PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Rich Henson
Group Publisher
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610 854-6282

Date - April 9, 2009

Managers See President Obama’s Stimulus Plan Hurting Business According to Progressive Business Publications Survey

MALVERN, PA, April 9 – By a 2-to-1 margin, middle-level managers with hiring responsibilities have turned a thumbs-down to the Obama administration’s stimulus package recently passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress.

A total of 2,775 managers from a broad cross-section of industries and companies participated in the survey conducted on HRMorning.com (http://HRMorning), the daily updated information Web site sponsored by Progressive Business Publications (http://www.pbp.com). (The site is visited daily by tens of thousands of managers.)

The poll found that 32% believe the stimulus measures will hurt their industries, while just 16% said it will be helpful and beneficial for job creation.

Of the remainder, 28% said it will have no effect and 25% said they weren’t sure.

In a separate survey conducted at the time the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was introduced in Congress, the verdict of HR Managers on the administration’s personnel policies was even more negative. If enacted, EFCA would scrap the secret-ballot vote for unionization efforts.

Of the 1,286 HR practitioners responding, 70% said the administration’s personnel policies would make their jobs more difficult, while only 9% said their jobs would become easier as a result. Another 21% felt the measure, if passed, would have no effect on their jobs.

Business managers casting their votes also took the opportunity to post comments on Progressive Business Publication’s HRMorning.com site, often in sarcastic tones questioning the new government measures.

Much of the ire was directed at a provision that would require companies to front 65% of COBRA costs for laid-off employees (which may be recoverable through a credit on payroll taxes).

One HR practitioner called the legislation “horrific,” while another said the recovery act would be better described as the “Re-bury” act.

“There really isn’t much here that will benefit our business,” one comment read. “If we happen to hire a veteran, we’ll take the tax credit but we have no openings right now. We don’t take out loans with the SBA. If we have a capital investment, we’ll take the deduction, but we have nothing planned for 2009. All in all, not much help to us or, I would guess, most small or mid-size businesses.”

Progressive Business Publications is a leading diversified information and executive education company that serves hundreds of thousands of companies, including virtually all the Fortune 1000, with its product offerings.

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Rich Henson
Group Publisher
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610-865-6282

Date - March 26, 2009

Exclusive PBP Business Survey Shows Depth of Current Recession

MALVERN, PA – An exclusive survey of leading business professionals conducted by Progressive Business Publications (www.pbp.com) reveals the depth of the current economic recession among a broad range of companies in all industries and sizes.

PBP, a diversified business information provider, regularly surveys thousands of executives across the U.S. to take the pulse of how the economy is affecting the various professionals served by its paper and electronic newsletters, audio conferences, daily updated Web sites, Executive Reports, Compliance needs, Case Law Books and other business products.

The surveys are based on responses from 675 professionals and were compiled this week. Significant findings among the ranks of Sales Managers include:

• 65% or nearly two-thirds of Sales Managers report sales are down in the first two months of the year. Almost one-fifth (19.1%) of Sales Managers reported their sales down between 10% and 20%, and one-third (33.3%) reported sales were down 20% or more.
• The recession has created a dramatically increased focus on price with most buyers trying to extract every possible price concession; 48% of Sales Managers report that what they need most at this time is training to keep salespeople focused on value, not price.
• The recession has also made Sales Managers more pessimistic about the possibility of obtaining new customers in the present economic climate. The largest segment (42%) said they will focus most efforts to shore up revenues by trying to sell more to existing customers.

A second survey of Financial Executives indicates strong dissatisfaction with the cooperation they are getting from other departments within their own companies to identify and implement cost-saving measures. Many are also feeling a cash squeeze because their customers appear to be in trouble and have slowed down payments as a protective measure.

According to recent surveys among CFOs, Controllers and Credit and Collection Managers:

• More than half (57%) of top Finance Execs believe their companies still have a way to go before all employees become responsible spenders and treat the company’s money as their own.
• 48.4% felt what their companies needed most, apart from more responsible spending habits internally, was guidelines for what to do when good customers have problems.
• Next on the list of needed tools to combat cash flow problems (37%) was a list of effective comebacks for debtors’ excuses.

Office Managers and Administrative Professionals, who are most often at the hub of company spending, report seeing significant belt-tightening around them.

In a separate survey:

• More than half (53.1%) said they had seen layoffs in their organizations
• Almost 95% said the downturn had affected or will soon affect their organizations
• An overwhelming majority (81%) said they felt pressure to save money an all purchases, no matter how small.
• Solid majorities (between 53% and 69%) saw budgets tightened for such things as travel, continuing education, and meetings and events).

Perhaps more significantly, a solid majority (58%) of administrative professionals said they had seen more job-related stress among the remaining employees that was affecting personal and company performance.

Progressive Business Publications is a leading diversified information and executive education company that serves hundreds of thousands of companies, including virtually all the Fortune 1000, with its product offerings.

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Regina Black Lennox
Director of Philanthropy & Corporate Citizenship
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610-865-6246

Date - March 5, 2009

Progressive Business Publications Proudly Announces Its New Chief Operating Officer, Tom Schubert of West Chester, PA

Philadelphia and Malvern, PA — Progressive Business Publications (PBP) (www.pbp.com) is pleased to announce that Tom Schubert, PBP’s CFO for the past nine years of remarkable business growth, has additionally been named COO, a new leadership position.

PBP is a leading diversified information and executive education company, whose mission is to help executives do their job better. PBP is a “Built-to-Last” company that had achieved 18 straight years of growth and in 2008 performed just below record levels when most companies were down 30% plus. The company’s growth track record for the past seven years has been fueled by launching 9 successful start-up businesses and making one acquisition. PBP currently has well over 150,000 B2B customers, including virtually all of the Fortune 1000.

Tom’s goals as COO include ensuring PBP continues to live its values and remains a values-based workplace. He will also lead key people in executing and contributing to growth strategies and focus on driving profitable growth. Another of Tom’s key objectives is to make sure the company continues to recruit and retain great people who are committed to excellence.

Ed Satell, PBP’s Founder and CEO, stated: “Tom’s leadership, ability to develop our people and strategic thinking skills make him a tremendous asset for our company. I feel sure PBP will continue to thrive with Tom as our COO.”

In addition to his business leadership, Tom is a strong contributor to PBP’s extensive corporate citizenship programs. He has been a Mentor for disadvantaged children at PBP’s highly successful adopted school, Cook Wissahickon Elementary, for the past nine years, has served on numerous nonprofit event committees, and consistently supports PBP’s employees as they participate in the corporate commitment to giving back to the region.

Prior to PBP, Tom was the founding SVP & CFO of NovaCare Employee Services (NCES). During his three years with NCES, Mr. Schubert helped lead the company’s successful IPO stock offering 14 months after NCES was formed, made several significant acquisitions and ultimately helped sell NCES to Fidelity Investments.

From 1991 to 1997, Tom was with Chemical Leaman Corporation, where he rose to VP of Finance and helped double the company’s revenue to $350 million while quadrupling its profits. Tom began his career with Ernst & Young, where from 1984 to 1990, he rose to Manager.

Tom attended Drexel University on an athletic scholarship where he was a member of Drexel’s ECC Championship soccer team and captain of the swimming and diving team. Tom graduated with honors in 1984 and was President of Beta Alpha Psi his senior year.

He currently serves on the Executive Committee Boards for Delaware Valley Junior Achievement and the Wedgewood Club. He also serves on Drexel University’s MBA Advisory Council and has previously served as past Board President for both the Institute of Management Accountants and the St. James Alumni Association.

Tom and his wife Judy live in West Chester with their two teenage daughters. His interests outside of work include playing golf, running and attending his daughters sporting events.

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Regina Black Lennox
Director of Philanthropy & Corporate Citizenship
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610-865-6246

Date - June 19, 2008

Progressive Business Publications’ New E-newsletter Division Targets Advertisers Marketing to Business Executives

PHILADELPHIA & MALVERN, Pa., Jun 19, 2008 — Progressive Business Publications (PBP) (www.pbp.com) announces the launch of PBP Media, a new division that connects advertisers with business decision makers.

Ed Satell, PBP Founder & CEO said “It’s an exciting step in our evolution as a leading diversified information and executive education company. We’re pleased to offer effective ways for our advertising partners to reach today’s busy executives.” Advertisers working with PBP Media benefit from exclusive e-newsletter sponsorship and highly targeted Web advertising. PBP Media’s e-newsletters already have more than 400,000 subscribers in Human Resources and Finance functions at leading companies across the U.S.

Executives choose from 12 free weekly b2b e-newsletters. Specialized Web sites provide in-depth reports and daily updates featuring PBP’s popular quick-read actionable format composed by PBP’s staff of expert writers. Marketing Director Dan Karleen states “B2b advertising dollars are shifting rapidly toward specialized communities with proven buying power, which is exactly what PBP Media’s audience represents.”

Progressive Business Publications is a private company founded in 1989 with a single publication. Today this diversified information provider has ten business units and is enjoying its 19th straight year of growth. Its b2b products are used by almost every major corporation in the nation. Tom Schubert, CFO, states “Our 19-year track record of providing business execs with timely, actionable information positions us favorably with advertisers looking to sell their products and services into this community.”

Advertisers can learn more by contacting Kristin Conran, Sales Director, at 1-610-854-6203.

PBP Media (http://www.pbpmedia.com) publishes 12 specialized websites for HR and Finance professionals featuring news and actionable advice updated daily. The HR Web sites targeting Vice Presidents of HR, HR Directors, and HR Managers include HR Morning (http://www.hrmorning.com) covering HR management; HR Tech News (http://www.hrtechnews.com), which covers technology developments in the human resources field; HR Benefits Alert (http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com) for benefits professionals; HR Recruiting Alert (http://www.hrrecruitingalert.com) featuring staffing and recruiting news; HR Legal News (http://www.hrlegalnews.com) for workplace employment law; and HR Blunders (http://www.hrblunders.com) which covers the lighter side of HR.

PBP Media’s Finance sites reaching CFOs, VPs of Finance, and Controllers, include CFO Daily News (http://www.cfodailynews.com) covering general finance management issues; Finance Tech News (http://www.financetechnews.com) for the latest software and tech news impacting Accounting and Finance; Finance Regs ( http://www.financeregs.com) covering compliance issues; Procurement Alert ( http://www.procurementalert.com) focusing on purchasing and supply chain; Health Finance News (http://www.healthfinancenews.com) covering the finance side of benefits administration; and CFO Snafu (http://www.cfosnafu.com) covering the humorous side of Finance and Accounting.

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Regina Black Lennox
Director of Philanthropy & Corporate Citizenship
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610-865-6246

Date - May 8, 2008

Progressive Business Publications Proudly Announces the Inaugural Executive Editorial & Marketing Intern Program

PHILADELPHIA and MALVERN, PA – Progressive Business Publications (PBP) (www.pbp.com) proudly announces the inception of an executive intern program for rising college seniors based at its corporate headquarters in Malvern. The program, with its slogan “Real jobs, real experience,” exposes successful students to cutting-edge business practices and allows them to work side-by-side with industry leaders. Progressive Business Publications was founded in 1989 with a single publication. Today this diversified information provider has nine business units and is enjoying its 18th straight year of growth. Its b2b products are used by executives at almost every major corporation in the nation.

Top students from St. Joseph’s University and Gettysburg College will hone their writing skills and cultivate customer-focused research skills under the supervision of Editorial Director Pieter VanBennekom, the former international correspondent and head of United Press International. In addition, they’ll develop Web communication strategies working with John Walston, head of PBP’s highly successful new product line, Executive Reports (www.pbpexecutivereports.com). PBP Executive Reports produces in-depth whitepapers on major and timely topics, such as Form I-9 new hire compliance, new rules for wellness programs, cold-call selling, 1099 reporting, OSHA’s new personal protective equipment (PPE) payment rule and others.

Promising students from the University of Delaware, Penn State and Drexel will work with PBP’s key marketing executives to expand their marketing analysis skills and product development strategies for b2b products.

Ed Satell, Founder and CEO, stated: “We’re always in the business of developing people, and we know culture and ethics count. We believe in giving these bright young people the opportunity to experience the empowerment of real accountability. They’ll have the chance to stretch their skills and discover their strengths in a fast-paced work environment.”

The interns will participate twice weekly in PBP’s “Traditions” orientation program, designed to acclimate them to the various business units and culture. Throughout their employment they will also work together on a group project and will present their ideas to PBP’s executives at the conclusion of the summer.

Tom Schubert, CFO, said: We’re delighted to launch our intern program. ”This is a true win/win opportunity for the students and PBP. Real jobs and real experience will make a real difference for these young people.”

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact
Regina Black Lennox
Director of Philanthropy & Corporate Citizenship
Progressive Business Publications (PBP)
376 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
610-865-6246

Date - November 28, 2007

Progressive Business Publications hosts its 14th Annual Editorial Conference

PHILADELPHIA and MALVERN, PA – Progressive Business Publications (PBP) (www.pbp.com) just concluded its 14th annual Editorial Conference at the Desmond Business Center with a call to embrace change — a vital concept at a time when the media industry is losing customers while PBP continues to expand with its growing online business. PBP’s annual Editorial Conference offered a unique, focused opportunity to discover the latest techniques to serve its hundreds of thousands of business customers in ways that make it easier for them to absorb the content they need to do their jobs better.

Keynote speaker Dr. Steve Treat, national media consultant and CEO of the Council for Relationship, presented a dynamic call to action on how to effectively handle the challenge of change in today’s society, and especially in the information industry, to more than 100 PBP Editors, Product Marketers, Audio Conference Producers and corporate leaders.

Another highlight of the two-day 2007 conference themed “The PBP Advantage” was the presentation of the first annual Editorial Excellence Awards for increasing annual market acceptance of one of PBP’s specialized information products (recipient: Environmental Compliance Alert Editor-in-Chief Tom Guay) and for the embodiment of the company’s core values such as service to readers (recipient: Center for Education and Employment Law Group Publisher Curt Brown).

This year comprehensive division reports included updates on PBP’s very successful newest product line, Executive Reports (www.pbpexecutivereports.com), in-depth white papers on major and timely topics such as Form I-9 new hire compliance, new rules for wellness programs, the latest techniques in cold-call selling, OSHA’s new personal protective equipment payment rule and others.

Conference participants sought to improve their cutting-edge skills through 11 seminars focused on innovative techniques to package crucial information for business executives. Ed Satell, PBP founder and CEO, stated: “Our annual conference serves a vital purpose, helping our people gain a new skill or enhance an existing strength to both participate in and drive the company’s growth. Best of all, our in-house experts share their latest and greatest strategies for the delivery of must-have business information.”

Editorial Director Pieter VanBennekom, a former President & CEO of United Press International (UPI) and former foreign correspondent, believes the annual Editorial conference is unique in the specialized business and information industry and is crucial to keep PBP’s editors ahead of the pack concerning on-line trends and opportunities.

Progressive Business Publications is a private company founded in 1989 with a single publication. Today this diversified information provider has nine business units and is enjoying its 18th straight year of growth. Its b2b products are used by executives at almost every major corporation in the nation. Tom Schubert, PBP CFO, states: “We’re a values-driven, high performance, non-bureaucratic organization that attracts and empowers talented professionals because we offer a collegial atmosphere where we appreciate our people and their contributions. We’re proud to sponsor developmental opportunities like our annual Editorial Conference.”