ThomasNet Industrial Newsroom - Industrial Market Trends

Light Friday: The Smartphone Therapist

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:53:08 -0500

Plus: Robotic Helicopter Swarms and Meteorite-Infused Wine.

New Risk Management Priorities for Protecting the Supply Chain

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:03:05 -0500

While most enterprises have risk-management protocols that can address localized disruptions, recent high-profile events highlight how threats beyond an individual organization's control can have consequences that cannot be mitigated by the organization alone.

Worth a Look: How to Disagree During Meetings

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:07:19 -0500

Plus: Super Bowl Ads vs. the Internet, What Hiring Managers are Looking for, Lost Science Treasures, the 102 Percent Tax Rate, 10 Mega-Construction Projects and MORE.

Global R&D Spending to Increase in 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13:42 -0500

Worldwide spending on research and development is expected to increase this year. While the U.S. will continue to lead the pack in R&D investment, much of the coming growth will be driven by Asian economies.

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: U.S. Unemployment Rate Drops to 3-Year Low

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:57:23 -0500

Plus: Factory Orders Rise, Consumer Confidence Dips and North American Robotics Industry Has a Record-Breaking Year.

Light Friday: 10 Ridiculous Expense Report Claims

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:11:47 -0500

Plus: People Lie More in E-mail than Face-to-Face and an Intricate Engineering Device for a Simple Task.

Manufacturing Growth Picks up Pace in January

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:09:30 -0500

The U.S. manufacturing industry continued to expand through January, as an increase in new orders accelerated the growth rate to its highest level in seven months.

Worth a Look: From Factories to Cubicles

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:14:22 -0500

Plus: The Leap Second, What a Scientist Looks Like, (Supposedly) Impossible Chemistry Reactions, IRS Audit Red Flags and MORE.

What Sales and Procurement Pros Really Think of Each Other

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:39 -0500

Sales and procurement professionals each express respect for their counterparts and a willingness to work together, according to a 2011 report. At the same time, however, there is evidence that focusing on price rather than value prevents both groups from engaging with one another for mutual benefit.

Why Your Business Should Be Exporting

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:58:36 -0500

A significant proportion of thriving firms today are exporting their goods and services. Here's why (and how) your business should follow suit.

Buyers' Biggest Challenges in 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:56:50 -0500

In this Expert's Corner, GovPro.com's Mike Keating explains what new challenges and opportunities industrial purchasers can expect this year.

The Proper Way to Conduct RFPs: Make Contacts, Make Time

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:54:38 -0500

Getting to know your suppliers is one of the most important parts of the request for proposal (RFP) process, as William Dorn and Joe Payne explain in an excerpt from their book Managing Indirect Spend (Wiley, 2011).

Defense Industry Outlines "Doomsday" Budget Cuts

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:52:33 -0500

The Pentagon plans to cut at least $480 billion from its budget over the next decade, and even more if Congress follows through on plans for deeper reductions. Needless to say, the defense industry is piqued.

Tips to Land a Promotion this Year

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:50:11 -0500

Although January is the best month to get a promotion, those striving for a higher salary or job title still have opportunities to land a promotion throughout the year.

The Challenger Sale

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:48:49 -0500

The top salespeople don't just build relationships with their clients, but also challenge them. The Challenger Sale outlines the skills, behaviors, knowledge and attitudes that drive high sales performance.