CNN Marketplace 2006-03-18

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The Fed says the economy is heading into spring on a solid note despite the fact that some industries like construction and financial services are dealing¹ with labor² shortages.

“Firms are reporting that they are either having to pay the signing bonuses to get the people they want or to make counteroffers when people are getting alternative offers at other employers." Steven Cocker with Moody's Economy.com.

A new CNN/USA Today-Gallup poll shows while there are some problems with the oil supply, most Americans don't think it's reached crisis level.

"They don't really see a crisis as we had in the 1970s, and that's a very important word when you're talking about energy. A lot of Americans really remember when there was a quote unquote "energy crisis". Only one in 8 Americans think that things are as bad as they were in the 1970s. CNN polling director, Keating Holland

A group of US senators is heading to China next week to try and level the playing field when it comes to our trade deficit³, says South Carolina's Lindsey Graham, "I'm not going home another year and explain to people why we are doing nothing while they are losing market share to a practice that’s tantamount to cheating." Joining Graham will be Charles Schumann and Tom Coburn.

As millions of us are filling out those college basketball brackets this week, CNN's Andy Flick⁴ reports there is one consulting firm who’s advising employers to embrace March madness.

Office pools this year will cost companies an estimated 3.8 billion dollars in lost productivity. The best philosophy for employers according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas CEO John Challenger "if you can't beat them, join them" when employers have a way to get people together, err⁵ perhaps by even putting a TV in the conference room, supporting the local team, you create a lot of morale⁶, better morale, good support" Challenger adds building morale around the office is even more crucial because of temporary workers and new employees who are trying to fit in. Andy Flick, CNN.

With CNN Radio Market Place, I’m Amanda Moyer.

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS:
Level the playing field: creat a situation in which everyone has the same chance of succeeding
Office pools: the tournaments may prompt activity that runs counter to some company policies.