News and Trends

• Fed forecast increases stagflation worries
  Rising prices, coupled with an expected recession, have renewed stagflation fears. Those fears gained strength on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve lowered its outlook for economic growth. Because of more prudent policy, however, the threat may not be as great as it was in the 1970s, an economist said. The Wall Street Journal (2/21)

• Sysco's longtime law firm helps guide growth
  An Atlanta law firm has helped guide Sysco Corp. in its progression from a company with $115 million in annual sales at the time of its IPO in 1970 to its current perch in the Fortune 100. The 130-attorney firm of Arnall Golden Gregory counsels the foodservice giant on matters ranging from acquisitions to environmental regulations to employee benefits. An AGG partner even sits on Sysco's board -- a rarity in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley corporate world. Daily Report (2/21)

• Increased grain prices echo throughout supply chain
  Low crop yields, high international demand and alternative fuel production are pushing up the cost of grains, with wheat prices notching record levels 16 times in the last six months. Grocery distributor Supervalu Inc. has seen "inflationary pressures" of almost 3%, and higher costs are being passed along to buyers and consumers. A manager at processor Archer Daniels Midland Co. predicts prices will begin to moderate beginning in July, provided the new crop produces higher yields, as is expected. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (2/20)

• Other News

• Jadin named CFO at Grainger
  CNNMoney.com/Associated Press (2/20)

• Genuine Parts reports growth in Q4 profit
  CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires (2/19)

	Companies take action to improve profitability What are companies doing to improve their bottom line profits? AMR Research Director, Lora Cecere, and industry experts provide the answers. Learn More.
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Best Practices

• Idle employees can have negative impact on business
  Research by Sirota Survey Intelligence suggests that bored employees may be a bigger drain on company morale and resources than overworked employees. Manage Smarter (2/21)

• Employers can do plenty to offset obesity-related problems at work
  New research suggests that employees with moderate to extreme obesity tend to have the greatest health-related work limitations, but there's plenty that employers can do to combat the problem. Perks such as discounts at health clubs, changes in cafeteria menus and postings offering nutritional information on foods can offer a good start. IndustryWeek (3/1)

	Save time and money with NAW SmartBrief Job Listings. Advertise your company's open positions in this newsletter and target more than 49,000 wholesale distribution industry professionals, passive as well as active job-seekers. Let your company's hiring manager or recruiter know that they can take 15% off current prices with coupon code FEB15 for the entire month of February!
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Sales

• Strategies to keep audience's attention during presentation
  Presenters can employ a variety of methods to ensure they keep listeners engaged. Tips include speaking from one important point, rather than building up to it; attaching a new concept to one that is familiar to the audience; and comprehensively preparing while only selectively presenting. Selling Power (free registration) (2/20)

Hot Topics

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

• HD Supply to launch products, look for acquisitions (Industrial Distribution)

• The traits of a good manager (BusinessWeek)

• Industrial Distribution Group to go private in buyout deal (Modern Distribution Management)

• Keep customers loyal by making them feel special (Manage Smarter)

• Salespeople need guidance to learn best practices (DaveKahle.com)

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

Small Business Manager

• Los Angeles businesswoman lays out year-round tax plan
  Laura Yamanaka, president of TeamCFO Inc. in Los Angeles, has a year-round tax strategy that keeps working up the annual return a minimal chore. Yamanaka creates monthly income and expense projections before the year begins, updates them regularly and meets with her accountant in September to make changes prudent for tax purposes while there still is time left in the year. Los Angeles Times (2/21)

Executive Life

• Raiding a 401(k) plan is costly
  Tapping into a 401(k) plan before retirement can be costly. About 18% of plan participants have taken advantage of loan provisions in recent years, but the move carries the risk of diminished retirement savings as well as tax penalties for outright withdrawals. A loan backed by a 401(k) is a better option than a withdrawal. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)/Associated Press (2/20)

• Sony builds virtual surround sound into TV stand
  Sony has a solution for those who lack booming sound systems in their home-entertainment centers: TV stands that include left, center and right channels as well as a subwoofer. The RHT-G900, which Sony Japan will introduce in May, was designed for the company's Bravia models up to 46 inches in size. Electronic House magazine (2/2008)

NAW Insider

• Brand-new book: Profit Myths in Wholesale Distribution
  This NAW Institute book has one overall goal -- to change the way distribution managers think about their businesses. Author Albert Bates says that both decision quality and decision consistency are influenced by some very bad information. He promises an eye-opening experience if you accept that much, if not most, of what you have been told about distribution finance issues is wrong.

• Save on overnight shipping with DHL ShipReady
  NAW and DHL have partnered to offer a unique delivery service from DHL Express. Members can ship anywhere in the continental U.S. for one flat rate with no weight limits, extra fees or fuel surcharges. Receive two free envelopes with your first order by visiting the ShipReady site and entering the promo code NAWSR07.

Weekly Poll

• Do you ever feel bored at work?
  After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.

	No, I usually go from one project or assignment to the next.
	Sometimes. I probably could be more proactive.
	Yes, I find that I often could fit more into my work day.

Assistant Fill Plant Manager Gases Plus Casper, WY

SmartQuote

Variety's the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour." --William Cowper, English poet