What Is AEO And Why Is It Redefining B2B Marketing?

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. distributorsHow prediction markets like Polymarket are outperforming traditional economic forecastsWhat the Fed’s next moves could mean for interest rates, hiring, and inflationWhy AI Engine Optimization (AEO) is replacing traditional SEO for B2B visibilityHow LeadSmart’s AI-enabled Channel Cloud™ is transforming CRM into Customer IntelligenceEpisode Highlights:04:10 – The government shutdown and why markets barely reacted13:45 – Fed predictions, Polymarket insights, and crowd-sourced forecasting25:30 – Inflation, unemployment, and the rise of AI’s role in economic stability36:48 – Tariffs, China trade tensions, and supply chain recalibration49:05 – Fastenal’s organic growth strategy and the power of data-driven wallet share59:58 – Schneider Electric + NVIDIA: powering AI data centers of the future01:10:22 – From SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): preparing content for AI search01:22:45 – Why AI isn’t replacing people, but empowering those who know how to use itTools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-powered CRM + Customer Intelligence platformPolymarket – decentralized prediction market forecasting economic probabilitiesAI Engine Optimization (AEO) / Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – frameworks for AI discoverabilityContext Engineering – Gartner’s model for contextual AI and workflow designAgentic Workflows – AI-driven automation aligned with distributor processesClosing Insight:“AI won’t take your job. But someone using AI better than you will.” — Tom BurtonFrom 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.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.