MSC Industrial Supply designed its Better MRO hub as a resource for manufacturers on topics such as inventory management, safety and training. Better MRO was designed to help manufacturers close the skills gap and expand MSC's role beyond that of a product provider, says Steve Baruch, executive vice president and chief strategy and marketing officer.
Staples is expanding its new branding as The Worklife Fulfillment Co. with a quarterly digital and print magazine, Staples Worklife, with a 250,000 circulation. The publication will also be part of a larger campaign that will include a podcast, e-newsletter, digital community and live events, which will include speaker panels, brand experiences and networking sessions for business professionals.
Grainger has added a product information management system as part of its efforts to improve e-commerce and offer more stock-keeping units on Zoro.com. Grainger has also made 600,000 products available to be shipped quickly through its Louisville, Ky., distribution center.
The adoption of "smart" containers in the maritime industry is expected to accelerate from 2.5% of the global container equipment fleet in 2018 to about 6.5% by 2023, according to a Drewry Shipping Consultants report. The containers are fitted with a device that lets operators follow shipments in real time and gives beneficial cargo owners more control over supply chains.
Sales professionals should not fall into the trap of believing that there is one fix or new practice that can instantly improve their performance, writes David Brock. Top salespeople spend their time mastering every aspect of their job instead of looking for "miracle cures," Brock writes.
Sales teams must have plans in place for business-related setbacks to insulate their companies from the damaging effects of the loss of a major customer or another unfortunate event, writes Colleen Francis. "The mistake we make as salespeople is not being slightly paranoid or concerned in a proactive way--a way that can help reduce risks by finding new businesses should unfortunate circumstances happen," Francis writes.
Change brings resistance because it activates our anticipation of pain, and "change leadership is all about helping people adapt to a new reality," writes Stephen Woessner, CEO at Predictive ROI. He offers three steps on how to engage people to think beyond the worries of change.
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