pabigy.wordpress.com
U.S. retail sales of importe rosé wines leapt 42 percent in the 52 week period endinApril 4, compared with a less-than-5-percent increases in totak sales of table wines durinyg the same period, according to data cited by the . The Frenchb wine council, known in France as Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provenceor CIVP, said Mondayu the steep rise in rosé consumptiom is consistent with an earlier study by International Wine & Spiritr Record predicting that consumption of the popularr pinkish wines worldwide will jump from 565 millioh bottles to 620 million by 2012. Not surprisingly, the CIVP expectds the growing thirst forimported rosé winesz in the U.S.
market will bode well for particularly its Provencewine region. The French producr 28 percent of worldwide winesby volume, making it the leader in the according to the wine counsel, which represents 700 Provences wineries and 55 local trading companies. Provence produces 38 perceng of France’s rosés, the group reported. Separately, Nielsen figuresa revealed that2008 U.S. saled of rosé table wines price d at $6 per bottle or more jumpefd 24.9 percent by price and 22.4 percen t by volume, despite a weakeningy economy.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Zac Efron, Jessica Biel Advise What NOT To Do On New Year's Eve - MTV.com
steinberg-virus.blogspot.com
Zac Efron, Jessica Biel Advise What NOT To Do On New Year's Eve MTV.com And don't miss the obvious takeaway from Jake T. Austin, who advised fun-seekers that they "should not fall asleep before 12 o'clock." (Thanks, dude. We'll do our best to hang in there.) "Don't wear a lot of lipstick, because with a little luck, ... |
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Layne Christensen misses analysts
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In a release Monday, the Mission Woods-baseed company (Nasdaq: LAYN) reported a loss of $11.35 million, or 59 centse a share, for the quarter that endes Jan. 31. This compares with earningx of $9.6 million, or 50 cents a share, the prior The company said the impairment charge resultef from lower oil and gas reserve valuationaat year’s end caused by lower naturak gas prices. Eight analysts surveyed by reporterd a consensus earnings estimate of 40 centsd a share for the quarterand $2.3t5 a share for the full fiscal year. Revenue for the quarter was $229.43 million, up 2.6 percent from $223.6 milliob the prior year. For the fiscal the company reported earningseof $26.5 million, or $1.
3y a share, down 29 percent from $37.3 or $2.20 a share, the priorr fiscal year. Revenue for the year was a recorcd $1.01 billion, up 16 percenty from $868.3 million the prior The company’s stock closed on Mondayt at $16.58, down $2.85, or 14.7 on volume of 808,661 shares, accordiny to . The stock’sa average daily volume the past three monthsis 263,316 “The first quarter will be tougher as we stair step down from fourth-quarter revenues while trying to get costs in line with a lowerr revenue base,” CEO Andrew Schmitt said in the Layne Christensen provides products and services for the water, minerakl and energy markets. It ranks No.
17 on the Kansae City BusinessJournal ’s list of area publivc companies.
In a release Monday, the Mission Woods-baseed company (Nasdaq: LAYN) reported a loss of $11.35 million, or 59 centse a share, for the quarter that endes Jan. 31. This compares with earningx of $9.6 million, or 50 cents a share, the prior The company said the impairment charge resultef from lower oil and gas reserve valuationaat year’s end caused by lower naturak gas prices. Eight analysts surveyed by reporterd a consensus earnings estimate of 40 centsd a share for the quarterand $2.3t5 a share for the full fiscal year. Revenue for the quarter was $229.43 million, up 2.6 percent from $223.6 milliob the prior year. For the fiscal the company reported earningseof $26.5 million, or $1.
3y a share, down 29 percent from $37.3 or $2.20 a share, the priorr fiscal year. Revenue for the year was a recorcd $1.01 billion, up 16 percenty from $868.3 million the prior The company’s stock closed on Mondayt at $16.58, down $2.85, or 14.7 on volume of 808,661 shares, accordiny to . The stock’sa average daily volume the past three monthsis 263,316 “The first quarter will be tougher as we stair step down from fourth-quarter revenues while trying to get costs in line with a lowerr revenue base,” CEO Andrew Schmitt said in the Layne Christensen provides products and services for the water, minerakl and energy markets. It ranks No.
17 on the Kansae City BusinessJournal ’s list of area publivc companies.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Freeport Indonesia workers to gradually return to work-union - Reuters UK
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Freeport Indonesia workers to gradually return to work-union Reuters UK JAKARTA Dec 25 (Reuters) - Workers at Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc's mine in Indonesia will gradually return to work this week to end a three-month strike that has crippled output and exports from the world's second-biggest copper mine, ... |
Friday, December 23, 2011
BOYS' BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Saukees hit 7 3-pointers to beat Griggsville-Perry - Jacksonville Journal Courier
batyushkinuxit.blogspot.com
BOYS' BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Saukees hit 7 3-pointers to beat Griggsville-Perry Jacksonville Journal Courier Eric Gustafson scored 20 points to lead New Berlin past PORTA/AC Central by 12 Tuesday in New Berlin. The Pretzels gained the advantage in the first half by outscoring the Bluejays 28-16. Each team scored 30 points in the second half. ... |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hilo Hattie sold to clothing manufacturer - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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The company’s sale to may be off the tablweafter U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris delayed ruling onthe company’e bid to buy Hilo Hattie for $1 The ownership transfer was announced on Monday in U.S. Bankruptcu Court in Honolulu, where Faris also continued untill June 29several motions, including one to appoint a trustee to take over managemen t of the company. Faris also suspender Hilo Hattie’s ability to borrow moneu under a lineof credit.
Maui Diverds Jewelry had offered last month to buy Hilo Hattir and its seven storesfor $1 million in and to invest another $2 million in the Maui Divers’ attorney, Cuylar Shaw, told Faris that the offefr was off the table if the judge did not approvse the sale on Monday. Maui Divers President and CEO Bob Taylofr said through a spokeswoman Mondaty afternoon that the company would hold its offert open until thenext hearing. Hilo Hatties attorney James Wagner told the judgew thatDonald B.S.
Kang, owner of , acquired 100 percent of the company’a shares on Friday from , which boughf Hilo Hattie from founder Jim Romitg last year before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Kang is also on the board of directorwof . Hilo Hattie CEO Ted Nelson and Presidenyt John Scott resigned from their positions on Friday and Kang has assumecd the post of president ofHilo Hattie, Wagned told the court. Royal Hawaiian Creations was listed as the secondlargesrt creditor, owed more than $798,000, when Hilo Hattie file for Chapter 11 last Oct. 2. It is owed another $252,000 in an administrativs claim, according to court documents. Maui Divers was the largesr creditor, owed $1.
25 and Taylor was co-chairman of the committee of unsecured creditors until resigningin mid-May, prior to makinbg the offer. Royal Hawaiian Creationa also resigned fromthe committee, which supported the sale of Hilo Hattie to Maui Divers. Kang proposezs to fund a line of credit for Hilo Hattiedwith $1 million in cash, and “willp arrange for an infusiom of $2 million in working capital” into Hilo Hattiew upon its emergence from bankruptcy, accordinbg to a document filed on Mondagy before the hearing. Kang said he plands to follow the plan of reorganization submitted by Hilo Hattie andits Pomare, Ltd., last which calls for paying unsecured creditorsw about 5 cents on the dollar.
Wagner told the judgr that the reorganization plan filed on June15 “waas a placeholder,” because the sale to Maui Divers had not been He said he didn’t expect any change in the treatment of the company’s hundreds of creditors under Kang’s ownership. The 46-year-old which claimed $23.5 million in debt in the Chapte r11 filing, has been losing money “ar a clip of $500,000 per month,” Ted attorney for the creditors’ committee, told the Pettit also said he was “veryh surprised” to learn of the stock transfer on Fridayt afternoon.
He noted that Kang’s business is in manufacturingapparel overseas, and said that Kang intende d to take over Hilo Hattie’s Nimitz Highway headquarter s and turn it into a factory. Kang said after the hearint that he intended for the building to remain as a stor e andadministrative offices. But the judge expressed concern that Maui Divers had not reache agreement withHilo Hattie’s landlords, most of whom have givebn the company substantial rent for its seven stores.
Pettit said that some landlordd were hesitant to negotiate untip they knew for sure whether Maui Diver would be the new Faris also considered the transfer of stock to Kang as a seconrd offer forHilo Hattie, and notedd that Kang proposed to pay back renta in full. “It seems we have a seconcd offer,” he said. “Itt may be a better Nelson said that he had had discussionse with Kang over the last severak months and said Kanghad “continuously offereed to be as helpful” as he
The company’s sale to may be off the tablweafter U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris delayed ruling onthe company’e bid to buy Hilo Hattie for $1 The ownership transfer was announced on Monday in U.S. Bankruptcu Court in Honolulu, where Faris also continued untill June 29several motions, including one to appoint a trustee to take over managemen t of the company. Faris also suspender Hilo Hattie’s ability to borrow moneu under a lineof credit.
Maui Diverds Jewelry had offered last month to buy Hilo Hattir and its seven storesfor $1 million in and to invest another $2 million in the Maui Divers’ attorney, Cuylar Shaw, told Faris that the offefr was off the table if the judge did not approvse the sale on Monday. Maui Divers President and CEO Bob Taylofr said through a spokeswoman Mondaty afternoon that the company would hold its offert open until thenext hearing. Hilo Hatties attorney James Wagner told the judgew thatDonald B.S.
Kang, owner of , acquired 100 percent of the company’a shares on Friday from , which boughf Hilo Hattie from founder Jim Romitg last year before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Kang is also on the board of directorwof . Hilo Hattie CEO Ted Nelson and Presidenyt John Scott resigned from their positions on Friday and Kang has assumecd the post of president ofHilo Hattie, Wagned told the court. Royal Hawaiian Creations was listed as the secondlargesrt creditor, owed more than $798,000, when Hilo Hattie file for Chapter 11 last Oct. 2. It is owed another $252,000 in an administrativs claim, according to court documents. Maui Divers was the largesr creditor, owed $1.
25 and Taylor was co-chairman of the committee of unsecured creditors until resigningin mid-May, prior to makinbg the offer. Royal Hawaiian Creationa also resigned fromthe committee, which supported the sale of Hilo Hattie to Maui Divers. Kang proposezs to fund a line of credit for Hilo Hattiedwith $1 million in cash, and “willp arrange for an infusiom of $2 million in working capital” into Hilo Hattiew upon its emergence from bankruptcy, accordinbg to a document filed on Mondagy before the hearing. Kang said he plands to follow the plan of reorganization submitted by Hilo Hattie andits Pomare, Ltd., last which calls for paying unsecured creditorsw about 5 cents on the dollar.
Wagner told the judgr that the reorganization plan filed on June15 “waas a placeholder,” because the sale to Maui Divers had not been He said he didn’t expect any change in the treatment of the company’s hundreds of creditors under Kang’s ownership. The 46-year-old which claimed $23.5 million in debt in the Chapte r11 filing, has been losing money “ar a clip of $500,000 per month,” Ted attorney for the creditors’ committee, told the Pettit also said he was “veryh surprised” to learn of the stock transfer on Fridayt afternoon.
He noted that Kang’s business is in manufacturingapparel overseas, and said that Kang intende d to take over Hilo Hattie’s Nimitz Highway headquarter s and turn it into a factory. Kang said after the hearint that he intended for the building to remain as a stor e andadministrative offices. But the judge expressed concern that Maui Divers had not reache agreement withHilo Hattie’s landlords, most of whom have givebn the company substantial rent for its seven stores.
Pettit said that some landlordd were hesitant to negotiate untip they knew for sure whether Maui Diver would be the new Faris also considered the transfer of stock to Kang as a seconrd offer forHilo Hattie, and notedd that Kang proposed to pay back renta in full. “It seems we have a seconcd offer,” he said. “Itt may be a better Nelson said that he had had discussionse with Kang over the last severak months and said Kanghad “continuously offereed to be as helpful” as he
Sunday, December 18, 2011
J.C. Penney Co.'s same-store sales drop 8% - Wichita Business Journal:
kapitonragomo.blogspot.com
percent in the five-week perioe that ended on July 4, 2009. total sales at Plano-based Penney’s (NYSE: JCP) fell 6.7 percentt in June, hitting $1.4 billion, down from $1.6022 million a year earlier. Despite the drop in same-store Penney’s said the company’s results were “slightluy better” than what had been predictefd thanks to purchasesof Father’s Day-related merchandise. With June’e results better than expected, Penney’s is raising its guidance for the seconxd quarter andexpects same-store sales in the quarter to fall on the highefr end of the company’s guidance reporyt for the period.
Penney’s now expects a second-quartetr loss in the 8- to 12-cent-per-share range, whicu is improved from a previous forecast that placedthe company’s loss rangee in the 15- to 25-cent-per-share In July, Penney’s anticipates same-store sales will fall 13 percenr to 16 percent due to delayas in the Back-to-School sellingb period associated with later school starty times. The children’s division in June was the weakest due to lowe levels ofclearance sales.
Meanwhile, the fine jewelry category noticed an upswing in performance thankse to a Diamond Showcase promotion launched bythe
percent in the five-week perioe that ended on July 4, 2009. total sales at Plano-based Penney’s (NYSE: JCP) fell 6.7 percentt in June, hitting $1.4 billion, down from $1.6022 million a year earlier. Despite the drop in same-store Penney’s said the company’s results were “slightluy better” than what had been predictefd thanks to purchasesof Father’s Day-related merchandise. With June’e results better than expected, Penney’s is raising its guidance for the seconxd quarter andexpects same-store sales in the quarter to fall on the highefr end of the company’s guidance reporyt for the period.
Penney’s now expects a second-quartetr loss in the 8- to 12-cent-per-share range, whicu is improved from a previous forecast that placedthe company’s loss rangee in the 15- to 25-cent-per-share In July, Penney’s anticipates same-store sales will fall 13 percenr to 16 percent due to delayas in the Back-to-School sellingb period associated with later school starty times. The children’s division in June was the weakest due to lowe levels ofclearance sales.
Meanwhile, the fine jewelry category noticed an upswing in performance thankse to a Diamond Showcase promotion launched bythe
Friday, December 16, 2011
BBJ panel discusses stimulus impact - Birmingham Business Journal:
stony-coating.blogspot.com
In the Birmingham Business Journal’s Stimulus pane breakfast, area business leaders discussed the impact of the act and how locapl companies can benefit fromthe $3 billiojn coming to Alabama in the federa stimulus package. Tom Nelson, economist at , said there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding how the stimulus funds will be spent and encouraged state leaderas to enact a comprehensive plan to divvy outthe money.
Panelist Beck dean of the at Samford said additional money could become available througbcompetitive grants, which is anothet option for business While the act shoulr help the economy as a Taylor said the federal stimulus should have focused more on helpingg the slumping housing industry regain its footing. He said strengtheningh the housing sector is critical for theoverall economy’s long-term “There was not enough emphasis on bringing back the housin market,” Taylor said. “I was disappointe on its scale inthe Vulcan’s Nelson said the housingy market has reached its bottoj with new home construction projects flatlined.
He said bargainn hunters aren’t likely to see property valuex fallmuch further. “Holding out longer won’r drive the prices down,” Nelson said. “As soon as homebuyer realize there is no great savings to be had by waiting the recoverycan begin.” The stimulus couled be a catalyst to bringint better transportation options to Alabama’d larger cities, however, the panelists agreed that the statw had no definite plans on how to address transit and transportation using the stimulus funding.
“Ww need to focus infrastructure improvements that will make us more competitiv e foreconomic opportunities,” said panelist Gordo n Martin, senior vice president and counsel at “The problem is there are no shovel-ready projects.” Banks coulsd use the funding to issue more but Nelson said many banks are findingb limited qualified candidates. Of every 20 applicanta for loans, only one is a qualifiexd candidate, so right now, bankw are competing for that one applicant, he Martin encouraged business owners to visitthe state’es Web site that includes detailed informatiohn about Alabama’s stimulus funding. The addressd is http://stimulus.alabama.gov.
Ahmad economist at the ’s Centere for Business and Economic Research, also served as a
In the Birmingham Business Journal’s Stimulus pane breakfast, area business leaders discussed the impact of the act and how locapl companies can benefit fromthe $3 billiojn coming to Alabama in the federa stimulus package. Tom Nelson, economist at , said there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding how the stimulus funds will be spent and encouraged state leaderas to enact a comprehensive plan to divvy outthe money.
Panelist Beck dean of the at Samford said additional money could become available througbcompetitive grants, which is anothet option for business While the act shoulr help the economy as a Taylor said the federal stimulus should have focused more on helpingg the slumping housing industry regain its footing. He said strengtheningh the housing sector is critical for theoverall economy’s long-term “There was not enough emphasis on bringing back the housin market,” Taylor said. “I was disappointe on its scale inthe Vulcan’s Nelson said the housingy market has reached its bottoj with new home construction projects flatlined.
He said bargainn hunters aren’t likely to see property valuex fallmuch further. “Holding out longer won’r drive the prices down,” Nelson said. “As soon as homebuyer realize there is no great savings to be had by waiting the recoverycan begin.” The stimulus couled be a catalyst to bringint better transportation options to Alabama’d larger cities, however, the panelists agreed that the statw had no definite plans on how to address transit and transportation using the stimulus funding.
“Ww need to focus infrastructure improvements that will make us more competitiv e foreconomic opportunities,” said panelist Gordo n Martin, senior vice president and counsel at “The problem is there are no shovel-ready projects.” Banks coulsd use the funding to issue more but Nelson said many banks are findingb limited qualified candidates. Of every 20 applicanta for loans, only one is a qualifiexd candidate, so right now, bankw are competing for that one applicant, he Martin encouraged business owners to visitthe state’es Web site that includes detailed informatiohn about Alabama’s stimulus funding. The addressd is http://stimulus.alabama.gov.
Ahmad economist at the ’s Centere for Business and Economic Research, also served as a
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Cameron Appeals BP Gulf Spill Trial Plan, Wants Case Before Jury - Bloomberg
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Cameron Appeals BP Gulf Spill Trial Plan, Wants Case Before Jury Bloomberg (CAM) told a federal appeals court its right to a jury trial would be infringed under a plan to have a judge determine which companies should be blamed for the 2010 BP Plc oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Cameron, which made the blow-out prevention ... |
Monday, December 12, 2011
NuStar leases new asphalt terminals - San Antonio Business Journal:
otomaqaqaba.blogspot.com
The asphalt terminals, owned by Tulsa, Okla.-baseed , are located in Saginaw, Texas; Gloucestee City, N.J.; and Newport News, Va. Financia l terms of the leases were not The new terminals are expected toadd 1.5 milliobn barrels of storage capacity to NuStar’ asphalt operations. “We’re excited to reacj this agreement with SemGroup as it will give us the opportunitgy to generate additional sales from the asphalg produced at ourPaulsboro (N.J.) and Savannab (Ga.) refineries,” says Curt NuStar president and CEO. “It’s also beneficial to our customers becausd they will have greater access to a wide variety of locationwand products.
” San Antonio-based NuStar Energy (NYSE: NS) owns and operatea 8,491 miles of 82 terminal facilities, four crudre oil storage tank facilities and two asphalt refinerie with a combined throughput capacity of 104,0000 barrels per day. It is one of the largest asphaltr refiners and marketers inthe U.S. and the second largest independen liquids terminal operator inthe nation. NuStar has operations in the Unitexd States, the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, the Netherlands and the Unitesd Kingdom.
The asphalt terminals, owned by Tulsa, Okla.-baseed , are located in Saginaw, Texas; Gloucestee City, N.J.; and Newport News, Va. Financia l terms of the leases were not The new terminals are expected toadd 1.5 milliobn barrels of storage capacity to NuStar’ asphalt operations. “We’re excited to reacj this agreement with SemGroup as it will give us the opportunitgy to generate additional sales from the asphalg produced at ourPaulsboro (N.J.) and Savannab (Ga.) refineries,” says Curt NuStar president and CEO. “It’s also beneficial to our customers becausd they will have greater access to a wide variety of locationwand products.
” San Antonio-based NuStar Energy (NYSE: NS) owns and operatea 8,491 miles of 82 terminal facilities, four crudre oil storage tank facilities and two asphalt refinerie with a combined throughput capacity of 104,0000 barrels per day. It is one of the largest asphaltr refiners and marketers inthe U.S. and the second largest independen liquids terminal operator inthe nation. NuStar has operations in the Unitexd States, the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, the Netherlands and the Unitesd Kingdom.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Economy forces entrepreneurs to get back to basics - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
ugefuk.wordpress.com
I began the process of examining how wespend (possiblg waste) money within my organization by requesting an accounts payablre report from my account department. An obvious first step, but how many of us have ever examinesd exactly who we pay and how much Then I generated a list of questions abourtmy vendors. — When does our contract end with our document storag e company and what do we havethere anyway? What are the terms of our commercial leases and when do I think I can renegotiatse it? It seems like nickelsw and dimes, but they all add up to savings. I made ruthless cuts and restricted spending.
I notifiec all managers that ther e will be a freezer onall non-essential spending and instituted an approval process for spendinvg over a certain dollar amount. We laid off all non-essentiaol staff and notified all employeesa of a freeze on pay increases and changed the employees’ monthly rewards program. The thirxd step was to call inthe professionals. I went to my forumn members within the Entrepreneu rOrganization (EO) for help with the big-ticketr items. These are like-mindexd CEOs with a hostof expertise. Like many companies,communicationd (T-1 lines, company cell phones, PBX long-distance service, etc.) was a relativelyu large expenditurefor us.
One of my fellowe business leaders with a specialty in this area offered to auditt ourcommunications spending. Within a week I receivedf a detailed checklist of the changes I neededs to make to save approximately 40 percentt in thisone area. Now, I have a plan and the opportunity to save provides all the incentive I need to make sure this plan is put into Commercial insurance was anotherlargse expenditure. The fourth and final step was to renegotiate current contractds and look for discounts with ourexistinfg vendors.
We now get a 5 percent discountg of our charges simply by paying them on our corporate I was able to rework the agreementf withour accountant, stretch the termse with our Web designers, changee to a cheaper service package with our technologyy support team and reduce the cost of our liability insuranc by $10,000 while staying with the same coverage and the same I systematically went through our entire vendor list and simply asked for a better rate. Many offered to cut our costds in half in lieu of losingour business.
In three monthds we were able to gofrom $20,000 in the hole back to With the financial housw in order, we are able to focuws on our sales efforts and have three large national accounts launching this quarter and the strongesg sales pipeline we’ve had in years. My only question is what took me solong ? We learn these lessons now and make the changezs — regardless how small. The real test is whether we retain these good practices in a healthier We all know our companies would be healthierefor it. In hindsight, I didn’ft create miracles. I certainly didn’t turn water into wine. But, the positivr impact on my bottokm line tastesso sweet.
I began the process of examining how wespend (possiblg waste) money within my organization by requesting an accounts payablre report from my account department. An obvious first step, but how many of us have ever examinesd exactly who we pay and how much Then I generated a list of questions abourtmy vendors. — When does our contract end with our document storag e company and what do we havethere anyway? What are the terms of our commercial leases and when do I think I can renegotiatse it? It seems like nickelsw and dimes, but they all add up to savings. I made ruthless cuts and restricted spending.
I notifiec all managers that ther e will be a freezer onall non-essential spending and instituted an approval process for spendinvg over a certain dollar amount. We laid off all non-essentiaol staff and notified all employeesa of a freeze on pay increases and changed the employees’ monthly rewards program. The thirxd step was to call inthe professionals. I went to my forumn members within the Entrepreneu rOrganization (EO) for help with the big-ticketr items. These are like-mindexd CEOs with a hostof expertise. Like many companies,communicationd (T-1 lines, company cell phones, PBX long-distance service, etc.) was a relativelyu large expenditurefor us.
One of my fellowe business leaders with a specialty in this area offered to auditt ourcommunications spending. Within a week I receivedf a detailed checklist of the changes I neededs to make to save approximately 40 percentt in thisone area. Now, I have a plan and the opportunity to save provides all the incentive I need to make sure this plan is put into Commercial insurance was anotherlargse expenditure. The fourth and final step was to renegotiate current contractds and look for discounts with ourexistinfg vendors.
We now get a 5 percent discountg of our charges simply by paying them on our corporate I was able to rework the agreementf withour accountant, stretch the termse with our Web designers, changee to a cheaper service package with our technologyy support team and reduce the cost of our liability insuranc by $10,000 while staying with the same coverage and the same I systematically went through our entire vendor list and simply asked for a better rate. Many offered to cut our costds in half in lieu of losingour business.
In three monthds we were able to gofrom $20,000 in the hole back to With the financial housw in order, we are able to focuws on our sales efforts and have three large national accounts launching this quarter and the strongesg sales pipeline we’ve had in years. My only question is what took me solong ? We learn these lessons now and make the changezs — regardless how small. The real test is whether we retain these good practices in a healthier We all know our companies would be healthierefor it. In hindsight, I didn’ft create miracles. I certainly didn’t turn water into wine. But, the positivr impact on my bottokm line tastesso sweet.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wayne Smith contacted by RFU over vacant England job - Telegraph.co.uk
antoninahubihe.blogspot.com
Telegraph.co.uk | Wayne Smith contacted by RFU over vacant England job Telegraph.co.uk ... on seeking out the best available talent even if it means appointing a non-Englishman for the first time. Their ideal scenario is to have a head coach in place for the tour to South Africa in June. Wayne Smith contacted by RFU over vacant England job. Smith contacted over England job |
Monday, December 5, 2011
Southwest Airlines welcomes pets, kids, 3rd bag -- for a fee - Washington Business Journal:
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
The Dallas-based airline will allow passengers to bringt a small dog or cat into the cabin with them duringv flights for a feeof $75 each way. The pet must be containec in a carrier that fits under the and that carrier will count asthe passenger’d carry-on bag for those flights. "We know from customef and employee feedback that our new customers will be a welcomed addition to any SouthwestAirlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said in a news releasee Friday. However, Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also will begi implementing a $25 each-way service charge to watcjh over children ages 5 to 11 who are unaccompaniefby adults. That service previously was offeredfor free.
"Wew are proud to offer an outstanding servicee for our young customers traveling alones but realize that the extra service does come at a cost to the Kelly said inthe release. Southwest will increase its existing service charge for a third bag oroverweight (51 to 70 bag from $25 to $50. Passengers will continue to be able to checl two bags under 51 pounds withourta charge. "We continue to allow our customerxs to check two bags on Southwesgfor free, making our baggage policy far and away one of the most generouz in the industry," Kelly said in the "The increase in the baggage charge impacts approximately 1 percent of our customers.
" Each of the new policiesw will take effect on June 17. The pet and unaccompanied-mino r charges will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 1 for peopl flying on or afterJune 17.
The Dallas-based airline will allow passengers to bringt a small dog or cat into the cabin with them duringv flights for a feeof $75 each way. The pet must be containec in a carrier that fits under the and that carrier will count asthe passenger’d carry-on bag for those flights. "We know from customef and employee feedback that our new customers will be a welcomed addition to any SouthwestAirlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said in a news releasee Friday. However, Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also will begi implementing a $25 each-way service charge to watcjh over children ages 5 to 11 who are unaccompaniefby adults. That service previously was offeredfor free.
"Wew are proud to offer an outstanding servicee for our young customers traveling alones but realize that the extra service does come at a cost to the Kelly said inthe release. Southwest will increase its existing service charge for a third bag oroverweight (51 to 70 bag from $25 to $50. Passengers will continue to be able to checl two bags under 51 pounds withourta charge. "We continue to allow our customerxs to check two bags on Southwesgfor free, making our baggage policy far and away one of the most generouz in the industry," Kelly said in the "The increase in the baggage charge impacts approximately 1 percent of our customers.
" Each of the new policiesw will take effect on June 17. The pet and unaccompanied-mino r charges will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 1 for peopl flying on or afterJune 17.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Williamsville pushes streak to 6 years - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
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Williamsville is No. 1 in Business Firsf ’s 18th annual rankings of WesternNew York’s public school It has monopolized firstt place since 2004 -- a six-yeart streak. for the complete school districyt rankings. And for separate rankings for each sectiom of WesternNew York. “We’re fortunatee in so many ways,” says Howard Smith, Williamsville’w superintendent of schools. “When you have a very committed boarsdof education, an outstandint staff of teachers and a pro-education community and hard-working students, that’s quite the formulas for success.
” Williamsville took first place when the rankinga debuted in 1992, and won again in 1997, 2001 and throughout its 2004-2009 run. It hasn’t finished lowee than third placesince 1995, and has never been lowetr than sixth. Business First analyzed 97 school districtes in the eight Western New York based on four years of test data compilefd by the New York StateEducatiom Department. Each district’s ratinyg reflects the collective performance of its public middle andhigh schools.
• Its 2005-2008 subjecyt scores for math, science and social studies were the best in WesternhNew York, according to Business First’w analysis of test results from fourth grade through the seniofr year of high school. • Sixty-five percent of Williamsville’s seniora earned Regents diplomas with advanced designations in 2008. That’s 22 pointzs above the regional average of43 (A student must pass eight Regents exams to receive an advanced diploma.) It’s the only district where more than 57 perceng of last year’s graduates achieved superior scores (85 or on Regents exams in English, science, global history and U.S. history.
• Williamsville’ eighth graders posted the region’s top scores on statewide testsin math, science and social “The other part of what we do -- all our extracurriculart activities such as athletics and clubs -- don’t show up in the but they have a really positivw impact on student achievement, says Smith. “For example, we have as many music teachersw asmath teachers. That makesz for well-rounded, committed students, and those are usuallty successful students.” Williamsville’s overall score was pegged at 100 with the marks for all other districtse being calculated fromthat benchmark.
Nineteen ended up with scores of 90or better, qualifyinb for Business First’s of outstanding schook systems. Four districts have made the Hono Roll every yearsincse 1992: Williamsville, Clarence (which ranks secondf this year), Amherst (third) and Orchard Park Rounding out this year’s top five is No. 4 East which has made 17 Honor Roll appearanced in18 years. All but two of this year’s Honor Roll districts also qualified ayear ago. The newcomera are Eden, joining the elitre group for the first timesince 2005, and West returning after a 13-year absence.
The latte r upswing was nearly a decaded inthe making, according to Jean superintendent of the West Seneca Central School Developing consistent instructional techniques and identifying the best textbookss took time, she says, but the efforf is paying off. “Oufr goal is not to teach to the but to teach tothe state’s Kovach says. “We’ve spent the last eightf years working diligently to alignb ourcurriculum -- to make sure that we don’t repeatt ourselves in different years and that each gradre level builds on the one Fourteen of this year’s Honor Roll districts are in Erie They range in size from with 10,649 students, down to Eden, which has 1,688.
The outlyinb honorees are considerably smaller, with an average enrollment of The very smallest is alsothe top-rated district outsidd of Erie County, No. 6 which has 670 students from kindergarten througn12th grade. “We’re a very rural district in the Southern but our kids are going into the same marketplace aseveryons else,” says Richard Nicol, Alfred-Almond’s superintendent. “They’re going to be in competition for jobs with kids from placea like Williamsvilleand Clarence. So they need the very best educationn we cangive them.
” Sixteen districts are recipients of this year’s subjec t awards, signifying that they rank among the 10 leaderd in English/foreign languages, math, science and sociao studies. Bemus Point, Clarence, East Orchard Park and Williamsville have made cleanm sweeps by winning allfour awards. for completde lists of subjectaward winners. Business First has also generaterd a series of specialized ratings to further illuminateeach district’z performance. Among them: Lancastefr ranks first for cost-effectiveness, based on a comparison of expenditures andclassroom results.
And tiny Sherman 478) is the biggest overachiever, determined by matching academicf outcomes againstsocioeconomic conditions. “Wwe may not be rich, but we have stronhg family values,” says Thomas Schmidt, Sherman’s “Our parents really care abou their children’s education. There’s something to be said for havinyg everyone ina K-12 with the strong sense of community that it brings.
”
Williamsville is No. 1 in Business Firsf ’s 18th annual rankings of WesternNew York’s public school It has monopolized firstt place since 2004 -- a six-yeart streak. for the complete school districyt rankings. And for separate rankings for each sectiom of WesternNew York. “We’re fortunatee in so many ways,” says Howard Smith, Williamsville’w superintendent of schools. “When you have a very committed boarsdof education, an outstandint staff of teachers and a pro-education community and hard-working students, that’s quite the formulas for success.
” Williamsville took first place when the rankinga debuted in 1992, and won again in 1997, 2001 and throughout its 2004-2009 run. It hasn’t finished lowee than third placesince 1995, and has never been lowetr than sixth. Business First analyzed 97 school districtes in the eight Western New York based on four years of test data compilefd by the New York StateEducatiom Department. Each district’s ratinyg reflects the collective performance of its public middle andhigh schools.
• Its 2005-2008 subjecyt scores for math, science and social studies were the best in WesternhNew York, according to Business First’w analysis of test results from fourth grade through the seniofr year of high school. • Sixty-five percent of Williamsville’s seniora earned Regents diplomas with advanced designations in 2008. That’s 22 pointzs above the regional average of43 (A student must pass eight Regents exams to receive an advanced diploma.) It’s the only district where more than 57 perceng of last year’s graduates achieved superior scores (85 or on Regents exams in English, science, global history and U.S. history.
• Williamsville’ eighth graders posted the region’s top scores on statewide testsin math, science and social “The other part of what we do -- all our extracurriculart activities such as athletics and clubs -- don’t show up in the but they have a really positivw impact on student achievement, says Smith. “For example, we have as many music teachersw asmath teachers. That makesz for well-rounded, committed students, and those are usuallty successful students.” Williamsville’s overall score was pegged at 100 with the marks for all other districtse being calculated fromthat benchmark.
Nineteen ended up with scores of 90or better, qualifyinb for Business First’s of outstanding schook systems. Four districts have made the Hono Roll every yearsincse 1992: Williamsville, Clarence (which ranks secondf this year), Amherst (third) and Orchard Park Rounding out this year’s top five is No. 4 East which has made 17 Honor Roll appearanced in18 years. All but two of this year’s Honor Roll districts also qualified ayear ago. The newcomera are Eden, joining the elitre group for the first timesince 2005, and West returning after a 13-year absence.
The latte r upswing was nearly a decaded inthe making, according to Jean superintendent of the West Seneca Central School Developing consistent instructional techniques and identifying the best textbookss took time, she says, but the efforf is paying off. “Oufr goal is not to teach to the but to teach tothe state’s Kovach says. “We’ve spent the last eightf years working diligently to alignb ourcurriculum -- to make sure that we don’t repeatt ourselves in different years and that each gradre level builds on the one Fourteen of this year’s Honor Roll districts are in Erie They range in size from with 10,649 students, down to Eden, which has 1,688.
The outlyinb honorees are considerably smaller, with an average enrollment of The very smallest is alsothe top-rated district outsidd of Erie County, No. 6 which has 670 students from kindergarten througn12th grade. “We’re a very rural district in the Southern but our kids are going into the same marketplace aseveryons else,” says Richard Nicol, Alfred-Almond’s superintendent. “They’re going to be in competition for jobs with kids from placea like Williamsvilleand Clarence. So they need the very best educationn we cangive them.
” Sixteen districts are recipients of this year’s subjec t awards, signifying that they rank among the 10 leaderd in English/foreign languages, math, science and sociao studies. Bemus Point, Clarence, East Orchard Park and Williamsville have made cleanm sweeps by winning allfour awards. for completde lists of subjectaward winners. Business First has also generaterd a series of specialized ratings to further illuminateeach district’z performance. Among them: Lancastefr ranks first for cost-effectiveness, based on a comparison of expenditures andclassroom results.
And tiny Sherman 478) is the biggest overachiever, determined by matching academicf outcomes againstsocioeconomic conditions. “Wwe may not be rich, but we have stronhg family values,” says Thomas Schmidt, Sherman’s “Our parents really care abou their children’s education. There’s something to be said for havinyg everyone ina K-12 with the strong sense of community that it brings.
”
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wine industry digests unpalatable truths - Sydney Morning Herald
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Sydney Morning Herald | Wine industry digests unpalatable truths Sydney Morning Herald Alister Purbrick: 'We are still in the eye of a perfect storm.' Photo: Eddie Jim Faced with a grape glut and cheap imports, Australian winemakers face a ch » |
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