| July 23, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
 |  |
- Industrial distributors see rising costs, falling demand
The rising cost of raw materials is putting the pinch on industrial distributors at a time when demand is flat or declining. In a survey of 30-plus industrial distributors published July 18 by Longbow Research, 39% of respondents said fewer orders came in from June through July, while an additional 39% said demand was unchanged for the period. Almost 50% of all survey respondents said prices has gone up more than 10%, and none of the respondents reported decreases in pricing, the report found. IndustryWeek
(7/18)
     
- Xpedex gets in on wellness trend
At paper distributor xpedex in Evesham, N.J., 65 employees have met with a wellness coach at least four times in the past year and received company help with everything from smoking cessation to weight loss. It's all part of a trend toward preventive care, which can lower medical costs while reducing the incidence of workplace injuries, a National Business Group on Health survey says. Courier-Post (Camden-Cherry Hill, N.J.)
(7/20)
 |
|  |
| | Supply Chain Innovations: Executive Kit
Distribution industry expert, Dr. Adam Fein shares the four main topics of his acclaimed book Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain in this compilation of articles. Click here to download IBM's executive kit for strategic insight and innovations for your supply chain. | |
 |
 ADVERTISEMENT |
|  |
| Best Practices |  | |
|
- Tips for letting employees go gracefully
There's an art to letting employees go from startups gracefully, and a key is to focus on the future. One way to start is to let the worker know that you understand how difficult it is to be in a startup company and let them know the door is always open for them to come back. American City Business Journals
(7/21)
| Sales | | |
|
- E-newsletter software can give marketing a boost
Quincy Faison, founder and president of Netsirk Technologies, describes how his company found marketing success by agreeing to be a guinea pig when SAP asked it to pilot a marketing program based on e-mailed newsletters. The e-newsletters use embedded analytics to show important information such as whether the recipients opened the newsletters, and if they did, what articles they read. eWeek
(7/16)
| Small Business Manager | | |
|
- Entrepreneurs need to develop comprehensive skills
Entrepreneurs who are struggling with long hours and no guarantees of getting paid need to develop comprehensive business skills to avoid burnout. According to Michigan business consultant Carol Crawford: "Some people say 'I've been doing it this way for 23 years, and I'm going to do it 23 more.' Nowadays, that just isn't the case. You're either moving forward or backward." The Grand Rapids Press (Mich.)
(7/20)
 |
|  |
| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Distributor salespeople need a shot in the arm! Dave Kahle is traveling to your area to provide one day, distributor-specific seminars. Get a shot of inspiration to help you excel in distributor sales at the Top Gun Survival School for Distributor Salespeople. To learn more, click here, or call 800-331-1287.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NAW SmartBrief? Contact Henry Murphey at (202) 737-5500 ext. 245 or hmurphey@smartbrief.com
 | |
 |
|  |
| Executive Life | | |
|
- Mexico's Michoacan features art, crafts, lots of adventure
Michoacan, a state in Mexico located along the southwestern coast, is one of the country's top crafts centers, but it also has a history of drug trafficking and violence. In the past year, the drug issues have been mostly cleaned up, although the area has retained its sense of adventure with rebellious citizens and wild beauty. The New York Times
(7/20)
- Pride, nostalgia keep mowers running for decades
For one newspaper columnist, patching up his 30-year-old Lawn Boy has nothing to do with a weak economy -- and everything to do with a strong sense of nostalgia. Neighbors trade and stockpile parts to keep their mowers running, writes Doug Fisher, even though their wives don't understand. "It has grown to be more than just a lawn mower to me," Fisher says of the machine he bought in 1978. "Now, it's simply a source of pride." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
(7/20)
| NAW Insider | | |
|
-
New Edition: Learn the Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution
Making money in distribution gets tougher every year -- it's even harder during an economic slump! Running a successful company requires cooperative efforts from knowledgeable and motivated employees. Speed their learning and retention by giving them Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution. Twice the size of the first edition, this second edition includes both brand-new and updated instructional text and all-new graphics!
-
Brand new: Make your operations lean in challenging times
Becoming lean in distribution is more important than ever in today's challenging economic market. Applying lean concepts makes sense because becoming lean means becoming a more effective distributor. And becoming lean will lead to higher profitability. Lean Operations in Wholesale Distribution focuses on the lucrative operations area and discusses steps distributors must take to design and manage a lean culture.
-
Use acclaimed industry trends report in your strategic planning
There's no better resource to help with strategic planning during an economic downturn than Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain This report provides practical insights into key trends impacting the distribution supply chain and is packed with specific action ideas and planning tools that you can use today to plan for growth and profitability.
| Weekly Poll | | |
|
-
Does your company's Web site have an online-store component?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes, our site offers company information and allows customer to buy. |
| No, our site is informational only. |
| Not yet, but we are working on it. |
| We currently do not have a Web site. |
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege."
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, July 21, 2008
- Friday, July 18, 2008
- Thursday, July 17, 2008
- Wednesday, July 16, 2008
- Monday, July 14, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville | Robert Jones
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
