SpartanNash is cataloging lessons from the pandemic, including that robust sales could be "too much of a good thing," says interim President and CEO Dennis Eidson. "We're feeling the pain of trying to figure out how next year is going to play out."

Amazon used in-house services to deliver 66% of packages shipped last month, up 12 percentage points from July 2019, according to ShipMatrix. Shipping volume was up in July compared with the average monthly volume from April to June, according to the data.

Operational technology presents a challenging cybersecurity problem, but one simple step is to separate OT networks, writes Andrew "AJ" Jarrett of the TEEX Cyber Readiness Center. Vendors and supply chains should also be held to standards, while IT and security teams need the support and collaboration of other departments, Jarrett writes.

The trucking sector added 2,000 jobs in July, according to the Labor Department, and industry experts say some of the growth can be attributed to consumers switching to online purchasing. Average rates for refrigerated trucks, flatbeds and vans all came close to their highest point of 2020 going into August, according to DAT Solutions, while load volumes from the top warehouses increased by 25% last month.

Business-to-business marketers can elevate their experiential marketing efforts by incorporating gamified elements, hosting their own events and customizing experiences for key decision-makers, writes Department Zero's Paul Soseman. Design innovative experiences for employees to imbue a passion for products and services, and keep marketing to them to maintain their enthusiasm, he advises.

Discussing the need for marketers to amplify the content they create, Brittany Berger explains six key elements of the process. It's important to clarify your overall strategy, break down content creation into manageable steps and optimize every piece.

Randy Conley of the Ken Blanchard Cos. walks through how to have better conversations that don't devolve into some people trying to dominate and others shutting down. "It's the process of asking as many questions as necessary to get the other person's view into the pool of information being considered," he writes.

There are multiple levels to self-awareness, one being able to ask in the moment how you feel and what you're thinking, and another being able to analyze and learn from mistakes, writes David Nielson. "True self-reflection is sometimes hard when we see we may not be showing up as the person we wish to be," he writes.

Based on original research conducted in July with wholesaler-distributors across the industry, Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein of Distribution Strategy Group will reveal at 2 p.m. Eastern on Aug. 18 how distributors evaluate and respond to emerging technologies. Is AI a threat, an opportunity, or both? What about 3D printing/additive manufacturing, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and marketplaces? Find out how distributors plan to incorporate new technologies to build their competitive advantage. Register now. Sponsored by Unilog, SAP and Conexiom.

Old school distribution is about stocking inventory, taking orders and serving demand. New school distribution is about innovating through customer services and working side-by-side with customers in the real world. The future of distribution is about solving problems in your customer's business -- often before your customer even knows a problem exists. Innovate to Dominate provides breakthrough ideas, lessons from leading distributors who are innovating and inspiration to help you lead your customers into the future and sustain your competitive advantage.

Are you ready for the technology that is transforming distribution? With the influx of new competitors and new technologies, changes are happening at warp speed. In this NAW series of seven research reports and seven accompanying webinars in seven months, distribution expert Ian Heller will help you to gain the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology transformation. You've got seven months, so let's get started. Sponsors include Unilog, SAP and Conexiom.