Demand for personal protective equipment is affecting traditional suppliers, including True Value and Johnstone Supply, which are both out of N95 masks. Limited supplies are likely prioritized for first responders and health care personnel, says Johnstone CEO John Tisera, with his company awaiting fresh supplies to offer to its contractor customers.
Amazon announced Thursday that masks and other medical equipment on its platform will be sold only to hospitals and government agencies, and it will also expand temperature checks to include all Amazon and Whole Foods Market employees. Employees with a temperature above 100.4 degrees must go home and can return to work only after going 72 hours without a fever.
Keep Orders Flowing in Uncertain Times. Unexpected events are shifting the way businesses are running. Working remotely and the online demand for products are increasing. During these challenging times, Zoro and our digital marketing engine continue to reach customers that are helping to keep the world running. Learn more.
Chief financial officers are concerned about supply chain disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and are considering suppliers in more countries, according to a PwC survey. However, CFOs are uncertain as to whether they will actually do so, the survey found.
Search marketers talk in this video about business-to-business strategies during the coronavirus pandemic and the trends they're already seeing emerge from the crisis. "You can provide meaningful content and value to people, particularly during this time of extreme need," says Clix Marketing's Michelle Morgan, while AdAlysis' Brad Geddes notes, "A true trend is companies that had good data organization before are doing better than those that didn't."
Sales teams can drive financial growth for distributors by using data to understand what customers want and how distributors can help customers deliver against those goals, writes ActVantage co-founder Senthil Gunasekaran. "Relationship-based selling is still relevant, but it's not enough," he writes.
We remember World War II as a fight the US eagerly took up, but polling shows many Americans were opposed to intervening and only slowly came around to the idea, which posed a persuasion challenge to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, writes Ed Batista. "The great leader steps into the future just far enough to encourage the people around them to consider the possibility of this alternative reality, but not so far ahead that their vision is dismissed or ignored," he writes.
Winston Churchill led Britain through World War II by making tough decisions, projecting a sense of confidence to the country and being personally affectionate even as he was often severe about the work, writes Steve McKee. "He could get very emotional, but after bitterly criticizing you he had a habit of touching you, of putting his hand on your hand -- like that -- as if to say that his real feelings for you were not changed," British wartime official Lord Beaverbrook said of Churchill.
Join NAW and ITR Economics for this critical economic outlook webinar, "Distribution Industry: Navigating the Crisis," featuring Alan Beaulieu, NAW Senior Economic Advisor and President of ITR Economics, on Thursday, April 9, 3 p.m. EDT. And, Alan will answer your questions. Seats are limited, so purchase your seat today!
