A sluggish economy coupled with weak demand has kept the 2011 PNC Christmas Price Index® (PNC CPI) to a moderate gain of 3.5 percent in the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/42895-pnc-christmas-price-index
The key theme of SPIEF 2013 will be ‘Finding Resolve to Build the New Global Economy’. The Forum’s participants will include leading political, business, and financial representatives from around the world. They will gather to engage in thoughtful dialogue regarding the most effective means of creating a viable and sustainable system for a constantly changing world.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61905-st-petersburg-economic-forum-2013
McGraw-Hill Construction today released video highlights from its Outlook 2011 Executive Conference, where the industry's best minds and most experienced players discussed the economic outlook and latest industry trends. Outlook is the definitive event for construction professionals to prepare for the year ahead, and was held in Washington, D.C. in late October.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mcgraw-hill-companies/47384/
CEOs remain optimistic about prospects for the economy as well as the outlook for their own firm’s performance in the midst of persistent economic and political uncertainties. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.1 in the 1st quarter 2012 survey, up from 98.8 in Q4 and 83.5 in Q3 of last year. Confidence is at its highest level since 105.2 was recorded at the start of 2011. Expected economic gains have prompted CEOs to continue to slowly expand employment in anticipation of higher sales; nonetheless, 84% of the CEOs surveyed said they’ve learned to be more productive with fewer employees. The Q1 2012 results reflect the sentiments of 1,854 small business CEOs surveyed from March 5-16, 2012.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/51157/
Maybe parents don’t know their teens as well as they think. According to a new 30 Hour Famine study, less than one in ten parents of teens (9%) describe teenagers today as “generous”. More than half of parents (58%) describe teenagers as “lazy”, and almost as many (54%) describe teens as “selfish”. And yet more than half of those teens themselves (53%) say the current economic climate has made them more aware of the needs of others. And almost nine out of ten (89%) of teens in the same online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive in January, say they wish they could do more to help those in need.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/worldvision/42471/
As people look to the coming year with hopes of continued economic recovery and increased job creation, new research may hold clues as to what the most promising positions will be in 2011. According to the Salary Guides just released from Robert Half, 11 roles representing several fields — including accounting and finance, technology, creative, legal and administrative services — show increases in starting salaries and growing demand among employers.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/roberthalf/46918/
If you’re seeking a strong human interest story, then take a look at the European Social Fund. Far from being a set of dry statistics, the ESF is the framework for thousands of fascinating tales of individual human endeavour.
In response to the economic crisis, the ESF is helping 10 million Europeans a year to overcome obstacles and get their lives back on track. It invests €10 billion annually in projects that enable individuals to train in a new skill, find a better job, set up a business, and much more. The ESF was launched over 50 years ago, and since then it has expanded to meet the changing needs of Europe’s population. From just 1% of the EU budget in 1970, it now accounts for 10%. Between 2007 and 2013, some €75 billion is being invested.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/europeancommission/44185/
Lexmark performed well in 2011 in the midst of a challenging economic environment around the world. The company continued solid execution of its strategic initiatives throughout the year, focusing intently on bringing greater productivity to business customers through innovative technology and a rapidly growing software and managed print services (MPS) business. Lexmark was recently positioned a leader in MPS by leading IT market research and advisory firm IDC.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/48230-lexmark-perceptive-software-quarterly-business-roundup
Every day, almost every American is touched by a nonprofit organization in some way, whether a loved one is treated for a health concern or uses a service that is being offered in their community. Almost all Americans make a contribution each year, and half of all Americans volunteer.
In this tough economic climate, when people are struggling to make ends meet and nonprofits are dealing with declining funding even as demand for their services are growing, it’s imperative that hard-earned dollars are not wasted and go to the organizations that are doing the most good.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/52621-guidestar-and-hope-consulting-money-for-good-II/
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/
Carol Platt was caught in the middle of the economic downturn with no backup plan. Searching for a stable job in an unstable economy proved to be difficult without a college degree. Her work history and past successes were overlooked. It had always been a dream of hers to complete her degree; after a failed first attempt, she was unsure of her ability to follow through. She began researching online education options and felt that Kaplan University stood out; she decided to complete her college degree online. Carol enrolled in Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management and earned her bachelor’s degree online, focusing on business with an emphasis in human resources.
The adult continuing education program at Kaplan University is designed for working professionals who seek to further their career or, like Carol, want to earn their university degree online.* Students can complete assignments on a schedule that fits their lives. It’s this type of flexibility that helps prepare Kaplan University online students for success. Even if you already have an established career, it’s never too late to consider online business school to further your knowledge and update your skills. Increase your marketability with one of Kaplan University’s online bachelor degree programs without taking time off of work to attend class.
* Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
“I grew up in Graham, North Carolina. My parents both worked for the textile mills, both had fourth grade educations and my mom always wanted me to get an education. When I graduated from high school it was my dream to go to college. I failed the first class of my life which was my chemistry class. I was just overwhelmed so I left after about a year and half, got a job and kept trying to go back to school. For me it was personally devastating. It really bothered me. I felt like I was failing. I had one shot and I blew it.
When Jenna left for boarding school I couldn’t even open the door and go in the room and I was almost 52. All of that coincided with the downturn of the market. I had almost $6 million dollars in contracts waiting to close and they all fell through—every single one of them. I thought, ‘now what? I don’t have a degree, there are no jobs.’ It doesn’t matter what I had done or how much success I had, the requirements are to have a degree. Not only that, I had to walk back in the door competing with people half my age and many of them had MBAs.
It was just a matter of figuring out how to do it—so that’s when I started to check into what were the institutions, what was the cost, how were they respected. Kaplan [University] had a degree in business with a specialty in human resources. As I started narrowing the options down, it made it into about the final three. I took those three finalists to my traditional education friends and I said, ‘I want to know what the most respected online degree would be if someone was coming into your office looking for a job.’
The IT Dean, the Computer Science Dean, felt like Kaplan [University] had the best online delivery program that was out there. The Academic Dean’s advice was that this is a respected degree that you’re not going to have people questioning whether you were competent when you came out. Everything that you take there will be accepted if you go on to a master’s [program] anywhere so that was a very good recommendation. When I sat down at graduation, 31 years later, and I’m looking up at the podium and it says, ‘Kaplan University: a Different School of Thought’ that was probably more me because I do think a little differently. I’m willing to work on things that innovate and I think that’s more of an opportunity for me and many students like me.~N
Flashback to 1937 during the economic upheaval of the Great Depression in the United States. Prohibition had recently ended and BACARDI became very popular. During this struggling economic environment, some unscrupulous bars and restaurants in New York City tried to take advantage of consumers by substituting BACARDI for lesser quality rums when they asked for BACARDI cocktails.
Standing up for the consumer’s right to get what was ordered and to protect the quality of cocktails, family-owned Bacardi took legal action against some New York bars and restaurants.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53406-bacardi-150-anniversary-celebrates-75th-anniv-cocktail-case-consumer-right
