Brightstar has become Likewize as part of a long-running "fundamental transformation journey, from a distributor to a tech protection and support company, says CEO Rod Millar. The company moved its headquarters from Florida to Texas within the past year and is adding a fulfillment center and headcount in the Dallas region.

Relying on edge security to keep attackers out of corporate networks is "an antiquated notion," argues Mark Carl, chief security officer at software-maker PDI. Carl suggests planning for an inevitable data breach because "[i]f you're in the direct path of a hurricane, you can board up your windows and head off to somewhere safe."

The supply chain challenges that emerged amid the hoarding of the initial COVID-19 outbreak have continued and are now being compounded by shortages of raw material and workers, a combination that has resulted in empty shelf spaces in many stores. Many food industry executives say they foresee the supply chain issues to continue into 2022.

Developing customer relationships and fostering trust are now critical goals of business-to-business marketing, writes FedTech's Vic Vaswani, who advises using storytelling, creativity and demonstrating authenticity. Vaswani recommends that B2B marketers use social listening to engage with prospects and customers about the issues that matter most to them.

LinkedIn has posted a free guide to help brands maximize brand building on the platform with information covering marketing strategies, tools, targeting options and measurement practices, along with case studies. LinkedIn suggests priming prospects with "repeated, memorable exposure to your brand" before taking a more rational approach to drive results.

Change management is easier when everyone agrees on the goal, processes and progress, writes Lisa Kempton, who suggests a three-step tool that avoids jargon and instead uses clear, concise questions to create cohesion. "Plain language questions offer a simple, yet effective way to get and keep change leaders, impacted individuals and groups aligned throughout the change process -- while setting up yourself and your organization for success," Kempton writes.

Recent research has suggested that mindfulness is less an all-encompassing good and more of a method whose effectiveness depends on how it's practiced. While most researchers still believe in mindfulness's overall positive impact, there is "increasing concern that some the benefits have been overhyped, and that the potential downsides have been under-investigated," writes David Robson.

Are you looking for professional development programs to help you retain and develop your key personnel? If yes, then the NAW Certificate in Distribution Professional Management program will help your leaders reach their highest performance levels. Learn more.

It has been a long time but, finally, we will be together again! Designed for C-suite executives, these roundtables provide actionable strategies that will increase your company's competitive advantage. Companies belonging to this community are from distribution firms between $100 million and up to a billion in annual sales. You'll engage in thought provoking conversations with your peers and hear from industry experts on topics that will ultimately increase your profits! Register today.

Interchange rate increases and changes to rate tiers implemented in April are the largest in a decade, according to Bloomberg News. The fees target payment types common in the wholesale distribution industry. Stream the "Restructured Rate Tiers and Increased B2B Card-Not-Present Transaction Costs" podcast from Unified Payments Group to learn more.