News and Trends

• Fuel surcharges not necessarily inevitable, shipping experts say
  With diesel stuck above $4 a gallon, both shippers and carriers are feeling the squeeze, but that doesn't mean they should view the payment of hefty fuel surcharges as their only option, according to this article. Shippers can try and renegotiate the surcharges or underlying freight rates, or failing to achieve either, can look to other cost-control methods, such as paring back on the number of shipments they make, which in turn helps tamp down fuel surcharges. DC Velocity (7/2008)

• Airgas announces plans for new plant in Georgia
  Airgas Inc. says it will produce 450 tons of liquid carbon dioxide per day at a plant it intends to build in Camilla, Ga. The new facility should be operational by late 2009. CNNMoney.com/Associated Press (7/9)

• Sonepar subsidiary buys Mountain Vista Supply
  Sierra Vista, Ariz.-based Mountain Vista Supply has been bought by fellow Arizona-based Essco Wholesale Electric, a division of electrical distributor Sonepar USA. Industrial Distribution (7/10)

Best Practices

• Hitting just the right note with cost containment
  In approaching cost containment, many companies are apt to home in on modest initiatives that don't yield big savings. But according to Omar Aguilar, a partner with Deloitte Consulting, such an approach can constitute "a perfect storm in this environment, because it can lead to a complacent view that a company engaged in ongoing cost reduction has adequate cost management capabilities, when in fact the type of cost management you need in a downturn or a situation like we're in right now may need to be more than incremental." Business Finance (7/7)

• True leadership involves accepting criticism, facing flaws
  A true leader must be able to accept criticism and recognize his or her foibles, a business expert writes. "Each of us has to really take the time to examine just what kind of impression we are leaving behind as a leader," he adds. "What do our footprints as leaders say about us? What will our leadership legacy be?" CEO Strategist (6/30)

Sales

• Quality of Work Life a big factor in sales motivation
  QWL, or Quality of Work Life, is increasingly becoming central to the management of sales staff. For a manager, improving your workers' QWL begins with recognizing who your employees are, as opposed to who you want them to be. CRM Daily (7/3)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by NAW SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Analysts: Wolseley may face liquidity crisis (Industrial Distribution)

• ESOP said to help electrical distributor weather economic downturn (Modern Distribution Management)

• Morgan named CEO at Baker & Taylor (Home Media Magazine)

• Best management practices for riding out recession (Inc.com)

• Companies with right attitude thrive, even during downturn (Manage Smarter)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Small Business Manager

• Downscale to go green
  Going green can be incremental, and you can begin by making small changes to the size, longevity or features of your products while reducing your consumption of energy. This piece explains how and looks at some companies, such as BMW and Patagonia, that have done it successfully. BusinessWeek (7/7)

Executive Life

• Cybercriminals like these technologies most
  The very technologies that make life easier and business more efficient are being used by hackers, spammers and phishers to make the world less secure. This article looks at the top 10 technologies cybercriminals love to exploit -- starting with broadband, Wi-Fi and removable media -- along with some precautions users should take. TechRepublic (7/10)

• Sicily: The new hot spot for wine connoisseurs
  Sicilian chefs are remaking traditional recipes and vintners are taking advantage of the area's climate and resources, making the island a new culinary destination. Wineries worth checking out can be found in Enotria, Baroque Sicily and Circumetnea. Wine Enthusiast Magazine (7/2008)

NAW Insider

• 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.

• Achieve higher efficiency, greater profitability, added value today
  An extraordinary and comprehensive mapping tool called Driving Growth and Shareholder Value: The Distribution Value Map™ helps wholesaler-distributors make crucial strategic and operational improvements through a systematic approach to higher efficiency, greater profitability and added value. In today's difficult economic times, this is a much-needed book and map resource to help you reenergize existing programs or jump-start new initiatives.

Weekly Poll

• Do you take the time to protect your technology from cyberthieves?
  After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.

	Yes, it is just as important as locking the door to your home.
	No, it is just one more thing to learn how to do.
	I haven't done it yet, but I've been meaning to get around to it.

Purchasing Manager Frisco International IMEX, LLC Farmers Branch, TX

SmartQuote

What is the single most important quality in a tennis champion? I would have to say desire, staying in there and winning matches when you are not playing that well." --John McEnroe, American tennis champion