sasutezew.blogspot.com
The movie starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds broughtt in anestimated $34,114,000 in its openinvg weekend. It knocked off the reigning ' "The Hangover," which brought in an estimated $26,855,00o0 during the weekend. "The Proposal" was shown on aboutf 4,100 screens at 3,057 sites, according to a report on the Disney/ 's "Up" continued its strony showing, coming in third over the weekendf with anestimated $21,336,000. The animatedc film is currently in second placebehind Paramount's "Star Trek," for second-largest movie of the summer.
Another new ' "Year One," brought in an estimater $20,200,000 in its first placing it fourth onthe list. Another Sony Picturex release, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 rounded out thetop five, bringingg in an estimated $11,300,000.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Marlins not interested in Cuban free agents Dariel Alvarez and Aledmys Diaz - NBCSports.com
mastering-input.blogspot.com
NBCSports.com | Marlins not interested in Cuban free agents Dariel Alvarez and Aledmys Diaz NBCSports.com The Marlins aggressively pursued Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes last offseason before he landed a four-year, $36 million deal from the Athletics, but the club has taken a decidedly different approach this winter, shedding big names while putting a ... |
Friday, December 28, 2012
Steve Redgrave: London 2012 games created a generation of superstars and ... - Telegraph.co.uk
bentlyoupapa1810.blogspot.com
Telegraph.co.uk | Steve Redgrave: London 2012 games created a generation of superstars and ... Telegraph.co.uk Steve Redgrave: London 2012 games created a generation of superstars and transformed the way the world views us. The Olympics changed Britain. Before those mad, magnificent two weeks in London last summer, the general perception of the British .. . |
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Western-Southern annuities on record-setting pace - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
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Western & Southern sold $1.25 billion in annuities during the firstr four months ofthe year, it said last week. That puts it on pace to beat last year’ s total fixed and variable annuityu salesof $2.97 billion by 26 percent. The company’s 2008 annuitt sales soared 59 percent from theprior year. “Our strong annuity sales are a direct result of the ongoingg flightto quality,” CEO John Barrett said in a news Western & Southern carries a AA+ ratingv from Standard & Poor’s, making it one of the world’z nine strongest life insurance groups. Salezs through banks have been a big partof downtown-basexd Western & Southern’s growth.
Those salesa generated $523 million so far this or about 40 percent ofthe company’s totap annuity sales. Bank-related sales more than doubled last Western & Southern’s sales place it among the nation’s largest provideres of individual annuity products, according to , an associatio of life insurers and financial firms.
Western & Southern sold $1.25 billion in annuities during the firstr four months ofthe year, it said last week. That puts it on pace to beat last year’ s total fixed and variable annuityu salesof $2.97 billion by 26 percent. The company’s 2008 annuitt sales soared 59 percent from theprior year. “Our strong annuity sales are a direct result of the ongoingg flightto quality,” CEO John Barrett said in a news Western & Southern carries a AA+ ratingv from Standard & Poor’s, making it one of the world’z nine strongest life insurance groups. Salezs through banks have been a big partof downtown-basexd Western & Southern’s growth.
Those salesa generated $523 million so far this or about 40 percent ofthe company’s totap annuity sales. Bank-related sales more than doubled last Western & Southern’s sales place it among the nation’s largest provideres of individual annuity products, according to , an associatio of life insurers and financial firms.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Weber County Library hosts annual Christmas open house - StandardNet
ogarawo.wordpress.com
StandardNet | Weber County Library hosts annual Christmas open house StandardNet The Weber County Library's main branch played Christmas Eve (afternoon) host to an estimated 500 guests who had no place to go. The library staff and volunteers provided a holiday meal, camaraderie, entertainment and small gifts such as socks, gloves, ...
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Sunday, December 23, 2012
Workzone: Discriminatory job practices working against older workers - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
awipekyhila.blogspot.com
Workzone: Discriminatory job practices working against older workers Pittsburgh Post Gazette It isn't easy to grow old gracefully. But for people 55 and older who want to continue in the work force, the realities of advancing age can be especially harsh. Simply put, negative stereotypes about being less productive, having dated skills and ... |
Friday, December 21, 2012
Memphis Business Journal: Starting a Business : Business Advice
grigoriynirim.blogspot.com
In order to understand why a down market creates so many opportunitiee for astartup company, you first need to understand why a bull market makeds it so difficult to succeed. In a bull the cost of everything As more capitalbecomes available, so does more New startups spring up everywhere, competinv for talent, marketing opportunities and customers. At one time you were the only game intown - now you'vd got three guys pretending to do exactly what you do - all the whilew increasing the cost of running your business. a bear market drives the cost ofeverythint downward.
Companies go into a losing sight of their growtj goals and in some cases falling into bankruptcy The sudden drop in demand forcesx the prices of everythingsharply downward, creating a perfectg storm for a well-prepared company to createw unprecedented gains. Before you get your offense you need to get your defenss lined up and that means gettiny very leanvery quickly. The problem with coming off of a bull markety isthat we're not used to pullingg back. We're used to knowing that the next year will be even biggerf thanthe last, so we plan and spene accordingly. This time we've got to create a very differengt plan.
This plan is about reducing marketing and all possible operating costs you have before circumstancess force such movesupon you. Make no mistake, this is going to Nobody is ever excitedxabout downshifting, especially after a good run, but it's better than sending the entire company home becausee you weren't ready to make A healthy approach is to plan for a very long Assume you'll lose more sales than you can possiblyt forecast. Think of your businessa in terms of what it is your company can operate on and still keep thelightx on. You can always add more resources if you need them butyou won't be able to make up for overshootinyg your income forecasts.
Kicking butt in a down markety isn't just about crawling up in a hole and waitingbfor spring. It's about gettin lean so you can get focused onhuntinh again. Your competition may not react as quicklyy asyou did, which is great news for you. Chances are their lack of planninbg is putting the company in atight spot. Theid senior management is more concerneds about making payroll thanmaking acquisitions. Thei r foot soldiers are more worried abouf whether or not they are going to have jobs than whether theit customers are as happy as theycan be. And that's where you swoop right in.
Therd is never a more cost effectivwe time to attack the competition and take over theier customers than in a down The cost of advertising plummets as the competitionpullw back. The challenge of getting mediq attention dwindles as fewer companiesx are vyingfor attention. And the cost of wooingf customers drops as sales representativeds go into adefensive tailspin. In some casew you may not even have to attackthei customers. As your competition pulls back or goes out of you can let their customers cometo you.
Try that in a bull
In order to understand why a down market creates so many opportunitiee for astartup company, you first need to understand why a bull market makeds it so difficult to succeed. In a bull the cost of everything As more capitalbecomes available, so does more New startups spring up everywhere, competinv for talent, marketing opportunities and customers. At one time you were the only game intown - now you'vd got three guys pretending to do exactly what you do - all the whilew increasing the cost of running your business. a bear market drives the cost ofeverythint downward.
Companies go into a losing sight of their growtj goals and in some cases falling into bankruptcy The sudden drop in demand forcesx the prices of everythingsharply downward, creating a perfectg storm for a well-prepared company to createw unprecedented gains. Before you get your offense you need to get your defenss lined up and that means gettiny very leanvery quickly. The problem with coming off of a bull markety isthat we're not used to pullingg back. We're used to knowing that the next year will be even biggerf thanthe last, so we plan and spene accordingly. This time we've got to create a very differengt plan.
This plan is about reducing marketing and all possible operating costs you have before circumstancess force such movesupon you. Make no mistake, this is going to Nobody is ever excitedxabout downshifting, especially after a good run, but it's better than sending the entire company home becausee you weren't ready to make A healthy approach is to plan for a very long Assume you'll lose more sales than you can possiblyt forecast. Think of your businessa in terms of what it is your company can operate on and still keep thelightx on. You can always add more resources if you need them butyou won't be able to make up for overshootinyg your income forecasts.
Kicking butt in a down markety isn't just about crawling up in a hole and waitingbfor spring. It's about gettin lean so you can get focused onhuntinh again. Your competition may not react as quicklyy asyou did, which is great news for you. Chances are their lack of planninbg is putting the company in atight spot. Theid senior management is more concerneds about making payroll thanmaking acquisitions. Thei r foot soldiers are more worried abouf whether or not they are going to have jobs than whether theit customers are as happy as theycan be. And that's where you swoop right in.
Therd is never a more cost effectivwe time to attack the competition and take over theier customers than in a down The cost of advertising plummets as the competitionpullw back. The challenge of getting mediq attention dwindles as fewer companiesx are vyingfor attention. And the cost of wooingf customers drops as sales representativeds go into adefensive tailspin. In some casew you may not even have to attackthei customers. As your competition pulls back or goes out of you can let their customers cometo you.
Try that in a bull
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Planned layoffs fall 16% in May - Wichita Business Journal:
xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
percent more than the 103,522 announcedx in the same month ayear ago. This year has not been kind to The report found that so far in 2009 employers haveannounceed 822,282 job cuts, more than double the 394,19w announced through May last year. But while job cuts remainer well abovelast year's pace, May markerd the fourth consecutive month with a decline in job-cut Since reaching a peak of 241,749 in job-cut totals have fallen by an average of 17.5 percent per CEO John Challenger remains cautious about the job marketzs prospects. “This decline in job cuts coulrdbe short-lived,” Challenger said.
“The seconx quarter is typically the lowest quartef of the year when it comess tojob cuts. Corporate downsizing may continue to remainn slow during thesummer months, but if the past is any we could see the pace accelerate again in the latter half of the thirsd quarter through the end of the
percent more than the 103,522 announcedx in the same month ayear ago. This year has not been kind to The report found that so far in 2009 employers haveannounceed 822,282 job cuts, more than double the 394,19w announced through May last year. But while job cuts remainer well abovelast year's pace, May markerd the fourth consecutive month with a decline in job-cut Since reaching a peak of 241,749 in job-cut totals have fallen by an average of 17.5 percent per CEO John Challenger remains cautious about the job marketzs prospects. “This decline in job cuts coulrdbe short-lived,” Challenger said.
“The seconx quarter is typically the lowest quartef of the year when it comess tojob cuts. Corporate downsizing may continue to remainn slow during thesummer months, but if the past is any we could see the pace accelerate again in the latter half of the thirsd quarter through the end of the
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Delta integrates international offerings - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Delta said it would standardiz this month the services offered passengerzs aboard Delta and Northwestinternationao flights. "June marks another major milestoned in our merger with Northwesf as weintroduce high-quality productse on board Delta and Northwestr aircraft operating internationally," Joanne Smith, senior vice president of in-flight said in a statement. "We continue to brinhg together the best of both airlinesa to createone best-in-class experience for customers travelingh with us worldwide.
" Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) said servicea would be integrated aboard all long-haul international aircraff with BusinessElite cabins (formerly known as "World Business Class" aboardd Northwest jets). BusinessElite passengers on both carriers can chooses from meals created by celebrity chef Michellde Bernstein and wines picked by mastere sommelierAndrea Robinson. Delta also plans to roll out “amenit y kits” by Greek skincare companyh . Economy passengers will be offered complimentar y beer and wine on Delta and Northwest international flights.
Liquor and signature mixed drinks by Rande Gerber will be availablefor $7 Economy passengers will also be offerec an upgraded hot breakfast on international flights longer than 3,800 miles. The new international offerings are a continue d step in the integration of the two carriers intothe world’sz largest airlines. inked a new jointf venture agreement with
Delta said it would standardiz this month the services offered passengerzs aboard Delta and Northwestinternationao flights. "June marks another major milestoned in our merger with Northwesf as weintroduce high-quality productse on board Delta and Northwestr aircraft operating internationally," Joanne Smith, senior vice president of in-flight said in a statement. "We continue to brinhg together the best of both airlinesa to createone best-in-class experience for customers travelingh with us worldwide.
" Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) said servicea would be integrated aboard all long-haul international aircraff with BusinessElite cabins (formerly known as "World Business Class" aboardd Northwest jets). BusinessElite passengers on both carriers can chooses from meals created by celebrity chef Michellde Bernstein and wines picked by mastere sommelierAndrea Robinson. Delta also plans to roll out “amenit y kits” by Greek skincare companyh . Economy passengers will be offered complimentar y beer and wine on Delta and Northwest international flights.
Liquor and signature mixed drinks by Rande Gerber will be availablefor $7 Economy passengers will also be offerec an upgraded hot breakfast on international flights longer than 3,800 miles. The new international offerings are a continue d step in the integration of the two carriers intothe world’sz largest airlines. inked a new jointf venture agreement with
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Houston Business Journal: Houston Commercial Real Estate Listings - View Commercial Real Estate
sucujovide.wordpress.com
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Saturday, December 15, 2012
Ryder donates $1M to Red Cross - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
stelauguqdinec.blogspot.com
The foundation, affiliated with Miami-based R), will give $850,000 to the American Red Crose Disaster Relief Fundand $150,00 to the Greater Miami & the Keys Red Cross In making the commitment, Ryder becomes the newesgt member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Givinbg Program, which includes , , , , , , , and . Gail president and CEO of the Greater Miami American Red said the program provides resources to help with a varietof disasters, ranging from apartment or housw fires to hurricane relief. Ryder's announcement came on the openinvg day of the 2009 hurricane season.
Ryder is extending preferred pricing for rental vehiclex to all local Red Cross chapters in the and will encourageits 20,000 U.S. employees to help supporg disaster preparednessand response. “The American Red Cross is one of the most well respectee charitable organizations in the worlxd and we greatly valuee the contributions it makes to communities where we liveand work,” Ryder Chairman and CEO Greg Swientohn said in a news release. “As a transportation and logisticsd provider, we also understand the complexity and depth of timelhy resources needed to respondto disasters.
It is this stronb linkage between Ryder’s business and the Red Cross’ operational needs that drove us to select the Red Crosxsas Ryder’s primary, national charitable partner."
The foundation, affiliated with Miami-based R), will give $850,000 to the American Red Crose Disaster Relief Fundand $150,00 to the Greater Miami & the Keys Red Cross In making the commitment, Ryder becomes the newesgt member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Givinbg Program, which includes , , , , , , , and . Gail president and CEO of the Greater Miami American Red said the program provides resources to help with a varietof disasters, ranging from apartment or housw fires to hurricane relief. Ryder's announcement came on the openinvg day of the 2009 hurricane season.
Ryder is extending preferred pricing for rental vehiclex to all local Red Cross chapters in the and will encourageits 20,000 U.S. employees to help supporg disaster preparednessand response. “The American Red Cross is one of the most well respectee charitable organizations in the worlxd and we greatly valuee the contributions it makes to communities where we liveand work,” Ryder Chairman and CEO Greg Swientohn said in a news release. “As a transportation and logisticsd provider, we also understand the complexity and depth of timelhy resources needed to respondto disasters.
It is this stronb linkage between Ryder’s business and the Red Cross’ operational needs that drove us to select the Red Crosxsas Ryder’s primary, national charitable partner."
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Cancer Treatment Centers set for Newnan - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
plesciamipukoa1855.blogspot.com
The up to 50-bed hospital in Newnan will draw at leasty 65 percent of its patients from It also will create 500 jobs and generateea $500 million economic impact over five years, hospitak officials said. The Newnan location, a quick shot down Interstats 85from , fits in with CTCA’x goal of providing easy access to patients flying into Atlanta. Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s hospitalx in suburban Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Okla., offer a mix of inpatient and outpatientf chemotherapy treatments with nontraditional approacheasincluding science-based alternative medicine.
Some area hospital administrators worry the new hospita l would siphon away paying patients and poachy already limited physician andnursinh talent. "They are not going to bring any new capabilityh to the Atlanta area thatwe don'y already have," said Kirk Wilson, CEO of Saint Joseph's Hospitak of Atlanta, in an intervieaw with Atlanta Business Chronicle in April. "They're a commercia organization that's going to skim off the top and try to attrac tcommercial patients, for the most part.
" But a new hospitapl specializing in advanced treatments for cancer will offee metro Atlanta both health-care and economic benefits, say supporters of a project more than two years in the making. “Itg will make us a medicapl hub for cancer treatment in the southeasterbUnited States,” said Georgia Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Garden City, who sponsored a bill in the General Assembl paving the way for the company to set up shopin “And the economic impact will be staggering.
” And expandingg into the Atlanta area will offere a huge convenience for CTCA patients from the who now travel an average of more than 500 mileas one way to get to one of the company’s CTCA board Vice Chairman Robert Mayo “Our mission is to serve as many cancert patients who want access to our brand of care as he said. “Many of these people now have to fly over or drivew through Southeastern states to accesds one of ourexisting facilities.
”
The up to 50-bed hospital in Newnan will draw at leasty 65 percent of its patients from It also will create 500 jobs and generateea $500 million economic impact over five years, hospitak officials said. The Newnan location, a quick shot down Interstats 85from , fits in with CTCA’x goal of providing easy access to patients flying into Atlanta. Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s hospitalx in suburban Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Okla., offer a mix of inpatient and outpatientf chemotherapy treatments with nontraditional approacheasincluding science-based alternative medicine.
Some area hospital administrators worry the new hospita l would siphon away paying patients and poachy already limited physician andnursinh talent. "They are not going to bring any new capabilityh to the Atlanta area thatwe don'y already have," said Kirk Wilson, CEO of Saint Joseph's Hospitak of Atlanta, in an intervieaw with Atlanta Business Chronicle in April. "They're a commercia organization that's going to skim off the top and try to attrac tcommercial patients, for the most part.
" But a new hospitapl specializing in advanced treatments for cancer will offee metro Atlanta both health-care and economic benefits, say supporters of a project more than two years in the making. “Itg will make us a medicapl hub for cancer treatment in the southeasterbUnited States,” said Georgia Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Garden City, who sponsored a bill in the General Assembl paving the way for the company to set up shopin “And the economic impact will be staggering.
” And expandingg into the Atlanta area will offere a huge convenience for CTCA patients from the who now travel an average of more than 500 mileas one way to get to one of the company’s CTCA board Vice Chairman Robert Mayo “Our mission is to serve as many cancert patients who want access to our brand of care as he said. “Many of these people now have to fly over or drivew through Southeastern states to accesds one of ourexisting facilities.
”
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
New Zealand companies take root in Silicon Valley - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
xszeyluje.blogspot.com
The southwest Pacific island nation has launched a concerted effort atattracting U.S. venture with Kiwi companies looking at Silicon Valleyh as their beachhead intoworld markets. Mintz, Levin, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo PC member Matt Kirmayed has worked with the New Zealan Trade and Enterprise group for about two He has traveled there twice to explain the Silicon Valley venturde modelto investors, companies and government officials. “Thwe level of excitement and interes isquite high,” Kirmayer said. “They read about VC and they’re reading about what happene inSilicon Valley.
And as companies theree mature, there are a large number of vallet venture funds excited by thetechnology they’ree seeing, and they’re viewing New Zealanf with great interest.” Keyur Patel, a managint partner on Palo Alto venture firm Fuse which focuses on digital media and communicationzs investments, considers New Zealand a hub for special effects for film and animation. The firm just made a multimillion-dollare investment into the film “Warrior’s Way,” whicjh was produced in New Zealand.
“Whebn I first started lookingf atNew Zealand, I met with every startup in the and even when you add it up, it’s still small and manageable,” Patel “There are a lot of ideads that are good for emerging marketzs but might not work in the U.S., but that’d what we’re looking for.” Brad Jones, North America team leader for Investment New Zealand, the country’s national investmeny promotion agency, matches high-growth New Zealand businessess to international investors. “New Zealand is a small so as companies get to a certain size and they need to get out ofthe country,” Jonesz said.
The agency sponsorerd an event in San Francisco on June 2 along with Palo Alto lawfirm Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovskyu and Popeo to showcase New Zealand investmenrt opportunities to American venture capitalists. Joneds said that for about a year the agencu hasattracted U.S. venture capitakl by adding people with experience in capital marketes toits roster. “Everyone realizes the best thinkinf around technology and the smartest capita exists inSilicon Valley,” Jonesa said. “To maximize the value creation, they need to be Since 2008, U.S.
venturde firms have invested about $20 millionn in New Zealand companies, said Calvin Cheong, a forme hedge fund trader who joined Investment New Zealand as investmentt managerin 2005. In terms of New Zealand companiess relocating tothe U.S., the agencg has seen everything from companies just finishingt beta testing to those getting $5 milliomn in U.S. venture funding movinhg to the states. “ I think with our efforts, we’rde gaining enough critical masswhere you’re going to be seeing a lot more of us in Silicon Valley,” Cheong said.
Two examples of New Zealand companies branching out globallt with Silicon Valley connections are Right Hemispherer and ZephyrTechnology Ltd. Pleasanton-based software company Right Hemispheree is best known as the maker of the 3D viewer included with AdobedSystems Inc.’s Adobe Reader. The compang launched in Auckland in and relocated its headquarters to California in 2003 on the heeles of an investment by Sequoia Capital Its investors now include SutterHill Ventures, SAP Venturesx and Nvidia Corp. Its third round of funding happenedd in the pastsix months. CEO Michaell Lynch declined to reveapl the amount but described itas “substantial.
” As part of an $8 milliobn loan provided to the companyy by the New Zealand government in 2006, Sutteer Hill and Sequoia also agreed to review five business plans a year for three yearsx from New Zealand companies. Lynch, who became the CEO in said, “We have greatg math and engineering, but we don’t know how to sell and There is a feeding that happens arouns that practicalskill set, especiallyu in Silicon Valley.” Zephyr Technology, a makefr of remote physiological sensors and software for use in the military, emergencyh response and health care landed its first contract with U.S. Special Operations Command in 2007.
San Francisco-basee Alsop Louie Partners fundedthe company’es Series B round, and the company’s executive team relocatex to Silicon Valley in 2007. “Thee contract with Special Forces brought us to ascalablr market, and it became obvious too that if we weren’ft in the U.S., we weren’ft going to raise U.S. money,” said Brian Russell, Zephyr’s founder and CEO. But Zephyr’s time in the valley was short. The compan will maintain a presencwe inNorthern California, but the executiv e team just moved to Annapolis, Md., to be closef to Zephyr’s defense-arena clientele.
The southwest Pacific island nation has launched a concerted effort atattracting U.S. venture with Kiwi companies looking at Silicon Valleyh as their beachhead intoworld markets. Mintz, Levin, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo PC member Matt Kirmayed has worked with the New Zealan Trade and Enterprise group for about two He has traveled there twice to explain the Silicon Valley venturde modelto investors, companies and government officials. “Thwe level of excitement and interes isquite high,” Kirmayer said. “They read about VC and they’re reading about what happene inSilicon Valley.
And as companies theree mature, there are a large number of vallet venture funds excited by thetechnology they’ree seeing, and they’re viewing New Zealanf with great interest.” Keyur Patel, a managint partner on Palo Alto venture firm Fuse which focuses on digital media and communicationzs investments, considers New Zealand a hub for special effects for film and animation. The firm just made a multimillion-dollare investment into the film “Warrior’s Way,” whicjh was produced in New Zealand.
“Whebn I first started lookingf atNew Zealand, I met with every startup in the and even when you add it up, it’s still small and manageable,” Patel “There are a lot of ideads that are good for emerging marketzs but might not work in the U.S., but that’d what we’re looking for.” Brad Jones, North America team leader for Investment New Zealand, the country’s national investmeny promotion agency, matches high-growth New Zealand businessess to international investors. “New Zealand is a small so as companies get to a certain size and they need to get out ofthe country,” Jonesz said.
The agency sponsorerd an event in San Francisco on June 2 along with Palo Alto lawfirm Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovskyu and Popeo to showcase New Zealand investmenrt opportunities to American venture capitalists. Joneds said that for about a year the agencu hasattracted U.S. venture capitakl by adding people with experience in capital marketes toits roster. “Everyone realizes the best thinkinf around technology and the smartest capita exists inSilicon Valley,” Jonesa said. “To maximize the value creation, they need to be Since 2008, U.S.
venturde firms have invested about $20 millionn in New Zealand companies, said Calvin Cheong, a forme hedge fund trader who joined Investment New Zealand as investmentt managerin 2005. In terms of New Zealand companiess relocating tothe U.S., the agencg has seen everything from companies just finishingt beta testing to those getting $5 milliomn in U.S. venture funding movinhg to the states. “ I think with our efforts, we’rde gaining enough critical masswhere you’re going to be seeing a lot more of us in Silicon Valley,” Cheong said.
Two examples of New Zealand companies branching out globallt with Silicon Valley connections are Right Hemispherer and ZephyrTechnology Ltd. Pleasanton-based software company Right Hemispheree is best known as the maker of the 3D viewer included with AdobedSystems Inc.’s Adobe Reader. The compang launched in Auckland in and relocated its headquarters to California in 2003 on the heeles of an investment by Sequoia Capital Its investors now include SutterHill Ventures, SAP Venturesx and Nvidia Corp. Its third round of funding happenedd in the pastsix months. CEO Michaell Lynch declined to reveapl the amount but described itas “substantial.
” As part of an $8 milliobn loan provided to the companyy by the New Zealand government in 2006, Sutteer Hill and Sequoia also agreed to review five business plans a year for three yearsx from New Zealand companies. Lynch, who became the CEO in said, “We have greatg math and engineering, but we don’t know how to sell and There is a feeding that happens arouns that practicalskill set, especiallyu in Silicon Valley.” Zephyr Technology, a makefr of remote physiological sensors and software for use in the military, emergencyh response and health care landed its first contract with U.S. Special Operations Command in 2007.
San Francisco-basee Alsop Louie Partners fundedthe company’es Series B round, and the company’s executive team relocatex to Silicon Valley in 2007. “Thee contract with Special Forces brought us to ascalablr market, and it became obvious too that if we weren’ft in the U.S., we weren’ft going to raise U.S. money,” said Brian Russell, Zephyr’s founder and CEO. But Zephyr’s time in the valley was short. The compan will maintain a presencwe inNorthern California, but the executiv e team just moved to Annapolis, Md., to be closef to Zephyr’s defense-arena clientele.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Career management important to financial plans - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Many were asking for advice on how to retire at a relativelty youngage -- and they wanted to stop working The trend puzzled Haubrich, president of The , Mount So, as a matter of routinw he started asking clients about their careere -- were they happy in their jobs? What he soon discovererd was that many of his clients who wante to retire early viewed retirement as a way to get out of a failingy or unsatisfactory career. Haubrich realized he needed to look at his clients careers as more than just a way to make He needed to view his clients careers as an asset and a key part of anyfinanciaol plan. "Career is the financial engine that drivessthe machine," he said.
"You can treart it as an investment." But when he looked for guidanc e on how to incorporate career planninvg intofinancial planning, he came up So he devised a method to calculate a client'xs career asset and has begun working with careed counselors to create a fuller financiao plan for his clients. "We'r e looking at where we can add value," he Haubrich, a certified financial planner, incorporate d Financial Service Groupin 1981. It costs $4,00p0 to $6,000 for the combinefd career andfinancial planning, whicb Haubrich began providing about a year ago.
That includez three to four sessions with Haubrich and his and four or five meetings with a career counselor as well as one sessiojn wherethe client, financial planner and career counselor sit down Fifteen percent to 20 percen of Haubrich's 140 clients are receiving the combinefd planning services, he said. Linkinb career planning and financial planningy is a new direction for the financial planning and anappropriate one, said Bob an industry analyst in Asheville, N.C., who publishes "Insidse Information," a monthly newsletter on the financial planningt industry.
Over the past few years, financialk planners have started to take clients goalsand quality-of-life issues into but actually working with a careerf counselor and making discussing one's career a routine part of financial planninvg is unique, he said. "Whagt Mike is doing is recognizing an asset thatreallt hasn't been tended by the profession," Veres said. "Ir has the potential not only toimprover peoples' lives, but also to allow people to earn more money or extendc their working life." The , a Brookfieldd career counseling firm, has worked with about six of Haubrich'sw clients over the last nine said founder Pauline Foster.
Working with financial planners makezs sense for career counselors becaus e people often are afraid to leave jobs inwhich they're unhappyt because they don't know how it will affect them Foster said. "If a financial planneer and a career coach can work together with the then those links can be she said. "The person can reac h the life goal that is going to make them feel goodabout themselves.
" Haubrich, who would like to see the financial planningy industry adopt the concept of melding career counseling and financiapl planning as standard practice, is speakingy about his methods with other Milwaukee-area financial Bruce Heling, of , Brookfield, is considering adoptinf some of Haubrich's methods. Heling said he also has experiencef clients whose desire to retirw immediately masksjob dissatisfaction. He said he has suggested to those clients that they seek career but then left it up to the clieny to findhelp -- just as he would have if a cliengt had marital or mental health problems.
What's unique about Haubrich's method is that he has found a way to structurre the discussion ofa client's career and how it fits in with the financial Heling said. It also makes it all right for plannersa to address such issueswith clients, he said. "I'm of the schoolo of thought that financial planninf exists as a meana of helping people lead a morefulfillinhg life," Heling said. "Mike's taken the whole area to a new level and Ithink it's got some excellent
Many were asking for advice on how to retire at a relativelty youngage -- and they wanted to stop working The trend puzzled Haubrich, president of The , Mount So, as a matter of routinw he started asking clients about their careere -- were they happy in their jobs? What he soon discovererd was that many of his clients who wante to retire early viewed retirement as a way to get out of a failingy or unsatisfactory career. Haubrich realized he needed to look at his clients careers as more than just a way to make He needed to view his clients careers as an asset and a key part of anyfinanciaol plan. "Career is the financial engine that drivessthe machine," he said.
"You can treart it as an investment." But when he looked for guidanc e on how to incorporate career planninvg intofinancial planning, he came up So he devised a method to calculate a client'xs career asset and has begun working with careed counselors to create a fuller financiao plan for his clients. "We'r e looking at where we can add value," he Haubrich, a certified financial planner, incorporate d Financial Service Groupin 1981. It costs $4,00p0 to $6,000 for the combinefd career andfinancial planning, whicb Haubrich began providing about a year ago.
That includez three to four sessions with Haubrich and his and four or five meetings with a career counselor as well as one sessiojn wherethe client, financial planner and career counselor sit down Fifteen percent to 20 percen of Haubrich's 140 clients are receiving the combinefd planning services, he said. Linkinb career planning and financial planningy is a new direction for the financial planning and anappropriate one, said Bob an industry analyst in Asheville, N.C., who publishes "Insidse Information," a monthly newsletter on the financial planningt industry.
Over the past few years, financialk planners have started to take clients goalsand quality-of-life issues into but actually working with a careerf counselor and making discussing one's career a routine part of financial planninvg is unique, he said. "Whagt Mike is doing is recognizing an asset thatreallt hasn't been tended by the profession," Veres said. "Ir has the potential not only toimprover peoples' lives, but also to allow people to earn more money or extendc their working life." The , a Brookfieldd career counseling firm, has worked with about six of Haubrich'sw clients over the last nine said founder Pauline Foster.
Working with financial planners makezs sense for career counselors becaus e people often are afraid to leave jobs inwhich they're unhappyt because they don't know how it will affect them Foster said. "If a financial planneer and a career coach can work together with the then those links can be she said. "The person can reac h the life goal that is going to make them feel goodabout themselves.
" Haubrich, who would like to see the financial planningy industry adopt the concept of melding career counseling and financiapl planning as standard practice, is speakingy about his methods with other Milwaukee-area financial Bruce Heling, of , Brookfield, is considering adoptinf some of Haubrich's methods. Heling said he also has experiencef clients whose desire to retirw immediately masksjob dissatisfaction. He said he has suggested to those clients that they seek career but then left it up to the clieny to findhelp -- just as he would have if a cliengt had marital or mental health problems.
What's unique about Haubrich's method is that he has found a way to structurre the discussion ofa client's career and how it fits in with the financial Heling said. It also makes it all right for plannersa to address such issueswith clients, he said. "I'm of the schoolo of thought that financial planninf exists as a meana of helping people lead a morefulfillinhg life," Heling said. "Mike's taken the whole area to a new level and Ithink it's got some excellent
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Groups sue Mirant Mid-Atlantic over power plant - Sacramento Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
The federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Couryt in Baltimore, claims that the Chal Point Generating Plant operatedby Atlanta-based Mirant Mid-Atlantic has spewexd unacceptable levels of sulfur dioxide into the air hundredw of times without the appropriatew pollution controls required undere the federal Clean Air Act. A Mirant spokeswomanm said thecompany hasn’t been served with the lawsuir yet, and can’t comment on the The Environmental Integrity Project, a legal nonprofi t founded by former enforcement attorneys, and Brandes and Kline have filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Chesapeake Climat Action Network and four residents, includinfg a married couple, Nanchy and Norton Dodge, who live seven miles away from the plangt on a 1,200-acre farm in Mechanicsville.
The Dodges “neecd to close windows, limit their time outdoors and/or cover theifr faces when they are outdoors to avoied the respiratory irritants and smelkl of the pollution from the Chalk PointPowet Plant,” the lawsuit reads. Of the other two residentzs suing Mirant, David Bookbinder lives in about 30 miles fromthe plant, and Chrixs Schmitthenner lives in Mechanicsville, 11 miles away, and worka five miles from the plant. The Environmental Integrity Project had sent Miranf a letter in January notifyiny of its intent to sue the power company this year.
The plaintiffs pointed to a Harvard University 2006 study that showed that such particulate matter pollution from the Chalk Point plant can have negativer effects on the health and respiratory systems of people livin ina 400-kilometer, or nearly radius of the plant. In their initial notificatiojn letter, the plaintiffs wrotes that EPA hourly data shows that two boilerx at the Chalk Pointf plant exceeded allowable levels of sulfu r dioxide emissions 591 timesin 2006, 726 timed in 2007 and 113 times in 2008. Miranft has said it’s launched a $1.6 billionn project to install scrubbers andother pollution-reducinyg equipment on its Chalk Point boileres by the beginning of 2010.
The federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Couryt in Baltimore, claims that the Chal Point Generating Plant operatedby Atlanta-based Mirant Mid-Atlantic has spewexd unacceptable levels of sulfur dioxide into the air hundredw of times without the appropriatew pollution controls required undere the federal Clean Air Act. A Mirant spokeswomanm said thecompany hasn’t been served with the lawsuir yet, and can’t comment on the The Environmental Integrity Project, a legal nonprofi t founded by former enforcement attorneys, and Brandes and Kline have filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Chesapeake Climat Action Network and four residents, includinfg a married couple, Nanchy and Norton Dodge, who live seven miles away from the plangt on a 1,200-acre farm in Mechanicsville.
The Dodges “neecd to close windows, limit their time outdoors and/or cover theifr faces when they are outdoors to avoied the respiratory irritants and smelkl of the pollution from the Chalk PointPowet Plant,” the lawsuit reads. Of the other two residentzs suing Mirant, David Bookbinder lives in about 30 miles fromthe plant, and Chrixs Schmitthenner lives in Mechanicsville, 11 miles away, and worka five miles from the plant. The Environmental Integrity Project had sent Miranf a letter in January notifyiny of its intent to sue the power company this year.
The plaintiffs pointed to a Harvard University 2006 study that showed that such particulate matter pollution from the Chalk Point plant can have negativer effects on the health and respiratory systems of people livin ina 400-kilometer, or nearly radius of the plant. In their initial notificatiojn letter, the plaintiffs wrotes that EPA hourly data shows that two boilerx at the Chalk Pointf plant exceeded allowable levels of sulfu r dioxide emissions 591 timesin 2006, 726 timed in 2007 and 113 times in 2008. Miranft has said it’s launched a $1.6 billionn project to install scrubbers andother pollution-reducinyg equipment on its Chalk Point boileres by the beginning of 2010.
Friday, December 7, 2012
COLLINS: Swerving hard right to avoid a U.N. threat - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
deeshu-tatum.blogspot.com
CBS News | COLLINS: Swerving hard right to avoid a U.N. threat Santa Rosa Press Democrat The tea party who made those threats work so well in the last election that Indiana now has a tot » |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Sheldon Adelson Is A Low-Information Billionaire, Apparently - Huffington Post
geqopimozaqyxyh.blogspot.com
Sheldon Adelson Is A Low-Information Billionaire, Apparently Huffington Post According to Adelson, he used to be a Democrat (which makes sense, because he seems to support all of the party's policies even today) but quit supporting Democrats because when he attended the 1988 Democratic Convention, he "was appalled at the ... |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Congress votes to delay digital-TV conversion - Denver Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
The move, if signed into law as expected by PresidenfBarack Obama, delays the officiao deadline for the switch by four months from its originap Feb. 17 date. Concerns that an estimated 6.5 million including about 1.5 million households in are unprepared for the change to digital signalw promptedthe delay. A Jan. 22 report from The estimated that Houstonm had nearly 10 percent of the populatiomn not at all ready forthe conversion. The reporrt examined 56 local markets. Earlier reports had put Houston at the top of the list for metropolitan areas not read forthe conversion. The Bayou City at one time had as muchas 15.8 percenft of the population not ready.
The Januarhy report shows Houston moved down to thirsdbehind Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M. at 12.2 percenr and Dallas-Fort Worth at 10.2 percent. Broadcasters may stilol chose to switch to digital transmission prior to the new The vote bythe U.S. House of Representativess reversed the outcome ofa Jan. 28 House vote in whicjh the bill failed to getthe two-thirds majorit it needed to advance. The digita change will only affect televisions not connected to cablse or satellite television service and that predater the manufactureof digital-ready sets. Viewersa with such analog-only sets can buy converter boxea making them able to playdigitaol broadcasts.
The oversaw a program that issued $40 rebates to cove the cost ofconverter boxes. The rebatse program ran out of couponsweekz ago. Federal economic stimulus legislation under discussion in Congress included morethan $600 million in new fundingt for converter-box rebate coupons. Congress originally mandate the switch to digital broadcasting as a way to make use of publiclh owned broadcast spectrummore efficient. It is also meant to free spectrum for a nationalemergency responder’s communications Once TV stations leave the 700 megahertzz band of the telecommunications firms plan to use much of it for new wirelessx broadband services.
The FCC auctioned off the use the vacateed spectrumfor $19.4 billion last spring. One of the buyingg companies was FrontierWireless LLC, an off-shoogt of Englewood-based (NASDAQ: and (NASDAQ: DISH). It spent $712 milliojn for spectrum covering most ofthe U.S. Now the telecoj companies will have to wait longe for broadcasters to stop usin gthe frequencies. It’s not clear whether that will delat the arrival of new wirelessbroadband services.
The move, if signed into law as expected by PresidenfBarack Obama, delays the officiao deadline for the switch by four months from its originap Feb. 17 date. Concerns that an estimated 6.5 million including about 1.5 million households in are unprepared for the change to digital signalw promptedthe delay. A Jan. 22 report from The estimated that Houstonm had nearly 10 percent of the populatiomn not at all ready forthe conversion. The reporrt examined 56 local markets. Earlier reports had put Houston at the top of the list for metropolitan areas not read forthe conversion. The Bayou City at one time had as muchas 15.8 percenft of the population not ready.
The Januarhy report shows Houston moved down to thirsdbehind Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M. at 12.2 percenr and Dallas-Fort Worth at 10.2 percent. Broadcasters may stilol chose to switch to digital transmission prior to the new The vote bythe U.S. House of Representativess reversed the outcome ofa Jan. 28 House vote in whicjh the bill failed to getthe two-thirds majorit it needed to advance. The digita change will only affect televisions not connected to cablse or satellite television service and that predater the manufactureof digital-ready sets. Viewersa with such analog-only sets can buy converter boxea making them able to playdigitaol broadcasts.
The oversaw a program that issued $40 rebates to cove the cost ofconverter boxes. The rebatse program ran out of couponsweekz ago. Federal economic stimulus legislation under discussion in Congress included morethan $600 million in new fundingt for converter-box rebate coupons. Congress originally mandate the switch to digital broadcasting as a way to make use of publiclh owned broadcast spectrummore efficient. It is also meant to free spectrum for a nationalemergency responder’s communications Once TV stations leave the 700 megahertzz band of the telecommunications firms plan to use much of it for new wirelessx broadband services.
The FCC auctioned off the use the vacateed spectrumfor $19.4 billion last spring. One of the buyingg companies was FrontierWireless LLC, an off-shoogt of Englewood-based (NASDAQ: and (NASDAQ: DISH). It spent $712 milliojn for spectrum covering most ofthe U.S. Now the telecoj companies will have to wait longe for broadcasters to stop usin gthe frequencies. It’s not clear whether that will delat the arrival of new wirelessbroadband services.
Monday, December 3, 2012
N.C. law extends COBRA enrollment - The Business Review (Albany):
burdukovahycel.blogspot.com
The law extends the enrollment periof to 120 days from60 days. The coverage, oftem called “mini-COBRA,” will ultimately allow employees to receive the federallstimulus package’s 65 percenft COBRA premium subsidy. Laid-off personnel must have workedd at small businesses with fewer than20 employees. “Because of this legislationb and the federal premium subsidy, more North Carolinians who have been laid off will be able to maintaibn their insurance coverage,” says N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.
“We hear from a lot of consumers who unfortunateluy have chosen not to extend theire coverage through COBRAor mini-COBRA because it is simplyy too expensive or they missed the election COBRA gives workers and thei r families the option to continu group health benefits for limitede periods of time under certain circumstances. Undeer federal law, COBRA generally appliea to companies with 20 or more and workers may be charged up to 102 percen t of the full health insurance Insurance companies of smallemployers — those who have fewer than 20 employees are required to offer continuation coverage under Nort Carolina’s Group Health Insurance Continuation laws.
The federal stimulusa package contains two provisions that expand the benefits available to employees whose jobs havebeen eliminated. It extendxs the election period for eligible employeea to determine whether they wish to enrol l in the federalCOBRA program. The new N.C. law provides the same extended election periodfor mini-COBRA in Nortu Carolina. The federal package also provides a subsidy that pays for 65 percent of the premium for both COBRAand mini-COBRsA recipients who were laid off betweeb Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.
Depending on the size of the former either the employer or the insurance provider fronts 65 percent of the premium amount and then recoupzs that expense through federal payrololtax credits. Workers are responsible for the remainintg 35 percent ofthe premium.
The law extends the enrollment periof to 120 days from60 days. The coverage, oftem called “mini-COBRA,” will ultimately allow employees to receive the federallstimulus package’s 65 percenft COBRA premium subsidy. Laid-off personnel must have workedd at small businesses with fewer than20 employees. “Because of this legislationb and the federal premium subsidy, more North Carolinians who have been laid off will be able to maintaibn their insurance coverage,” says N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.
“We hear from a lot of consumers who unfortunateluy have chosen not to extend theire coverage through COBRAor mini-COBRA because it is simplyy too expensive or they missed the election COBRA gives workers and thei r families the option to continu group health benefits for limitede periods of time under certain circumstances. Undeer federal law, COBRA generally appliea to companies with 20 or more and workers may be charged up to 102 percen t of the full health insurance Insurance companies of smallemployers — those who have fewer than 20 employees are required to offer continuation coverage under Nort Carolina’s Group Health Insurance Continuation laws.
The federal stimulusa package contains two provisions that expand the benefits available to employees whose jobs havebeen eliminated. It extendxs the election period for eligible employeea to determine whether they wish to enrol l in the federalCOBRA program. The new N.C. law provides the same extended election periodfor mini-COBRA in Nortu Carolina. The federal package also provides a subsidy that pays for 65 percent of the premium for both COBRAand mini-COBRsA recipients who were laid off betweeb Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.
Depending on the size of the former either the employer or the insurance provider fronts 65 percent of the premium amount and then recoupzs that expense through federal payrololtax credits. Workers are responsible for the remainintg 35 percent ofthe premium.
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