MEET THE NEXT GENERATION
It's worth understanding the newest generation of workers at your company, said Marilyn Moats-Kennedy of Career Strategies, speaking on differences between generations in the workplace at the Power Transmission Distributors Association annual meeting. Understanding those who report to you helps you be a better manager. Some of the differences – Boomers (1946-1959) are more motivated by monetary rewards and climbing the corporate ladder than Cuspers ('60-'68), who may not be interested in the responsibility of management.

Busters ('69-'78) are much more individualistic than their predecessors and are motivated by opportunities to improve their skill set. The newest to the group, the Netsters, are looking for flexibility and decent pay, and won't likely stay with one employer for more than five years. Many are entrepreneurial. More...

FORECLOSURES TO HIT METRO AREAS HARDEST
"The wave of foreclosures that has rippled across the U.S. has already battered some of our largest financial institutions, created ghost towns of once vibrant neighborhoods – and it's not over yet," one report reads, according to an AP article. The Global Insight report was compiled for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The biggest losses are projected for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C. More...

BUILDING MATERIALS MARKETS: REGIONAL MICROTRENDS
Each region of the U.S. is facing its own "microtrends" that are affecting how lumber and building materials dealers are doing business, according to Home Channel News. Examples: In the Midwest, homeowners are pulling back from remodeling projects; in the Northeast, builders are starting to adopt engineered wood products; and new building codes are emerging in Louisiana and Mississippi, a result of Hurricane Katrina. More...

SECURITIZATION AND HOW WESCO LEVERAGES IT
Why does electrical distributor WESCO International Inc. use accounts-receivables securitization, a form of financing closely linked to the subprime-mortgage meltdown? "Because we can," responds senior vice president and CFO Stephen Van Oss in this article from CFO.com. Also, it's a cheap and efficient financing vehicle, and does not have to be recorded as debt.

Securitization is attractive because, unlike a loan, a corporation does not have to record it as debt. Still, there are downfalls to using securitization, including the fact that the vehicles may not be as safely off the balance sheet as they seem and to this end have never been "battle-tested in the courts." (For its part, WESCO has decided to put them back on the balance sheet to improve transparency.) This article goes through pros and cons of this financing method. More...

BUYERS LOOK TO DISTRIBUTORS FOR HELP
Purchasing magazine recently reported that purchasing operations are being asked by management to take on more responsibility in the areas of Vendor Managed Inventory, storeroom management, warranty management, demand management, and buy-back programs. They are looking to distributors to play a bigger role in each of these areas. One customer of Graybar's, for example, needed help in standardizing parts down to a smaller subset of SKU numbers. More...

GOING GREEN IN LOGISTICS PROCESSES GAINS IN IMPORTANCE
A recent survey found that 85% of respondents see going green in transport and logistics as important. About a quarter say they have plans or already have partnered with logistics providers to help them green their processes, IndustryWeek reports. Another 25% are exploring the option. The initiatives are being driven by financial ROI, public relations payback and improved supply chain efficiency. Other initiatives reported: improving energy efficiency, redesigning warehousing/DC networks, rerouting vehicles to reduce mileage, and measuring/reducing emissions. More...

UPS GOES PAPERLESS
UPS will start charging more Dec. 31. At the same time it will start using paperless invoice and returns service. Rate and service information is available at www.ups.com/rates. More...