Economists have revised their forecasts to anticipate slower growth, higher inflation and a greater recession risk due to US trade policies, according to The Wall Street Journal's quarterly survey. The recession probability in the next year has increased to 45%, with gross domestic product expected to grow 0.8% this year. Moody's Ratings increased its default forecast for speculative-grade companies to 3.1% this year, up from 2.5%, expecting tariffs to slash a percentage point or more from US growth.

Bin-level inventory accuracy is crucial for distributors, as poor accuracy can lead to dead stock, increased labor costs and diminished customer trust, writes Will Quinn. Achieving more than 99% accuracy requires consistent processes across departments, thorough documentation and leveraging technology such as generative AI and warehouse management systems.

Small businesses in the US are struggling to navigate recent trade policy changes by the Trump administration, with more than half of importers saying they cannot predict the next moves on tariffs, according to a survey by Freightos. The uncertainty has prompted one-third of businesses to pause shipments and 29% to seek alternative sourcing.

Trade disputes could encourage companies to stockpile inventory to get ahead of tariffs, fueling increased demand for warehousing in the US. Warehousing firm Prologis anticipates increased demand for its US warehouse space amid continued trade disruption and retailer stockpiling. Major shippers are actively growing their inventory levels and rerouting shipments to mitigate tariff effects.

Last-mile logistics is a costly supply chain segment that could benefit from AI and machine learning, writes Jyot Singh, who recommends a "10-10-10" framework. This idea addresses 10 key challenges, like competition or carrier availability; explores 10 AI applications, like delivery time prediction and driver assignments, and implements a 10-step road map to optimize routes, forecast demand and integrate technology.

David Dodd argues for a new B2B marketing model that reflects actual buying behaviors of business people. He observes that a small percentage of potential customers are actively purchasing at any given time, and marketing alone often won't initiate a buying process. Instead, the focus should be on building mental availability to ensure a company is remembered when buying triggers occur.

Creating a culture-first company where your teams look forward to working each day involves setting clear expectations up front, introducing changes in increments, offering shared learning experiences and creating accountability methods, writes Thiru Thangarathinam, the founder and CEO of KeenStack. "A culture-first company is a business that is built around people and, therefore, built to succeed," Thangarathinam notes.

A blind spot is emerging among chief information officers regarding the quality of data used in their organizations. C-level executives often receive polished reports that hide underlying data issues, leading to a disconnect with IT leaders who see the problems firsthand. This oversight poses challenges for successful AI-powered and data-driven projects.

Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW's premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.

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