The Education & Research Foundation of the National Assn. of Electrical Distributors released "Advanced Inside Sales," a comprehensive training CD-ROM course for inside sales personnel within an electrical distributorship. "Advanced Inside Sales" provides training on growing accounts, partnering effectively with outside sales, understanding the impact pricing has on margins, and continuously improving relationships with customers.

The CD-ROM contains three modules: Pricing, The Complex Sale, and Quantifiable Value-Added (QVA) Selling. Each module uses audio, graphics, comprehension questions, practical exercises, and self-tests.

For more information, visit www.naed.org.

The Independent Distributors of Electronics Assn. recently established a Non-Conforming Parts Board that is now accessible via the Internet. The board is exclusively for IDEA member use.

According to Nick Davis, president of IDEA, "The Non-Conforming Parts Board will allow members of IDEA to keep track of and immediately notify or alert the independent distributor about newly identified non-conforming parts that are circulating in the marketplace."

The Board allows users to track items by manufacturer name, individual part numbers, production date and lot code, and also provides the reason the product is non-conformant. IDEA members are encouraged to post their own listings on the site in order to create a more comprehensive database of non-conforming parts.

For more information, visit www.idofea.org.

The boards of directors of the Los Angeles Fasteners Assn. and the Western Assn. of Fasteners Distributors have agreed to pursue a strategic alliance of the two associations before proceeding further with a merger. The alliance is intended to expose the members of each association to the benefits of the other.

A joint WAFD/LAFA conference is planned for March 9–12, 2005, at the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The conference will offer educational sessions, recreational outings, and an easy way for all members to become familiar with the benefits of both organizations.

For more information, visit www.wafd.org or www.lafa.net.

The Industrial Supply Assn. has posted an article by Al Bates, titled "Featured Article Quarterly Profit Improvement Report." The article focuses on profitability management.

ISA has also published a report, entitled "2003 Trends in Industrial Distribution: An Update." The 90-page report covers all the major trends, including performance measures, channel relationships, integrated supply, technology, globalization, value add, and supply chain management. The Read Center of Texas A&M University conducted the research.

For more information, visit www.isapartners.org.

kgriffiths@reedbusiness.com