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Author Archives: Jose Barreto

US Small Business After Crisis

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Small businesses in United States suffered a lot during 2007-2009 recession. As per a recent Deutsche Bank research survey, small businesses are showing an improvement in employment.

The key strengthening for the nascent US small business recovery is by improved sales outlook and access to financing. Small businesses have been slow in recovering because of deep losses in the most recent recession. First reason for this is that the construction sector which comprises of 86 percent of small firms was hard hit with recession and it has struggled a lot through out the downturn. The second reason is that the financial crisis. Due to recent recession, there were tighter terms of credit for loans to small businesses who relied more on traditional bank loans and other form of credit.

Uncertainty about the economy and lackluster sales are the main backlogs which are obstructing fast recovery of small businesses. According to a National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) report published in February 2010, about 51 percent of small employers are finding slow or declining sales as their principal immediate economic problem. About 22 percent of them cited uncertainty and about 8 percent cited access to credit. Just 40 percent of the small businesses are trying to borrow in 2009.

There was also a negative impact of falling real estate values on small business owners’ ability and capacity to borrow as about 95 percent of small businesses were owning real estate.

There was also a fall in lending to small businesses as a result of the financial crisis. As per Federal Reserve, the loans to small businesses decreased from nearly USD 700 billion in second quarter of 2008 to circa USD 660 billion in first quarter of 2010.

Filed under Small Business
Nov 25, 2010

Employee Retention Techniques

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Employees are a valuable asset to any organization. It is essential to protect this vital resource as talented and motivated employees play a crucial role in overall growth and success of the organization. Focusing on employee retention techniques can positively impact the organization as it increases employee productivity, performance, quality of work, profits, and reduces turnover and absenteeism. Effectively creating an engaging environment, recognizing good performance, giving benefits and rewards, promoting mutual respect are some of the ways for effective employee retention.

Increase Employee Engagement
Effectively implementing employee retention program by increasing employee engagement ensures that the employees are satisfied with their work, take pride in their work, report to duty on time, feel responsible for their job, feel valued for their contributions, and have high job satisfaction. As employees actively focus on their work, it increases the productivity levels in the organization and leads to improvement in several associated areas. Employee engagement ensures that the employees have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the organization. Increasing employee engagement helps to develop emotional connection, enthusiasm among the employees that promotes teamwork and healthy environment at the workplace.

Motivate Employees
Motivating employees by offering them better opportunities for career development can help in employee retention. Giving rewards, recognitions, promotions, and appreciation to employees can motivate them to increase their productivity, commitment to work, and loyalty to the organization. They feel that their contributions are valued in the organization. Giving incentives, pay hikes, bonuses can also help to motivate employees. Recognizing employee’s contributions and aspirations motivates employee to work productively and increases his confidence that helps in employee retention.

Focus On Team Building
Promoting team culture helps to actively involve all employees in achieving the goals and in overall success of the organization. Promoting team building imbibes a sense of belongingness among the employees that they are a part of larger goals or objectives of the organization. Team building promotes team work and team effort that help employees to tackle work pressure and thus provide a competitive advantage to organization. Focusing on team building activities can help to reduce workplace conflicts between team members as they work in a team. Organizing team building games, seminars, outdoor events help to promote team spirit, unity, and reduce stress.

Recognition of Performance
Recognition of performance of employees is an effective method of employee retention. Although monetary compensation can act as a motivating factor, openly recognizing the performance, initiative, and good work increases the morale and motivates the employee to work more productively. Appreciating the performance motivates the employee and they feel valuable within the organization. This helps in employee engagement and to increase the productivity levels.

Following effective employee retention techniques help to leverage the most valuable asset, the employees, to achieve growth of the company and increase the bottom line profits. Various employee retention techniques increase the employee productivity levels in the organization leading to reduction in cost per item or services produced.

Source: www.peopleconnectstaffing.com

Filed under Business
Nov 20, 2010

Small Business Performance in the First Quarter of 2010

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In May 13 of 2010, the SBA released small business performance of First Quarter statistics. The small business trends are:

  • In the first quarter of 2010, real gross domestic product was 3.2 percent.
  • There was an increase of 14.8 percent on an annual basis in real gross private fixed investment.
  • There was an increase 3.6 percent and 5.8 percent in real personal consumption and real exports respectively.
  • The non-farm payroll increased by an overall 283,000 jobs which showed a positive sign of increase in hiring. Regardless, the unemployment remained high at 9.7 percent.
  • The self-employment growth was stable.
  • In the first quarter of 2010, except construction, financial activities and information other major industries experienced net job growth.
  • Because of the Federal Reserve Board maintaining their target federal funds rate nearly around zero percent, interest rates remained very low.
  • There was overall growth in economic trends in the first quarter when compared to 2009. Poor sales are of top concern of small business owners.
Filed under Small Business
Nov 2, 2010

SMB Ad Spending Grew Up In Q2 2010

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In second-quarter of 2010, there is an increase in search spending of small businesses, according to WebVisible.

Small business ad advertisers expenditure on search advertising in second-quarter of 2010 was $2,231 which had an increase by 1.4 percent from first-quarter of 2010 and by 159 percent in second-quarter of 2010.

  • Attorneys, dentists and general contractors were the consistent and most popular advertisers in second-quarter of 2010.
  • There was an increase in seasonal expenditure by landscapers, air conditioning contractors and businesses offering fencing, awning and irrigation services from first-quarter to second-quarter in 2010.
  • There was an increase in spending significantly from first-quarter to second-quarter in 2010 by business which offered jewelry, job recruitment services, mortgages, loans.
  • The trends among WebVisible’s US advertisers represents $23 million in US small business advertiser from second-quarter of 2009 through second-quarter of 2010 spending from 12,000 more individual advertisers in second-quarter of 2010.
  • There was an increase of 29 percent of clicks resulting in a phone call to the advertiser over the last quarter and also there was an increase of 58 percent over the last year during the same period.

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Filed under Small Business
Oct 5, 2010

Introduction to Barcode Technology

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There are continuous developments in manufacturing, distribution, communications, transportation, healthcare and other sectors along with computer technology. These continuous developments continue to play a large part in great change.

It is important for collecting and processing information on timely basis for any business in this fast changing world. It is necessary that managers should act quickly to take effective and necessary changes in manufacturing or distribution. Otherwise, they must respond quickly to new customer needs or requirements.

Automation of the data collection function helps to speedup the data collection. It is more faster than manual methods. Manual method is costly and it is slow and there are chances of human errors, so that is why automated data collection process expanded widely all over the world. There are three phases in automated data collection process.

Print: First step is automatic identification and it is essential. It is accomplished by attaching a barcode to a part, document, package, personal identification badge or some other product. They can be tracked by using barcode.

Capture: When a part moves in or out of inventory, a work piece comes in or out of a given stage in the manufacturing process. In this case, the data collection phase can occur. Scanning barcode labels can capture these actions accurately. Information can be read by Barcode scanners more faster and accurately than humans can do. The automated error rate is one per 3 million characters.

Connect: when scanned data is gathered at a central point and changed into a appropriate form into data stream of a computer then computer system input occurs. The consequence is accurate data automatically which is captured as each event occurs. In this way it permits the management to take appropriate decisions based on solid and current information.

Automated data collection is essential to improve control and for providing more accurate and valuable information timely in management then it result in increased productivity and reduced cost.

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Filed under Business
Sep 25, 2010

Increase in Confidence on US Small Businesses: NFIB Report

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There was an increase in confidence on US Small businesses which rose to the highest level since September of 2008. It was majorly because the executives had become more optimistic about the economy, according to a report by NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business).

An Index was published by the National Federation of Independent Business’s optimism Index which was mainly based on the 823 survey responses. As per the Index, there was an increase in small business owners confidence which was 92.2 the previous month from 90.6 in April.

There was an increase of 27.2 points in the Ism factory gauge because of fall in December of 2008. Since the extreme state of diversity, the small businesses gauge gained 11.2 points.

The vital part of the Obama administration’s policies difference has not been forgotten at the NFIB. There was hampering in the investment, small business expansion plans and hiring by Obama’s healthcare reform.

There was an increase in the plans for capital investment by a net of 20 percent, which was the highest level since November of 2008.

Filed under Small Business
Sep 24, 2010

Ford Increased Market Share in August 2010: Bloomberg

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As the needs of the consumers are increasing day by day, many of the auto makers are finding US as the best auto selling market. Many companies apart from the local companies are finding US as the best Auto market. Because of that the retail market share has increased.

During the month of August 2010, the American manufacturer, the Ford has gained the share in the market according to the company officials and it is the 22nd time during the period of 23 months. The marketing of the new model Ford Fiesta was done by removing the quality issue problem.

According to the company officials, the company is enjoying its profits because of no bankruptcy and has earned an amount of $4.7 billion during the first six months of the year 2010 and has been recorded as the largest profit in the first half since 1998. During the present year, the industry has experienced an increase in sales of about 23% which resulted because of the redesigned versions of Taurus and Fusion sedans.

As of now, the company is working for the sale of Ford Fiesta, but the sales delayed by two to four weeks because of the problems related to quality issue. Now, the company is planning to release the redesigned versions of Edge, Mustang sports car, Focus compact, Explorer sport-utility vehicle and also the new Super Duty version of the F-series pickup line. During the year 2010, the Ford shares gained 13%.

Thus, the features like fuel-efficient, high quality vehicles which were offered by the company, increased the retail market share. Consumers who are looking for the various enhanced features like quality, fuel economy, with advanced technology and the safety features are turning towards the Ford, according to the company officials.

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Filed under Business
Sep 14, 2010

Different Resources or Options for Drug Treatment of Drug addiction

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Because of the increase in the number of drug addicts, many treatment centers have been established for treating the drug addicts. One might get confused and may not have a clear view on how to decide the type of resource which is useful for themselves or for the family members. So, here are some of the resources which provide you the best treatment programs.

  • SAMHSA,The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration is an organization which provides different types of services. It provides a location for different treatment centers and a separate site is maintained by it for giving the exact location of the outpatient, residential and the hospital treatment centers for the drug addicted people and also for the alcohol addicted people. The website is www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
  • The National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Of America are providing the treatment at different centers for curing the mental disorders which result because of drug abuse. The websites which give the information are www.nami.org and www.mentalhealthamerica.net
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides you with the information regarding the drug addiction treatment apart from the suicide prevention.
  • The physician locator tools for the drug abuse can be found in the websites of the American Academy of Addiction psychiatry and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The websites are www.aaap.org and www.aacap.org respectively.
  • Even the websites of NIDA like www.drugabuse.gov/CTN/Index.htm and www.clinicaltrials.gov can also give the required information about the treatment centers.

These are different resources which provide us the information regarding the drug treatment centers and their locations.

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Filed under Society
Aug 18, 2010

Lack Of Skilled Man power is a Threat to Indian Auto Industry

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India is the second fastest growing auto market in the world. Lack of skilled manpower can hamper the growth of the auto market in India.

The biggest challenges in the auto industry are the skilled labour and the infrastructure. The industry’s drive for a turnover of $145 billion is obstructed by the infrastructure development and because of lack of employees.

According to Automotive Mission Plan (AMP), 25 million people are provided with the employment. Out of the total automotive sector, 30% accounts for the manufacturing. Employment is provided for 13 million people either directly or indirectly to the industry. Although many engineers are produced every year, only 20- 30 % of people are eligible for employment. Next to China, India is the country with 26% increase, and the man power which is needed is 30 million by 2022.

Coming to the infrastructure, Indian ports are not sufficiently equipped with the electronic information exchange for the exports. India even lacks the experts for R&D capabilities like prototyping of a product.

When compared to the global average percentage 5-8% is spent for R&D, domestic players in India are spending very less i.e. 1%. The domestic passenger vehicle market is expected to improve from 1.9 million units to 3 million units by FY 15. Even the exports of passenger vehicles is expected to be improved from 0.4 million units to one million units by FY15.

Coming to the two wheeler industry growth has increased from 10 million units level to 16 million units. Thus, India will be retained at the second position when growth is compared , next to China.

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Filed under Business
Aug 3, 2010

Know About Marijuana and Depression

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Marijuana is one of the most illegal drug. It is derived from hemp plant’s mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers. This mixture can be in green, brown, or gray color. THC is the one active ingredient in Marijuana, it effects the special parts of brain called as Cannabinoid receptors.

If the user smokes Marijuana, THC associates with Cannabinoid receptors and creates cellular reactions, then the user feels “high” or they feel with pleasant sensation. Some parts of the brain posses high concentrations of Cannabinoid receptors. These areas can be hippocampus, the cerebellum, the basal ganglia, and the cerebral cortex. These area’s functions can be effected by marijuana.

Research proved that after couple of days of taking Marijuana, it can effect the memory and other mental functions. It causes to be below normal mental level and also causes some mental problems like anxiety, depression an schizophrenia. There are two common psychological ailments such as anxiety and depression, that affect the users of Marijuana.

Depression means, a disorder which lowers the mood, disinterest in ones surroundings or condition, fatigue and loss of appetite or personal neglect. Depression is a passing mood for many people and it is weakening condition with severe emotional and physical symptoms for others. Depression can be considered serious when a psychiatric disorder requiring treatment.

Using marijuana not only causes depression, but also many other diseases which can be physical as well as mental diseases. So, it is important to consider to quit the smoking or taking marijuana to protect your self from different health problems associated with Marijuana.

Filed under Home-and-living
Jul 14, 2010

Benefits of Automation tools in Agriculture

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The man’s life has changed in the couse of time from searching and scavanging for for food. The survival of human being depends on the productivity of agriculture. If, the agriculture output is decreasing, the man life is going on the miserable side.

So, scientists identified importance of agriculture, tried to adopt automation in agriculture system. The benefits of tools of automation used in agriculture are:

  • These tools are trying to make agriculture process more flexible and faster.
  • These tools are helping to increase productivity with low expenditure and trying to reduce human efforts.
  • These tools of automation are changing mechanism and methods of agriculture like deep irrigation methods, horticulture methods, automated agriculture system.
  • The system is also monitoring, providing resources in agriculture field like temperature, water supplying, oxygen levels.
  • The tools are also helpful to save productivity of agriculture in different systems like different food storage grindings.
  • The tools of automation is increasing marketing areas by establishing better communication system. Ultimately, the result is more profits.

The automation tools for agriculture is trying to increasing productivity with quality to fulfill the needs of all human beings in the world.

Filed under Business
Jun 17, 2010

Benefits Of Online – Marketing

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Online marketing is an emerging trend of marketing and with this has a huge potential to develop the business. Earlier business ads depended only on TV, radio, newspaper, or banners but now the situation has totally changed. These are some advantages of online marketing:

  • Open 24/7: These types of markets are open on any day and any time. So a consumer can visit or do his marketing without any problem. These are mainly helpful in service-based operation, reservations and inquiries services.
  • True cost: With online marketing a consumer can buy any product at effective cost and also can browse any site for any product in short period of time.
  • Easy ads: In online marketing more attractive than the regular way ads can be published. With this an advertiser can update product reviews and many more with less effort and time.
  • Easy expansion of business: Online marketing is an easy way to expand the business. Online marketing over internet is far more convenient than in real world.

These are few advantages of online marketing. Imagine how well you will be benefited by stepping into the internet world and carrying out online marketing.

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Filed under Business
Jun 8, 2010

Branding Campaign, 2D-Image Barcode Could Do It All

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The global trade group GS1 has started presenting together a working group which creates an industry standard to integrate traditional linear barcodes, 2D barcodes, mobile commerce and other barcode symbols essential by law. The change will be able to mobilize billions of dollars through different industries which support technology needed to develop this software and hardware infrastructure.

Integrating these tasks into one barcode also helps in saving companies billions of dollars on branding and marketing campaigns. The same barcode which retailers would utilize at Point of Sale (PoS) checkout terminals, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are also used for marketing and branding campaigns. Proprietary technology platforms are practically implemented faster, this GS1 standards group will try to design a system which can supports tasks in countries globally. Some search, marketing and advertising agency executives are acquainted with the organization GS1, and the group offers industry standards for mobile, ecommerce and retail.

If this technique of one barcode is successful, it would make companies to brand, market, advertise, track goods via supply chains, enable mobile commerce, offer more data to consumers, makes retailers to combine inventory and point-of-sale data, and also make healthcare to consist of the information needed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The GS1 group, Managing Multiple Barcodes, intends to generate one barcode, but there are limitations. For starters, companies proceed to work freely to find a solution. Modifying of infrastructure is required to change the world.

The good news is that GS1 has nearly 1.25 million companies utilizing the trade group’s mobile standards which can recognize the product exceptional to the brand from tens of millions of products on shelves today.

Filed under Business
Apr 5, 2010

Pyramids – A Wonder of Constructions

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Pyramids stand as one of the still unsolved mysteries of ancient world. Their construction methodology was so great that even many of the researchers couldn’t figure it out on how they were constructed. You could have probably known the Pyramid of Giza. It is the only existing wonder of the ancient world. It has been in the list of wonders of the world and no modern technology could give it the apt competition.

Do you remember Imhotep of a movie on Egypt? He was not such a bad person as he was shown. He is the first Egyptian architect to document an Egyptian Pyramid or the tomb of his Pharaoh named Djozer. And thus the Egyptians had the first ever pyramid named the Step Pyramid of Djozer.

Most of all the Egyptian Pyramids were tombs of the Great kings who ruled the reign. Those kings used to bury all the needed food, cattle and even some maids to be buried with them. They used to think that they will come back to rule their reign again. And even they used to preserve their bodies which we presently call as mummifying. Till now nobody came back, but those treasures which they preserved, were the main cause of the destruction of their tombs. Poor Pharaohs!

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Mar 21, 2010

Geneva Auto Show Brings Cheer

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The automobile industry suffered almost two years due to economic slowdown. It is recovering in the recent times. A major note of cheer and joy is that the 80th Geneva Motor Show opened its doors to the public. The show will be opened from 4th to 14th March 2010. Many new models, almost eighty are expected to introduce this year.

Though many of the models have been introduced, the hybrid revolution remains hard to pin down.

Nissan’s Juke crossover, Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta hatchback, the Volvo S60 sedan and Porsche 918 Spyder were the stars of the show.

Audi introduced its model Audi A1 with three as well as five door versions. Its competitor in this segment BMW introduced the Countryman, its biggest ever Mini. It a four-door and four wheel drive version.

Most of the cars exhibited at the Geneva show were alternative fuel concept cars. A few them also offered gas-electric or pure electric models such as the Porsche Cayenne, Honda CR-Z coupe, Toyota Auris and Nissan Leaf.

Many people who attended the show on the first day said that they would consider buying electric cars but they were concerned about their reliability. They said that the technology is new and the range is limited. They said that they are good to travel around the city but not good enough to go out on a holiday as many of them give 100 Kms. Some industry analysts said that many hybrids are overpriced compared to their regular counterparts.

Bottomline from the show is that people are showing some interest on purchasing new cars, which didn’t happen much in the last two years.

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Filed under Business
Mar 15, 2010
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