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What to do in tough times
By Joe Nowlan, Associate Editor
When economic times get tough, what is the best way to run your company? Three distribution executives weigh in on the things they are doing and the business fundamentals they recommend for staying profitable.
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Creating success during an economic downturn
By Rick Johnson
Whether we are in a “true recession” or not, most business people would agree that economic times are unsteady. Rick Johnson of CEO Strategist warns against over-reacting, but includes a few prudent steps executives can consider as the economy goes into its roller coaster ride.
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Setting up shop in China
Building a sound operation in China is a daunting task. In his book, “Managing the Dragon,” reviewed here by the Boston Globe, Jack Perkowski offers this advice: Train, trust and empower local managers.
Employee retention is a global issue
Companies the world over are struggling to recruit and retain good workers, as detailed in this report from the Grant Thornton consulting firm. In a survey, the company found that countries ranging from China to New Zealand are facing a talent gap. Fifty-eight percent of American companies are focused on finding and keeping talent, according to the report.
From Purchasing magazine:
Finding low-cost sources overseas is the holy grail for many companies these days. In this report Purchasing magazine’s staff explains the five keys to establishing reliable, low-cost sources in foreign countries.
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How are fuel costs affecting your company?
Rising fuel costs affect everyone in the supply chain and distributors are no exception. Electrical industry consultants David Gordon and Allen Ray recently launched a survey on rising fuel costs in response to distributors’ concerns about best practices in fuel management.
Click here to take the survey and watch for the results in an upcoming article.
For more on rising fuel prices, check out this story from Purchasing on the new ways trucking companies and others are managing fuel costs.
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Commentary:
What’s driving the recession coverage?
Is there a recession going on right now?
Or does it depend on the industry you work in?
As the late Steve Allen used to say, “Well, yes and no—but I could be wrong.”
More...
-Associate Editor
Joe Nowlan
HELP WANTED BULLETIN
Visit INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION's
Help Wanted Bulletin today for more details and to see more purchasing and supply chain job postings!
If you would like to post a job on INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION's Help Wanted Bulletin,
please contact Lowell Malles, Online Sales Director at (781) 734-8236 or via cell phone at (617) 281-2907.
Coming soon...
Don’t miss ID’s annual Compensation and Job Satisfaction Study, to be published in our May issue and available online May 1. We surveyed more than 500 readers to gauge the latest trends in industry compensation and job satisfaction. Click here for a look at last year’s report.
And in June we’ll reveal the 2008 Big 50, the industry’s only report on the largest industrial distributors serving the North American marketplace. Click here for a look at the 2007 Big 50.
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