| December 27, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Mabscott Supply adds facilities to widen its market reach
Beckley, W.Va.-based industrial gases distributor Mabscott Supply Co., in recent years added a new distribution center in Nitro, W.Va., and more recently, a liquid nitrogen transfilling plant at the same location, where it eventually intends to also add an oxygen transfilling tank, with the aim of broadening its market reach within Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas. "We're trying to grow our business and have some critical mass. This is the beginning of us doing this in this marketplace," said Mabscott Vice President Mike Massinople. Charleston Daily Mail (W.Va.)/Associated Press
(12/22)
     
- Forecast: Brace for economic changes in 2008
With analysts predicting an economic slowdown in 2008 and possibly even a recession, the wholesale distribution industry is girding itself. One distributor offered up this strategy: "We have been working to shore up and clean up our infrastructure as well as work with some of our slower/lower performing branches. We are also working very hard to ensure that our value proposition is what the market is actually looking for. In leaner years a distributor has to be the one to bring the most value to the market in order to be successful." Others are taking such measures as seeking new manufacturers to represent and products to sell; reevaluating their work force needs; and crafting long-term strategic plans. Modern Distribution Management
(12/1)
 | Wholesale Distribution Benchmarking Studies: Complete any of these benchmarking surveys and receive Free Industry Benchmarking Reports comparing your company to overall metrics of the entire surveyed group. Register for the Benchmarking Study to receive an e-mail and get started now! |
| Best Practices |  | |
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- Managers shouldn't get involved in "dorm-ish" disputes
Seemingly small incidents such as kitchen hygiene in the office can undermine employee morale, but managers should try to stay out of the bickering. Asking your executive assistant to represent you in such discussions is advised in this Inc. article. Inc.com
(12/20)
- Consider key issues when moving to new career
When the urge strikes to move on to a new career, important questions should be considered, such as which position you've enjoyed the most over your career and which responsibilities you liked the most. Try starting a career notebook and record all activities, says one leadership and organizational consultant. American City Business Journals
(12/24)
| Sales | | |
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- Marketing a new idea depends on understanding brand
Small businesses gain the most when their marketing messages strike a chord with their customers, says marketing expert and author Seth Godin. Sometimes a business has to take time to understand how its brand affects customers first and then fine tune its marketing message until it gets it right. Forbes
(12/21)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Communicating well can help workers meet expectations
Often, when the employees of a small business fail to finish a task the way a manager expected it to be done, the issue is poor communication, says Stephen L. Rosenstein of Baltimore SCORE. Small-business managers can get better results from staff by establishing a mantra that focuses positively on the work process, not the individual person. The Sun (Baltimore)
(12/23)
| Executive Life | | |
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- CBP to require official IDs beginning Jan. 31
Citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda will have to show official documentation to gain entry to the U.S. starting Jan. 31. The mandate, issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, is part of a program to tighten border protection. Travel Weekly
(12/21)
- Commentary: Grapefruit juice to enhance high-end cocktails in 2008
Rather than writing the classic "how to avoid a hangover" article before New Year's Eve, this writer suggests his readers avoid drinking too much on that one night, and focus instead on an interesting new trend for 2008: the use of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice as a cocktail ingredient. The tart and slightly bitter juice is a more complex mixer than lemon or orange, and it should be balanced with sweetness, saltiness or an herbal infusion, he writes. The Washington Post
(12/26)
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Order best-selling Facing the Forces of Change report
Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain by the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence is a best seller! This all-new study provides practical insights into key trends impacting the wholesale distribution supply chain and is packed with specific action ideas and planning tools that executives can use today to lead the way in their supply chains.
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