In a recent survey by RefreshLeadership.com, Express Employment Professionals’ blog for business leaders, readers were asked about their most common reason for terminating an employee. Here’s a chart of the results:
Poor Work Ethic: 62%
Employee Skill Gaps: 11%
Poor Cultural Fit: 5.5%
Left Voluntarily: 4%
Other: 17.5%
Source: www.refreshleadership.com
Winegrape Acreage Up
In 2013, California’s estimated winegrape acreage
increased 4.4% to 570,000 acres, according to the recent California Grape Acreage Report for the 2013 Crop Year . Of these total acres, 525,000 were bearing and 45,000 were nonbearing. The leading wine type varieties continued to be Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Zinfandel, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Source: www.wineinstitute.org
Positive Momentum
Union Bank’s 2014 Small Business Economic Survey shows that while more small business owners incurred layoffs in 2013, a growing number report increased sales and optimism about the overall economy, with slightly fewer owners planning to trim staff in 2014.While the majority of entrepreneurs (59%) still believe the national economy is headed in the wrong direction, there was a significant increase in those who believe the national economy is headed in the right direction (41%), up 10% from last year and up 16% from 2012.
In terms of the economic outlook in the state where their business is located, while 51% believe it’s headed in the wrong direction, 49% believe it’s headed in the right direction, up 8% from last year and up 15% from 2012. And despite a 4% rise in layoffs, most respondents plan to maintain the same staffing and capital expenditures, with more businesses (26%) planning to boost capital spending and fewer companies (6%) anticipating layoffs in 2014.
Source: www.unionbank.com
With an emphasis on sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming, the world’s 500 million family farmers have the potential to change the health of our planet. A report titled Food Tank by the Numbers: Family Farming, by Food Tank, which includes research from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, shows 75% of Earth’s plant genetic resources have been lost, but that family farmers are protecting plant diversity worldwide. By planting diversified and indigenous crops, they have the potential to produce between 20% to 60% more yields than farmers who only produce one crop. To date, it’s estimated that family farmers produce approximately 56% of the world’s agricultural products. The report also states that, if only 10,000 small- and medium-sized farms converted to organic, sustainable production, the environmental effect would be equivalent to removing more than 1 million cars from the road.
Source: www.foodtank.com
