As part of its efforts to combat climate change, McKesson Corporation has made changes in its operations throughout the US, Canada and Europe to reduce emissions and increase transparency around its energy efficiency programs. The distributor aims to make its vehicles more fuel-efficient and reduce emissions in its buildings through projects that include the installation of a solar ary this year at a Robbinsville, N.J., distribution center.

McLane Co. will hold its third annual National Hiring Day next month. The Temple, Texas-based distributor will speak with candidates interested in full- and part-time roles at its distribution centers between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on March 1.

Home Depot announced it will increase pay and benefits for hourly workers by $1 billion this year. The retailer's fourth quarter revenue was $35.8 billion, and CEO Edward Decker said the company expects "moderation in home-improvement demand" this year, although growth of Home Depot Pro sales to professional contractors have outpaced sales to general consumers.

More than 20% of warehouse operators have invested in automation to circumvent labor shortages and surging online orders but "dark warehouses" entirely operated by robots that don't require lighting have failed to catch on due to upfront costs and dexterity and other technical limitations, say experts. Rueben Scriven, an Interact Analysis senior analyst, says, "We're still extremely far off from this," and predicts that the automation goal during the next decade "really is equipping humans, making them more productive."

Smaller distributors have an advantage when it comes to adding a personal touch to their sales approaches, and artificial intelligence can help businesses offer an omnichannel experience that can compete with larger distributors, writes Benj Cohen, founder and CEO of Proton.ai. "AI can help reps see key customer data and provide relevant product recommendations on the phone so they can make tailored suggestions, close deals more efficiently and promptly move on to their next call," Cohen writes.

Be "direct and straightforward" with a direct report who bullies team members, clearly spelling out the behavior you expect from them and refusing "to make room for excuses or get drawn into a debate," writes Madeleine Homan Blanchard. Also, be very clear on what the consequences will be if behavior doesn't improve, Homan Blanchard writes.

Leaders need to reach past their department or direct reports to foster a sense of connection with teams across the company to build a sense of trust, says Stephanie Neal, director of DDI's Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research, which produces the Edelman Trust Barometer that shows proximity plays a big role in trust. "What we see with senior leaders and executives, the best way for them to build trust is to make sure that they're visible and then they're communicating effectively," Neal says.