Growing vegetables? Have a surplus, more than your family can eat? Then you might want to check out a new web site where you can look into bartering your vegetables. On the site, listed under “Community” and “Friends” are a list of other community gardening organizations.

For more info go to www.veggietrader.com.

Mardak Interviewed On CNN Radio

Winston Edmondson, CNN Radio host of “Innovations At Work,” recently interviewed Don Mardak, CEO of IMS Barter. IMS Barter is a national barter company in the U.S. with over 20,000 clients, and has offices from coast to coast.

To hear the interview visit www.imsbarter.com.

Bastarache Advisor To Online Barter Company

Ray Bastarache, founder of Barter Network in 1985 and subsequently sold in 2000 to one of the dot.com barter companies, has become a member of a new advisory committee Barterquest.com has formed. Bastarache was a former president of the International Reciprocal Trade Association.

Power Of Print, A $90 Million Campaign

Major magazine publishers have embarked on a campaign with a simple message that “Print rules!” Five leading magazine publishers will provide nearly 1,400 pages of ads through magazines including People, Vogue and Ladies Home Journal this year.

Backing the campaign are Time Warner’s Time Inc. Hearst, Advance Publications’ Condé Nast, Wenner Media, and Meredith. The ads were created by WPP’s Young & Rubicam.

The $90 million campaign figure is based on the public ad-rates for each of the participating magazines, and is the largest joint campaign effort ever by the publishers.

Entrepreneurs Continue Trimming Payrolls

The payroll company Automatic Data Processing reports that private-sector firms in the U.S. eliminated 22,000 jobs in January, the 24th monthly decline in a row. While employers of all sizes trim their work forces when the economy suffers, small firms adopt the strategy sooner and more aggressively as cash flow is paramount to a small business to keep its doors open.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer... 03/02/2010

Mergers & Acquisitions Funded With Less Cash

A couple of decades ago in 1977, a big percentage (77%) of U.S. mergers & acquisitions were funded solely with cash, according to Dealogic. But beginning in 2009 and so far this year, cash is being used in only 40% of the deals. Instead paper, in the form of company stock, has taken over as the major means of funding M&A’s.

The most recent example is Schlumberger’s $11 billion takeover of Smith International, wherein Smith International is being paid in stock.

Buffett’s Insights On Economy & Healthcare

Billionaire Warren Buffett sees the economy recovering at a very low rate (his Berkshire Hathaway firm owns 80 different businesses). He says healthcare costs are a major drain on U.S. businesses, and needs fundamental reform because it’s not practical to continue to devote 17% of the nation’s GDP to health care. (Much of the world pays half that, or 9% of their GDP on health care.)

Wine For Buses

Winery owners in Macedonia have proposed to the government the desire to enter into a barter deal with the Ukraine. They’d trade a large surplus of wine reserves (accumulated due to the global recession) for the country’s needed purchase of buses.

Need More Funding. . .Check With Your Vendor

Strong relationships are vital in landing financing. That’s why more and more small business owners have been successful with a group they already know well — their vendors.

According to semiannual surveys from the National Small Business Association in Washington, between 22% and 29% of business owners relied on vendor credit to meet their capital needs between August 2008 and December 2009.

U.S. Corporate CEO’s Express Confidence On Recovery

The Washington (DC) Business Council’s confidence gauge climbed to 64.7 in February, the highest level in four years. (Readings greater than 50 signal economic growth.) The survey also found that 57% of executives had seen an improvement in their industries in the last six months, while about 61% expected gains to continue during the next six months.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/16/2010

NATE Schedules Convention In “Happiest City” In America

The National Association of Trade Exchanges will hold its 2010 national convention in America’s “Happiest city” — New Orleans. A city that has overcome the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and most recently has been celebrating the Super Bowl of their beloved professional football team, the New Orleans Saints.

The convention will be hosted by the Crescent City Trade Exchange.

For more information on NATE and the convention see: www.natebarter.com.

Major TV Shows Use Barter/Cash Combo For Distribution

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is distributed on a cash-plus-barter basis, in that TV stations push cash but also give up a portion of commercial ad time in return for the show. DeGeneres’ show averages over 3 million viewers, second only to Oprah Winfrey’s 7 million.

“The Nate Berkus Show” is also offered on a cash-plus-barter basis by Sony Pictures Television. (Berkus is a design expert who has been a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey show.)

Another Restaurant Encourages Diners To Barter Homegrown Goodies

Forage, the newest restaurant in Silver Lake (Los Angeles area), is encouraging diners to bring homegrown fruit and vegetables to barter for restaurant credit. Forage is set up like a cafeteria: diners select from salads, flat breads and ready dishes on the counter, then carry their tray to one of the tables in the back of the restaurant.

Media Exposure Mind-Boggling

Jerry Jones’s Cowboy Stadium, home of the 2010 NBA All-Star basketball game, received nearly $1.3 million in media exposure through 15 verbal mentions and another 72-seconds of specific coverage over TNT-TV on Valentine’s Day. This was in addition to the televising of the 2-hour event.

Barter’s Booming In Turkey

Mastafa Demir, director-general of the Istanbul Barter Exchange, reports that 40 barter companies have opened in his country within the last two years. (Total barter companies in Turkey are a reported 60.) According to Demir, the two major industries where barter occurs in his country are in the advertising and construction fields.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/09/2010

Consumers Cut Back On Borrowing

Americans have reduced their borrowing for 11 months in a row. The Fed said it was the first time consumer borrowing — before adjusting for inflation — had fallen for that long a period, since it began keeping track in 1943.

Since its peak in July 2008, consumer credit has fallen by $125 billion as households put their balance sheets in order.

The New Economic Reality For American Workers

According to The Wall Street Journal, there’s a new economic condition in America. Today 20% to 23% of U.S. workers are operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors or micropreneurs. And current projections see that number continually rising in coming years.

Business Owners Relying On Credit-Card Financing

A new survey by the National Small Business Association reports that 59% of respondents said they had used credit-card financing for their businesses in the past twelve months, up from 49% who said they had done so in a December 2008 poll.

Asset-Based Lending Also Growing

Asset-based lending, once considered a last-resort finance option, has become a popular choice for companies that don’t have credit ratings, a track record, or patience to pursue more traditional sources. (Asset-based lenders focus on collateral, rather than credit-worthiness.)

The Commercial Finance Association, an industry trade group, said asset-based lending, excluding mortgages, swelled by 8.3% to almost $600 billion in 2008. The association is still gathering data on 2009, but preliminary surveys show double-digit percentage increases in lending.

British Pub Bartering With Patrons

Drinkers at a Lincolnshire pub can now barter for their pints. The owner of the pub sees it as a way for his independent operation to compete with special offers at the larger chain bars, since he can’t compete on prices.

Carrots, dead partridges, dishwashing, and offers to help clean and decorate the pub have been among the bartered items.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/26/2010

One Of Europe’s Fastest Growing Airlines Signs Barter Deal

Turkey’s national air carrier, Turkish Airlines, has become the official sponsor of Spanish football club FC Barcelona. Half of the sponsorship will be paid in a cash advance, and a barter agreement covers the remaining 50% of the 2-1/2 year agreement.

The barter agreement will include team flights and billboard advertising inside the Camp Nou soccer stadium.

Restaurant Owner, Savvy Businessman

A newly opened restaurant in Decatur (GA), the Iberian Pig, is astutely using barter in a most intelligent way. Thus keeping much needed cash in their pocket. Owner Federico Castellucci was able to barter a little less than 50% of the opening costs. Essentially, financing the opening through future sales — new business — which will be sent to his restaurant by the trade exchange he worked with. The new business (from members of the trade exchange) will be used to pay off the barter loans Castellucci obtained to cover his opening costs.

Barter Used To Shore Up Barbados Four Seasons

In a bid to salvage jobs, the government of Barbados has agreed to guarantee a $60 million loan from a Caribbean bank to help restart the luxury Four Seasons resort development on the tiny island. In return for the guarantee the government will end up with a 20% stake in the project.

United States Drops In Listings Of “Most Free” Economies

The United States is losing ground to its major competitors in the global marketplace, according to the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom, released by the Heritage Foundation. Canada now boasts North America’s most free economy. Here’s a list of the best free economies in the world in descending order:

1) Hong Kong
2) Singapore
3) Australia
4) New Zealand
5) Ireland
6) Switzerland
7) Canada
8) United States
9) Denmark
10) Chile

Next Time Ask

Test your negotiating skills next time you need a camera or a computer. There’s so much competition in this field, all you need to say is “I’m going to check your competitor” and you could get 10% off, or more.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/19/2010

Looking To Learn The Barter Business?

Bruce Makinen, founder and president of Business Trade Exchange (BTE) in Saginaw (MI), is looking for self-starting individuals who want to learn the barter business. Openings as “New Member Recruiters” are available with BTE. Contact Bruce at 1-800-83TRADE.

International Sellers & Buyers Meet Here

Alibaba.com, a China-based web site, puts buyers and sellers together. In November the search for second-hand goods saw a 113% year-on-year increase. Among the most wanted items were boats, cars, golf carts, and laptops.

Wealthy Investors Leery Of Professionals

A new survey of investors, those with $5 million or more in investable assets, conducted by Spectrum Group of Chicago found that investors now are managing 47% of their assets with no professional help. The investors may consult advisors but make their own decisions on about one-third of their money. They allow advisors to fully handle only 18%.

In other words, today’s ultra-wealthy are managing the largest parts of their fortunes themselves, entrusting the investment industry (wealth-management firms) with only 18¢ of every dollar.

Pizza Entrepreneur Doing Just Fine

Papa John’s pizza-chain founder John Schnatter, 48, has purchased three units in a new condominium-and-residence complex (St. Regis Deer Crest Resort) in Utah’s Dear Valley for $23 million.

Schnatter started his pizza business out of a former broom closet in 1983. Various Papa John units are members of trade exchanges.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/12/2010

IMS Barter Schedules Annual Shareholder Meeting

International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:INLM) has announced that its annual shareholder meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel.

For more information on IMS see click here.

Megatrax Offers To Barter Programming For Inventory

Megatrax, a production music library known for its radio programming, has launched a barter alternative for its television and cable broadcast clients. They will be offering their libraries and additional services in exchange for commercial inventory.

Tradebank International’s Trading Volume Up 11% In 2009

According to Todd Gerry, Senior Vice President of Tradebank International, the company’s trading volume was up 11% over 2008, while new account sales saw a 57% increase over the 2008 period.

IRTA Introduces New Web Site

The International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) has launched a new web site, using the latest open source technology based on a Joomia platform.

For more information on IRTA click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/05/2010

First Quarter Spending Looks Positive

The Research firm ChangeWave says the first quarter of 2010 will see a surge in consumer spending, as consumer sentiment and expectations have improved. Consumer electronics purchases will be the most significant catalyst of the improvement in buying activity.

Bottomline: The 90-day outlook is as positive and hopeful as any we’ve seen over the last two years.

Give A Day, Get A Night

Sage Hospitality of offering volunteers free hotel stays or 50% discounts at all 53 Sage hotels. Through March 31, people who complete eight hours of community service for a registered 501 © 3 nonprofit organization and bring documentation to the hotel can take advantage of the offer.

For more information visit www.giveadaygetanight.com.

Gift Cards For Guns

In Los Angeles people lined up for the annual “gifts for guns” program. This years program garnered 232 guns, all of which will be destroyed. Supermarket and retail store gift-cards were provided in the exchange program. (Since the program has been underway there has been a drop in homicides.)

Major Real Estate Developers Offered Barter-Type Deals

Governors from states around the U.S. are contacting executives at major companies to convince them to “stay put” in the state, and for outsiders to relocate to the state.

In the barter-type packages offered are incentives consisting of millions in low-interest loans, sales tax relief, tax credits and outright grants for infrastructure improvements.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/29/2009

NuBarter Finishes #2 In Forbes Contest

NuBarter trade exchange was named runner-up in the Forbes “Boost Your Business” contest, just missing out on the grand prize of $100,000 in cash and advertising. Finishing second out of twenty finalists was quite an accomplishment for the company.

For more information on NuBarter click here. (www.nubarter.com)

The eBay Of Wine

Vinfolio.com, founded in 2003, provides a marketplace for wine collectors to sell off their stock. The web site takes a 15% commission from every sale. Vinfolio also offers a free iPhone app that tells the average price of any varietal you might see in the store.

Airlines Expect Less Losses In 2010

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects airline losses to drop from $11 billion in 2009 down to $5.6 billion in 2010. Airline revenue, worldwide, last year was $478 billion. Wondering what their fuel costs were as a percentage of airline costs? It’s 26%.

Cupcake Shops’ Poised As Latest Craze

Futurists are predicting that cupcake shops will rival coffee shops in another decade. Thus forecasting the probability of cupcakes available on every corner...as ubiquitous as today’s coffee shops.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/15/2009

Financial-Services Industry A Major Employer

In the USA there is a total employment in the securities, commodities and investment industries of 779,700 people, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

TBC Network Interviewed Scott Drudy Of Pittsburgh Trade

The TBC Global News Network (www.tbctoday.com) featured Scott Drudy of the Pittsburgh Trade Alliance on its hour-long TV show Sunday, December 13.

Online Food Channel Predicts More Barter

Online food magazine, The Food Channel (www.foodchannel.com), has released its “Top-Ten Food Trends for 2010.” One of those predictions was that restaurants will increasingly utilize trade exchanges, because the exposure and connections through barter networks are a valuable conduit for restaurants.

Big Dollar-Grossing Restaurant In Beverly Hills

A new Beverly Hills restaurant grossed more than $13 million in its first year (its construction cost topped $12 million). Only 50 restaurants in the country grossed more last year, according to data from trade publication Restaurants & Institutions.

Unusual Trade

A widow who sued the IRS for $1 million, for allegedly driving her husband to suicide, dropped her claim in exchange for the agency forgiving her tax debt.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/08/2009

$1 Billion Cash Loan To Be Paid Off In Airline Miles

It there was ever a question of whether the airlines have established their own currency of frequent flier miles or not, it is no longer. For years airlines have bolstered their balance sheets by pre-selling billions of miles (for about 1¢ a mile) to other merchants.

Citigroup Inc., which gives away American AAdvantage miles to credit-card customers, agreed in September to lend American $1 billion. This loan will be repaid between 2012 and 2016…not in cash but in airline miles.

IRTA’s Suplizio Leads European Barter Congress

The re-establishment of Europe as a chapter of the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) took place early December in Istanbul, Turkey. It was sponsored by Turk Barter and Paul Suplizio (the original executive director of IRTA and present IRTA board member) led the conference for the European exchanges.

Consumers — Key To Job Creation

The largest impediment to new hiring is weak sales. Since January 2008, more owners have reported lower sales (quarter over quarter) in every month, mostly by double digit margins. In November, a small 15% reported gains in sales, while 43% reported sales were still declining.

In short, consumers are the key to job creation. When businesses have more customers, they will hire more workers.

WSJ Publishes Article On Restaurants Using Trade Exchanges

Restaurant owners are embracing barter (via trade exchanges) according to an extensive article in the December 3 issue of The Wall Street Journal. Bartering is especially useful for independent restaurants that, unlike some chains, lack access to corporate credit lines or cash. Trading food for needed services from trade exchange members is especially valuable in a tight economy.

Named and quoted in the article were Rob Miller, president of the Arizona Trade Exchange, and Ric Zampatti, CEO of The Barter Company based in Atlanta.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/01/2009

Mortgage Fraud Now Taken Seriously

Under the Fraud Enforcement & Recovery Act, which was signed into law in May 2008, a new day is here for dealing with mortgage fraud (which was often glossed over just a few years ago). Today, penalties for conviction of mortgage fraud can be a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The statute of limitations has also been increased to ten years from five years.

Internet Display Advertising Versus Traditional Ad Spending

New York-based advertising research firm TNS Media Intelligence reports that spending on Internet display advertising rose 6.5% for the first half of 2009, compared to the year ago period. Meanwhile, ad spending in the more traditional television, magazines, newspapers, radio and outdoor mediums, all declined anywhere from 10% to 24%.

Art4Barter In Philadelphia

On December 4 at Philadelphia’s Ven & Vaida Gallery, ten participating artists will be involved in the eighth art for barter exhibit. The artists will show and barter their works with attendees on a face to face basis, negotiating directly for various services and products.

Financial Editor Offers Small Business Tips

Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for NBC’s “Today” show, has five tips for small businesses on her web site at http://www.jeanchatzky.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...11/24/2009

Sales Update On Restaurants

The National Restaurant Association reports that sales at full-service will hit $182.9 billion, up 1% over 2008. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s will see sales of $163.8 billion this year, up 4% over 2008.

How Deep Is The Foreclosure Crisis?

Recently, 158 foreclosed condo units 6 miles from downtown Miami were sold at $113,009 per unit. The sales price was $109 per square-foot about 33% of construction costs, which are estimated at $300 per square-foot. (Average condo prices in the Miami area have fallen by 37% over the past year to $137,900.)

Trader Takes Advantage Of Opportunities In Depressed Real Estate Market

Joe Stanley, located in the Denver area, saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. As a previous buyer of the BarterNews Fast-Start Barter Program, Stanley finalized a trade for one year’s accommodation of a one-bedroom furnished apartment complete with maid service.

Estate Of Barter Entrepreneur Taken Off The Market

In Los Angeles the $125 million Fleur de Lys estate (a 53,000 square-foot palatial compound) was taken off the market after 940 days of being listed. The Versailles-flavored estate is owned by Suzanne Saperstein, ex-wife of Texas barter entrepreneur David Saperstein who built a fortune supplying radio traffic reports.

Bartering Frequent Flier Miles For Face Lift

Finnair, Finland’s largest airline, is now offering plastic surgery as part of its loyalty rewards program. Have enough points (miles) and one can get a hair replacement, breast augmentation, or a facelift from Nordstroem Hospital in Helsinki. (Millions of miles are needed for each procedure.)

Sony’s Change In Procurements Expected To Save $5.6 Billion!

Sony’s CEO Howard Stringer recently outlined the company’s turnaround strategy at the electronics giant’s Tokyo headquarters. This is the first time since its 1958 public listing that it has incurred losses for two years running.

Sony has been uniting its sprawling business, bringing together purchasing for parts and other supplies that were previously divided and less efficient. The restructuring is expected to save the company $5.6 billion in procurement costs—a 20% improvement from the previous fiscal year.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...11/03/2009

White Delivers Corporate Overview At Growth Stock Conference

ITEX Chairman and CEO Steven White spoke at the Security Research Associates Growth Stock Conference in New York City recently. The conference was held at the Omni Hotel on October 19. White discussed ITEX’s current operations and the company’s web services strategy.

Don’t Forget To Redeem Your Frequent-Flier Miles

There’s an estimated 12 trillion unused frequent-flier miles in circulation worth an estimated $200 billion. It’s estimated 20% or more of all miles will never be redeemed — in part because of confusing airline policies and scant notice of approaching expirations.

Airlines have been tightening up expiration rules, partly in response to an accounting change last year that made it more onerous to carry these liabilities on their books.

USA A Nation Of Small Businesses

An estimated 90% of U.S. businesses are family-owned or controlled, from traditional small businesses to about 30% of Fortune 500 firms, according to the Small Business Administration.

While it’s difficult to be precise on the number of small businesses that have closed in this recession, experts say the prolonged slump has hurt a significant number. About 4.3 million businesses with 19 or fewer employees closed between the fourth-quarter of 2007 and the fourth-quarter of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

International Monetary Systems Announces Stock Buyback Effort

International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:ITNM) Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of up to 4% of the firm’s outstanding shares, effective November 9.

CEO Don Mardak says the current stock price fails to reflect the value of the company, as IMS shares at current prices are trading at about one-half of book value and one-third of net revenue.

ITEX Annual Shareholders Meeting Planned

The ITEX Corporation (OTCBB:ITEX) Annual Stockholders Meeting will be held on Friday December 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the company’s offices in Bellevue (WA).

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/27/2009

TIME Magazine Features Bartercard’s Operations

Bartercard founder and CEO Wayne Sharpe was quoted extensively in a lengthy TIME magazine (Europe edition) story about barter. Pointed out in the story, “Bartering: Have Hotel, Need Haircut,” were the advantages of trading through a trade exchange versus that of trading directly with another party.

Realtors Income Dropping

The National Association of Realtors report that median income for realtors and brokers fell to $36,700 last year from a high of $49,300 in 2004. Membership in the group dropped from 1.35 million to 1.14 million from September 2008 to September 2009.

BarterQuest A PayPal Silver Sponsor

BarterQuest, a platform that supports the cashless exchange of goods and services will be a Silver Sponsor at Innovate X 2009 — PayPal’s first dedicated developer conference. The conference will be held in San Francisco, November 3 and 4.

Best Time To Start A Business — Today

According to Ariane de Bonvoisin, founder and CEO of The First 30 Days, it’s time to get moving! “We live in a time where everything is up for discussion,” she asserted. “Barter, trade exchange services, do whatever it takes to get started or to maintain. It’s cheaper to start a business now than ever before.

“Do not fall into the trap of thinking it costs money to get going. Everything is going for cheap now. Make the most of it. And if you don’t have money, look at what you do have and what you can trade.”

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/20/2009

Rum Maker Barters With St. Croix (Virgin Islands)

Spirits maker Fortune Brands Inc. has cemented a barter deal with the U.S. Virgin Islands to continue making rum on St. Croix in exchange for marketing and other incentives. Thus expanding the Cruzan Rum Distillery and building a state-of-the-art wastewater-treatment facility with a value projected to exceed $1 billion over 30 years.

Restaurant Industry Reports Declining Sales

The National Restaurant Association reports continued declines in sales for August, the most recent month for which it has data. Only 17% of restaurant operators reported a same-store sales gain between August 2008 and August 2009. Some 68% of operators reported a same-store sales decline in August, up from 58% who reported negative sales in July. Customer traffic levels also dropped off in August.

TeleTrade International Earnings Update

Gary Lasater, CEO of TeleTrade international, reports $44.4 million of trading volume for the trading platform’s first nine months of 2009. (The eValues system posted $34.2 million of TTi’s totals.)

Barter Industry Convention Scheduled

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/06/2009

BizXchange Brokers $2.2 Million Media For Automobiles Deal

BizXchange’s International Division, BizX, has successfully completed a brokered $2.2 million barter transaction between the Arab Media Group and the Al Naboodah Group (Audi Middle East).

New Radio Brand-Building Services Announced

A new service known as “The 360 Radio Brand-Building Collection” has been introduced and is now available for radio station management.

For more information see www.360impactbranding.com.

Will Exchange Term-Life Insurance Policies For Hard Assets

Logic Financial is looking to exchange term-life insurance policies for any type of hard assets (not services). Minimum exchange is one million dollars. We can provide life-policy portfolios in the hundreds of millions, and can combine cash with the policies if necessary. (Preferably assets are free of debts.)

For more information call James Lehner at 323-939-0828 or e-mail james@logicfinancial.net.

Airlines Are Hurting

Business travel revenue is down around the world; for July the figure was 35%! The International Air Transport Association estimates that carriers globally will lose $11 billion in 2009.

Gallup Poll Shows Business Owners Are Happiest

A new Gallup-Healthways “Well-Being Index” rates business owners as the happiest workers in America, followed by professionals and executives. Well-being is measured by how respondents answered questions about how they feel about their work environment, physical health, emotional satisfaction and access to food, shelter and health care.

Barter Industry Convention Scheduled

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/22/2009

NuBarter Semi-Finalists Of Forbes Competition

Savannah barter company, NuBarter, is in the running for the 2009 Forbes.com “Boost Your Business Competition.” It is one of twenty semi-finalists in which the winner will receive $50,000 cash and $50,000 in advertising on Forbes.com.

ITEX Opens Charlotte Office

Franchise owner Warren Stone has announced the launch of ITEX in Charlotte, North Carolina.

For more information call (704) 749-3600 or click here.

PriceDoc.com Goes National In November

Modeling Priceline.com, a new web site called PriceDoc.com will soon be providing patients with the ability to negotiate prices (name their price) for medical, dental, vision and other healthcare services.

Recap Of Barter Industry News Scheduled At IRTA

IRTA’s upcoming International Convention in Dallas will be highlighting the news coverage which the barter industry has received over the past year. The news stories will be shown at the convention on the morning of October 2.

Atlanta Braves Barter With Radio Stations

The Atlanta Braves baseball team has signed a new deal wherein it will sell radio advertising, keeping most of the ad revenue in lieu of the guaranteed rights fee that radio stations heretofore paid to carry the games. The move reflects a trend among other major league baseball teams nationwide.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/15/2009

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/08/2009

Matchbin Moves From Barter To Community Reporting

Several years ago the founders of Matchbin were sure they would revolutionize the commercial barter industry with their barter/auction technologies. But their online efforts never materialized as envisioned. Today Matchbin has evolved into a platform with a strong focus on community newspapers — with a mission of helping create online communities and engagements with readers alongside a newspaper’s daily news.

Activist CEO Makes Another Move Outside Of ITEX

In May, 2008 BarterNewsblog reported on publicly-traded Western Sizzlin Corp’s (NASDAQ:WEST) efforts to get control of ITEX (largest trade exchange in U.S.) through an offer to ITEX shareholders. They did acquire 873,862 shares but fell short of their hostile takeover objective.

Now Western Sizzlin’s young, 31-year-old, CEO Sardar Biglari is on to other ventures. Biglari became chief executive of Western Sizzlin in 2007 after buying shares and agitating for change at the company. Today he’s making some significant moves in another direction.

Following a similar “muscling in” strategy at publicly-traded Steak n Shake (NYSE:SNS) he moved onto the company’s board in 2008. Now the owner of 9.2% of the company’s stock (recent stock price $10.85) he recently disclosed plans that will see Steak n Shake purchasing Western Sizzlin — the steak house he also heads and has a 33% stock ownership position in. Recent stock price of WEST was $14.10.

IMS Reports July Most Profitable In 2009

International Monetary Systems’ (OTCBB:ITNM) CEO Don Mardak says that the month of July was the company’s most profitable month of 2009, with strong operating profits and cash flow. The company’s travel department, led by Kim Strabley, had record sales during the month.

For more information on the 20,000 member national barter company click here.

Trisko Authors Barter For Resort Developers

Dave Trisko, CEO of TriMarkTrade, has authored an excellent article (on how & why resorts barter) in the August issue of Developments magazine. The American Resort Development Association is the publisher of the publication.

To read or download the article click here.

WSJ Article Touts Barter As Way To Move Office Equipment

The Wall Street Journal’s Small Business Section (online) published an article on the three best ways to get rid of office equipment. One of the suggestions was “try bartering.” Listed in the article were the following barter companies: NuBarter.com, BizX.com, FloridaBarter.com, and BarterBrokers.com.

New Trade Exchange Opens In Colorado

Bethanne Dressel and husband Bill Stein have started Corporate Barter Solutions this summer in Colorado. Currently they are in the process of renting office space in Denver. Prior to launching CBS, Stein had 23 years of experience running Trade Exchange Of The Rockies.

ITEX Advances Into Calgary

ITEX Toronto broker Michael Mazzin has expanded operations into Calgary, Alberta, Canada (http://www.BarterInAlberta.com). ITEX will be the third barter company (trade exchange) within the city.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/01/2009

Defining The Entrepreneurial Drive

The Kauffman Foundation, a Kansas City think-tank that studies entrepreneurship, says the whiz-kid business founder as a norm is a myth. Instead of the dorm room genius as a founder, the typical founder of a new business is middle age, 40 on average, when launching a new business.

· 70% of first-time founders are married,

· 60% have at least one child,

· 59% come from lower-middle-class or blue collar families, and

· almost 50% hold advanced degrees.

What spurs the entrepreneurial spirit? People come to the stage when they’re tired of working for others. They’re thinking, “I’m 40 and haven’t made it big yet. This is my last chance.”

What Do You Think?

According to a Zogby Poll, 75-percent of Americans don’t believe CEOs and CFOs give a true picture of their firms’ financial outlook.

Barter Story On German Television

Reiner Husemann contacted BarterNews about a German television station publishing a story on bartering. It’s now online at Youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4Y4CGilac

U.S. Hotel Occupancy Lowest Since 1987

Smith Travel Research, which began tracking hotel occupancy levels back in 1987, reports that occupancy figures for U.S. hotels were at 64% in July — the lowest figure on record.

Reinforcing the dire problem is the real-estate research company Real Capital Analytics report showing $18 billion in hotel loans are distressed (delinquent, in foreclosure, in bankruptcy or restructured by lenders), compared to just $1.3 billion in distressed loans a year ago.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/25/2009

Allyson Ames Listed In The Richest Kids In America Book

A new book written by Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the best-selling Chicken Soup For The Soul Series (144 million books sold worldwide), has authored his latest effort titled The Richest Kids In America.

Prominent in the book is the daughter of TradeAmericanCard founder Mike Ames, who is located in Orange (CA). Allyson Ames is one of 14 “kids” featured in this most interesting and helpful book. Included as a Bonus Section are Allyson’s business strategies, along with a section titled Resources to Riches.

Cardiologist Services On Trade

Larry Usner, 54, who runs Louisiana Barter in Lafayette, says “I haven’t paid a penny to my cardiologist in four years.” As an independent trade exchange owner, he’s covered the cost of insurance co-pays for six angioplasty surgeries (not to mention his dentist’s bill for $8,000 in veneers) by bartering services from the radio and television advertising business he also operates.

Stock Market Investing Hits New Level Of Complexity

The game of investing in stocks has changed dramatically from those of decades ago, when the small investor was investing in a company for the long haul. Today, huge firms on Wall Street have sophisticated computer-trading platforms. And these firms have become dominant players in high-frequency trading, wherein computers use complex formulas to conduct rapid-fire trades in markets around the world.

Such high-frequency trading has become one of the fastest-expanding strategies on Wall Street, accounting for more than 73% of stock-trading volume in the U.S. this year, up from 59% in 2008, according to the Tabb Group, a New York research firm.

What Is Syndication?

Most TV shows on the “off-networks” are offered on a barter basis, i.e., the stations pay a lower licensing fee for the show in exchange for sharing their in-house ad revenues with the syndicator.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/18/2009

NATE Has New Web Site

The National Association of Trade Exchanges has changed its web site to http://www.natebarter.com

NATE’s currency, BANC dollars, web site remains http://www.barterbanc.ws

Tourism Drop Hurts Mediterranean Countries

Holiday destinations in Greece, Portugal and Spain are staggering through one of the worst tourist seasons (May-to-September) in years. Roughly 10 million fewer visitors/tourists and $20 billion in lost revenue/income is forecast by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

ITEX Registrants Growing Dramatically

ITEX, the largest trade exchange (membership) in the U.S., added 934 new members in July. Michael Muzzin, from the Toronto office registered 99 new members in the month.

Billionaire Says We’ve Hit Bottom

Billionaire financier George Soros, in an interview with Reuters Television in New York on Tuesday (August 11), said that the U.S. economy has hit the bottom and the current quarter will see positive growth due to the government stimulus spending.

Bob Bagga Writing On Barter

The President and CEO of BizXchange http://www.bizx.com is now writing about barter on his new blog at http://www.BaggaOnBarter.com

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th annual convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information see http://www.irta.com

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25 annual convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information go to http://www.natebarter.com

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/11/2009

Direct Barter Internet Sites

Here are two sites for consumers interested in direct barter...

Do favors, get favors from anyone in the world. (Click here.)

Founder Douglas Dagenais began his barter experience as a small business owner in the early ‘70s, trading his goods (a men’s clothing store) for other needed services. Over the last 25 years he’s been involved with the largest barter companies in the U.S. He now shares his vast barter experience with individuals. (Click here.)

Google Exits Radio Business

Three years ago Google purchased dMarc Broadcasting (for $102 million) with the intent of selling radio ads through an automated online system. Google recently announced that it is exiting the radio business by selling the radio-ad placement technology to WideOrbit Inc., a small San Francisco company that makes software for the broadcast TV and radio industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Grandparenting A New Image

A blog by Samantha Palans has a post titled, “Grandparenting A New Image.” See http://www.theboomerblog.com

Also checkout http://www.maturemarketing.com for marketing insights to the boomers and mature consumer.

Twenty-Four Percent (24%) Of Homeowners Are Underwater

According to data from Equifax and Moody’s Economy.com, 24% of owner-occupied single-family homes have mortgage debt that exceeds the value of their homes — about 16 million homeowners. The hardest hit state is Nevada, where 40% of owner-occupied homes are underwater, followed by Arizona (37%) and California (33%).

For more convention information see: http://www.IRTA.com

· The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th annual convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

For more convention information see: http://www.NATE.org

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/04/2009

Client’s View Of Barter Worth Another Look

Peter Comrie, keynote speaker at the 1996 NATE convention held in Toronto, recently contacted me. His talk that year titled, “A Client’s View of Barter,” was excellent and worth another read.

http://barternews.com/clientsview.htm.

Peter Comrie is staging a big 3-day seminar in Vancouver this fall. If you’ve never visited Vancouver, this would be an excellent time to do so. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the seminar promises to be first-class as well.

For more on Comrie’s efforts see: http://www.TheWealthyAttitude.com

Co-Working Rentals Growing In Popularity

Rental arrangements for small business office space, wherein tenants will share telephone and Internet charges, a receptionist (who works for all the businesses), office equipment as well as the office space on a month-to-month lease, are growing in popularity.

A co-working environment also presents an opportunity to tap into the collective expertise of the group and create business deals with other business owners, who are just a cubicle away. There are more barter deals taking place as well, in which the bartering of various services (needed by the owner) is exchanged for space.

Brand Loyalty Dropping

Catalina Marketing reports that loyalty to specific brands is down. Some 30 percent of consumers today, with a choice of 30,000 products in grocery stores, are no longer buying their once-favored brands.

Allyson & Sondra Ames Appear On The TODAY Show

Sondra Ames and her daughter Allyson were barter stalwarts for years with Orange County-based TradeAmericanCard, founded by Mike Ames. Yesterday, August 3, they appeared on the TODAY Show in New York City. They’re the highly-successful founders and operators of Wonderland Bakery, located in Newport Beach (CA). We understand that basketball superstar Kobe Bryant is a frequent visitor to their store.

For more see: http://www.WonderlandBakery.com.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

· The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th annual convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel, in Dallas.

For more convention information see: http://www.IRTA.com

· The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th annual convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

For more convention information see: http://www.NATE.org

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...07/28/2009

Ad Agency Clients Insisting On More For Less

Big marketers have cut back on the fees they pay ad firms for their services, such as creating TV commercials. Additionally, they’ve slashed what they spend on ad time and space.

Marketers have, over the past few years, begun to get their procurement departments involved in efforts to cut the costs on a wide range of marketing activities, including ad production.

To cope with the changing environment and lesser profits, the ad industry has reacted to the downturn by paring jobs as salaries typically represent about 55% to 65% of an agency’s expenses.

PayPal Will Surpass eBay’s Revenue

CEO John Donahoe of eBay, speaking at the “Fortune Brainstorm Tech Conference” in Pasadena last week, says eBay’s PayPal will become a bigger business than eBay. Donahoe expects PayPal will double in size in the next four or five years. He also noted that fees generated from its transactions appear to be the future of revenue for the online commerce Internet site.

Although now in beta testing, PayPal is opening an API to developers to allow them to embed its payment system into their own applications and platforms. PayPal says this is the first global payment platform to open to third-party developers.

Bleak Outlook For Restaurants’ Next 18 Months

Moody’s Investors Services have issued a report saying the restaurant industry is likely to remain weak for the next 12 to 18 months, as declines in restaurant traffic coincides with greater affordability of eating at home.

Ad Slump Expected To Lessen In 2010

A unit of the Interpublic Group of companies, Magna, says that ad revenue is on track to decline by 14.5% this year to $161.4 billion. Ad revenue will pick up next year with the Olympics and political advertising, but still fall, at 2%. Magna foresees ad growth resuming in the second half of 201l, with strength in TV, online media, outdoor and direct mail.

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) is holding its 30th annual convention October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

For more convention information click here.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges’ (NATE) 25th annual convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more convention information click here.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...07/21/2009

Barter Industry Conventions Scheduled

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s (IRTA) 30th Annual Convention will be held October 1-3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel, in Dallas, Texas. (For more information see http://www.irta.com.)

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) 25th Annual Convention will be held October 25-27 at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. (For more information see http://www.nate.org.)

IRTA’s Wallach Appears On Fox TV

David Wallach, President of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, www.irta.com, was a spokesperson on the Fox TV News Channel Saturday July 18 (the segment was repeated several times on Sunday, July 19).

In the interview Wallach explained how the “modern trade and barter industry” can play an important, positive role in re-energizing the economy as well as significantly increasing gainful employment, not to mention a valuable non-cash funding resource for the small business sector.

New Barter Sites Launched

Www.swapster.com provides users the place to trade music, movies, video games and books, through an easy-to-use points system.

In Ireland, Finnella Naughton has launched www.barter-it.ie.

Seattle Restaurant Owner Gains Competitive Advantage In Marketplace

Seattle’s Seastar restaurant, a member of the BizXchange trade exchange, recently acquired $30,000 in decorative granite. Payment for the material was with trade dollars — earned via BizXchange members dining at the restaurant. Needless to say, acquiring needed materials in such a manner provides Seastar with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

For more info on BizXchange visit www.bizxchange.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...07/14/2009

Sharpe Appears On United Kingdom’s Sky News

Wayne Sharpe, founder and CEO of Bartercard, the world’s largest trade exchange, was interviewed June 25 on Sky News. Sharpe discussed how Bartercard (trade exchanges) helps the U.K. economy by providing assistance and support, outside of the banking industry, to the small business sector of the economy.

The SME market (small and medium business enterprises) constitutes over 60% of the British economy.

For more information on Bartercard see http://www.Bartercard.com.

Time-Share Industry Under Pressure

Major time-share developers, led by Wyndham Worldwide, Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, are scaling back their time-share business for a variety of reasons: (1) investors in time-share loans demand higher interest rates, (2) buyers have become more scarce, and (3) resales of time-shares have caused downward pressure on prices and demand for new units.

Investment Manager Suggests New Perspective For Next Generation

According to Bill Gross, manager of the world’s biggest bond fund at Newport Beach-based Pacific Investment Management Co., investors should favor bonds and dividend-paying equities as the U.S. heads into a “new normal” of higher savings and lower-consumption. Gross also predicts an annual economic growth of about 2%, as opposed to 3.5%, for a generation or more. Thus indicating that investors should stress secure income.

Feeling Poorer?

Americans lost one-fifth of the value of their 401(K) retirement accounts — some $603 billion — in 2008, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute in Washington, DC.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/30/2009

Bartercard’s Incredible Sales Staff

The world’s largest trade exchange, with 65,000 members, is Bartercard. Launched 18 years ago by Australia’s entrepreneurial Wayne Sharpe, the company focused on setting up a superior barter training and operational system. The diligence has paid off.

In an industry that sees a turnover of sales people, Bartercard can boast of their top seven sales people. They have sold 8,000 new members between them, all paid. The record for a single month of personal sales is 43 members. And eleven other sales people have signed up 35 in a month.

Bartercard’s best are: Rod Bryan 1,259 sign-ups; Kevin Dienoff 1,165; Steve Mills 1,248; Paul Marcello 1,023; Michael Tynne 1,157; Mac Mackie 1,129; Rose Lawlar 1,022.

Value of World’s Millionaires Assets Slid 20%

The ranks of the world’s millionaires shrank at the fastest rate in 2008, with North America suffering the biggest wealth loss worldwide, according to a survey by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch & Co.

The global slump in property and equity markets last year cut the number of millionaires by 15% to 8.6 million, wiping out two years of increases, the firms said in their 13th annual World Wealth Report. (The value of the world’s millionaires’ assets slid 20% to $32.8 trillion, after a 9.4% increase the previous year, the survey said.)

Surprisingly, the U.S. wealthy fared better than many of their overseas counterparts. While the nation’s millionaire population fell 19%, the U.K. had a 26% drop, Russia fell 29%, India dropped 32%, and Australia and Canada both topped 23%. (Those least affected included Brazil with a 9% drop, and China with a 12% drop.)

Vancouver’s Commercial Real Estate Booming

Having had the good fortune to spend time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it’s good to see Vancouver (BC) is doing so well with its commercial real estate (office buildings, shopping centers and other properties). Because of the low vacancy rates (4.2%), prices are holding up in Vancouver, versus most cities in the U.S. where average prices are down 25% to 35% in most locations.

Companies Plan To Operate With Less Employees

Consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide conducted a new survey of 179 companies and reports that 52% of those surveyed expect to employ fewer people three to five years from now than they did before the recession began. And 73% expect employees to shoulder more of the cost of health care than prior to the recession.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/23/2009

National Association Of Trade Exchanges Names New Board

On May 18, 2009, the majority of the NATE membership voted to elect a new board:
Gary Oshry as President,
Rachel Taylor as Treasurer,
Karen Welch as Secretary,
Ric Zampatti, Director,
Mary Nove, Director
the registered agent is Harold Rice.

The new NATE office is located at 10151 IH 35 North, San Antonio, Texas 78233.

A Bridge To Better Times

Some 18% of entrepreneurial small-business owners are working in a second job to keep their businesses afloat. That’s according to the latest findings from the American Express Open Small Business Monitor. Many have sacrificed their personal finances and have stopped paying themselves a salary to deal with the current economic reality.

U.S. Ad Spending Fell 14% In First Quarter

TNS Media Intelligence reports that U.S. ad spending on media such as TV, print and online display ads fell 14% to $30.18 billion in the first quarter from a year earlier. The ad downturn (figures) was worse than anticipated.

Investment World Ever-Changing

Decades ago the bulk of investors in the stock market was the “individual investor.” Now, some 70% of the trading volume on the NYSE and other exchanges is done by large institutional investors. And the “buy and hold” theory of yesteryear has changed as well.

Today major firms employ dozens of PhD’s to develop computer-driven models to identify when to buy and sell stocks, bonds and other securities. The latest discoveries by the brilliant math whizzes revolve around discovery of hidden stock-pricing patterns similar to speech recognition technologies.

In other words, the underlying mathematics of predicting markets is not millions of miles away from the mathematics of speech recognition. Welcome to today’s ever-changing world.

Murphy Joins Novus Media Network

David P. Murphy has been named President of Sales for the Novus Media Network. Novus is a top ten U.S. media agency as ranked by Advertising Age Magazine. They are a part of the Omnicom Media Group, the media division of Omnicom Group Inc.—a leading global marketing and corporate communications company.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/09/2009

IMS Announces Online Bill-Pay & Statement Delivery For Members

International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:INLM) has launched an electronic monthly statement-notification service with an online bill-payment option. Additionally, the new service gives members the opportunity to link to desired features (of their membership) such as the online barter marketplace and travel center.

Facebook Introduces “Credits” Currency To Increase Income

Facebook will be tapping a new revenue stream by introducing a new payment system where visitors to their site may purchase Facebook “credits.” Said “credits” can be used to buy virtual goods from the third-party applications that run on the site. Facebook will capture a percentage of every transaction. (Developers working on Facebook’s platform are expected to earn more than $500 million this year.)

Favorpals Offers Service For Securing Mutual Benefit Through Collective Cooperation

Craftsmen, artists, laborers and professionals, can exchange their services at http://www.favorpals.com.

Travel Updates

· An online travel service (http://www.sidestep.com) offers travelers the ability to check a location and gauge the distance of a hotel from an address or a popular attraction such as a beach, zoo, shopping mall or ballpark.

· Virgin Airlines, the new upstart based in Burlingame (CA), has become the first airline to offer in-flight Internet service on every plane.

· Southwest Airlines has begun letting small cats and dogs fly with their owners, for $75 each way.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/02/2009

25% Early Sign-Up Discount For IRTA Convention

The International Reciprocal Trade Association’s Annual Convention is scheduled for October 1 thru October 3 at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

To sign-up now go to http://www.IRTA.com.

Hotel Occupancy In The Bahamas Falls To 48.9%

A tourist drought is creating havoc for hoteliers in the Bahamas. The most recent casualty is the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma, as the 500-acre resort has closed down. Opened in 2003 at a cost of $350 million, they have been unable to move the property.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the receiver(PricewaterhouseCoopers) expects the property to sell for less than $100 million. The hotel’s occupancy had slipped into the 50% range, as reported by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

Millionaire Population Dropping

The wealth of American families has dropped nearly 18% from last year. The Spectrem Group statistics showed that the number of U.S. millionaires fell 27% last year, the biggest drop since the wealth-research firm started collecting data about a decade ago.

The number of U.S. households with a net worth of at least a million (not including primary residences) sank to 6.7 million from 9.2 million in 2007. The population of millionaires is now at 2003-2004 levels, meaning the economic crisis has all but erased the millionaire boom of the past five years.

New Book: The Art of Abundance

John O’Keefe, the founder/owner of The Center For Peak Performance has published his second book, The Art Of Abundance.

For more information see http://www.nostressforyou.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/26/2009

Karen Hoffman Authoring Barter Book

Karen Hoffman, a former trade exchange owner who has served two years as the executive director of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, has signed a contract for a new barter book. It is expected to be published in the spring of 2010.

Hedge Funds Post Better Record Than S&P’s 500 Index

While the hedge fund industry experienced a 19% drop in 2008, according to the Chicago-based Hedge Fund Research, it was only the second year since 1990 that the industry lost money as a whole. (The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index dropped 39%.)

Facts About Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Of 2007

Owners of a personal residence will benefit from a short sale, in that the short fall will not be taxable under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. However, the act excludes second homes, rental properties, business property, credit cards and car loans.

For more information visit http://www.irs.gov and read Form 982, “Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness.”

Businesses Will Be More Accountable In Days Ahead

According to Ram Charan, a consultant to CEOs of many Fortune 500 companies, the executives he works with are very sensitive to the societal pressure, and change will occur. Charan foresees a shift in the compensation of executive pay. And, he believes corporate boards will try to ease the grip of Wall Street by adopting pay structures that consider all stakeholders...including employees and customers.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/19/2009

ITEX National Convention Underway

The 27th Annual ITEX Convention is now underway in Las Vegas. The Orleans Hotel & Casino is the venue, May 19-21. Attendance exceeds 150 with franchisees from all over North America.

Helping Women With Cancer

Do you know someone who is or are you personally battling cancer? Pincbubble.com is headquartered in Atlanta and offers a worldwide program dedicated to the inner and outer beauty of women undergoing chemotherapy.

For more on this program go to http://www.pincbubble.com.

Don Mardak Appears On Bloomberg TV Program

International Monetary Systems CEO Don Mardak appeared on the Bloomberg TV program Venture Friday evening, May 15. Mardak discussed the state of the barter industry and industry trends.

For more details on Mardak’s interview see http://www.bloomberg.com. (Click on “TV & Radio” and then go to “USTV Clips.”)

What If Grandpa Had Bought 100 Shares!

Johnson & Johnson is the sixth most profitable company in the Fortune 500, and the fifth most valuable (ahead of P&G, IBM, GE and Berkshire Hathaway). If you’d bought a single share when the company went public in 1944 at its IPO price of $37.50 and had reinvested the dividends, you now have a bit over $900,000...a stunning annual return of 17.1%.

Even if you hadn’t reinvested the dividends, that single share would now be 2,500 shares as a result of splits, and you’d be collecting dividends of $4,500 a year from that $37.50 investment.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/12/2009

Five Over-Rated Small Businesses

According to U.S. News & World Report these are the five most over-rated small businesses:

Green businesses
Contracting
Restaurants
Franchises
Traffic-driven web sites

Twenty-Two Percent of U.S. Homeowners Are “Underwater”

The number of borrowers who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth is 20.4 million (21.9%), according to the real estate web site www.Zillow.com.

Ten Popular Categories Within Trade Exchanges

1) Restaurants

2) Advertising

3) Printing

4) Dentists

5) Tires

6) Clothing/Shoe stores

7) Veterinarians

8) Dry cleaners

9) Orthodontists

10)Catering

Outsource, Bid, Barter & Make Money

FreeMyTimeNow.com is an online community where professionals, individuals and businesses can outsource, bid and barter. Just $5 a year for complete access to their web community.

Bartering At Breakfast

A trade exchange in Phoenix, Premier Barter, sponsors a barter breakfast where attendees are charged $30 for the breakfast cum meeting. Business owners can put together one-on-one trades as well as learning more about how a barter company operates and the value derived through indirect barter.

For more information visit http://www.thecreativebroker.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/28/2009

Fabulous Vermont Estate Available On Barter

A 10,000 square-foot mansion on approximately 18 acres overlooking the mountains, located in a beautiful upscale town of Dorset, Vermont, is available from the owner on a trade basis. Reproduction cost $8,700,000, today’s asking price $5,900,000.

Serious offers can be made to Carol at avoid6@aol.com.

To view property click here.

27th National ITEX Convention Scheduled

The largest trade exchange in the U.S. has scheduled its 27th convention, to be held May 18 - 21 at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. To date, 150 attendees have signed on. The franchisees will be involved with sales presentations and contests, national partnership strategies and numerous awards for efforts of the past year.

For more information on ITEX go to http://www.itex.com.

People Moving Toward Frugality

With nearly $13 trillion of wealth lost in this recession, a shaken confidence in the capitalist system is prompting a more powerful move toward frugality. Ravi Dhar, director of Yale’s Center for Customer Insights, says the longer this recession lasts the more it will have an impact on people’s long-term behavior.

Additionally, according to Dhar, getting credit is likely to be tougher for many consumers in the next decade than it was during the subprime-lending boom.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/21/2009

Business Owners Are Bartering More

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey of business owners, business owners are bartering more. Nearly half of business owners (45%) are open to bartering for new products or services with customers or suppliers. And nearly one-quarter (23%) report their barter activities have increased due to the economic environment.

Baby Bagga Has Arrived

Bob Bagga, co-founder of BizXchange, and his wife Anita have announced that their baby boy arrived on April 10, birthed at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. The baby and mom are doing great.

Commercial Radio Stations Asking For Donations

With radio advertising down 9%, commercial radio stations are taking a page from public radio — asking listeners for donations. A barter twist of sorts can be included, wherein top donors get access to the station’s special events.

Consumers Focus On Reducing Debt

A U.S. spending Monitor survey by Discover credit card company shows that 35% of consumers expect to reduce their debt level over the next six months. (Households reduced their total debt last year for the first time since World War II.)

Countries Bartering For Farmland

Countries fearing food shortages are making bilateral barter deals with poorer countries to acquire (via leases) farmland to provide crops for their own citizens. For example, Libya is leasing 250,000 acres from Ukraine in a barter deal for oil. While Saudi Arabia is presently seeking deals with Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/14/2009

BizXchange Gets Exposure On Forbes Web Site

Forbes.com recently did a 2-minute video news piece on BizXchange.

Here is the link: http://video.forbes.com/fvn/byb/forget-cash-barter-instead.

Champagne Exchanged For Advertising

Vienna’s Albertina Museum, home to landmark Impressionist works by Monet and Renoir, is embracing barter (asking companies to fund champagne and cocktails at receptions in exchange for advertising) as the financial crisis continues. It’s a way to cope with shrunken endowments, thriftier benefactors and cuts in state funding.

Transition Towns Embrace Local Bartering

Referred to as Transition Towns, hundreds of small towns—worldwide—are supporting local currencies for a “Keep It Local” bartering system that focuses on growing and improving the success of local businesses. Resident populations are showing a greater eagerness to utilize this “Keep It Local” way of (business) trading.

Barter Aids Hotels By Countering Low Occupancies

Hoteliers in downtown Chicago saw February occupancy rates at 48%, down from 54% a year earlier, according to Smith Travel Research. The average cost of a room fell by more than $16 to $133 — an 11% decline. With the hotels hurting, interest in barter (using trade exchanges) has increased substantially.

Seattle’s New Community Currency

A new Seattle community barter startup was launched two months ago. Their barter currency is called dibspace.

For more information go to http://www.dibspace.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/07/2009

Emotional Stimulus Plan To Manage Your Fear

In today’s economic environment many Americans are feeling anxious, edgy and vulnerable. While our government and others are instituting a variety of measures to stimulate economic growth, there are things that we as individuals can do to control anxiety and stimulate our emotional growth.

· Talk with your family and loved ones more frequently. Emotional and physical intimacy offers comfort when one is feeling vulnerable.

· Accept that when you feel victimized, anger is an appropriate response...diffuse it in a constructive way.

· Practice good relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, soft music, a hot bath, and turning off the phone, pager and PDA can offer some relief.

· Focus on things you can control. Learn a new skill or sport, or spend time on a favorite hobby.

· Attend religious or spiritual services. Let go of problems and open your heart to feelings of peace and love.

· Exercise. It sweeps the cobwebs out and encourages more restful sleep.

· Do things that give you pleasure. Go for a hike, read an escapist book or watch a funny movie.

· Make allowances. Be aware that you’re not functioning at 100%...allow yourself and others more time to complete personal and professional chores.

· Take it one day at a time. The onset of stress may be rapid, but getting rid of it can take a while. Try to resume the comfort and predictability of everyday routines.

· Manage your fear, getting professional help if you need it. Counselors and therapists have lots of tools that can help you get through the troubled times.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/31/2009

Barter Plays Needed Role In London Olympics

British Olympic legend Sebastian Coe (gold medals in 1980 and 1984) is chairman of London’s Olympic Committee and the 2012 Summer Games. Coe was in the U.S. recently for an international sports business conference, saying that upon his return to London he will be looking for sponsors to barter “in-kind” goods and services. Namely food and equipment needed for the Games, in lieu of cash fees for the sponsorships.

New England Trade Garners “Ink” In Boston Business Journal

Ken Meharg and Gary Oshrey’s New England Trade received coverage in the Boston Business Journal recently. The company has 1,300 members and projects $15 million in trade volume for 2009.

Logie’s Member Bartering In New York

An IRTA member exchange in Scotland is expanding its trade into the United States. European-based Hebridean Liquor Co. is bartering its products in New York through Richard Logie’s The Business Exchange, which is based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Unusual Barter Deal Possible

The U.S. is looking into the possibility of “bartering” with Russia, wherein Russia would assist in convincing Iran to reconsider its move toward developing nuclear warheads on its long-range missiles. In return the U.S. will reconsider employing missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/24/2009

Hotel Barter Expert Advises Independent Hoteliers

Established in 1992, Jody Merl’s Parsippany (NJ)-based Innovative Travel Marketing specializes in hotel and travel advertising using barter to expand buying power — exchanging unsold room inventory for advertising placement and services.

It should be noted that while independent hotels have more of a propensity to trade than hotel chains, a number of hotel groups have made barter a highly successful, company-wide strategy.

For more information on ITM see www.InnovativeTravelMarketing.com.

Trading Barter Company Network Eyes Acquisitions

Geneva, Switzerland-based HE-5 Resources (Pinksheets:HRRN) has acquired Trading Barter Bank. HE-5 reports its new purchase will be targeting acquisitions of micro-market barter companies in North America and Europe, and merging them with the Trading Barter Company network.

Beer For Coffee

Since 1993, Kansas City (MO)-based Boulevard Brewing Co. has been bartering with local coffee company The Roasterie, which receives beer for events in exchange for wholesale rates on coffee for Boulevard’s office.

Magazine Has Bartering Tips For Brides

Modern Bride magazine’s April/May issue offers ideas on how to barter for an (almost) perfect wedding. Two of the tips: Put your trades in writing so there is no misunderstanding; and avoid annual peak wedding times, for obvious reasons.

Knoxville’s Tradebank Expanding

Knoxville’s Tradebank reports signing up 44 local companies the first 75 days of 2009, compared to 25 new members in the same time period in 2008. The company has 700 members in the Knoxville area.

An Effective Cost-Cutting Measure

Canadian Cameron Herold, founder of Vancouver-based business consulting firm BackPocket COO, launched one of his most effective cost-cutting measures during tough times in 2002.

He determined the average cost of business trips and told his employees that when they spend less than that, he’d split the savings with them. Employees tended to cut travel expenses by 40% — fattening their own wallets and helping the company accumulate annual savings of about $120,000.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/17/2009

Fiji Real Estate Available On Barter/Cash Blend

Three lots, all 3/4 acre, are available in Fiji. The lots, priced at $50,000, $65,000 and $80,000, are available 50% ITEX & 50% cash.

For more information see: http://www.heavensdoorfiji.blogspot.com.

InterMedia Founder Dies

Sydney Yallen, founder and CEO of InterMedia, has passed away at 85. Yallen founded the company in 1974 after a career in advertising/media that began at the age of 13 as a part-time office boy at a Los Angeles radio station. In 1967, he worked as the West Coast regional manager for the barter company Pepper and Tanner. (Pepper and Tanner later changed their name to the William B. Tanner Company; they were a major story in Issue #3 of BarterNews magazine.)

California Community Offers Barter Services To Volunteers

A hard hit economic area, Laton (CA) is offering people in the vicinity the opportunity to trade their time on such community efforts as street cleaning, teaching literacy classes or painting selected buildings. In exchange they will receive “coupons” which can be used to acquire needed goods and services at selected locations within the locale.

What’s The Color Of Their Eyes

We all want to make a good impression. Here’s the sure way to do so —notice the color of a person’s eyes as you shake their hand! Here’s why it works. You’ll gain strong eye contact in a way that shows you’re interested in what the person has to say.

Vail Resorts Knows Barter’s Value

Vail Resorts, which owns Beaver Creek and a handful of other ski areas in Colorado and California, is cutting pay for workers in order to preserve jobs. The ski-resort operator reports that affected employees salaries will be cut on a sliding schedule from 2.5% for seasonal employees to 10% for executives. Employees also will receive a portion of their salaries in stock.

California Cities Barter Stimulus Funds

Creativity is alive and well in three cities in California as they are proposing to barter their anticipated share of federal money for highway improvements in exchange for funds that they could use as they see fit.

Officials at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is responsible for distributing federal highway and transit stimulus funds to agencies in Los Angeles County, said they had no objection to this kind of exchange provided the projects that are to receive stimulus funds meet the federal criteria.

But at the same time officials sent a letter to city managers saying that efforts by more municipalities to take the bartering process a step further will not be allowed.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/10/2009

Unemployed? Barter Your Services For Your Next Job

Here’s a little used technique that will make an impression on an employer. Suggest that you will work for no pay (bartering your services) in return for on the job training for a period of time. There are plenty of employers who have cut to the bone with layoffs, but still have work to get done.

ITEX’s CEO Presented Overview At Technology Conference

Steven White, CEO of the ITEX Corporation, presented a corporate overview of his company’s current operations and an update on its web strategies at the Securities Research Associates Fifth Annual Winter Technology Conference, March 9. The conference was held at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco. A video replay is available on the ITEX web site, www.itex.com under the Investors Relations section.

Bay Area BizXchange Is Booming

BizXchange, in the San Francisco Bay Area, has 500 members. But the interest in barter is so intense that the company is projecting an 80% growth for 2009. Chief Operating Officer Chris Haddawy says members today are focusing more on core business expenses like printing, signage and advertising.

Trade Stock Shares For Plush Vacation

We’ve seen two different situations where hoteliers and/or travel agencies are offering top-end hotel rooms for a special vacation. No cash is needed, instead pay for the rooms with shares of stock you’re holding—at today’s share price. One of the entities will even add a 10% premium to the share price.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/03/2009

Asia’s BarterXchange Expectations Growing

BarterXchange expects to see RM30 million of barter transactions this year for the Malaysian and Singapore markets.

TradeBay Follows eBay Model, But Operates On Barter

Teddy Rader, a student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, has started a business called TradeBay. It is much like eBay but operates on a barter system only. (Click here.)

Alcoa Aluminum Barter Equity Stakes

Alcoa has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Orkla under which both companies would exchange their corresponding stake in a Norwegian smelting partnership and a Swedish extrusion joint venture in order to focus on their respective areas of expertise and best practices.

Direct Barter Internet Sites

Here are two sites where consumers can barter: http://www.friendlyfavor.com and http://www.favorpals.com.

Ford Motor Barters To Fund Retiree Health Care Benefits

Ford and the United Auto Workers agreed to change the way the company funds retiree health care benefits. Ford which faces nearly $10 billion in health costs for retired union workers, now may make up to half its contributions in Ford stock rather than cash. (Ford has 187,000 retirees.)

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/24/2009

Dubai Racked By Debt

Dubai’s economy is contracting after a 40% slump in property prices, leaving the emirate struggling to refinance $15 billion of debt this year, the credit-rating company Moody’s divulged.

Great Time For Hotel Room Deals

According to PKF Consulting statistics, the best deals in the hotel industry are rooms...with vacancies at a 20-year high. Look for promotions at hotel web sites and compare prices at Quikbook.com.

WSJ Says “Barter Fits The Bill For Strapped Firms”

The February 17 issue of The Wall Street Journal ran a significant story about how small businesses, squeezed for cash (and unable to get loans), are bartering more. NuBarter and BizXchange were two barter companies listed, along with six small businesses denoting their barter experiences.

More Barter Internationally As Bank Lending Dries Up

A recent article in the Financial Times reports countries from Malaysia to Morocco say they have reverted to bartering for food and making deals to import commodities ranging from rice to olive oil. Officials estimate the deals range from $5 million for smaller contracts to more than $500 million for the biggest.

Barter Tops In Cost-Per-Lead

According to Action International Business Coaching, their evaluations of small companies using barter shows that barter is tops in providing return-on-investment and cost-per-lead.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/17/2009

Restaurants Barter For Giant Pumpkins

Restaurants in Elk Grove (CA) traded a meal for six to obtain giant pumpkins during the California Giant Pumpkin Forum on February 7. The giant pumpkins are used for decoration. The largest pumpkins will weigh from 700 to 900 pounds.

These giant pumpkins produce 500 to 600 seeds...the highest price ever paid for a single seed was $200.00

Durango People Looking To Connect Barter “Dots”

In Durango (CO) a recently formed La Plata Skills Trade Collective, a local time bank, is looking to galvanize the local community while strengthening community ties. It’s a way, say the organizers, for people with skills and equipment to come together and connect the dots.

“Hours” are earned in performing work for others and then the “hours” currency is spent for the services of other time bank participants. Currently a web site is being built for the new collective.

New Online Barter Communities

Barter Buddies is now open for business. There is no charge for the first three months, then a small annual fee is needed thereafter ... http://www.barterbuddies.co.uk.

A Toronto-based bartering community for Canadians is now operative. Members can barter their items or skills with the option to balance an uneven trade transaction with cash ... http://www.swapsity.ca.

Google Finds “Media Business” Tougher Than Expected

Google has closed both their print (placing ads in newspapers) and radio services within the last month. A company spokesperson said the projects were closed because they didn’t have the impact the company hoped for.

(The move was a blow to Clear Channel Communications as they were a major partner in the media efforts. In 2007, Google signed a high-profile deal to sell a guaranteed portion of ad inventory on more than 675 radio stations owned by Clear Channel.)

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/10/2009

IRTA Europe Conference Scheduled For Norway

The IRTA European Chapter Board of Directors has approved a measure to convene the 2009 European International Reciprocal Trade Association on June 4 - 5 in the charming town of Kragero, Norway.

IRTA members Rob van Hilten and Edgar Kampers of Qoin International (Netherlands) will host the conference. It will be just prior to the Annual Kragero Money & Philosophy Festival which focuses on money, alternative currencies, philosophy and equality.

The IRTA-Euro Conference promises to be a great learning experience and a wonderful time. Look for more details and registration information in the coming weeks.

BizXchange Featured On Local NBC Affiliate

Chris Haddawy, COO of BizXchange, appeared on the local San Francisco Bay Area NBC telecast explaining about how bartering is good for Bay Area businesses.

New Study Shows Value Of Discounts, Coupons

A new study by Penn, Schoen & Berland shows the power of coupons and discounts in influencing buying behavior. The study reported that nearly 68% of recession shoppers purchased something online they wouldn’t have otherwise, because of a coupon or discount. Thus conveying that consumers are becoming more aggressive when searching for deals and making smarter buying decisions.

“Cookies By Design” Franchisee Likes Barter

With sales down 26% over the last year, franchisee Renee King was very reluctant to just pull out her credit card to make business purchases, like in the past. She’s now into barter.

Recently she traded cookie credits (from her store), to cover a $550 membership fee at the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, where she expects to meet potential clients. She also bartered cookie credits with a local newspaper for advertising space.

Magna Global Trading Name Change

Magna Global Trading of Interpublic Group’s Mediabrands has rebranded to become Orion Trading, as part of an expansion plan that includes opening an office in Australia...its first in the Asia-Pacific region.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/03/2009

Historic Sportsman Lodge Closing, Venue For First Industry Meeting

The site of the first IATE (International Association of Trade Exchanges) meeting of trade exchange owners is closing its doors. IATE, now known as IRTA (International Reciprocal Trade Association), held the barter industry’s initial meeting at the Sportsman Lodge (Sherman Oaks) back in 1978. The San Fernando Valley landmark is being replaced with an upscale steakhouse.

More Price Drops for Real Estate Predicted

The January issue of the International Forecaster newsletter projects home prices in the U.S. will drop another 20% to 30%. They also predict inflation will resurface in April, as the monetization by the government begins hitting the markets.

President Of IRTA On The Road

David Wallach will be traveling to Seattle this week to visit with IRTA members in the Northwest.

Recession Marketing

Have you seen the new ad by Hyundai? A good example of “recession marketing.” Here’s their message: “Buy a new Hyundai and if you lose your income in the next year, we’ll let you return the car. We’re all in this together...and we’ll get through it together.”

Here & There...

· Premier Barter, headquartered in Phoenix, recently opened an office in Firestone, Colorado. Megan Johnson is managing the Colorado office.

· In light of today’s economy, TV stations are pushing hard for all-barter deals that involve the station only giving up a certain amount of ad time.

· Business guru Tom Peters says today’s business malaise has a bright spot. Companies will see the value (and need) for everyone to be more connected to optimize productivity. Developing people will be critical. The best way to do that? Engage people, ask them, “What do you think?”

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/27/2009

Corporate Barter Firm Hires 35-Year TIME Inc. Veteran

ICON International, a corporate barter company, has appointed Ed McCarrick, former President and Worldwide Publisher of Time Group, to Executive VP of Account Management and Media Partnerships.

Five Ways To “Get Free”

On their web site, www.YesMagazine.com had an article titled, “Stand Up To Corporate Power: Five Ways To Get Free.” One of the five ways concerned money...

GOOD: Make sure your investments are socially responsible. Put your cash in a local bank or credit union.

BETTER: Use a local currency system, or start one. Barter for goods and services to get away from money altogether.

The Barter Network Reports 58% Growth Year-Over-Year

The Barter Network, founded in 2006 and located in Winter Park (FL), reported their trade volume for 2008 was $1.8 million, an increase of 58% over $1.06 million in 2007.

Colorado Town Sets Up Barter System

The town of Hartsel (CO) has set up a barter-type system to help the locals. One of the ways they work together is through the impromptu food bank. When residents have extra canned goods they make a donation, then when they need a little help they get back some food.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/20/2009

Palm Oil For Fertilizer

Malaysia will be trading crude palm oil for fertilizer components from North Korea. The same barter arrangement will be used in deals with Morocco, Jordan, Syria and Iran.

Barter Booming For New Zealand’s Bartercard

Paul Bolte, CEO of Bartercard New Zealand, says his 6,300 members are bartering more than ever. He reports $23.5 million in goods and services traded in December, a record-setting month. Bolte expects 2009 trading volume to hit $215 million.

BarterQuest Eyes New Marketplace

According to reports, BarterQuest has heard from so many farmers that they are looking into creating an online community for farmers where they could trade grain, equipment, harvesting efforts, et cetera. Farmers, historically, have cooperatively bartered with one another making for tight-knit communities.

Australia’s BBX Contemplates Expansion

BBX, an Australian-based trade exchange, has announced they will be opening eleven new franchises across the country in the coming months. The BBX franchises will open in five states, according to CEO Michael Touma.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/13/2009

Tenants In Las Vegas Getting Barter Deals

With commercial vacancy rates at 17.5% in the third quarter (9th straight quarter they’re up) landlords and real estate brokers have been working overtime to close deals. Rent free space, as well as tenant improvements, have been bartered to close deals...a far cry from a year ago when concessions were a market taboo.

WSJ Article Touts Barter

In an article on a Wall Street Journal blog (Deal Journal) titled, “The Winners From The Year That Was,” bartering was listed as one of the winners. The article concluded: “Trading something you have for something you want used to be the function of money, before money came from ATMs and plastic cards and home loans. It still isn’t a bad idea.”

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/06/2009

Microsoft Uses Barter Strategy To Increase Market Share

Microsoft is putting pressure on Adobe Systems’ dominance of web design software. Microsoft’s competing software, Silverlight, has been aggressively courting the operators of popular websites and advertising agencies that are Adobe’s core customers. They’re doing so by bartering “development and support,” which reduces the new client’s costs tremendously.

Virginia’s Bill Meacham Sees Big Jump In Trades

Bill Meacham, owner of two Virginia-based trade exchanges, says he saw a 50% increase in activity for November over the same month a year earlier.

CBS News Airs Barter Segment

The CBS Evening News on December 31 had a segment on “The Business of Bartering.” Several direct trades were illustrated, as well as a story of a trucking company that utilized the IMSBarter exchange to save its business.

Credit Card Companies To Reduce Credit Lines By $2 Trillion

The three largest U.S. credit-card issuers are J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, and Citigroup. As of June 30, these three banks had nearly 60% of the $724.44 billion in outstanding loans of the ten biggest credit-card issuers, according to the Nilson Report, a Carpinteria (CA) newsletter that follows the industry.

Analysts following the industry estimate that credit-card issuers will reduce credit lines by more than $2 trillion in the next 18 months.

Holiday Barter Faires Are Big Winner For IMSBarter

IMSBarter reported that their Holiday Barter Expo’s generated over $3 million in income this year...these sales figures were for one side of the trade.

Kansas Man Shows Las Vegas Moguls How To Make Money

Phil Ruffin Sr., a 73-year-old businessman, has achieved spectacular success in his Las Vegas real estate dealings. Consider his impeccable moves:

In 1998 he bought his first Las Vegas casino, the New Frontier (when the casino was mired in a six-year union strike) for $165 million. Less than ten years later he sold it for $1.24 billion — when everyone in Vegas was in a land-buying frenzy.

Then in 2008, with cash in-hand, he approached the cash-strapped MGM Mirage about buying its Treasure Island Hotel & Casino. He recently did so, for $500 million cash and another $275 million in notes. Ruffin says it’s a good deal, as a 3,000-room Vegas hotel/casino today would cost $3 billion to build. In another decade or so Ruffin will likely pocket another billion in profits!

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/23/2008

IMSBarter Appears On CBS Evening News

IMSBarter (OTCBB:INLM) was featured on the CBS Evening News “Weekend Journal” Saturday, December 13. Don Mardak, CEO of IMS, was interviewed as were several members of IMSBarter.

The program can be viewed at www.IMSBarter.com.

Daughter Of TradeAmericanCard Owner Receives Raves From Whoopi Goldberg

Allison Ames, daughter of Mike Ames (founder of TAC) and Sondra Ames, is the founder of Newport Beach-based Wonderland Bakery. Her gingerbread cookie was chosen the best from across the U.S. by Whoopi Goldberg on “The View,” a morning TV talk-show aired nationally. Within 30 minutes of the airing Wonderland Bakery had processed 700 orders.

For more information see http://www.WonderlandBakery.com.

Barter Party Organized By Women

The Boston Herald reported that women are shopping from their closets! HUH? Clothes-swap parties of a dozen women are meeting in homes to trade their “better stuff” for other niceties desired. Some women even purchase designer clothes at thrift stores (at huge discounts), then trade those clothes for something more desirable at the party.

10% Of Retailers Could Face Restructuring

Colin McGranahan, a retail analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., says potentially 10% of retailers could face significant restructuring, bankruptcy or liquidation in 2009. The International Council of Shopping Centers projects 148,000 storefronts will be shuttered this year by retailers of all types, including mom-and-pop stores, based on data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That would be the largest since 2001 when 150,000 locations closed.

Countries Barter To Solve Challenges

Worldwide food shortages mixed with a global credit crisis has some countries getting by bartering food for other essentials. Thailand, for example, one of the world’s largest producers of rice, is trading that foodstuff to Iran for oil. Iran was having difficulty getting the necessary letters of credit so they and Thailand agreed on prices and volumes, before bartering the exchange of the goods.

Saudi Arabia was finding difficulty getting paid on a cash debt from Pakistan, so to get paid the Saudi’s are following the strategy, “If you can’t get blood out of the turnip, take the turnips!” And the Saudi’s are doing just that, as payment is forthcoming in the form of various foodstuffs.

Blixseth Willing To Trade Caribbean Island For Gulfstream Jet Or Manhattan Digs

A barter deal with the U.S. government, wherein he received 100,000 acres in the Bozeman/Big Sky area, gave Tim Blixseth his start. He subsequently built an elite Montana ski and golf community with his now-former wife. (Bill Gates and his family were members.)

Blixseth later sold his share of Yellowstone to his ex-wife. Now he is looking to trade his private five-acre Turks & Caicos island, with a 30,000-square-foot-home, for $75 million of other valuable assets. He said he’s open to bartering his island for a Gulfstream G550 jet or a New York apartment.

Swiss Bank Pays Top Management With Junk Bonds Rather Than Cash

Top management at Credit Suisse Group will be receiving a substantial percentage of their 2008 compensation in forms other than the traditional cash-and-stock payment. This year they will be receiving junk bonds, mortgage-backed securities and corporate loans in a “Partner Asset Facility”...and they won’t receive a return on the PAF program for eight years. The move was necessary because the Swiss bank posted a $4.6 billion loss this year.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/16/2008

TIME magazine Looks At Alternative Currencies

TIME has published an extensive article on alternative currencies. Read about the growth of these currencies and their growing popularity... Click here

Research Group Says Consumer Bartering Doubled In One Year

According to the American Research Group, a think-tank that talks to thousands of consumers every week to assay their spending habits and how they feel about the state of the economy, barter’s use is booming! The research group says 67% of consumers have bartered this year, compared to 33% in the fall of 2997.

Craigslist Barter Queries Growing

Craigslist reported that more than 150,000 barter queries pervade Northern California listings on the popular classifieds web site at http://www.craigslist.org.

Match-Value One-On-One Trading

Cynthia Eakin, an associate professor at Stockton’s University of the Pacific, says its legal to have matched-value trades without documenting anything. However the IRS requires barterers to list any profit made as taxable income. Eakin frequently gives lectures about bartering to her students.

Column On “The Daily Paul Blog” Looks At ITEX

A blog that is produced by Ron Paul devotees authored an article about ITEX CEO Steve White’s comments during his appearance on the Fox Business show. The blog writer was “given hope” because, as he stated, the use of barter and trade currencies will be desired by people, especially in these trying times, and will be very hard to control by the government.

SBA’s Loan Programs Changing

The U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs are being dramatically changed. Previously they were demographic-based, but now are geographic-based programs. Applicants are now being required to provide more information as well as mandatory attendance at technical and financial-assistance classes.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/09/2008

ITEX Holiday Barter Fair Pulls Sellers From Across USA

A business from Toronto was selling golf clubs, while a Florida-based jewelry retailer traveled to Ontario (CA) to make holiday sales.

Vendors took possession of the 200 available booths to move their wares. This Southern California Holiday Fair is the largest ITEX one held in the United States.

Steve White, ITEX’s CEO, flew down from Seattle to view the flurry of sales occurring at the Ontario Convention Center this past Sunday. Peter and Neita Brooks, owners of the San Dimas-based ITEX Inland Valley stage this ever-growing, impressive event every December.

To view a short video of this holiday fair click here.

U.S. Small Businesses Still Upbeat

Michael Alter, President of Sure Payroll Services, sent me his latest findings showing that although the stock market hit the skids, how we view the economy is based on our personal circumstances. And the small business marketplace in November was surprisingly optimistic.

To read the report see: www.surepayroll.com/scorecard/2008/november

“Stocks Aren’t Cheap Yet” Contends Pimco’s Bill Gross

Pacific Investment Management Company’s Bill Gross, the manager of one of the world’s largest bond funds, said stocks aren’t cheap when viewed in relation to the direction the market is heading...with more regulation, lower leverage and higher taxes.

Gross said he believes in stocks for the long run, but only when bought at the right price. He said 14000 for the Dow Jones Industrial Average is a stretch, since about 20% of bank capital is now owned by the U.S. government.

Sports Illustrated “Sportsman Of The Year” Believes In Barter

History’s greatest Olympian, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, is endorsing a new protein drink called PureSport. It’s hardly as well known as competitor Gatorade, but with Phelps’ name behind it (along with fellow Olympic swimmers Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and Ian Crocker) the University of Texas spin-off is off to a dizzying start.

Last month PureSport hit the shelves at Chicago’s Sports Authority, one of a 400-store sporting-goods chain. Phelps and the other Olympians agreed to endorse the protein mix before Phelps earned his eight gold metals. The foursome took a 5% equity stake in the company in exchange for their endorsement.

Yahoo Barters With CBS To Lower Costs

Yahoo is plugging its Internet radio service into CBS Corporation’s webcasting network in a move driven by dramatically higher royalty for airing music online.

Yahoo’s radio channel, called Launchcast, will combine with CBS beginning in February. Under the arrangement Yahoo will depend on CBS Radio to power Launchcast as well as sell all the ads on the service.

Barter comes into play as, in return for the helping hand, Yahoo’s high-traffic news and sports sections will feature some of CBS’ top-rated radio stations, including WFAN in New York and KNX-AM in Los Angeles.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...12/02/2008

Ad Week Publishes Excellent Article On Bartering Media

Articles about barter are being written about barter in all the media. Here’s an excellent one that Ad Week published on media trading... click here

Construction Loans Under Pressure

Soured construction loans continue to pile up on banks’ balance sheets in the recent quarter, as residential-development loans failed in even larger numbers. Data cruncher Foresight Analytics LLC, of Oakland (CA), estimates that construction loan delinquencies among all property types reached 9% in the quarter.

Electronic-Goods Manufacturers Take Action

The U.S. electronics industry last year spent about $13.8 billion to re-box, restock and re-sell returned products, according to a study by technology consultant Accenture Ltd. Defects aren’t even in the top three reasons for returns, surprisingly. (The primary reason consumers return products is because they didn’t meet expectations.)

The industry is now focusing on including more information on its packaging to help consumers avoid buying the wrong product.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...11/11/2008

Lasater Re-elected

Gary Lasater, CEO of eValues (www.eValues.net) and a barter industry pioneer, won a citizens mandate for re-election to the Parker Town Council in Colorado. Parker is in the southeast Denver metro area, with a population of 50,000. The two other incumbents running were not elected.

$300 Million Real Estate Available On Part-Barter Basis

Mountain resort home sites as well as cabin and pedestal homes are available on a part-cash part-trade basis. The properties are located within fine communities in the mountains of northern Georgia.

For further details go to http://barterforrealestate.com.

Wonderland Bakery Promoted Voting With A Twist

Wonderland Bakery (www.wonderlandbakery.com), a specialty bakery and gift concierge in Irvine (CA), helped get the votes with “good taste” in the recent national election. Customers could purchase cookies depicting their favorite presidential candidate and political party.

Allyson Ames, founder of Wonderland Bakery, noted, “We have made thousands of politically decorated cookies since we received the 2008 California Business of the Year award in May from Senator Harman and Governor Schwarzenegger in Sacramento.

PepsiCo Considers Multiple Opportunities

PepsiCo’s CEO Indra Nooyl, an Indian-American, said her company considers as many as 30 acquisitions globally at any one time. She says it’s important as a company today to see yourself as a global citizen, making sure to understand the world around you.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...11/04/2008

Bartercard Thailand Looks For Bullish Growth

Continued above-average growth of 20%, to 1.2 billion baht, next year is expected by Bartercard Thailand. The company has 3,000 members and anticipates a 15% membership increase as well. Their present membership is about 1% of the 3.5 million small and mid-size enterprises in Thailand.

Hedge Funds Shrinking

According to Eurekahedge, a hedge-fund research company and consultants, hedge-funds experienced $44.5 billion of investment losses in September and $34.5 billion of investor withdrawals. Whereas, $10.5 billion of new money was received.

For the third quarter as a whole, hedge-fund assets shrunk by a record $210 billion, or more than 10%, an amount that exceeds the $194 billion that flowed into the industry in all of 2007. Aggregate hedge-fund assets now total $1.72 trillion.

Bank Of England Governor Anticipates Another Crisis

Bank of England’s Governor Mervyn King, anticipates another financial crisis between 2013 and 2018. According to King, human nature doesn’t change. Therefore future crises can’t be prevented, as memories dim and lessons learned will be forgotten.

Average Tech Entrepreneurs Are Aging

The Kaufman Foundation says the average tech entrepreneur isn’t a 20-year-old whiz kid, but 39 years of age. The average founder is now pushing middle age, with nearly five times as many founders over 45 as were younger than 25, when their companies got off the ground. These new entrepreneurs had plenty of time to learn on the job: On average 16.4 years passed since they finished school and started their companies.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/28/2008

Australia’s BBX Temporarily Waives $65,000 Franchise Fee

BBX CEO Michael Touma has announced the temporary waiving of its franchise fee due to the tightening credit market. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Trump’s Paperclip

Donald Trump’s paperclip, being traded by an economic professor in Missouri, has been traded numerous times as the professor strives to reach his goal of ultimately bartering the paperclip for a SUV.

To see the latest trade go to www.goldenpaperclip.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/21/2008

Your Services For Room & Board

Immersion Travel USA by Sheryl Kayne is a book about her travels and experiences. Included in the publication is specifics about where she traded her time and skills for various experiences, as well as room and board. Listings are included for the reader.

The Barter Company Expanding

The Barter Company (www.thebartercompany.com) announced the hiring of Randy Wolfe and Basil Bethea III. Both will be developing areas outside of greater Atlanta for the trade exchange. Wolfe will be focusing on Columbia (SC) as well as Charlotte and Greenville. Bethea will be working the Gulf Coast; where, as a lifetime resident of the area, he has worked in his family’s commercial real estate business.

ITEX New England Holiday Trade Fair

ITEX New England’s Trade Fair will be held Sunday, November 9, from 9am to 4pm at the Norwalk Inn, 99 East Avenue, Norwalk (CT).

For more information call 888-294-6393.

BizXchange Expands Barter Finance Services

The Seattle-based barter company is expanding its business-member finance services to those companies where bank financing isn’t available. BizXchange (http://www.bizx.com) will pre-qualify each member applicant for loans and lines of credit.

Criteria for a loan will focus on companies’ size, the quality of the product or service they have to offer, and their appeal to other BizXchange members.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...10/14/2008

Entrepreneurs Look To Three Areas For Financing

Small businesses are turning to angel investors, suppliers, and personal credit cards as the financial crisis spreads to Main Street and access to commercial loans becomes more restricted. Today’s environment is such that smart entrepreneurs will move toward more barter to increase their sales and cash flow.

ITEX Arizona’s Holiday Barter Expo Date Announced

Terry Brandfass reports this year’s Holiday Barter Expo will be held at Brett’s Barn on Sunday, November 30, from 11am to 3pm. For more information call (480) 946-2929.

Office Space Now Available

Businesses are dumping office space at the fastest pace since the months after the September 11 attacks, increasing the financial stress on commercial real estate owners and their lenders. Many of them are already ailing financial institutions.

Because real estate moves slowly, the financial turmoil of the past few weeks hasn’t shown up in the numbers. Look for bank failures and consolidations to be reflected in office space availability later this year and in 2009.

Transaction Volume Increases For Barter Company

Catherine Cohen of Premier Barter in Arizona, reports that her company’s transaction volume is up 114% for the first half of 2008, compared with 2007.

Financial Woes Will Affect Ad-Spending

Automotive retail and financial services have already been affected by the financial sector’s ills. Further declines will be coming from credit-card and insurance company ad spending, which is $9 billion a year in or about 6% of the total ad spending.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/30/2008

Jet Blue Barters With Texas University

In exchange for advertising, Jet Blue will provide the University of Texas athletic department with tickets and vouchers for air travel. The University of Texas athletics will in turn provide video board animation advertisements for JetBlue at sporting events, which will include football as well as men’s and women’s basketball games.

Airlines have previously been sponsors for UT athletics...the Longhorn Sports Network had agreements with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines in the past.

Swap Your Clothes...Change Your Wardrobe

Looking to make a clothing change without spending a lot of cash? Check out these web sites http://www.bigwardrobe.com and http://www.whatsmineisyours.com.

Fifty Percent, Or More, Of Homeowners Income Going For Housing!

Fifteen percent of American homeowners with a mortgage (7.5 million households) are spending 50% of their income or more on housing costs, according to 2007 data released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s up from 7.1 million from the year before.

Scheduled Holiday Fairs

· San Diego ITEX Trade Show will be held Sunday, November 2, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Party Pals. Contact Charissa.novak@itex.net.

· On Sunday, November 23, Trade American Card will hold their 30th Annual Holiday Barter Expo. The affair will be from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Grove of Anaheim. Call (714) 532-1610 for more info.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/23/2008

What’s New!

The National Small Business Association conducted a poll recently among 500 businesses and found that forty-four percent had used credit cards to meet capital needs in the previous six months. And fifty-seven percent said their credit card terms had worsened over the last year.

Banks are gouging their small business customers because they need the interest for earnings, and they know that firms of modest size have nowhere else to go. Look for rising credit costs and interest rates on your cards, as well as credit tightening. Do we need any more reasons to put on our barter hats?

Holiday Fair Announced

The first Holiday Barter Fair has been announced, coming from Southern California’s BXI Inland Valley. It’s scheduled for December 7, 9 AM to 4 PM at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario (CA).

For more information call the BXI Inland Valley office at (909) 592-7727.

Bartering Boards Established In Supermarkets

The Asda supermarket in the community of Colne, Britain, has established an innovative “bartering board” on its premises to help customers share their skills and cut costs by utilizing barter. Following shortly will be other Asda stores with boards in Tonypandy (Wales), Elgin (Scotland), and Einiskillen (No. Ireland).

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/16/2008

Oops!

BarterNews has been informed that the GrandLuxe Rail Journey, as reported in last week’s Tuesday Report, is no longer in operation as of August 29, 2008.

Small Business Owners Aren’t Political

Own your own business? Then you’re working too hard to be concerned about the coming election. That’s what the new Discover Card Small Business Watch survey reports. Furthermore, you don’t believe it matters much who gains the White House as the small business community, lacking lobbyists, lacks any power in Congress.

Looking For Flowers On Barter?

A new site, www.barterflowers.com, will provide flowers—up to $50—on trade. But over that amount it’s cash, plus all delivery charges are cash. They will accept several barter currencies.

Your House Or Your Business?

According to a study by Experian, the credit-rating service, business owners in financial trouble will sacrifice their homes to save their companies. The study of 2.7 million small U.S. businesses showed that the most severely delinquent business owners continued to pay their company’s bills, even as they skipped their mortgage payments.

Slipstream Radio Available For Barter

A division of the Triton Media Group will launch Slipstream Radio. Based in Chicago, the new company will help terrestrial radio stations create customizable Internet radio stations online.

Triton will offer Slipstream to broadcasters and other content providers for a flat monthly cash fee or for barter.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...09/02/2008

Barron Sells Barter Connections

Ken Barron, who ran Barter Connections for the past 24 years, has sold his 1,000 member Newton Center (outside Boston) trade exchange to 59-year-old businessman Steve Romsey. The price was for a reported “just under a million dollars.”

For more information see http://www.barterconnectionsinc.com.

Alan Zimmelman Coordinating ITEX Regional Conferences

ITEX Executive VP Alan Zimmelman is on the road, working behind the scenes for the largest barter company in the nation. He will be in three different areas coordinating ITEX regional conferences, sharing his three decades of experience.

Bonanzle Is An eBay Alternative

If you are looking for an eBay alternative or wanting additional distribution for your wares, you will want to check out http://www.bonanzle.com.

Trading Collectibles A “Like-Kind Exchange”

We have often heard of like-kind exchanges for real estate investors, allowing one to defer capital-gains tax. Such exchanges can also be used with stamps, coins, gems, and other collectibles. The key is being an “investor” rather than a collector in order to benefit tax-wise.

To prove you are an investor, you must be able to show that you are tracking the ups-and-downs in the value of your objects. Thus, it’s a good idea to get appraisals on a regular basis and subscribe to journals that help you keep a pulse on the market.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/19/2008

Record Month For IRTA’s Universal-Currency Use

Trade exchange owners used the International Reciprocal Trade Association’s “Universal Currency” in the month of July to close $403,419.53 in sales. besting the previous best month’s record of $367,782.51 back in July 1999.

For more information on the Universal Currency system see: http://www.ucci.biz.

Steven White Gives Presentation At Technology Conference

Steven White has the honor of presenting at the 4th Annual Summer Technology Conference hosted by Security Research Associates, on Monday, August 18, 2008. The conference is being held at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco.

During the presentation, White will provide insight about the ITEX web-based trading platform, business strategy and initiatives. The presentation will also be broadcast live over the internet, and a replay will be archived in the Investor Relations section of the ITEX web site http://www.itex.com.

Over 80% Of Workers Saving Too Little For Retirement

According to the Hewitt Associates study, four of five workers save too little to maintain their lifestyle after retirement. The study looked at the projected retirement levels of nearly 2 million current workers of varying ages at 72 large U.S. companies and used actual employee balances.

People need to save from 10% to 12% of their income throughout their career to keep up the same lifestyle after retirement, the study reported. (Most people contribute an average of 8% of their income into savings plans.)

One-Third Of Homeowners Are “Under Water”

According to www.Zillow.com, about one-third of U.S. homeowners who bought homes in the last five years now owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth. (For those who bought at the 2006 apex of the housing market, 45% are now under water.)

Zillow is a Seattle-based service that offers values on more than 80 million homes.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...08/05/2008

Bob Bagga Getting Married

Bob Bagga, barter industry veteran and co-founder of www.BizXchange.com, will be marrying Anita Ninan on Saturday, August 9, at the Hotel Del Coronado. (The famed hotel was the site for “Some Like It Hot” starring Marilyn Monroe.)

Australia’s BBX Offers Insurance On Cash-Blend Basis

Members of Australia’s BBX can now buy various forms of insurance (business, homeowners, etc.) with cash and trade dollars. Up to 30% of the premiums can be paid with trade dollars.

New Barter Site Announced

Jeff Henderson announces a new site designed for bartering. It’s a classified ads site (like Craigslist) that allows people to post barter items and services for free: www.barterzap.com.

This IPO’s Unbelievable Story...

Since its initial public offering (IPO) in 1970, Wal-Mart stock has increased over 5,300 times...turning a $10,000 investment into $57,000,000!

Had you invested $10,000 in Southwest Airlines in 1980, you’d be sitting on $916,000. While $10,000 in Dell, as recently as 1990, would be valued at $4.4 million.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...07/22/2008

Bartercard’s Tony Falkenstein Inducted Into New Zealand Business Hall of Fame

The hall of fame recognizes business leaders who have made significant contribution to New Zealand business over the past 200 years. Congratulations to Tony Falkenstein, owner of Bartercard New Zealand, who was inducted into the Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of Fame by the Governor General.

For more information visit www.Bartercard.com.

American Travelers Liked By Many

According to www.gadling.com, the world’s most obnoxious tourists—after a survey of employees in 4,000 hotels in Germany, the UK., Italy, France, Canada and USA—were French travelers, followed by India and China.

The stereotypically obnoxious American tourist, out of 21 countries, got an impressive 11th place. Americans got the top spot for trying to speak the local languages the most.

Medical Missionary Uses Trade Dollars

Andrew Jerrigan, a trader for 15 years, is now a medical missionary in Africa. He accepts trade dollar donations through Marc Albano’s www.transmediatrade.com.

For more on Andrew Jerrigan’s work go to www.jerriganblog.com.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...07/08/2008

World’s Largest Mall Is EMPTY!!

A seven-million square-foot mall in China is an unbelievable financial flop. The South China Mall, located in the Pearl River Delta (China’s wealthiest region) opened in 2005 with space for 1,500 stores. Currently 12 are occupied—with a vacancy rate of 99.2%.

80-Year-Old Billionaire Says Today’s Economic Period Worst Of His Lifetime

Eli Broad, retired home builder in California, says this is worse than any recession we've had since World War II and he does not think the housing market will recover for years. He also sees a sharp rise in unemployment.

Broad contends that as home sales keep dropping, most of the equity people in the U.S. have built over the last twenty years melts away. As jobs disappear, defaults rise and the matter becomes worse.

Women Helping Women

Amy Swift, is Editor-In-Chief of Ladies Who Launch (www.ladieswholaunch.com), a national women’s organization which helps countless women across the country embark on their own careers and companies through incubator programs. Their national LIVE events and online resources have helped other women launch their own successful business.

Super-yachts Still Very Popular

The Luxury Institute and Camper & Nicholsons International—a yacht broker and charter company—found that new orders for yachts of longer than 130 feet are up 18% in 2008. There were 254 new orders for such yachts last year.

The report shows the astounding growth over the past decade for jumbo yachts. In 1997, there were just 241 yachts of 80-feet or more under construction around the world...last year 916 such boats were being built.

Interestingly, the biggest constraint to the industry’s growth isn’t the economy...it’s the staffing. The report says about 25,000 crew members are necessary for today’s super-yachts, but only about 15,000 currently work aboard yachts. Shortages of captains and engineers are especially acute.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/24/2008

Ozone Barter Becomes BarterVista

Ozone Barter has changed its name to Barter Vista. The company is focused in Singapore and the Asian region.

For more information see www.bartervista.com.

High School & College Graduates Want To Be Entrepreneurs

Half of all new college graduates now believe that self-employment is more secure than a full-time job. And with 80% of the U.S. colleges and universities now offering courses on entrepreneurship, 60% of Generation Y business owners consider themselves to be serial entrepreneurs, according to Inc. magazine.

Eighteen to twenty-four-year-olds are starting companies at a faster rate than 35 to 44-year-olds. And 70% of today’s high-schoolers intend to start their own companies, according to a Gallup poll.

IndyStar Publishes Barter Article

Stretching cash in an economic downturn is a popular idea. Examples here show how members of trade exchanges are avoiding dipping into cash reserves and taking out loans. (Click here.)

World Population Will Hit 7 Billion In Four Years

As the global community struggles with finding enough natural resources for today’s population of 6.7 billion people (we hit the 6 billion number in 1999), in a few short years we will hit 7 billion.

The first billion was reached in 1800, and it took 130 years to reach 2 billion. The U.S., presently with 304 million, is the third largest nation after China and India according to the Census Bureau.

Private Jet Fleets Expanding

Fast-growing private aviation company XOJet, started back in 2006 and backed by buyout firm TPG, is expanding with new secured financing of $2.5 billion. XO schedules about 1,000 flights per month.

NetJets, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is the largest player in the private-aviation industry. With some 750 aircraft, they log over 1,000 flights per day.

cFrom the desk of Bob Meyer...06/17/2008

Sino Fibre Signs Joint Venture With European Exchange

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Sino Fibre and German Barter Exchange. Both parties agree that German Barter Exchange (GBE) will become an affiliate of Sino Fibre.

GBE will act as a barter trade-making arm in Germany for the joint venture company, to promote Sino-European barter and to serve as a gateway to processing the transactions to and from China, Germany, and eastern European countries.

Basketball Hall-of-Famer Barters With Comcast SportsNet

Comcast SportsNet New England wanted the best, most-prominent “Laker” to serve as an on-air analyst before the first two games of the National Basketball Association finals. CSN used barter to secure the deal—trading two 30-second spots to Kareem Abdual-Jabbar, which he used to advertise his latest video product.

Curry Ingredients Bartered For Plastic

In India an enterprising company is bartering with women’s groups, providing ginger and garlic to housewives in exchange for scrap plastics, which are non bio-degradable toxic killers.

Ladies Trade Cosmetics Via Internet Site

Ladies here is your chance to swap cosmetics that you own, but don't use, for ones other members have and you want. We’re talking about name brand cosmetics...the expensive stuff. Members are only responsible for covering the shipping costs for the cosmetics that they are swapping.

MakeUpAlley.com (www.makeupalley.com) allows members to read product reviews or write a review on the products they have used. Interested parties can participate in forums and meet other members, so as to know the people that one might want to trade with later. Membership is free and required.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/10/2008

President’s Club Winners At 2008 ITEX Convention Revealed

ITEX’s (www.itex.com) convention recently held in Las Vegas reported its new President’s Club winners. Here are the six brokers who had beaming smiles along with a brand new DELL laptop computer and earned plaques:

Ronnie Graham (Highest Cash Collections)
Duncan Banner (Highest New Member Enrollment)
Peter and Neita Brooks (Highest Net Growth)
John Castoro (Highest Cash CTV)
Shawn Christian (Rookie of Year)
and Jim and Carolyn Young (Brokers of Year)

In addition, Chris Christenson and Philis Santello proudly accepted their 2008 Brokers Choice Award at the convention.

Barter Articles Popping Up

Newspaper article about using barter in tough times appeared in Florida’s Sun-Sentinel on Tuesday, June 3. Click here

Entrepreneur.com had an interesting article on how to slash startup costs by using barter. Click here

Microsoft’s Ballmer Foresees No Print Media In 10 Years

In an interview with The Washington Post, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer riffs on the future of media, claiming that in ten years, all media will be delivered over the Internet.

“In the next 10 years, the whole world of media, communications, and advertising are going to be turned upside down — in my opinion,” Ballmer stated. “There will be no media consumption left in 10 years that is not delivered over an IP network. There will be no newspapers, no magazines that are delivered in paper form. Everything gets delivered in an electronic form.”

California Housing Prices Have Biggest U.S. Drop

California is the nation’s worst housing market, with housing prices falling 24.37% annual rate as of late April. (California has held this distinction since May 2007.)

Following California in April price drops are Florida at 17.11%, Nevada 16.61%, Arizona 15.78%, and Ohio 13.41%.

The best growth rate was Utah, up 4.13%, and Montana, up 4.12%.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...06/03/2008

Barter Deal Offers Food Security For Malaysia

Malaysia plans to build a stockpile of 500,000 tons of rice for food security, and is looking to import the staple from India. In exchange they will supply palm oil in a barter transaction.

Peter Chin Fah Kui, Malaysia’s minister of plantation, industries and commodities, told a conference in Mumbai he was likely to meet Indian Farm Minister Sharad Pawar to discuss the possible barter deal, as his country is in short supply of rice, their staple diet, and prices are rising.

Tradia Expands Network In Utah

CEO Matthew Humphreys reports that Tradia will have six full-time franchise operations in the state of Utah. This will be the first time a single group or company outside of Tradia Commerce Network has owned more than 2 of its franchises.

“We’re particularly excited about this expansion because our Utah franchisee is a dedicated and professional organization that brings excellence to our company and the barter/trade industry,” affirmed Humphreys.

For more information on Tradia see http://www.tradia.net.

Barter Those Toys You No Longer Use

Toy Swap (http://www.toyswap.com)is the perfect web site for anyone who has old or new toys that are no longer wanted or played with, and that can be swapped for old or new toys that other Toy Swap members have available for swap with you. Membership is free and required.

Barter Your Skills For One You Need

Do you have a skill that you want to swap in exchange for a skill that someone else would like to barter? SwapaSkill (http://www.swapaskill.com) is a web site for individuals who possess a ability such as artistic, musical, engineer, plumber, electrician...or just about any type of talent that you can think of. Basic membership is free, but there are some costs associated with membership upgrades if you so choose.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/27/2008

Globalization Isn’t The Driver For Today’s Accelerating Change

Many people (and companies) around the globe are struggling to adapt to change, which is accelerating. A McKinsey study suggests that today's leading companies—top performers in every industry—drop out of leadership at a rate that is four times greater than in the 1970s.

Years ago you could bust your tail to achieve success, then put your company or career on autopilot and face little risk of upset. That’s not true today. The paradox is that economic turbulence is increasing as the world prospers at levels unimaginable three decades ago.

Globalization gets the blame, especially in election years. But the real driver is technology: cheap processing power, cheap storage and cheap bandwidth. Cheap tech lets entrepreneurs around the world invade established industries for very little money.

If the first entrepreneur fails to storm the castle, a hundred more will follow. There is no shortage of capital ready to fund creative destruction, even with today's credit bottleneck. The only way to slow the rate of change and disruption is to repeal Moore's Law...and that will not happen.

I’ll Trade You My Drawing For Yours

No membership required at SketchSwap.com. Just draw something and once your masterpiece is finished submit your drawing, so you can receive a drawing that someone else has drawn. Personally, I think this is a neat little web site (http://www.sketchswap.com) even though there is not much to it. Sometimes simple is better.

Like Surprises? Swapping Files Might Be Your Bag!

FileSwap (http://www.FileSwap.com) enables visitors to swap computer files, photos, music, wallpapers, audio files, animated icons, videos or even PDF and text files, quickly and simply. Use the browse button to retrieve the file or files that you want to swap, then hit the swap button to continue.

After the file you have selected has been entered into the system, then you will receive a random file that someone else has submitted. Yes, it is kind of like playing the lottery, but your chance of winning something interesting is far better than the lottery.

Remarkable Achievement For Ambitious Chinese

Last week’s announcement on our www.barternewsblog.com, regarding the China Commercial Aircraft Co. being established in Shanghai with a capitalization of $2.7 billion, is stunning.

The Central Government and the Shanghai Government are among the major shareholders as are China’s two main aircraft manufacturing and servicing companies—China Aviation Industry Corp. I & II.

While it’s too early to say when a Chinese-developed jumbo jet will be taking off, it’s yet another remarkable achievement for the ambitious Chinese people.

TV Product Placements Soaring!

Advertisers are concerned about viewers “tivoing” (erasing) their ads. As a result we’re seeing dramatic growth in the use of product placements.

The Nielsen Company reported that product placements for the first quarter of 2008 rose 6% on primetime programming for the eleven measured networks on broadcast. Overall, broadcast television placements rose 39%, while cable television was essentially flat at 1%.

There were 117,976 brand occurrences on cable and broadcast networks in the first three months of the year, according to Nielsen. The most prevalent type on broadcast television was “foreground,” which represented 35% of all product placements. On cable television, “wardrobe” placements were most common, accounting for 32%.

The top 10 prime-time programs on broadcast networks featured 15,404 occurrences in the first three months of this year-compared to 8,893 occurrences in the same time period in 2007.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/20/2008

Global Economy Is Soaring

Overall, the global economy has never been more encouraging. Consider that it has more than doubled in size over the last 15 years and is now $54 trillion. In the same period, global trade has grown by 133%.

We see commodity prices at 200 year highs, all a result of soaring global demand...more people eating, drinking, washing, driving and consuming.

Tom Brady Barters Time For Use Of Five New Audi SUVs

The New England Patriots’ star quarterback has agreed to serve three years as honorary chairman of a bike ride sponsored by Audi that raises money for those with intellectual disabilities.

As part of the agreement, Patriots’ offensive linemen Matt Light, Stephen Neal, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, and Nick Kaczur will get the use of new Audi Q7 SUVs for the next year.

Two Barter Sites For Book Lovers

Exchange used books with other BookMooch members and “get” the book(s) that you want in return. There is no cost to participate in the BookMooch community. Only pay for the actual shipping of the books that you agree to swap.

Swap paperback books, CDs and DVDs, with other members of Paperback Swap. Membership is currently free. Like with any swapping community, members are responsible for paying the actual shipping cost for the products that they have agreed to swap.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/13/2008

What’s The Message Here?

Only three countries in the world do not use the metric system...Liberia, Myanmar and the United States. For America to maintain it’s role in the world, it may be a good idea to think about joining it.

National Federation Of Independent Business (NFIB) Reveals. . .

“Recession fears are spreading and the economy is showing definite signs of slowing, even on Main Street,” confirms NFIB chief economist William Dunkelberg. The NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.9 points in April to 91.5 (1986=100). Half of the gain was due to an improved outlook for business conditions 6 months out, and a quarter was from improved earnings trends. At the same time, rising prices are becoming a matter of serious concern.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group, established in 1943.

Financial Markets Worry Former World Bank President

Former World Bank president James Wolfensohn, now an advisor to Citigroup, is pessimistic on the outlook for financial markets. He believes that global bank losses from the credit market crisis could reach $1 trillion.

So far, financial institutions have reported $310 billion in losses resulting from the credit market crisis that began with subprime mortgages in the U.S. According to Wolfensohn there may be $1 trillion worth of losses.

His loss estimate is close to the International Monetary Fund forecast of $945 billion, and he notes that $1 trillion now represents a “consensus estimate” for the losses. The IMF predicts global growth will reach 3.7% this year, the slowest rate since 2003 and down from 4.95% last year.

The European Commission estimates that Europe’s economic growth will slow to 1.5% next year, thanks to the continuation of the credit crisis. That forecast constitutes a 29% decrease from the commission’s previous prediction of 2.1% growth.

Wolfensohn says the damage suffered by financial institutions surpasses any other episode he has witnessed in his 40-year career, largely because of the extent of the overhangs in financial markets. (Challenges to the major institutions are in terms of write-downs and impact on market capitalization.)

Torrid growth in emerging markets such as China and India will cushion the damage for the world economy. The IMF forecasts growth of 9.3% in China this year and 7.9% in India. Emerging markets have enormous internal growth and are expanding in other markets, such as Africa.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...05/06/2008

Builders Use Barter To Pay Bills

In Tampa Bay, Florida, one home builder is out of cash and paying his contractors with vacant building lots, because he has more lots than cash. (Some of the lots sold for $50,000 a year ago.)

Orange County Politician Wants TradeAmericanCard Dollars

Larry Dick, owner of Riddle Appliances, is a 20-year member of TradeAmericanCard and a Republican candidate for the 60th assembly district. The former councilman and water commissioner of Orange is actively seeking donations; he gladly accepts TAC trade dollars.

Homeseekers Barter “Their Services” For Space

For 20 years St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center in Baltimore (MD) has run a matchmaking service, helping Baltimore homeowners with extra space find people looking for a room to rent. They’ve made 1,180 matches—about 60 a year.

Homesharing can be a flexible arrangement. Homeseekers sometimes barter services in exchange for rent. The St. Ambrose Homesharing telephone is (410) 366-6180.

Economists See Banks’ Balance Sheets Dropping $2 Trillion

At a conference sponsored by Brandeis University and the University of Chicago business schools, two economists and two academics estimated that about half the mortgages losses, or about $200 billion, will be borne by banks and other leveraged financial institutions.

For every $1 less in capital, a bank lends roughly $10 less. Thus the $200 in mortgaged losses, will lead them to shrink their balance sheets by about $2 trillion...lending less and selling assets.

South Africans Barter Real Estate

Property developer Ian Meyer’s web site is where real estate property listings will be given a minimum of 60 days global exposure. For more information see: http://www.propertybarter.co.za.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/29/2008

ITEX San Diego Goes Green

To help celebrate Earth Day on April 22, the ITEX in San Diego office decided to go green. Rather than printing 700 130-page directories for their members, they will now be e-mailing them instead. Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it also allows ITEX to provide a more current listing of its local members. A new e-mail directory will be sent every billing cycle to their ITEX members.

San Diego ITEX web site is http://111030.itex.com/

Newspaper Ads + Internet = Sales

According to the Newspaper Association of America, new consumer research, conducted by Clark, Martire & Bartolomeo and commissioned by Google, found that among people who research products and services after seeing them advertised in newspapers 67% use the Internet to find more information, and nearly 70% of them actually make a purchase following their additional research.

BBX Trade Exchange Offers Real Estate Investments

Following a successful listing on the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX) in 2006, BBX Property Fund has issued a third prospectus to raise additional funds for property investment to add to their growing portfolio.

Investment in the Property Fund is open to the general public as well as members of the BBX exchange. The prospectus invites investors to apply for up to 2,000,000 Ordinary Shares and up to 8,000,000 B-Class Shares at an issue price of $1.00 each.

To apply for B-Class Shares, an investor must be, or apply to become, a member of the exchange thus being able to secure an investment that is tax effective, when used in conjunction with a self-managed superannuation fund. The company recommends that investors seek independent professional advice in this regard.

The BBX Property Fund is a licensed investment company established to invest in residential and commercial properties in the capital cities and growth centres of Australia and New Zealand.

Pies, Pork & Services Bartered For Homegrown Music

Bryan Moyer Suderman has launched something he calls community supported music. People who buy annual memberships in his company, SmallTall Music, receive regular deliveries of “fresh, homegrown, organic music.” Some members barter pork, pies, photography services, web site assistance and house painting as payment for their memberships.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/22/2008

Use Those Gift Cards

Bankruptcy laws do not require companies to redeem their gift certificates, and in an economic downturn you can be sure there will be more bankruptcy filings. So take action now...use those gift cards! (Some companies in bankruptcy will honor their gift cards, others suggest that gift card holders file a claim in bankruptcy court.)

2nd Home—Vacation Spots—Sales Dropping

Surprise, surprise. Speculators are continuing to exit the market with vacation home sales falling 30.6% last year (from 1.07 million to 740,000), according to the National Association of Realtors.

Internet Display Advertising Makes Big Gain

Banner ads and other display ads on the Internet saw big gains in 2007, up 15.9% to $11.3 billion. Ads on network TV dropped by 2% to $22.43 billion. Cable TV jumped 6.5% to $17.84 billion. Newspapers and radio both dropped, 5.6% and 3.5% respectively.

FedEx Sees No Sign of Economic Rebound

FedEx is a diversified transportation company that moves everything from documents to building materials through a network of planes, tractor-trailers, and delivery vehicles. As they move millions of packages daily they are a good barometer for the American economy. FedEx reports that it sees no signs of the U.S. strengthening its economy at this time.

Hilton Olympic Sponsorship Continues

Hilton hotels has renewed sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

The renewal also encompasses the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team. Thus extending its long-standing relationship with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The agreement entitles the Hilton Family of Hotels—Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and The Waldorf-Astoria Collection—to use the official hotel sponsor designation, and the U.S. Olympic Team and U.S. Paralympic Team logos in all advertising or marketing materials.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/15/2008

Ralph Lauren Barters To Become Official Olympic Team Outfitter

Ralph Lauren’s clothing line Polo has signed a contract with the U.S. Olympic Committee to provide outfits for the 1,500 American athletes to be worn at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as other attire (wardrobes) to wear in the Olympic Village. Polo will be supplying their products as an in-kind payment for the Olympic sponsorship.

The Olympic deal will translate into millions in sales of Olympics-branded products that will be carried at Polo boutiques in the U.S. and on the company’s web site starting in mid-July. Department stores will also carry the clothes with 10% of the sales from the Olympics-branded products going to the USOC as royalty payments.

Goldman Sachs CEO Looks At U.S. Economy

Lloyd C. Blankfein, CEO of investment bank Goldman Sachs, believes the economy is in a recession, and won’t return to growth until the end of the year. He typified the economy as the worst in 55 years. On the upside he thinks the credit crisis, which has been hobbling investment banks for nearly a year, is 75% along toward a recovery.

Bartering DVDs & Video Games

SwapSimple.com makes swapping books, DVDs, and video games both easy and simple. List the books, DVDs and video games, simply by entering the UPC code that is printed on the item, or enter the ISBN number that is printed on the back cover of books into the swap listing tools. That’s it...SwapSimple will take care of the rest.

Exchange items with members who are included in your network free. Or pay $1.00 or $2.00 per trade, when swapping with members outside your network. Trades are backed with a 100% money back guarantee. Membership is free and required.

Ad Agencies Cutting Expenses

Concerns about the economy have some ad agencies and media-buying services doing a bit of belt-tightening. Actions taken include slowing the pace of hiring to keeping tight controls on salaries, and trimming various expenses such as not sending staff to award shows.

Advertising agencies have reported that many marketers (their clients) are frozen in fear.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/08/2008

Former New Zealand Exchange Owner Amazed With Industry’s Progress

Wes Davis, former owner of a New Zealand trade exchange in the mid-1990s, recently called our offices. He and his wife are now living in Northern California. Davis expressed his amazement when hearing the far-reaching changes that have taken place in the worldwide barter industry.

Barter Your Skills

Do you have a skill that you want to swap in exchange for a skill that someone else can provide? If so, there is a great web site for individuals who possess a skill—artistic, musical, engineer, plumber, electrician, or just about any type of skill imaginable. Whatever you’re looking for can likely be found at Swap-A-Skill (www.swapaskill.com) at one time or another.

Basic membership is free, but there are some costs associated with membership upgrades. Be sure to read the membership agreement, before signing up.

Love Baking? Check This Site Out...

If you are a person who loves baking fresh cookies, cakes and pies, then Bake Space (www.bakespace.com) is the perfect place to be, because its members swap cooking and baking recipes as well as share ideas. Membership is free and required.

Economy & Fuel Will Affect Your Airline Ticket Price

The slowing U.S. economy and surging jet-fuel prices have forced an international trade group to lower its outlook on airline profits for the second time in four months. Domestic carriers are expected to take the biggest earnings hit.

The International Air Transport Association on Tuesday said it expects profits for (both) domestic and foreign carriers to fall to $4.5 billion this year from $5.6 billion in 2007. Several months earlier IATA had lowered its forecast to $5 billion, from a previous estimate of $7.8 billion, due to higher oil prices and credit-market turmoil.

U.S. airlines’ profits are anticipated to fall to $1.8 billion from an estimated $2.8 billion last year. “This could easily turn into a net loss should the current economic environment deteriorate further,” reported IATA.

Continually Cutting Interest Rates Bad Idea

One of the leading economists in the U.S., Brian Wesbury of First Trust Advisors, now says the government’s monetary policy is partly to blame for the ongoing malaise in the financial sector.

Non-stop interest rate cuts over the past few months may have created a perverse incentive for businesses to postpone activity, according to Wesbury. (He says that aggressive rate cutting has been ineffective.)

Without liquidity and capital, financial institutions and trading vehicles are in trouble.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...04/01/2008

Global Carbon Market Undergoing Tremendous Growth

Global trade in carbon dioxide emissions could reach 4.2 billion tons this year, a 56% increase from 2007, according to a report from Point Carbon, an Oslo-based research firm.

The report includes a survey of the carbon market in which more than 70% of respondents predict a global climate agreement by 2012. The global carbon market was worth $60 billion in 2007, an 80% increase over 2006. (The 2008 market is expected to be worth $92 billion.)

U.S. Very Cost-Efficient Place To Operate

The auditing and consulting firm KPMG reveals that the U.S. has moved up on the list of most cost-efficient places around the world to operate a business. The survey which takes place every two years reports that only Mexico and Canada were cheaper. Interestingly, all three countries are members of NAFTA.

Out-Of-Home Digital Forum Scheduled

The Forum, scheduled for April 23 at the Yale Club of New York (50 Vanderbilt Avenue), focuses on the advertising market, media buying, and planning for the burgeoning digital out-of-home video marketplace.

Digital out-of-home media is the fastest growing medium since the Internet. Now a $2 billion industry, it is expected to grow dramatically in the years ahead. Some industry pundits envision a $10 billion market within a decade.

General Electric Believes It’s Time To Take Advantage Of Price Adjustments

General Electric Co., among the country's biggest real estate investors using its own money, will soon be using other people's cash to invest.

In what some experts say is an adventurous move, GE plans to raise cash — $1 billion to $3 billion — from outside investors to begin investing in commercial real estate and other properties through newly established real estate investment funds.

GE will not be bottom-feeding for deeply depressed or foreclosed properties. The company’s strategy is to buy still viable properties at discounts of 10% to 15%.

Chapter 11 Business Filings Spreading In USA

Last year Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings for businesses hit a two-year high of 6,236, according to Jupiter eSources, an Oklahoma company that tracks the data. They report that the pace of filings has accelerated this year. As the credit crisis deepens law firms across the country are betting that bankruptcy work will be their most-promising avenue of growth.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/25/2008

Trade Exchange (Barter Company) Offers Revenue Sharing For Referrals

Bill Rosenberg, founder of BarterBing in Hope (RI), has instituted a program where members of his trade exchange can earn a percentage of revenue generated (by service fees) from new referrals they provide to the exchange.

Whitten Enjoying New Role In Life

Larry Whitten, a long time barter industry veteran with the Business Exchange organization, is now retired and enjoying his new role of grandpa. He says hello to his peers and reports that he’s enjoying winters in Florida and summers in Colorado.

Over $43 Million In Lender Offered At Los Angeles Auction

National Home Auction Corporation, a foreclosure and builder close-out auction company, completed another blow-out auction event on Sunday, March 16, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles. The event hosted an energetic and diverse crowd of approximately 2,000 people looking to purchase their first homes, investment properties, and second or vacation homes. A total of 1,065 bids were made on 119 homes during the all-day event.

Older Internet Users Feel Web Advertising & Content Not Relevant

A recent BurstMedia survey of more than 13,000 web users 18 years and older, found that online content providers are not meeting the needs of all age segments. Not surprisingly, a majority of internet users 45 years and older believe online content is focused on younger age segments.

Overall, 52.0% of respondents believe internet content is primarily focused toward people their own age. Not surprisingly, says the study, younger respondents are most likely to say online content is focused on people their age. This is particularly true for the 18-to-24 year and 25-to-34 year segments.

Additionally, 55.7% of respondents 35-to-44 years perceive online content as focused toward their age segment. Few respondents 55 years and older say internet content is primarily focused on people their age.

Creative Television Marketing Will Take Over Telco’s Barter Syndication

Creative Television Marketing (CTM) announced today a major expansion of services to include commercial advertising sales with its agreement to represent Telco Productions’ syndicated barter inventory. CTM will immediately take over all commercial advertising sales for Telco’s Animal Rescue, Dog Tales, and Missing...formerly represented by Tribune Entertainment.

U.S. Consumer Feeling Pinched

By the end of 2007, 36% of consumers’ disposable income went to food, energy and medical care, a bigger chunk of income than at any time since records were first kept in 1960, according to Merrill Lynch.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/18/2008

Community Barter In Montana

Have a skill, a service, some goods or some free time you'd like to turn into “community money?” If you’re in the area, contact flatheadbarterhoursExchange@yahoo.com, or P.O. Box 3423, Kalispell, Montana 59903.

China Expects E-Commerce Boom

China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest internet market by number of users. The U.S. web population was 216 million at the end of 2007. China’s higher percentage of growth coupled with its 210 million Internet users at the end of 2007, leads estimators into believing it has replaced the U.S. as #1 globally.

E-Commerce is expected to be the next boom sector in China, as businesses take advantage of the mass market of consumers already online.

Google Eyes Display Ad Market

Tim Armstrong, Google’s president of advertising and commerce for North America, says the company would be “disappointed” if it doesn’t attain a “very significant position” in the display ad market over the next two years. Google considers YouTube as the “brightest light” for the company’s display-advertising potential.

YouTube Soon To Be On Television...

TiVo Inc. has revealed that it would deliver videos - from Google Inc’s popular web site YouTube - directly to television screens via its digital video recorders.

TiVo disclosed the service would be available later this year for high-speed Internet subscribers who have TiVo Series3 DVRs. It said that users would be able to log onto their YouTube accounts directly from their TiVo boxes.

Per Capita Income In Vietnam Growing

Last week we reported on the average global per-capita income. While some countries are obviously much higher than others, in Vietnam the economy has been expanding an average of 7.5% yearly since 2000. Their average per-capita income (84 million people) increased to $900 last year from $600 in 2005.

SwapStyle.com Where Cosmetics & Name Brand Fashions Can Be Bartered

SwapStyle.com describes itself as an online fashion swap party where you can barter, sell and buy fashion, accessories, cosmetics, shoes and lots more with people from all around the world at any time, day or night. It can save its members money on the name brand fashions and cosmetics that are normally purchased at retailers at high markups.

Members can also participate in forums and discuss the latest fashion trends and sales. Members are only responsible for paying the actual shipping costs associated with the items that they have traded or sold. Membership is free and required.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/11/2008

Africa Barter & South Africa Business Hub

Africa Barter (http://www.africabarter.co.za) and South Africa Business hub (http://www.sabusinesshub.co.za) are cooperating to expand barter awareness in that part of the world.

Dogbarter.com

We found this interesting site where classifieds and ads abound for dogs. (Click here.)

Where’s Your Shredder?

If you have only one shredder, it belongs in the kitchen. That’s according to a Staples study, indicating most junk mail ends up in the kitchen trash, not the office trash.

A Real California Housing Story

Stripped of all the realtors rhetoric that we see in the papers here in Orange County (CA), this real life situation reinforces today’s reality.

There was a real estate auction on March 1, less than 5 miles from where we‘re located, in an equestrian community called Nellie Gail Ranch. The homeowner had previously hosted 40 open houses on his property over an 18-month period without a single offer.

At the auction he sold his five-bedroom, Mediterranean-style house in the Laguna Hills enclave for $900,000 less than his original asking price. The asking price was $2.09 million...the selling price $1.2 million. Five people showed up for the auction.

Internet Growth Linked To High-Speed Connections

By 2012, nearly 33 million U.S. households will have broadband services with speeds of 10 mbps or higher, capable of streaming high-definition video, according to a new Parks Associates’ North American Broadband Market Update.

Many industry experts and economists see a direct link between faster internet connections and the growth of the internet economy. The country still has a way to go, however. At the end of last year, 5.7 million (9%) of U.S. broadband households, had reached the 10 mbps mark.

Global Per Capita Income $8,200

The latest missive from Forbes tells us there are 1,125 billionaires in the world now. Unfortunately, that leaves 6.5 billion or so of us who — according to the unfailingly accurate Central Intelligence Agency — have a global per capita income of $8,200, when using the dollar as a benchmark.

You may be thinking that Sierra Leone’s $530 annual per capita income brings down the class curve, but the U.S. average income is all of $37,500.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...03/04/2008

Bartercard UAE Hires Dubai-based Creative Agencies To Expand Presence

Bartercard UAE, the regional center for Bartercard’s operations in the Middle East, has hired Idea Spice and Content Syndicate with the intent of raising its profile and awareness of the Bartercard network.

Bartercard is looking to sell more franchises for the other emirates—Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and beyond.

Barb Martin Receives Kudos From IMS CEO Don Mardak

International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:INLM) CEO Don Mardak lavished praise upon Barb Martin, the IMS National Sales Manager last week for her efforts in moving the company’s organic sales to new levels.

According to Mardak the efforts of the sales network will be the heart of the company’s future growth. (For more on IMS’s record month of January see the story found later in this issue.)

Barter Seed Exchange Web Site

In Olympic, Washington, there is a barter/gifting-only seed exchange web site that is looking to build Olympia’s farming and gardening community...one seed at a time. Bartered classes, seeds, information, soil amendments and/or plants are found on this community web site (http://www.olympiaseedexchange.org).

Internet Yellow Pages Usage Growing

Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs) accounted for over half (51%) of all local searches online in December 2007, according to data from the Yellow Pages Association.

On average, 73 million searchers used an IYP each month in 2007, up 16% from the previous year. Meanwhile, print usage (use of the printed Yellow Pages), according to the Association, remained relatively unchanged from 2006.

Small Farmers Find Business Economics Challenging

For a look at how effectively forms of credit, deposit balances, and currency serve as a means of exchange when it comes to the ability of farmers to stay in business—and people being able to acquire food—visit Click here .

iTunes Battles Wal-mart

Apple’s iTunes has become the second-largest music retailer in the U.S. behind Wal-Mart, distributing the digital music platform (which offers more than 6 million songs from major and independent labels) over the Web and via sales of its iPod portable music players.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/26/2008

More Barter Sites

Two sites found recently are www.teamuphere.com, which reportedly has 2,797 members; www.skillcycle.co.uk a social network for members to exchange skills and services with other members; and www.baitnet.com for fishing sites to barter links with one another. A Long Island (NY) web site for people who live near Nassau and Suffolk county areas is looking for sponsors, www.longislandexchange.com.

Norm Alvis Says Barter Business Is Booming

Norm Alvis of www.edaddywarbucks.com reports to BarterNews that he has done over $10 million in business already in 2008, including millions in barter funding for public companies.

Unique Financing Plan Guarantees Customers

A shop in Boston—Lionette’s Market—and the Garden of Eden restaurant, next door, have been owned by the Lionette family for two generations. (They sell fresh, locally-raised meat and produce.)

Now the brothers Jamey and Robert, managers of the two entities, are making an interesting financial proposal to the South End community to improve their property.

Their plan: Locals who invest $1,000 will get a two-year stipend of $125 per week at the store—a total return of $13,000 in food. For $5,000 the investor gets a $55 weekly stipend for two years. A $2,500 investor gets a 10% discount on store items for two years.

Indonesia Looks To Barter For Military Equipment

Indonesia wants to barter for military equipment from Russia. They also want to establish a maintenance center to work on its Russian-built jets. The proposed deals should, according to Indonesia, also include technology transfer that will increase the production capacity of its own industry.

Harry Schultz Says Financial Tsunami Is Upon Us

Financial radical Harry Schultz says we’re in a derivative crisis and sees the real possibility for new records of hyper-inflation...besting those of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. As inflation hedges he recommends art, commercial property that yields income, and farm land.

Cubans Hoping For Better Economic Conditions With Next Leader

Now that 81-year-old Fidel Castro is retiring (after nearly 50 years as the head of state), Cubans will no doubt expect the next leader to improve economic conditions in a country where monthly pay averages $15.

Yahoo Shareholders Can Expect More, If History Repeats

History isn’t on Microsoft’s side when it comes to its opening offer of $44.3 billion to Yahoo’s shareholders. In 63% of hostile approaches over the past five years, suitors have raised their initial offer. (According to data from FactSet Research Systems.)

Proxy fights waged as part of hostile acquisition attempts are far rarer. They represent less than 5% of all hostile takeovers since 2001, or 27 contests in all.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/19/2008

Russia’s Astounding Barter Deal With Iraq

Wanting to help Russian companies win contracts with Iraq, Russia has agreed to a most unique barter arrangement. In exchange for launching promising joint projects in the oil and gas and electric-power sectors, Russia has told the Iraq government, “we will write off 93% of what you owe us, or $11.7 billion of your $12.9 billion debt.”

Nearly Everybody Has Shopped Online—Worldwide

According to the latest Nielsen Global Online Survey on internet shopping habits, more than 85% of the world's online population has used the internet to make a purchase. That’s a 40% increase in the past two years.

When the Nielsen Company conducted its first global survey into internet shopping trends two years ago, approximately 10% of the world's population (627 million) had shopped online. Within two years, this number has increased by approximately 40% to 875 million.

U.S. Small Business Owners Pessimistic

According to a report on CNBC TV (cable business network) the small business sector in the United States is at its lowest level since January 1991, after its biggest decline ever in the most recent survey conducted by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The report indicated there is little hiring or business investment taking place, which is a sure indicator of a downturn in the economy.

Donnelley Happy With Business.com Purchase

R.H. Donnelley’s yellow pages directory online business acquired Business.com in the 4th quarter of 2007 for $345 million...besting the New York Times and Dow Jones for the acquisition. And they’re convinced that Business.com will prove to be an important business partner for them, as the small business community expands its navigating of online marketing.

Yahoo’s Lost Deal

Microsoft’s pursuit of Yahoo and the potential buyout of $41 billion seems staggering. But just a few years ago, in 2001 Yahoo had an opportunity to buy Google. It occurred when Google’s co-founders Sergey Grin and Larry Page dined with former Yahoo CEO Terry Semel and discussed a deal. The Google co-founders wanted $3 billion to sell and Yahoo’s Semel felt the price was tool high. Google today is worth $162 billion!

Speculators Walking Away Which Is Bad News

According to Wachovia and Bank of America, as well as Fitch Ratings, half of the homes listed for sale in Las Vegas are vacant. Most of the homes were bought by investors/speculators. No longer an appreciating asset, they have little attachment to the homes now.

Walk-aways could lead to an insidious process, putting more downward pressure on prices, and in turn giving more homeowners an incentive to pack their bags and leave their keys in the mailbox for the bank.

Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatizus estimates that by the end of 2008 some 30% of all outstanding mortgages (or 15 million U.S. homes) will be attached to negative equity—mortgages will be more than the homes they finance.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/12/2008

Lance Armstrong Knows Barter’s Value

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong just completed a major barter agreement with Richard Rosenblatt, the chairman of Demand Media. Together they are creating a new “for-profit” web site that DM will operate...the focus of the site will be on health programs and cancer research.

The barter component: Lance Armstrong (as well as his non-profit foundation) will receive equity stakes in the media firm. And Demand Media will retain all ad revenue created by the new commercial site.

Two More Newbie Barter Sites

Two more trading sites have hit cyberspace...www.GiveNTake.in and www.BegBarterorbuy.com.

Buy & Hold Pays Off For This Investor

Atlanta’s largest bank is shedding a large portion of its 43.6 million Coke holdings. Sun Trust Banks has a nearly century-old financial tie with the Coca-Cola Co. They took Coke public in 1919. Now they’re selling their shares to reap $1 billion!

Wristwatches Improve Restaurant Service

Waiters at some restaurants are beginning to use devices resembling wristwatches to improve customer service. The devices, part of a wireless system devised by ESP Systems, alert waiters when food is standing by or when a new table is ready, among other things.

Diners also have a device at their table for paging their waiter if they need anything. At the end of the night, managers are provided with statistics about each waiter’s service.

Warren Buffett Feels No Sorrow For U.S. Economy Turmoil

According to the billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the woes in the U.S. financial sector are poetic justice for the bankers who designed and sold complex investments that have since gone sour.

The head of Berkshire Hathaway, also known as the “Oracle from Omaha,” says the recent interest rate cuts mean that low-cost funds are readily available. He also thinks that the U.S. dollar will continue to slide until the country can rein in the huge trade deficit. But over time he believes the economy will do very well.

Forty Percent Of Web Users Viewed Newspaper Sites At Year End

According to the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), the average monthly unique audience figures for newspaper web sites grew by more than 3.6 million in 2007...a record year for the industry and an increase of more than 6% over 2006 numbers. Two out of five (40%) web users viewed newspaper sites at year’s end.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...02/05/08

$41 Trillion To Be Spent On World’s Infrastructure

According to a report on CNBC’s financial TV channel, some $41 trillion will be spent on the world’s infrastructure (bridges, roads, tunnels, etc.) over the next 25 years. The commentary revealed that both Egypt and Russia have more infrastructure plans than India or China.

It was also noted that in Egypt labor costs are cheaper than China.

Kudos To Campbell’s Soups

Over the last decade Campbell’s Soup has worked to raise the awareness for the ongoing issue of hunger in America. They’ve made direct donations of more than 35 million cans of soup to food banks and various hunger charities.

What’s Ahead For U.S. Economy

By most accounts the American economy is about to enter the 12th recession since WWII. The last came in 2001 following the attacks on 9/11 and roughly eighteen months after the dot.com-fueled stock market reached its peak...before its rapid decline through the bubble bursting.

Consumers are feeling less and less bullish about the economy, as evidenced by their more judicious spending.

Globalization Moves Politics Into World Of Continents

From Washington to Warsaw, policy makers are now taking into account the views and actions of countries that, until recently, held little sway on the international scene. The rise of China, the renewed confidence of Russia and the growing economic muscle of countries including India and Brazil, are shifting the center of gravity within global politics.

In Europe, the growing influence of China and Russia has provided a new spur toward integration as European countries come to appreciate the importance of scale in a globalized world. Furthermore, Europe's attempt to weld 27 disparate nations into one bloc is being imitated around the globe, from Asia to Africa, as countries experiment with new ways to maximize influence.

Global Assets Indicate New World Order Coming

A study by the McKinsey Global Institute shows that while $56.1 trillion, or more than one-third, of the world’s financial assets were held in the U.S. in 2006, the total held by emerging markets reached $23.6 trillion. And their assets are growing twice as fast as those in developed countries.

For those living in the developed world, there are clear benefits to this new world order. Capital from the emerging markets will cushion the blow of the current financial crisis on businesses and consumers. And continued growth in emerging countries will soften the effects of a possible recession elsewhere. Over time, the global economy is not a zero-sum game. Americans, Europeans, and Japanese can all prosper even as their share of the world economy declines.

Malaysian Government Seeks Self-Sufficiency Through Barter

Deputy Prime Minister Daruk Najib Razak has announced the establishment of the Malaysian National Price Council to create a national stockpile of commodities as a safeguard against the impact of rising prices.

Half of the nation’s human carbohydrate consumption comes from imported wheat, while all of the feed for the chicken, egg, and pork industries comes from imported corn. With producing countries banning exports of wheat and corn, there is an urgent need for Malaysia to abandon the normal monetary channels.

Instead they must resort to government-to-government barter trading to secure our imports of corn and wheat, without which the population of 27 million will face starvation. Malaysia can barter its palm oil with countries like India and China, in return for wheat and corn.

Bartering will allow Malaysia to undertake an immediate science program, rapidly increasing agricultural production with 21st century technology.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/29/08

Bartercard & BBX Working With New Australian Business Directory

Clickfind (www.clickfind.com.au), launched in late 2007, is a search engine and business directory that lists genuine Australian businesses. Every business listing on Clickfind must provide an ABN number.

Clickfind is Australian-owned and is based in Brisbane. The firm is a member of the Australian barter exchanges Bartercard and BBX.

For more information go to www.bartercard.clickfind.com.au or www.BBX.clickfind.com.au.

China’s Growth Impressive

China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to 24.7 trillion yuan ($3.4 trillion) in 2007, from 22.1 trillion yuan ($3.1 trillion) in 2006. The U.S. GDP for 2007 was $13 trillion.

Restaurant Trends To Expect In 2008

The snack attack—Restaurants are hoping that small portions, big flavors, and low prices will lure in hungry snackers. Mini burgers and wraps caught on late in 2007. From fast food to fine dining, restaurants may soon compete to create the fastest and most filling snacks.

Fine fast food—Fast food is going gourmet. Popular celebrity chefs are branching out with convenient, fast, casual restaurants that promise high quality food, fine cooking and bold flavors...all on a 30-minute lunch break. Bobby Flay, Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck have invested in fast casual operations, bringing their unique culinary flairs to the masses. Expect more celebrity chefs to get in the mix this year.

Consumers Seek Information In Many Places Outside of TV

According to the BIGresearch latest Simultaneous Media Survey, the only way for people to keep up with the deluge of media options is to multitask with other media. Specifically, says Gary Drenik, President of BIGresearch, “TV's influence on consumers to purchase products declined, whereas new media options such as web radio, satellite radio, instant messaging, and blogging all increased.

“Consumers seem to be seeking information from digital platforms while TV has traditionally been viewed as a brand building medium, which isn’t providing the requisite information.”

Media that can target, be timely, and deliver value to consumers, such as coupons/direct mail, radio, yellow pages, newspapers and newspaper inserts, all increased in influence-to-purchase as consumers are looking to stretch budgets in a slowing economy.

Our Changing World

On Super Sunday something else will kick off besides Super Bowl XLII...the world’s largest focus-group study on television advertising, courtesy of a burgeoning online social network being propagated by consumer research giant Nielsen Company.

When the New England Patriots and the New York Giants take the field, tens-of-thousands of online users will take to their computer screens to rate the TV commercials running during the coverage of the game. It will be the first commercialized use of Hey! Nielsen, the online social community launched last summer with a goal of creating a new method for measuring social buzz and interaction around brands, media, entertainment, and sports properties.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/22/08

Buckle Your Seat-belts For Impending Downturn

The coming recession may be worse than the other two serious economic downturns that have hit the U.S. economy in the past 25 years, according to The Wall Street Journal. Three reasons why: the housing market is horrible, energy prices are very high, and the job market is weakening.

Ultimate Sales University Promises Results

The CEO of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and long time marketing whiz, Joe Newman, has put his passion for quality training in reach of everyone at www.UltimateSalesUniversity.com.

China Soon To Be Largest Web Market

The total number of internet users in China soared 53% to 210 million at the end of 2007, up from 137 million at the end of 2006. China is now just 5 million short of passing the USA.

Gift Card Sales Continue Dramatic Growth

Gift card sales totaled $97 billion in 2007, up from $83 billion in 2006, according to data from the Tower Group and the New York Times.

Less attention by the media has been given to “breakage,” which is the money retailers get when gift cards are not used or leftover funds remain. Tower put breakage amount at $7.8 billion for 2007.

Gender Differences On Entrepreneurship

Discover credit card’s survey of 1,000 small businesses shows how different men and women are. In short, whether you choose business ownership to have greater control or more flexibility may depend on your sex.

Among female respondents, 32% wanted flexibility and 17% wanted to be their own boss. Men were more evenly divided: 27% wanted to be their own boss and 24% sought flexibility.

Also, 39% of male business owners think women have an easier time starting businesses, and 34% think men have it easier. Among women, 20% of small-business owners think men have an easier time starting businesses; 15% think women have it easier.

New Vacation Booking Web Site

Zonder.com is a new vacation-booking web site for home, condo and cabin rentals in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. They’re offering a 10% discount on bookings made before February 14, with a cap of $250 in savings per book. Use promo code “BeyondHotels” during checkout.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/15/08

Why Countertrade Will Continue To Grow

Barter done at its highest level is referred to as countertrade, offsets, counter purchase, and other names. Although the world is getting smaller in some ways, thanks to technology, countertrade is not going to disappear. Quite the contrary.

Countertrade will continue to grow because world trade is growing, and countertrade is an inevitable part of that trade. Because as developing nations become more involved in expanding world commerce, they will need countertrade to offset their lack of hard currency (U.S. dollar or the euro) to fulfill their needs.

Other factors that will effect the use of countertrade are technical knowledge, unemployment, and nationalism which often leads to protectionism.

Is $1 Million “Chump Change?”

According to some thinking, having a million dollars in net worth—including the value of your homes(s) and certain retirement assets—is chump change. Yet having a net worth of $1.4 puts one in the top 5% of Americans, according to the Federal Reserve. Interestingly, studies show that when asked how much it takes to be rich, people always give a number that is twice their current net worth or income.

Creative Thinking Adds Up

Salesbuzz.entrepreneur.com columnist Ray Silverstein gave “barter” a plug in a recent column titled, “Creative Thinking Adds Up.”

60% Of Small Businesses Advertise In Yellow Pages

Local businesses (6 out of 10) stick with old-school yellow pages to get new customers, according to a phone survey from AT&T Advertising & Publishing.

And an independent survey by research firm Kelsey Group finds that 61% of Americans say they turn to the printed yellow-pages listings to find local business information, while 13% say they use search engines.

World’s Third-Largest Advertising Market

The U.S., with its ad agency giants, holds first place in the advertising market, followed by Japan. In third place is China, with the possibility of moving into second place next year. Omnicom Group has recently bought a minority stake in Chinese marketing concern Shunya Communications Group. Omnicom also owns Icon-International, a U.S. corporate barter company located.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/08/08

IRTA Works With IRS On Members Behalf

In the last few years many of IRTA’s North American members (and other industry participants) have reported an increase in IRS civil penalties related to non-matching TINs (tax information number) and back-up withholding issues.

Recently, the IRS has stepped-up their enforcement efforts resulting in severe monetary penalties and bank seizures causing undue hardship for International Reciprocal Trade Association members and other third-party recordkeepers.

IRTA has maintained an excellent relationship with IRS and currently serves on the IRS Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC). Because of this special role IRTA holds with the IRS, they are in an unprecedented position to assist members in dealing with and avoiding these unpleasant penalty issues.

IRTA continually supports its members that are experiencing IRS/TIN reporting problems by providing guidance, updated contacts and regulatory information.

For more information on services and membership see www.irta.com.

Karmic Capitalist

Chip Conley, a 46-year-old Stanford MBA, envisions himself as a Karmic Capitalist. Why? His company, Joie deVivre Hospitality (www.jvhospitality.com), has boutique hotels that are niche- and life-style oriented...offering deep emotional connections with guests.

The 35 unique properties, that stretch from Napa Valley to Los Angeles, offer personality tests guiding guests to a hotel based on its style and persona—not price. Four years ago 80% of the company’s web driven reservations came from third-party (vacation/travel) sites. Since then that number has plummeted to 10% and falling, reflecting a reversal that indicates most patrons now coming directly to their site.

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From the desk of Bob Meyer...01/01/08

Offbeat Company Looks For More Barter “Partners”

Young and ambitious, 36-year-old Damon Carson, the owner of an Americon icon—the kiddie ride (www.kiddierideusa.com)—is looking for win-win trades on a direct basis as well as through trade exchanges.

Carson sells his kiddie rides to a diverse group of customers...from doctor’s offices to corporations for branding purposes, from car dealerships and collectors to homeowners, grandparents and others. Customization is available.

Contact Carson at (800) 448-6888 ext. 1, or email him at damon@kiddierideusa.com.

Bill Gross Sees Challenging Days Ahead In 2008

Californian Bill Gross, a billionaire and manager of the world’s biggest bond fund at Newport Beach-based Pimco, sees a mild recession in 2008 amid the worst housing slump in 16 years...and maybe even longer as the numbers come in. He contends the U.S. economy will grow as little as 1% on average next year. (Note: Such a prediction is extremely bullish for the barter business.)

In his December newsletter, Gross also pointed out that we are witnessing the breakdown of our modern banking system.

For more information see www.pimco.com.

Two Popular Travel-Search Sites Merge

With Kayak.com and SideStep.com merging, it promises to give consumers access to more comprehensive rates and availability data. The merger means the new company, Kayak, will be the fifth-largest travel site in search volume.

New Network For Massage Professionals

A worldwide community for certified bodyworkers, bodywork students, and bodywork enthusiasts is found at www.massageexchange.com. (This is not a dating site or a site for people seeking erotic activities.)

Venture Capitalists Zero-In On Clean Technology

The next big bet for venture capitalists is with clean technology, according to a survey by the National Association of Venture Capital. Some 81% of those surveyed think clean technology will be the investors’ top pick in 2008. It’s estimated that from $20 billion to $29 billion will be invested in 2008, compared to $27 billion in 2007.

World Bank Looks At World’s New GDP

The World Bank is reworking global economic statistics for 146 countries with more-accurate rankings of economic might...comparing the cost of commodities in different nations. Under this new way of measurement, the global gross domestic product is $55 trillion. (The U.S. has 23% share of GDP, China has 10%, India 4%, and Russia 3%.)

Housing Slump’s End Tied To New Construction

Home builders hold the key to the U.S. housing slump, according to a group of economists. There are now 2.1 million vacant homes for sale, up from 500,000 at the beginning of 2006. Until the overhang is worked off, it’s hard to see the decline in home prices abating.

What would it take to work off the inventory of vacant homes on the market? Less homebuilding...about a million less homes being built annually for the coming year. With likely starts for the next year estimated at 1 million to 1.5 million, that means the answer to the housing slump would be home starts of 500,000. Not likely.

Here & There. . .

• Advertise your vacation rentals for up to 12 months at www.watermarkvacationrentals.com.

• Hotels and restaurants can buy direct from manufacturers through an online catalog at www.seatingexpert.com.

• Looking for a house to rent anywhere in the U.S.? Check out www.rentvine.com.

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