frankl taught us that even in the harshest conditions, meaning gives people strength. Sinek showed us that companies with purpose inspire loyalty and lead with clarity. And in the trenches of our industry, we’ve found our own guiding truth: We build for David.
What That Means
When we say “David,” we’re talking about the small and mid-sized distributors, wholesalers, and family-run businesses who compete in industries dominated by billion-dollar giants.
They don’t have armies of consultants or sprawling IT departments. What they have is grit, deep customer relationships, and a fierce dedication to their communities.
They’re scrappy. Often underestimated. And they deserve tools that help them win.
That’s where Unilog comes in.
The Digital Slingshot
Like Malcolm Gladwell’s retelling of David and Goliath, success isn’t about size—it’s about strategy. David didn’t beat Goliath by fighting his fight. He changed the rules.
That’s what we help our customers do.
Our CX1 Platform is a connected suite of purpose-built eCommerce, product content, PIM, and integration tools that levels the playing field. We simplify digital growth so distributors can:
- Launch robust eCommerce sites fast
- Manage and syndicate enriched product data
- Connect seamlessly to ERPs and backend systems
- Compete online with the same sophistication as national chains
And we do it with pricing, onboarding, and support models tailored to the needs of independent businesses.
Why It Matters
Helping the underdog thrive in a digital-first world isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s a calling.
Because when an HVAC wholesaler modernizes its sales process and outperforms a national competitor? That’s impact.
When a family-run electrical supply house launches an intuitive online catalog with real-time inventory? That’s empowerment.
When a PVF distributor uses product content to expand their market share? That’s growth.
This is what we mean when we say Your Growth. Simplified.
Building with Purpose
Unilog doesn’t just build for David. We build like David: fast, precise, and strategic. We lean into what gives our customers the edge—and we stay focused on what really matters:
- Delivering better customer experiences
- Making it easier to sell more online
- Helping businesses stay relevant in an evolving marketplace
So the next time someone asks what we do, we could say: “We build eCommerce solutions for the distribution industry.”
But we prefer this: We give David a fighting chance.
Want to learn how Unilog can help your business compete like a giant? Let’s talk.
