East and Gulf Coast ports are addressing a significant backlog of containers after dockworkers returned to work under a tentative agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance. The temporary resolution includes wage increases for dockworkers but leaves automation discussions open until early 2025. Ports are extending operational hours to alleviate delays, though it may take weeks to return to normalcy.

Border States, an electrical supplies distributor based in Fargo, N.D., expanded its Eau Claire, Wis., branch, including a 4.5-acre storage yard. The distributor plans to reach new markets and boost its service offerings in the construction, industrial and utility sectors. Border States' Tyler Ihry said the expansion will also allow the company to grow with its customers and create additional jobs in the Eau Claire area.

Winsupply has acquired Epic Supply, a Texas-based distributor of commercial plumbing supplies, as part of its continued effort to expand its distribution network. Jay Hall and Ross Ryon, two of Epic's four co-founders, will remain with the business as presidents.

Procurement is becoming increasingly complex due to rising costs, compliance issues and the need for responsible purchasing, according to the 2024 State of Procurement Report from Amazon. Experts such as Ryan Polk from Gartner and Nick Vyas from the University of Southern California stress the importance of managing change effectively and integrating AI and digital tools, while highlighting ESG and traceability are as key areas for future focus as companies aim to meet sustainability targets.

Factors including economic issues, customer demands, technological change and supply chain visibility were among reasons 73% of third-party logistics companies and 61% of shippers identified change management as "critical" or "significant," according to a study from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, NTT Data and Penske Logistics. One-third of shippers are interested in using AI to improve supply planning and demand forecasting, while respondents identified delivery speed and visibility as differentiators.

Business-to-business marketers share tips on how to give a consumer-level experience to B2B buyers, including connecting emotionally through storytelling and personalizing content and touchpoints using AI. "AI-driven analytics now enables B2B companies to offer granular customization in their sales and marketing approaches that were previously reserved for B2C interactions," says Hugo's Orinola Gbadebo-Smith.

Leaders who feel like they need to be right all the time can discourage their direct reports from expressing their ideas or solutions and lose opportunities to inspire camaraderie or help team members grow, writes executive coach Robin Camarote. Being aware of the tendency to want to be right is the first step to correcting it, and Camarote advises leaders to pause before responding, encourage dialogue with their team and apologize if they slip back into the old habit of feeling they must be right.

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