News and Trends

• Staples slightly increases Corporate Express offer
  Staples, after earlier in the month announcing a purchase agreement of Corporate Express NV for $2.6 billion, last week said it would increase its offer price for certain investors in the Dutch office supplies distributor, a development that will add almost $40 million to the initial price tag, according to a Staples spokesman. The Boston Globe (6/25)

• Brightpoint inks distribution deal with Verizon Wireless
  Verizon Wireless has tapped Brightpoint North America LP, whose parent company is Brightpoint Inc., as a distributor of handsets and data devices approved by Verizon Wireless to authorized agents and national retailers. Phone + (6/25)

• Successfully branding private-label offerings
  Distributors who decide to venture into private labeling must have a clear branding strategy. Evergreen Consulting's Brent Grover outlines what he believes to be the keys to a successful strategy for building and managing a brand, as well as possible pitfalls to avoid. Modern Distribution Management (6/25)

How Efficient Is Your Chargeback Management? As chargebacks become more complex and sophisticated, the modern distributor must automate and streamline their process to cut unnecessary costs and improve efficiency. Click here for a free white paper to learn more about how your company can avoid losing potential revenue in the chargeback process.

Best Practices

• Address rescue training in fall-protection plan
  Proper rescue training is an essential part of a fall-protection policy. A thorough guide for post-fall rescue training should include an explanation of the importance of timely reactions. Occupational Hazards (6/1)

• Avoid these interview faux pas
  Don't sabotage what might otherwise be a successful job interview with inappropriate statements and questions. This article provides a list of eight things one can say in an interview that will almost assuredly guarantee you won't get the job. CNN/careerbulider.com (6/23)

Sales

• Offer your sales team ongoing guidance
  Spending extra time with new salespeople, offering direction and mentorship is a good investment, says sales guru Dave Kahle, but even seasoned employees need ongoing feedback and attention from you, he adds. DaveKahle.com (6/24)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by NAW SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Fuel surcharges become the norm (The Washington Post)

• Economic downtime spells trouble for Building Materials Holding (CNNMoney.com)

• Aging workers redefine retirement (MLive.com (Michigan))

• When profits drop, consider firing your customer (BusinessWeek)

• Make employee recognition matter (Manage Smarter)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Small Business Manager

• Communicate the potential of your company
  Dave Hourie, CEO of the Skyrise Development Group -- a company with $100 million in assets -- believes clear communication from you can help motivate employees, increase productivity and help them appreciate the potential of your organization. Smart Business (6/2008)

Executive Life

• AAA: Fewer Americans plan to travel over Fourth of July
  AAA is predicting, based on a couple of surveys, that more than 40 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over the Independence Day holiday, which is a 1.3% decline from last year. "Clearly, gas prices are continuing to take a toll on the traveler's budget, but the travel industry is responding, as they have in the past, with discounts, promotions and other incentives to get people traveling this holiday," said Robert Darbelnet, AAA president and CEO. Reuters (6/26)

• Chrysler to offer Wi-Fi in all 2009 vehicles
  Starting in September, car buyers will be able to select mobile Wi-Fi as an option in all Chrysler vehicles. The carmaker says the UConnect Web service will offer download speeds of 600 to 800 kilobits per second, using a cellular-based signal to access the 3G network. To prevent signal piggybacking, the system will be enabled only when the key is in the ignition. Los Angeles Times (6/24)

NAW Insider

• 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.

• Critical tool for financial success in tough times
  In today's tough economic climate, it's vital that your employees understand the realities of how the finances of your business work. That's where the Official Guide to Wholesaler-Distributor Financial Success comes in. It's your complete employee training tool. It shows you how to transition employees at every level to financial management thinking. Buy multiple copies for everyone on your staff.

Weekly Poll

• 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.

COUNTER SALES US SUPPLY COMPANY HAINESPORT, NJ Vice President, Sales Liquidity Services Inc Fullerton, CA

SmartQuote

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow." --Charlotte Bronte, English author