Posted on: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wealth important to most Americans
Compiled by John MacIntyre
Percentage of Americans who say it is "very or somewhat important" for them to be wealthy, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends project: 57
Percentage who say it is not important at all: 10
TV TALK
Percentage of American workers who say talking about television at work increases office camaraderie, according to a Spherion survey: 40
According to women, ranks of "American Idol" (36 percent) and "Dancing With the Stars" (21 percent) as the two most discussed TV programs at work: 1, 2
According to men, ranks of "American Idol" (36 percent) and "Lost" (15 percent) as the two most discussed TV programs at work: 1, 2
MEMORIES
Percentage of Web users in the U.S. and the U.K. who say they use just one password for all their online accounts, according to a survey conducted by Accenture: 49
Percentage of Americans who say they don't write down their passwords: 49
CONFIDENT ATTITUDES
Percentage of employers who say personal characteristics are the most important factor when assessing college graduates for potential employment, according to a survey conducted by Monster: 43
Percentage of prospective graduates who expect to receive two or more job offers upon graduation: 73
FOR BETTER OR WORSE
Percentage of U.S. workers who say women are treated differently than men in the workplace, according to a study conducted by Adecco: 59
Percentage who say women are treated worse than men: 42
Percentage who say women are treated better: 17
CULTURE OVER STYLE
Percentage of advertising and marketing executives who said "acclimating to a firm's corporate culture" is the greatest challenge for professionals starting a new job, according to a survey by the Creative Group: 42
Percentage who cited "learning new business protocols" as the greatest challenge: 30
Percentage who said "adapting to a new manager's style": 11
MORNING PEOPLE
Percentage of Americans who are awake by 7 a.m., ready for work and out the door in an hour or less, according to a survey conducted by Braun Research for Panera Bread: 80
Percentage who eat breakfast every day: 61
Percentage who say they would opt for a good breakfast over 15 minutes of extra sleep: 75
JOB SATISFACTION
Percentage of all employed executives who report they are satisfied with their current jobs, according to a survey by ExecuNet: 60
Ranks of "boredom" and "a lack of advancement" as the sources of discontent among employed executives who are not satisfied with their current jobs: 1, 2
Of executives who are not satisfied, the percentage who pointed toward compensation as the reason they're looking to leave their current company: 12
IN THE MONEY
Rank of the Commercial Bank of China among the world's largest banks in terms of market capitalization at the end of 2007, according to a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group: 1
Number of Chinese banks among the world's top four banks in terms of market capitalization at the end of 2007: 3
'MOM JOB'
Annual projected salary for a stay-at-home mother, based on the time spent performing the 10 most popular "mom job" functions — housekeeper, daycare center teacher, cook, laundry machine operator, computer operator, psychologist, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and janitor — according to www.Salary.com's 2008 determination: $116,805
Annual projected salary for a working mom: $68,405
IDLE THOUGHT
"I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves."
— Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher
Readers can contact John MacIntyre at johnmacintyre@bwr.eastlink.ca.
