The producer price index increased by 0.7% in September from a month earlier, while the 8.6% year-over-year gain is the largest on record, according to Labor Department data. Excluding food and energy, core prices rose by 6.8% over the 12-month period.

Disruptions in the global supply chain will worsen before improving, leading to higher prices and a slower economic recovery, according to Moody's Analytics. A shortage of truck drivers, bottlenecks at ports, differences in how countries are responding to COVID-19 and the lack of a coordinated global logistics and transportation effort are all contributing to the problem, according to Moody's; however, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon predicts the worst of the supply chain problems will be over by next year.

Warehouse operators should use experienced partners when introducing warehouse management systems and other technology because such partners "will be able to align business objectives with the capabilities of the software or automation," writes Clint Reiser. "A large portion of the implementation should be dedicated to assuring overall value is realized through a combination of creating both a sustainable and supportable solution, while also meeting business requirements," says Jeremy Hudson of Open Sky Group.

Fifty-five percent of business-to-business marketers are planning to include in-person events as a major part of their strategy going forward, while 73% still plan to attend virtual events, according to a SmartBrief survey. In addition, 53% say robust safety measures for in-person events is a consideration, and Susan Rush notes, "The key takeaway from the survey is striking a balance between available event tactics will be key to success this year and into next."

Younger distribution customers may not need salespeople to help them place simple online orders, but they often still require help with more complex situations, writes Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group. "[S]ome distribution CEOs tell me that when a long-time customer leaves and the successor is someone much younger, it's a lot easier to find ways to be helpful -- to add more value," Heller writes.

David Allen's Getting Things Done productivity approach includes a rule about doing tasks immediately if they will take two minutes or less. This approach makes sense, but it's not always that simple, and so Naphtali Hoff offers some guidance for applying the "two-minute rule" to your daily schedule.

Good bosses reject stock leadership strategies in favor of patience, accessibility, praise, bravery, listening and mentorship, writes Megan Hustad. "Much of it requires considerable maturity, wisdom, a practice of self-emptying plus deriving pure enjoyment from the wonder of other people," she writes.

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