| July 2, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Higher costs hurt Chinese factories
The high cost of energy and raw materials is putting the pinch on Chinese manufacturing, causing many factories and exporters to reduce their hours or close their doors altogether. Though almost all sectors have been affected, makers of low-cost toys, clothes and household goods have been especially hard-hit. The Wall Street Journal
(6/30)
     
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| | Benefits for Distributors of an Integrated Business Suite
Addressing the mish-mash of disconnected applications is a key step wholesale distributors can take to gain better control and increase the efficiency of its business. This white paper looks at the value of a single integrated software suite in providing significant advantages to the wholesale distribution business. | |
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- Build a brand that is exclusive -- and unique
In building a brand, entrepreneurs need to keep their brands exclusive and directed at their target markets, rather than being all-inclusive and universal. Exclusivity means retaining an originality and uniqueness that sets the brand apart from, and hopefully above, its competition. Entrepreneur
(7/2008)
- Issues to consider before switching to four-day work week
A recent survey showed strong support among many human resources professionals for moving to a four-day work week (with each workday lengthened by two hours) in light of soaring fuel prices. However, this article urges companies to consider the ramifications of such a switch, in terms of how much gas money workers would actually save, as well as the potential impact of longer work days on productivity and employee safety. Forbes
(6/26)
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- Better collaboration needed in marketing, sales
Time frames, goals and contrasting viewpoints are just some of the ways marketing and sales departments are different. But with advances like the Internet, it's never been more important for the two departments to work together. Marketing departments should work with sales on areas such as defining quality leads and forming a companywide vocabulary for how leads get to sales. Manage Smarter
(6/30)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- What your body says that your words don't
This video about body language calls on the expertise of former counterterrorism FBI agent Joe Navarro, who's an expert in nonverbal communication. This four-minute video teaches you what others are saying beyond their words -- and what you say as well.  The Washington Post
(6/23)
| Executive Life | | |
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- Roth 401(k) plans gain popularity with looming tax hikes
More companies are signing on to offer Roth 401(k) plans to their employees, according to the Hartford Financial Services Group, the Vanguard Group, Merrill Lynch Retirement Group and other providers. The plans had gotten off to a slow start since being launched in 2006 because employers thought the Roth IRA-like features would be too difficult for employees to understand. "Now that we're getting closer to elections and we're hearing that tax rates will probably go up, people are concerned about it," said Tom Foster, a national spokesman for corporate retirement plans at The Hartford. InvestmentNews
(6/30)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Payment paradigm has shifted
From NAW and Solveras Inc. comes the first all-in-one invoicing, check imaging, ACH and credit card processing solution with your business in mind. Web-based, bank neutral with faster funding -- ParadigmSM delivers major savings to your bottom line. Get more information.
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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!
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Download key economic data to plan for growth
Download individual economic analysis reports that are most relevant to your business from the 19 major wholesale distribution sectors in the 2008 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports. As we continue to weather this economic storm, these reports supply a wealth of benchmarking data, including revenue and employment growth trends, the number and size distribution of companies, gross margins, wages, and other operating statistics.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Do you have a fall-protection plan?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes, we are fully prepared in case of a fall emergency. |
| We have a plan, but it needs to be updated. |
| No, we do not have a plan, but it should be addressed. |
| We do not require a plan for falls. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | The trouble with life isn't that there is no answer, it's that there are so many answers."
--Ruth Benedict,
American anthropologist
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, July 01, 2008
- Monday, June 30, 2008
- Friday, June 27, 2008
- Thursday, June 26, 2008
- Wednesday, June 25, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville | Robert Jones
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