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Industry
News
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§ Fuel surcharges not necessarily inevitable, shipping experts say
With diesel stuck
above $4 a gallon, both shippers and carriers are feeling the squeeze, but
that doesn't mean they should view the payment of hefty fuel surcharges as
their only option, according to this article. Shippers can try and
renegotiate the surcharges or underlying freight rates, or failing to
achieve either, can look to other cost-control methods, such as paring back
on the number of shipments they make, which in turn helps tamp down fuel
surcharges. DC Velocity (7/2008) 
§ Commodity prices put pinch on auto-parts suppliers
Faced with surging
prices for raw materials, one-quarter of manufacturers and automotive
suppliers in a new survey say they are willing to cease the shipment of
parts unless they can command higher prices. Kim Korth of automotive
consulting group IRN, which conducted the survey, cautioned that
"one-time solutions" negotiated between automakers and tier-one
suppliers aren't practical if prices keep rising. "Given the continued
volatility, unless there are almost continuous negotiations, it's going to
be very problematic." Detroit Free Press (7/1)
§ IT employment reaches all-time high
Despite the layoffs
affecting many industries, the information-technology sector added 1,700
jobs in June, to reach an all-time high in the U.S. of 3,907,800 workers.
While the U.S. economy overall has shed 438,000 jobs this year, businesses
here have added nearly 90,000 IT positions in the same period, revealing
the trend of firms "prioritizing tech projects over other work,"
according to Mark Roberts, CEO of the National Association of Computer
Consultant Businesses. The Wall Street Journal/Business Technology
(subscription required) (7/7)
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Business
Strategy
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§ Hitting just the right note with cost containment
In approaching cost
containment, many companies are apt to home in on modest initiatives that
don't yield big savings. But according to Omar Aguilar, a partner with
Deloitte Consulting, such an approach can constitute "a perfect storm
in this environment, because it can lead to a complacent view that a
company engaged in ongoing cost reduction has adequate cost management
capabilities, when in fact the type of cost management you need in a
downturn or a situation like we're in right now may need to be more than
incremental." Business Finance (7/7)
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Sales
& Marketing Tips
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§ Companies with right attitude thrive, even during downturn
Despite tough
economic times, some companies continue to thrive, and oftentimes it's the
sellers' attitude about success that keeps them going strong, according to
this article. Professionals often tell themselves self-sabotaging beliefs,
such as "times are tough," when turning those thoughts to
positive outcomes could help set the course to success. Manage Smarter (7/8)
§ Keep tight-budgeted consumers coming with incentives
With most consumers
cutting way back on their budgets during the tough economy, companies need
to get creative in boosting brand loyalty. Incentives, such as the reward
points soda companies put under bottle caps, can be highly successful in
holding on to consumers when they have plenty of other choices. Manage Smarter (7/1)
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Management
Style
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§ Best management practices for riding out recession
Companies can ride
out the recession by following some of these best-practice tips. They
include making sure to look at the big picture and consider the future,
aligning HR with business goals and always treating staff well. Inc.com/Women in Business blog (7/7)
§ Commentary: Accepting job counter-offer may be career suicide
 Accepting a counter-offer from your current
employer just as you are about to move on to a new firm may be flattering
and provide you with an opportunity to leverage your current company's
interest in keeping you to extract a higher-level position. However, the
counter-offer frequently is made in haste -- one your employer may come to
regret -- and may offer you more responsibility than you can handle,
sending your career on a downward slide. You'll also likely create bad
blood with the other company leaders who wanted to bring you on board if
they suspect you used their offer merely as a means to land a better
position at your current firm. Such moves can quickly sully your
reputation, making it difficult for you to eventually move upward within
your field. Forbes (6/30)
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Small
Business Operations
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§ Don't let your business grow stale beyond the start-up stage
To grow and thrive,
businesses need a steady influx of fresh ideas of the sort that helped get
your company off the ground in the first place. One expert recommends
reaching out to customers, employees and suppliers for their input and
opinions and to weave innovation throughout the entire fabric of your
company. Entrepreneur (7/2008)
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Association
News
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§ AFTERMARKET2020: Is your business model ready for the
future?
Sign up now! Go to www.aftermarket2020.com
for meeting information, sign-up forms, transportation information and to
make your hotel reservations. The CVSN 2008 Annual Meeting will be at the
Omni Interlocken Resort, in Broomfield, Colo., from Sept. 21 to 24. See you
in September!
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SmartQuote
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I fight every day, but who
said a fight has to be tongue and feet? You fight by showing you can
overcome."
--Mookie Wilson,
former
professional baseball player
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