HotGigs launches referral program

Minneapolis-based HotGigs.com announced its new Agency Referral Program (ARP), allowing companies to post hard-to-fill permanent positions at fixed costs well below those of traditional full-fee headhunters. This marks a change in HotGig's business model, which until now has helped companies find and source contract/temporary professionals from its United States network of 7,000 consulting and staffing firms, and 25,000 independent consultants.

This same network of firms can now participate in the hiring process for full-time positions listed on the HotGigs Web site.

McAreavey new Stellent CFO

Eden Prairie-based Stellent, Inc., which makes content management products, appointed Darin McAreavey, Stellent's corporate controller since 2004, to the position of chief financial officer (CFO). McAreavey replaces Gregg Waldon.

Immediately prior to Stellent, McAreavey served in senior accounting and financial management positions with Computer Network Technology.

Gaming to generate $60 billion by 2011

According to a report by BCC Research, the value of worldwide shipments of the electronic gaming industry has reached nearly $36.5 billion in 2006. Shipments are projected to grow in value at a 10.5 percent average annual growth rate to reach almost $60 billion by 2011.

Games and software control the largest share of the total gaming market. Worth more than $20.7 billion in 2006, this industry will grow sharply to $33.6 billion in 2011. Gaming products command the second largest share of the market, worth $13.9 billion in 2006, growing to $22.1 billion 2011. Equipment and services, although the most specialized sector of the industry, will be the fastest growing sector of the market, reaching almost $2 billion by the end of 2006. It will reach $4.3 billion in 2011.

Aware Web moves into new space

Edina-based Aware Web Solutions recently moved into new offices, at 6600 France Avenue South, Suite 620.

The Web development firm also updated its own Web site.

Aware provides services to companies across the U.S. including Eli Lilly, Toro, Lund Food Holdings and Slumberland Furniture.

Swanson new Watermark COO

Terri Swanson recently joined Edina-based Watermark Learning as its new COO.

Swanson joins Watermark with more than 20 years of experience in training, publishing and high tech sales and marketing. Swanson will help promote Watermark Learning's project management and business analysis related onsite training, public classes, mentoring, coaching and Masters Certificate programs.

IT workers generally happy with salaries

Compared to the general work force, IT workers are more satisfied with their compensation. In fact, nearly four out of five (78 percent) of them are very or somewhat satisfied with their cash and benefits, compared to 72 percent of all workers.

The findings come from Hudson's Transforming Pay Plans: 2006 Compensation and Benefits Report, which surveyed 10,000 workers across all sectors, examining employee attitudes about traditional and non-traditional pay and benefit programs.

IT professionals also anticipate making more money in 2006 than in 2005--57 percent indicate they will earn more. Only 41 percent of overall workforce believes that to be the case. Also, almost half (46 percent) of the IT work force received a raise within the last six months, compared to 33 percent of all respondents. When it comes to those raises, 47 percent of IT workers' raises are based on their performance, while that is the case for only 35 percent of all workers.

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