Failing is good as long as it doesn't become a habit."
--Michael Eisner,
former CEO of Disney
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| CVSN SmartBrief |
| March 25, 2008 |
Fuel surcharges prompt price hikes in multiple sectors
Faced with $4-per-gallon diesel prices, transportation and delivery companies from UPS to FedEx to Gordon Food Service are tacking on fuel surcharges that have a cascading effect throughout the economy. Retailers, restaurants and manufacturers have all been affected by higher shipping costs, forcing them to raise the prices they charge their customers. Delivery times have slowed too, notes one business owner, as drivers wait to fill their trucks rather than burn expensive fuel for a trailer that's half empty. Central Ohio/The Marion Star (3/18)
TMS programs can cut shipping costs -- but not for everyone
With fuel costs spiraling, more companies are turning to transportation management systems to help save on shipping costs, but experts warn the software isn't a panacea for every company. According to one analyst, in order to justify an investment in TMS, a company should be accruing a minimum of $8 million in annual transportation costs. DC Velocity (3/2008)
Softening demand for imported goods creates ripples in supply chain
Two large ports on the West Coast report that import volume fell by almost 9% in January and February versus the same time span last year, foreshadowing a possible slowdown for railroads and package delivery companies. With less U.S. demand for Asian imports, three of the largest global shipping lines have started sharing space on each other's vessels rather than operating their own weekly service across the Pacific. Both UPS and Union Pacific already have reported lighter volume over the last several weeks. The Wall Street Journal (3/20)
Consider unique values in recruiting next generation
Efforts to attract and retain young workers should take into consideration that the workplace values and expectations of these prospects are different from older generations. Companies need to be technologically savvy in attracting the new generation of candidates, and word of mouth has become an essential recruiting tool. BusinessWeek (3/13)
Five new P's for successful marketing
The famous "four P's" in business parlance -- product, price, place and promotion -- are being joined by five customer-centric counterparts. The five new P's stand for: People as the heart of any marketing initiative; passion for marketing that is buttressed by hard data; processes that are more enlightened; a platform of ideas; and taking on partners whose expertise compliments your own. MarketingProfs (free registration) (3/18)
The "puppy dog close" usually has customers panting to buy
The "try before you buy" approach to sales, also known as the "puppy dog close," is a hugely powerful tool in persuading a customer to buy. Just as pet shops have customers hold puppies or car dealerships allow prospects to take the car home for a night, other businesses increasingly are using the sure-fire method for securing sales. CEO Strategist (3/10)
Manager's rudeness affects worker productivity
A boss's verbal abuse and rudeness can affect the productivity of an employee who suffers through it and innocent bystanders as well, according to a recent study. After a verbal attack by a boss, employees are left thinking about the incident itself, which takes their mind off the tasks they are doing. Harvard Business Review (3/2008)
No news not always good news in business
Just because customers are not complaining does not mean businesses can afford to relax: Most unsatisfied customers will not say anything but, instead, simply will not return if they are unhappy with service. Companies should view complaints as opportunities to identify weaknesses and create long-term loyalty with customers. CRM Daily (3/17)
Small-business survival tips for economic decline
Whether or not the U.S. actually is in a recession, small-business owners have plenty of ideas on how to cut costs. Among those shared by San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneurs: Secure the cash flow, insist that customers pay their bills, find ways to trim costs, ask employees for ideas on coping and make over products to provide extra value to customers in bad times. San Francisco Chronicle (3/23)
AFTERMARKET2020: Is your business model ready for the future?
Go to www.aftermarket2020.com for information about the CVSN 2008 Annual Meeting, at the Omni Interlocken Resort, from Sept. 21 to 24.
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