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Industry
News
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§ Many top-50 distributors remain optimistic for 2008
Executives at most
of the 50 largest distribution firms, as identified by Industrial
Distribution, say that despite weakness in the overall economy, they remain
cautiously optimistic in terms of their outlook for the year. Aside from
the automotive and construction sectors, many categories are holding up
well, leading some companies to plan acquisitions. Industrial Distribution (6/1) 
§ 10 prescriptions for coping with pain at the pump
The Wall Street
Journal offers 10 tips for reducing fuel costs for small businesses and
consumers. Among them: use online tools to locate lowest gasoline prices,
check out gasoline rebates and keep up with vehicle maintenance. The Wall Street Journal/Independent Street
(subscription required) (5/28)
§ New car-alarm system offers features from phone or remote
China's Shenzhen
Beaconton Electronic has introduced a GPS/GSM car alarm with a remote
frequency of 316 MHz. The model, BNT-V01, enables users to start the car,
unlock it and disarm the system from a remote control or phone. globalsources.com (5/30)
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Business
Strategy
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§ Turn stress into positive energy
The stress that
results from stressful times can be harnessed into healthy energy that can
in fact help improve performance and weather a storm. The right amount of
anxiety is described as the level that drives people ahead without causing
them to try to control what's happening. Manage Smarter (5/21)
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Sales
& Marketing Tips
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§ In relationship marketing, accentuate the positive
Having the right
attitude is essential for relationship marketing. Not only does having a
positive attitude drive motivation, but it can make you a valuable source
of hope and inspiration for others. American City Business Journals (5/27)
§ Are your marketing and sales departments aligned?
About one-third of
companies in a recent survey said their marketing and sales organizations
aren't well-aligned, a factor that can hurt revenue. The president and
co-founder of VisionEdge Marketing says the key to improving alignment is
focusing on a customer-centric approach. Manage Smarter (5/22)
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Management
Style
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§ The importance of middle management
Middle managers are
often seen as the "glue" that binds a company together, working
with both front-line employees and top managers. However, companies are
discovering how difficult and important it is to attract, develop and
retain middle managers. "Top management can spend all their time
creating strategy, but without someone there to implement it, where are you
at the end of the day?" says Thomas Colligan, vice dean of Wharton
Executive Education. Knowledge@Wharton (free registration) (5/28)
§ Peer mentors offer productive partnerships
Peer mentors can be
highly useful for entrepreneurs as sources of motivation and as trusted
colleagues in whom to confide. Three relationships described in this article
show how peer partnerships can come in many forms and offer extensive
benefits. Entrepreneur.com (5/23)
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Small
Business Operations
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§ Common startup mistakes can stall the best of plans
Five common business
mistakes can turn a good startup idea into a stalled plan. They include not
making enough profit to bring in employees or subcontractors and picking a
target market that is too small. Entrepreneur (6/2008)
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Association
News
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§ AFTERMARKET2020: Is your business model ready for the
future?
Go to www.aftermarket2020.com
for information about the CVSN 2008 Annual Meeting, at the Omni Interlocken
Resort, from Sept. 21 to 24.
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SmartQuote
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You have to have confidence in
your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through."
--Rosalynn Carter,
former first
lady
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