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December 18, 2007 Sign up Forward Archive News for the commercial vehicle aftermarket distributor Search recent stories:   Industry News  Diesel costs heighten economic worries as holidays approach At the pump, the cost of diesel fuel in the U.S. is up 18% since September, adding another layer of concern onto manufacturers and sellers who are hesitant to pass the cost of higher shipping prices onto already reluctant holiday shoppers. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (12/4) Economy's slump becomes top issue in presidential race The economy's steady decline over the past several months has reshaped the presidential election. Candidates who had previously focused on the war in Iraq are now using higher gas prices, the subprime-mortgage crisis and other economic issues as their key talking points. MSNBC/Associated Press (12/12) Wall Street encouraged as government takes action on economy The economy may have reached a point of crisis that will force the government to intervene. Talk of the White House working on deals with banks to try to prevent widespread home foreclosures, and other encouraging news, has given investors a new sense of reassurance, this article says. The New York Times (12/1) Other News Small brewers switch distributors The Wall Street Journal (12/10)   Business Strategy  Ten important considerations in planning for 2008 As companies plan for the upcoming year, an expert offers a list of 10 important business and marketing ideas. They include analyzing and updating Web sites; considering new media possibilities; creating a company newsletter; and enhancing your team's client communications and relationships. Manage Smarter (12/5)   Sales & Marketing Tips  Secret to sales success: Be self-confident, build relationships All aspects of selling revolved around relationships under the set of old-school rules. Relationship-building still matters, but salespeople also need to have a strong sense of self-confidence and enthusiasm to become successful. CEO Strategist (12/3) Incentives that optimize sales performance Best practices for implementing appropriate compensation plans to improve sales behaviors include keeping plans simple and consistent. Compensation should also be flexible, with features such as special performance incentive funds. Also, new plans should be shared with the finance, sales operations and human resources departments. Manage Smarter (12/10)   Management Style  Legal advice: Respect employees, be consistent The legal advice Amy DelPo and Lisa Guerin offer on employees sounds a lot like common sense every manager should have. Nevertheless, treating employees with respect, being consistent, keeping good records and conducting performance reviews regularly can help avert an employee crisis or even a lawsuit, they say. The New York Times (12/11) Holiday preoccupation can cause work slowdown Small-business operators may need to be creative to keep employees focused on work amid distractions of the holiday season. Offering incentives for keeping up production -- such as a gift certificate or early closing -- is one of several ideas consultant Sari Friedman has on keeping workers at the top of their game. Financial Post (Canada) (12/10)   Small Business Operations  Small businesses consider Web customer management help Customer relationship management is a Web tool that can help a small business find and keep good clients. Consultant Brent Leary offers tips on how to decide if a business needs CRM. Black Enterprise (12/2007)   Association News  CVSN signs six new members The Board of Directors of CVSN approved six new distributor members, at a recent Board meeting in Phoenix. Read the complete release. Learn more about CVSN -> Membership  |  Meetings  |  CVSN News   SmartQuote  If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it." --Lucy Larcom, poet     This SmartBrief was created for jeve@netsourceinc.com Subscriber Tools       Update account information |  Change e-mail address |  Unsubscribe |  Print friendly format |  Web version |  Search past news |  Archive |  Privacy policy   Contact CVSN Executive Vice President: Angelo Volpe 904-737-2900       Recent CVSN SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Tuesday, November 06, 2007 Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Tuesday, October 09, 2007     Lead Editor:  Ashley McMaster       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2007 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information