| March 30, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
 |  |
- SBA to crack down on small-business contracts awarded to corporations
Starting this summer, businesses with federal contracts will be required to report if they are acquired, merged or buy another company, in an effort to prevent large or corporate businesses from getting federal contracts reserved for small businesses. "We know that there is some concern out there and we believe this is a way of addressing that issue," said the district director of the Small Business Administration's Los Angeles District Office. Los Angeles Times
(3/28)
     
- Kennametal to acquire Purity Metal
Kennametal Inc. will acquire Purity Metal Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary International Specialty Alloys Inc. under an agreement slated to close in April. "ISA will add its own state-of-the-art, proprietary manufacturing equipment, processes, technologies and skills to Kennametal, enabling us to offer added value to our customers," said Jim McRickard, VP and general manager of Kennametal's Engineered Products Group. Progressive Distributor
(3/28)
- Will W-Ds see changes in logistics?
According to Adrian Gonzalez, ARC Advisory Group analyst and supply chain specialist, logistics haven't seen really big, innovative changes since the mid-1950s. Things are slow to change in logistics, but the next big innovations are likely to come in the form of data quality, collection and clean-up. Forbes
(3/28)
 |
|  |
| | Do you need help managing growth?
As a distributor you know that sales growth can be attained through multiple sources. The changes that are introduced into your business as you attain this sales growth need to be addressed, and there are many ways that technology can enable these changes. Learn more and register today to receive a complimentary online kit from IBM. | |
 |
 ADVERTISEMENT |
|  |
| Best Practices |  | |
|
- Get a handle on travel expenses
Small and large companies can benefit from managed travel programs, which should help cut travel expenses and save time. A good program, whether lightly managed or heavily managed, should have a fare analyzer and the capabilities to assist with refunds or exchanges. Fast Company
(3/2007)
- Use off-sites as more than "same meeting, different place"
Don't waste what could be a very productive off-site meeting by holding a typical office gathering or by forcing employees to climb ropes and scale walls under the guise of a team building exercise, says one coaching consultant. Instead, use the off-site get-together as an "opportunity to get away from the office and resolve issues so everyone in the company can move forward with a clean slate." Inc.com
(3/1)
| Sales | | |
|
- Deciding among multiple ad options
Advertising and marketing choices abound for small businesses, but there are a few key questions to answer that will narrow down the options. Think about where your prospects search, how memorable your message is and if you'll be able to maintain the cost of a particular medium. Entrepreneur
(3/2007)
 |
|  |
| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Is it time to improve your invoicing process? Start your search by reading Invoices & e-payments: Reduce cost and lower DSO. Presented by SmartBrief and Transcepta, this special feature includes brochures, case studies, reports and Web demos.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NAW SmartBrief? Contact Henry Murphey at (202) 737-5500 ext. 245 or hmurphey@smartbrief.com
 | |
 |
|  |
| Small Business Manager | | |
|
| Executive Life | | |
|
- In-flight technology allows sports fans to view games
Television screens at each seat with live satellite broadcasts allow sports fans to watch major sporting events as they travel. "I can always tell when something exciting has happened, good or bad," a Frontier Airlines flight attendant says. "Everyone lets out a huge roar. They throw their hands up in the air or tease one another." The New York Times
(3/28)
| NAW Insider | | |
|
-
The Global Economy Brings Insurance Challenges Are You Covered?
Two forces, economic globalization and the shifting of manufacturing facilities overseas, have changed the way many wholesaler-distributors operate. Instead of shipping goods only within the boundaries of the lower 48 states, many today ship globally. Wholesaler-distributors need the ability to protect commodities as they are shipped across international borders. Visit www.naw.org/smartbrief for more information.
-
Practice lean warehousing and eliminate wasted space and time
This is the first book to apply the "lean manufacturing theory" specifically to the world of warehousing. Lean Warehousing discusses the "why of getting lean" and shows you how to eliminate wasted space and time in a systematic approach, so you have a leaner warehouse operation tomorrow than you do today.
| Weekly Poll | | |
|
-
Do you use e-mail as a sales tool?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes, I frequently use them. |
| I occasionally do. |
| No, I use other sales techniques. |
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something."
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, March 28, 2007
- Monday, March 26, 2007
- Friday, March 23, 2007
- Wednesday, March 21, 2007
- Monday, March 19, 2007
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
