| October 22, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Genuine Parts Q3 profit jumps to $131 million
Genuine Parts Co. posted net income of $131 million for the third quarter, a 2% increase from $128.6 million a year ago. The company also reported quarterly sales of $2.9 billion, a 3% increase from the same period last year. Genuine Parts, based in Atlanta, Ga., distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. RTT News
(10/17)
, Modern Distribution Management
(10/17)
     
- VG's Food will retain name after Spartan acquisition
Spartan Stores Inc. spent $85 million to acquire VG's 17 Food Center stores, but the chain needs practically no retooling, and Spartan Chairman Craig Sturken said there are no plans to change the VG name. "The store's name has a high-end image with the community," he said. Spartan, the U.S.'s 10th-largest grocery distributor, has made three significant acquisitions in three years, per this article. The Grand Rapids Press (Mich.)
(10/17)
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| | Supply Chain Innovations: Executive Kit
Distribution industry expert, Dr. Adam Fein shares the four main topics of his acclaimed book Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain in this compilation of articles. Click here to download IBM's executive kit for strategic insight and innovations for your supply chain. | |
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- Show you have a heart with cause marketing -- but keep it sincere
Cause marketing has become an essential way for companies to define what they stand for and show that they care, but keeping the effort sincere is important. A list of seven best practices for taking on cause marketing includes making the cause personal to your company and customers, drawing a connection between your cause and your action, and inviting customers to participate. Manage Smarter
(10/20)
- Three mistakes that throw projects off track
The best-laid plans for meeting project goals aren't always enough to keep things from going adrift. Three critical issues are typically responsible for projects going off-track: Failure to specify resource assignment; failure to estimate the amount of time for task completion; and failure to track the progress of tasks. E-Commerce Times/CRM Buyer
(10/16)
 | Excellence in B2B eCommerce Live Webinar – Oct. 28th: Hear information technology distributor, SHI International Corp., discuss how they re-designed their website to deliver customized online catalogs across millions of products. Learn best practices to maximize every customer visit and make your B2B eCommerce website more competitive. Find out more and register today! |
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- Companies need to play offense when times get tough
When times are tough, the instinct to go on the defensive can be a big mistake for companies, possibly causing them to lose some of their best talent, an expert says. Instead, companies should play offense and invest in their best players while continuing to recruit quality sales talent. Selling Power (free registration)
(10/15)
| Distribution Trends Blog | | |
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How economists see 2009
What kind of economic growth can you expect to see over the next few quarters? Visit the Distribution Trends blog to gain insight on the economy. And to get a better understanding of how the macroeconomy is likely to affect your sector of the wholesale distribution industry, join Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. in his Nov. 13 webcast. Distribution Trends
(10/21)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Authors offer tips on protecting the bottom line
The authors of "So, You Want to Start a Business? 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap" offer 10 tips on how to protect a business during an economic downturn. "You have to remember who's in control," says co-author Charles Goetz. "It's you. And only you. As a small-business owner, you should certainly know what's going on in the economy, but remember that you are the captain of your ship. And if you take the proper action, you can steer your business around this economic mess." Commercial Dealer
(10/14)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Recently completed MarketInsight study of 200 North American logistics providers reveals how some leading companies have applied efficiencies to drive their business forward and overcome many of the current economic hurdles. To download this report click here.
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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| Executive Life | | |
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- Column: Airlines, travelers debate filtering Wi-Fi
Columnist Harriet Baskas discusses the issue of whether airlines should filter Wi-Fi onboard planes to keep some passengers from visiting Web sites that may offend others. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines said they will instruct their provider to filter content. "Will other airlines do the same? And should they?" Baskas asks. "Airlines and many well-mannered travelers are all over the map on this one." MSNBC
(10/16)
| NAW Insider | | |
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Enrollment in NAW Health Insurance Program is simple
Through a convenient and paperless telephone application process, member companies and their employees can easily apply for group coverage in the NAW Health Insurance Program. What are the advantages of enrolling in the Trust? Learn more about this unique group health insurance enrollment process.
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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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Brand new! The Distributor Specialist: Customer Champion, Profit Generator
Specialists are used by a supermajority of top-performing distributors. As defined, the specialist supports the "front-line" sales team and other departments by playing a specific -- usually product- or technology-related -- role in the sales process. The specialist furnishes technical support, sales backup, marketing direction and product management. Learn how to use the specialist to be more profitable in today's down economy.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Is your company taking efforts to be more "green"?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes -- we have implemented several new policies. |
| Not yet -- we are in discussions though. |
| No -- this is not our top priority right now. |
| We have always tried to be eco-friendly. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Life's enchanted cup sparkles near the brim."
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A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including:
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, October 20, 2008
- Friday, October 17, 2008
- Thursday, October 16, 2008
- Wednesday, October 15, 2008
- Monday, October 13, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville | Robert Jones
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