You might be getting a raise soon. Your friend "the economy" says so! According to the Labor Department those applying for unemployment claims dipped to 267,000 marking a 42 week low. As the labor supply shrinks it becomes increasingly likely that wages will rise as skilled labor becomes increasingly in demand. The economic hands are likely to start tapping on paychecks soon.
Basic laws of supply and demand are at play here. As something becomes more difficult to find its value rises. It doesn't matter if you are talking about the latest XBOX game or labor supply. Good employees are hard to find and when employment rate dips companies must continually look at lower qualified candidates.
This naturally comes with a cost and improvement in labor conditions; at least for those who are actively engaged in the market. Pressure rises on companies to find candidates, train them to expectations, and then put them to solid work when the unemployment rate is under 5%. As their value and cost rise companies seek to also raise their productivity rate.
This creates a push to increase productivity to reduce the cost of labor and hire fewer employees. Automation and streamlining become popular methods to countering labor costs. In the long run this can create downward pressure on the employment rate but its effects are not felt until a significant time in the future.
Assuming that the economy continues to grow over the next year the pressure on the labor market is likely to increase and wages will continue to go up. In turn, companies will push for productivity and engage in more training. Eventually, a homeostasis may be found but this will take time as investments in the U.S. economy continue to improve until it no longer is a lucrative option.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Learn to Relax Over the Holidays
The holiday season can be stressful and people spend so much time shopping, cooking, creating, entertaining and visiting they forget to take care of themselves. Holidays are great but they can sometimes be overwhelming unless you do two things.
1.) Stay focused on each task: One of the best ways to get through a trying day getting everything ready is to focus on each task without thinking about the long list of tasks that need to be completed. The minute you start thinking about all the tasks you have to complete the stress level will rise.
If we always thought about how much work we must do to get a degree, lose weight or anything else you wouldn't think it is worth it. Yet by focusing on enjoying each task and living in the present you can enjoy each moment. With luck you can look over the whole day and say you enjoyed it.
2.) Minimize the tasks: The holidays are about spending time with family and friends. We often start out thinking all of these things need to be completed but the reality is that they don't. Holidays are supposed to be simple so it is better to focus on what is required versus what would be nice.
Sometimes we spend a lot of time working on things we don't need to. By minimizing those tasks, starting a few days earlier, or asking others for help we are likely to make things a lot easier on ourselves.
1.) Stay focused on each task: One of the best ways to get through a trying day getting everything ready is to focus on each task without thinking about the long list of tasks that need to be completed. The minute you start thinking about all the tasks you have to complete the stress level will rise.
If we always thought about how much work we must do to get a degree, lose weight or anything else you wouldn't think it is worth it. Yet by focusing on enjoying each task and living in the present you can enjoy each moment. With luck you can look over the whole day and say you enjoyed it.
2.) Minimize the tasks: The holidays are about spending time with family and friends. We often start out thinking all of these things need to be completed but the reality is that they don't. Holidays are supposed to be simple so it is better to focus on what is required versus what would be nice.
Sometimes we spend a lot of time working on things we don't need to. By minimizing those tasks, starting a few days earlier, or asking others for help we are likely to make things a lot easier on ourselves.
Making New Years Your Deadline for Improving Your Financial Position
You must made it through Christmas and loaded your carts full of presents. Some may have emptied their bank accounts, some maxed out their credit cards and others feel almost no pain. With 2015 almost behind you and some time off with friends and family it is time to think about what is most important to you so that you can budget for the future in 2016.
Buying is behavior based in how we see ourselves and what we want. Even though some of our buying is for necessity it is often emotionally driven and often leads us to overspend. The only way to really control your spending and save money for future investment means understanding yourself.
Once you understand what drives you and your spending habits you can control your behavior. First look at your spending patterns to understand whether or not you want prestige, pleasure, dinning, etc... It may take some time unless you have kept track of your spending in a way that will allow you to realize what you are spending on.
Where you are wasting the most money, or not getting the best bang for your buck, you should consider making changing. For example, if you are spending most of your money on eating out try and get into the habit of cooking or finding great deals. Use your past to gauge how well you are doing and save the rest of the money.
Buying is behavior based in how we see ourselves and what we want. Even though some of our buying is for necessity it is often emotionally driven and often leads us to overspend. The only way to really control your spending and save money for future investment means understanding yourself.
Once you understand what drives you and your spending habits you can control your behavior. First look at your spending patterns to understand whether or not you want prestige, pleasure, dinning, etc... It may take some time unless you have kept track of your spending in a way that will allow you to realize what you are spending on.
Where you are wasting the most money, or not getting the best bang for your buck, you should consider making changing. For example, if you are spending most of your money on eating out try and get into the habit of cooking or finding great deals. Use your past to gauge how well you are doing and save the rest of the money.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Incomes, Attitudes and Spending Rise Over the Holidays
The Commerce Department reported incomes have risen for the 8th month straight and consumer spending increased significantly in November. To brighten the holiday spirit a U of M report index showed that consumer confidence rose to 92.6. Good news for holiday shopping and the economy.
Approximately 2/3rds of the economy is based on consumer spending. Increases in income, spending and confidence are related and have a direct impact on the economy. As these factors the economy speeds up and further supports more income, spending and confidence.
This is one reason why economies rise in periods and then decline in periods. Unless shocking news and events change people's assumptions economies grow and fall in relative cycles and patterns. It corresponds in many ways to public perception and the time it takes to change that perception.
Pay people more, they feel better and spend more. This relates to way we see our futures and the need to hold tight to money or enjoy life. Until household financial slack is spent this works pretty good as a strategy.
The problem is that wages don't work this way forever. You cant raise wages in a bubble without considering the long-term competitiveness of the country. Wages can only be justified if the business environment allows for increased profits, skill sets, productivity, and opportunities. Growing economies that attract new opportunities can afford wage increase but long-term fundamentals must always be kept in mind. When one outstrips the other you got new problems.
Approximately 2/3rds of the economy is based on consumer spending. Increases in income, spending and confidence are related and have a direct impact on the economy. As these factors the economy speeds up and further supports more income, spending and confidence.
This is one reason why economies rise in periods and then decline in periods. Unless shocking news and events change people's assumptions economies grow and fall in relative cycles and patterns. It corresponds in many ways to public perception and the time it takes to change that perception.
Pay people more, they feel better and spend more. This relates to way we see our futures and the need to hold tight to money or enjoy life. Until household financial slack is spent this works pretty good as a strategy.
The problem is that wages don't work this way forever. You cant raise wages in a bubble without considering the long-term competitiveness of the country. Wages can only be justified if the business environment allows for increased profits, skill sets, productivity, and opportunities. Growing economies that attract new opportunities can afford wage increase but long-term fundamentals must always be kept in mind. When one outstrips the other you got new problems.
Body Language and Performance
People can tell a lot about you based on the way you hold your body and inadvertant gestures you make. Non-verbal cues give people a glimpse into our inner world. When we display confidence in our body postures people are more likely to do business with us. It is a basic cue connected to our biological nature that many people are not aware of. With a little practice you can improve.
Little gestures, body movements, and facial expressions can tell a lot about us. For example, covering the mouth may mean your hiding something, tapping of fingers could mean anxious, staring could mean a challenge or commitment. We may not be overtly or consciously aware of the displays we are giving but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Our subconscious gives off these signals to help insure we are connected to our social environment while giving off hints to our inner experiences. It is what makes us social creatures and has helped us survive as a species.
When we were in small groups and know each other well we were much better at interpreting each others signals better. Our subconscious may accurately pick up on a signal but it could be out of context or could have a different meaning unrelated to the person they are facing.
This is one reason why it takes time to know one another and create an attachment. The more we interpret and understand each others signals, can recollect them in a conscious way, the more we trust each other. Strangers don't have this luxury and so business success is often based on how we appear to others.
However, in a bigger world where people don't know each other, may not have empathy, or consider any social obligations it is important to show confidence. This gives the signal that you are capable, confident, and a stand up kind of person. It tells people who are dishonest in their intentions to keep walking.
During your course of business interactions with others make sure you display confidence to create greater trust that leads to higher sales and deals. Avoid being arrogant as this can send an opposite signal. When you give off confidence you will find people will gravitate toward you, give you preference in dealings, and think highly of you.
Little gestures, body movements, and facial expressions can tell a lot about us. For example, covering the mouth may mean your hiding something, tapping of fingers could mean anxious, staring could mean a challenge or commitment. We may not be overtly or consciously aware of the displays we are giving but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Our subconscious gives off these signals to help insure we are connected to our social environment while giving off hints to our inner experiences. It is what makes us social creatures and has helped us survive as a species.
When we were in small groups and know each other well we were much better at interpreting each others signals better. Our subconscious may accurately pick up on a signal but it could be out of context or could have a different meaning unrelated to the person they are facing.
This is one reason why it takes time to know one another and create an attachment. The more we interpret and understand each others signals, can recollect them in a conscious way, the more we trust each other. Strangers don't have this luxury and so business success is often based on how we appear to others.
However, in a bigger world where people don't know each other, may not have empathy, or consider any social obligations it is important to show confidence. This gives the signal that you are capable, confident, and a stand up kind of person. It tells people who are dishonest in their intentions to keep walking.
During your course of business interactions with others make sure you display confidence to create greater trust that leads to higher sales and deals. Avoid being arrogant as this can send an opposite signal. When you give off confidence you will find people will gravitate toward you, give you preference in dealings, and think highly of you.
Is Slow Shipping Going to Embarrass You on Christmas Day?
Ok...I'm not talking about a purely empty box. Within the box you are going to place a card that states something like, "Thinking of you during Christmas and your gift is on its way!" You can pick the words you want to use. Your goal is to let them know you bought them something but its caught up in shipping.
You definitely don't want to show up with nothing. That might send the message that you didn't think about the other person and didn't bother to buy them a gift. It is important to let them know the thought counts but circumstances are out of your control.
This could also work in corporate gift giving. Most people want to put something under their tree in their lobby or home. Providing an empty box with a promise is better than putting nothing and still says you are thinking about them. Now, if you don't follow up with the gift then you are certainly going to look cheap!
Increase in holiday shipping may need infrastructure improvements
Online holiday shopping is on the rise. According to the ShipMatrix President Satish Jindel holiday shipping is up 8% and this corresponds to an increase in online commerce. The trend toward greater online shipping and faster delivery requirements both domestically and internationally will require greater levels of infrastructure improvements.
When considering the growth in virtual companies, online marketing, telecommunications and eCommerce capabilities it is no wonder that previous infrastructure systems have been strained. Highways have now been superseded by electronic highways that pass information at a much faster pace than letters and parcels.
The physical structures such as roads, rail and ship have to keep pace with the increase in electronic commercial activity an increase in trade that accompanies any additional connection of information and financial resources.
Changes won't be only domestic and will likely include other structural adjustments that connect local to global markets. This means national structures that speed deliveries and increase volume while creating linkages to international markets.
This is a little like shooting two birds with one stone. One one hand, your keeping up with the pace of change while on the other hand your making your economy more competitive by making it more efficient. Improvement in the movement of products, information, resources, and people is part of the process of building better nations.
When considering the growth in virtual companies, online marketing, telecommunications and eCommerce capabilities it is no wonder that previous infrastructure systems have been strained. Highways have now been superseded by electronic highways that pass information at a much faster pace than letters and parcels.
The physical structures such as roads, rail and ship have to keep pace with the increase in electronic commercial activity an increase in trade that accompanies any additional connection of information and financial resources.
Changes won't be only domestic and will likely include other structural adjustments that connect local to global markets. This means national structures that speed deliveries and increase volume while creating linkages to international markets.
This is a little like shooting two birds with one stone. One one hand, your keeping up with the pace of change while on the other hand your making your economy more competitive by making it more efficient. Improvement in the movement of products, information, resources, and people is part of the process of building better nations.
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