A CIBC report says Waterloo Region has the second best performing economy amongst 25 Canadian cities. The region's strong labour market, healthy population growth and low level of business bankruptcies are cited as reasons for the strong economic performance.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
BANK OF CANADA LEAVES INTEREST RATE UNCHANGED...
...no signal when hike will come
OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada has left the key overnight interest rate unchanged at one per cent amid slower than expected U.S. growth,but acknowledged that it will “eventually” have to go higher.
Economists had widely expected the Bank of Canada to leave rates unchanged in the announcement.
The latest decision on interest rates comes amid a growing credit crisis in Europe and fiscal gridlock in the United States.
However, the Canadian economy has appeared to be on track with three consecutive months of job growth and signs of inflation.
The bank’s overnight target rate affects the prime lending rate at Canada’s big banks and in turn the rates for variable rate mortgages and lines of credit.
The central bank last raised rates in September 2010.
HOUSING MARKET DRIVES ECONOMIC OPTIMISM
Although Canadians are still coping with the recession’s effects, they feel more optimistic about their personal finances and the housing market is playing a key role, a survey in Consumerology Report reveals. More than half (58 per cent) say they’re better off financially today than before the recession, and the driver of this post-recession optimism appears to be the fact that their homes or condos are worth more now than pre-recession. “Ultimately, the results show that people’s confidence is highly reliant on a strong housing market,” says Jack Bensimon, president of Bensimon Byrne, the ad agency that commissioned the survey. Visit www.consumerology.ca.
via Realtor Edge
Sunday, July 10, 2011
WHEN DID YOU GET OLD?
At some point, most brands, organizations, countries and yes, people, start talking about themselves like they're old.
"We can't stretch in that direction," or "Not bad for a 60 year old!" or "I'm just not going to be able to learn this new technology." Even countries make decisions like this, often by default. Governments decide it's just too late to change.
The incredible truth is this: it never happens at the same time for everyone. It's not biologically ordained. It's a choice. It's possible to put out a hit record at 40, run a marathon at 60 and have your 80 year old non-profit change its business model. It's not as easy as it used to be, but that's why it's worth doing.
via Seth Godin
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
AVOID COSTLY SURPRISES WITH A PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION
As a real estate professional, you invest a great deal of time, money, and energy to market your listings and you need to get a good return on that investment. Don't be caught unaware of problems that could seriously undermine your dedicated efforts to sell a home. Having a professional home inspection before you list can give you and your sellers a real advantage and will help make the most of your time and effort. A pre-listing home inspection can uncover previously unknown problems - major and minor - allowing sellers the opportunity to make repairs or replacements as needed. By addressing these issues before the home goes on the market, you can list a home with confidence in its condition and will have a better chance of maximizing its value. Being aware of issues in advance will also allow for disclosure of problems when selling, which can result in cleaner offers and a smoother transaction for both parties.
Monday, July 4, 2011
THE OVERWHELMING FEAR OF BEING WRONG
She didn't vote because she was afraid her candidate would lose.
He complains that the blog is being published too often and doesn't want to read some of the posts if he's not going to be able to keep up with all of them.
They don't want to buy insurance for their business because the policies are too complicated and they might buy the wrong one.
The family doesn't travel by plane any more because the whole endeavor is filled with apparent pitfalls.
He doesn't want to buy the book because he might not like it. It's better to waste two or three hours doing something he's certainly not going to like instead
.
She calls a meeting and then another meeting because it's easier than committing and just saying 'no'. Or 'yes.'
She calls a meeting and then another meeting because it's easier than committing and just saying 'no'. Or 'yes.'
Better not to hire a coach or go to a therapist or even pick a doctor, because you might discover that you've been doing something wrong.
They sell more wine in places where there aren't so many wines to choose from, because complicated selection processes make it easier to buy nothing.
It's far easier to be guy #8. Not your fault.
Almost every marketer I know underestimates how widespread this fear is. It is the lone barrier almost every product and service has to overcome in order to succeed.
Via Seth Godin
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