Top 10 Dying Industries

WSJ.com, WSJ Bogs - Real Time Economics
By Phil Izzo
March 28, 2011

The U.S. Economy is recovering from a severe recession, but some industries are unlikely to ever fully bounce back.

A new analysis by research firm IBISWorld looks at 10 industries that appear to be dying. The list isn't exactly shocking, but it represents a mix of sectors that are being left behind by technology or have been hurt by cheaper overseas competition.

The biggest industry profiled by IBISWorld is wired telecom carriers, largely being supplanted by cell phones and the internet. The dominance of the Web and digital media also puts Newspaper publishers, record stores and video-rental companies on the list. Meanwhile photofinishing also takes its place among the top 10 dying industries thanks to the growing influence of digital photography.

to read the full article, and see the rest of the top 10... click here.

Check out... 5 Ways to Make a Bad Economy Better

Published October 12, 2010
FoxNews.com

The economic forecasts just keep getting worse.

The National Association for Business Economics released a study Monday downgrading its growth prediction from 3.2 percent to 2.6 percent for this year, with next dragging along at the same pace. The forecast showed the jobless rate hovering above 9 percent through 2011.

The study comes after the Congressional Budget Office pegged growth next year at 2 percent, a pace the office described as "anemic" compared with other post-recession recoveries.

So what can the government do about it? Washington has been pushing out bold, new economic proposals since the recession started, but one glance at the job-fair crowds these days would prove these proposals have had limited effect.

There is no shortage of comments in the suggestion box. FoxNews.com has compiled recommendations from top economists about what Washington can do to give the country's job market and productivity a kick in the pants...

To read the full article... click here.

Check out 5 Things Small Businesses Want from Washington | Business News Daily

5 Things Small Businesses Want From Washington

August 23, 2010
By Jeanette Mulvey
Business News Daily Managing Editor

Hardly a day passes without President Obama calling on Congress to pass the small business bill in September. The legislation would free up $30 billion in loans and institute a number of tax credits for small businesses. Small business owners are skeptical about how effective the bill will be.

Business News Daily asked 50 small business owners across the country how Washington can help get their businesses back on track. Five key trends emerged.

Ease lending requirements...
Repeal 1099 reporting requirements...
Make it easier to get government contracts...
Communicate better...
Get out of the way...

"Let business do what it does best: Make stuff and provide services that meet the needs of the customers." said Paul Chase, a Pennsylvania-based real estate agent. "There is certainly a need for some regulation, but companies are being regulated to death."

To read the full article... click here.

Let's discuss economic "recovery" for local small businesses...

By the local Business Sherpa himself, Larry Battershell.

The longer I talk to small business owners around the Indianapolis area and listen to endless tales of woe, the more convinced I am that the much touted economic "recovery" is not either U shaped or W shaped but more of a descending staircase--down a few steps-plateau, down a few more steps--plateau,etc....guess its better than a fast plunge on free falling elevator....... I will keep looking for the "green shoots".