Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/knngkxvIgMpBipZWxq

April 11, 2008 News for the wholesale distribution industry     News and Trends    Wholesale inventories rise as sales fall A 0.8% drop in wholesale sales in February was the biggest decline in more than a year, according to Commerce Department figures, as wholesale inventories surged 1.1%, more than twice the rate analysts had anticipated. The New York Times/Reuters (4/9) Banta Foods agrees to Reinhart buyout Reinhart FoodService is buying Banta Foods, a 103-year-old food-service distribution business with 2007 revenues of nearly $200 million. CEO-President Chuck Banta said the sale to Reinhart, a unit of Reyes Holdings, "gives us a lot more horsepower going out into the future." Springfield Business Journal (Mo.) (4/9) EIS Inc.'s purchase of Clowers will give it a foothold in Arkansas Atlanta-based EIS Inc. will gain its first branch in Arkansas with the acquisition of C.H. Clowers Supply Company. Both companies distribute electrical materials to OEMs. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, EIS currently has 31 locations as well as three fabrication plants in North America. Modern Distribution Management (4/9) Other News Investor group urges Office Depot shareholders to support its board nominees Forbes/Associated Press (4/9)   Supply Chain Innovations: Executive Kit Distribution industry expert, Dr. Adam Fein shares the four main topics of his acclaimed book Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain in this compilation of articles. Click here to download IBM's executive kit for strategic insight and innovations for your supply chain.   ADVERTISEMENT   Best Practices  Common presentation advice may not always be a winning bet The common presentation advice is to tell them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you just told them, but that approach can be a recipe for mediocrity, one expert says. For one thing, the best presentations are conversations that engage the audience, and if all you're doing is telling them things, you're probably not involving them. Manage Smarter (4/1)   Sales  Warming up to cold calling: The power of a good sales script A solid sales script is critical, and must contain the basics, including an identifier -- who you are and the name of your organization -- an explanation of what you are offering with an emphasis on two major highlights that distinguish you from the competition, and then the big finish where you ask for the prospect's business. BusinessWeek (4/4) Magical mix of characteristics creates great salespeople Good salespeople can be made by teaching them best practices, and a combination of characteristics are usually behind great salespeople. They include wanting to be successful and having a willingness to invest in themselves to become successful salespeople. DaveKahle.com (4/1)   Small Business Manager  Sole proprietor: Is incorporation right for me? The nature of a business, its revenue, size and workforce are considerations in deciding whether to protect personal assets from business liabilities by incorporating or becoming a limited liability company. CNNMoney.com/Fortune Small Business (4/7)   Executive Life  Carriers boost fees to offset fuel costs Travelers are finding that carriers are adding fees for services that were once part of a basic fare. Airlines are facing record jet fuel prices and have started to charge passengers for checking more than one bag, for example. The Washington Post (4/9) Will wine bottles get new labels? Researchers with the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau have a plan to remake wine labels to include more content, including "terroir." Wine makers are opposing the effort, which would be the biggest change since the advent of AVA designations in the 1970s. Los Angeles Times (4/9)   NAW Insider  Preventability of motor-vehicle collisions A significant expense for almost any wholesaler-distributor is the cost of commercial automobile insurance. Here are some suggestions you can use to protect your business and avoid costly motor-vehicle accidents. Learn the Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution will benefit your entire team. End-of-chapter self-tests, a glossary and a concluding "final exam" speed learning and retention. Learn more about NAW -> Join NAW  |  Business Products  |  Publications  |  Meetings  |  Govt. Relations   Weekly Poll  How will your company adjust to an economic downturn? After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like. Reduce travel spending Minimize spending for training Cut back on advertising and marketing Decrease the technology budget We have no planned cuts Industrial Sales Manager Broner Glove and Safety Company Auburn Hills, MI   SmartQuote  Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." --Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Sales Associate:  Henry Murphey 202-737-5500 ext. 245 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Lee Vanderwerff 202-737-5500 ext. 248   Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including: Breaking News Industry Home Competitor News Readers' Choice Press Releases Search Archive Who's Hiring? Get this RSS Feed Publish your Press Release       Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues: Thursday, April 10, 2008 Wednesday, April 09, 2008 Monday, April 07, 2008 Friday, April 04, 2008 Thursday, April 03, 2008     Lead Editor:  Ashley McMaster Contributing Editor:  Nancy Melville | Robert Jones     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information