| January 25, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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| News and Trends |  |  |
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- HD Supply closes more branches amid housing slump
Citing declines in the home-building market, HD Supply has closed eight branches that were part of Apex Supply Co., an HVAC/plumbing business. Five of the branches were in Tennessee, and three were in Georgia.
HD Supply earlier this month closed its HVAC and plumbing supply division in Mobile, Ala., and earlier this week announced it would close a plumbing and HVAC branch in Tucson, Ariz. Industrial Distribution
(1/23)
    
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| | Trying to figure out your 2008 hiring budget?
Take advantage of NAW SmartBrief job packs! Purchase multiple listings at a time at a cost savings to you. You can use your jobs anytime throughout the year. Reach out to more than 49,500 wholesale distribution industry professionals in the Who's Hiring section of this newsletter. Sign up and get started today! | |
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| Best Practices | | |
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- Prebuilt business intelligence soon to offer savings, efficiency
The new software concept of prebuilt business intelligence should hit the market soon, offering businesses the chance to improve analysis of customer-focused applications and lower operational costs. Easily customizable prebuilt business intelligence offers a new method of deriving information buried within data by focusing on a single application or group of similar applications. destinationCRM
(1/17)
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- Audio conferences need planning, preparation
Audio conferences may sound and feel like phone conversations, but they're more formal and require much more preparation, an expert says. Some guidelines in preparing for the meetings include testing phones beforehand and making sure to have a backup plan in case of a malfunction; introducing people at the meeting; asking people to use their mute buttons during the conversation; and making sure to set an agenda. Selling Power (free registration)
(1/23)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Lifetime annuities gain favor as retirement option
Lifetime annuities are becoming an increasingly popular option for people saving for retirement. Issued by insurance companies, the policies offer income for life in exchange for a lump-sum premium. The annuities typically cover basic expenses, such as food and housing. Chicago Tribune
(1/20)
- Branch out with different whole grains
Whole grains help prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease, and health guidelines suggest three servings or 48 grams a day. Choose bread, pasta, cereal and crackers that are at least 51% whole grain. Also consider using brown rice, couscous, quinoa, kasha or amaranth. Star-Gazette (Elmira, N.Y.)
(1/24)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Order best-selling Facing the Forces of Change report
Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain by the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence is a best seller! This all-new study provides practical insights into key trends impacting the wholesale distribution supply chain and is packed with specific action ideas and planning tools that executives can use today to lead the way in their supply chains.
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Employee Performance Improvement Tool Kit: Your key HR resource
Every distributor needs a more structured approach to improving employee performance, and the Employee Performance Improvement Tool Kit (book and CD) fits that bill. Use it to find, hire, develop, evaluate and retain efficient and effective employees. It includes dozens of customizable templates and 21 different samples of distribution jobs. Make it a key component in your human resources program.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Are you worried about the threat of a recession?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Threat? The recession is here. |
| Things might look bad now, but the economy will turn around. |
| The threat is overrated. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth."
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- Wednesday, January 23, 2008
- Monday, January 21, 2008
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- Thursday, January 17, 2008
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