Industry News

Fuel surcharges not necessarily inevitable, shipping experts say
With diesel stuck above $4 a gallon, both shippers and carriers are feeling the squeeze, but that doesn't mean they should view the payment of hefty fuel surcharges as their only option, according to this article. Shippers can try and renegotiate the surcharges or underlying freight rates, or failing to achieve either, can look to other cost-control methods, such as paring back on the number of shipments they make, which in turn helps tamp down fuel surcharges. DC Velocity (7/2008)

Commodity prices put pinch on auto-parts suppliers
Faced with surging prices for raw materials, one-quarter of manufacturers and automotive suppliers in a new survey say they are willing to cease the shipment of parts unless they can command higher prices. Kim Korth of automotive consulting group IRN, which conducted the survey, cautioned that "one-time solutions" negotiated between automakers and tier-one suppliers aren't practical if prices keep rising. "Given the continued volatility, unless there are almost continuous negotiations, it's going to be very problematic." Detroit Free Press (7/1)

IT employment reaches all-time high
Despite the layoffs affecting many industries, the information-technology sector added 1,700 jobs in June, to reach an all-time high in the U.S. of 3,907,800 workers. While the U.S. economy overall has shed 438,000 jobs this year, businesses here have added nearly 90,000 IT positions in the same period, revealing the trend of firms "prioritizing tech projects over other work," according to Mark Roberts, CEO of the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses. The Wall Street Journal/Business Technology (7/7)

Business Strategy

Hitting just the right note with cost containment
In approaching cost containment, many companies are apt to home in on modest initiatives that don't yield big savings. But according to Omar Aguilar, a partner with Deloitte Consulting, such an approach can constitute "a perfect storm in this environment, because it can lead to a complacent view that a company engaged in ongoing cost reduction has adequate cost management capabilities, when in fact the type of cost management you need in a downturn or a situation like we're in right now may need to be more than incremental." Business Finance (7/7)

Sales & Marketing Tips

Companies with right attitude thrive, even during downturn
Despite tough economic times, some companies continue to thrive, and oftentimes it's the sellers' attitude about success that keeps them going strong, according to this article. Professionals often tell themselves self-sabotaging beliefs, such as "times are tough," when turning those thoughts to positive outcomes could help set the course to success. Manage Smarter (7/8)

Keep tight-budgeted consumers coming with incentives
With most consumers cutting way back on their budgets during the tough economy, companies need to get creative in boosting brand loyalty. Incentives, such as the reward points soda companies put under bottle caps, can be highly successful in holding on to consumers when they have plenty of other choices. Manage Smarter (7/1)

Management Style

Best management practices for riding out recession
Companies can ride out the recession by following some of these best-practice tips. They include making sure to look at the big picture and consider the future, aligning HR with business goals and always treating staff well. Inc.com/Women in Business blog (7/7)

Commentary: Accepting job counter-offer may be career suicide
Accepting a counter-offer from your current employer just as you are about to move on to a new firm may be flattering and provide you with an opportunity to leverage your current company's interest in keeping you to extract a higher-level position. However, the counter-offer frequently is made in haste -- one your employer may come to regret -- and may offer you more responsibility than you can handle, sending your career on a downward slide. You'll also likely create bad blood with the other company leaders who wanted to bring you on board if they suspect you used their offer merely as a means to land a better position at your current firm. Such moves can quickly sully your reputation, making it difficult for you to eventually move upward within your field. Forbes (6/30)

Small Business Operations

Don't let your business grow stale beyond the start-up stage
To grow and thrive, businesses need a steady influx of fresh ideas of the sort that helped get your company off the ground in the first place. One expert recommends reaching out to customers, employees and suppliers for their input and opinions and to weave innovation throughout the entire fabric of your company. Entrepreneur (7/2008)

Association News

AFTERMARKET2020: Is your business model ready for the future?
Sign up now! Go to www.aftermarket2020.com for meeting information, sign-up forms, transportation information and to make your hotel reservations. The CVSN 2008 Annual Meeting will be at the Omni Interlocken Resort, in Broomfield, Colo., from Sept. 21 to 24. See you in September!

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