Women Blog

There are so many ways to work from home and run your own business if you put on your thinking hats. When I talk about working from home or earning money from, it need not be affiliate marketing or an online business. There are many opportunities where parents can work at home with involving an online transaction.

You can buy products wholesale and setup your own internet store if you like but other wise, you can provide the products and someone who is good in internet marketing can do the selling. If you do not want to stock items from work you can find companies that will drop ship your products for you. There are even programs you can buy online that are a complete system that shows you how to do this. But you need to compare, read reviews and find out more before committing yourself to an investment.

You can make money selling ebooks, sell textbooks, writing articles for websites and creating websites. There are so many ways to make money on the internet today as you work from home. It just takes a little research and then time on your part to really learn the best ways to promote your idea and become knowledgeable about all the different ways to advertise online.

In the last few weeks, I have been taking a break from the home office. School holidays, Christmas and then next, will be New Year. Time truly flies. I have enjoyed my role as a work at home mom and most of all, I’m thankful that I can earn money from home in the last few years.

Due to inactivity, my SERPs has dropped in my niche blogs and this calls for more work to be done when the new year begins. It’s hard to sit in the home office disturbance cos my five year old is constantly asking me to play with him. All parents can understand what I’m talking about here!

I’m reflecting on how my internet business has performed this year as 2009 comes to a close. This year, I spent lots of time on SEO and research on my niche blogs. On the learning curve, I have grown in my knowledge but I’m a little disappointed that the results are yet to be evident. With little affiliate sales here and there, I need to work harder in the New Year if I want to earn money from home. This means more hard work and focus in whatever I’m doing.

As the year comes to a close, I need to search out for low cost health insurance plans for the family. The next few days will be goal setting and spending some quality time with my family. Looking back, I am thankful for a good year.

New Year’s is usually a time for making personal resolutions, but families can use the turning of the calendar year to set goals too. “Like merchants, families should take inventory,” says Dr. Samuel Gladding, a licensed professional counselor with a specialty in family counseling and chair of the Department of Counseling at Wake Forest University.

“Family resolutions can be fun and fulfilling in that they help you as a family see the year ahead,” says Gladding, who has written several books on family and group counseling. “Making resolutions encourages families to be proactive rather than reactive. Many families get caught up in comfortable routines, but sometimes they’re not growth-promoting.”

Gladding suggests having a family meeting on New Year’s Day to take stock of what would make life better for everyone. Family meetings should be held regularly throughout the year, but January 1 is a good time to start the tradition for families who are not already sitting down to talk on a regular basis.

Here he offers some tips on how to make the most of the meetings:

Eliminate distractions: When holding a family meeting, there should be no diversions. Turn the television off and sit in a circle — around the table or on the floor — where everyone is on the same level.
Give everyone a chance to talk: The family meeting is a time to talk over issues, set goals for the year and to do some practical planning. “In a family meeting, everyone should have a voice,” Gladding says.
Set priorities: “Are certain things building up in terms of frustrations or are family members involved in too many activities that aren’t meaningful? If so, address those at the start of the year and revisit them if needed during the year,” Gladding says.
Establish goals: Use the family meeting to set goals such as eating dinner together more frequently or setting aside more time for favorite family activities, he recommends. “This is a good opportunity to decide what activities are most important and figure out how to work more of them in,” Gladding says.
Put it on the calendar: Marking some things on the calendar is also a good idea. “Families can look at the calendar and put things in place that are traditions,” Gladding says. For his family, that involves marking off a week for a vacation at a favorite beach and choosing a weekend for going with his wife and three sons to the local water park. Once those things are planned, the family can look for new adventures and opportunities.

Source: Wake Forest University

Fourteen exemplary women business leaders will step into the spotlight to receive the nation’s premier award for excellence among women’s business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Annual Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises. On Thursday, March 25, 2010, 1,000 corporate executives, WBEs and government and nonprofit VIPs will acknowledge the tenacity, drive and inventiveness demonstrated by women’s business enterprise at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

The 2010 WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise Stars are selected by WBENC’s 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) that conduct WBENC’s world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skill-building educational programs and business development opportunities with major corporations.

“Our 2010 Women’s Business Enterprise Stars represent the best that our country offers in terms of innovation and long term success,” said Linda Denny, WBENC President and CEO, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs. “They continually discover ways to meet their corporate clients’ complex needs in today’s environment.”

WBENC’s Summit & Salute is a comprehensive two-day program that offers strategic educational programs and access to thought leaders for corporations and women’s business enterprises. In delivering sophisticated resources and senior-level networking opportunities, WBENC enables the long term success of women’s businesses and the corporations they serve. Accenture is Presenting Sponsor at the Summit & Salute.

“The Summit & Salute illustrates why we say WBENC is The Opportunity Connection for women’s business enterprises,” Denny said. The Summit & Salute brings together America’s leading corporations, government agencies, women business owners and strategic partner organizations. This year’s keynote presentations and workshops will focus on business forecasts, market trends, best practices, and networking environments conducive to business.

The following 2010 WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise Stars will be recognized for leadership in their respective local business communities, inspiration to other women business owners, and active roles at the helm of successful certified businesses:

LaSonya Berry, CEO, McPherson, Berry & Associates, Inc., representing Greater Women’s Business Council. www.mcphersonberry.com
Sandy Hunter, President, Hunter Hawk, Inc., representing Astra Women’s Business Alliance. www.hunterhawk.com
Kari Heistad, CEO, Culture Coach International, representing the Center for Women & Enterprise. www.culturecoach.biz
Katherine Mlakar, Chairman of the Board, The Millcraft Paper Company, representing Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council. www.millcraft.com
Terri Quinton, President, Q2 Marketing Group, representing Women’s Business Council -Southwest. www.q2marketinggroup.com
Kimberly Holstein, President/CEO and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer), Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, representing Women’s Business Development Center – Chicago. www.kimandscotts.com
Claudette Stroble, President, Orlando Conference Management Group, Inc., representing Women’s Business Development Center – Florida.  www.ocmg.net
Sue Pistone, CEO/President, Sue Pistone & Associates, representing Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance. suepistone@suepistone.com
Denise Kanaar, CEO, D & D Logistics LLC, representing Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Great Lakes. www.d-dlogistics.com
Judith Zimmerman, President & CEO, Artcraft & Foremost, representing Women’s Business Enterprise Council – PA-DE-sNJ.  www.artcraftpromos.com
Michele Vignes, President/CEO, Universal Personnel, LLC, representing Women’s Business Enterprise Council South www.universal-personnel.com
Laurie Travis, President, LT Evention, representing Women’s Business Enterprise Council – West. www.ltevention.com
Jennifer Collins, President, The Event Planning Group, representing Women Presidents’ Educational Organization – DC. www.tepgevents.com
Julie Levi, President, Progressive Promotions, Inc., representing Women Presidents’ Educational Organization – NY. www.progressivepromotions.com

Source: The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Let me guess. Most of you work at home moms have finished your Christmas gift wrapping and did all your Christmas dinner preparation. Well, tis the season to be jolly so make sure you are taking a break from your home office and enjoy yourself with your family and loved ones.

I know this is not a time to talk about working from home or any sort of business matters. But as I was having a Christmas eve lunch with a group of friends, the conversation drifted from order fulfillment a topic pertaining to work at home moms and dads. Many of my friends are wondering how setting up a home business is possible. Here’s some pointers to consider.

Even with a home business you should set a certain time aside each day to work on your business. Do your best to stick with a work schedule just as you would at any other job. If you plan to work eight hours per day, let this be the limit and don’t neglect your family and personal hobbies. You’ll need some time away from your desk and/or computer to relax and clear your thoughts. Also, remember to exercise. Working on a computer in your home office all day can be detrimental to your physical health if you neglect daily exercise.

If working a part-time schedule, keep on track with your home business and lifestyle by setting aside a few hours or one whole day each week to work. Some of you might work at another full-time job while building your home office business, so keep a healthy balance between the two and don’t over-work yourself.

Have a blessed Christmas, everyone.

This year retailers impose stricter guidelines, especially on open items

Even the most fool-proof gifts are subject to returns. In fact, 19% of people plan on returning a gift after the holidays, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll. But returning items may not be as easy or affordable as in years past. Holiday headaches will last long after the season is over, as return shipping costs, restocking fees and other gotchas prevail.

Most retailers have perfectly reasonable return policies, but some are better than others, according to Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks. “With so many stores selling the same or similar merchandise, where you buy can almost be as important as what you buy,” said Marks, who pens the “Tightwad Tod” shopping blog on www.ConsumerReports.org. “However, there is good news: Most big retailers will generally accept returns on merchandise purchased between November and Christmas through the end of January.”

Hassle-free return tactics

Because even the best gifts don’t always fare well with recipients, it’s best to be prepared before the purchase is made. Check privacy policies and terms of agreement, not just the returns section of a retailer’s site. Consumer Reports also recommends shoppers should:

– Get a receipt or gift receipt. Despite longer grace periods, retailers are becoming more insistent on a receipt in order to get a refund, and they’re more inclined to turn away customers without proof of purchase. Without a receipt, they may offer a store credit for the lowest price the item sold for.
– Keep packaging intact. Stores are likely to refuse a return if the packaging materials are open or discarded. Even a missing instruction manual, cords and cables or warranty card can give retailers reason to deny the return.
– Be wary online. Don’t just throw it in a box and mail it back. Online returns usually require a packing slip (typically included in any gift order), and a return authorization number. Call ahead to ensure that all requirements are being met.
– Don’t break seals or cut out UPC codes. Items like computer software, video games, CDs and DVDs aren’t generally returnable for another title after the seal has been broken. If an item comes with a rebate offer, make sure it works before removing the UPC code to redeem the rebate.

Don’t get stuck paying restocking fees

A restocking fee is a fee imposed on a consumer who returns an item. It covers the cost of processing the return, the costs associated with returning the item to the store’s shelves, and any lost revenue as a result of the store’s inability to sell that item as new. More products carry a restocking fee if the package has been opened, but if the item is defective before it’s used, the store should not charge a restocking fee.

Typically fees range from 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price. Items more likely to have restocking fees include camcorders, TVs, digital cameras, and computers; however Consumer Reports found some not-so-hot returns policies that harbor a variety of restocking fees, including:

– Amazon.com: 15% restocking fees for computers and fine jewelry.
– Best Buy: 15% restocking fees on laptops, camcorders, digital cameras and GPS navigators.
– Bidz.com: 15% restocking fee on all items. Plus shoppers have only 15 days to return items.
– Sears: 15% restocking fee applies to electronics products returned without the original box, used, and without all of the original packaging. The penalty also applies to some other products.
– Home Depot: special-orders and some cancelled orders are subject to a 15 percent restocking fee.
– Macys: 10% restocking fee on furniture.
– Newegg.com: 15% restocking fee on all major purchases if the box is opened.

The bottom line when it comes to restocking fees: Don’t open the package unless there is no possibility of a return.

The best policies

Consumer Reports scanned various policies at a number of notable retailers and found the return period ranged from 30 days to as many as 180 days. Standout retailers to make Consumer Reports’ list for best policies include Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale’s, Costco, Ikea, Kmart, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Nike, Nordstrom, Piperlime.com, Sam’s Club, and Shoebuy.com.

Some chains offer exemplary policies year round including Orvis, LL Bean, Land’s End, and Zappos. All four retailers will take back unwanted merchandise, no questions asked. Zappos gives you a year to decide and asks that the goods be returned in their original packaging and condition. The others simply say you can return anything at any time for any reason.

Major retailers: what to expect

Wal-mart allows for 90 days for a full refund, except for electronics (it’s 15 to 45 days depending on the gadget). Target grants 90 days for a refund with a receipt (some electronics have a 15% restocking fee). An even exchange is offered without a receipt, up to $70 worth of merchandise within a year.

Sears has a 90-day refund or exchange policy for most goods, 30 days on electronics, customized jewelry and other items including mattresses. Macy’s has a number of limitations on items from furniture to jewelry.

Online retailers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com have strict limitations on what can be returned. For example, Amazon does not allow computers to be returned after 30 days and Overstock doesn’t accept returned TVs over a certain size.

Source: Consumer Reports

World’s #1 Food Site Reveals What Made Technology Tops with Home Cooks

In 2009, technology played an increasingly significant role in how America cooks, earning itself recognition as Allrecipes.com’s top food trend for 2009. One and a half billion Americans visited food sites in 2009, consuming 11 billion pages of food-focused content, making the web a top resource for America’s meal-planning needs (ComScore). Allrecipes found cooks are not only viewing recipes from their computers in record numbers, they are also using mobile devices at an increased rate to search for meal ideas on the go. Of those with smart phones, nearly 50 percent reported using the device while grocery shopping.

As the world’s #1 food site, Allrecipes has a unique perspective to study America’s growing use of technology for meal planning and preparation. According to a recent survey of its community, Allrecipes found one in five homes now have computers dedicated to their kitchen and the most common use is viewing recipes while cooking (86 percent). Moreover, this emergence of high-tech kitchen aids has made it faster and easier to plan family meals, sparking a renewed love and appreciation for cooking.

Meals on the Move!

Beyond the kitchen, busy home cooks are also using mobile devices more than ever to help plan and shop for their meals. According to an Allrecipes survey, 43 percent of home cooks with smart phones used the device while grocery shopping to look up recipes, create grocery lists, conduct price comparisons, and look up coupons.

Page views of Allrecipes from a mobile device increased five times the rate of other devices (e.g. desktop, laptop, etc.) in the past 16 months. In Nov. alone, Allrecipes received more than 1 million visits from mobile devices. Home cooks can also find recipes on the go with the Allrecipes Dinner Spinner, the #1 food app for the iPhone, which has been downloaded on more than 2 million iPhone and iTouch devices since launching in Dec. 2008.

“Our emphasis at Allrecipes is always about using technology to simplify the lives of our community so they can fit home cooking into their increasingly busy schedules,” said Lisa Sharples, president of Allrecipes. “By constantly innovating and offering the latest technologies, we’ve made Allrecipes a convenient and easy-to-use resource no matter where they are or what they are doing.”

Renewed Joy of Cooking

It’s no surprise Americans are eating more meals at home. In fact, according to the Allrecipes survey, 49 percent of families increased the number of meals prepared at home in 2009 as compared to 2008. However, while the economy was the top factor in 2008 for cooking at home, in 2009, a true appreciation and joy of cooking emerged as a stronger motivator. Thirty percent of survey respondents cited “enjoying cooking and trying new recipes” as their main reason for eating at home, up 40 percent from 2008. This renewed joy of cooking might be a result of how easy technology has made meal planning, and how it has made cooking less intimidating and time-consuming.

“By making recipe searches and meal planning easy and accessible from a laptop or even a mobile phone – technology has made getting into the kitchen simpler for people,” Sharples continued. “And once there, they are finding out how rewarding home cooking and gathering the family around the table can be.”

A Look Ahead – Allrecipes’ 2010 Predictions

• Men will get in the recipe game. With more gadgets and ways to use technology in both the kitchen and grocery store, men will narrow the demographic gap, increasing use of recipe sites and technologies in 2010. BBQ season 2010 will be huge online!

• Phones will become even more indispensable in the kitchen of the future. In 2010 phones might do even more to help get dinner on the table sound alerts when the pantry is getting bare, place an order for home grocery delivery, and possibly find a way to preheat the oven before you arrive home from work!

• Frugal home cooks will use technology to their advantage in 2010. Coupons can be zapped to mobile devices in real time as consumers walk supermarket aisles to help keep budgets in line. Now that’s smart.

• Fewer celebrities, more home cooks! Food web sites, blogs, and Twitter will be even more popular, making home cooks the real stars in the kitchen in 2010.

Source: Allrecipes.com

BabyNames.com Announces Top Names of the Year

BabyNames.com has released the top, most popular baby names of 2009 and the winners are Aidan and Amelia! The most popular name lists are compiled each year from the preferences of millions of visitors to the BabyNames.com website.

“Aidan is still the clear favorite for boys,” says Mallory Moss, co-founder of BabyNames.com. “It has been at the top of the list since 2003.”

However, on the girls’ list there is a new #1 name: Amelia. Moss says Amelia follows the popular trend of giving girls “old-fashioned” names. The runners-up were Isabella, Ava, Sophia, and Olivia. Both Amelia and Isabella beat out the name Ava this year, which had been ranked #1 since 2006.

What creates baby-naming trends? Anything from celebrity babies to popular literature.

“This is the first year the name Vivienne hit the top 100 girls’ names, and it’s no coincidence that it was the name of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s baby girl, born last year,” says Moss.

The Twilight book and movie series is also having a big influence on baby name popularity, as its character names Edward, Bella, Isabella, Emmett, Jacob, Jasper and Esme have all hit the top 100.

The full list of 100 top names of 2009 can be found on the BabyNames.com website: http://www.babynames.com/

BABYNAMES.COM’S TOP 20 BABY NAMES FOR 2009

Name statistics include alternate spellings of the same name

Top Girls’ Names 2009
Amelia
Isabella
Ava
Sophia
Olivia
Madeline
Lily
Abigail
Chloe
Emma
Charlotte
Ella
Addison
Elizabeth
Grace
Audrey
Emily
Bella
Hannah
Isabelle

Top Boys’ Names 2009
Aiden
Noah
Liam
Caden
Ethan
Jackson
Landon
Jacob
Caleb
Lucas
Braden
Benjamin
Gavin
Connor
Elijah
Oliver
Alexander
Owen
Gabriel
Logan

Source: BabyNames.com LLC

Water-Themed and Racing Events Lead Adrenaline-Fueled New Year’s Traditions Around the United States and Europe

TripAdvisor announced the top 10 extreme New Year’s celebrations in the U.S. and Europe, according to TripAdvisor editors. For travelers looking to feel a surge of adrenaline, or work up a sweat while ringing in 2010, these exceptional New Year’s events offer extreme outdoor activities and celebrations sure to push travelers’ limits.

For those still in search of a New Year’s Eve hotel, TripAdvisor.com site data has revealed Tampa, with average hotel rates of $139, as the top last-minute bargain destination among major U.S. cities for a hotel stay on the night of December 31. New York City, with average hotel rates at $619, is the most ‘extremely’ priced destination for a last-minute getaway on New Year’s Eve.

1. ‘Nude’ Year’s Eve: Miami, Florida

For those who can’t decide what to wear for the big night, Miami’s ‘Nude Year’s Eve’ celebration on Haulover Beach lets 500 bold travelers ditch the threads and go au natural. Who needs a full moon to gaze at, when you’re surrounded by fellow moon-ers who dare to bare? All-inclusive tickets cost $129.

2. Loony Dip: Edinburgh, Scotland

Part of the world-famous Hogmanay celebration, this year marks the 24th annual “Loony Dook,” a freezing, watery wake-up call in Edinburgh on New Year’s Day. At noon, more than 600 ‘Loonies’ parade in their ‘fancy dress’ (a.k.a. costumes) behind a band of pipers before taking a dip into the chilly waters of the River Forth.

3. Light a Torch: Girdwood, Alaska

Strap on the skis, grab hold of a fiery pole, and join hundreds of intrepid skiers as they traverse down Mount Alyeska’s slopes in the darkness at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Officially called a Torchlight Parade, this tradition is open only to participants 14 years or older who are intermediate level skiers and snowboarders.

4. Festive Freefall: Zephyrhills, Florida

Travelers – or fliers to be exact – can literally get the party jumping with a midnight skydive from 14,000 feet. This year, some 600 bold skydivers from across the world are expected to jump over Zephyrhills as part of the Christmas and New Year’s Skydive Boogie, run out of Skydive City at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

5. Party with Paddles: San Francisco, California

To participate in a truly unique New Year’s Eve celebration off shore, up to thirty travelers can sign up with City Kayak, a local tour company, to paddle around San Francisco Bay while experiencing the city’s best view of the fireworks. First time kayakers are prohibited, and tickets start at $97 for adults and $87 for kids.

6. Sea of Orange: Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands

At noon on New Year’s Day, the North Sea off of Scheveningen Beach will take on a brighter hue, when 10,000 daring participants wearing vibrant orange hats and quirky garb descend upon The Hague’s popular seaside resort district for the annual Nieuwjaarsduik, or New Year’s Dive. Thick-skinned swimmers will endure frigid sea temperatures for a good cause, as one Euro per participant will be donated to a local charity.

7. The Other Bubbly: Torrevieja, Spain

For those truly looking to soak up the New Year, Max Scuba Diving in Torrevieja plans to host an underwater dive in support of Project Aware, a foundation dedicated to conserving underwater environments. The splash down takes place after dark and is open to any level of certified diver. All proceeds for this event will go to Project Aware.

8. Celebratory Sprint: New York, New York

For the uber passionate runners out there, or those just looking to work off holiday meals, the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run four mile race through Central Park is an ideal New Year’s Eve event. With a fireworks show and costume parade thrown into the mix, this celebration is expected to bring out 5,000 jolly joggers beginning at 10 p.m. Entry fees range from $35-55.

9. Pucker Up: Venice, Italy

On New Year’s Eve, more than 60,000 people will welcome 2010 by locking lips in Venice’s San Marco Square as part of “Love 2010,” the world’s largest communal kiss. A unique way to warm up and get your heart thumping, this annual event aims to be a worldwide symbol of love, peace and brotherhood.

10. A Nose for New Year’s: Barcelona, Spain

With the goal of ending 2009 in “the most sporting way possible,” the city of Barcelona expects more than 4,300 “noses” to hit the pavement for a 10 kilometer road race on December 31 at 5:30 p.m. Called the Cursa dels Nassos, or “Race of the Noses,” the event is named after the man of many noses of Catalan legend who only appears on New Year’s Eve. Registration is open until December 27 and costs 12 Euros to participate.

“New Year’s Eve is a great excuse for travelers to let their hair down and push their limits,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, or just want to get a jump start on your resolution to become more active, we’ve identified some exceptionally extreme events to get pulses racing in 2010.”

U.S. businesses intend to hire more part-time working mothers than their international counterparts.

Hiring part-time mothers helps businesses leverage the best talent as economic recovery continues.

A recent global study of over 11,000 corporations across 15 countries commissioned by Regus (www.regus.com), the global provider of innovative workspace solutions, found that 44 percent of companies worldwide plan to hire more mothers for part-time jobs over the next two years. The study found that among U.S. firms, 46 percent reported plans to recruit more mothers into their workplaces over the next two years.

U.S. Survey Results At-A-Glance

• 46 percent of U.S. businesses reported they will recruit more part-time working mothers.
• 47 percent of larger companies (more than 1,000 employees) expect to recruit more part-time mothers in their workplaces.
• 39 percent of smaller firms expect to see more part-time workers, less than any other size bracket.
• Media and Marketing businesses have the greatest level of hiring expectations at 51 percent.
• Manufacturing and Production businesses have the lowest level of hiring expectations at 41 percent.

The findings indicate that the American work culture overall is eager to support the balance between work and family responsibilities.

“As businesses worldwide take tentative steps toward recovery, we are starting to see the emergence of shifting workplace strategies,” said Guillermo Rotman, chief executive officer of the Regus Group Americas. “Businesses have learned that adhering to a rigid 9-to-5, 5-days-a-week mentality with no room for flexibility can mean sacrificing talented workers – and in a time when companies are focusing on cutting costs and maximizing profitability, firms can’t afford to operate without the best and brightest talent available.”

While America’s hiring practices registered positively on the global scale, the nation still faces numerous challenges in making the workplace suitably flexible for working mothers. The Society for Human Resource Management found that only 35 percent of American companies offer health insurance for part-time employees, just 16 percent of businesses offer job-sharing, and only 11 percent offer stress reduction programs.

“While we have seen that companies intend to take on more mothers as part of their strategy to combat the financial downturn, there is much work to be done in making the transition from maternity leave back to the workforce as smooth as possible,” said Rotman. “Allowing mothers to take advantage of workplace flexibility demonstrates an understanding of the challenges that they face and paves the way for them to be more productive and less stressed at work.”

According to Rotman, one of the most significant factors in improving employees’ work-life balance is offering the flexibility to work remotely, either in whole or in part. Flexible workplace solutions are now available that allow corporations to offer those mothers returning to the workforce the ability to work full or part-time from home, along with a whole host of other workplace possibilities. By taking advantage of such measures, businesses worldwide will be better positioned to attract and retain the most talented personnel to their working environments.

U.S. Survey Results

The overview of American companies’ hiring intentions varied from sector to sector in Regus’ survey. The Media & Marketing industry has the greatest level of hiring expectations (51%), versus only 41 percent of the Manufacturing & Production field. The latter figure reflects the sector’s historically male-dominated make-up.

On the global level, company size seems to have little impact on a firm’s intentions to take on more returning mothers in 2010 and 2011. In firms consisting of 1,000 employees or more, 47 percent expect to bring on more part-time mothers in their workplaces, whereas 44 percent of firms with 1-250 employees figure to hire more part-time mothers. Mid-size firms (250-999 employees) expect to see the fewest amount of returning part-time mothers than any other size bracket at 39 percent.

American businesses expecting to hire more returning mothers over the next two years by sector
All Sectors Average 47%
Media & Marketing 51%
Healthcare & Medicine 50%
Consultancy & Services 49%
Banking, Finance, & Insurance 46%
Retail 46%
ICT 44%
Manufacturing & Production 41%

Global Viewpoint
Businesses expecting to hire more returning mothers over the next two years

Global Average 44%
India 64%
Australia 55%
Mexico 54%
S Africa 51%
China 50%
Germany 48%
USA 46%
Canada 41%
Spain 38%
UK 38%
France 33%
Belux (Fr) 28%
ND 24%

Methodology

The Regus Business Tracker surveyed over 11,000 business respondents from 13 countries from the Regus global contacts database during August and September 2009. The Regus global contacts database of over 1 million business-people worldwide is highly representative of senior managers and owners in service businesses across the globe. In this research project, respondents were asked about their hiring intentions with regards to new mothers returning to part-time work over the next two years. The survey was managed and administered by the independent organisation, MarketingUK.

Source: Regus