Everybody’s doing it – social media – but is it being used effectively? How do you even tell...?

According to the Pew Research Center, 71 percent of the adult online population is using Facebook and 52 percent of Internet users regularly logged on to at least two social networks in 2014. So if almost everyone is online, using social media, that means your small business should be on social media too, right? Well, LinkedIn and market research firm TNS found that 81 percent of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) use social media.

While a large percentage of the population is on social media and a significant number of SMBs are making social media a part of their marketing budgets, how can these businesses be sure their social media programs are paying off? Do large numbers of Facebook shares or Instagram likes really translate into sales?

The real estate market has seen steady and consecutive growth for the past five months. Though instead of growing the streak to six, June saw a lapse in the number of signed contracts for home buyers. The drop in June, 1.8 percent on the pending home sales index, brings it to 110.3 overall. Still, an improvement over the last 12 months where we saw a jump of 8.2 percent overall.

Pending sales act as a barometer for future purchases because of the lag, generally a month or two, which exists between contract and a completed sale. Does this decline indicate a peak in the steady growth we have over the last year or is this just a small hiccup in even bigger growth to come?

It is an honor to announce that our very own President, CEO and founder, Bob Bagga, is being awarded the 2015 Hall of Fame Award. This is the highest honor that the International Reciprocal Trade Association can bestow.

Bob will receive this renowned award at IRTA’s 36^th annual international convention in Cabo San Lucas’ Solmar Resort later this year.

Healthy employees equal happy, productive employees and this year businesses across the country are making changes to ensure their employees have the best opportunities for health.

In fact, “93 percent of employers say that employee health is important to the bottom line; however, only 22 percent of small firms offer wellness programs,” according to one report commissioned by the National Small Business Association and Humana Inc.

The construction market is shifting at all times. Like other industries, construction firms merge and divest as industry growth ebbs and flows. The decision to associate with other partners can be crucial for success if based on the right business factors.

Construction firms need a lot of capital to be successful. In the case of homebuilding, the homeowner will pay only a small deposit with regular progress payments, but the homebuilder must buy all of the materials in advance and must pay laborers weekly. Thus, they are fronting a significant amount of capital before they, themselves, are paid. If deadlines slip or issues arise, this can strain their finances. When mergers and other activities impact their capital, they must take notice.