The past couple of weeks has shown some life in the stock market. The Dow Jones has climbed steadily along with the NASDAQ. In fact, the Dow rose over 200 points today based on upbeat predictions from a few companies that the 2nd quarter seems to be improving. The banks did okay with the stress test done by the Treasury department, though they need to raise about $75 billion in additional capital among the 9 largest banks.
A dim spot is the auto industry. Chrysler is in bankruptcy and General Motors is not far behind it seems. Both have announced closing of over 2,000 dealerships combined, this puts almost 300,000 additional people out of a job. The supply chain is also effected adversely. With delayed payment for past shipments, these smaller customers are strapped for cash. So things are not all together good in Motown.
Recent surveys suggest that travel over the upcoming Memorial Day will be better than last year. This is partly in response to lower gasoline prices. Remember last year with it's $4+ per gallon? Maybe pent up demand will help get the summer season off to a good start.
Maybe with the economy starting to show a little life it is time to consider a new career. If the perilous decline over the last 12 months has caused numerous layoff in you industry, maybe a change is needed. The travel and hospitality offers many career paths, and though it is influenced by the economy, people will still manage to get out to travel. And the seasonal nature of the industry does have some influence. Job.travel offers many jobs in the travel and hospitality industry, log in in and find a new career.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Increasing Awareness
Time have changed dramatically during my life. Being the end of the baby-boomers, 1960, I would guess that the amount of change has been one of the most prolific in history. The 1960s was still the beginnings of the Space Race, Russia had launched Sputnick and various animals had been launched by Russia and the United States. Man would walk on the moon barely 10 years after space had first been reached.
The World's Fair in Flushing, NY brought all sorts of space aged technology to the public. I still remember the yellow Chrysler convertible my family rode in. Computers were room sized contraptions used by large companies and most businessmen could use a slide rule like second nature.
Fast forward to 2009. Personal computers and laptops the size of coffee table books in 1965 are more powerful than room sized computers of that era, and most households have at least one. phones are smaller than cigarette packs and much more common, though I am still at a loss on the texting issue. Home delivery of newspapers has dwindled and many iconic names in publishing are no longer producing newspapers, everything is on line.
With the popularity of the web, Internet presence is a necessity now. 2Go Media is an Internet marketing solution package for small businesses. Included is a .travel domain, SEO hosted website, built in marketing and more , and available for less than one latte per day. So now is the time to get noticed not just locally, but world-wide, 2Go Media can make it happen.
The World's Fair in Flushing, NY brought all sorts of space aged technology to the public. I still remember the yellow Chrysler convertible my family rode in. Computers were room sized contraptions used by large companies and most businessmen could use a slide rule like second nature.
Fast forward to 2009. Personal computers and laptops the size of coffee table books in 1965 are more powerful than room sized computers of that era, and most households have at least one. phones are smaller than cigarette packs and much more common, though I am still at a loss on the texting issue. Home delivery of newspapers has dwindled and many iconic names in publishing are no longer producing newspapers, everything is on line.
With the popularity of the web, Internet presence is a necessity now. 2Go Media is an Internet marketing solution package for small businesses. Included is a .travel domain, SEO hosted website, built in marketing and more , and available for less than one latte per day. So now is the time to get noticed not just locally, but world-wide, 2Go Media can make it happen.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stress tests, Swine Flu, Jobless clains
Today is the release of the stress test of major banks to determine liquidity. The stock market rallied up until today on the hopes of good reports, then opened down today even before the results were released. The general consensus is that the major banks while underfunded, do not need as much new capital as originally thought. That is welcomed news for the financial industry. The inter-bank lending rate is also down, which should spark credit to be relaxing to the general public.
The recent hysteria about the swine flu in Mexico is estimated to have cost the tourism industry upwards of $2 billion, and more losses are yet to be felt. The media sensation is the culprit. With only a few reported deaths associated with the outbreak, people lost sight of facts. The regular flu claims over 800 people a week in the United Sates. Its year tally is between 250,000 and 300,000 worldwide. Most of the victims already have health issues, with the elderly accounting for 90% of the deaths in the United States. In less developed areas, malnutrition plays a vital roles. All the hype has closed schools where cases have been reported. I would guess most people have a better chance of being run over by a buss than dying from the swine flu.
One big bright spot is that new unemployment claims have decreased again. Hopefully this is a sign that the economy is starting to recover and is no longer in a tailspin. Another indicator is that consumer spending increased, which is vital to a recovery. Until the general population starts to spend, business will remain stagnant.
If the economy has taken a toll on your life, maybe a new career choice is needed. Job.travel offers jobs in travel and hospitality. Positions range from entry level to executives at corporate offices. And the industry is not only in your backyard, but across the globe. Check out job.travel and kick start your career and help the economy.
The recent hysteria about the swine flu in Mexico is estimated to have cost the tourism industry upwards of $2 billion, and more losses are yet to be felt. The media sensation is the culprit. With only a few reported deaths associated with the outbreak, people lost sight of facts. The regular flu claims over 800 people a week in the United Sates. Its year tally is between 250,000 and 300,000 worldwide. Most of the victims already have health issues, with the elderly accounting for 90% of the deaths in the United States. In less developed areas, malnutrition plays a vital roles. All the hype has closed schools where cases have been reported. I would guess most people have a better chance of being run over by a buss than dying from the swine flu.
One big bright spot is that new unemployment claims have decreased again. Hopefully this is a sign that the economy is starting to recover and is no longer in a tailspin. Another indicator is that consumer spending increased, which is vital to a recovery. Until the general population starts to spend, business will remain stagnant.
If the economy has taken a toll on your life, maybe a new career choice is needed. Job.travel offers jobs in travel and hospitality. Positions range from entry level to executives at corporate offices. And the industry is not only in your backyard, but across the globe. Check out job.travel and kick start your career and help the economy.
Friday, May 1, 2009
An Italian Chrysler
Today is the 1st of May. In many communist countries it is a day of celebration for the equality of workers and people. Most of Europe has off today, at least my chat friends in Paris, Turin and Lucerne are off. Great deal that it is a Friday so a nice long weekend.
It is also the first full day of Chrysler filing bankruptcy. The filing was yesterday was in Manhattan in probably the most experienced bankruptcy district. The presiding judge handled the Enron and Worldcom fiasco earlier in the decade.
So what does this mean to the economy and population as a result? In the past week, Chrysler has managed to win concessions from the UAW and bondholders to reduce costs. Just after the filing a deal was announced with Italian automaker Fiat. The association will not cost Fiat any money, but does provide a dealer network for its re-entering the US market with median priced products. The company offers the Maserati and Ferrari brands through a small network of dealers. The Alfa Romeo brand has not been seen on these shores since 1995.
With the partnership, Chrysler will have access to fuel and space efficient vehicles. The rather bland offerings of late from Chrysler is a main factor in its condition. The Italian influence will add style and sophistication and products that will be easily identifiable. Let's hope it all works out.
But one factor is almost certain, there will be some layoffs due to over capacity. This will effect not only the Chrysler plants themselves, but also suppliers of parts. The part suppliers provide to all of the manufactures, the overall drop in production has already been felt. With the planned shutdown of Chrysler plants to assess needs during bankruptcy, and GM's announcement of extended summer closures, the supply chain will definitely be suffering also.
With the automotive industry in such turmoil, maybe now is the time to consider a career change? The manufacturing environment in the United States has slowly moved off shore to regions of the world with lower labor costs, and the service industry has grown. Opportunities in travel and hospitality are nationwide and encompass many career paths. So if you are in an automotive related industry, or just looking for a change, job.travel offers a great opportunity to start over.
It is also the first full day of Chrysler filing bankruptcy. The filing was yesterday was in Manhattan in probably the most experienced bankruptcy district. The presiding judge handled the Enron and Worldcom fiasco earlier in the decade.
So what does this mean to the economy and population as a result? In the past week, Chrysler has managed to win concessions from the UAW and bondholders to reduce costs. Just after the filing a deal was announced with Italian automaker Fiat. The association will not cost Fiat any money, but does provide a dealer network for its re-entering the US market with median priced products. The company offers the Maserati and Ferrari brands through a small network of dealers. The Alfa Romeo brand has not been seen on these shores since 1995.
With the partnership, Chrysler will have access to fuel and space efficient vehicles. The rather bland offerings of late from Chrysler is a main factor in its condition. The Italian influence will add style and sophistication and products that will be easily identifiable. Let's hope it all works out.
But one factor is almost certain, there will be some layoffs due to over capacity. This will effect not only the Chrysler plants themselves, but also suppliers of parts. The part suppliers provide to all of the manufactures, the overall drop in production has already been felt. With the planned shutdown of Chrysler plants to assess needs during bankruptcy, and GM's announcement of extended summer closures, the supply chain will definitely be suffering also.
With the automotive industry in such turmoil, maybe now is the time to consider a career change? The manufacturing environment in the United States has slowly moved off shore to regions of the world with lower labor costs, and the service industry has grown. Opportunities in travel and hospitality are nationwide and encompass many career paths. So if you are in an automotive related industry, or just looking for a change, job.travel offers a great opportunity to start over.
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