| April 4, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Bush administration imposes additional duties against China
The Bush administration has instituted new economic sanctions against China, a move intended to address complaints regarding China's inflexibility on currency and exchange rates. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said the sanctions do "not signal any retreat from economic engagement" but instead are there to ensure China's global-trade civility. The move has been heavily criticized by the Chinese government. The Wall Street Journal
(3/31)
    
- Slowed growth may lead to inflation
A productivity slowdown in the U.S. might signal a risk of inflation and a drop-off in living standards. "All the elements of the good years of the '90s have now turned around," said one economist and productivity trends scholar. But the Federal Reserve remains positive: "Underlying productivity trends appear generally favorable, despite the recent slowing," said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. The Wall Street Journal
(3/30)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Survey: Workers want perks they will use
Employees tend to prefer more money to additional vacations days and a shorter workweek to a shorter commute, reveals a recent survey from CareerBuilder.com. The message for employers: Offer perks that are tailored to employees, and you'll increase the likelihood that they will be used. "Use [this survey] as encouragement to poll your own employees and look at what you currently offer ... and think strategically what return you'd get," says a CareerBuilder.com executive. Society for Human Resource Management
(3/2007)
- Crisis preparation is key
Consider employee safety, office policies and day-to-day operations when developing a crisis or disaster preparedness plan. Predicting when an emergency situation will occur is tricky, but you can avoid devastation by thinking ahead and taking precautions. IndustryWeek
(3/28)
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- Asking the question "Anything else?" in sales meetings
Although "Anything else?" is a close-ended question, it is a question works well in sales meetings to invoke information from the customer. It carries a broad implication while not requiring further action or commitment on your part, unlike a more specific question such as "What else can I do?" DaveKahle.com
(3/27)
| Distribution Trends Blog | | |
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Online customer communities
The Internet's role in customers' buying habits is growing and evolving. Is your company addressing this pivotal change? Learn more and discuss, at Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D.'s blog. Distribution Trends
(4/2)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Column: Airlines will soon offer in-flight Internet
Within 12 months, airlines will start offering in-flight Internet connections, instant messaging and wireless e-mail, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. Carriers are expected to start making announcements around the end of the summer, with service beginning early next year. The Wall Street Journal
(4/3)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Last spring, over 1,000 executives participated in RSM McGladrey's manufacturing and wholesale distribution survey. Industry and government leaders took note. What's changed in 12 months? Let us know - and we'll share the results. Click here to take RSM McGladrey's 2007 Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution Survey.
Sending invoices and collecting payments has long been a challenging process for distribution companies, as distributors send more invoices per dollar of revenue than other industries. Learn how to reduce your costs and optimize your cash flow, by reading this special feature, presented by SmartBrief and Transcepta, Invoices & e-payments: Reduce cost and lower DSO.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NAW SmartBrief? Contact Henry Murphey at (202) 737-5500 ext. 245 or hmurphey@smartbrief.com
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| NAW Insider | | |
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NAW's Large Company Human Resources Networking Conference
NAW's Large Company HR Networking Conference, May 16 to 17, in Chicago, convenes top-level HR executives from wholesale distribution companies with sales of $100 million and above to network and benchmark. Agenda topics are based on responses from the HR community and address specific needs of the group, including ROI of HR, succession planning, recruitment and retention. Get details and register here.
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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.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Does your business use cross-selling techniques?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes, cross-selling works well for us. |
| We might give cross-selling a try. |
| No, we do not plan on using cross-selling. |
| We used to, but cross-selling did not work out. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | When you step into a turnaround situation, you can safely assume four things: morale is low, fear is high, the good people are halfway out the door, and the slackers are hiding."
--Nina Disesa,
as chairwoman of McCann-Erickson Worldwide
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, April 02, 2007
- Friday, March 30, 2007
- Wednesday, March 28, 2007
- Monday, March 26, 2007
- Friday, March 23, 2007
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
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