| May 25, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Slumping housing market makes HD Supply difficult sell
Three private equity investors are in the running for The Home Depot Inc.'s HD Supply wholesale business, a source familiar with the situation said in a New York Post report. However, the sale of HD Supply, which could garner as much as $10 billion, is being drawn out as the housing market continues to decline and prospective buyers take their time analyzing every part of the division that Home Depot assembled from numerous acquisitions. New York Post
(5/22)
    
- Tech Data reports Q1 profit loss
Microcomputer products wholesaler-distributor Tech Data Corp. has reported a drop in its first-quarter profits, citing the shuttering of its United Arab Emirates operations. Reuters
(5/22)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Understand the meaning of "better" communication
Professional coaches and corporate communications gurus often tell workers that better verbal communication is the key to working out sticky situations with bosses or co-workers. But some bosses won't appreciate incessant talking, and your relationship may then suffer. One employee who received her supervisor's wrath from such communication put the advice in another, more helpful context, "It's sometimes better to do instead of talking about doing." The Wall Street Journal
(5/22)
- Recover from mistakes
One of the most important responsibilities of a good leader is to course-correct, or get whatever or whoever is off-track back on track, so the company can succeed. BusinessWeek
(5/7)
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- Ideas to keep up sales team's motivation
Working in sales can be discouraging at times, but try to incorporate motivation into your daily life, and you will be better able to cope when defeats or setbacks happen. Some motivational tips include accepting yourself and your current position; thinking outside the box and above your expectations; and never being consumed by intimidation. Selling Power (free registration)
(5/21)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- VCs keep eyes on small business
A limited but increasing number of venture capitalists are taking interest in small, young startups, offering thousands of dollars instead of millions while investing more time as well as input and interest in day-to-day operations. These seed-level funding deals are gaining popularity as competition for investors heats up. "The days of throwing huge sums of money at an entrepreneur are gone," says National Venture Capital Association president Mark Heesen. Inc.com
(5/23)
| Executive Life | | |
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- Luggage-shipping businesses allow for light traveling
A small but growing number of executives are traveling much lighter these days, thanks to a new trend of luggage shipping. Some of these new luggage-shipping companies started out shipping sports equipment, such as skis or golf clubs, but the trend is expanding. Some businesses now operate "virtual closets" for travelers, storing customers' clothing for them and then shipping it ahead so that it arrives at the hotel before the customer does. The New York Times
(5/22)
- Expert advice on setting up home theaters
Home-theater equipment could have "two million" setup options, depending on the equipment and how it will be used, according to a supervisor for Magnolia Home Theater. Rocky Mountain News technology editor Darrell Proctor has gathered some professional advice on what to consider when setting up a home theater. Denver Rocky Mountain News
(5/21)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Learn how to protect your business from wildfires
Wildfires in the United States are most common in the Western states, but they can happen anywhere. Learn what you can do to protect your business from wildfires.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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How often do you travel outside of the U.S. on business?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
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| Editor's Note | | |
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Publication notice
In observance of Memorial Day in the U.S., NAW SmartBrief originally scheduled for publication on Monday, May 28 will be published on Tuesday, May 29.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
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