Business North Carolina magazine has published its latest rankings of the top 75  public companies in North Carolina for 2010.

The top 3 public companies include Bank of America at #1 followed by Lowe’s at #2 and Duke Energy at #3. 

BB&T rises from #5 last year to #4 (replacing Nucor who slipped to #6).

Several companies are new to this year’s list including:

• Talecris Biotherapeutics  at #18 (Research Triangle Park)
• Dex One at #32 (Cary)
• Flanders at #62 (Washington)
• Oxygen Biotherapeutics at #66 (Durham)
• Citizens South Bank at #67 (Gastonia)
• NewBridge Bancorp at #68 (Greensboro)
• Charles & Colvard at #72 (Morrisville)

A couple of suggestions from the DARTON GROUP team to assist with your pre-fall tune up…

1. Segment the contacts in your network:  Think of your contacts as 5 subgroups within your network.  This strategy will help you be more efficient and effective.  Learn more.
2. Polish your LinkedIn profile:  Update your LinkedIn profile to ensure that you are delivering what recruiters are searching for.  Not sure what recruiters want to see on your LinkedIn profile? Learn 8 tips.
3. Build a Google profile:  Yes, recruiters will search your name on Google.  Did you know that you can control how you appear in Google by creating a personal profile?  Learn how.

Some things on the DARTON GROUP radar screen this week…

1. The Wall Street Journal reports that some companies are having problems filling specialized jobs.
2. David Darnell (president of global commercial banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Chair, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce) writes about Charlotte’s economic outlook.
3. Greater Charlotte Biz magazine writes about The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, growlers and going green.
4. The News & Observer writes about the impact of retirees on North Carolina’s economy.

Charlotte-based Classroom Central opened its doors on October 8, 2002, and currently serves over 150 schools and more than 90,000 students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding districts.  In the almost eight years that the organization has been in existence, more than $22 million in free school supplies has been distributed.

Classroom Central’s board is comprised of 14 leaders from across the greater Charlotte region from companies including:  Carolinas Healthcare System, Duke Energy, Belk, Domtar Paper Company, Carolina Pad, Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Rodgers Builders, Morgan Keegan, nVision 360, Whitehead Associates, and Origin Ads.

Rochelle has been actively involved with Classroom Central for more than 2 years and is eager to put her passion for the organization to work as a board member.

But is this a jobless recovery?

There seems to be more and more data that suggests that talk of a “jobless recovery” is overstated. 

Consider the following….

1. The North Carolina unemployment rate fell from 10.4% in May 2010 to 10.0% in June 2010.  The private sector in North Carolina created nearly 12,000 jobs in June (the largest monthly increase since March 2007).
2. According to a survey released this week by Accenture, more than half (54%) of large U.S. businesses that cut staff in the past 12 months plan to rebuild their workforces to pre-recession levels within two years.
3. The National Association for Business Economics (NABE) released its July 2010 Industry Survey of members that points to continued momentum in jobs creation.  As summarized by NABE, “Job creation trends continued to improve, with a second quarter of net positive payroll gains. The percentage of firms increasing payrolls increased to 31%—a dramatic increase versus a year ago when only 6% were seeing hiring gains. The percentage of firms cutting jobs continued to move lower—from 36% a year ago to 14% this July. The share of respondents expecting their firms to add employees over the coming six months rose to 39%, the highest level of hiring intentions since January 2008″.

• Treasury & Risk magazine explores what financial reform means for treasury professionals.
• The CPA Technology Advisor covers the changing face of financial reporting for middle market ERP.
• Fast Company’s “30 Second MBA” asks the following question…What’s More Important, Innovation or Growth?
• Inc. magazine provides tips on how to master the elevator speech.
• The Conference Board’s Employment Trends Index increased in June again for the 11th consecutive month.
• The North Carolina Association of CPAs uses social media to connect with its members.
• Steve Katzman of TIAA-CREF embarks on his new role as IIA Charlotte Chapter President.
• The next meeting of Charlotte’s FENG chapter is scheduled for July 12.
• BusinessFinance addresses 21st century reporting needs.

DARTON GROUP

Due to growth, we are currently seeking talented Business Analysts who have a deep background in finance and/or accounting (minimum 10+ years experience). 

Interested in learning more?

Know of somebody in your network we can help?

Call DARTON GROUP today at 704+525+9378.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest jobs reports yesterday.  The USA unemployment rate dipped from 9.7 percent in May 2010 to 9.5 percent in June 2010.  It is being widely reported that the improvement is actually tied to more people opting out of the job seeking process (which is obviously troubling).

It is interesting to note the ongoing traction in the temporary employment and consulting sectors.  The staffing industry sector led all private sector job growth in June 2010.

Since hitting a low in September 2009, employment in temporary employment has increased by 379,000.  The temporary employment sector added 21,000 jobs in June 2010.  While still solid, the temporary help sector had been adding an average of 34,000 jobs from January 2010 through May 2010. 

Management and technical consulting jobs increased by 11,000 in June 2010. 

For more information:

• BLS Employment Situation Summary June 2010
• BLS Economy at a Glance
• American Staffing Association July News Release

Kicking off the weekend with a mix of items…

1. 10.9%…the Charlotte region’s unemployment rate fell in May for the 3rd straight month.
2. Olá.  The Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce launched its first chapter in North Carolina at Chima in Charlotte this week.
3. ProNet Charlotte plays a vital role in putting professionals back to work in greater Charlotte.  Mark Weber (Managing Partner and co-founder) of DARTON GROUP has joined ProNet’s Business Advisory Board.
4. Business NC magazine has ranked the Top 100 banks, thrifts and credit unions based in North Carolina.
5. We finally got around to installing Microsoft Outlook Social Connector and the LinkedIn application at DARTON.  Why did we wait so long?
6. The latest Duke/CFO Business Outlook Survey has been released.  CFOs predict strong business spending and earnings growth.
7. VisualEconomics continues to amaze with its graphic way of teaching.
8. Fast Company offers a 30 Second MBA with faculty from Accenture, Ford Motor Company, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, University of Michigan, Pepsico and more.

Take a break from the heat this summer!  ”Click and learn” with DARTON University.

DARTON University invites our project consultants to “click and learn” with our complimentary webinar series this summer.

June 15  3 – 4 pm
“Maximize your mind – exercises to make you smarter”
Dr. Vicki Parker will be our guest presenter.  Dr. Parker will share
information on
* Brain health
* How to improve your attention span
* How to improve your memory
* Daily exercises you can do to make yourself smarter!

June 24  9 – 10 am
“So you want to write a book???”
Owning a home may be the American Dream, but writing a book
seems to be a professional dream for many people.  Are you
one of them?  At this webinar, we’ll hear from one person who
wrote a book, one who is in the process, and a publications
specialist who helps people produce their book with an eye on
the marketing possibilities.  You’ll hear
* How publishing a book can enhance your credibility
* How to organize yourself to write (or get it written)
* The challenges to making your dream a reality
* How much the process might cost

July 13    9 – 10 am
“How to have those Difficult Conversations”
Whether you’re managing people, dealing with clients, or talking
to your spouse and kids, sometimes unpleasant topics must be
discussed.  At this session, you’ll learn
* How to stop avoiding the unavoidable
* How to embrace the third-party perspective
* Why you might not know what you think you know
* How to end the conversation for a better outcome

July 14   9 – 10 am
“Managing Expectations”  (CPE)
Positive outcomes are the result of work well done AND
expectations reasonably set.  At this webinar, you’ll learn
* Why we tend to over-promise
* How to minimize surprises
* The importance of the wrap-up message

July 20    3 – 4 pm
July 21    9 – 10 am
“Email management for the busy professional”  (CPE)
Do you suffer from email overwhelm?  Is your inbox
stuffed with messages that you have no idea what to do
with and have probably forgotten about?  If you’re
suffering from email clutter, this webinar will teach you how to
* Eliminate email efficiently
* Reduce the number of emails you receive
* Use OUTLOOK tools so that email will HELP you

Aug 3      9 – 10 am
Aug 4      3 – 4 pm
“Would I work for me?”  (CPE)
Managing people is hard work — maybe the hardest work in
business.  Learning to manage effectively is critical to team
success and to progressing in your career.  At this session,
you’ll learn
* What employees want from their managers
* Why accountability is the glue that holds a team together
* The most important skill a manager can have

Aug 18    9 – 10 am
Aug 23    3 – 4 pm
“Cross-selling–it’s good for your clients!”  (CPE)
Many CPAs struggle with the idea of selling, even to their
existing clients.  But your clients need other services you
provide, and they benefit from learning about them.  At
this session, you’ll learn
* How to uncover your clients’ needs
* How to focus on benefits rather than services
* Why not cross-selling can cause you to lose clients – forever!

Note:  All times are Eastern Daylight Savings

CPE=Certificates of attendance/participation will be provided to participants who request such, based on information outlined by the North Carolina State Board of Accountancy.  No course is guaranteed to qualify for CPE by your State Board.  Each individual’s CPE is judged on his/her level of experience and expertise AND on the content of the course attended.

Registration is limited and is available to all DARTON consultants on a “first come, first served” basis. Registration closes 48 hours prior to each webinar event. To register, please send an email to careers@dartongroup.com.

Call DARTON at 704+525+9378 with questions.