| August 22, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Average U.S. income down 1% between 2000 and 2005
Average American incomes fell for the fifth straight year in 2005, according to new data released Monday. Incomes have been on the rise since 2002, but the average income was $55,238 in 2005, down 1% from 2000 after adjusting for inflation. The White House noted that a dip in average income five years after the Internet bubble burst should be expected. The New York Times
(8/21)
     
 | Webinar: Growth Strategies in Wholesale Distribution. Join Lawson on August 23 at 1:00 PM Eastern in an interactive Webinar with Dr. Adam J. Fein of Pembroke Consulting and other industry experts to learn about the barriers wholesale distribution companies are facing today and the steps they are taking to overcome them. |
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- By-the-book networking ignores human factor
Business networking means going beyond handing out your business card and instead requires developing real-world human relations, according to an expert. Some tips for making meaningful connections include finding ways to increase clients' business, focusing on what clients really need and following up even beyond the standard follow-up. American City Business Journals
(8/13)
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| | Good help is hard to find.
NAW SmartBrief to the rescue! You won't reach a more targeted, qualified audience in the wholesale distribution industry. Get started now and post your open positions in NAW SmartBrief. | |
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- Marketing campaigns must include themes, stories
Today's marketing campaigns must include whimsical, beautiful or emotionally engaging themes or stories, experts say. Allowing several people to develop an idea may open the door to creativity. Meanwhile, most effective marketing ideas have two characteristics: simplicity and relevancy. MarketingProfs (free registration)
(8/14)
| Distribution Trends Blog | | |
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Chinese export quality problem not likely to improve soon
Despite efforts by the Chinese government to improve the safety and quality of exports from that country, few changes can be expected in the short term, according to Benjamin Olshin of S2R. A tendency toward expediency and less-than-stellar industrial management habits help explain the low-quality exports, writes Olshin in the Distribution Trends blog authored by Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow. Distribution Trends
(8/20)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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- SMB owners call friends, colleagues most-trusted advisers
A new Business Week report found that most small-business owners consider a friend or colleague to be their most trusted business adviser. Many entrepreneurs believe lawyers, accountants and consultants are responsible only for the tasks they are hired to perform and don't consider them business advisers. CustomerThink
(8/15)
- All small businesses need disaster plans
Many small businesses in the Gulf Coast area that once had brief disaster plans covering only the basics now have developed extensive, detailed plans, following Hurricane Katrina. But all small businesses should be prepared for crises ranging from fire to power outages, even if they're not in high-risk areas. The Internet offers various sources for information on the plans, including the federal government's Ready Business, at www.ready.gov/business. Los Angeles Times
(8/16)
| Executive Life | | |
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- Travel agents scramble to get clients out of Mexico
Travel agents have been working to evacuate their clients from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula as Hurricane Dean was preparing to pummel the area. "It's hectic, because we deal with a number of different tour operators and airlines and hotels, and each one has a little different rules," said Nancy Greenfield of Garber Travel. "Trying to do things from far away is not always that easy, but I think we've been pretty successful, and so far pretty lucky, to get most of our people out. Thank goodness for cell phones." Boston Herald
(8/21)
- Lifestyle changes may be key to fighting cholesterol
Physicians should encourage lifestyle modifications in patients with high cholesterol and use drugs as a last resort, some experts say. Consuming one or two alcoholic beverages a day, especially red wine, exercise, weight loss, yoga, tai chi and quitting smoking have been proven to reduce LDL levels. A heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits is also effective. The New York Times
(8/21)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Brand-new 5 Fundamentals for the Wholesale Distribution Sales Manager
This book from the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence offers a practical but powerful approach for taking your sales force to the next level. It includes essential theories, key concepts and real-world stories taken from the front lines of wholesale distribution. Use this book as a foundation to help you become an effective, high-performing sales manager. Order your copies today!
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NAW and The Hartford
NAW has partnered with The Hartford to offer insurance expertise and comprehensive coverage tailored to the specific needs of wholesaler-distributors. The Hartford also offers expedited claims handling services and a countrywide network of loss control and risk management experts to help wholesaler-distributors protect their businesses and minimize loss costs. More information available here.
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