Federal Chair Jerome Powell openly acknowledged "strongly differing views" among committee members, reflecting uncertainties over whether to prioritize signs of labor-market weakness or continued economic growth, especially heading into December. He cautioned that further cuts are not assured, noting that the lack of economic data due to the government shutdown could necessitate a more cautious approach.

Cardinal Health is investing in a major modernization effort for its distribution network, including its new Consumer Health Logistics Center in Ohio and a planned pharmaceutical distribution center in Indiana. The initiative, which emphasizes automation and robotics, aims to boost efficiency and customer responsiveness while creating safer workplaces.

Geographic information systems are revolutionizing the global fresh flower supply chain by optimizing routes, mapping microclimates and enabling real-time tracking. This technology is crucial for maintaining the freshness of flowers during transit, reducing spoilage and lowering shipping costs. The integration of GIS with AI and IoT is expected to further enhance logistics, including drone delivery and smart packaging.

A survey by Raindrop Systems shows that 83% of procurement and finance leaders feel responsible for innovation, but only 27% feel equipped to achieve it. Most organizations prioritize cost control over flexibility, and success is measured by cost savings and risk mitigation. Cultural resistance, limited investment and a skills shortage hinder AI adoption, despite a supportive internal infrastructure.

Account-based marketing often falls short of engaging key decision-makers, according to a Forrester report commissioned by Influ2. The report finds that 58% of ABM leaders struggle to drive engagement from key accounts, primarily due to challenges in identifying the right buyers and personalizing outreach. "Intent can't be a 'black box.' Marketers need to know exactly who is researching relevant topics and what they're focused on in real-time," says Influ2's Dmitri Lisitski, noting the study "confirms that contact-level ABM drives stronger sales alignment, faster sales cycles, and higher ROI."

B2B marketers are focusing on activities that deliver immediate, measurable results amid pressure to prove direct contributions to growth. However, the latest IPA Bellwether Report indicates growing optimism in the industry, meaning marketers are in the right position to balance short-term ROI with long-term brand building, leveraging AI for hyperpersonalization and engaging buyers earlier in their journey, writes Fox Agency's Rachel Lofthouse.

Amazon's announcement this week that it would lay off thousands of workers due to the adoption of AI, along with other companies publicly mandating a return-to-office policy, then announcing layoffs or discussing "overhiring," is eroding employee confidence and damaging corporate reputations, writes Joe Procopio. "When no one believes a company has the best interests of its employees in mind, no one will want to work for that company," Procopio concludes.

In this "always on" world, it can be difficult to find the time to engage in deep thinking and explore questions that matter to us, whether they are professional, creative or practical, writes Darius Foroux, who offers a five-step method to help build this habit. "Deep thinking is like weightlifting for your brain. It's uncomfortable at first; your thoughts jump around, and you may feel restless. But if you stick with it, the scattered noise quiets down and ideas begin to connect," Foroux writes.

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