| July 3, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Rexel, Sonepar complete division of Hagemeyer businesses
Rexel and Sonepar have finished divvying up the assets of Hagemeyer, the Dutch distributor of electrical and industrial MRO products that Rexel purchased in March. Sonepar acquired most of Hagemeyer's operations in North America, the Asia-Pacific, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as six German branches, with the proceeds from the sale cutting Rexel's debt by about $2.7 billion. Industrial Distribution
(7/1)
     
- Commodity prices put pinch on auto-parts suppliers
Faced with surging prices for raw materials, one-quarter of manufacturers and automotive suppliers in a new survey say they are willing to cease the shipment of parts unless they can command higher prices. Kim Korth of automotive consulting group IRN Inc., which conducted the survey, cautioned that "one-time solutions" negotiated between automakers and tier-one suppliers aren't practical if prices keep rising. "Given the continued volatility, unless there are almost continuous negotiations, it's going to be very problematic." Detroit Free Press
(7/1)
 | How Efficient Is Your Chargeback Management? As chargebacks become more complex and sophisticated, the modern distributor must automate and streamline their process to cut unnecessary costs and improve efficiency. Click here for a free white paper to learn more about how your company can avoid losing potential revenue in the chargeback process. |
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- Are you empowering workers, or just micromanaging them?
Many managers confuse delegation of tasks with empowerment, when simply telling an employee what to do does not constitute empowerment because it offers no opportunity to be creative. And through being told exactly what to do and how to do it, employees can begin to feel micromanaged. CEO Strategist
(6/30)
- IT investment transformed competition in U.S. marketplace
 A key driver in the increased competition in the U.S. marketplace has been the power of IT investments, according to this Harvard Business Review article. "Our recent research finds that since the middle of the 1990s, which marked the mainstream adoption of the Internet and commercial enterprise software, competition within the U.S. economy has accelerated to unprecedented levels," the authors write. Harvard Business Review
(7/2008)
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- Host events for quality face-time with prospects
When companies want to make a personal impression on the leaders in their target market, an effective strategy is to host face-to-face events. For one company, that meant hosting a breakfast seminar offering important information for business owners. MarketingProfs (free registration)
(6/24)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Employers challenged by generation gap in work force
Companies around the world are coping with generational differences in employee mindsets, communication styles, ability to adapt to new technology and comfort working in diverse settings. While employers struggle with issues in their staffs, some experts say generational theory exaggerates stereotypes and confuses age attributes with generational traits. The Day (New London, Conn.) (free registration)
(7/6)
| Executive Life | | |
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- For Independence Day, think beyond burgers
Your Fourth of July celebration can include more than the usual barbecue favorites. Try serving a bruschetta or blueberry Waldorf salad to spice things up. You can also enhance everyday options, such as sliders, by cooking with beer. Recipes include Pale ale cabbage slaw and Baja-style fish tacos. The Providence Journal (R.I.) (free registration)
(7/2)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Enrollment in NAW Health Insurance Program is simple
Through a convenient and paperless telephone application process, member companies and their employees can easily apply for group coverage in the NAW Health Insurance Program. What are the advantages of enrolling in the Trust? Learn more about this unique group health insurance enrollment process.
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Critical tool for financial success in tough times
In today's tough economic climate, it's vital that your employees understand the realities of how the finances of your business work. That's where the Official Guide to Wholesaler-Distributor Financial Success comes in. It's your complete employee training tool. It shows you how to transition employees at every level to financial management thinking. Buy multiple copies for everyone on your staff.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Do you have a fall-protection plan?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes, we are fully prepared in case of a fall emergency. |
| We have a plan, but it needs to be updated. |
| No, we do not have a plan, but it should be addressed. |
| We do not require a plan for falls. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, July 02, 2008
- Tuesday, July 01, 2008
- Monday, June 30, 2008
- Friday, June 27, 2008
- Thursday, June 26, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville | Robert Jones
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