This is a list of economic indicators, some familiar, some you would never think of. We'd like to add to this list so if you have an indicator from your own life, post a comment below.
Economic Indicators From Real Life
The Paperclip Bowl: My desk is head to head with the desk
of the firm's accountant. We share a paperclip bowl. She puts in the clips that
come off the incoming deposits, I take them out to hold my paperwork together.
Prior to the the downturn, the bowl was always overflowing. Now its getting
close to the time when I will have to replenish it.
Dance Studio Action: For regular classes, attendence is way
down. Also last minute commitments on bachelorette parties. Before the recession,
the happy brides-to-be would lock in six months ahead of time. Now, they wait
until four or even two weeks before the event.
The Quick Turn-Around Graphic Design Index: We remain busy
but the demands are high, low budget and last minute.
Long Term Orders: Businesses seem ready to order parts they'll
need six months from now. A sign of confidence.
The Small Business Advice Index: It will be a good sign when
the number of unemployed professionals seeking to start their own businesses
goes down.
Kitchen Renovation Commitment: "Potential" clients
are turning into real clients making time commitments, making decisions about
the scope of their remodeling projects AND giving us deposits.
The Mortgage Workout Help Line Index: The quality of the lender's
phone operation. As things get busier, the skill level of the person taking
the call goes down.
The Band Index: For one student's band, from Sept. ’09
– no business. Since mid-January – 4 calls and 1 gig.
The Restaurant Indices: A restaurant one student has worked
at for 12 years is opening an additional location. At another restaurant, they're
serving more meal each week than they expect. Sometimes 500 more.
The Trucker Index: My mom's a trucker. She says that she's
never busy in February. But, now, she is crazy busy. And, all the truck stops
are full, so it's not just her.
Getting the Work You Trained for Index: I work at Home Depot,
with 2 architects, with 8 years of college, each. One of them just got enough
work to quit and go back to work for himself, full time.
Parts Ordering: January's and February's bookings are the
best we've seen since October 2008 - just when the bottom fell out of the economy.
International Tourists: Over the past year, I have noticed
that I have many fewer international patrons than before.
The Double Layoff Index: I see a slow but steady hiring of
my peers, but I am also seeing some who were recently re-hired become unemployed
again. Ouch!
Friends Getting Work Index: As an unemployed member of the
middle-class workforce, I am gauging recovery by monitoring the success of fellow
unemployed friends getting jobs...and there have indeed been a number of recent
landings since the beginning of the year that I have been privileged to celebrate
with friends.
Family Restaurant Deals: I'll believe the economy is recovering
when restaurant signs stop advertising family meals for $20.
The Marketing Consultant Index: The early signs of recovery
for us will be more businesses interested in starting the conversation about
options for growth instead of just the 'hold steady' focus they have today.
The 55+ Job Seekers: For the first time in many years our
nonprofit government program which helps over 55 individuals with employment
and training services is over enrolled and has a waiting list.
Executive Recruiting Index: Dropped off a cliff in 2009. In
2010, companies will start to talk but are still cautious to hire.
Boat Rental Index: Went to rent a boat for summer vacation
in July on Winnipesaukee but all the boats had already been rented.
