Small Business Optimism Regains Momentum in July
Job openings and plans to create new jobs lead monthly NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 8, 2017—The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) monthly Index of Small Business Optimism, released today, rose 1.6 percent in July to 105.2, a strong performance led by significant gains in hiring activity.
“Strong consumer demand is boosting small business optimism,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “Small business owners are feeling better about the economy because their customers are feeling better about the economy. This is a good trend that we hope continues.”
Among the 10 components that make up the Index, seven improved, two declined, and one remained unchanged. The biggest gains were: job openings (+5); job creation plans (+4); and sales expectations (+5).
“Sixty percent of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in July,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Within that group, 87 percent said they had a tough time finding qualified workers. The labor market is getting very tight, and the problem is most severe in the construction and manufacturing sectors.”
Business owners cite “lack of specific skills” as the main reason they can’t find qualified workers, according to new NFIB research included in the July report. Other common reasons include: work history; social skills; wage expectations; and attitude.
Nineteen percent of small business owners listed lack of qualified workers as their number-one problem, second only to taxes.
“The number of owners trying to fill positions and create new jobs is very high,” said Dunkelberg. “That’s good news for workers, because they can command higher wages and better benefits. The bad news is that small business employers are finding it very hard to hire and keep their workers.”
Expected better business conditions, which dipped last month, rose 4 points in July. Sales expectations also improved 5 points. While most of the components were strong in July, capital expenditures remained average. Capital expenditure plans dropped 2 points. Fifty-seven percent of owners made capital outlays, which was unchanged from the previous month.
“Small business owners are waiting to see what happens on tax reform before they make big capital improvements or acquisitions,” said Duggan.
Click here to see the full NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism report. For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.
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WITH CONFIDENCE
RELEASE BETTER WEATHER B-SIDES
INCLUDES TWO NEW TRACKS
"HERE FOR NOTHING" AND "POISON"
LISTEN HERE
DEBUT ALBUM BETTER WEATHER
OUT NOW
AUGUST 9th, 2017 - With Confidence have released Better Weather B-Sides, which consists of two new tracks titled "Here For Nothing" and "Poison". Fans can listen to the new songs here: smarturl.it/BsidesSPO
The bands most recent album Better Weather, is available now and can be purchased through iTunes and their online store, or streamed in full on Spotify.
With Confidence just announced an upcoming fall U.S. tour with Knuckle Puck, Movements and Homesafe. In addition, the band is headed out on their Australian headliner tour with Seaway & WSTR, followed by a trip overseas to support Mayday Parade in the U.K. and Europe for the 10th anniversary of A Lesson In Romantics. A full list of tour dates can be found below.
Formed in 2012 in Sydney, With Confidence is lead vocalist/bassist Jayden Seeley, vocalist/guitarist Inigo Del Carmen, guitarist Luke Rockets, and drummer Joshua Brozzesi. They recently took home the award for Best New Artist Music Video at the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards.
Upcoming With Confidence Tour Dates
with Seaway, WSTR
August 17 - The Prince Bandroom - Melbourne, Australia
August 18 - The Factory Theatre - Sydney, Australia
August 19 - The Brightside - Brisbane, Australia
August 20 - The Foundry - Fortitude Valley, Australia
August 24 - Fowler's Live - Adelaide, Australia
August 25 - The Boston - Northbridge, Australia
August 26 - YMCA HQ - Leederville, Australia
with Mayday Parade, All Get Out, Waterparks
September 18 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK
September 19 - Beckett University - Leeds, UK
September 20 - O2 Academy 2 Newcastle - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
September 21 - O2 ABC Glasgow - Glasgow, UK
September 22 - Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
September 23 - O2 Institute - Birmingham, UK
September 25 - O2 Academy Oxford - Oxford, UK
September 26 - Junction - Cambridge, UK
September 27 - Concorde 2- Brighton, UK
September 28 - Engine Rooms - Southampton, UK
September 29 - O2 Academy 2 Bristol - Bristol, UK
September 30 - O2 Forum Kentish Town - London, UK
October 2 - Melkweg - Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 3 - Essigfabrik - Cologne, Germany
with Knuckle Puck, Movements and Homesafe
10/11 - St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall
10/12 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
10/13 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
10/14 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
10/15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
10/17 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
10/18 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
10/20 - Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman Street
10/21 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
10/22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
10/23 - San Diego, CA @ The Irenic
10/24 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre
10/26 - Dallas, TX @ RBC Dallas
10/27 - Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
10/28 - Houston, TX @ Walter's Downtown
10/30 - Nashville, TN @ RockeTown
10/31 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11/01 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
11/02 - Lake Park, FL @ Kelsey Theater
11/03 - Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
11/04 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
11/05 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
11/07 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Sound Stage
11/08 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts
11/09 - Asbury Park, NJ @ House Of Independents
11/10 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11/11 - Hamden, CT @ The Ballroom at the Outer Space
11/12 - Cambridge, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
11/14 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
11/15 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
11/16 - Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room
11/17 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
11/18 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew's Hall
11/19 - Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner
For more information
http://www.withconfidenceband.com
Follow With Confidence
instagram.com/withconfidenceband/
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DENVER, Colo. – August 9, 2017 – It’s Never 2 Late®, the leader in providing person-centered digital engagement, content and technology solutions for seniors, announced the expansion of its leadership team with the addition of Matt Miller as Vice President of Product Development. This addition underscores iN2L’s commitment to providing personalized engagement solutions that include interactive multimedia, cognitive based gamification and adaptive devices to keep seniors active, connected and engaged.
Download a photo of Matt Miller here.
For nearly five years, Miller was a development director for Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world's largest gaming companies by revenue. EA pioneered the home computer games industry and currently develops and publishes games under several labels. As program manager at EA SPORTS, Miller was accountable for rapid, on-time product delivery of the EA SPORTS MMA video game involving a staff of 80 development managers, programmers, artists and designers. Matt was also responsible for overseeing several other titles during his time at EA including Madden NFL and Tiger Woods PGA.
“At iN2L, we work hard to make a difference in people’s lives by developing an extensive library of programs, content and video games designed for elders with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities, most of whom have never used a computer,” said CEO Tom Bang. “We are thrilled that Matt Miller shares our mission and has joined us to bring our technology innovation to new heights.”
Most recently, Miller served as the Advisory Board Company’s managing director of healthcare technology product development. There he was responsible for 16 SaaS Products with $290M+ annual contract value, including analytics and advisory solutions designed to improve healthcare organizations’ business and clinical performance. Miller successfully increased overall visibility, predictability and efficiency of all products.
“I am thrilled to be joining a company that’s focused on making a meaningful impact in the lives of elders,” said Miller. “Exercise is just as important to the brain as the rest of the body. I look forward to applying my expertise in gaming, analytics, and healthcare product development to create innovative solutions that analyze and measure cognitive function in order to deliver individualized experiences that help seniors’ minds stay sharp.”
Miller gained additional hands-on healthcare technology knowledge and expertise during his tenure at PhDx Systems, Naval Hospital Pensacola, Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads and Naval Medical Center San Diego.
Miller completed an M.B.A. in Information Technology Management from Touro University International in Los Alamitos, Calif.
About It’s Never 2 Late
It’s Never 2 Late® (iN2L) is an award-winning developer of digital engagement technology for senior living community residents, with over 2,500 installations in the United States and Canada. The company’s picture-based, touchscreen interface provides easy connectivity to the Internet, including video chat and e-mail, regardless of users’ physical and cognitive abilities. Additionally, iN2L’s media library offers more than 4,000 social, educational and spiritual content options, as well as games developed specifically for individuals with cognitive challenges. Residents can realize the full benefits of interactive technology while reducing isolation, increasing cognitive stimulation and enhancing independence. For more information about iN2L, visit www.in2l.com. Access case studies, research, testimonials, and our blog on our Ideas & Insights page. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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luge trials in Salt lake City HOSTED BY USA LUGE AND WHITE CASTLE
Youth ages 9-13 to attend free clinics as part of luge recruitment weekend
WHAT: USA Luge hosts weekend of free recruitment events for Salt Lake City area youth (ages 9-13)
WHEN: Saturday, August 19 – 9:00AM – 12:00PM and 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Sunday, August 20 – 2:00PM – 5:00PM
WHERE: University Research Park, Colorow Road between Wakara Way and Chipeta Way, Salt Lake
City, UT 84108
WHO: USA Luge Olympic Team Officials
USA Luge Olympic Athletes
Media*
* The event is open to media for photography and video. Additionally, interviews with USA Luge leadership can also be pre-arranged. Please contact Shannon Hollis (shollis@paulwerth.com) or Randy Crader (rcrader@paulwerth.com) as soon as possible if this is of interest.
DETAILS: The White Castle USA Luge Slider Search, a series of clinics with sleds on wheels in the summer to find future national team members and Olympians, will slide into Salt Lake City on August 19-20.
White Castle, the nation’s first fast food hamburger chain, is an official USA Luge sponsor and is excited to bring this fun recruitment opportunity to Salt Lake City.
USA Luge’s primary recruitment event, targeting boys and girls ages 9-13, will be held at University Research Park – Colorow Road between Wakara Way and Chipeta Way. Clinics will be offered Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Participants are asked to attend one session.
Registration is required and can be completed at www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/slider-search. The sessions are free and everyone in attendance will receive an exclusive White Castle USA Luge Slider Search T-Shirt.
The mission of this grass-roots program, established in 1985, is to identify, train and qualify young athletes for the USA Luge Junior Development Team. Athletes who may progress through the six-rung development ladder (Junior Development Team, Junior Team Candidate Select, Junior Team Candidate, Junior National Team Select, Junior National Team, National Team Select) have hopes of one-day becoming members of the National and Olympic Luge Teams.
Over the years, the White Castle USA Luge Slider Search has traveled over 220,000 miles and introduced the sport of luge to more than 20,000 eager young athletes. At each series stop, guided by U.S. Olympic and National Team coaches and athletes, participants are taught the basics of riding a luge sled at controlled speeds, including positioning, steering and stopping. Once these skills are developed, athletes take several runs down a paved luge course on wheel-equipped luge sleds.
Finally, athletes test their physical skills through a battery of fitness tests. Those who show promise in the summer program are invited to Lake Placid, New York; Park City, Utah; or Muskegon, Michigan, to try luge on ice at a USA Luge sanctioned training site. The top young athletes from this group are selected for the next year’s development team.
Most of the current U.S. Junior National Team was recruited through the White Castle USA Luge Slider Search, so it’s no wonder the coaching staff feels future National and Olympic Teams will come from this recruiting program.
Register by phone at 1-800-USA-LUGE, or online at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Luge/SS-Registration-Form.
About White Castle
White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain based in Columbus, Ohio, has been making Bold Moves™ as a family-owned business for more than 95 years. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, serving The Original Slider®, made from 100 percent USDA inspected beef. Today White Castle owns and operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states. The pioneering original slider, Time Magazine’s most influential burger of all time, is served alongside a menu of creatively crafted sliders and other tasty food options. White Castle’s commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants and bakeries as well as three frozen food processing plants. The retail division markets White Castle’s famous fare in grocery, club stores, convenience stores, vending operations and concessions across the United States and in a growing number of international locations, including military base exchanges around the world.
Cravers on-the-go can access sweet deals and place a pick-up order any time in the official White Castle app. Download the app today from the iTunes App Store or Google Play. For more information on White Castle visit whitecastle.com.
