No sale is really complete until the product is worn out, and the customer is satisfied."
--L.L. Bean,
founder of retailer L.L. Bean
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| CVSN SmartBrief |
| March 27, 2007 |
IT finds place in helping delivery operations enhance fuel-efficiency
Information technology is helping businesses find savings in delivery operations. Roadnet, a division of UPS, for instance, sells software that allows logistics managers to re-engineer their fleet routing to enhance fuel-efficiency in making delivery rounds. Los Angeles Times (free registration) (3/26)
Delphi awarded Vendor of the Year honor
SAE Warehouse has named Delphi Product & Service Solutions its 2007 Vendor of the Year. "The growth of Delphi products in our stores is a testament of the hard work and dedication of Team Delphi," said SAE Warehouse President Tim Sturdevant. "This award acknowledges efforts to expand the solid reputation of Delphi parts, service and training ... within our store system." AftermarketNews.com (free registration) (3/27)
Benefits value, not cost control, tops managers' challenges
Benefits value has surpassed cost control as the uppermost challenge confronting employee benefit managers, thanks to rising health care costs, employee cost shifting and a maturing work force, a new MetLife study says. "For the first time in the five years since we started doing this study, retaining employees has surpassed the cost of containing health and welfare programs as the No. 1 benefits objective," said Ronald Leopold, MetLife's VP of employer sponsored benefits. BenefitNews.com (3/12)
The future for IT in wholesale distribution
All wholesaler-distributors need to analyze their current IT systems and consider what upgrades are needed in light of the "rapid state of change" going on in the industry, says Merrifield Consulting Group Inc.'s president. He adds that figuring out the best IT solution requires every business, no matter what its size, "to upgrade their thinking assumptions and written-down, question maps in order to have better discussions on how to measure the multi-faceted concept of 'best total value' for their specific context." The Merrifield Consulting Group (3/22)
Prepare supply chain for any weather
The weather is unpredictable, so being prepared for any circumstance is the best way to avoid serious mishaps. The first step is to develop an emergency plan in case disaster strikes. Also important for any growing shipping company is to get all partners on your supply chain working with the same real-time information and to start taking advantage new logistics technology now. DC Velocity (3/2007)
E-mail communications should be value-driven
E-mail works best when used in combination with face-to-face meetings and personal calls. Give recipients a beneficial e-mail that adds value, but be concise and give thought to what you're writing before you click send. American City Business Journals (3/19)
Managers should embrace change, not fear it
Having the ability to accept and adapt to change is a necessity in life and business. Pick leaders that exhibit willingness to accept change and use it to their advantage -- they will be the ones that are the most competent and challenge-driven, one leadership adviser says. American City Business Journals/Silicon Valley/San Jose (3/16)
Entrepreneurs should expect little or no pay in beginning
A paycheck might be months or years away for small-business owners and entrepreneurs just getting started. Many entrepreneurs dip into their savings in the beginning and pay off the debt once the business is off the ground. After the business starts to grow, look at expenses, profit, what the job entails and the market value for the job to determine the salary you should pay yourself. The New York Times (3/22)
Don't get in over your head when ramping up your business
It's best to start small once you've developed a product you are confident consumers will love. Offering your product on a small-scale first is a good way to ensure there is sufficient demand and that you can produce enough to meet that demand. The worst situation for your company would be promising too much in the beginning and failing to deliver. Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (3/19)
CVSN Executive Conference features top-notch educational speakers, training sessions and panel discussions
The CVSN Annual Executive Business Conference scheduled for April 1 to 4, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo., is bringing together some of the top industry speakers to offer conference attendees a range of useful and thought-provoking seminars, training sessions and discussions, including an HDX Presentation, VMI Panel and two Keynote addresses. For more information about the speakers and the meeting, go to the upcoming event section of www.cvsn.org.
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--L.L. Bean, |
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