The US economic outlook is mixed amid weak manufacturing and housing demand, according to The Conference Board's latest Leading Economic Index. The index fell by 0.5% in September, the seventh straight month of decline, and reached its lowest point since October 2016. "Weakness in factory new orders continued to be a major drag on the US LEI in September as the global manufacturing slump persists," said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, a senior manager of business cycle indicators at The Conference Board.

Heritage Landscape Supply Group, a Texas-based subsidiary of SRS Distribution, has expanded into New Hampshire by acquiring Freshwater Farms, a landscape materials distributor. The move offers Heritage access to the Boston area. Freshwater Farms will continue to operate under founder Chuck Morse's leadership, maintaining continuity for the company's operations and workforce.

Beacon has partnered with GAF to integrate GAF's QuickMeasure reports into the Beacon PRO+ platform. This move will streamline the roof estimation process by allowing fast and accurate roof measurements and 3D renderings, enhancing convenience and cost-efficiency for property owners. The integration is expected to boost profit margins by providing contractors easy access to detailed roof data and images.

Companies that leverage real-time data in their operations consistently outperform competitors with greater agility, improved customer experiences and enhanced employee productivity, according to MIT's Peter Weill. His research shows that organizations exceling in real-time decision-making and automation experience over 50% higher revenue growth and net margins compared to peers, regardless of industry.

Suppliers are vital strategic partners in managing direct spend, offering innovation, risk mitigation and market intelligence, writes Nari Viswanathan, the senior director of supply chain strategy at Coupa. Viswanathan provides a checklist for leaders, including dedicating time to supplier relationships, engaging in one-on-one conversations with supplier CEOs and adopting a holistic direct spend strategy.

Diesel prices decreased to $3.553 per gallon this week, a drop of 7.8 cents per gallon, according to the Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration figures. The decline was the most significant since December 2023.

Coaching is a critical skill for sales managers, who can use tools like the Management Talent Assessment to identify key employee strengths such as relationship-building, business acumen, positivity and arranging, writes Kelly George. Effective coaching boosts sales performance and quota achievement, enhances employee engagement and reduces turnover.

Many workers are prioritizing work-life balance over traditional career advancement, with only 38% of US employees interested in becoming managers, according to a Visier survey. To progress without becoming a manager, experts recommend upskilling, seeking new projects, joining courses and working for companies with flat structures. "This could aid the retention of employees who may otherwise look for development opportunities elsewhere," writes Paul Holcroft, managing director at Croner.

Goldman Sachs strategists predict that US stocks, mainly the S&P 500, will deliver lower returns over the next decade compared to the past, estimating an annualized return of 3% for the S&P 500, significantly down from the 13% seen over the last 10 years. The strategists also note a high chance that stocks will underperform Treasury bonds and a roughly one-third likelihood they'll trail inflation through 2034. Recent gains have been driven by a few large tech stocks, but Goldman expects future returns to be more evenly distributed across sectors.

Watsco has been on a decade-long digital journey, focusing on tools that improve customer engagement and operational efficiency, writes John Gunderson. The company has moved forward with four strategic pillars: a robust PIM database, HVAC Pro+ mobile apps, eCommerce sales and platforms like OnCallAir and CreditForComfort. Watsco's PIM database now hosts more than 1.5 million SKUs accessed by 375,000 contractors annually, and its digital initiatives have led to significant sales growth and customer retention.

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