In the fallout of America’s financial implostion, the most vulnerable Seattle-area Internet firms are taking preventative measures to avert potential operational setbacks, largely by cutting back on jobs.
“The lesson we learned in 2000 was that the companies that cut deep and cut early are more successful,” said the chief executive of a specialty search engine that cut 11 jobs last week.
The real esate category has been especial\ly hard-hit. Real estate Web site Redfin said it will cut 20 percent of its staff while its rival, Zillow, announced it will cut 25 percent.
Adding to the market gloom were reports that the amount ni venture capital invested in the state fell 22 percent to some $226 million in the third quarter from the same period last year, according to the MoneyTree Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).
The third-quarter numbers don’t reflect the impact of the past few dizzying weeks of financial turmoil. But venture capitalists are already battening down the hatches as the revenues of the companies they invest in are threatened by recession, and money becomes harder to come by.
[24×7] Efinancial Launches Efinancialblog.com – Invites Visitors to Discuss America’s Financial Security via Text and Video and Win an iPodBellevue-based Efinancial is inviting Americans to discuss America’s financial crisis, share points of view and gain expert financial advice online in a new, interactive Blog. For doing so, a few lucky winners may come away with a new Apple iPod. Visitors to Efinancialblog.com can exchange ideas and get the latest information on financial trends, money tips and insights, and insurance news via regular blog features, comments and video. The video Q&A clips provide practical answers to important questions about protecting your family in a time of need and are presented by “Orange County Housewife” and Efinancial agent Vicki Gunvalson.
“The easiest way to shop for life insurance just became the easiest way to get advice, news, analysis and video clips,” shared Michael Rowell, Efinancial founder and CEO. “Efinancial has always been about making the complex world of insurance easier to understand. Our new Efinancial blog takes that commitment further by interacting directly with the public and providing straightforward answers to vitally important questions.”
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Healia Health Communities Win Three W3 Awards in Health, Community and Social Networking
The International Academy of the Visual Arts has announced that the Healia Health Communities, http://communities.healia.com, has won three Silver W3 Awards in the categories of health, community and social networking.
The W3 Awards competition received more than 3,000 entries in 2008 and honors outstanding Websites created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers and creators worldwide.
“This recognition from the International Academy of the Visual Arts is validation that Healia’s online health community is a creative destination for people looking for personal support for health decisions,” said Tom Eng, Healia’s Founder and President. “We hope that Healia Health Communities will continue to serve as a trusted place for people to ask health questions, share their health experiences and find others who can help with a health issue.” [24×7]
