Insurance and risk management make up an immense, complex global industry, one which is constantly changing. Competition continues to heat up as mergers and acquisitions create international mega-firms. As the insurance industry grows more global, underwriters see huge potential in China, the world's fastest-growing business market, as well as India, Indonesia, Africa and other emerging markets. Specialty insurance is creating high profits. Meanwhile, technology is making back-office tasks easier and more efficient, while direct selling and e-commerce are changing the shape of the insurance...

The investment industry is increasingly a global business. This is partly due to the needs of multinational corporations to obtain financing in more than one nation. Cross-border investments and acquisitions continue at a rapid pace. The asset management business is becoming larger, more complex and more competitive, while hedge funds and private equity dominate large portions of the industry. This carefully-researched book is a complete investments, securities and asset management market research and business intelligence tool-everything you need to know about the business of investments,...

The electronic age is bringing sweeping changes to the world of entertainment, media and publishing. This book covers these exciting developments and provides profiles of 400 leading global firms in film, radio, television, cable, digital content, new media and publishing. It contains thousands of contacts for business and industry leaders, industry associations, Internet sites and other resources. You'll get in-depth profiles of the world's top Entertainment & Media firms: our own unique list of companies that are the leaders in this field, from broadcasters to film production companies,...

Plunkett's InfoTech Industry Almanac presents a complete analysis of the technology business, including hardware, software, networks, computers, peripherals, services and global trade. This market research tool includes our analysis of the major trends affecting the industry, from the global PC and server market, to consumer and enterprise software, to super computers, open systems such as Linux, web services and network equipment. In addition, we provide major statistical tables covering the industry, from computer sector revenues, to broadband subscribers, to semiconductor industry...

This new almanac will be your ready-reference guide to the e-commerce & Internet business worldwide You'll get all of the data you need, including complete e-commerce statistics, trends and technologies analysis, Internet research and development, growth companies, online services and markets, bricks & clicks and other online retailing strategies, emerging e-commerce technologies and Internet usage trends. Plus, you also get access to our profiles of nearly 450 E-Commerce & Internet companies-our own unique list of companies that are the leaders in this field, from online retailers, to...

Green technology initiatives are becoming pervasive around the world and in virtually all industry sectors. For example, construction projects of all types are becoming green at a rapid clip, from new homes to giant office towers. Consumer products and food products are emphasizing green components. Even textile and apparel makers are emphasizing recycled, natural fabrics. Investment in green facilities and technologies will grow exponentially once a tipping point occurs that proves true economy of scale and solid return on investment. This carefully-researched book covers exciting trends in...

Plunkett's Companion to the Almanac of American Employers is the perfect complement to the highly-regarded main volume of The Almanac of American Employers. This mid-size firms companion book covers employers of all types from 100 to 2,500 employees in size (while the main volume covers companies of 2,500 or more employees). No other source provides this book's easy-to-understand comparisons of growth, corporate culture, salaries, benefits, pension plans and profit sharing at mid-size corporations. The book contains profiles of highly successful companies that are of vital importance to...

The food industry is among the most competitive and globally-linked of all business sectors. Plunkett's Food Industry Almanac will be your guide to the entire food business, from production, to distribution, to retailing. This exciting new book covers everything you need to know about the food, beverage and tobacco industry, including: Analysis of major trends and markets; historical statistics and tables; major food producers such as Kraft and Frito Lay; retailers of all types, from convenience store operators to giant supermarket chains; emerging technologies including...

The immense, global transportation and logistics sector is vital to businesses of all types. This carefully-researched book covers exciting trends in supply chain and logistics management, transportation, just in time delivery, warehousing, distribution, intermodal shipment systems, airlines, trains, marine transport, courier services, logistics services, purchasing and advanced technologies such as RFID. This reference tool includes thorough market analysis as well as our highly respected trends analysis. It contains thousands of contacts for business and industry leaders, industry...

Vital to businesses of all types, the fields of advertising, marketing and branding are covered in-depth in this important volume, from advertising on radio and television to direct mail, from online advertising to branding, public relations and paid search inclusion. Analysis includes trends, globalization, technologies, finances, Internet and online strategies, wireless advertising, social networks, branding, public relations, agencies, developments in India and China, paid product placement, TV advertising trends and more. This carefully-researched book covers such areas as advertising...