Employees often don't like the term "innovation" because it implies a one-time change with extra work, so distributors should instead focus on "reinvention," which connotes ongoing improvement and continued viability, writes consultant Howard Coleman. "Reinvention, at least every 3 years, is probably a bare minimum, reinventing yourself over and over again," Coleman notes.

The pandemic forced many companies to improve how they manage supply chain risk, but some still don't understand the difference between agility and resilience, writes ARC Advisory Group's Steve Banker. Agility allows companies to "react quickly to big increases or decreases in demand," while "a resilient company is doing what they can do prepare for the inevitable shocks they will face," Banker explains.

Nearly 60% of employees across eight countries continue to rely on usernames and passwords as their main authentication tools despite widespread warnings against the practice, security firm Yubico reports. More than half of the more than 16,000 respondents said they either write down or share their passwords.

Trishla Ostwal offers an overview of privacy laws that will pose challenges for marketers in 2023 in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia. Ostwal's overview includes information on consumer rights in those states, businesses' data obligations, potential fines and "cure periods" for making course corrections.

Being positive and having a moderate amount of optimism can improve your career, according to studies, but extreme optimism can lead to overconfidence and potentially foolish decisions, writes Nir Eyal. "By letting go of past perceptions of what you can or can't do, you're treating yourself with kindness and giving yourself a better chance to thrive," Eyal writes.

A great leadership career is forged in those moments when you consider the needs of others, identify your style and stand up for your convictions, writes Art Petty. "It's frightening to take a stand, but if you compromise, you will be failing yourself, those who depend upon you and everyone who has inspired you to be a good person and leader," Petty writes.

The NAW Billion Dollar Company Roundtables are an exclusive community of thought leaders from Billion Dollar distribution enterprises who congregate to network with noncompeting peers in multiple lines of trade on key issues. The companies invited into this community are from distribution firms at or above $1 billion in annual sales. Register today!