Fastenal's recent deal with the National Hockey League fits with its operations and business footprint, CEO Dan Florness says. The deal also "demonstrates that a reliable and resilient supply chain is important to every business, regardless of what you do," he says.

Amazon, starting in February, will require third-party sellers that use its Seller Fulfilled Prime service to deliver products on Saturdays and provide one- and two-day delivery. The changes will likely force greater reliance on direct handling by Amazon, which "is holding these sellers to a very high standard that Amazon itself doesn't even follow," says Shaoul Sussman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Autonomous truck technology could threaten hundreds of thousands of American truck driver jobs, starting with refrigerated and dry van trucking, according to Steve Viscelli of the University of Pennsylvania. Developers say autonomous trucks are less risky and more fuel-efficient than conventional trucks, but drivers question their safety.

Diversity can help sales organizations avoid group think and encourage innovation, writes David Brock. "Diversity improves the quality and speed at which we make decisions, grow and improve," Brock writes.

This infographic from Session Media displays 16 tips for boosting conversions on business-to-business websites. The visual includes insights and recommendations related to analytics, conversion tracking, loading speeds, mobile optimization, calls to action, copywriting, content and video.

Virtual presentations require different thinking about audience interaction, slide presentation and what devices people are using, but what hasn't changed is the power of practice, writes Stephanie Scotti. Besides practicing the speech itself, "practice with technology -- the virtual platform, the slides, the camera, the clicker -- so it becomes second nature," she writes.

Distributors: NAW is working with Distribution Strategy Group to get input from distributors' customers on a range of disruptive technologies: AI, 3D Printing, blockchain and more. Here is how you can help: Please send a brief survey to your customers -- we want input directly from purchasing professionals and other business buyers. We need to complete this research as quickly as possible, so please email your customers ASAP. You may access the NAW survey link here, and we've also included some text you can use to communicate with your customers. Thank you!

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.

Designed for C-suite executives, these virtual roundtables provide actionable strategies that will help put your COVID-19 recovery plan in place. Companies belonging to this community are from distribution firms that exceed $1 billion in annual sales. You'll engage in robust conversations with your peers and hear from industry experts on topics to help your business transition to the new normal -- all in the comfort of your own office/home. Register today.