More and more businesses are being forced to eliminate certain benefits in order to reduce costs so they can survive financially. This is due to increased competition, reduced market shares, and a sluggish economy. Supplemental insurance expert, William Hofto at All About Voluntary explains that voluntary benefits are a better option for most businesses and most employees, since they meet the exact needs of employees and save companies money. Here are some benefits that may be made optional in order to keep your company financially healthy. [Read more…] about Which Benefits Aren’t Benefiting Your Employees?
Online Electronic Storage
Storing paper copies can be cumbersome and takes a lot of space. These days a successful business needs a good electronic archival system.
How to Make Moving From Hardcopies to Online Storage Easier
Many companies are understandably apprehensive when starting the process of giving up paper hard copies and moving to digital files. Online storage will hopefully save time, money, and future frustrations, but getting there can be the hardest part. Below explains how to ensure a smooth transition for your employees and business as a whole. Before you become too reliant on digital copies Bedrock IT services in Ottawa recommends that you have a managed services program on hand, to ensure 24/7 reliability of your business computers, servers and networks. They also recommend protection for your online data with a good security system and anti-spam and malware services.
If possible, [Read more…] about Online Electronic Storage
Income Inequality — Why Workers Aren’t Getting Ahead
By Windriven
Recovery from the Great Recession has been slow and uneven. Six years in and U3 unemployment is finally down to 5.4%, U6 has dipped below 11%. Why are there so few voices claiming victory and why do their claims ring a bit hollow?
This chart from the Federal Reserve provides a clue. It plots labor’s share – salary and wages – of Gross Domestic Product.
In the postwar years, the American economy was doing well. As the chart above shows, American workers’ share of GDP taken as wages and salaries was about 50% in those years. That began to change in the early 70s and today the share of GDP taken as wages and salaries is less than 43%. Productivity continued to rise. GDP continued to grow. But workers were getting a progressively smaller piece of [Read more…] about Income Inequality — Why Workers Aren’t Getting Ahead
Should The U.S. Worry About Oil Sector Jobs?
Outside of individual’s holding oil stocks, damage to the economy from the fall in oil has been pretty minimal so far. Indeed, the price cut in home heating oil and gasoline has probably outweighed the damage from lower oil prices… so far. Unfortunately, this situation may not last.
Analysts are starting to look beyond the boost to the economy from low oil prices and see the damage that is being done by worker layoffs, slowing business, and falling home prices in oil producing states. Indeed, one recent estimate suggested that up to four jobs could ultimately disappear for every one job lost in the oil sector.
There is little doubt that as oil prices fall, some [Read more…] about Should The U.S. Worry About Oil Sector Jobs?
Building Your Own Business
Whenever the unemployment rate climbs people begin to get desperate and many think that this may be the time to strike out on their own (since they can’t find a job anyway). Unfortunately, a time when even experienced businesses are struggling and consumers are cutting back on their expenditures may not be the best time to start a new business… unless it provides a way for people to actually save money. Some examples might be windshield repair, resume writing or a used clothing or used baby items store.
Of course, beginning a business pursuit on your own is never easy, but the advantage is that you are your own boss. Though this doesn’t mean you get to take off whenever you want. It usually means you get to work harder than anyone else.
Find Your Niche
One of the most important things in the early stages of your company is to focus. Pick one product, Idea or service, or one aspect and sell it. It’s much less of a risk, and turns out to be more profitable when you invest in [Read more…] about Building Your Own Business
100,000 Layoffs and Counting: Is this the New Normal?
This time a year ago, the oil industry’s biggest problem was finding a way to deal with the “retirement tsunami” about to crash down on it as older oilfield workers hung up their cork boots to enjoy freedom-55. Now, with oil prices still in the doldrums, many of those same workers are lucky to be hanging onto their jobs, while others have been booted from the payroll as an ugly wave of layoffs takes hold.
One of the worst-affected areas is [Read more…] about 100,000 Layoffs and Counting: Is this the New Normal?
Taking Your New Business to the Next Level
Getting a new business off the ground is a tremendous achievement, as many small businesses fail in the first year. After establishing a beginning level of success, however, it’s not a good idea to rest on past laurels. Rather, it is important to take the business to the next level to keep up with, or even surpass, the competition. The following suggestions can help to update a thriving young business.
Develop a Strategic Plan
As the company settles into a successful routine, the next step is to develop a long-range plan to grow the business. Goals may need to be adjusted, along with the budget. The mission statement should be reviewed, and if necessary, revised in keeping with company objectives. Know where you want your business to be and what your goals are for long and short term.
Cultivate Customer Loyalty
Whoever the primary customer is, that market should be [Read more…] about Taking Your New Business to the Next Level
Careers High School Grads Should Consider
After graduation, many of your friends leave for college to earn a degree. And while you might have considered college yourself, it may not be for you. Whether you’re still saving, or just don’t have the time, college may not be in the cards right away. Statistics show many different jobs don’t require a degree, and can pay higher wages. You may consider a few of these career options right after you graduate.
An Apprenticeship
Many companies and unions sponsor apprentices. In an apprenticeship, you learn a skill or trade and are paid while you learn. Skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers, linemen, and chefs start as an apprentice. Apprenticeships generally take about four years to complete and have some classroom coursework, and registration. After training is complete, many apprentices are considered journeymen and earn much higher wages. Most sponsored programs pay for all training and registration, making your education free while you’re getting paid. [Read more…] about Careers High School Grads Should Consider
Jobs for Extroverts
While there are several important events you go through in life, school, graduation, marriage and so on, finding an ideal vocation is particularly important. Yet in some cases, people who find that they have an extroverted personality experience difficulties in attaining a job that is well suited for them. If you are looking for job ideas that suit your extroverted personality type, the following positions may be appropriate and advantageous for you to look at.
Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives are the individuals who handle customer complaints, provide information regarding an organization’s services and products, and process orders. Because these individuals spend the majority of their time interacting directly with a wide range of customers, this position can be ideal for people who have extroverted personalities and love to talk with new people. It is also good for people who consider themselves peace-makers and can easily find compromises.
Personal Trainer
If you like being [Read more…] about Jobs for Extroverts
Life in the Shell: Five of the Best Jobs for Introverts
If you’re an introvert, and are planning to go to college, degree programs like communications and education may terrify you. Many programs tend to suit extroverts better than introverts, but there are still many degrees that you might love. For some ideas, take a look at these five programs.
Computer Science
If you get this kind of degree, you’ll be able to land a job that pays well, plus you’ll be able to spend your time working alone in a quiet location. Many introverted people who don’t like or understand the way most people act, love working with computers. After-all, computers are predictable and once you take some programming classes, you’ll be able to make them do what you want. If you have a technologically inclined mind, computer science can be the perfect gateway to a job you’ll love.
Writing
Learn how to write, then [Read more…] about Life in the Shell: Five of the Best Jobs for Introverts