Industry News

Fuel costs help drive aftermarket trends
Parts that increase fuel economy continue to gain popularity in the automotive aftermarket. Turbochargers for gas and diesel engines can improve fuel economy and boost performance. Gasoline direct injection and lithium-ion batteries are also garnering attention from the industry. Automotive News (subscription required) (2/4)

In-dash computer becomes affordable
The Navisurfer II is an in-dash computer with a 7-inch flip-out touch-screen display. The system runs Windows or Linux, has built in GPS and has GPRS/CDMA capabilities. Prices range from $578 to $656. Gizmodo (2/6)

OSHA site helps employers gauge costs of injury, illness
OSHA has made enhancements to its Web page to give employers a better tool for estimating the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses, as well as a Spanish-language safety link. The "Safety Pays" eTool gives companies updated loss-injury figures and a calculator tool for estimating specific costs. Occupational Hazards (1/29)

Business Strategy

Survey: Four in 10 plan to leave jobs in '08 to find better bosses
A new survey backs up the adage that "people don't leave companies, they leave managers." The survey from Yahoo! HotJobs indicates that 72% of employees are open to a new career in 2008, and four out of 10 employees blame either their dislike of their boss' management style or a lack of mentorship at the company as the reason they want to move on. Manage Smarter (1/31)

Sales & Marketing Tips

Create a niche to increase sales
Retaining customers and targeting local markets are key to build a shop's clientele. "A small independent store has to have a niche, has to be known for something, because you simply can't compete with the bigger stores in things like pricing and advertising," according to one expert. CNNMoney.com/Fortune Small Business (2/6)

In recession, keep old customers by adding value
Assuming the economy is in or is approaching a recession, marketing consultant Glenn Gow offers five suggestions on how to cope. Among them, Gow says companies should consider how to add more value in your product for existing customers, pay attention to your competition and react quickly to pricing changes, and focus on any segment of your market that is growing faster than others. MarketingProfs (free registration) (1/29)

Management Style

Managers should not act in anger, but consider response
Small-business managers need to take a step back when their anger flares to think through their response instead of lashing out at an employee, says Leadership Unleashed President David Peck. It is important to determine whether the anger erupts from frustration or an employee's lapse in standards before deciding whether an admonition is appropriate. BusinessWeek/Today's Tip (2/5)

Best leaders specialize in vision building
Truly motivational sales leaders help team members set a vision for where they want to go. Managers should sit down with their team to find out their goals and then work to help them reach them. Inc.com (2/4)

Small Business Operations

Small businesses can get a boost from handy technologies
This article examines technologies that represent worthwhile investments for small businesses, such as desktop sharing software and free conference calling. BusinessWeek (2/5)

Association News

Total Truck Parts named 2007 Distributor of the Year
Total Truck Parts with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla., was named the 2007 Distributor of the Year, at the recent Industry Awards Luncheon at the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in Las Vegas. Total Truck Parts was one of five finalists for the prestigious award presented annually by Truck Parts and Service Magazine. Four of the five finalists are members of the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network, which is the largest independent distributor organization in the industry. To learn more about CVSN or to become a member, visit www.cvsn.org.

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