It was interesting to read the Wall Street Journal's Encore Quiz in their May 3-4
issue (pages R8-9). A range of interesting retirement facts (based on research from a number of credible sources) are revealed as part of a series of questions relating to money, health, social security and lifestyles. As with most research, the answers are surprising. For example, under 'Money', a mere 23% of workers age 55-plus have more than $250,000 in savings and investments. More broadly, only 14% of US households contribute to a Roth or individual IRA. Given the current economy, these numbers could decline even further.
Just to put things in perspective, there are 7.5 million households with net worth between $1-10 million and 2 million households with net worth between $10-100 million (Richistan, Robert Frank). Maybe that's why many executives are still enjoying a free ride. Goldman Sachs spent $926,403 to provide cars, driver salaries, cell phones, fuel, tolls and parking for it's five top executive officers (Portfolio, May 2008).
Clearly the gap between the haves and have nots continues to grow.
In our Operational Branding work, we enlist the support of many
different people and companies. Below you will find a partial list of
the firms we often work with and a brief description of their services.
Research is about more than asking questions.
Emotionally charged issues; unspoken needs; opinions lurking between the
lines. When your research challenge is difficult or when you need
a deeper, richer, more usable understanding of your customers, employees
or constituents—Beetrix is the firm to call. As qualitative
research experts, Beetrix can handle stand-alone studies or apply
integrated strategies to help you understand quantitative findings in
actionable terms. From research design to data
gathering to rich analysis, Beetrix creates a tailored program to meet your
specific research needs.
Brand Content is a strategic and creative advertising communications firm
headquartered in Boston. The agency was founded by creative entrepreneurs
with a passion for dynamic, powerful communications and a hands-on interest
in building and growing client businesses. That drive and objective has
never wavered. Brand Content are seasoned experts with a wealth of creative and
strategic experience from both ad agencies, as well as leading consumer
companies.
Pathfinder Innovation uses a research-driven approach to innovation
consulting that delivers measurable results for clients across a range
of industries for both B2C and B2B initiatives. For over 20 years,
Pathfinder has developed comprehensive Innovation Solutions focused on a
variety of practice areas including: new product development, brand
positioning, advertising effectiveness, channel/distribution strategy,
loyalty and relationship marketing and organizational success.
Using leading-edge qualitative and quantitative research methodologies,
Pathfinder has helped drive revenue growth and guide successful product
and service initiatives for clients such as CVS/Pharmacy, Fidelity
Investments, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Genworth Financial, Lindt Chocolate,
Welch’s and many more.
DCODE combines the traditionally separate agency and
production company functions of brand strategy, creative
development, production and media in one nimble,
project-oriented company.
Mechanica is committed to providing a significant alternative.
We are a carefully constructed team of both top strategic and creative
talent from the advertising and design worlds.
We have done away with the confining, compromising infrastructure of the
traditional agency, where solutions are essentially pre-determined.
Instead, we rely on a proprietary database of hundreds of small- and
medium-sized firms, as well as individuals, whose collective experience
spans everything from memorable Super-Bowl commercials, to flagship
store designs, to benchmark-breaking CRM programs, to inventive on-line
marketing efforts.
This unique structure allows us to pursue solutions with greater
objective, flexibility, value, and creativity.
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