Plumbing and heating distributor Ferguson ensures speedy delivery and quality customer service by focusing on supply chain management, which is a "core competency" for the company, said Michael Jacobs, senior vice president for supply chain. Ferguson uses people metrics, climate scores and surveys to measure engagement among its supply chain employees and managers, and it also uses warehouse automation, a Coupa network design tool and platforms from multiple vendors to improve supply chain efficiency and visibility.

Amid all the noise and talk about current and future economic conditions, distributors should focus on "actions and things that you see," such as strong sales data and high demand for product, Mike Marks, founding partner at Indian River Consulting Group, says in this podcast. "If you listen to what people are saying, you're going to think things are a lot worse than they are," Marks says.

Amazon officials "never seriously considered closing our private-label business" and will continue investing in it, a company spokesperson said in response to media reports that Amazon might end its private-label lines, including Amazon Basics. A source told Recode that top Amazon executives were open to ending private labels as a concession to regulators in the US and elsewhere.

Walmart's deal to buy up to 10,000 electric delivery vans -- which are still in development from struggling manufacturer Canoo -- highlights challenges the retailer and others, including Amazon, face in securing sustainable vehicles. Like Amazon's deal with manufacturer Rivian, Walmart's deal with Canoo is an exclusive arrangement.

Just as doctors, athletes and many other professionals prepare before working, sales staffers should also tackle prep on their own, rather than having it handed to them, consultant David Brock writes. "If we learned more deeply, prepared more effectively, executed with greater understanding, we wouldn't have to make more calls ... [or] increase the volume to stay even," Brock explains.

The best sales leaders are experienced, exemplary and visionary, entrepreneur and author Anthony Iannarino writes. In this list of key characteristics for effective leaders, Iannarino also discusses the need for great communication skills, generosity and a lack of sentimentality.

"Chameleon carriers," or trucking companies that are started after the owner's old operations are forced to close because of violations, are a threat to safety and customer finances, but they are becoming less common, thanks to enforcement efforts by states, industry groups and the federal government. "Most people in the industry are really hardworking people, but there are a small number of bad guys out there, just like every industry," said Central Analysis Bureau Chief Operating Officer Shuie Yankelewitz.

Four actions can expand recruiting reach, allowing companies not only to transcend today's labor difficulties but also to keep employees in the long term, McKinsey experts write. Research has identified five types of workers and their motivations, which should help employers tailor the four hiring actions, from traditional value propositions to more creative, personalized ones.

Leaders can keep their top team members by giving them challenges with reasonable workloads, while also setting clear goals, giving needed feedback and providing opportunities to grow and advance, writes Joel Garfinkle. "The best way to find out whether your employees are happy and what you can do to make their work more fulfilling and keep employees from leaving is simple: Just ask them," Garfinkle writes.

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