| February 9, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Home Depot awards board seat to Relational Investors
Home Depot Inc. has awarded Relational Investors a seat on its board, a move the company hopes will quash speculation regarding the sell of its wholesale distribution business HD Supply. Relational's David Batchelder has been named to the board and is likely to suggest the sale of HD Supply, analysts say, but Home Depot has said it will continue its diversification plans. Industrial Distribution
(2/6)
       
- Bush calls budget "realistic"; Democrats disagree
As expected, President George W. Bush's $2.9 trillion budget proposal created a firestorm Monday because of its call for higher military spending, tax-cut extensions and reductions in popular domestic programs. Bush called his plan, which he says will balance the budget by 2012, "realistic" and "achievable," but Democrats criticized it as deceptive and lacking in detail about future spending plans. The New York Times
(2/6)
, The Wall Street Journal
(2/6)
       
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Paulson supports Bush's budget proposal: U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson offered his support to President George W. Bush's budget proposal, noting that tax cuts are necessary to maintain the nation's steady economic growth rate of 3%. "The President has submitted a budget that reflects our strong economy and our nation's priorities: continued job creation and wage growth ... improved energy security, and a strong fiscal position from which we can address long-term challenges such as strengthening Social Security and Medicare for future generations," Paulson said in a prepared testimony submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee. The Wall Street Journal
(2/6)
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Budget proposal addresses growing wealth gap: President George W. Bush's budget proposal addresses the nation's growing wealth disparity by offering new tax cuts to help the uninsured buy health insurance. The controversial plan also seeks to cut training grants for dislocated workers and tighten eligibility for a state-federal health-insurance program for low-income children, a proposal that has drawn criticism from Democrats. The Wall Street Journal (free content)
(2/6)
- OSHA issues guidance on flu pandemic planning
Companies should develop plans for a possible flu pandemic that address how to minimize employee infections and operate with a reduced work force, according to guidance issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The document ranked workplaces by exposure risk and issued information on practices to adopt for each risk category. Reuters
(2/6)
       
- Firm delivery time as important as definite date
Keeping customers happy, avoiding financial penalties and saving money are all possible by ensuring reliable delivery times and dates. This can be accomplished by paying for only the shipping premium you need, being flexible with shipping options and double-checking all shipping documents. DC Velocity
(2/2007)
       
- How to handle interoffice controversies
Although controversies and touchy subjects, including politics and religion, may seem best if avoided, developing an open communication and dialogue within an office is an important first step to being able to tackle bigger issues as a team. BusinessWeek
(2/5)
       
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| | Electronic Invoices & Payments For Distributors
Transcepta knows that high invoice volumes bring complexity to a distributor's business. Thin margins and busy schedules eliminate other electronic invoice and payment solutions from consideration. So we created a solution that installs over the web, with no upfront costs, in less than an hour and leverages virtually any accounting system. Find out how we do it with this Brochure or visit our website. | |
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| Sales |  |  |
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- Warm-up cold calls
Cold calling can work if sales reps have the right attitude. Re-imagine that "cold" calls are "qualification" calls; in other words, salespeople are testing prospects just as they would if the potential customer is a bona fide lead. Use the call to address their problems, ask questions about their business and find out background information. CEO Strategist
(2/1)
       
| Small Business Manager |  |  |
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| People & Personalities |  |  |
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- McKesson execs discuss health IT, EMRs
In an interview, McKesson Corp. CEO John Hammergren and CIO Randy Spratt discuss how information technology can impact health care, the security of electronic medical records and improving doctors' performances. The systems for widespread use of EMRs are available, but the issue at this point is adoption, Hammergren said. CNNMoney.com/Fortune
(2/7)
       
| Executive Life |  |  |
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- Hot 2007 destinations revealed
From Dubai to Spain, Guatemala to Nepal, this Los Angeles Times list of top destinations for the upcoming year includes a few tried-and-true spots, a couple of emerging hot spots and some that are all over the travel industry news. Spain, for example, is heating up once again with a new opera house, revamped marina, new hotels and cutting-edge architecture. Los Angeles Times
(2/4)
       
| NAW Insider |  |  |
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Creating a Return-to-Work Program
Employees are one of your firm's most important assets, so implementing a return-to-work strategy can be a positive step for your business. If an employee is unable to work due to a work-related injury or illness, productivity falls and costs rise. Learn about return-to-work programs.        
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Learn the Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution
Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution will benefit your entire team. End-of-chapter self-tests, a glossary, and a concluding "final exam" speed learning and retention.        
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