@Risk

We all know that employees use social networks and browser-based file sharing at work. But, new research from Palo Alto Networks reveals just how deeply Web 2.0 tools have penetrated the workplace –and how important it is for companies to prepare for potential threats from social media and file sharing apps.

After analyzing raw application traffic from more than 1,600 enterprises between April 2011 and November 2011, Palo Alto Networks found that:

Social media use is exploding, especially for Twitter. The study revealed that bandwidth consumption for Facebook Apps, Social Plugins and posting increased from 5 percent (October 2010) to 25 percent (December 2011) when measured as a percentage of total social networking bandwidth. Twitter browsing at work alone grew by more than 700 percent year-over-year. (more…)

Any recovery currently underway in the US auto industry could be completely undermined by China’s illegal trading practices, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.

In a press release issued last week, the AAM says that more than 400,000 jobs in the US auto supply chain have been lost since 2000 and another 1.6 million US jobs are at risk unless China’s illegal trading practices are curtailed. These forecasts are derived from data in three separate reports: (more…)

New orders for manufactured goods rose for the second consecutive month in December, the US Department of Commerce reported on Friday.

In addition:

• Shipments increased 0.7 percent –up for the seventh consecutive month.
• Unfilled orders increased 1.4 percent –now up 20 of the last 21 months.
• Inventories increased 0.1 percent –up 26 of the last 27 months.

The latest report from the Institute for Supply Management also showed signs of improvement. According to the ISM Report On Business, economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in January for the 25^th consecutive month.

ISM’s research found that the 12 non-manufacturing industries reporting growth in January were (in order): (more…)

Pursuing deals in growth markets can be tremendously beneficial.  But, doing business in growth markets is inherently more risky, too.

What can your company do to take advantage of the benefits (low cost manufacturing, access to natural resources, market access for basic global products, buyers with access to core operations, etc.), while mitigating potential pitfalls?

For starters, you may want to read PwC’s new study, Getting on the Right Side of the Delta: A Deal-maker’s Guide to Growth Economies. After analyzing 200 deals (both publicly announced and private ones for which PwC was an advisor) and interviewing 20 leading dealmakers around the world, PwC found that:

• The majority of deal risks typically relate to one or more of three key elements: the asset itself, the seller, or the government.
• The most common barrier to deal completion is an inability to get comfortable with valuations. 40 percent of failed deals in PwC’s data set fell victim to valuation concerns.
• The most common problems that emerge after a deal closes concern partnering, causing 30 percent of problems post-deal.  Beyond partnering, the same issues that prevent deals from closing also frequently emerge post-deal (direct government interference, problems with financial information and non-compliant business practices).

Fortunately, PwC’s report also includes five key recommendations for dealmakers when pursuing deals in growth markets. PwC advises dealmakers to: (more…)

The International Telecommunication Union estimates that 90 percent of the global population is now covered by a 2G mobile cellular network. (Half that, or 45 percent, is covered by 3G.)

But, of course, that global population is on land. If you’re out on the open seas, it’s a different story.  Not surprisingly, the oceans are the last “white spot” for the mobile communication industry to connect.

Earlier this month, Maersk Line, the largest shipping company in the world, announced that it is taking steps to change all that.  The company has appointed Ericsson to introduce end-to-end systems integration and deployment of mobile and satellite communication to the entire Maersk Line fleet.

More specifically, over the next two years Maersk Line will outfit 400 of its 500+ container vessels with Ericsson antennas and GSM base stations. Upgrades to the remaining vessels will be made soon after.

It’s an important step, because as Ericsson points out, mobile communication provides opportunities for the shipping industry to upgrade several essential processes.  For example, until now, Maersk Line’s high-tech modern container ships have been equipped with satellite connectivity primarily intended to support communication for vital shipboard functions.  But Ericsson says its new integrated maritime mobile and very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite solution will allow Maersk Line to better address: (more…)