Twelve percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report say they are planning to hire professional-level staff in the fourth quarter of 2011, while 5 percent foresee making cutbacks. The resulting net 7 percent increase in hiring activity is up four points from the third-quarter forecast. The portion (82 percent) of hiring executives saying they anticipate no change in staff levels is down from 90 percent three months ago.
Meanwhile, 59 percent of executives interviewed for the report said it is challenging to find skilled professionals today, up 17 points from the third quarter.
Fourth-quarter hiring projections were higher than the third-quarter forecast in nearly all professional segments.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/roberthalf/50680/
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.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/hp/48901/
The American Cancer Society today announces the development of a new documentary film in collaboration with Academy Award-winning Actress Hilary Swank to inspire women nationwide to make their own health a priority and take everyday steps to help prevent cancer. Swank is executive producer of the film alongside Molly Mickler Smith of 2S Films and Go Go Luckey Entertainment, and the film is directed by Tina Gazzerro of Go Go Luckey Entertainment. The film helps mark the first anniversary of Choose You, a nationwide movement created by the American Cancer Society to raise awareness that 1 in 3 women will get cancer in her lifetime and the actions women can take today to help change that statistic. More than half of cancer deaths could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise, avoided tobacco products and got recommended cancer screening tests.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cancer/50276/
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco. Comedian Bill Cosby was born. And in 1937, SPAM® products were introduced as a meal staple into American cupboards. To help celebrate 75 years of the SPAM® brand, the makers of SPAM® products are launching its first ever spokescharacter, Sir Can A-Lot™ –– a two and a half inch tall embodiment of the brand essence ready to begin a crusade to rescue the world from routine meals.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54920-spam-celebrates-75-years-sir-can-a-lot-spokescharacter-hormel-foods
New York City looks a little greener these days thanks in part to biodiesel. This renewable, soy-based fuel powers Big Apple vehicles, furnaces and generators year-round and can be found throughout the city from Central Park to John F. Kennedy Airport.
The New York Parks Department uses a B20 blend of biodiesel when fueling diesel vehicles and generators, as well as replacing the oil heat for warming their buildings. The department has used strictly B20 in these applications for nearly two and a half years.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53949-united-soybean-board-soy-oil-bioheat-biodiesel-fuel-power-in-nyc
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, roughly 33 million Americans have a disability and nearly half are unemployed. Just over 20 years ago, the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities launched the Bridges from school to work program to shrink the career gap for youth ages 17-22 with mental, physical and cognitive disabilities. Since its founding, the program has placed more than 12,000 young adults with 3,000 employers nationwide.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/marriott/41998/
More than half a million public school students from the class of 2010 scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP® Exam during high school, nearly double the number of successful students from the class of 2001, and exceeding the total number of students from the class of 2001 who took AP Exams (see Figure 1). As research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience stronger college outcomes than otherwise comparable non-AP peers, the data in this year’s report show how educators are enhancing the college readiness of our nation’s students by preparing them to take AP classes and succeed on AP Exams.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/collegeboard/47746/
America has a dirty secret – and it’s lurking in our homes. A recent Kenmore brand survey found nearly half of Americans (49 percent) say that when it comes to vacuuming they cut corners by skipping areas underneath or behind furniture. Some clean only when they see visible dirt on the floor. That means they might be missing the 100,000 dust mites on the average square yard of carpet. With fall allergy season upon us and holidays just around the corner, renowned homekeeping expert and author of The Accidental Housewife Julie Edelman says now is the perfect time to bring these dirty secrets out into the light of day and tackle dirt and dust in our homes.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58149-kenmore-and-julie-edelman-offer-time-saving-tips-to-clean-homes
Employers expect to increase hiring for professional-level positions in the first quarter, but they have concerns about finding qualified candidates for these roles, a new Robert Half survey shows. A net 10 percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report plan to add full-time staff in the first three months of the year, up three points from the fourth-quarter forecast. However, the number of respondents who report recruiting challenges also is on the rise: 67 percent of executives said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled employees today, up from 59 percent last quarter and 42 percent in the third quarter.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53176-robert-half-professional-employment-report-q12012
Today, hotels.com®, the leading provider of lodging worldwide, released its biannual Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), revealing a 3 percent global price increase and a gradual recovery despite major natural catastrophes and world events affecting travel during the first half of the year. Room rates are still lower than their peak in mid-2007, indicating to travelers that good deals and value are within reach for consumers.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52047-hotels-com-price-index-three-percent-global-increase-gradual-recovery
Today Safe Kids Worldwide released a new research report that found while the death rate among children from poisoning has been cut in half since the late 1970s, the percentage of all child poisoning deaths due to medications has nearly doubled, from 36 percent to 64 percent.
Safe Storage, Safe Dosing, Safe Kids: A Report to the Nation on Safe Medication examines trends in morbidity and mortality of medication poisoning among children ages 14 and under. The report underscores the challenge of medication-related poisoning among children and offers solutions that will reverse the trends. Safe Kids also proposes specific roles that parents and other caregivers, industry, governments, and the medical community can play in improving medication safety through safe storage and safe dosing.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55155-safe-kids-worldwide-medication-safety-campaign-research-report
