Consumer Spending Fell in September

A new report issued by the Commerce Department has shown that average consumer spending fell in September for the first time in five months, a development that has been attributed to the ending of the Cash for Clunkers automotive rebate program. This drop in consumer spending matching analyst estimates and follows a 1.4 percent jump in the previous month.

Consumer confidence has taken a hit in recent months because of stagnant wages and growing unemployment, two factors that have raised worries that consumers will cut back spending in the coming months.

Analysts also worry that consumers will grow reliant on government programs, holding onto their money when no such programs are available.

These figures have caused analysts to predict that consumers will spend less aggressively going into the holiday season, which may prove to be disastrous for retailers that rely on strong holiday sales to get through the rest of the year. However, inflation did not rise as much as expected, which is a relief to policymakers.

Post from: EveryJoe

Consumer Spending Fell in September

Consumer Electronics Makers Recovering

The consumer electronics industry has been hit especially hard by the recession and slow consumer spending, as electronics are among the first things that many families cut back on when money is tight. However, several consumer electronics companies, including Sony and Panasonic, have posted results that may signal some recovery in the market.

Sony just posted its fourth-consecutive quarterly loss on Friday, a fact that is troublesome on its own. However, the brighter outlook on the global economy and cost-cutting measures have allowed Sony to trim its loss forecast for the year in hopes that the situation will continue to improve.

Panasonic also raised its annual forecast, a move that may show that Japanese consumer electronics makers have reached the depths of the recession and are on their way to recovery. While demand for televisions and other electronics had disappeared at the height of the global economic crisis, Panasonic’s optimism gives hope to the rest of the consumer electronics industry.

Post from: EveryJoe

Consumer Electronics Makers Recovering

Chevron 3Q Profit Down 51 Percent

Though production is up, Chevron, the nation’s second largest oil and gas producer, posted overall profits down 51 percent to $3.83 billion, or $1.92 per share, in comparison with the same three-month period last year.

The company did increase oil production by 11 percent. The average sale price was $62 per barrel — definitely better than last quarter but still far below the $103 per barrel during the same period in 2008.

“We continued to experience weak margins on the sale of gasoline and other refined products,” said Chairman and CEO Dave OReilly. “Weak demand and plentiful supply affected all our major markets.”

The exploration and production division saw profits fall 41 percent to $3.6 billion. The refining business saw earrings drop more dramatically — 89 percent to $194 million. In addition, the company said foreign exchange charges of $81 million for the quarter made it considerably more expensive to operate overseas.

The results weren’t unexpected. Chevron and other oil and gas companies did not expect results to compare to the go-go oil market of the summer of 2008.

Post from: EveryJoe

Chevron 3Q Profit Down 51 Percent

PC Backup Startup Names New CEO

One of the hottest industries in the online world is PC backups. There are a number of major players in this industry, which wants to capitalize on the market that is filled with consumers who want to backup their important data from their PC quickly, easily and without paying a fortune.

Rebit.com is one player in the PC backup market. Recently, this startup named Paul Guerin as its CEO. Guerin has worked for a number of major corporations including Lotus, IBM and GTSI. He has also worked for a few startups including Jabber, Torrent Systems and Digital Archaeology.

Said Guerin, who steps into his role immediately: “Rebit’s product line is impressive and innovative, and the company’s employees are highly experienced industry professionals and leaders. I am thrilled to be joining this exemplary team and taking the next steps toward growing the company from the strong foundation that Lew Frauenfelder built.”

Reviewers say that Rebit.com offers an extremely simple solution that provides continuous backup without any configuration, scheduling or setup. Its scope of what it backs up is also highly regarded.

Post from: EveryJoe

PC Backup Startup Names New CEO

Goodbye From Small Business

Bizzia Small Business will be going away and merging with some of the content at EveryJoe starting tomorrow, so I wanted to bid you all a fond farewell since I will not be writing here any more. You can still find me several other places online, give me a shout out on Twitter sometime I’m @Linetteg there. I’d love to hear from you.

You can also stop by and visit me at one of my other blogs. Mostly I blog about parties and entertaining, with a little kid’s stuff thrown in for fun. So, if you like parties or kids (and who doesn’t like kids!) stop by The Kid’s Birthday Fun Review, The Home and Garden Cafe, She Knows Parties, or Play Library and say hi when you get bored.

I’m also planning on writing a little about business (especially online businesses) at Lens Author, because I think I’m going to miss writing about business when I’m done here.

I’ve enjoyed sharing with all of you the last couple months. I’ve learned that I can pull quite a bit of information about small businesses out of my brain, I didn’t even know I had quite so much tucked away in there.

Thanks for the fun ride!

Image (c) L Gerlach

Post from: EveryJoe

Goodbye From Small Business

How To Manage Your Support Team

Being able to manage a support team successfully, means that you are a project manager who know how to listen and delegate. Yes there are other key skills that a successful project manage need to have in place but listening and delegating are two of the most important one.

Managing a successful support team takes a project manager who is willing to not only work on developing their team but also developing themselves. Below are a list of areas where a project manager should either currently excel in or are developing in as part of their skillset. This list is based on the acronym “L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P”:

• Listening.
• Encouraging.
• Adapting.
• Delegating.
• Energizing.
• Realistic.
• Shaping.
• Helping.
• Integrity.
• Principled.

As you review these 10 skills that a project team leader should possess, keep in mind that if you don’t possess a skill, you can learn it, refine it and then incorporate it into your skill set. It all about teamwork and team building as you manage your project team. So also look for some of these skills in your team members as a way to continue building a firm foundation for your team.

Post from: EveryJoe

How To Manage Your Support Team

5 Advantages Running a Small Biz From Home

I run my small business from home, and I love it! There are advantages and disadvantages to running your small business from home. Today I’m going to focus on the advantages, because it’s more fun to think of the positive, right?

1. One of the biggest advantages is working in your slippers if you want to. When you’re not meeting with clients or customers you can hang out in comfortable clothes and your slippers if you want to. I do always try to get dressed for the day when I get up in the morning. I think that sets the tone for the day. When I’m up and dressed I’m ready to get to work.
2. You can set your own hours. Setting your own hours is usually a benefit, as long as you make sure you set aside some time for work. Don’t just blow it off because you have flexibility. You’ve got to put the hours in if you want to build your business.
3. You can decorate your office or work space however you want to. If you want to go all out for Christmas, there’s no one stopping you. If you want photos on your desk, or a coffee warmer, it’s all up to you.
4. You don’t have to pay for a separate work space. If you set up an office or a storefront it’s an additional monthly cost to your business.
5. You’ll save big on commuting costs. With gas prices up you can save big dollars each month on gas, wear and tear on your car, and insurance by driving fewer miles and working from home.

If you run your small business from home, what is your favorite advantage?

Home office image (c) L Gerlach

Post from: EveryJoe

5 Advantages Running a Small Biz From Home

Seasonal Small Business Ideas

Some small business ideas are seasonal in nature. If you pick the right business you can work really hard for a couple months out of the year and take it easy the rest of the year. That doesn’t usually mean you’re not working at all, there’s usually quite a bit of preparation the rest of the year for those few months of crazy business. Some businesses are just slow certain times of the year, but you still have to be there open for business.

Seasonal businesses do have their draw backs, one of the biggest drawbacks is cash flow. It can be hard not to spend when you have cash in hand, but you do have to budget for the off months. There may still be rent to pay, and other fixed costs that you’ll have to have cash for when there is little or no cash coming in the door.

That’s not to say that you can’t make a wonderful business out of something seasonal. There’s definitely money to be made there. You just need to be extra careful to set up your business plan and your budget to include some down time.

Some examples of seasonal business ideas include:

• Lawn care and landscaping
• Christmas, or Halloween shops
• Tax Accounting
• Fresh produce stands
• Ice cream stands

There are many more out there, and many more potential seasonal businesses no one has thought of yet. If you’re thinking about starting a small business, there may be a seasonal market out there looking for what you have to offer, if you’re willing to work really hard for a few months out of the year.

Image sxc.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

Seasonal Small Business Ideas

Small Business False Starts

Have you ever thought of starting your own small business but never quite got it off the ground? Many small businesses don’t even make it off the drawing board. They may look good on paper, but for some reason or another aren’t practical in the real world.

Are you someone who’s got a great idea for a small business? Maybe you’ve thoght of  a new product, or a new way of doing things, or cutting edge technology? Will you be able to get it off the ground, or will it be just an idea in your head?

How can you get your dream business from ideas to reality?

• If you can’t finance your business yourself you will need to develop a workable business plan to present to possible investors.
• Stay motivated and positive to help you power through the hurdles that will be thrown at you.
• There are many small business resources to help you through the business learning curve.
• Stick with it, and don’t give up.

Do you have any advice to share with someone trying to take it from idea to small business?

Post from: EveryJoe

Small Business False Starts

Blogger Sean Kelly Moves to FranBest.Com

FranchisePick.com was launched in November, 2006, as one of original blogs in the newly-formed b5 media business channel (later renamed bizzia.com).  I was one of the original b5 Business Channel bloggers, the only one of the 16 to be active on the bizzia channel up until today.

Since that time, I have published 1011 blog posts that generated 12,752 comments, often on controversial franchise topics and companies.

I recently received notice from b5 that, after tomorrow, Franchise Pick will no longer be published as a stand-alone blog, and that the Bizzia channel is being assimilated into the EveryDayJoe.com channel. 

So far, I have been unable to reach anyone to ask them to reconsider or work out an arrangement that would allow me to maintain Franchise Pick.

So, after tomorrow, I will be blogging on franchise topics and companies on my blog, FranBest.com.

Please come visit me there, subscribe to my feed, sign up for my newsletter.

I will also be blogging at the other sites in the FranBest.com network, including TopNewFranchises.com, UnhappyFranchisee.com, FranchiseeMarketing.com, & FranchisorMarketing.com.

It’s been a great 3 years at Franchise Pick, but I guess it’s time to move on to a new venue.  

Let’s keep the conversation going at FranBest.com, UnhappyFranchisee.com and TopNewFranchises.com.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Image:  FranBest.com

Post from: Franchise Pick

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