Top Story

• "New mousetrap" protects commercial snowblowers from damage
  The "Snowalker" device is a mechanical device that enables commercial snowblowers to avoid hurdles by lifting them up from protruding objects on the road such as raised manhole covers and sidewalks. The invention, created by Grant Hanson of Glenwood, Minn., is being tested in some cities in the state, as well as North Dakota. Hanson hopes to license the device to a manufacturer. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (12/29)     

Industry Buzz

• Husqvarna to create units dedicated to Asia and Europe regions
  Husqvarna will divide its Sales and Service Europe & Asia/Pacific business unit into two new entities to better concentrate on each of the regions. The move will come Tuesday. Frida Norrbom Sams will take over the European unit, and Husqvarna Group CEO and President Hans Linnarson will serve as the acting head of the Asia/Pacific division. ApplianceMagazine.com (12/28)     

• John Deere distributor becomes part of Ore. firm's machinery unit
  Arrow Machinery, a distributor of John Deere Agriculture and Turf brand products, has been acquired by the machinery division of The Papé Group in Eugene, Ore. The distributor will become part of Papé Machinery, and its acquisition will help the company expand its presence to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. American City Business Journals/Portland, Ore. (12/28)     

• Snow-related businesses see demand soar in Ohio, S.D.
  Stores that sell winter supplies and landscapers that offer snow removal services report the arrival of snow has boosted their businesses after going through a mild winter last year. John Hamm, owner of Sugarloaf Power Equipment in Chillicothe, Ohio, sold his first snowblower of 2012 but still has more inside his shop as leftover inventory from last year. "The snowfall has definitely been nice. It keeps all the guys busy and helps out with the slower months," said Tate Eining, owner of Kut & Kill, a landscaping firm in South Dakota. Chillicothe Gazette (Ohio) (12/29), KDLT-TV (Sioux Falls, S.D.) (12/30)     

• Simple landscape tips to boost curb appeal
  The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration)/McClatchy-Tribune News Service (12/30)     

Economic Indicators

• Pending home sales in U.S. continue to rise
  The National Association of Realtors said its index of pending home sales for November, based on sales contracts signed, rose for the third month in a row. The index was up 1.7% from October and 9.8% above the November 2011 reading. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/Money & Co. blog (12/28)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by OPEI SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Ethanol-blend gasoline can cause lawn equipment to break down (The Beaufort Observer (Washington, N.C.))

• Giant snowblower could ease snow removal work in Ariz. town (Williams-Grand Canyon News (Ariz.))

• Caterpillar posts weaker sales gain (Bloomberg)

• Stihl donates chainsaws, weed eaters to firefighters (The News of Orange County (Hillsborough, N.C.))

• Vertical gardens offer new source of green space (DesignBuildSource.com.au (Australia))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Inside & Out

• Want to be perfect? Get ready for a lifetime of disappointment
  Good leaders don't aim for perfection, writes Mike Henry Sr. It's simply impossible to be perfect, so striving to be leads to inauthenticity and disconnect. "When we face our imperfection and still do what needs to be done, that's genuine character-based leadership," Henry writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (12/20)     

• 6 steps to prepare your marketing strategy for 2013
  GreatB2BMarketing.com (12/26)     

Policy Update

• Senate still has no agreement to avert "fiscal cliff"
  Senate leaders failed to agree Sunday on a compromise to avert the "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and spending cuts that's scheduled to take effect Tuesday. Talks took a new direction late in the day, with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell opening talks with Vice President Joe Biden on how to break the deadlock, and more discussions are planned today. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (12/30), The Washington Post (12/30), Chicago Sun-Times (12/31)     

Editor's Note

• SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday
  In observance of New Year's Day, SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday. Publication will resume Wednesday. Enjoy the holiday!     

SmartQuote

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty." --John Selden, English jurist and scholar