AI adoption in the distribution sector is gaining momentum, with over 60% of distributors planning to implement AI soon and 10% already using it, according to White Cup. However, 60% to 80% of AI projects fail to launch due to unclear objectives and poor data quality. To avoid failure, companies need to integrate business intelligence, ensure real-time data updates and use customer relationship management systems that work with enterprise resource planning and ecommerce platforms, writes Kristen Thom, vice president of product management at White Cup.

Fewer companies are passing increased costs to consumers, according to a National Association for Business Economics survey. Only 54% of companies reported passing increased costs on, down from 67% in July. The change is viewed positively for inflation prospects.

The number of available jobs in the US fell to 7.4 million in September, marking the lowest monthly figure since early 2021, according to Labor Department data. Layoffs were up but the number of workers quitting their jobs was the fewest since August 2020. Job openings remain above prepandemic levels.

Dockworkers and East Coast and Gulf Coast port operators are set to begin labor negotiations next month, following a recent strike and a tentative agreement for a 62% wage increase over six years. Discussions are scheduled for after the presidential election, as the outcome could influence the dynamics.

Successful supply chain technology implementations depend on leaders being honest about their organization's risk tolerance, writes Gartner's Dwight Klappich, who shares data regarding five levels of preparedness. Klappich also urges organizations to expand their maturity modeling to add in elements related to planning, control and the pace of change that fits best for them.

Parcel shipping remains a challenge for many organizations, with limited visibility and control over costs despite advancements in other supply chain areas, writes Josh Dunham, the co-founder and CEO of Reveel. Parcel shipping data is not standardized, and contracts are complex, leading to frequent budget overruns, but advanced data science and AI are beginning to change this, offering shippers detailed insights and the ability to manage costs more effectively, Dunham notes.

Salespeople today must possess a range of competencies to succeed, including the ability to anticipate future customer needs through deep market knowledge, writes Martin Zwilling, CEO of Startup Professionals. To help increase this success, leaders must cultivate a team-oriented approach, hire individuals with the right mindset and provide comprehensive training to maintain competitiveness.

More companies in the US -- including Amazon, Dell and 3M -- are shifting back to requiring employees to work in the office full-time, reversing the flexible policies adopted during the pandemic. The office vacancy rate remains high, though there are signs of stabilization in the market, with companies investing in appealing office amenities to attract workers back.

The best way to advocate for yourself at work is to focus on your boss' goals instead of yours by outlining how your skills can help them improve profit, customer retention, team performance or other priorities, writes leadership coach Karin Hurt. "When you make it easy for them to say yes, you're closer to the raise, promotion, or opportunity you've been working toward," Hurt notes.

ABC Supply has grown to a building supply distribution giant under CEO Keith Rozolis, with revenue of $20.4 billion last year. ABC's success is attributed to its decentralized approach, empowering employees to make decisions closest to the customer. Rozolis emphasizes the importance of operating as a 'service business' rather than just a products company, focusing on customer service and reducing buying friction.

More than half of respondents to the Baird-MDM conducted in early October believe the US presidential election is negatively affecting industrial demand. Businesses are delaying major spending and hiring decisions. Historical comparisons show a shift in sentiment, with 2024's cautious outlook resembling the 2012 cycle more than 2016.

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