Compiled by Vicky Nolan
Not Enough IT Professionals to Fill Existing Positions
So you need to hire some more programmers or a webmaster. Good luck doing it, because nearly half of all IT jobs remain unfilled, according to International Data Corporation.
Last year, of 773,000 American IT recruitment efforts, only 60 percent of all existing positions were filled versus new ones. Further, attrition and turnover will cost U.S. businesses a whopping $7.6 billion in 2002. And paying IT professionals will cost more; in some areas entry-level software developers are receiving 25 percent more salary than last year.
Even in Western Europe, which accounts for 28 percent of IT revenues, the outlook for employers is grim. IDC estimates that demand there for IT workers will increase from 106 percent of supply in 1999 to 123 percent in 2002. Plus, many nations are loosing workers to nations with stronger economies and
greater pay.
"Still, when IT industry leaders petition governments to expand the number of visas for visiting workers at the same time that many older IT professionals, minority youths, and non-technical graduates have trouble finding jobs, something is wrong," said IDC's Geoffrey Dutton.
www.idc.com
What Can Advertising Accomplish?
A new survey from MediaMetrix finds a strong correlation between ad impressions and unique visitors. The survey studied advertising spending by post-IPO companies and found that their advertising dollars have been well spent.
As these post-IPO companies increased their ad impressions, the survey found the number of new visitors to their sites increased correspondingly.
"All Internet advertisers hope and pray that their online ad expenditures translate into increased site traffic," said a representative. "The fact that this correlation is so high for post-IPO companies suggests that any thought of aborting their online advertising campaigns in light of the recent market downturn should be reconsidered."
www.mediametrix.com
In another Internet advertising study, AdKnowledge's quarterly Online Advertising Report, came to four conclusions:
- ROI Impact of Internet Advertising is Greater Than Previously Thought
There are 33 percent more conversion events, such as purchases, registrations, etc., from users who only viewed an ad, but did not click, than from users who clicked on an ad.
- Ad Conversions Peak Mid-Week
During the first quarter, AdKnowledge found 38 percent more activity took place at noon Mondays through Wednesdays, than at noon on Saturdays.
- Web Advertising Growth Continues to Rise
During the first quarter of 2000, the number of sites and networks grew by 723 or 22 percent.
- CPMs Continue to Stabilize
Average CPM (cost per thousand) impressions remained nearly the same, falling only .48 percent in the first quarter of 2000 to $33.59 from the fourth quarter 1999 rate of $33.75.
www.adknowledge.com
Going WAP - Is It the Next Big Thing?
Wireless phone users want Internet access and are willing to pay more for both the service and the necessary handset to obtain, according to The Strategis Group. Nearly a third of wireless users surveyed indicated they would spend up to $13 a month for the service, plus $61 more for an Internet-ready handset.
"The Internet and email are playing a more and more dominant role in our lives," said one Strategis analyst. "Wireless users are realizing that wireless Internet access would serve a very functional and convenient purpose for getting information when they're away from their home or office. ... The fact is, wireless services no longer means only voice communications. Today's carriers provide in-depth services such as online transactions, unified messaging, location services and comparison shopping."
www.strategisgroup.com
U.K. ISPs Could Soon Get Flattened
Flat-rate Internet access is destined to replace per-minute rates currently charged for Internet access in the U.K. Additionally, Jupiter Communications found that with revenues through interconnection fees and
call charges becoming marginal, access players are being forced to reinvent their business models to seek new revenue streams. Jupiter predicts the winner will be un-metered access pricing, with profits made through advertising and commerce revenues.
The new, cheaper rates will bring more users in the U.K. online too. Jupiter sees online user penetration in the U.K. growing from 32 percent in 2000 to 52 percent in 2005. That breaks down to 18.8 million users versus a possible 31 million in 2005. Further, Jupiter researchers estimate that 51 percent of all U.K. households will be online by 2005.
www.jup.com
Gauging the Number of Internet Users Worldwide
NUA Internet Surveys estimates there are 304.36 million Internet users worldwide. That breaks down, in their estimation, to 2.58 million in Africa, 68.9 million in Asia/Pacific, 83.35 million in Europe, 1.9 million in the Middle East, 136.86 million in Canada & the U.S., and 10.74 million in South America.
www.nua.ie