BI Weekly 5: Revamping your social media policy
October 23, 2012
Filed under Weekly 5
Editor’s Note: The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every Tuesday on BoatingIndustry.com.
1. Revamping your social media policy
Some recent decisions handed down by labor board judges mean businesses need to be even more careful when crafting a social media policy for their employees.
A recent case, as reported in Human Resources Executive Online:
According to a New York judge’s decision, EchoStar Corp.’s social-media policy — which prohibited employees from making “disparaging or defamatory comments about EchoStar, its employees, officers, directors, vendors, customers, partners, affiliates, or . . . their products/services” — was out of bounds and violated employees’ rights. The case follows a recent trend in board decisions that any published policy that could be considered to affect employees’ rights to freely discuss their terms and conditions of work — online or otherwise — is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
That last sentence is the key for any business. HRE has more tips on creating a policy that protects your company, but also your employees’ rights.
2. What will marine industry earnings show?
It’s that time of year – quarterly conference calls for corporate earnings. Brunswick reports at 11 am Eastern Thursday in what should be a more interesting than usual call in light of the changes going on there with the Bayliner and Sea Ray brands.
West Marine also reports Thursday, at 1 pm Eastern and MarineMax comes out next week.
3. Another week of positive economic indicators
The economy continues to show signs of growth, with plenty of good news to go around.
- Housing starts increased again and single-family starts topped 600,000 for the first time since 2008. For the year, starts are running 25 percent ahead of 2011. Existing home sales were up 11 percent year-over-year and inventory continues to decrease. Mortgage delinquencies are also down YOY.
- Retail sales were up 1.1 percent August to September and up 5.4 percent from 2011. That’s a 20.6 percent increase from the bottom.
- Inflation measures continue to be low, as CPI rose just 2.3 percent YOY.
- Weekly unemployment claims were up, but the four-week average is still near the cycle low.
4. 7 strategies for small business discounts
We can all do with a little extra money. The Frugal Entrepreneur has seven strategies for getting the best small business discounts.
5. Just for fun: The Mini Cooper Boat
James Bond would be proud. Mini USA has unveiled its Chili Red Convertible boat. Alas, the craft is a one-off built to promote a sales event as part of the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Mass.
