| February 13, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Grainger to meet with DOJ regarding lawsuit
W.W. Grainger has responded to a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that the company charged the federal government more than what its contract stipulated and relabeled products to appear to comply with U.S. trade agreements. Grainger says it will meet with the Justice Department to discuss the suit filed by a former district sales manager of government sales for Grainger. Grainger "intends to carefully review the allegations to ensure it meets its obligations to its customers," the company said in a statement. Modern Distribution Management
(2/11)
, Industrial Distribution
(2/11)
- Wall Street likes Cardinal Health's prognosis
Nearly four years after an SEC inquiry and subsequent financial restatements, and more recently, the abrupt departure of a top executive and a product recall, Cardinal Health Inc. is showing signs of renewed vigor. Though the company reduced its fiscal 2008 forecasts, Wall Street appears encouraged by such developments as its appointment in January of George Barrett as vice chairman and chief executive of its drug and medical-supply distribution division, an important contract renewal and a new generic drug in the offing. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
(2/11)
 | Wholesale Distribution Benchmarking Studies: Complete any of these benchmarking surveys and receive Free Industry Benchmarking Reports comparing your company to overall metrics of the entire surveyed group. Register for the Benchmarking Study to receive an e-mail and get started now! |
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- Improve customer service to set your company apart: six tips
When other aspects of businesses are matched up relatively well against their competitors, customer service is the one area where companies can differentiate themselves. A list of six management tips for making the most the opportunity includes evaluating telephone systems; improving e-mail accessibility; and calling your own company to find out the type of service being offered. CEO Strategist
(1/29)
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| | Save time and money with NAW SmartBrief Job Listings.
Advertise your company's open positions in this newsletter and target more than 49,000 wholesale distribution industry professionals, passive as well as active job-seekers. Let your company's hiring manager or recruiter know that they can take 15% off current prices with coupon code FEB15 for the entire month of February! | |
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- Significant CRM trends to watch for in 2008
Three important trends are expected to transform customer relationship management in 2008. They are a boom in automated sales compensation; increased utilization of CRM within financial industries; and midsize firms boosting their budgets for enterprise resource planning. Selling Power (free registration)
(2/5)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Online accounting applications for small business
Keeping one's books fully up-to-date and accurate is a must for any business, and online applications can help. This article offers a link to reviews of seven online invoicing applications, including LessAccounting, Freshbooks and Blinksale. SmartBIZ
(2/7)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Have your salespeople been educated in how to do their jobs well? Dave Kahle's Distributor Selling System is now available on CD. The 16 session program equips you to train your salespeople in a proven selling system -- economically and on your own schedule. Check it out online!
Interested in learning more about advertising in NAW SmartBrief? Contact Henry Murphey at (202) 737-5500 ext. 245 or hmurphey@smartbrief.com
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Column: Business travelers remain skeptical of mergers
Some business travelers believe airline consolidation could lead to fewer scheduling choices, fewer available seats, and more delays, writes Joe Sharkey in The New York Times. Seasoned business travelers also say they carefully plan their trips, prepare for delays and frequently work efficiently in airports. The New York Times
(2/12)
- Column: Patience may be key to protecting retirement savings
CNN Money columnist Walter Updegrave recommends that retirement savers wait out the recession. Trading costs and poor timing can erase the benefits of moving retirement funds from volatile investments to other vehicles. "The main problem is that these recommendations assume you can move your retirement money in and out of different assets with impeccable timing," he said. CNNMoney.com
(2/11)
| NAW Insider | | |
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NAW Insurance Trust vs. traditional group health insurance
The NAW Insurance Trust is a unique health insurance program available to NAW Direct Members and members of NAW member associations. How does it differ from a traditional group health insurance program? Why should a member company consider moving to this program? What are the advantages of enrolling in the Trust? Learn how the Trust differs from traditional group health insurance.
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5 Fundamentals for the Wholesale Distribution Sales Manager
This book from the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence offers a practical but powerful approach for taking your sales force to the next level. It includes essential theories, key concepts and real-world stories taken from the front lines of wholesale distribution. Use this book as a foundation to help you become an effective, high-performing sales manager. Order your copies today!
| Weekly Poll | | |
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How long do you expect a first interview to usually last?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | A few seconds...the first impression is the real first interview. |
| 20 to 30 minutes maximum |
| Not more than an hour |
| At least an hour and hopefully lunch |
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas."
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, February 11, 2008
- Friday, February 08, 2008
- Thursday, February 07, 2008
- Wednesday, February 06, 2008
- Monday, February 04, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
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