Multi-Generational Households

In 2010 4.4 million U.S. houselholds held three of more generations under one roof——–up 15% from 2008. 

U.S. Census

Business Travellers Beware

Top concerns of overseas business travellers for 2012 include:

* Civil Unrest     23%

*Opportunistic crimes   16%

*Natural disasters   15%

*Terrorisn    14%

*Kidnap/Ransom    14%

Source:  January 2012 survey  conducted by International SOS and Control Risks.

Mobile Devices for Small Businesses

What mobile devices are small businesses using?

*35% use an iPhone for work

*31% use an Android Smartphone for work

*38% use mobile apps for business purposes

 

Source: PaySimple survey conducted in 2012.

Late Payments Plague Small Businesses

Eighty percent(80%) of small businesses are plagued by late payments from customers.

How are these small businesses dealing with late payments?

*71% use email to follow-up on late paying customers

*63% use the phone to follow up

*22% charge late payment penalties

*20% offer early payment incentives

Source:  Small Business Pulse Survey conducted by PaySimple, an accounts receivable company, in 2012.

Blogging on the Decline

So where have the bloggers gone?

Many to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Among companies in the Inc. 500, the use of blogs is declining. Fron 50% in 2010 to 37% in 2011.  Only 23% of Fortune 500 companies maintained a blog in 2011.

Findings from a survey conducted by the University of Masschusett’s Center for Marketing Research  reveals—–

*37% use blogs

*74% use Facebook

*64% use Twitter

*73% use LinkedIn

Social media is seen as an important tool for brand awareness  and an opportunity to enhance a company’s reputation.  Interestingly, companies that continue to blog are very happy with the results.  Of those companies still blogging, 92% call blogging a success—-up from 86% in 2010.  Only 82% of those companies using Facebook  feel it is successful.

While blogging has declined, let us not call it dead. Yes, it is time consuming, but sometimes you can’t say much in 140 characters.

Source:  University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research, a survey of 170 companies conducted in 2012.