Nothing illustrates how the skills gap is more than just a U.S. problem than a good infographic. The survey by CareerBuilder reports how employers worldwide have job positions they just cannot fill and how it is affecting their economy.
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From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
If you don’t know Moody’s you’re probably not alone. But for those in the financial game Moody’s is essentially a numbers think tank which is engaged in a lot of predictions in all things money related. When Moody’s has good news the stock markets react favorably. That’s why the recent edicts issued from them are being looked at as very good news indeed. Officially, the “downside risks for the global economy had receded in the past three months.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement of confidence but certainly enough to build on. You go, Moody’s.
MOODY’S SAYS DOWNSIDE RISKS TO GLOBAL ECONOMY HAVE ABATED
(Reuters) — Moody’s Investor Services on Tuesday said downside risks for the global economy had receded in the past three months, though a number of dangers still remained. In its latest Global Macro Risk Scenarios report, the ratings agency also said it expected economic growth to be slow in many countries. Read More...
From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
In a competitive marketplace, a company that waits for customers to beat a path to their door could quickly find themselves out of business. You have to hit the pavement and drum up business. The same can be said when an entire city is looking for new job opportunities for its residents. Recently, some reps from San Jose packed their bags and headed to the Far East in the hopes of bringing business back to the California hub. San Jose has the backing of the federal government who is doing all they can to turn the tide of outsourcing back to our shores. Let’s hope this is a resounding success.
IN GLOBAL ECONOMY, CITIES LIKE SAN JOSE LOOK OVERSEAS FOR INVESTMENT
By John Boudreau reporting for the San Jose Mercury News
TOKYO — Like a band of startup executives looking for funding, a delegation of San Jose officials hit the ground in one of the world’s most vibrant metropolises with an elevator pitch that included boasts of the city’s diverse demography, its innovation economy and offers to assist companies and investors willing to set up operations on the other side of the world. Read More...
From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to any type of conference. Although if I were going to pick a conference to go to it would certainly be the one going down in Davos. That would be Davos, Switzerland where the slopes are running fast and the chocolate is dreamy. This is where 2,500 of the worlds smartest thinkers have gathered to talk about all kinds of world stuff.
The official title is the World Economic Summit but they’ll cover all the bases. There will probably be a bunch of committee reports issued. A lot of new Facebook friends will make connections. And there will be the proverbial “class picture” of as many folks as they can get to stand still on one location.
ECONOMY, GLOBAL PROBLEMS DOMINATE AT DAVOS
Written by Edith M. Lederer Associated Press
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — The fragile state of the world economy, coupled with the relentless turmoil in Syria and the rocky fallout from the Arab Spring, dominated discussions during this year’s annual gathering of the global elite at Davos, leaving many participants uneasy about what lies ahead as they left for home Sunday. Read More...
From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
Who can remember the last winter Olympics? Don’t have a clue where they were held? Doesn’t matter because we’re looking forward to the Sochi Games in 2014. Where’s Sochi you might ask? That would be deep in the heart of Russia. Construction is already under way for new hockey rinks, sky slopes and curling centers. Good times ahead.
While all that is going on, Russia (like every other country) is looking for ways to fix its aging infrastructure without breaking the Moscow bank. Looks like they might be able to shave off 30 billion a year of the 50 billion a year they have earmarked. Now, I might not be a genius at math but if you budgeted 50 billion but only plan to spend 20 billion doesn’t that mean that a) you’re accountants should be fired and/or b) a lot of bridges and roads aren’t going to be built?
REPORT SAYS $30BLN IN INFRASTRUCTURE SAVINGS POSSIBLE
By Roland Oliphant
R
ussia could save more than $30 billion a year out of the $50 billion it has earmarked for infrastructure spending by 2030 through simple efficiencies and a more discriminating choice of projects, according to a new report. Read More...
From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
What’s a few trillion dollars among friends? That could be the topic of conversation and the next several world summit type of meetings. According to the number crunchers, we, and by we I mean the planet, is going to need to spend around 57 trillion on infrastructure by 2030 or yes, all the bridges and roads will come tumbling down. If America is to take the lead, we’re off to a weak start. According to this blog from the Washington Post, President Obama just asked for $50 billion to fix a bunch of infrastructure but that’s a) not nearly enough and b) doesn’t address the need for new project expansions. We’ve got to do better.
MCKINSEY: WORLD NEEDS $57 TRILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE BY 2030. YES, TRILLION WITH A ‘T’
Posted by Dylan Matthews
High up on the list of stuff that President Obama wants and Congress won’t provide is more funding for infrastructure programs. His American Jobs Act proposal from 2011 includes $50 billion in spending to improve railroads, airports and roads, and another $10 billion to inaugurate an infrastructure bank to fund other programs going forward. During the fiscal cliff negotiations, he reportedly wanted $50 billion to $75 billion in infrastructure spending in exchange for cuts. Read More...
