President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending package early Saturday, averting a government shutdown with bipartisan support in Congress, following a series of expedited votes. The signing came after a tense countdown, marking the culmination of months of negotiations described by Biden as a compromise where "neither side got everything it wanted."

Large orders, a favorable economy, end-of-year spending and diversified product lines are driving growth for distributors, as 49% of distributors reported 8% or more in sales growth last year and 20% reported 3-7% growth, according to a NetPlus Alliance survey. Roughly 75% of distributors expect growth in 2024, with 37% expecting significant gains and 38% anticipating modest gains.

Scam artists are increasingly targeting freight brokers in a practice known as double-brokering where fraudulent carriers use stolen motor carrier numbers to snare loads, hire unsuspecting carriers to complete the delivery at a reduced rate, and pocket the difference. Oftentimes they steal the cargo along the way. Brokers, carriers, and law enforcement agencies can fight back by implementing stronger vetting and authentication processes and sharing information about these scams.

Advancements in warehouse robotics over the years have made the technology more accessible to organizations of all sizes. Warehouse robotics now have a proven track record across industries and organizations do not need to start from scratch when onboarding the technology, writes Phil Pletcher, warehouse-ready solutions lead for FORTNA.

As geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea escalate, putting at risk the 30% of global container traffic that passes through the region, many food and beverage companies are responding agilely to strengthen their supply chains, writes Rajah Nagarajah, team lead of food vertical at Tive. These efforts include investments into real-time tracking of shipments, relying on accurate temperature-logging technology, expanding supplier networks and taking an alternate shipping route around Africa as a last resort, Nagarajah writes.

UnitedMasters Chief Marketing Officer Chaucer Barnes argues that marketers need to be more involved in the research and development process -- a process Barnes says has shifted to place too much emphasis on budget optimization. He sees CMOs as those who can take risks, drive business outcomes and are not afraid to develop ideas that may not result in immediate benefits.

Thinking from the outside-in about your influences and purpose as well as from the inside-out about your values and beliefs can help you pinpoint if you're feeling burned out or if you're just bored with your leadership role, writes Anne Chow, the lead director on FranklinCovey's Board of Directors. "Thinking outside-in and inside-out are excellent ways to advocate for your organization's customers and stakeholders internally while promoting the company externally," Chow writes.

Research shows the benefits are clear: Companies that invest in their employees' professional development experience increased employee retention, improved performance and enhanced innovation. Join a select group of high-caliber professionals for an exclusive program designed to accelerate your career in wholesale distribution. This intensive, 5-day certificate program, led by seven expert faculty members from The Ohio State University, will equip students with the strategic skills and knowledge to navigate industry challenges, drive growth and lead with confidence. The Spring Session is April 29 - May 3, 2024. Learn More.

The difference between leading and lagging distribution companies often rests on the performance of their sales teams. Join Doug Wyatt (SPARXiQ) and industry sales leaders Joe Velleman (Mid-City Supply) and Jeff Weiss (Livingston & Haven) in this panel discussion as they provide insights to help you bridge this gap through strategic upskilling. Register here.

The NAW Company Roundtables are an exclusive community of thought leaders from Billion Dollar and Large Company distribution enterprises who congregate to network with non-competing peers in multiple lines of trade on key issues. Learn more about the many Roundtable event opportunities we offer, and how your leaders can get involved. Learn more.