Tech Data can handle a global economic downturn because it is diversified in terms of geography and has strong relationships with small and medium-size businesses, says David Watts, managing director for Tech Data UK & Ireland.

Wakefern is expanding its four-store pilot of Focal Systems' shelf camera technology to 50 locations. The computer vision system generates data every hour to detect out-of-stock items.

Walmart is expanding its employee training program to its distribution centers to address the evolving needs of supply-chain employees, said Steve Miller, vice president of Walmart supply chain. The first new academy location has opened in a distribution center in Sanger, Texas, and will graduate a class of 50 managers this week.

3D printing of metals is expected to grow as the technology becomes more advanced and affordable, Miguel Smart writes. Manufacturers need to start thinking about where metal 3D printing has the best economic outcome, how such a business model would work and what supply chain and regulatory considerations must occur, he argues.

A business-to-business website should include technical information about products or services, as well as chatbots to let prospects easily and quickly find answers to questions, Al Davidson writes. Marketers should include success stories from real customers, use creativity to showcase brand personality and employ calls to action to get site visitors started on their buying journey, he recommends.

Thirteen business-to-business marketing chiefs discuss how their roles have changed, creating the right teams and developing an effective technology stack. The B2B CMO role is now "a blend of marketing, customer success, sales -- with a bit of CEO-whisperer thrown in for good measure," says Pendo's Joe Chernov, and 6sense's Latane Conant states, "Today's CMOs need to be masters of understanding customer insights and putting them to use."

Instead of trying to be a superhuman leader who does everything, servant leaders train those around them to take on new responsibilities, writes Skip Prichard. "It's rewarding for them, because they can get the chance -- in a relatively safe environment -- to try on some of the aspects of leadership without all the perils," he writes.

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