Top Story

• Report: Supply chains benefit from information sharing
  In a report by SCM World, 49.1% of buyers and 40.8% of sellers believe information-sharing benefits supply chain efficiency. "It is vital we have those windows to ensure transparency so we can effectively share information and data around sales and operations planning, supply demand and so forth," said Gerry Fay, chief global logistics and operations officer at Avnet, a maker of electrical components. Supply Management online (U.K.) (3/28)     

• Other News

• U.S. recovery will move faster than Europe's, OECD says
  Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (3/29)     

• Supervalu to give $200,000 grant to help entrepreneur launch Save-a-Lot
  Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (3/29)     

Operations and Technology

• Survey: Procurement outsourcing to increase
  Most companies still handle procurement work, but outsourcing of procurement activities is expected to increase, according to research by the Hackett Group. The percentage of companies that perform at least 90% of their own procurement activity is expected to drop from 60% to 48%, and more work is expected to be sent offshore. Supply Chain Digest (3/28)     

• The benefits of gathering data in the cloud
  Cloud technology isn't just good for analyzing large data sets; it can also be used to collect valuable information, Thoran Rodrigues writes. For example, companies that offer cloud-software solutions are able to keep tabs on how customers use their products and make corresponding improvements, he writes. TechRepublic/The Enterprise Cloud blog (3/29)     

Sales and Marketing

• 4 steps to selecting the best sales hires
  Hiring the right people is key, so it's important to make sure that a job candidate's resume aligns with the job requirements. It's also a good idea to evaluate a candidate's problem-solving skills and ability to handle stress. "Without a doubt, stress is a fact of life in today's work world. So determining a candidate's or employee's ability to cope with stress is critical for a manager," notes Dana Borowka, co-author of the book "Cracking the Personality Code." CBS MoneyWatch/Sales Machine blog (3/27)     

• How to make strong connections with B2B buyers
  Connecting with business-to-business customers has gotten harder, but there are some techniques companies can use to address the issue, Tony Zambito writes. For example, one key tactic is the use of buyer modeling, he writes. "Buyer modeling incorporates the elements of attitudes, beliefs, values, goals, perceptions, needs, and motivations," he notes. iMedia Connection (3/28)     

• 6 ways to ensure your e-mail marketing won't be blocked
  Business-to-business sellers face some special challenges when it comes to making sure their marketing messages reach their customers' e-mail inboxes. An unexpected decline in response rates might mean there is a problem with delivering your e-mails, said Stephanie Miller of Aprimo. To overcome issues with e-mail deliverability, it's important to maintain your reputation and test e-mail content, experts say. MarketingSherpa (3/28)     

Hot Topics

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

• Warehouse rental rates are set to rise, Prologis says (DC Velocity online)

• How managers reduce safety risks at warehouses (Sanitary Maintenance)

• Think of employees as investments, not assets (The Charlotte Observer (N.C.))

• 3 tips for structuring your inside-sales operation (Sales Benchmark Index)

• 14 ways to lead like Steve Jobs (Harvard Business Review)

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

The Business Leader

• Develop leadership presence by striving to inspire
  Leadership presence is hard to define, but it's an increasingly valuable quality to possess, Kristi Hedges writes. It's neither natural charisma nor a set of public-speaking tricks, but exuding a sense of authenticity, honesty and instilling confidence all around. Focus on your intent, use natural body language and imagine your audience's reaction in advance, Hedges writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (3/29)     

• 7 strategies for squelching difficult behaviors in talented employees
  Some employees are talented but also difficult to deal with, Victor Lipman writes. Leaders can deal with these workers by providing feedback and giving them interesting assignments. "To the extent possible ... provide some especially substantive, challenging assignments that will fully utilize and stretch their considerable skills." Forbes (3/28)     

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Position Title Company Name Location Warehouse Manager (Y-SCM) SAIC Sterling, VA Vice President of Merchandising and Procurement Confidential Nationwide, United States Metals Buyer/ Trader Olin Brass East Alton, IL Inventory Reporting and Analysis Manager W. W. Grainger Lake Forest, IL

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SmartQuote

One is never more on trial than in the moment of excessive good fortune." --Lew Wallace, American general, statesman, lawyer and author