| January 2, 2009 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Record lows for M&As in November
According to a report from Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., merger and acquisition activities dropped to record lows in November. The value of global M&A deals plummeted 68.2% in November from October levels. "With a difficult October already booked and an equally gloomy forecast for December, 4Q 2008 may register as one of the worst quarters in the history of U.S. M&A," stated the report. Industrial Distribution online
(12/29)      
- Spartan acquires stores from VG's Food and Pharmacy
Spartan Stores, Inc., announced that it has completed the acquisition of 17 supermarkets and 15 pharmacies from VG's Food Center, Inc. and VG's Pharmacy, Inc. VG's is a privately held retail grocery operator and an existing Spartan distribution customer. RTT News
(12/29)
 | Discover how one products company uses Microsoft Dynamics AX® to keep inventory under control while optimizing its warehouses and delivering on its promises to manufacturing clients. By upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics 4.0 they were able to create strategic business initiatives, including the development of an e-commerce strategy. Read the case study>> |
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- Questions to assess your sales coverage model
As customer needs continue to change, companies should continuously reevaluate their sales coverage model. Mary Donato offers a series of questions to ask yourself as you assess your strengths, as well as areas that may need improvement. Manage Smarter
(12/29)
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- Lawmakers want to suspend distribution rule for 2008
Concerned about the consequences of forcing retirees to withdraw funds from retirement accounts during the market downturn, 61 members of Congress have sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking for suspension of distribution requirements for 2008. Congress passed a law authorizing such a suspension for 2009 and leaving the question up to the Treasury Department for this year. Treasury decided against using that authority for 2008, saying such a change would be "complicated and confusing" for individuals and plan sponsors. WebCPA
(12/29)
- Commentary: Customized medicine could improve health care
Adoption of personalized medicine could "help take the guesswork out" of health care, resulting in reduced expenses as well as treatment decisions that are more accurate and effective, HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and Harvard Medical School professor Raju Kucherlapati write. For instance, use of an affordable genetic test to determine the right dose of warfarin, a blood thinner, might save as much as $1 billion annually while providing better care. The Boston Globe (free registration)
(12/26)
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Preventing driver slips and falls
Slip and fall accidents are a significant factor in driver injuries, causing approximately 22% of injuries to drivers. Next to motor vehicle collisions, driver slips and falls are the most expensive type of driver accident. The Hartford shares some tips to help drivers protect themselves from slips and falls on the job. Learn more here.
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Distributor Success Stories: Profiting Despite the Difficult Economy
The 2009 NAW Executive Summit focuses on the most important issue facing you in the coming year: the economy. We know your time is valuable, so we won't tell you what you already know -- that "the economy is challenging." Instead, we'll tell you what other distributors are doing to succeed despite difficult economic conditions. Register at the early-bird discount.
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| Weekly Poll | | |
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What is your New Year's resolution?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Spend less |
| Lose weight |
| Exercise more |
| Get a new job |
| Spend more time with family |
| Other |
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 | For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."
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Read more at SmartBrief.com |
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, December 31, 2008
- Tuesday, December 30, 2008
- Monday, December 29, 2008
- Friday, December 26, 2008
- Wednesday, December 24, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Ashley McMaster
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville | Robert Jones
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