Variety's the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour."
--William Cowper,
English poet
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| CVSN SmartBrief |
| February 26, 2008 |
Wireless bar-code system solves inventory inefficiency
Baldwin Richardson Foods had a state-of-the-art enterprise resource-planning system to provide inventory control but was confounded by the human element -- inventory changes were entered manually and not in a consistently timely way. The result was extreme inefficiency, with managers oversupplying products. They were unsure if they had all the ingredients they needed to keep production running. The solution was a wireless bar-coding system that tracks the inventory continually. DC Velocity (2/2008)
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)
Industrial Distribution Group to go private in buyout deal
Industrial Distribution Group Inc. has agreed to a $113 million buyout by Platinum Equity that will take the Atlanta-based MROP distributor private. IDG announced in August 2007 that it was exploring "strategic alternatives" for the company. Platinum Equity recently acquired Strategic Distribution, which, like IDG, has an integrated supply operation. Modern Distribution Management (2/20)
Investment in retention as important as hiring
Companies typically invest plenty of resources in terms of hiring the right people, but fail to put nearly enough energy into creating and sustaining a company culture that encourages these workers to stay for the long term. Talented employees should be provided with challenges to push their potential and a support system to help them through adversity. TomPeters.com (2/15)
Rules of permission e-mail marketing are evolving
In a three-part series, Marketing Profs explores "The Six Cs of Permission E-mail Marketing." This first of three parts explains what conscious consent and choice mean. MarketingProfs (free registration) (2/19)
Good customer service involves rising to the occasion
Forget the adage of "treating people the way you want to be treated," says consultant Bobbi Paine. Good customer service involves treating people the way they want to be treated and providing a personal touch, yet technology is making it harder to do that. CRM Daily (2/8)
Traits of a good manager
Seven attributes, or "saving graces," are essential for good, balanced management. They are: listening, approachability, boss relationships, integrity and trust, humor, interpersonal savvy and understanding others. BusinessWeek (2/14)
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)
Experts advise small firms to outsource bookkeeping
Tax time is especially stressful for small-business owners who do not have good bookkeeping skills, or those who do everything themselves and must play catch-up with bookkeeping. Experts recommend these businesses outsource the bookkeeping, hiring an outside firm to customize an accounting program. The Oregonian (Portland) (2/14)
AFTERMARKET2020: Is your business model ready for the future?
Go to www.aftermarket2020.com for information about the 2008 CVSN Annual Meeting at the Omni Interlocken Resort, from Sept. 21 to 24.
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