Causes of motivation problems on a project team

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows eight problems that can be associated with motivation on a project team.   A survey was taken of 118 project managers asking them to identify what problem listed in the graph can usually be attributed to motivational problems on a project team.  The graph shows the percentage of the responses for each problem.

The survey was conducted by Bernhard Schmid and Jonathan Adams. The results of the survey can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

The problem list, and the weight project managers assign to the likelihood that events on the list will be a problem, could help managers be alert to problems that can develop in their team (group).

The survey is one of several that this Project Management Institute posts on its website.  Click here to gain access to this survey.

Remuneration/revenue trends – US versus Europe

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

This line graph shows the percentages that employee remuneration is of total company revenue for five years, 2004 to 2009, for United States companies and for European companies.  Remuneration is total compensation plus benefits.

Although the United States data shows a significant decline in the percentage from 2008 to 2009, the United States has on average a 6% better remuneration for employees, as a percentage of revenues, than Europe.

Also, the substantive decrease in remuneration percentage from 2008 to 2009 (5.5%) for the United States versus a slight increase for Europe (0.3%) might show that United States companies can more readily adjust to adversity (e.g., the world-wide financial problems around 2009).

Data in the graph was obtained from the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ study “Managing People in a Changing World – Key Trends in Human Capital – A Global Perspective” published in 2010.  You can read this study by clicking here.

Trends in auditing responsibilities

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows the trends in internal audit responsibilities (tasks) based on a survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.  PriceWaterhouseCoopers conducted a survey of the chief audit executives at Fortune 250 companies.

Part of the survey asked respondents to identify internal auditing tasks (functions) that would require increased internal auditing responsibilities.  The graph shows that 90% of the respondents believed that continuous auditing or monitoring would require increased internal auditing responsibilities over the next five years.  Response percentages are as shown on the graph for other responsibilities

This data was taken from a PriceWaterhouseCoopers publication entitled “Internal Audit 2012 – A Study Examining the Future of Internal Auditing and the Potential Decline of Controls-centric Approach”.  You can read this publication by clicking here (PDF file).

Number of companies issuing corporate sustainability reports

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools.

This vertical bar graph shows he number of companies using corporate sustainability reports each year from 2000 to 2008.  The data is based on data collected by CorporateRegister.com, Ltd.  The report shows a steady rise in the number of reports issued each year.  The average increase each year, from 2000 to 2008, is 20.1%

The data in the graph was taken from an Economist Intelligence Unit, Ltd report entitled “Global Trends in Sustainability Performance Management”.   This report provides global trends in corporate sustainability reporting.  The report can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

CorporateRegister.com, Ltd’s website can be visited by clicking here.

Most important risks to a company

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

The graph shows what is considered to be the most important risks that a company faces.  This conclusion is based on a survey conducted by the accounting firm KPMG, in 2011, of audit committee members serving at least at one US public company.  240 committee members responded.

Surveyed members were asked to choose the top three risks that their company faced.  The graph shows risks selected as a percentage of all selections made.

The data in the graph was taken from the KPMG publication “2011 Public Company Audit Committee Member Survey – Highlights”.  Click here to gain access to the publication (PDF file).  The graph shows only one result of many about company risks and their management that came from the survey.  

Insurance premiums per capital for several countries

The graphs below were created using Google’s charting tools.

The line graphs show the per person (per capital) premium expenditures for all insurance coverage for 12 countries from 2002 to 2009.   Presumably the per person premium expenditure was computed by dividing the total premium expenditures for a country by the country’s population.

The first graph shows six countries with higher economic development than the countries in the second graph.   Based on the data in the graphs, the higher economically developed countries have, in 2008, per person premium expenditures about 8 times higher than the countries in the second graph.  This suggests an opportunity for insurance coverage growth in countries lower in economic development.

Another conclusion from the data in the graph for the United States is that insurance premiums for all insurance coverage, per person, increased about 6.9 % per year from 2002 to 2009.  Such data might be useful in planning and budgeting for future insurance premium expenditures.

The data used for the graphs were taken form an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) statistical table.  This table (PDF file) can be accessed by clicking here and then clicking “Insurance and Pensions: Key Tables from OECD” (middle column – Country Tables).  Then, click PDF for “Average insurance spending per capital”.

Distributions of annual premium for covered workers with single coverage insurance costs

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the distribution of annual premiums paid by workers with only single coverage in 2011.

The data in the graph was taken from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust‘s 2011 Annual Survey entitled “Employer Health Benefits”.

Data on the graph, and in the survey, should be of interest to companies to compare (benchmark) their health benefit offerings to other companies.

The survey can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file).

The graph shows that a large range of premiums are paid for single coverage from less than $2,000 to more than $9,000 per year.  Most premiums paid are in the $4,000 to $7,000 range.

Percentages of payment fraud by checks and other payment types

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

The vertical bar graph shows, by percentages, fraud attempts (and successes) at reporting organizations by payment type.  For example, 90 % of surveyed organizations reported fraud attempts (and successes) using checks, 25 % of reporting organizations had fraud attempts using ACH debits, etc.

The results shown on the graph were obtained by an Association for Financial Professionals survey conducted in 2010, entitled “2010 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey – Report of Survey Results”.

Other survey results indicate what organizations attempted in order to prevent fraud success and the numbers of organizations reporting fraud attempts.

More details from the survey can be read by clicking here.

Methods used for cross border payments

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

This vertical bar graph shows the methods and their frequency (by percentage of the total) that companies use to make cross-border payments.

The data was obtained through survey by the Association of Financial Professionals and is reported in their study entitled “2010 AFP Payments Survey”.  Besides the data shown in the graph, the study has much other useful information on electronic payments by companies.

The study can be read by clicking here and then clicking “2010 Electronic Payments Survey” under Surveys. (Presented as a PDF file.)

Systems Used for Initiating Wire Transfers

The two graphs below were created using Google’s charting tools.

The two graphs show what automated and manual systems companies use in processing incoming and outgoing wires.  The data were obtained through survey.  Obviously, several companies, if not all, use more than one of the systems in their wire processing.

The data in the graphs were obtained from a 2009 Association for Financial Professionals study entitled “Providing Remittance Information with Wire Transfers”.  This study can be read by clicking here.

In addition to providing such data seen in the graphs, the study also discusses the need for additional information to be attached to wire transfers in order to improve company wire processing.

These two graphs and the study might be useful to companies evaluating their wire transfer processes.

Primary Payment Methods by Major Business Customers

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

This vertical bar graph shows how often payment methods were used, as a percentage of the total payments, to pay major customers.

The data for this graph was taken from a 2010 survey conducted by the Association for Financial Professionals titled “2010 AFP Electronic Payments – Report of Survey Results”.

Besides the data in the graph, much other useful data and several useful conclusions about payments are in the report.

The report can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

Payment Method Used to Pay Major Suppliers

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

This vertical bar graph shows how often payment methods were used, as a percentage of the total payments, to pay major suppliers.

The data for this graph was taken from a 2010 survey conducted by the Association for Financial Professionals titled “2010 AFP Electronic Payments – Report of Survey Results”.

Besides the data in the graph, much other useful data and several useful conclusions about payments are in the report.

The report can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

Trends in US non-cash payments types from 2003 to 2006

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools.

This vertical bar graph shows the trends in non-cash payments from 2003 to 2006.  The graph shows the percentage of all non-cash payments in 2003 and 2006 by five payment types: checks; debit card; credit card; ACH; and electronic benefits transfer (EBT).  From these percentages, calculations show: payments by check decreased 29%; payments by debit card increased 41%; credit card payment percentages remained unchanged; ACH payments increased by 47%; and EBT payments increased by 20%.

Although the data is dated (2003 – 2006), the data is from a very reliable source (the Federal Reserve Board).  It is very likely that percentage change trends for these five payment types have continued beyond 2006.

The Federal Reserve Board study that provides this data can be read by clicking here (PDF file).   Another Federal Reserve Board study that analyses this and related payment information can be read by clicking here (PDF file).  These studies provide in-depth analysis of payment activity in the United States for the time period covered.

Suspicious activities reported by banks to US Government 2001 to 2010

The graph below was created using Google's charting tools.

This vertical bar graph shows the top 11 suspicious activities reported by US banks (depository institutions) to the US government as a percentage of the total number of all suspicious activities reported.

The data in the graph was obtained from a US Department of the Treasury report titled “The SAR Activity Review – By the Numbers” and Excel spreadsheets that can be linked to from the report.  To read this report click here (PDF file).

The US government requires banks (depository institutions) and certain other businesses (money services; casinos; and the securities industry) to report suspicious activities using a reporting system program.  More can be read about this reporting system program by going to the Treasury Department agency (The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or FinCEN)’s website responsible for the reporting system program.  Click here to go to this website.

US banks return on equity

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the return on equity for all commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from the 1st quarter, 2006 to the 2nd quarter, 2011.

The graph shows that the return on equity (7.6%) for the 2nd quarter, 2011 has reached return on equity levels last reached during 2007.  Bank equity returns has recovered significantly since the low point in the 4th quarter, 2008. 

Data used in this graph can be found by clicking here.  This takes you to the FDIC’s Quarterly Banking Profile Report that provides quarterly data on US banks’ financial performance.  Click Ratios by Asset Size Group to see data used on the graph.

Credit card use – small businesses

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The vertical graph shows the percentage of small businesses (less than 50 employees) using credit cards (either personal or business credit cards or both) in 2009.  The graph also shows the percentages of these small business credit card users that use their credit cards as a source of credit, meaning that balances are carried on the cards from month to month.

The data in the graph was taken from a Federal Reserve System report to Congress tilted “Report to the Congress on the Use of Credit Cards by Small Businesses and the Credit Card Market for Small Businesses”.   This report (PDF file) can be read by clicking here.   Other Federal Reserve reports to Congress can be accessed by clicking here.

Data on this graph and in the report could be useful to small companies in comparing their use of credit cards and credit card credit (debt) to other small companies.

Average US domestic air fares over 10 years

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the average US air fares for each year from 2001 to 2010.   Fares are based on round-trip or one-way for which no return was purchased.  Fares are also based on the total ticket price (including taxes and other fares), paid at the time of purchase. 

The data in the graph was collected by the US Department of Transportation.  Data used for the graph can be seen by clicking here.  This takes you to a US Department of Transportation site.

Data in the graph shows that companies are likely to pay an average of $300 to $400 per ticket over the next few years for their business traveling.   Such information might be useful in preparing budgets.

Total expense to grow one acre wheat in US, on average

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tool.

The line graph shows the total cost (variable and fixed) per acre, per year, to grow wheat, from 2000 to 2010.  The cost data is an average cost across the United States.

The cost data was obtained from a US Department of Agriculture website.  You can gain access to this data by clicking here.  Costs for each expense that make up the variable (e.g. chemicals, seeds, etc.) and fixed (e.g. land, etc.) are itemized.  This Department of Agriculture website has similar cost data for other commodities, e.g. corn, soybeans, etc.  Also, the website presents other economic data relevant to agriculture.

The average cost to grow wheat on an acre increased approximately 5.9 % per year.

Imports into Mexico 2000 to 2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the imports of goods and services by Mexico from 2000 to 2010.  The increase from 2000 to 2010 is 130 %.

Import growth rates might be useful for targeting countries where import growth is high.   Mexico’s 130 % growth in recent years compares to:  Indonesia – 249 %; South Africa – 219 %; Russia – 209 %; Israel – 49 %; and Belgium – 46 %.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website.   Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

  

Internet Access Costs and Use Preference

The graphs below were created using Google’s graph tools.

The vertical bar graphs show 1) the average monthly fees paid by businesses for seven types of Internet access and 2) the preferences for using these seven access types (as a percentage of total use).

The data in the graphs are from a study prepared by Columbia Telecommunications Corporation for the US Small Business Administration.  The study can be read by clicking here (PDF file).  The data in the graphs are based on a survey conducted for the study.

The data in the graph should be useful to companies in comparing their Internet costs to averages found by the survey.

Small Companies Use of Bank, Trade, Both, or Neither for Financing

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The vertical bar graph shows whether small companies have used bank loans, trade credit, both bank loans and trade credit, or neither as a source of financing.

The data in the graph is from a study done by Rebel Cole for the US Small Business Administration.  The study can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

Data shown in the graph should be of interest to small companies in comparing their financing to other small companies.  The study has analysis on company characteristics related to financing choices.

Benefits as a Percentage of Total Compensation

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The horizontal bar graph shows compensation benefits as a percentage of total compensation for private workers in 2011 based on US Department of Labor survey data.

The total average compensation found was $28.10 of which wages and salaries was 70.8 % and other benefits was 29.2 %.   

Legally required benefits include social security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, and workers compensation.  Supplemental pay includes shift differentials and non-production bonuses.

Health insurance accounted for 7.5 % of insurance benefit with the other 0.5 % made up of life and disability.

The graph provides a visual of how, on average across all businesses, an employee’s gross paid is divided up.

More details from the Department of Labor on costs for benefits in 2011 can be seen by clicking here (PDF file).   Click here to go to the Department of Labor website on employment costs.

Imports Into South Africa 2000 to 2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the imports of goods and services by South Africa from 2000 to 2010.  The increase from 2000 to 2010 is 219 %.

Import growth rates might be useful for targeting countries where import growth is high.   South Africa’s 219 % growth in recent years compares to:  Indonesia – 249 %; Russia – 209 %; Mexico – 130 %; Israel – 49 %; and Belgium – 46 %.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website.   Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here

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Company Planning Priorities

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools. This horizontal bar graph shows the relative frequency that companies indicate is their most important priority over the next three years. The data in the graph is based on a Bain & Company survey taken in 2011. Bain & Company published the results of their survey in a report entitled “Management Tools & Trends 2011”. This report can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file). This data should be good benchmarking information for companies.

Imports to Indonesia 2000 to 2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the imports of goods and services by Indonesia from 2000 to 2010. The increase from 2000 to 2010 is 249 %.

Import growth rates might be useful for targeting countries where import growth is high. Indonesia’s 249 % growth in recent years compares to: South Africa – 219 %; Russia – 209 %; Mexico – 130 %; Israel – 49 %; and Belgium – 46 %.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

Main Obstacle to Knowledge Management in a Company

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows the main obstacles that European executives identify as preventing the use of knowledge and the flow of information into knowledge within their companies.

The results in the graph were obtained by the Economist Intelligence Unit in a survey of European Executives, with 122 responses. These results were published in a report, which can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file).

Knowing the main obstacles to knowledge creation in a company should be helpful in implementing goals and projects to overcome the obstacles. Another result of the survey is that knowledge creation and management is a major company problem and goal.

Most Important Threats to Profit Margins

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows seven important threats to profit margins. Respondents to a KPMG survey were asked to choose, from a list provided, the three top threats in their companies. The graph shows the results.

The KPMG survey received hundreds of responses from executives at consumer goods producers. The results of the survey can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file).

The data on the graph should be helpful to companies in focusing on areas that can have impact on profit margins.

Imports to Russia 2003-2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the imports of goods and services by Russia from 2003 to 2010. The increase from 2003 to 2010 is 209 %.

Import growth rates might be useful for targeting countries where import growth is high. Russia’s 209 % growth in recent years compares to: Indonesia – 249%; South Africa – 219 %; Mexico – 130 %; Israel – 49 %; and Belgium – 46 %.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

US Exports Compared to Imports 1993 to 2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.
The line graph shows the total United States exports and imports of goods and services for 1993 to 2010 in billions of US dollars. Exports grew 181 percent from 1993 to 2010 while imports grew 227 percent.

The graph shows well that the amount that imports exceeded exports began to increase significantly around 2000 and then the excess started to decline around 2008. The excess of imports over exports reached a high in 2005 at 55 percent. In 2010 it was 28 percent.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

US Dollar to Euro Historical Exchange Rates

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the average annual exchange rates for US dollars to one Euro for 1999 to 2010.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here. This website also shows the exchange rates of US dollars to many currencies.

The website is good source for historical exchange rates.

Employee Salaries

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the average hourly wage for construction (nonsupervisory and production) workers in the United States from 1993 ($13.92 per hour) to 2011 ($23.46 per hour). The average wage increased 3.8% (on average) each year.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here. This website also shows the average wages for several other business sectors, e.g. retail and service sectors.

Data in the graph and at the website should be useful to small companies in selecting and increasing wage rates for their employees.

Inventory to Sales Ratios for Businesses

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows that US businesses have been steadily decreasing the amount of inventory they have on hand as a percentage of their sales. The graph shows that US businesses are recognizing the impact of the carrying costs of inventory on profits and are applying just in time (only as needed) concepts.

The chart shows that companies should be decreasing their inventory to sales ratios in order to be keeping up with peers.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website where economics data is provided on production and business activity in the United States. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

Annual US Construction Spending 1993 to 2011

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the total annual construction spending in the United States in millions of US dollars from 1993 to 2011 and the large drop off in construction in the United States since 2007.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website where economics data is provided on construction spending in the United States. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

Return on Equity for 16 Business Sectors

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the return on equity (net income as a percentage of equity) less the cost of equity percentage (estimated by the using capital asset pricing model). The resulting percentage can then be used to compare the sector’s value-adding performance to other sectors based on the data used for the sectors.

The graph was generated using data at Aswath Damodaran’s website. Go to this website by clicking here. At the website, click the “Corporate Finance” button, then go down the page to “The Investment Decision: Measuring Return on Investments”, and then click “EVA and Equity EVA: By Sectors” to find the data that the graph is based on.

Tax Rate Before and After Allowed Credits

The graph below was prepared using Google’s chart tool.

This horizontal bar graph shows the 2008 corporate tax rate before and after corporations apply tax credits to their returns.

The data used for the rates are from the Internal Revenue Service’s publication: 2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns. This publication can be reviewed by clicking here (PDF file).

To obtain the two rates, the total income reported on all form 1120 returns filed for 2008 was divided into the total income tax before credits and also into the total income tax after credits, reported on the returns.

The rates shown in the graphs indicate, it seems to me, just how much tax credits can reduce taxes paid by companies. Tax credits can be an important way to reduce company tax expenditures.

Employment Growth in 13 Business Sectors

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The horizontal bar graph shows the growth in employment on a percentage basis from 2000 to 2008 for 13 business sectors.

The graph indicates that most employment growth has been in businesses providing services. Interesting is the growth in mining employment, possibly reflecting a greater demand for energy and elements and minerals needed in technology devices.

The data should be useful both to those seeking careers where jobs might be more plentiful and employers competing for workers.

The data in the graph was obtained from US Census Bureau statistics. These statistics can be reviewed by clicking here (PDF file).

Sales Growth for Nine Industrial Sectors

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the relative increase in sales growth for 9 industry sectors over the period 1997 to 2007.

An interesting observation is how much the professional and technical services sector increased in sales from 1997 to 2007. The increase was much greater than 1,000 % (almost 8,000 %). Some conclusions from this great increase might be how important the provision of professional and technical services as a unique organizational activity is becoming to the United States economy. Both the increase in numbers of trained and capable providers and the demand for such services increased at a rapid rate from 1997 to 2007. Professional and technical services apparently are becoming a much more important and needed United States (and world) economic activity.

Related to this is that health care was the next sector with the highest percentage of sales growth.

The graph is based on US Census Bureau data. This data can be accessed by clicking here.

Return On Equity for Several Industry Sectors

The graph shown below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the percent return on equity (as net profit after taxes) over five years (2006 to 2010) for 4 industry sectors (retail trade, manufacturing, mining, and wholesale trade) and for 2 industry sectors (information and services) over four quarters (4th quarter 2009, all quarters 2010).

The data was obtained from the US Census Bureau’s 4th Quarter 2010’s Quarterly Financial Report. Click here to go to this report (PDF file).

The data shows there is a difference in returns depending on the industry sector.

The Russell 3000 Index (an index of 3,000 company stocks) had a total return over a recent 5 year period of 3.3 %. This suggests the difference that can exist in owning a company outright for a return on equity (capital) compared to simply buying shares in a company.

Data related to the Russell 3000 Index can be seen by clicking here.

Cost Per Ton Mile for Four Shipping Modes

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the costs per ton mile for shipping freight on four transportation modes – truck, rail, air, and water. The costs per ton mile amounts are computed from US Department of Transportation data for 2002. The costs per ton mile were computed by dividing the 2002 data for the total costs of shipping freight in each of the four modes by the total ton miles shipped for each of the four modes.

The total costs for shipping freight in 2002 are provided in a Department of Transportation study. Click here to go to this study.

The total ton miles shipped for each of the four modes are provided in another Department of Transportation study. Click here to go to this study (PDF file).

From the data in the graph, shipping freight by air is about 10 times as expensive as by truck, which is about ten times as expensive as by rail.

The data suggest that whenever possible shipping by rail can save companies significant costs. Also, improved rail infrastructure and greater use of that infrastructure could be an important national strategy for cost savings.

Although this is 2002 data (the most recent that could be found), the comparative costs between the four modes likely remain the same for more recent data.