Sales Jobs Phoenix Could be Affected by Blockbuster Takeover

The number of sales jobs Phoenix (Click here) has to offer could soon decline after a popular satellite television company takes over a struggling video rental service.

DISH Network Corporation recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of Blockbuster, Inc. for about $228 million. Blockbuster currently operates more than 1,700 stores throughout America, including several in the Phoenix area, and one that supports Gilbert jobs (Click here).

DISH is the second-largest satellite television service in America, behind only DirecTV. The company hopes it can use Blockbuster's resources and name-brand recognition to build on its current and future offerings for customers.

"With its more than 1,700 store locations, a highly recognizable brand and multiple methods of delivery, Blockbuster will complement our existing video offerings while presenting cross-marketing and service extension opportunities for DISH Network," Tom Cullen, executive vice president of sales, marketing and programming for DISH Network, said in a press release. "While Blockbuster's business faces significant challenges, we look forward to working with its employees to re-establish Blockbuster's brand as a leader in video entertainment."

According to an article by the Phoenix Business Journal, DISH Network plans to keep at least 500 Blockbuster stores in operation, while the remaining stores will most likely close. However, the company has not yet specified which stores will remain open, so it's unknown how many Phoenix sales jobs (Click here) will be affected.

Many stores in the Phoenix area have already closed or are planning to close soon. At the company's peak in 2004, Blockbuster operated about 9,100 stores, but then filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy last year after facing stiff competition from other video companies.

Denver IT Jobs Lost as SOE Closes Local Office

Some Denver IT jobs (Click here) could be lost as a popular gaming company closes its local office.

Sony Online Entertainment recently announced that it will close the company's game development studios in Denver, Seattle, and Tucson. The studios are being closed in an effort to reduce costs and streamline the company's global workforce.

A total of 205 jobs will be lost during the process, although the company has yet to say how many of those positions are in Denver, according to the Denver Business Journal. The local studio, which develops online digital property and role-playing games, has been in business for 10 years.

The job losses shouldn't have a huge affect on the statewide or local economies, both of which are continuing to recover on a monthly and yearly basis from the economic recession.

During March, Colorado's unemployment rate dropped from 9.3 percent to 9.2 percent, which is only slightly higher than the national average of 8.8 percent. Denver had an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent during February.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado employed a total of 2,228,200 workers during March, which is up from 2,227,700 workers during February and a .5 percent increase from last year.

Employment in the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield area came in at about 1,184,600 workers during March, which is up from 1,176,000 workers during February and a .9 percent increase from last year.

SOE employs about 700 people nationwide. The company claims that the job cuts and closures of its game development studios will not impact players wishing to access the company's wide array of live games.

"This strategic decision will have no impact on SOE's current portfolio of live games," company officials said in a statement. "This strategic alignment of development resources better positions SOE to remain a global leader in online gaming and deliver on its promise of creating entertaining games for players of all ages, and servicing the 20 million players that visited SOE servers in just the past year."

PT Jobs Phoenix: Renewing Your License

There are some very important steps to consider when renewing your license for PT jobs Phoenix. Visit http://rehabjob.abrazohealth.com to see current openings.

The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy is responsible for licensing physical therapy professionals throughout the state. The board sets the standards for physical therapy practice, continuing competence and testing, and limitations of practice.

In order to become a physical therapist in Arizona, you first have to obtain the proper education, pass the National Physical Therapy Examination, and meet a number of state requirements. You'll then have to renew your license at various times throughout your career.

Here are some steps to follow when renewing your license, as suggested by the board:

• Be on time - Make sure you fill out all the proper paperwork and apply for a license renewal before your current license expires.
  
• Provide citizenship information - As of 2008, any person applying for a license from a state agency must provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.
  Consider renewing online - Physical therapists who already have their citizenship information on file with the board can renew their license online.
• Pay the appropriate fees - As of 2010, physical therapists must pay $160 to renew their license, while physical therapy assistants must pay $55. There also is a $3 convenience fee for those renewing online.
  
• Have the appropriate payment method - Those renewing their license online can use a credit card, while those renewing by mail must submit a check.
• Verify receipt of your renewal application - Confirm online, or by using certified mail, that the board has received your application for a renewed license.
• Don't miss the deadline - If you miss the deadline to renew your license, you will not be able to practice as a physical therapist until you submit a separate form and pay an additional fee to have your license reinstated.

Sales Jobs in Phoenix Real Estate Improve

Those with real estate sales jobs in Phoenix are beginning to see some more activity in the housing market.

The most recent Home Sales Report from the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. found that home sales are growing, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. This is great news for those with sales jobs in the industry, who have continued to suffer the long-lasting effects of the economic downturn.

The report found that a total of 9,933 home sales were made in the Phoenix area during March, which is the most sales in the last 66 months and the fifth-highest number of sales since 2001. The uptick in sales shows that consumers are realizing the value of affordable housing.

"Clearly buyers are taking advantage of the phenomenal affordability of Valley housing," the report notes. 

However, the housing market itself isn't getting much better, according to the ARMLS Pending Price Index. Although the median home price is expected to reach $113,000 this month, which is up from $110,000 in March, it's expected to drop back to $103,000 in May and hit only $109,000 in June.

The actual average price that homes are selling for is expected to look pretty similar. That number is expected to hit $163,000 this month, which is up from $157,800 during March, but then drop to $150,000 in May and barely climb to $152,000 in June.

"While the declines in pricing signal good news for buyers who want to take advantage of the lowest pricing of the decade, they are unwelcome news for sellers who endure the ill effects on their equity," the report adds.

Fundraising Jobs in Churches See Donations Improve

Those with fundraising jobs (Click here) in churches are starting to see an improving economic picture.

The most recent State of the Plate survey found that more people are donating money to churches. Overall, 43 percent of churches reported an increase in giving during 2010, which is up from 36 percent the previous year. Only 39 percent of churches saw a decrease in donations last year.

Despite the fact that more people are donating, an overwhelming majority of churches are still concerned about potential changes to nonprofit tax deductions. In fact, 91 percent of church leaders said that a federal change in the taxation process would negatively affect church donations.

"Charities and churches have been hit hard by the economy the past three years," Maximum Generosity Founder Brian Kluth, who started the State of the Plate survey, said in a statement. "If the government's plan to change the rules on charitable tax deductions goes through, giving to charities and churches will likely be negatively affected."

The federal government has said it wants to review the nonprofit taxation process and make churches more financially independent. Because of this, many churches are already taking steps to become more financially responsible on an internal level.

The survey found that 94 percent make financial statements available to church members, 73 percent have a finance committee, 56 percent conduct an annual internal audit, and 36 percent have had a CPA audit in the past three years.

A total of 1,507 churches participated in this year's State of the Plate survey. The survey was started by Maximum Generosity in 2008 in an effort to gain an insight as to how the recession was affecting church donations, budgeting, generosity initiatives, and community programs.

RN Jobs Phoenix at Top 15 Hospitals

Anyone wondering what RN jobs Phoenix has to offer may want to consider working for one of the top hospitals in the area. Visit http://nursingjob.abrazohealth.com for more openings.

U.S. News & World Report recently released its list of the Best Hospitals for 2011. This year hospitals were ranked in each of the nation's 52 largest metropolitan areas. In the Phoenix area - which also includes Glendale, Scottsdale, and Mesa Arizona jobs (Click here) - 15 of the city's 48 hospitals are considered to be top-ranking.

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, which was ranked first in Phoenix, also was ranked nationally for six different specialties. Mayo Clinic Hospital was ranked nationally for four specialties, while St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center was ranked for one specialty.

The best hospitals in the Phoenix area include:

1. Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
2. Mayo Clinic Hospital
3. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
4. Banner Desert Medical Center
5. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
6. Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center
7. Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center
8. Banner Estrella Medical Center
9. John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital
10. Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center
11. Banner Heart Hospital
12. Arrowhead Hospital
13. Banner Baywood Medical Center
14. St. Luke's Medical Center
15. Sun Health Boswell Hospital

The list was compiled by ordering hospitals based on the number of nationally ranked specialties and then by the number of other specialties that are among the top 25 percent nationally. That means nationally-ranked hospitals automatically performed better than others.