Business Today » Economy

Canadian Banks Cut Lending

Cliff — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:47:43 +0000

The banks of Canada are tightening their strings when it comes to providing credit, loans and financing for companies and individual households. The banks have become concerned with the losses they are accruing as more people are filing bankruptcy, as well as a rise in the number of foreclosures. Vancouver are fairing a bit better than some of the others in the different provinces, but this will affect the entire country, and the lives of many people.

The banks are feeling the pressure of those losses as well. The problem, that some financial analysts are predicting is that this could serve to enhance the problems that are already existing in the weakened economy. This kind of action could prove disastrous for the entire economy, and create more problems for the banks and the financial institutions. The banks have already began to cutting their rates of lending and this has raised concerns that the global recession is getting worse, that it is deteriorating at a more far reaching and at a deeper level that was previously thought. The council governing the banks has not idea yet, as to when the lending levels may return to normal.

What is also of concerns in Canada, is just how far reaching the effects will be due to the current financial and economic crisis in the United States. The States may affect the banks and the individual households of the Canadian people. This is coming at a time when employment is falling and the many people are already accruing large amounts of debt. So far the household lending has not been as restrictive as that for the corporations, but the banks claim if the situation worsens, more people may default on their loans and end up in foreclosure. In that situation, the banks would cut lending and credit extensions even further.

Canadian Banks Cut Lending is a post from: Business Today

How the modern hobby of hot tubing came to be

Cliff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:54:34 +0000

Hot tubing is a definite hobby among Americans. Over 5 million Americans have a hot tub or spa in their home. Once an item that ordinary people could only find when they stayed at a hotel, the hot tub has made its way into the recreation of Americans.

People started using hot tubs in the 1960s in California wine country. The original hot tubs were mostly for soaking and make out of wood. It was not until 1968 that the modern idea of the hot tub came around. The man that brought it to life was and Italian named Roy Jacuzzi. He invented what most

Americans think of when they think of the modern hot tub or spa. A Jacuzzi family member invented the Jacuzzi whirlpool pump as well.

Having a spa at home is really considered a luxury item, but they can be used to aid in a variety of problems including arthritis and back pain. The hot tub is also considered a social thing, and some can seat as many as twelve people in them.

There are many different types of hot tubs that a person can buy. For those that are on a budget, they have above ground inflatable spas that are great for first time buyers. They also still do make the more traditional wooden above ground hot tubs. The more expensive ones have a lot of jets and features. You can even get a spa with a television in it now. A great place to go for a luxury spa is the website of Steven Barbarich choosehottubsdirect.com. The site sells luxury hot tubs at wholesale prices along with great customer service.

The hot tub is sure not to go out of style anytime soon. Sure they may be a bit expensive but a hot tub in an investment.

How the modern hobby of hot tubing came to be is a post from: Business Today

“Change Your World”

Cliff — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:25:13 +0000

Last week the girls of Johannesburg gotten taken to work. In the various businesses such as the Water Department, the Zoo, and the Johannesburg fine dining restaurants, girls followed staff around for a day. Companies throughout the city have supported this initiative, and have given themes to the annual event, this year’s theme being, “Change Your World”. The girls were questioned on their interests and matched up with the companies participating in the event, based on those interests. Fourteen answered that environmental issues and conservation were concerns of theirs, and were hence, taken to the zoo for the day. The girls learned about the various animals and the history and care given to each one, and many showed a particular interest in the marine biology section of the zoo. Many expressed a desire to attend college with these issues as their focus of study. They were all given the opportunity to come back to the zoo throughout their years in high school to volunteer.

The trip to the Johannesburg Zoo was an educational experience for the young women. They were given lessons on the various diets and feeding techniques of the different animals and given a tour of the veterinary clinic. They were told what happens when the animals get sick and how they are studied when the died. Other girls choose to go to the water department of the city. More business oriented than the Zoo, the girls were given experience with the aspects of human resources, engineering, and finance and marketing departments. In both cases the girls were given encouragement and support in the significance of further study, and the opportunities that exist for those women who do continue their education. Another day similar will occur on June 11th, as the parents of Johannesburg are encouraged to bring their children to work with them in an effort to once again, make them aware of the opportunities that are there for them should they want to take advantage of them.

“Change Your World” is a post from: Business Today

Is Law School the answer?

Cliff — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:22:37 +0000

Job seekers today are seriously thinking about what kind of business and management training they need to stand out in the current job market. With no current end in sight it is becoming increasingly more attractive for those who are unable to find employment with their current qualifications.

Law school seems like a great idea, people mostly think that lawyers are rich and in the upper echelons of the social systems. Others however think of them more as their stereotype “ambulance chasers.”

So is law school the answer to the inevitable question “What am I going to do with my life?” Well the answer is maybe and maybe not.

Getting into law school requires that you take the Law School Administration Test or LSAT. Your score on the test plus your undergraduate transcript is how schools judge whether or not to accept you. The test costs around 150 bucks.

However, there are costs you will incur from having to study for said LSAT. And choosing how you study is as difficult a choice as deciding if you should go to law school or not. There are numerous test prep books for self study, or you can choose to take a prep course which can cost as much 3,000 dollars. Some people swear by test prep, while others feel it is best and more economical to just study on your own.

Think about if you really want to be a lawyer. Go ahead and sit in a bookstore with a few law books of LSAT study books, decide if you think you can spend three years looking at and reading stuff like that. Can your brain work that way?

Also think of the financial burden law school can incur. If you can’t imagine how you would pay back about 100,000 dollars, it’s good to seek out several kinds of programs all over the country.

Bottom-line: Don’t let law school just be a rash decision. Think it through. Perhaps try some sales training or other leadership training.

Is Law School the answer? is a post from: Business Today

Mr. Lee Speaks

Cliff — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:32:42 +0000

Lee Kuan Yew is the the former prime minister of Singapore. He is the adviser, the mentor and the father of the current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong. The senior Lee spoke recently at the S Rajaratnam Lecture in the topic of foreign relations and the ways in which the times have changed between then, when he was prime minister, and now. His concerns were in keeping Singapore important and necessary, to ensure the continued international interest in his county and the insurance of the survival of the city state, economically and politically. Smaller countries, he stated must remain creative and pro-active to overcome barriers due to limited resources and geographical restraints . He wishes to keep Singapore the viable international player the country is currently. For decades Singapore has been a financial epicenter, with big businesses such as Singapore’s five star hotels and restaurants holding downtown conventions as well as training seminars and international conventions. The work ethic and philosophy is what has set Singapore apart in the past, what has been considered different and appealing about the society, and Lee contends that that is what the government and the businesses must continue to focus on. They must focus on what makes the country special and to become very intuitive as to what other countries and which ones that will benefit and continue to support Singapore’s growth and continued viability in the world market.

He mentions various allies of Singapore from past decades, siting that Japan, Taiwan and the United States have been partners in many symbiotic ways that have proved beneficial to all those involved. He further stressed that the anticipation of what will come, the intelligent anticipation, provides opportunities that could be missed when people are not paying close enough attention to ever changing tides of the world. Smaller countries must act quickly and resolutely because they can lose what they have gained very quickly. He mentioned the current economic recession in the United States and it is his belief that the size of the country and resources will ensure that solutions will be found quickly. He has great respect for the resilience of the U.S. and the creativity of those working on resolving the economic crisis. He points out the various allies to the United States, further illustrating and supporting his beliefs that other countries shall help those in their time of need. And while he states his concerns he is certain that Singapore will continue to prosper in the world market in the years to come.

Mr. Lee Speaks is a post from: Business Today

US Economy Shows Positive Growth

Cliff — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:16:42 +0000

The US economy has been boosted by the government’s $168bn (£84bn) stimulus package, according to the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Official figures showed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose at an annual rate of 1.9% between April and June, up from 0.9%.

Mr Paulson predicted that the US economy would get stronger next year “and beyond”.

The figure was worse than expected and caused shares to fall.

US Economy Shows Positive Growth is a post from: Business Today

World’s Largest Eco Bag at KL Design Week