| November 12, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Building Materials Holding posts Q3 loss
Building Materials Holding Corp. posted a net loss of $45.2 million for the third quarter. Sales for the building materials distributor dropped 39% for the quarter versus the year-ago period, primarily due to volatile capital markets and the housing industry downturn, CEO Robert Mellor said. The New York Stock Exchange recently delisted the San Francisco company. Modern Distribution Management
(11/7)
, Industrial Distribution
(11/7)
     
- Nash Finch posts Q3 net earnings of $8.6M
Nash Finch Co. posted net earnings of $8.6 million for the third quarter, compared to $15.4 million for the year-ago period. The company booked several charges for a total of $4.6 million in the third quarter, mainly from an increase in non-cash LIFO charges. The food distributor reported a 5.1% jump in total company sales for the quarter, versus the prior year quarter. Forbes/The Associated Press
(11/6)
, RTT News
(11/6)
- Ingram Micro mobile sales increase in U.K.
Ingram Micro's mobile customer base has increased by more than 300% in the past six months, boosted by mobile broadband and BlackBerrys. The IT distributor, based in the U.K., reported a third-quarter net profit of $46.4 million. "Uptake of [mobile] business is really good. Our account base has gone from strength-to-strength in the last six months. It is growing fast," said Ingram Micro commercial director Bhavesh Patel. Mobile (U.K.)
(11/6)
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| | The 2009 Economic Forecast for Wholesale Distribution
Join Dr. Adam J. Fein, distribution industry expert, for a live webcast as he presents an exclusive first look at how economic trends are shaping up for wholesaler-distributors in 2009. This event includes Fein's seasoned analysis of the economic situation and the 2009 macroeconomic forecast. Thursday, Nov. 13 at 2PM ET. Click to learn more and register | |
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- Economy's impact on B2B market analyzed
Three business professors analyzed the effect of the economic downturn on the business-to-business marketplace, at a recent conference at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The moderator, Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., underscored the speakers' emphasis on the need to anticipate where things are heading and how consumers are going to behave. Knowledge@Wharton
(10/29)
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| | Distributors…Learn, Measure & Validate
Need answers about your customers, competitors, and markets? Capitalize on trends with proprietary, construction
industry market research for distributors from the leader, McGraw-Hill Construction. Email doris_vitanza@mcgraw-hill.com for your FREE Research & Analytics Capabilities document. | |
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- Work with customer to define problem, provide solution
Being a solution provider is key in sales, but first, you must accurately define the problem, which necessitates asking the right questions. To identify a solution, approach a customer or prospect with a plan, but be flexible and address the issues they say are important. CEO Strategist
(10/29)
- Hone essential listening skills
Good listening requires turning off that internal voice that's planning your next response even as others are still speaking, and preserving your skills by making a point of asking open-ended questions, keeping track of what works and what doesn't and imagining yourself in the act of listening before ever stepping into a meeting. Selling Power (free registration)
(11/3)
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| | Gain Success in Distribution – Improve Industry Performance
In this FREE white paper, Jon Schreibfeder, a leading authority on the distribution industry, offers insight into the complexities of improving inventory performance. Learn how distributors can maximize profitability by improving the way they analyze and manage inventory using Microsoft Dynamics®. Download now. | |
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| Distribution Trends Blog |  | |
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My 2009 economic forecast for wholesale distribution
The economic data do not look positive for many wholesale distribution sectors, with more than half of the major 19 showing negative year-over-year revenue growth in the third quarter of this year, Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., says. He invites wholesaler-distributors to participate in his 2009 Economic Forecast for Wholesale Distribution webcast, being held Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. EST, to learn more and ask questions. Distribution Trends
(11/10)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Some guests report that tasty gifts await in rooms
One boutique hotel in Brooklyn is going well beyond the usual resort-style offerings with extensive in-room gifts that include mineral water, fruit juice, soda, potato chips, granola bars, snack mix, cookies, candy, veggie chips, biscotti, peanuts, tea, coffee and Brooklyn-made iced coffee and fudge. Readers commenting on this USA TODAY blog post say they have received free snacks as well as wine and beer at one hotel and in-room popcorn at another. USA TODAY/Hotel Hotsheet blog
(11/6)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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Interested in learning more about advertising in NAW SmartBrief? Contact Henry Murphey at (202) 737-5500 ext. 245 or hmurphey@smartbrief.com
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| NAW Insider | | |
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Save 10%: Interactive online courses in professional development
With the high price of travel, economic constraints and no time to get away, it is no wonder that wholesaler-distributors are looking for lower-cost alternatives to provide professional development for their employees. To address this issue, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence has partnered with the Texas A&M System to present a suite of online courses specifically designed for our industry.
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Download key economic data to plan for growth
Download individual economic analysis reports that are most relevant to your business from the 19 major wholesale distribution sectors in the 2008 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports. As we continue to weather this economic storm, these reports supply a wealth of benchmarking data, including revenue and employment growth trends, the number and size distribution of companies, gross margins, wages, and other operating statistics.
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Save on overnight shipping with DHL ShipReady
NAW and DHL have partnered to offer a unique delivery service from DHL Express. Members can ship anywhere in the continental U.S. for one flat rate with no weight limits, extra fees or fuel surcharges. Receive two free envelopes with your first order by visiting the ShipReady site and entering the promo code NAWSR07.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Do you expect gas prices to continue to have an effect on your business in 2009?
Check your inbox Dec. 9 and 11 for the NAW Year-End Report. View the results of this poll in Part 2 on Dec. 11.
 | Yes -- we do not foresee gas prices decreasing next year. |
| No -- we are hopeful that gas prices will stabilize within the next year. |
| Gas prices have not really affected business thus far. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, November 10, 2008
- Friday, November 07, 2008
- Thursday, November 06, 2008
- Wednesday, November 05, 2008
- Monday, November 03, 2008
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