Connected Nation Survey Shows Online Sales Generate $1.7 Trillion Annually for U.S. Businesses
Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 14, 2013 -- View the Results
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Today, Connected Nation released the results of its 2013 Business Technology Survey, which examines the technology adoption trends of U.S. businesses. The survey shows that U.S. businesses generate an estimated $1.7 trillion in online sales to consumers and other businesses annually, equivalent to 11% of the United States Gross Domestic Product in 2012. Still, an estimated 1.8 million businesses remain unconnected to broadband.
“Broadband connectivity is a catalyst for growth in commerce and workplace productivity,” said Connected Nation President and COO Tom Ferree. “Still, only 76% of the businesses in the U.S. use broadband despite its positive impact on productivity, sales, and customer service. Forty percent of businesses claim they can’t find qualified workers. What this survey reveals is that there is still work ahead of us to ensure our businesses are competitive and our workforce is equipped for twenty-first century jobs.”
The information released by Connected Nation is especially timely given the November 14 announcement by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) new strategic vision and top priorities. As part of the DOC’s “Open For Business” agenda, Secretary Pritzker outlined several priorities, including innovation, which she described as satisfying the need for a “strong digital economy, cutting-edge technologies, and well-trained workforce to stay competitive.”
The Connected Nation survey shows that broadband is a vital economic engine for businesses across the country, allowing businesses, industry sectors, and communities to thrive, grow, and prosper. Key findings include:
• Seven out of ten businesses in the United States say it is important for new employees to have some type of computer or Internet-related skills. Yet an estimated 2.9 million U.S. businesses have difficulty finding employees who have the skills to meet their needs.
• Nearly one-half (48%) of small businesses in the United States rely on broadband to advertise their wares or provide customer service to customers around the globe.
• More than 2.5 million businesses in the U.S. advertise job openings or accept applications online.
• More than 4.9 million businesses in the United States interact with customers or provide customer service online.
• Mobile technology is vital to the workplace. More than one in five businesses in the United States (21%) now use tablet computers and an estimated 2.8 million U.S. businesses use mobile broadband.
In the summer of 2013, Connected Nation launched a new digital training program aimed at equipping workers for the twenty-first century job market. Digital Works: Connecting People & Jobs is a sustainable job creation program bringing technology-based jobs to local communities in rural Ohio and Tennessee with plans to soon expand into other states. To learn more about this program go to http://www.digitalworksjobs.com.
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About Connected Nation: Connected Nation is a leading technology organization committed to bringing affordable high-speed Internet and broadband-enabled resources to all Americans. Connected Nation effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and related technologies by developing coalitions of influencers and enablers for improving technology access, adoption, and use. Connected Nation works with consumers, community leaders, states, technology providers and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. http://www.connectednation.org.
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Jessica Ditto, Connected Nation, http://www.connectednation.org, (202) 251-4749, [email protected]
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