Technology firm Lantern launched a demand forecasting platform aimed at modernizing distributors' inventory management and purchasing. The platform tackles the age-old problem of balancing inventory investment and product availability, using machine learning to help distributors free up working capital by optimizing purchasing decisions and reducing excess inventory. Lantern uses historical sales and purchasing data, along with a range of external factors, to provide recommendations, and early adopters have reported improvements in inventory turn and fill rates.

US construction spending unexpectedly rose 0.2% in August, with home renovations likely being a key factor, according to the Commerce Department. Spending on private construction increased 0.3%, with residential construction up 0.8%. Spending on multifamily housing units gained 0.2%.

Evergreen Supply Network surpassed 280 member locations nationwide after adding Big D Tool Center, which NEFCO acquired in October, strengthening Evergreen's position as the largest independent group in the construction supply channel. Its collaborative platform and resources, such as its Dallas-based Training & Education Center, support ongoing expansion and innovation among member distributors.

Trucking companies are using renewable diesel and biodiesel as drop-in alternatives to traditional diesel to reduce emissions without compromising vehicle performance. However, availability is limited outside states with low-carbon fuel standards, and the cost of renewable diesel remains a challenge without subsidies.

Minimum purchase requirements and sales quotas are common in distribution agreements, providing predictability for suppliers and distributors, but these provisions can pose risks if they are unrealistic or lack flexibility, writes Fred Mendelsohn of Burke, Warren MacKay & Serritella. Distributors should ensure quotas are based on historical data, include measurable standards and allow for periodic reviews to adjust obligations as market conditions evolve. Additionally, tying purchase obligations to supplier performance and avoiding harsh penalties for missed quotas can help mitigate risks.

The latest BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index points to a cooling tone in the logistics sector as shippers move away from the optimism seen in previous quarters. Revenue and order growth expectations have diminished, and a record number of respondents now report a neutral sentiment. This shift reflects growing caution among shippers amid persistent market uncertainty and ongoing rate volatility.

Consumers largely can't distinguish between AI-generated and traditional ads and don't care if ads are made with AI, according to System1 research. AI-generated ads scored higher in emotional response than traditional ads, but AI falls short in creative style and brand distinctiveness, the research shows.

Vanessa Cheal of Transmission shares insights from the global B2B behavioral science report, "The Yes Advantage," illustrating the importance of novelty and visible effort in paid media, credibility in owned channels, and precision and tailored social proof in content. Cheal says marketers can enhance recall and trust by leveraging these strategies, making their messages more memorable and effective.

By dedicating 45 minutes to a single, meaningful task with no distractions, you can tap in to your brain's natural peaks in attention and creativity -- something called your "ultradian rhythm," writes career coach Luciana Paulise. Taking a 15-minute break in between work sessions acts as a buffer and should be spent stretching, walking or briefly checking emails before diving back in, Paulise notes. "Once you master the rhythm, expand it beyond work. Timebox everything: your workouts, lunch, family time, reading and even rest."

US companies issued 39,006 advance layoff notices in October, one of the highest monthly totals since 2006, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The data show a worsening labor market, with job losses rising alongside reduced hiring. The Federal Reserve is considering the extent of this slowdown as it debates future interest rate cuts.

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