| January 8, 2009 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Report: U.S. construction spending dipped 0.6% in November
Construction spending in the U.S. dipped 0.6% in November from October levels, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. Compared to November of 2007, construction spending fell 3.3% for November of 2008. While private construction spending dropped, public construction spending increased in November versus the previous month. Modern Distribution Management
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BMHC announces Nevada closures, other consolidations Building Materials Holding Corp. announced closures of all of its facilities in Northern Nevada, as well as consolidations of several other U.S. plants. The distributor of building materials and construction services posted a $45.2 million loss for the third quarter of 2008. It is expected that around 260 employees will be affected by the closures and consolidations, this article says. Modern Distribution Management
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- Report: Manufacturing sector failed to thrive in December
December marked the fifth month in a row in which economic activity in the manufacturing sector failed to increase, according to the latest ISM Report on Business. "Manufacturing activity continued to decline at a rapid rate during the month of December," said Norbert Ore, chairman of ISM's Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. None of the manufacturing industries reported growth in December, while two segments, apparel, leather and allied products and petroleum and coal products, reported no change in activity from November. Industrial Distribution online
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 | What makes Lawson different? We have companies that Make, Move and Maintain covered…from A to Z! The Lawson M3 System is comprised of five integrated product suites which together manage all the core and supporting processes in your business. Whether it's order-to-cash or procure-to-pay, Lawson M3 manages it all. Click here to learn more. |
- Reap profitability by sowing seeds of organic growth
With mergers and acquisitions in virtual hibernation, companies need to resort to internally-generated profitable-revenue expansion -- also known as growing organically. By focusing on the optimization of a portfolio of growth options, companies can create shareholder value, this article says. Business Finance
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| | Feeling the Pinch in Today's Difficult Credit Market?
Increasing credit costs can ripple through your business to affect longer-term plans that are essential to growth. Download the CFO Research Services report produced in collaboration with American Express: No Stone Unturned: Strategies for Cash Management in Hard Times to gain insight on how midsize companies are adapting in order to maintain their competitive positions under tough circumstances. | |
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- Get top-talent for a tuppence
The troubled economy has brought pink slips aplenty for sales professionals -- bad news for them, but good news for sales managers who are still seeking new talent, says Sean O'Neil, principal of One to One Leadership, a sales and management training company. "It's a 'buyer's market' for sales talent," he adds. "Exceptional talent might not come this cheap ever again." Selling Power (free registration)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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- 3 steps to better financial safety
Dean Surface, a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Bartlesville, Okla., has suggestions for small-business owners who need to boost their financial security. Surface recommends planning the succession of key employees, keeping six months of living expenses liquid in an emergency fund and creating a retirement plan. Examiner-Enterprise (Bartlesville, Okla.)
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 | In tough times, leaders lead. They also read...SmartBrief. More than 62% of SmartBrief subscribers hold Director, VP or C-level positions. Reach senior decision-makers here and get measurable advertising results. Contact a SmartBrief advertising expert today. |
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- Manufacturer agreements prevent retailers from discounting some popular toys
Christmas shoppers looking for bargains on high-demand products such as Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit from Activision Blizzard likely wound up having to pay full price due to little-known manufacturer agreements that prohibit retailers from discounting the products, particularly in advertising. The Guitar Hero video game has not sold for less than $189 at Best Buy, Circuit City or Toys "R" Us since its October release. Electronic Arts' rival video game, Rock Band 2 Special Edition, also has been retailing for that price at those three stores. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)
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- As much as $310 billion in tax cuts may arrive by February
Faced with warnings that the recession could slide into a lengthy period of deflation and stagnation, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to ask Congress for as much as $310 billion in tax cuts as part of his huge stimulus package. A House Democratic leader said mid-February would be a realistic time frame for Congress to pass an economic recovery package. Reuters
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| NAW Insider | | |
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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.
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Don't make wrong decisions about profitability
Al Bates, founder and president of Profit Planning Group, has spent 30 years analyzing distributor financial statements. His findings in Profit Myths in Wholesale Distribution boil down to this conclusion: Much, and possibly even most, of what managers in distribution companies know about improving profitability is wrong. Good economic times mask this fact, while challenging times make this fact absolutely dangerous!
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