| June 18, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Group's proposal would change health coverage, pensions
A group representing 100 of the nation's largest employers will release a proposal today that seeks to have workers shop for health and retirement benefits through regional benefit administrators. The proposal is a mammoth departure from the traditional setup, in which employees get health and retirement benefits directly through their employers. "This is middle ground between a total individualized system, which we don't think works, and single payer, which we also don't think works," said Mark Ugoretz, president of the ERISA Industry Committee, which drew up the proposal. USA TODAY
(6/12)
     
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Supreme Court rules on pensions, mergers: The Supreme Court ruled Monday that merger agreements are not a form of termination for retirement plans. While the decision of whether or not to terminate a plan is a business decision and does not carry with it the requirements of a fiduciary obligation under ERISA rules, the implementation of a decision involving the transfer of pension-fund assets to insurers selling the annuities does fall under the rules. The court, Justice Anton Scalia wrote in the opinion in Beck v. Pace International Union, has "traditionally deferred to the PBGC when interpreting ERISA," and its ruling was based in large part only in determining if the PBGC interpretation made sense in the Crown case. National Underwriter (free registration)
(6/11)
, Yahoo!/Associated Press
(6/11)
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| Best Practices |  | |
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- Creativity works best in groups
Many great ideas have come together from the synthesis of information by a group. Companies can achieve a collaborative atmosphere by giving workers autonomy, offering them rewards and forcing them to interact with each other. U.S. News & World Report
(6/10)
- Employees should consider stock options
Employees with stock options should have a plan that allows them to exercise these options as they approach expiration. Experts recommend that employees wait until the last few years before the expiration date and then sell off a percentage of their option portfolio each quarter. BusinessWeek
(6/18)
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- Find out what's on your customers' minds
There is new Web-based technology that helps small-business owners asses customer needs and create new ventures and ideas. ListenUp! Survey allows companies to classify customer needs by providing 40 different survey templates with additional features that provide companies with accurate customer feedback. Another service, NetGreeters, provides a "live person" that helps customers navigate a company's Web site. Inc.com
(6/13)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Things to consider before hiring an intern
Employers attempting to hire a summer intern should look for students with skills and personality traits that are similar to those of regular employees at your company. Management styles should be adjusted in order to give regular guidance and feedback to the intern. Entrepreneur
(6/2007)
| Executive Life | | |
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| NAW Insider | | |
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NAW and The Hartford
NAW has partnered with The Hartford to offer insurance expertise and comprehensive coverage tailored to the specific needs of wholesaler-distributors. The Hartford also offers expedited claims handling services and a countrywide network of loss control and risk management experts to help wholesaler-distributors protect their businesses and minimize loss costs. More information available here.
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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.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Does your company hire summer interns?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes. |
| Not yet, but we are considering it. |
| We used to but do not anymore. |
| We never have and do not plan to. |
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