Telemarketing and Call Centers, Rebounding After the U.S. Recession
Over the past five years the telemarketing and call center industry has been in decline. Due to the U.S. recession and reduced corporate profits, companies have pulled back on their telemarketing efforts.
Major companies are now looking for the best value when it comes to investing in marketing. According to this popular call center blog, they review the top five questions to ask when outsourcing your call center to ensure the best quality.
Even though the telemarketing and call center industry is already a 22 Billion dollar industry, it is expected to grow even larger in the next five years, according to economic forecasts.
Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
http://www.novasors.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-when-outsourcing-your-call-center-part-2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemarketing
Poll: 85% Said They Were Unlikely to Talk About Credit Card Debt to a Stranger
According to poll results, we are living in a day and time where consumers are less likely to speak to a stranger about credit card debt than religion, politics, salary and even the details of their love life.
Even with the U.S. recession coming to an end the average consumer is still likely to be carrying consumer debt, even though it may be slightly lower than at the height of the recession.
In recent news, the Federal Reserve states that revolving debt in the U.S. has surged above the $900 billion mark. This could be an early indication of a rise in consumers using credit consolidation to ease their burden of debt.
Sources:
http://www.nasdaq.com/
http://www.creditconsolidation-usa.com/
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/
Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports that 24% of those Employed Work at Least “Some” Hours From Home Each Week
According to the monthly labor review, employees are doing more telecommuting and working from their home office.
Those in favor of working from home see this as a way to give working mothers a way to stay competitive and narrow the wage gap between their male counterparts. With only a quarter of the workforce working from home, some mothers may be forced to use creative means when looking for a position that will allow them to work from home. One of the easiest places to start the search, is to look for stay at home mom jobs that are available online.
Proponents of the work from home revolution state some obvious environmental benefits of telecommuting. Less wasted time used traveling to the office, cuts down on traffic congestion and energy consumption.
Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2013/02/18/one-in-five-americans-work-from-home-numbers-seen-rising-over-60/
http://sahm.org/jobs/
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/06/art3full.pdf
According to Big Fish Games, 59% of Americans Play Online Games
Over 150 Americans play online games, ranging across a variety of age, gender and socioeconomic statuses. Many might guess that this 150 million gamers are made up of those under the age of 18. Surprisingly only 29% of the 150 million are under 18, with the average age of 31. More gamers are over the age of 50 than under the age of 18.
Online games are as diverse as those that play them, some of the top games are Escape the office 2015, The Impossible quiz and Are Vampires Real, just to name a few.
Digital games can also have an educational use, according to these published statistics, 74% of teachers use digital games in the classroom.
Sources:
http://www.bigfishgames.com/
https://www.immortalday.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_game
Credit Repair Industry Annual Growth Drops 3.8% Following Recession
The 6 Billion dollar Industry of credit repair has contracted at a rate of almost four percent over the last couple years since the height of the U.S. recession.
The tough economic times are credited for a situation where debt burdened consumers defaulted on debts at an alarming rate. During this time many turned to one of the 127,548 credit repair companies that currently operate in U.S.
Due to the growth of the industry during the recession, some predatory service providers have emerged prompting the Federal Trade Commission to become more involved even though the industry is governed by the Credit Repair Organizations Act.
Sources:
http://www.ibisworld.com/
http://www.creditmarvel.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_Repair_Organizations_Act
Over Euro 450 Million in Foreign Investment Reported by Malta’s Individual Investor Program
Since its launch in 2014, the Malta Individual Investor Program has received over 400 applications. The result of this influx of applications has resulted in US $530 Million in direct foreign investment.
The IIP is aimed at high net worth individuals around the world. The IIP is an exclusive program where reputable individuals who pass the due diligence standards can be approved. It is not simply a program where rich people can easily buy and EU passport.
The IIP has been set up to allow 1800 applicants, after 1800 applicants have been approved the program will close, causing this to be one of the most exclusive programs of its kind in the world.
Sources:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maltas-individual-investor-program-reports-continued-success-over-euro-450-million-in-foreign-direct-investment-288695301.html
http://www.maltaimmigration.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_nationality_law
Real Estate Landscape is Slowly Shifting Due to Baby Boomers, According to The Counselors of Real Estate.
Demographic shifts are under way as baby boomers downsize to smaller homes, senior communities and assisted living facilities, according to The Counselors of Real Estate which is a group of 1,000 handpicked individuals, who are considered experts in Real Estate.
Low interest rates are playing a part in this shift, as seniors view this as a great time to downsize, taking advantage of low rates. These lower interest rates are helping the baby boomers sell as well as finance the home they are downsizing to.
Investors, such as “We Buy Homes Philadelphia” are preparing for interest rates to rise, when rate increases occur, “it will devalue future cash flows, thereby devaluing assets,” according The Counselors of Real Estate.
Sources:
http://articles.philly.com/
http://homecashguys.com/
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2015/04/06/7-baby-boomer-housing-trends-to-watch
The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Area is in The Top Ten in the U.S., With The Highest Employment Level for a Locksmith, According to Bureau of Labor Statistics
With 370 locksmith positions available, the Chicago and surrounding metro area is seventh in the country when it comes to employment. The hourly mean wage for locksmiths in Chicago is $19.21 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual wage comes in at $39,950.
The L.A. metro area takes the top spot with the most locksmith positions of any metro area in the U.S. The Annual mean wage in the L.A. metro area is only second to the New York metro area, at $46,880.
According to BLS.gov there are over 17,000 locksmiths nationwide, with a mean annual wage of $40,600. The ALOA Security Professionals is the largest organization for locksmiths and security professionals with over 10,000 members.
Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499094.htm
http://www.omegalocksmith.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Locksmiths_of_America
California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing Files Lawsuit Due to Allegations of Prospective Tenant Being Discriminated Against For The Possession of Two Emotional Support Animals
“An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal which provides therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of the disability, to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability.” According to Wikipedia.
According to the lawsuit that was filed on July 14th in Orange County Superior Court, a woman and her boyfriend were told they could move in with their dogs without paying a pet deposit. This changed when the apartment manager requested documentation on the tasks that the “service dogs” were able to perform. The manager then informed the prospective tenants that if the dogs did not perform tasks then they would not be allowed to move in.
When asked to respond, a spokesperson for the Real Estate company said that the organization does not comment on active litigation.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/local/
http://thedogtoronline.com/emotional-support-animal-letter/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_support_animal
Americans Spend Over 100 Million Per Year on Non-Prescription Acne Treatments, According to The AAD
“Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a long-term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring”, according to Wikipedia.org
Affecting over 40 million people in the U.S., acne is the most common skin disorder. Nearly 80% of those between the ages of 11 and 30, suffer with acne on their face, chest or back.
100 million is spent yearly on non-prescription acne treatment, this does not include cleansers, special soaps, prescriptions or doctor appointments.
Some of the leading causes of acne are oil and grease build up, emotional stress, heredity and hormonal factors. It is believed that 80% of the acne cases are due hereditary factors.
Sources:
https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a—d/acne
http://pantothenicacidacne.net/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_vulgaris
Less Than A Decade Later, Electronic Cigarettes and Vaporizing Devices Have Grown Into A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
The upward trend and popularity of vaporizing devices such as vape pens, have caught the eye of federal, state and local governments. Currently these products do not fall under the same advertising restrictions that tobacco products do.
The FDA and CDC have their sights set on imposing new regulations for vaporizing devices, they have proposed putting them in the same classification as tobacco products so they will be regulated in a similar fashion. The CDC has already expanded their anti-smoking campaign to include e-cigarettes.
While governing agencies try to categorize vaping and traditional smoking together, there is a lack of data that supports this. Proponents of vaping claim that it actually helps tobacco users stop smoking.
Sources:
http://www.fda.gov/
http://www.paintthemoon.org/pax-2-vaporizer-review/
http://www.cdc.gov/
Percentage of Total Marketing Budget Spent on B2B Content Marketing in The U.S. is 28%
According to Wikipedia, “Content marketing is any marketing that involves the creation and sharing of media and publishing content in order to acquire and retain customers. This information can be presented in a variety of formats, including news, video, white papers, e-books, info graphics, case studies, how-to guides, question and answer articles, photos, etc.”
Julie Roehm is one of the experts in the field of content marketing. As “Chief Storyteller” she thinks an important role for B2B companies is to be able to cut through the clutter of the overwhelming information that is swirling around us. According to Julie, this can be accomplished by telling the stories of how, in her case SAP, helps their clients run their businesses more effectively and improving people’s lives.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_marketing
http://www.julieroehm.com/
http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_B2B_Research.pdf
Commercial Real Estate Sales and Prices Are Surging, Prompting Concerns About Possible Bubble, According to The WSJ
The Green Street Commercial Property Price Index hit 118 in July, this leading indicator of commercial real estate prices, has been on a steady increase since its low in 2009.
“The value of U.S. commercial real-estate transactions in the first half of 2015 jumped 36% from a year earlier to $225.1 billion, ahead of the pace set in 2006, according to Real Capital.” As published in the Wall Street Journal.
Private equity real estate fundraising has already exceeded $73 billion and is on pace to surpass the highs in 2008. Many are comparing this to the boom of the mid-2000s, which ended in a bust that affected developers around the world.
Sources:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/surge-in-commercial-real-estate-prices-stirs-bubble-worries-1439415930
http://www.retailsolutionsadvisors.com/services/
http://www.loopnet.com/
July 2015 Marks the 55th Anniversary of Vietnam Tourism
Vietnam marked their 55th anniversary of tourism with a 5.1% increase over the same period from the previous year. It was estimated that 593,566 visitors made the voyage to Vietnam, in the month of July, which accounted for the increase.
Tourism has been an important part of the Vietnam economy, accounting for 4.5% of the gross domestic product. Foreign investment has been concentrated in heavy industry, urban development and tourism. Most of the tourism related investment has been directed to the hotel industry.
Vietnam seemingly has something for every type of outdoors person. Nature lovers, beach lovers and backpackers all have their place in the Vietnam landscape. There are also guided walking and bicycle tours to choose from, as well as kayaking trips.
Sources:
http://voyagevietnam.co/
http://www.vietnamtourism.com/en/index.php/news
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Vietnam
Survey: After Increasing 42% in The Past 10 Years, The Average Spending on Back-To-School Shopping Drops This Year
The National Retail Federation reported a survey that was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, where those with children from grades k-12 plan to spend less this year for school supplies. The survey found that parents expect to spend a portion of their shopping budget on supplies such as laptops and other online tools.
The average amount expected to be spent on school supplies is $630.36 this year, which is down from $669.28 from last year. The overall spent on school shopping this year is expected to exceed $24 billion for k-12, with an additional 44 billion when you add in college students, according to the National Retail Federation.
Sources:
https://nrf.com/resources/back-school-headquarters
http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html
http://www.marketwatch.com/
Mobile Gaming Revenue in The U.S. Expected to Increase to 3.31 billion in 2016
The fastest growing segment in the gaming industry is the mobile gaming platform. In 2010, the revenue for just ad supported mobile games amounted to $41 million, by 2017 it is expected to increase to $655 million in the just the U.S.
Additional revenues that surround the mobile gaming industry are found at sites that offer help for those that play mobile games. For example the popular game WordBubbles, has sites like these that offer answers and cheats for WordBubbles.
According to a 2014 survey, 45% of Americans who played via mobile phone, played on a daily basis, with only 4% playing once a month. When asked, many assume that mobile games are played by a younger demographic, but the survey results show that only 7% are between the ages of 18 to 24. The same survey found that 24% of mobile gamers are in the 55 to 64 age group.
Sources:
http://www.statista.com/topics/1906/mobile-gaming/
http://wordbubblesanswer.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_game
Gmail Has Reached 900 million Active Users, as of May 2015
Outlook.com, formerly known as Hotmail, has been the top email provider in the U.S.. Google’s updated numbers show that they now take the place of Outlook.com, as the most used email service.
Gmail reported that they had 425 million users in 2012, now up to 900 million in 2015. 75% of the 900 million active users access their Gmail login from mobile devices, giving an indication of the attention that Google has given to making Gmail user friendly on mobile devices.
Google continues to develop apps and services such as Google Play, Youtube, Picasa, Maps, Google Drive and Chrome that will bring more users into the Gmail fold, as these services are discovered.
Sources:
http://www.google.com/about/products/
http://emailhelpr.com/gmail-login/
http://techcrunch.com/2015/05/28/gmail-now-has-900m-active-users-75-on-mobile/
21,000 Lung Cancer Deaths Each Year in The U.S., Due to Radon Gas
Radon is a chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as a decay product of radium, according to Wikipedia.
The recommended safe level for radon gas indoors is 4.0 picocuries per liter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that those that have extended exposure to a 4.0 pCi/L level of radon has a 7 in 1,000 chance of death, due to lung cancer.
“Wilson, the owner of the home inspection company that tests for radon, said the test for radon takes about 48 hours. The test is installed in a lower living space of the house on a wall that is not close to a window. It usually costs $125 to $150.” As reported by ColumbiaMissourian.com
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/
http://homeinspectionallstar.com/