US business inventories remained unchanged in August, following a modest 0.1% increase in July, according to the Commerce Department. Wholesale and manufacturing inventories were both flat for the month, with retail inventories dipping by 0.1%. Overall inventories were up 1.1% year over year. Total business sales increased 0.2%, with manufacturing sales dropping 0.1%, wholesale sales rising 0.1% and retail sales up 0.5%. The inventories to sales ratio was unchanged at 1.37.

Benco Dental is bringing its core businesses -- Benco Dental, PPO Profits and Clarion Financial -- under a new holding entity, 1930 Ventures to streamline operations, enhance agility and accelerate growth as the company approaches its centennial and $1 billion in revenue. The divisions will have their own president and dedicated team, while 1930 Ventures will handle shared services, and the existing fiduciary board will continue to guide the enterprise's long-term financial strategy. Katy Cohen has been named president of Benco Dental, Anna DuHamel of Clarion Solutions and Ted Ringsdorf of Sapphire Brands.

Mortgage loan originations for commercial and multifamily properties rose 36% year over year in the third quarter and were up 18% from the previous quarter. The gains mark the fifth consecutive quarter of increases, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Office, retail and hotel properties led the surge.

Winter poses challenges for warehouse flooring, with wet and slushy conditions potentially increasing repair costs and safety hazards. Facility managers can prepare by increasing cleaning frequency, using matting at entrances and workstations, applying non-slip coatings in high-traffic areas, and maintaining optimal indoor temperatures.

B2B marketers -- 45% of them -- are prioritizing spend in AI-powered marketing tools for next year, per a Content Marketing Institute report. While 95% of B2B marketers are already using AI tools, most applications remain experimental, such as generating marketing copy and creative assets. AI also is transforming how buyers discover vendors, with 80% of global B2B tech industry buyers saying they equally use generative AI and traditional search, Responsive reports.

It may feel trite to say it, but gratitude is an effective yet underused performance enhancer in the workplace, writes Scott Hutcheson, who cites research showing that while 80% of employees would work harder for appreciative managers, only 15% regularly receive thanks. Consistent, meaningful expressions of gratitude can generate stronger trust, collaboration and morale within teams. Hutcheson suggests embedding gratitude into daily routines -- such as opening meetings with appreciation or pairing feedback with thanks.

The broader distribution industry anticipates 4.7% growth next year, with a 5.4% increase in the electrical sector and 4.5% in datacom, expectations that are supported by positive pricing trends and an expected rise in work volume, according to research by Baird and tED magazine. However, some distributors have noted a slowdown in demand and potential backlog issues, and top risks include a recession, the ability to pass on tariff or price increases and competitive behavior.

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