| June 26, 2009 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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Now might not be the time to cut IT costs: Distributors and manufacturers should think carefully before cutting IT costs, according to RSM McGladrey. The company's recent study found 90% of executives considered IT to be a critical component of business success, but about half said they were pushing back IT upgrades. "This type of short-term action may prevent companies from realizing the benefits IT systems can offer," the report said. Modern Distribution Management
(6/23)
     
 | Six Steps to Effective Inventory Management
Inventory should be viewed as cash that could have been spent in other ways. Anything above what a customer needs is waste. Storing it, counting it, finding it, and picking it becomes much harder as inventory grows. Learn the six steps to move from reactive inventory management to lean, active inventory management in this free whitepaper. |
- Leaders don't have to be managers
Eschewing management doesn't have to mean giving up on taking a leadership role in an organization, writes Lily Garcia. Sometimes the most powerful people in an office are the "mavens," those with the knowledge and the influence to lead without taking an official management role, she notes. According to Garcia, the keys to attaining maven status are doing great work, having an extensive network of connections and acquiring extra skills through degree and certification programs. The Washington Post
(6/18), Leadership Now/Leading Blog
(6/22)
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| | Hard Real-Time in a Standards-Based Platform for Manufacturing
Exceed expectations for reliability, performance, and hard real-time while reducing production costs and time-to-solution by standardizing on one technology platform, from sensors to servers. Windows Embedded brings the ease and familiarity of Windows to the development and use of industrial devices and systems. Order free evaluation software. | |
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- Sometimes the best prospects have the lowest profiles
While most salespeople spend time trying to track down contacts with important titles, sometimes the most important prospects have the lowest profiles, and efforts to find those key decision makers can be well-rewarded. Titles and organization charts should be put aside and salespeople should instead ask about the company's selling networks. CustomerThink
(6/19)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Cocktails, beer and wine go green
Restaurants are cashing in on the green revolution by not only serving a certified organic menu, but also by providing 100% all-natural alcoholic beverages. The green movement is sweeping across bars in the U.S., and customers are curious to try chemical-free cocktails and wines. Sommelier Journal
(6/2009)
- Mercedes-Benz E-class has eye-opening alarm system
Among the nifty features in the new Mercedes-Benz E-class is an alarm system that relies on steering-wheel input and other factors to determine if the driver is falling asleep. If it does detect signs of drowsiness, the system sounds a warning tone and lights up a coffee icon on the speedometer display. CNET/Cartech blog
(6/23)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Optimizing Distributor Profitability: Best Practices to a Stronger Bottom Line
Optimizing Distributor Profitability: Best Practices to a Stronger Bottom Line -- the best practices in this book were developed from actual experiences of real distribution firms. This is not academic modeling or theory. This book includes a five-step methodology with how-to-implement ideas and tools; more than 120 exhibits; and a separate distributor-profitability-framework map showing how distributors identify and implement process improvements and the impact those improvements have on shareholder value.
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OUTLOOK 2009: Get the latest on key industry trends
OUTLOOK 2009 provides an update on the major and emerging trends identified in 2007's Facing the Forces of Change. It emphasizes practical steps for distributors to take for real success. Read it and make a personal commitment to knowledgeably respond to key industry trends, share information with your staff and plan for success through strategic thinking, analysis and positive action.
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| Weekly Poll | | |
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What do you think of the Obama administration's proposal for federal regulation of U.S. financial markets?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | I think it is mostly good. |
| It has some good points and some bad points. |
| It is all wrong. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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- Wednesday, June 24, 2009
- Monday, June 22, 2009
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- Thursday, June 18, 2009
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