Most Clicked NAW SmartBrief Stories
1. Observers say stimulus package could help revive construction industry
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 26, 2008
A stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barack Obama could help the construction industry rebound. A stimulus plan could "absolutely change the scenario for companies that have been talking about laying people off," according to the CEO of an industry group that represents largely nonresidential builders. The construction industry hit an unemployment rate of 10.8% in October. Wall Street Journal (free content), The (11/25)
2. Grainger to consolidate Lab Safety and Industrial Supply businesses
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 25, 2008
W.W. Grainger has announced plans to merge its Lab Safety Supply and Grainger Industrial Supply businesses. The broad-line MRO distributor expects to realize cost savings of between $20 million and $30 million over the next 18 months from the consolidation. Modern Distribution Management (11/20) Industrial Distribution (11/19)
3. Tips for handling angry customers
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 24, 2008
Important strategies can help in dealing with angry customers. They include staying calm, allowing the customer to vent and reflecting their comments and feelings in your own words to let them know you understand their concerns. American City Business Journals (11/17)
4. BlackBerry gets touchy with new Storm
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 25, 2008
A review of Research in Motion's new BlackBerry Storm compares its features with those of its iPhone and G1 rivals, including the Storm's "SurePress" keyboard feature and lack of a Wi-Fi connection. Reuters (11/20) Wall Street Journal (free content), The (11/20)
5. Act boldly in times of crisis
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 25, 2008
In his new book "Think Again," management guru Sydney Finkelstein identifies four internal biases that often lead to poor management decisions: inappropriate prejudgments; inappropriate experience; self-interest; and attachments. Times of crisis can provide opportunities for managers to exercise bold decision-making. "People are more willing to accept change during a crisis. This means it's an opportunity to make hard changes that you need to make that may have been resisted before," Finkelstein says. BusinessWeek (11/14)
6. Grainger to triple capacity of S.C. distribution center
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 24, 2008
W.W. Grainger Inc. plans over the next five years to expand its operations at a Fountain Inn, S.C., distribution center, retrofitting the facility to handle 350,000 different items instead of its current capacity of 100,000 products and adding a minimum of 200 jobs on top of the warehouse's current 330 positions -- changes that would make the facility the company's largest East Coast distribution center. Greenville News (S.C.), The (11/18) Industrial Distribution (11/19)
7. Marketing in an uncertain environment
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 25, 2008
It's time to focus on the things you can change about your business in the midst of tumultuous economic times, Terry Brock advises. Think about your customer first rather than your product: Anticipating customers' needs will help other priorities fall into place. Brock also recommends that businesses focus on direct marketing and that they get in front of new trends. American City Business Journals (11/17)
8. What is the best part of the holiday season?
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 24, 2008
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
9. Presidential win offers lessons in innovation
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 24, 2008
The strategies employed in President-elect Barack Obama's win offer good examples of how true innovators are successful. The same patterns seen in breakthrough companies were apparent in Obama's campaign, this writer says, noting that when the competition assumes tomorrow's market will be the same as yesterday's, there is an opportunity to create new customers. Fast Company (11/12) Fast Company (11/11)
10. Anixter to book an expense of up to $22 million due to customer bankruptcy
NAW SmartBrief | Nov 26, 2008
CNNMoney.com (11/21)
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