Bob Ottaway

It sure seems that way, and that’s a bad sign for business. It looks like we’re in for much of the same until at least September when the Federal Reserve might lower its fund rate by at least one-quarter...

MIXED ECONOMY: The consumer seems to be stretched. The big headlines are about how great the economy is, and that seems to be influenced by the stock markets hitting new highs day after day. But on closer examination, it’s...

It’s a holiday week, so we’re keeping it short; however, don’t ignore this important graphic:   Switching SEO agencies can prove to be a nightmare, as the graph above shows. When one of our West Coast clients (Client A),...

We’ve never encountered this before now, but it’s happening. Be prepared.  The facts:   METRO CLIENT: Good-sized client in the biggest market in the US with a big budget. GETTING TONS OF PHONE CALLS “LOOKING FOR JOBS”: The Google...

Many of you are in businesses directly affected by residential home sales. We had anticipated six rate cuts this year, which would have had a direct impact on mortgage rates and, subsequently, home sales. However, the current outlook suggests...

It’s the talk of Wall Street.  It’s the talk of millions of Americans every day.  When can we buy a house? When will mortgage rates dip so we can afford a house?  If your business is dependent on any...

It’s such a simple question, but the answer is often so difficult. Here are the questions you should be asking yourself: WHERE ARE MY SALES PACING? Is my company on trend? If not, how far below?  And for how...

People love to speculate.  People love to predict change.  People love to predict “the end.”  Don’t believe a word of it.  Here’s why:  BUSINESS WILL GO ON:  Regardless of how a website search is “returned,” that is, how the...