From Forbes

Innovation in the next economy is about much more than inventing. It’s about figuring out how and where you can add unique value. READ MORE

From Jade West, Senior Vice President-Government Relations
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

If your company has been impacted by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Conflict Minerals Rule – Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act – you are probably aware that the SEC has invited new comments on this rule.

Specifically, Acting SEC Chairman Michael S. Piwowar released a statement on January 31st questioning the effectiveness of the rule and directing the SEC staff to “reconsider whether the 2014 guidance on the conflict minerals rule is still appropriate and whether any additional relief is appropriate.”

To read Chairman Piwowar’s statement and directive to the SEC staff, go to: https://www.sec.gov/corpfin/statement-on-sec-commission-conflict-minerals-rule.html

And go to: https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/reconsideration-of-conflict-minerals-rule-implementation.html

The Acting Chairman has invited comments from stakeholders and interested parties on reconsideration of the rule, and that comment period is open until March 31st.

NAW has filed a comment letter based on feedback we have received from impacted NAW members, and we would encourage you to also file a comment with the commission if you believe the rule should be reconsidered or rescinded.

A Message From Jade West, Senior Vice President-Government Relations
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

After years of reporting on the aggressive anti-business regulatory agenda coming out of Washington, D.C., we are happy to be reporting on the roll-back of regulations that has been undertaken by Congress and the Trump Administration, and what remains to be done.

A Message From Leo Coar, LINK Magazine's Editor/Publisher

Well here we are 40 years later and LINK Magazine is still going strong and growing. Just a bit different then when we started. LINK’S print and digital editions are now an equally important part of our industry, as well as our LINK App, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn social media pages, all ways to reach the industry which did not exist 40 years ago. Face to face with our readers is still the most important part of our job and Tracey Lumia will continue to cover all the meetings and Trade Shows. We do this to better inform the Fastener Distributor and Suppliers on what is going on in their industry.

From Lawrence Heim, Elm Sustainability Partners

Yesterday, several news outlets reported on what was claimed to be a leaked draft Executive Order that would, if signed by President Trump, suspend Dodd-Frank Section 1502 for a two year period. READ MORE

From Lawrence Heim, Elm Sustainability Partners

Acting SEC Chairman Michael Piwowar is “directing the [SEC] staff to consider whether the 2014 guidance is still appropriate and whether any additional relief is appropriate in the interim.”  READ MORE

From Fast Company

You don't need to be a graphic designer to add clear, comprehensible images to your talk. READ MORE

From Success

The key is to look beyond the sale and focus on what you can do to be better, different and ahead of the game. READ MORE

From Search Engine Land

Take a close look at the nexus of B2B business models and the primary function and benefits of social media. By understanding where these two most effectively connect, it becomes easier to see where marketers can invest their time to get the best results in B2B social campaigns. READ MORE

From Inc.

 When it comes to technology, it's not always good to be an early adopter. Instead, it's better to be a fast changer. READ MORE

From Entrepreneur

Are you sometimes confused about what type of leader you are or what type of leader you should be? READ MORE

Beacon Fasteners and Components is thrilled to announce Tony Van Hoozer of Applied Design & Fastening Solutions as a manufacturers’ representative for Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois.

“With 44 years of industry knowledge and expertise, Tony will be a great liaison to our Midwest customer base and a valuable asset to our team,” said Kameron Dorsey, National Sales Manager at Beacon.  “He shares our customer-driven principles and focus on servicing our customers, and we look forward to growing and strengthening these partnerships together.”

From Ropes and Gray LLP

President Trump and the Republican-majority Congress are expected to seek to roll back at least some aspects of Dodd-Frank. The repeal of the Conflict Minerals Rule is explicitly provided for in the Financial Choice Act, which was introduced in the House during the last term. However, at present, most of the Conflict Minerals Rule remains very much in effect and is likely to remain so for at least the current reporting period, which requires filings in respect of calendar 2016 to be made by May 31, 2017. READ MORE

From World Economic Forum

Artificial intelligence and increasing automation is going to decimate middle class jobs, worsening inequality and risking significant political upheaval, Stephen Hawking has warned. READ MORE

From SmarterTravel

Passport changes are coming, and if you plan on traveling in the future—especially if you’re among the 49 million Americans whose passports will expire in the next few years—you need to know what passport changes are in store. READ MORE

From SmarterTravel

When it comes to traveling abroad, there’s a lot more to it than just buying a plane ticket. READ MORE

From Tom Reilly

In the pre-technology days, salespeople relied on old-school methods to keep themselves and their territories organized. There were no cloud calendars, CRM, or sales force automation programs. There were no laptops, PDAs, or smart phones. No electronic alerts.

From Fast Company

In the process of jumping on a bandwagon—or running away with it—the best imitators invariably put their own twist on the original idea. READ MORE