Over the past six months UK small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have grown on average by six per cent despite the broader UK economy struggling, according to the latest SMB Index from HP.
HP’s survey of 1,000 SMBs, with between 1 and 50 employees shows that, compared to that of the previous six months, growth for UK SMBs has slowed slightly but optimism is still strong, with SMBs expecting to grow by up to 13 per cent over the next year. Optimism in the economy is also strong, with 66 per cent of SMBs optimistic about the year ahead. SMBs in Financial Services have grown the most (13 per cent), followed by Manufacturing (10 per cent). SMBs in Retail (4 per cent) and Professional Services (1 per cent) have seen the least growth. Nearly half of UK SMBs (48 per cent) are turning to social media to help grow their business and reach new audiences, with 56 per cent of sole traders recognising its value the most. However, although SMBs are finding social media beneficial for networking purposes (83 per cent), and as a mechanism for advertising (57 per cent), many SMBs are underestimating its true potential for business growth and lead generation.
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Two-thirds of all CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved during the past year and half expect further gains during the year ahead. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago. However, the small decline reflects a renewed uncertainty about the impact of events in Japan and the Middle East on energy costs, consumer spending and inflation. Overall, the majority of CEOs still expect the recovery to continue and their own businesses to continue to grow.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/45000/
The average cost of a hotel room around the world rose 2% in 2010, according to the Hotels.com® Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®).
The increase was the first time that the average hotel room price rose year-on-year since 2007.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/hotels/47619/
Today, hotels.com®, the leading provider of lodging worldwide, released its Hotel Price Index (HPI™), noting a theme of recovery in the travel industry as global hotel rates rose 2% in 2010. Despite the increase year-over-year, travel deals and value can still be found in America’s most popular cities as well as the new global up-and-coming destinations.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/hotels/49229/
Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will once again travel the country, embarking on a ten-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests. The national mobile tour will conduct free health-testing events in communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The free tests—which include total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index—are valued at $100 per person and may help provide adults with a critical foundation for early disease detection and prevention.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/walgreens/48029/
Small business CEOs expressed a remarkable resurgence of optimism both in the overall economy and for their own companies. The Vistage Confidence Index jumped to 106.3 in the 4th Quarter of 2010, after reporting 95.1 in the 3rd quarter, 94.4 in the 2nd quarter and 93.7 in the 1st quarter of this year. Of the 1,729 respondents in the Q4 Vistage CEO Confidence Index, 77% expect increased revenues and 63% foresee higher profits in their own companies.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/44999/
As the holiday season approaches, BACARDI®, the best-selling premium rum and the most-awarded rum in the world, today unveils a pioneering research study called the BACARDI Together Index.
The BACARDI Together Index uses an unprecedented 146 questions from a national survey of 5,000 American adults, aged 21 to 80+ years, to understand and summarize the dimensions of social connectedness. The large sample and volume of questions allows for a comprehensive evaluation of social connections in a way never before done.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/47250-Bacardi-Together-Index/
Once upon a time, there lived a bachelor duke, a spirited matchmaker, and 24 of the most eligible belles in the Beau Monde. Sparks fly as Tristan, Duke of Shelbourne, and Tessa Mansfield try to resist their forbidden attraction in this Regency version of the hit TV show THE BACHELOR. Learn about the book: http://www.vickydreiling.com/index.php Learn about this author: http://www.vickydreiling.com/bio.html Light-Hearted Regency Historical Romance
While the government claims to provide pricing for drugs and procedures, those listings only highlight what Medicare and Medicaid are willing to reimburse, not what those services actually cost. Hospitals, doctors and insurance companies provide patients with an itemized bill for care – but only AFTER the fact. The Healthcare Transparency Index, issued today by change:healthcare, is the first to provide healthcare consumers with ongoing trends data about actual healthcare costs – offering insight into critical opportunities for cost savings.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/changehealthcare/46792/
Despite a sluggish economy and low inflation, the 2010 PNC Christmas Price Index® surged 9.2 percent in the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
According to the 27th annual survey, the price tag for the PNC CPI is $23,439 in 2010, $1,974 more than last year. This is the second highest jump ever and largest percentage increase since 2003 when the index rose 16 percent. That comes on the heels of a modest 1.8 percent increase a year ago.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/42903-PNC-Christmas-Price-Index/
With the running boom continuing to evolve, 2010 marks a very special anniversary for the running world. The marathon, the most notable race of all time, celebrates this year, all over the world and especially during the Athens Classic Marathon this October, the 2,500th birthday of the legendary run of the Greek soldier-runner from Marathon to Athens (490 BC). As a brand whose footwear is favoured by the majority of marathon runners worldwide, ASICS takes its research heritage very seriously. Using the results from its latest study, ASICS aims to explain why and how this 42.195km race has become the icon it is today.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/asics/46288/
CEO confidence was up slightly in the third quarter, noting a slowing economic growth pace, but no evidence of a double dip recession, according to the Vistage CEO Confidence Index 3rd quarter results. Despite widespread recognition of the recent economic slowdown, CEOs were more confident in their firm’s ability to increase their revenues and profits in the year ahead. Yet, virtually every CEO (92%) expects rising employee health care costs, and 57% of all CEOs expect those cost increases to be more than 10%. Two-thirds of all CEOs said that without the extension of the Bush tax cuts their businesses would be harmed, and nearly half (46%) reported continued unfavorable credit market conditions. In response to a question about the upcoming elections, 62% of CEOs believe the Republicans will control the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2011.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/44998/
