Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Accounting Services. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• About half of surveyed accounting firms, of all sizes, identified retaining clients, as a top concern in 2010. This concern has replaced the previous top concern of retaining talent and is linked to general economic conditions.
• Accounting firms are differentiating themselves by adding niche services such as business valuations, litigation support and forensics/fraud.
• The financial reform bill of 2010 is expected to generate new jobs and opportunities for the accounting industry. Businesses will need to hire accountants to help the clarify the meaning of new regulation and to audit internal operations to prove that they are meeting the requirements of the law.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Accounting Services is available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research. July 28, 2010]

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Cleaning/Janitorial Services. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• Cleaners expect to target health care and government accounts for future growth. These sectors are seen as steady opportunities in 2010 and beyond.
• As the economy recovers, residential maid service is expected to be in demand in areas with vacation rental properties. Luxury property owners may offer maid service to renters as part of the package.
• More companies are promoting the use of green cleaning products and services to show their environmental responsibility. While some clients are concerned that these products do not work as well, evidence of dangerous chemicals in the traditional products is convincing many to think green.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Cleaning/Janitorial Services available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research. July 9, 2010]

Economists and out of work Americans are looking for signs of revival in the U.S. job market. It’s too soon to tell if hiring is occurring in any significant way. However, a new Elance survey shows that when SMBs do hire, they’re going about the process in a new way.

Nearly 2/3’s of surveyed business owners say they are using online hiring instead of traditional hiring. And, in addition to hiring online, businesses are looking for employees to work on a project by project basis. This staffing practice allow businesses to maintain flexibility at a time when profitability is still under stress. Additional benefits of online hiring include “24-hour/7 day a week access to talent.”

How widespread are these new ‘distributed organizations?’ The survey results indicate more hiring managers are comfortable with hiring the right team members for a project and not so concerned about their physical location.  Fewer than 20% of hiring managers said that a team member’s location is important for an online hire.

Survey results also  show:

• Businesses who have made at least 1 online hire: 86%
• Made between 2-5 online hires: 49%
• Made 6+ online hires: 15%

How can potential employees stand out when businesses are seeking to make an online hire? Decision makers consider the following criteria:

• Ratings from prior employers 89%
• Viewing a portfolio of work 84%
• Pay rate 73%

Elance analysts predict the online hiring trend will continue. Businesses that serve this marketplace have an opportunity to increase revenue by promoting their products and services and more SMBs and employees seek to find each other online.
[Source: Elance Survey Reveals Majority of Small Businesses Prefer Hiring Online vs. In-Person. 23 Jun. 2010. Web. 29 Jun. 2010]

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Computer Training Services. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• SMBs make a key market for training firms in 2010. These companies are more quickly adopting new technology and may need training in order to make the most of their new investment.
• Computer training in some occupations has not succeeded because older generations of workers are not computer literate. This has been particularly true in the technical trades of the plumbing and heating industry.
• The federal government may prove to be a source of business for these operators. The size of government is expected to grow under the Obama administration. As more employees come on board they will require training to understand the government’s systems.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Computer Training Services is available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research. June 18, 2010]