J.P. Morgan eyes Bank of New York branches
Report: J.P. Morgan eyes Bank of New York branches
J.P. Morgan reportedly is interested in acquiring as many as 300 Bank of New York Co. retail branches through a possible asset swap, the Wall Street Journal reports. If a deal comes to fruition, J.P. Morgan would gain an even stronger foothold in the competitive New York market. Both banks declined comment.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dorAjjvHhYhJkFRisW
New players enter ETF industry
New players enter ETF industry
A number of new, smaller firms have entered the exchange-traded fund market recently, often creating funds that track alternative asset classes or serve narrow niches. But despite the new arrivals, the four key players in the market remain Barclays Global Investors, State Street Global Advisors, Vanguard Group and PowerShares Capital Management.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dorAjjvHhYhJopYCrS
New FASB rules could reveal huge pension debt
New FASB rules could reveal huge pension debt
The Financial Accounting Standards Board is proposing new rules on reporting pension obligations that could show some companies have more pension debt than the net worth of the business. The rules would move information on pension debt out of a company's financial statements' footnotes and on to the balance sheet.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dorAjjvHhYhJupuSbu
Sharpening Your Business Acumen
Sharpening Your Business Acumen
by Ram Charan
The ability to see the big picture, anticipate external trends, and adapt accordingly requires plenty of practice, but can create unique moneymaking opportunities. It requires executives to transcend old rules of thumb and take strategic risks that don't follow precedent; to envision the effects of change before change happens. Here's a six-step thinking process to help anticipate external influences in the marketplace and craft smart strategies accordingly.
To read the full article:
http://www.strategy-business.com/enewsarticle/enews033006
Diversity Is Key Element of Globalization
Diversity Is Key Element of Globalization
Globalization is a fact of life in the business world. Corporations either can adapt to that reality or perish. And a big part of embracing globalization is diversity, according to Gilbert Casellas, an attorney with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo and former chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission�and one of yesterday's speakers at the 3rd Annual Chief Diversity Officers Forum at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.
Full Story
http://news1.diversityinc.com/t/1881879/2174391/8923/0/
Verizon Online Directory in Ad Deal with Google
Verizon Online Directory in Ad Deal with Google
Verizon Communications's online directory SuperPages.com
says it has linked up with Google to provide search advertising
services to its millions of listed businesses.
http://ct.enews.eweek.com/rd/cts?d=186-3426-19-91-91765-403488-0-0-0-1
Cognos to Add Search to BI Platform
Cognos to Add Search to BI Platform
The next iteration of the company's Cognos 8 BI platform will
include a search service that taps back-end ERP and CRM systems.
http://ct.enews.eweek.com/rd/cts?d=186-3425-11-96-93771-403320-0-0-0-1
Symantec, Compliance and You
Symantec, Compliance and You
Ziff Davis Media eSeminars invites you to join Symantec on
March 31 at 12:30 p.m. ET for an in-depth look at the compliance
landscape for e-mail, IM and electronic files. Sponsored by
Symantec.
http://ct.enews.eweek.com/rd/cts?d=186-3425-11-96-93771-403338-0-0-0-1
Former Diversity Manager Sues Honda
Former Diversity Manager Sues Honda
A woman who oversaw diversity programs for Honda of America at its U.S. manufacturing operations in Ohio was fired for complaining about racial discrimination at the company, according to a federal agency's lawsuit.
http://news1.diversityinc.com/t/1881808/1393131/8912/0/
Four Reasons Why The Smaller Search Engines Matter
Four Reasons Why The Smaller Search Engines Matter
By Bill Platt, the Phantom Writers (c) 2006
These days, all search engine optimization gurus only seem to
talk about Google, as if Google was the only search engine on
the Internet.
Of course, we all know that there really are hundreds of search
engines and directories available to us, and we know that some
of the smaller search engines serve a very tight niche of users.
Honestly, I can understand why there is a lot of press on Google,
because after all, granddaddy Google is the biggest of the big.
We know that millions of people use Google daily for their search
activities, and we know that our websites receive a lot of
traffic from Google.
There are actually four reasons why you would want to extend your
search engine marketing activities beyond Google. I will discuss
each of those reasons here:
Reason #1: Targeted Traffic
Niche content search engines can be a very powerful force in
your marketing arsenal.
For example, suppose you have a website dedicated to helping
sell real estate. Does it make better sense to list a house for
sale in Google or in one of the many real estate search engines?
Let's face facts. When we look for tightly focused content such
as real estate listings, we generally seek out a search engine
that will serve our search the best. When searching for a new
home, an individual may begin his or her search at Google to find
the real estate search engines, but once the niche search engine
has been found, there is no need or desire to return to
granddaddy Google. The real estate search engine will allow the
individual to search through cities and neighborhoods, prices,
features and pictures, to find just the house they feel might
strike their fancy.
Even in the game of Internet marketing, a niche content search
engine or directory can be a very powerful addition to your
marketing portfolio. It is only a matter of searching out and
locating the niche content search engine or directory that serves
your particular niche the best.
Reason #2: Costs Management
The Big Three have each developed their own pay-per-click search
models. And, because they are the Big Three search engines, they
can also afford to charge advertising rates that permit them to
be among the most profitable enterprises on the Internet.
The perception of pay-per-click pricing at the Big Three is that
the little guy can afford to advertise with them. But with every
Internet marketer on the web trying to compete for Big Three
search traffic, their five cents per-click easily increases to
sixty cents per-click, and in some industries, it can climb to
five or fifty dollars per-click.
The pay-per-click "auction mentality" really kicks into hyper-
overdrive in some industries. And the Big Three eat it up, as do
their stockholders. Each day, they dance their way to the bank
with your money in tow.
The smaller niche search engines may not serve as much traffic,
but they definitely allow you to reach more people for the same
money. You can reach people who are more inclined to buy your
goods and services, because they were searching on a niche
website, and you can get their traffic for a lot less money than
it would cost you to get the same prospect from any of the Big
Three search engines.
Reason #3: Linking for Google Placement
For those of you who are still involved in the Google PageRank
chase, the smaller search directories can be counted on as a
really valuable asset in your linking portfolio.
Many of the smaller search directories carry some pretty decent
PageRank with them.
For example:
* Blog-Search.com carries a PR6.
* Search66.com carries a PR6.
* GoArticles.com carries a PR6.
* SearchWarp.com carries a PR5.
* SitesOnDisplay.com carries a PR5.
* SearchRamp.com carries a PR5.
* MixCat.com carries a PR5.
* TorontoMalls.com carries a PR5.
* OutdoorHits.com carries a PR4.
* FindYourForum.com carries a PR4.
As you are already aware, the PageRank of a website that is
pointing to your website plays a role in determining the value of
your own website in the Google PageRank calculations, thereby
increasing your chances of gaining ground in the Google SERP's
(Search Engine Result Pages).
Targeted directories pass their PageRank value to the websites
that list with them, which is great for your website.
Additionally, getting placed into these directories is often
cheaper and easier to accomplish, than with any other method of
linking for the purposes of increasing PageRank.
Reason #4: Extra Traffic
Yahoo, MSN, WindSeek.com, ExactSeek.com, and many others are
making changes, improving their results, and trying to position
themselves to compete toe-to-toe with Google or to compete for
searchers not happy with Google's search product (yes, there are
actually people out there who do not like to use Google). These
non-Google engines are currently serving millions of additional
searches a day or month.
The Big Three: Google, Yahoo and MSN only served 73% of the
Internet's search traffic in July 2005
(http://searchenginewatch.com/reports/article.php/3099931), and
81% of the search traffic in November of 2005
(http://searchenginewatch.com/reports/article.php/2156451). These
percentages are based on a rough estimation of just over 5
billion searches per month.
Even on the November 2005 numbers, search engines that are NOT in
the Big Three are delivering 950 million searches per month. That
is a lot of additional traffic!
If your search engine marketing activities are focused only on
the Big Three, or even worse, only on granddaddy Google, you are
throwing away anywhere from 20% to 53% of your potential customer
base!
Locating The Smaller Search Engines and Directories...
Here are a few resources that can help to find hundreds of the
smaller search engines and directories that may be available to
you:
Independent Search Engine & Directory Network -
http://www.isedn.org/
Yahoo Search Engine & Directory Listings -
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/
World_Wide_Web/Searching_the_Web/Search_Engines_and_Directories/
International Directory of Search Engines -
http://www.searchenginecolossus.com/
Small Search Engines and Directories Really Do Matter...
I have just outlined four reasons why the smaller search engines
and niche directories should matter to those of us who market our
goods and services on the Internet. I have also given you a
starting point for locating these excellent search websites.
Sure, it might take a little bit more time to get listed in these
smaller resources, but if you calculate how much time you spend
developing your positioning in the Big Three, then it really is
not that much of a time investment after all.
The smaller directories can help us to improve our Google
PageRank. They can help us to get more mileage from our
advertising dollars than what we can get from the Big Three.
They allow us to tap into additional sources of targeted traffic
with a real potential for increasing our sales and profits. And,
the best reason to use the smaller search engines and directories
is that they actually serve another 950 million searches a month.
====
Bill Platt is the owner of http://thePhantomWriters.com
Article Distribution Service. He has been ghost writing for
clients since 1999, and he has been distributing client articles
since 2001. Bill regularly maintains his database of submission
resources, and he applies the human touch to every article
distribution. By reviewing every article and manually selecting
where it will be distributed, publishers and webmasters trust
that he will send only the most appropriate articles to them.
Few Would Benefit From Disappearance of Undocumented Immigrants
Few Would Benefit From Disappearance of Undocumented Immigrants
The disappearance of millions of undocumented immigrants would bring many industries to a standstill and be detrimental to the United States' economy.
http://news1.diversityinc.com/t/1881808/1393131/8916/0/
world-class companies, with powerful and proven business models
Even world-class companies, with powerful and proven business models, eventually discover limits to growth. Emerging high-growth industries are attractive, but they lack a proven formula for making a profit. And therein lies a challenge: how to build tomorrows businesses while sustaining excellence in todays?
In this specially priced collection, Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College offer practical guidance based on an in-depth, multiyear research study of innovative initiatives at 10 large corporations. It includes:
� Ten Rules for Strategic Innovators Virtual Seminar CD, a 90-minute presentation by the authors that explores the implications for staffing, leadership roles, reporting relationships, process design, planning, performance assessment, incentives, cultural norms, and more and
� Ten Rules for Strategic Innovators: From Idea to Execution (hardcover), which serves as a leader's guide for building a breakthrough business within a profitable old one.
Order Now.
http://hbsp.ed10.net/h/7Z7M0/YG86M/28/HD3G0Q
Dream About the Future of Your Business
Dream About the Future of Your Business
What's your dream? What kind of new ideas do you have for your business? Elana Varon blogs about the imagination and innovation driving this year's CIO 100 awards and what's behind the latest IT strategies.
http://cxolyris.cxo-media.com/t/18880/121769/42/0/
Domain Name Insanity - Does Your Name Really Matter?
Domain Name Insanity - Does Your Name Really Matter?
By Matt DeAngelis (c) 2006
Your domain name is the .com, .net, .org or some other dot
something that people use to get to your web site.
Affiliateblog.com is mine.
A group of investors headed by Jake Weinbaum (the guy behind
Disney's go.com) paid $7.5 million for the name Business.com
back in 1999, aiming to make it a showcase B2B site. According
to their own press they have succeeded. Yes, it's a terrific
name - short, sort of descriptive and easy to remember. There's
some cachet there, but is it $7.5 million worth? That cash could
have bought a lot of promotion or branding for whatever name
they could have had for ten bucks, or a hundred, or two hundred
grand.
Each year for 15 years The first $500K in profit goes toward
amortizing the cost of that domain name. That could also pay
for a terrific affiliate program, a truckload of banner and PPC
advertising, and a nice BMW lease for Mr. Weinbaum (who probably
doesn't need a BMW).
But the Business.com thing has set off a wave of domain name
speculation that staggers the mind. People are snapping up
domain names and ransoming them off to wide-eyed entrepreneurs
with business plans and dreams of riches. Being a hardcore
capitalist I am torn about domain name speculation - I am
tempted to applaud the person making a buck by getting there
first and grabbing up the good names, but I am annoyed at the
restraint of commerce that takes place while someone negotiates
with one of these guys to get the right name.
So if I look at the top 50 websites on Alexa, most of them
should be easy to remember names, right? Wrong. I would argue
that only one, match.com, is an easy-to-remember name that
describes what the site is about.
I keep hearing that the reason these so-called generic or
descriptive domain names are so valuable is that some people
just type domain names into the address bar of their browser
rather than using a search engine. This fact seems to be
intuitively false. I find it hard to believe that someone
looking for information on a particular business would type in
www.business.com. Furthermore, if I look at the top 50 websites
on Alexa only one, match.com, is an easy-to-remember name that
describes what the site is about.
I wondered how many people actually type in their address bar
(address bar?) instead of using a search engine anyway. I
didn't find the answer, but Jupiter Media tells me that 64% of
people looking for something use a search engine.
That means that 36% of people use something other than a search
engine. What makes me believe that people typing stuff into
their address bar doesn't happen much is this simple fact...of
the people using search engines last November, 43% searched for
common websites like Ebay. In other words, instead of typing in
http://www.ebay.com, people Googled Ebay and clicked on one of
the results. That is absolutely hysterical. And totally
believable.
What do all these facts mean? They mean that as far as getting
the person there the first time, everyone starts off on the
same square. If your domain name can get the minority of people
who just type into their address bar to your website without a
search engine, it's worth more than someone who can't.
Here are some of the legendary domain name sales in the past
several years, according to Zetetic:
$12,000,000 - 2006 - sex.com
$7,500,000 - 1999 - business.com
$5,500,000 - 2003 - casino.com
$5,000,000 - 2002 - asseenontv.com
$5,000,000 - 1999 - korea.com
$3,500,000 - 1996 - worldwideweb.com
$3,350,000 - 1999 - altavista.com
$3,300,000 - 1999 - wine.com
$3,000,000 - 1999 - eshow.com
$3,000,000 - 1999 - loans.com
$2,750,000 - 2004 - creditcards.com
All of these with the exception of eshow.com (computer
networking) should get address bar traffic, because people who
type will type in the descriptive names - if I'm looking for
sex-related stuff, I'll type in sex.com. Where my mind gets
boggled is in ROI. If you're selling something on
asseenontv.com that nets you $25, you'll need to sell 200,000
of those George Foreman grills just to pay for your domain
name.
It also dawned on me that if you pay $12,000,000 for sex.com,
the free publicity generated is probably also worth millions.
So now everyone gets dollar signs in their eyes and thinks they
can make a million with their domain name. Here are some
examples of asking prices from Ebay:
6usiness.com (yes, that's a 6) - $7,000,000
ajobformom.com - $3,500,000
Exbay.com - $1,000,000
What does this mean for you? Well, there's some good news and
some bad news. Remember back a few paragraphs when I said that
everyone starts on the same square? That's really the good
news. You can choose a pretty good domain name, put together
some terrific content, employ some simple Search Engine
Optimization and buy some keywords or exchange some links and
you have a pretty good chance of getting people to your site
the first time. Since most of them are coming via a search
engine they're not going to notice your domain name until they
get there anyway, so your domain name means the same thing
(nothing) to the majority of people using the search engine.
One last thing: if you're hoping to be close to the top in the
search results (the so-called organic SEO), having your
keywords in the name of your website gives you a huge boost.
For example, if you're looking for affiliate blog, we will be
in the top five search results. In this case, Google ignores
TLD unless you tell it otherwise. Affiliateblog.info will come
up before us because their pagerank is higher (that's a
discussion for another day). So if you think getting near the
top of the organic search results is more important than having
someone type your name directly into the address bar (and you
very well could be right), then grab yourkeyword.cc or
yourkeyword.to. I've done it, and I've suggested it to others.
Once the user comes to your site the name just needs to be
memorable enough so they type it in to get there the next time.
Or they may forget and Google you again. I do it every day. No
matter how great your name is, if the content is lousy they
won't come back anyway.
So should you buy a domain name? I don't know - I bought this
one. And I made honorable mention in the Domain Name News for
the price I paid ($2500). I bought the name because I liked it,
I liked the number of incoming links to it, and I felt
comfortable paying for it. I've never paid more than a couple
hundred dollars for a domain otherwise, and I have more than
200 of them. My favorite by far is Blozzo.com, which I just
bought for $25. I have a pretty terrific idea in mind for
Blozzo too.
I would try to come up with my own name before I bought someone
else's. Here are some tips:
1. Try to go with a .com. It's the name everyone associates
with the Internet. Any other Top Level Domain (TLD) like .org
or .net is just going to confuse people, unless it sounds
better than the .com. For example, if you are about networking
or a network, a .net is more natural. If your site is
informational, you should use .info if it sounds okay. One of
my favorite $10 domains is seosecrets.info. I think it sounds
good. Hands down the most ingenious use of a TLD is
del.icio.us, the social bookmarking site. The use of the .us
TLD is absolutely brilliant.
2. Leave out the dashes and meaningless numbers. If it's a
choice between this-domain.com, thisdomain123.com and
thisdomain.net, take the .net. No one remembers to put the
dashes or the numbers in, unless they are an integral part of
the name like studio54.com or e-books.com.
3. Use the fewest letters possible to describe what you do. I
own Purple Monkey Media Group. Purplemonkey.com would have been
perfect. It's taken, of course. Purplemonkeymedia.com was not. I
grabbed it. I could have taken purplemonkeymediagroup.com, but
it would have been too long. Remember, every additional letter
is a potential typing error.
4. If you have a domain name that needs to be reinforced, get a
good logo and sprinkle it liberally on your web site, along with
some slogan that will reinforce the name in people's minds. You
would be surprised at how inexpensive this can be.
5. If you can save a few bucks with your own domain name or by
buying a cheaper domain name, do it, and use the money to get
yourself placed higher in the search results or Adsense
placement.
6. If you can't come up with a descriptive domain name, go the
other way. Depending on your site's focus, pick a memorable
short name that will stick in people's minds, get a great logo
and include the name prominently in your advertising and
marketing. It's called branding, and it's tried and true.
7. Ask your wife, friend, boyfriend, husband, dog, lawyer,
associate, Mom, Dad, cousin, uncle, Police Chief, blog writer.
They're smarter than you anyway, and they are going to be the
one looking for the site, not you. Some of my best ideas have
come going to or from somewhere with my wife and just
brainstorming.
Here's the bad news: it may take you a while to come up with
the right name. There's more good news though - in the real
world most domain names sell for $1,000 or less.
Can't get started? - Go to a site that sells domain names, and
put in a word that describes your business. See if the name is
taken (it probably will be). Open your word processor or go to
thesaurus.com and put the word in. Get a few more words. Check
those. If there's a .com available and it looks good, grab it.
If not, add the word site or blog or online to your word, and
see if that works. Don't wait. If you think it might be
useable, spend the $9.00. I came up with blogduck.com. I liked
it. I decided to think about it some more. Someone grabbed it
that afternoon. Just chisel loose the nine bucks (or less) and
buy the domain.
If you want something a little more sophisticated there are
several sites that are good for helping you come up with a
name, like DomainsBot (http://www.domainsbot.com) and
Nameboy (http://www.nameboy.com).
If you draw a blank, go over to Sedo (http://www.sedo.com) or
Afternic (http://www.afternic.com) and see what's for sale.
Search for a word that describes what you think people will
associate the name of your site with, and see what pops up.
That may give you some ideas.
These sites and more can be found in Tools section of
http://affiliateblog.com .
Domain Name Journal (http://www.dnjournal.com/ ) tracks domain
name sales. Going there is always fun.
*****
Matt DeAngelis runs http://affiliateblog.com . Matt is the former
Chief Technology Officer of Modem Media, a pioneer in the
Internet ad space. As a foot soldier in the Internet revolution,
Matt devised the technology behind ad campaigns and online
presence for a good portion of the Fortune 100.
The Unique Leadership Challenges of the CIO
The Unique Leadership Challenges of the CIO
In a sneak-peek interview, Warren McFarlan, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, speaks with CIO about the unique leadership challenges of the CIO. Listen in or download to your iPod.
http://cxolyris.cxo-media.com/t/18880/121769/91/0/
Marketing Tools: Web CEO
Web CEO
Revolutionize the way you run your web site.
Download Web CEO with Free Training & Ceritification
http://www.sitepronews.com/cgi-bin/ct.cgi?id=1313
and
http://www.webceo.com
Secure Your Real Time Communications
Ziff Davis Media eSeminars: The One line Seminar Standard
360 degree Security for Real-Time Communications
April 11, 2006 @ 4:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Pacific
Duration: 60 minutes
www.eSeminarslive.com for a complete list of upcoming Ziff Davis Media eSeminars.
Ziff Davis Media 28 East 28 Street New York, NY 10016
Time is running out! "Serpent of Eternity" autographed copy
Only 2 days left! Don't miss your chance to win an autographed copy of
Serpent of Eternity! This contest ends March 31.
Visit the author's website http://www.nikkipersley.com to find out how
you can enter today!
http://www.nikkipersley.com
SERPENT OF ETERNITY
By Nikki Persley
Volume one in a new urban fantasy trilogy, this riveting debut novel is a
fairytale mix of mythology and horror about a young woman who must overcome
fear and take a leap of faith to reclaim her destiny.
Read more
http://www.nikkipersley.com/booklist/index.cfm?Fuseaction=booklist§ion=booklist :
Read an excerpt
http://www.nikkipersley.com/more/index.cfm?Fuseaction=more%20%207474§ion=more%20%207474 :
To make sure Serpent Trilogy news and other email updates are delivered to
your inbox, please add nikkipersley.com to your email Address Book.
Nikki Persley
author of Serpent of Eternity - coming April 2006
www.nikkipersley.com
nikki@nikkipersley.com
Urgent Energy Trade
Right now, shares of this company are trading for just $6 a share...
less than 1/5th the value of its biggest competitor.
But thanks to a remarkable government "secret" these shares will soon
take off!
I'm predicting this stock will gain 623%
Plus - I'm going to show you how this company's revolutionary technology
gives it an ENORMOUS advantage over the competition
Dear Investor,
If you had made a modest $10,000 investment in one cutting edge
renewable energy company on January 10 of this year, you'd have been
sitting pretty just three weeks later.
That's because your $10,000 investment would have been worth $26,043...a
remarkable gain of better than 160% in just three weeks' time.
Take a look at the chart to see just what I mean...
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/chart1.gif>
But here's the good news: over the course of the next eight months, this
revolutionary young company will present us with several more
opportunities for significant short-term gains - just like the one we
saw earlier this year.
And thanks to a little-known "government secret" it's possible
for us to make quick, easy short-term trading profits from this
company...and several others in the renewable energy sector.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/meet_jeff.gif>
Jeff Siegel is the managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an investment
advisory service that has had stunning success in 2005 with portfolio
returns of over 39% for the year... and for 2006 he's already up more
than 60%. Jeff focuses on stocks in the emerging and lucrative organic
food and renewable energy industries.
Jeff is a new breed of investor. Part entrepreneur, part Renaissance
man, Jeff is an accomplished musician and writer, having recorded and
performed all over the world - from London to Rome to New York. He was
even called upon to score part of the latest Exorcist prequel.
From 1994 to 2001, Jeff worked for Agora Publishing, one of the largest
financial newsletter publishers in the world.
In the past 4 years, he traveled across America searching for
mega-trends that'll usher in a new generation of wealth.
Once a week in Green Chip Stocks, Jeff highlights investment
opportunities in the fast-growing "Green" market.
In fact, the next opportunity for a significant spike in share prices -
as a direct result of legislation that is currently being debated on the
floor of one of this nation's most oil-dependent states - could come at
any time within the next two weeks.
And if it's anything like the last spike - a three-week surge that saw
investors nearly triple their money - you won't want to miss out.
Just what is this "government secret" - and how are we able to turn it
into consistent trading success?
I'll answer that in just a moment. But first I need to tell you more
about...
The $6-a-Share Company That Could Become
the Dominant Name in Ethanol Before this Summer
Over the past few years, soaring oil and gas prices - as well as federal
and state clean fuel programs - have pushed demand for ethanol to record
highs.
As recently as 1996, the U.S. ethanol industry was producing just over
1.1 billion gallons of ethanol each year. By 2002, that figure had
nearly doubled - to 2.13 billion gallons.
Then it began to take off - production reached 2.8 billion gallons by
2003...and had climbed all the way to 3.4 billion by 2004...and 3.9
billion by 2005!
But demand for ethanol is about to climb at an even faster rate...which
means an incredibly bright future for the $6 stock I'm recommending
right now.
And remember - this is a company that has already delivered three-week
gains of 160% earlier this year.
Just how hot is the ethanol industry right now?
Hot enough for Bill Gates himself to invest $84 million just last
November.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/usproduction.gif> And hot enough
for President Bush to specifically mention it during his State of the
Union Address on January 31...
"We must also change how we power our automobiles...We'll also fund
additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not
just from corn, but from wood chips and stalks, or switch grass. Our
goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive
within six years."
Remember, the energy bill passed by Congress just last year requires an
increase in ethanol use to 7.5 billion gallons by the year 2012. That's
nearly double the current total of roughly four billion gallons per
year!
At this very moment, ethanol - and the entire renewable energy market -
are exploding with interest, venture capital money, Wall Street funds,
and incentives by state, local and federal governments.
Because of soaring demand - and pending legislation - I'm recommending
you buy shares of this stock immediately!
Listen, I've been following the renewable energy industry for over a
decade, and I've never seen the kind of enthusiasm that I'm seeing
today. Trust me when I say that this enthusiasm will translate to higher
stock prices for publicly traded renewable energy companies.
What People are Saying About Jeff Siegel and his Green Chip Winners!
_____
Jeff,
I got in at .40 with about 10,000 shares. I sold when it hit $1.45,
bought it back after it dropped to $1.20, then sold it again today at
2.00!!
Absolutely fantastic. I subscribed to your Green Trader and dumped the
profits into your new
recommendations!!
I appreciate all your hard work. Keep 'em coming!!
Regards,
R.M.
_____
Hey Jeff, your newsletter is awesome! Although I still hold a strong
position in conventional energy stocks, you've converted me!
I also signed up for the green trader new letter, and I made 18% on
*CENSORED* in a day and 20% on *CENSORED*!
As for XSNX I got in a little later, I bought it at 0.85 and this
morning i sold just enough to to get my initial investment back, so I'm
about 230% up!
I'm waiting for your next Green Trader buy recommendation!
Thanks a lot Jeff and keep up the good work. - A.A.
_____
Thanks Jeff, I sold 5K shares today for a $7,000 gain plus still have 5K
left with a zero cost basis and $600 spending money. ( Bought at .64)
Your trading service is so necessary as these alternative energy stocks
are so volatile that I have gotten out after a 2 week gain of 25% only
to see the stock up another 50%. This is where you come in to give us an
idea of what is fair value and what is speculator fluff.
Thanks again,
L.K.
_____
Hi Jeff,
While I have been an Energy Report subscriber for a while, I just
recently subscribed to Green Chip Stocks. I ended up buying 9,500 shares
of XSNX between $1.15 and $1.47 a share in just the last few weeks. I
sold 4,000 shares (approx half) last Friday at $1.80 and banked over a
$2,000 gain on that. My remaining 4,500 shares are showing a gain of
over $3,600 at today's close so I am pretty happy with a $5,600+ gain in
just a few short weeks for my first stock buy using your
recommendations. Keep it up - you have my confidence.
- Ritchie (in Ottawa, Canada)
As a matter of fact, given the soaring demand for ethanol - and the
attention it's gotten over the past few months - you could do very well
by simply calling your broker and investing in a handful of solid
ethanol plays.
But I'm going to show you how you can do much better than that. In fact,
I'll show you how you can repeatedly rake in short-term gains like the
three-week, 160% winner I mentioned earlier.
Which brings me back to the company that delivered those impressive
gains.
As I said before, this is a pure ethanol play - and I'm currently
recommending that you buy shares immediately.
That's because as demand continues to soar, more and more people will
take notice of this relatively young company.
They generated $5 million in revenue in 2005...but they're projecting
revenues of $15 million for 2006.
And here's the best part of the story: Because of this company's
revolutionary technology, they could easily become the dominant player
in the ethanol game before this summer starts to heat up.
Here's what I mean:
For the past two years, this company has been making ethanol out of
alternative sources.
So instead of producing ethanol from corn - as is most common - this
company is using materials such as candy waste, cornstalks, grass
clippings, newspapers and sawdust.
It's called cellulosic bioethanol...and it has all sorts of advantages.
First and foremost, the materials they're using to produce ethanol are
cheap and abundant, whereas corn is subject to supply problems and wild
price swings.
Just in Iowa alone, there's enough corn-based biomass (stalks, leaves
and husks) to support 600 million gallons of ethanol production.
But perhaps the biggest advantage this company has is one that hasn't
come into play.
At least not yet.
You see, in the event that corn prices rise suddenly - a very real
possibility, as you'll soon see - the company I'm recommending could
very well become the only game in town.
Why would that happen?
Because U.S. government forecasters have recently gone on record calling
for the drought that has plagued a good deal of the Southwest and the
central and southern plains to continue - and perhaps even worsen -
through at least June.
At a mid-March press conference, David Johnson, director of the National
Weather Service, warned that, "We need to monitor this drought situation
very closely."
But not only do forecasters and farmers need to monitor this
situation...so do those investors expecting easy profits from
"traditional" ethanol stocks.
"Corn-based" ethanol companies could take a terrible beating as the
price of corn rises. And there's no telling just how severe this drought
might be.
If corn is in short supply - or priced at excessively high levels -
corn-based ethanol production could be forced into a massive slowdown.
But because the company I'm recommending uses alternative materials -
including waste products, wood chips and candy waste - they'll continue
production completely unaffected by the drought or by a decrease in the
supply of corn.
Given the soaring demand for ethanol, the value of this company - thanks
to its revolutionary technology - could skyrocket quickly in the event
of a drought.
After all, the ethanol needed to comply with legislation is going to
have to come from somewhere. And if corn-based ethanol producers are
struggling to meet demand due to rising production costs...our trade
will look even sweeter!
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar1.gif>
What's the potential upside for this company?
It's hard to say, really - and I don't want to throw any outrageous
predictions at you that have no basis in fact.
So let's look at it this way...
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX - NASDAQ) is a California-based ethanol producer
that has had extraordinary success to date. Right now, Pacific Ethanol
has a market cap of roughly $651 million.
The $6-a-share company I'm recommending right now actually has a
brighter future - due to their advanced technology ...and their market
cap currently stands at $90 million.
So we're talking about the potential for growth of 623% or more...
At this point, though, I've only told you part of the story. Now it's
time to reveal...
The Government "Secret" That's Just Like Money in the Bank!
There is absolutely no question that right now is the best time to own
renewable energy stocks. From the CEOs of Chevron-Texaco and British
Petroleum to Wall Street brokerage houses and mainstream media
outlets...everybody is talking about renewable energy.
But here's the key - the renewable energy bull market is still very much
in its infancy.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar2.gif> Even more
importantly, the renewable energy market has just entered a long-term
phase of fast-moving gains.
This sets up perfectly, of course, for "hit and run" traders who are
interested in making a year's worth of gains in as little as a week or
two - week after week.
But it gets even better...
Renewable energy stocks are now prime candidates for quick trades thanks
to a government "secret" that's as reliable as Old Faithful.
Every time a State government debates or passes a renewable energy bill,
I'm finding more and more stocks that rally around the news.
And guess what? There are no less than 25 State initiatives pending
regarding renewable energy.
That means, there's going to be at least 25 separate occasions to make
quick, easy trading profits in the weeks and months ahead. And I'll
guide you to them, every step of the way.
The most recent one was the State of Washington, which passed a
renewable energy-ethanol bill on February 13 - and this is a perfect
example.
In a two-day period, Pacific Ethanol - the company I mentioned earlier -
went from $16.50 a share on Friday, February 10 to $19.95 on Monday,
February 13. It was a gain of 21%...or more than 2.5 times the gain that
the Dow experienced over the last two years.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar3.gif> However, an even
smaller ethanol stock experienced an even more dramatic run-up. On
February 9, this ethanol stock that I'm recommending now was trading for
about $4 a share. After the Washington bill was passed, it traded for
$5.30 a share, a gain of 33% in three days!
Buy the Bill, Sell the Law
The Washington bill is a great example of what traders can make playing
renewable energy stocks this way. But nothing compares to what occured
in January.
160% in just 15 trading days. $10,000 into $26,000.
That's what the California legislature and President Bush handed traders
between January 10 and January 31.
In those days, the California legislature passed its renewable energy
law and President Bush gave his State of the Union speech.
The tiny ethanol stock I want you to buy now went from $2.30 on January
10 to $5.99 on January 31.
It was easy money. Take a look at 3 stocks that went ballistic during
those 2 weeks.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/eslr.gif>
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/peix.gif>
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/xsnx.gif>
In fact, every time a State debates or passes a renewable bill or law
(especially if the law has an ethanol provision), this stock is going to
skyrocket in price.
The next opportunity is coming up quickly, as the Hawaii State
Legislature is right now debating a bill proposed by its governor that
would transform Hawaii from the nation's most oil-dependent state into a
leader in the renewable energy game.
The very moment that this legislation passes, a number of renewable
stocks are going to see a surge in price.
But I'd like to tell you how you can best take advantage of this
opportunity - and the others coming up in the weeks ahead.
You may not have heard about my advisory service - Green Chip Stocks -
but we've been taking advantage of renewable energy profit opportunities
for quite a while now. Take a look at how we've done over the past 15
months...
Company Symbol Exchange Date Price Current Status Percent
Organic Food Stock #1 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 8.81 $20.31
open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 130.5%
Renewable Energy Stock #1 **** OTCBB 01/01/2005 0.30
$0.445 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 48.33%
Organic Food Stock #2 **** CDNX 01/01/2005 .90 $2.46
open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 173.3%
Organic Food Stock #3 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 20.67 $25.96
open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 25.59%
Renewable Energy Stock #2 **** CDNX 01/01/2005 2.95
$3.74 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 26.77%
LOHAS Stock #1 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 5.90 $16.35 open
<http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 177.1%
Renewable Energy Stock #3 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 7.18
$8.30 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 15.59%
Renewable Energy Stock #4 **** NYSE 01/01/2005 16.28
$38.10 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif>
134.0%
Natural Supplement Stock #1 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 9.23
$8.11 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/down_arrow.gif>
-12.1%
Natural Supplement Stock #2 **** Nasdaq 01/01/2005 15.27
$15.08 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/down_arrow.gif>
-1.24%
Renewabl Energy Stock #5 **** Nasdaq 01/05/2006 10.82
$22.281 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 105.9%
Hybrid Stock #1 **** TSX 9/9/2005 1.05 $1.19 open
<http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 13.33%
Renewable Energy Stock #6 **** Nasdaq 10/12/2005 8.50
$15.30 open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 80%
Renewable Fuel Stock #1 **** OTCBB 03/24/2006 0.50 $0.75
open <http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 50%
Hybrid Stock #2 **** Toronto 2/2/2006 4.22 $4.36 open
<http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 3.317%
XSUNX Inc* XSNX.OB OTCBB 10/21/2005 $0.36 $2.53 closed
<http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 564.55%
*Half of the XSUNX Inc. position was sold on 3/6/06 at $2.10. The
remainder of the position was sold on 3/17/06 at $2.53, the percentage
gain is the total gain of the entire position after both sales.
Total Portfolio (+/-) :
<http://www.wealthdaily.net/images/up_arrow.gif> 95.941 %
The truth is, my subscribers and I have had a pretty good run.
But I'm not writing you about the traditional, buy-and-hold
opportunities that Green Chip Stocks readers have been cashing in on for
more than a year.
Instead, I'm writing to you about a chance to make even more money - and
in less time...
Hard, Fast & Often
With the growing number of renewable initiatives, you just have to take
advantage of these stock rallies to make 20%, 33%, and 160% jumps in a
matter of days.
And because the renewable energy market is in a long-term bull, I've
decided it's time to offer a new, fast-paced, adrenaline pumping service
called The Green Trader.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar4.gif> Now let me tell
you right up front...this service is only for traders who want to make
quick profits in the hottest industry since the Internets of the 1990s.
Quite simply, by not trading, you're missing out on quick and easy
energy profits... and I want you to take advantage of these trading
opportunities, as they come, on a moment's notice.
These are the magical opportunities to get in and get out fast - and
with some whopping gains over and over again.
Just recently, my publisher launched a pair of services that are similar
in scope to The Green Trader.
You may already be familiar with these two services - Extreme
Opportunities and The Pure Energy Stock Trader - which both come from
natural resource guru Mike Schaefer.
Here's why I bring them up: when those two services were launched, the
number of available seats for each was limited to 200 and 2,000,
respectively.
In the case of Extreme Opportunities, Mike filled all 200 seats within
48 hours.
With the Pure Energy Stock Trader, the service is still only a few weeks
old...but I can tell you that more than half of the spots were gobbled
up pretty quick.
I'm taking a similar approach with The Green Trader...and because of the
soaring bull market in renewable energy stocks, I expect this service to
sell out soon.
You should know that I have limited The Green Trader to a maximum of
2,000 seats. And since an invitation has already been extended to my
regular Green Chip Stocks readers, we've been filling seats for more
than a month now.
But before all of the spots have been taken, I wanted to give everyone
who reads my articles a fair shot at climbing on board with us.
Now, I can't guarantee that the service won't be sold out by the time
you sign up - that's why it's imperative that you act right away.
The truth of the matter is we're anticipating the need to create a
waiting list shortly after this letter is sent out, as more than 150,000
people will now have a limited-time opportunity to sign up for this
revolutionary service.
But if you act quickly, you can reserve your space now by following this
link: http://wealthdailymail.com/cntdir.asp?num=597
A Mean, Green Traders Club
I'm also adopting another feature that Mike and company have implemented
in their exclusive, premium services. And that feature is secrecy.
In order to become a member of The Green Trader, you must
"digitally" sign our online confidentiality and term of service
agreement.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar5.gif> This agreement
states that you agree not to pass along any of the confidential analysis
or trades you receive in The Green Trader.
This is vitally important.
The confidentially agreement is designed specifically to protect your
interests as a member of The Green Trader.
It's simple...too many people trying to buy the same stock - especially
stocks like our $6-a-share ethanol superstar - could literally push it
to the stratosphere, and destroy the trade.
I understand that this additional step is likely one you've never had to
take before. So before I go any further, let me tell you in plain
English just how the confidentiality agreement works...
Loose Lips Sink Ships
Not a week goes by that a reader of Wealth Daily or Green Chip Stocks
doesn't send me an email saying, "Somebody is posting the recommendation
on the bull boards of Stockhouse.com. Why do I pay for this service if a
couple days later the recommendation shows up on a public message board?
Isn't this a copyright violation?"
Yes it is. And we take it seriously.
That's why Mike made all 200 members of Extreme Opportunities sign and
submit a confidentiality agreement. And so far, everyone has abided by
the terms of the agreement.
But in the case of The Green Trader, as it was with Extreme
Opportunities, it's not so much the copyright violations that we're
worried about.
We're worried that these small stocks will get blown out of the water
because thousands of message board readers are buying it... and pushing
the share price through the roof.
<http://www.greenchipstocks.com/trader/sidebar6.gif> If that happens,
it will jeopardize not only the trade, but this entire service. And the
last thing that anyone wants is for us to have to cancel the trading
service entirely.
That's why we're limiting The Green Trader to 2000 people. That's it.
And there won't be any exceptions to the rule. If you miss out, we'll be
happy to put you on the waiting list.
Based on our expectations, and our experience with the other services,
we think we'll have twice as many interested parties as we'll be able to
admit to the service.
We believe that we'll make a couple of dozen recommendations per year in
The Green Trader. That's a lot of trades. But we don't plan on holding
these positions very long. In and out. Take the profit and run. That's
what this service is about.
Now, if the amount of trades bothers you, then this service isn't for
you.
But if you've got the courage to make quick profits, I urge you to join
right now.
As I mentioned before, we have already made The Green Trader available
to my regular Green Chip Stocks readers. And those spots have begun to
disappear quickly...
Get Ready
Another point I want to discuss is how the trades will be delivered to
you. The trades will be sent via e-mail. No Faxes. That's because we
want everybody to receive the trade at approximately the same time.
So everyone will be on equal footing.
If you're comfortable with what I said so far, I urge you to consider
joining.
Again, I know this style of trading isn't for everybody. As a member of
The Green Trader, you're elevating yourself into the top tier of the
trading community. If you have second thoughts on the price or the
frequency of recommendations, stop reading now...the service isn't for
you.
If you're interested, welcome aboard.
Now Listen Carefully...
When you fill out the membership form (assuming there are remaining
slots), you'll receive a confirmation and a welcome letter. Attached to
that welcome letter will be the Green Trader Confidentiality and Terms
of Service Agreement.
When you digitally sign the Agreement, you are bound by it. Now, I don't
want to come off as a tough guy, but trading stocks is serious business.
We're all here to make money. If you breach the agreement, we'll revoke
your membership with all due haste. You'll get a refund, but you will
not be permitted back into the trading service.
The Agreement will state, in clear terms, that the service is for you
and you alone. You simply cannot share the trades, in any way, with
anyone.
Heck, you cannot tell your family or friends about any of the stock
trades. This Agreement is meant to protect us and our contacts. And it's
meant to protect you.
As I mentioned earlier, if we have problems of this kind, we may be
forced to shut down the service, and nobody wants that to happen.
So it's imperative you understand why the Agreement must be followed. It
is important for us... and more importantly, for you and your trades.
It's important for everyone in this service.
The price of a subscription to The Green Trader is $1,995 per year.
I know for many of you $1,995 is a big lump of money to take down, even
considering that many of you have made tens of thousands of dollars
following my advice.
So here's the deal. We're also offering a quarterly bill program. If you
chose that method, you'll be charged $550 every three months.
That's about as good as I can make it.
So again, remember. Only 2000 investors will be allowed to join The
Green Trader. And every member must digitally sign the Confidentiality
Agreement.
Believe me, we take this service seriously. And we expect you to as
well. That's why we have the confidentiality agreement.
But for our part, we want to make sure you're satisfied. So, if for any
reason you're unhappy with The Green Trader, you can get a full refund
at any time before the end of the first month of your membership.
After that, the refund is prorated.
If you understand that and you sign up, you'll immediately receive
2-FREE trade reports. These reports tell you all about the ethanol and
geothermal stocks that are going to rally with the euphoria that's being
unleashed on renewable stocks.
But you have to act now.
I expect the 2000 slots to be full in short order.
So if you're considering joining us, please do so quickly.
http://wealthdailymail.com/cntdir.asp?num=597
Sincerely,
Jeff Siegel
Tools for Managing, Securing and Integrating Your Enterprise Processes
Tools for Managing, Securing and Integrating
Your Enterprise Processes
Learn more about the products and services provided by
these sponsors of Ziff Davis Internet. Take advantage of
these resources: a white paper from Symantec, a webcast
from Citrix Online, a spy audit from Webroot and a free
trial from Intuit.
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There is a growing need for a threat management solution
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Provide Remote Support In Fully Integrated Remedy Environments
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Explore the advantages of implementing remote support and
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Copyright 2006 Ziff Davis Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ziff Davis Media Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016
Computerworld Presents a Complimentary Resource
Looking beyond the obvious benefits of travel cost and time savings, there are more significant ways in which web conferencing can improve your business processes.
In this Frost & Sullivan white paper, discover how WebEx, the market leader in offering on-demand web meeting, impacts the bottom line of profitability for its customers.
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Maximize Your Selling Price
Maximize Your Selling Price
Did you know that by spending a minimal amount of time and money on small projects around your home you can maximize the sale price? Don't forget these simple guidelines:
- Paint: add a fresh coat to dull or dingy walls
- Organize: remove clutter to open up space
- Fix: make minor repairs to little things you have been meaning to fix(doors, knobs, etc.)
- Landscape: remember the importance of curb appeal; trim bushes, cut the grass and remove the clutter
Home Price Check
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Get a low rate mortgage or refinance
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Talent Management: Managing Your 'Greatest Asset', Your People
Talent Management: Managing Your 'Greatest Asset', Your People
After years of saying that people are their greatest asset, companies are realizing they need to do more than just talk. Top employees dissatisfied with their work environments are increasingly going elsewhere, a problem companies can't afford in today's competitive environment.
Why does the Yankee Group expect the market for talent management software to grow by 20 percent in 2006? An intensely competitive environment means that companies need to work harder at retaining talented employees and culling underperformers from the ranks. Software from vendors like SuccessFactors, Halogen Software, Authoria and Recruitmax can help companies with performance reviews, succession planning, compensation, goal-setting and employee surveys, among other tasks. One customer, Allied Building Products, used software to identify and correct discrepancies in how employees were compensated. Its retention of new hires has doubled in the 18 months the company has been using the product, says its CFO.
READ FULL ARTICLE
http://ct.itbusinessedge.com/t?ctl=DABFBA:3C5015E
Satellite Services Extending Reach Again After a Hiatus
Satellite Services Extending Reach Again After a Hiatus
Once thought to be a major player, mobile satellite services (MSS) has largely been sidelined by the growth of the Internet, cellular and wireless. New deals, though, may mean MSS is on the rise again. Mobile Satellite Ventures will pay Boeing $1 billion to build three satellites that will cover North and South America. And the Intelsat Americas-8 Ku band satellite will support Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile television rollout. Northern Sky Research says the contract begs the question of whether this and a deal between Crown Castle and SES Americom mean that satellites will find a niche as a platform for mobile TV. Satellites are also expected to cast a growing shadow over the world of satellite imagery services. These services � the most popular is Google Earth � rely on images that often are several years old. New satellites will be able to update images far more often.
Full Article
http://ct.itbusinessedge.com/t?ctl=DABF88:3C3C204
The Cost of Doing Business
The Cost of Doing Business
Despite the new focus on improving business strategy or competitiveness through outsourcing, companies still rank lower costs as their top reason for sending work out-of-house.
According to a new Gartner survey that examined the outsourcing practices, issues and challenges of 945 individuals, more than half of the respondents said that they used tactical IT outsourcing primarily to attain short-term, cost-focused objectives. Correspondingly, Gartner also found that most organizations were not focusing their IT outsourcing efforts on improving business outcomes or competitiveness. Gartner sees focusing strictly on financial gains to be one of the biggest outsourcing mistakes. The firm found that larger companies were more likely to list cost cutting as a primary goal of outsourcing IT than smaller companies. According to respondents, other IT outsourcing drivers include improving speed, agility and flexibility and gaining access to technical expertise and skills. Top deterrents for IT outsourcing: data security and privacy and concerns about additional costs.
READ FULL ARTICLE
http://ct.itbusinessedge.com/t?ctl=DABE04:3C5015E
Outsourcing Strategy Shift
Outsourcing Strategy Shift
No one disputes the fact that the biggest pool of available, low-cost IT and BPO talent is in India. According to this article, global vendors are profiting from this � witness IBM's current ramp-up of its Indian workforce and Capgemini's recent Indian addition. This creates something of a problem for local Indian IT and BPO vendors, who must find new strategies to maintain strong local workforces amid such impressive global pressures. In one trend playing out in India, according to one expert, Indian vendors are turning to consulting as a new strategy to grow their "boardroom credibility" and boost their market shares. Wipro, for example, is pushing its Wipro Consulting arm to separate itself from other cheap commodity IT services available in India. The plan is a good one, except for the possibility that these Indian consultancies aren't growing quickly enough to stave off Western vendors.
READ FULL ARTICLE
http://ct.itbusinessedge.com/t?ctl=DABE06:3C5015E
Outsource the Right Way With Expert-designed Process Templates
Outsource the Right Way With Expert-designed Process Templates
Whether you are outsourcing a single development job or an ongoing critical business function, cover all the bases at every step. These Outsourcing Process Templates provide structure and guidance to help you shape every critical document.
Click here to learn more.
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Avoid Penalties For Using Contract Workers
Avoid Penalties For Using Contract Workers
Skyrocketing labor costs are prompting more businesses to hire independent contractors, and it�s no surprise: ICs can save businesses up to 30 percent per worker, says the U.S. Department of Labor. But before you hire an IC, it�s important to know the legal and financial risks.
Find out how to properly declare your independents. Click on: Avoid Penalties For Using Contract Workers.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0EORq0E4
The Cocktail Napkin Test
The Cocktail Napkin Test
SMALLBIZ ADVISOR By Warren G. Purdy
When I first evaluate a potential business venture or an idea for a new product/service, the tools I need for my initial phase of analysis are simply a #2 pencil and a cocktail napkin. With these simple tools I try to determine the level of sales needed to generate enough income to cover my costs.
Get good advice on calculating the break-even sales point for your products or services. Read Warren G. Purdy's column, The Cocktail Napkin Test
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0EORt0E7
Plan Ahead, Then Keep Track
Plan Ahead, Then Keep Track
There are two critical, yet common, ways that new small businesses run into trouble: insufficient planning, and loose record keeping. This week, www.SmallBizResource.com has two must-reads to help you avoid these pitfalls:
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0EORr0E5
Research Takes Risk Out Of New Ventures
Learn how one entrepreneur used in-depth market research to manage the risk of launching his new venture.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0EORr0E5
Financial Statements That Can Make Or Break You
Brush up on the "Big 3" records (Cash, Profit-and-Loss, and Balance Sheet) that every owner needs to monitor to run a successful business.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0EORs0E6
Stop, Look, And Listen To Job Candidates
Stop, Look, And Listen To Job Candidates
THE HR COACH By Linda J. Lerner
Question: I have made some mistakes in the past when hiring clerks for our store. I know I need some pointers on what to ask when interviewing these potential employees. Do you have some advice for me?
Most people who don�t interview for a living make a similar mistake; they talk too much. We want so much to have the job requirements understood that we describe the type of customer, the hours, the working conditions, and other relevant facts.
In order to get a real sense of whether an applicant will make a potentially good employee for your store, you need to ask the type of questions that will give you the opportunity to assess their suitability to your needs.
Want to know the right questions to ask. Read Linda J. Lerner's column, Stop, Look, And Listen To Job Candidates.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvLp0ITmhF0NqJ0ENZ80EF
Foreign Investment IS Vital to the U.S. Economy
Foreign Investment IS Vital to the U.S. Economy
One thorny issue confronting this country is that foreign money is looking elsewhere as the U.S. dollar slips against the euro and the Japanese Yen. Recently, the U.S. Congress made it very clear that it is paranoid about foreign investors, especially Arabs, even if they are our allies.
The House panel voted unanimously to block a Dubai-owned firm�s plan to acquire the right to manage terminals at several major U.S. seaports. The House Appropriations Committee voted 62 to 2 to amend an emergency spending measure with language that would effectively bar Dubai Ports World from taking over terminal operations from London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
This prompted a general on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to lash out at Congress for interfering with national security. The United States has major naval facilities in the UAE and relies on them to service many U.S. warships. The general implied that if the UAE is secure enough to service U.S. warships then it should be able to service U.S. ports.
Many are concerned that the country is entering a new era of protectionism, noting that one of the worst periods in U.S. history was when a wave of protectionism swept through the U.S. at the start of the Great Depression. Senator Smoot and representative Hawley infamously sponsored the Smoot Hawley bill in 1930, which raised tariffs on a variety of products in order to protect American jobs. The rest of the world retaliated and soon we went from a small recession into a major global depression. Unemployment soared and all those jobs that the U.S. saved with Smoot Hawley ironically caused more jobs to be lost.
Even though many politicians preach free trade, Congress is undermining free trade agreements and potentially one of the most important U.S. naval facilities in the Middle East. This could have some serious long-term consequences. For instance, the United States is very dependent on foreign money to help finance this country�s budget and trade deficits. Foreign investors might eventually decide not to bother with the United States and invest elsewhere. This could be devastating.
Of course, the Dubai ports deal isn�t the first time that Congress has interfered with U.S. trade policy. Last year, Congressional bickering helped derail China�s CNOOC bid for Unocal. Even though Unocal sold most of its oil and natural gas in Southeast Asia, Congress concluded that CNOOC�s bid was a threat to the national security of the United States. This is a very dangerous precedent since the U.S. runs a massive trade deficit each year with China. Hopefully, folks in China and the Middle East will not decide to stop investing in the United States.
Some believe that this country needs to start playing nice with our major trading partners because if we scare them away, we might find ourselves with very high interest rates and slipping into a recession due to political stupidity. Throughout the world, the U.S. isn�t alone and should not try to annoy our friends, allies or major trading partners. The thinking is that more trade that the world conducts with each other, the less likely that there will be military confrontations.
Happy Trading.
Jeff Neal
Senior Writer, Options Strategist & Profit Strategies Radio Show Market Correspondent
Visit Jeff�s Forum
Listen to Jeff at www.ProfitStrategiesRadio.com
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========
Some ailing companies turn to hedge funds for help
Some ailing companies turn to hedge funds for help
Increasingly, hedge funds are in the business of financing troubled companies' debt, but in some cases the loans are used as leverage to wield more control over the company.
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Morgan Stanley cuts 15% of New York retail brokerage managers
Morgan Stanley cuts 15% of New York retail brokerage managers
Morgan Stanley cut 15% of the senior managers who supervised retail brokerage operations from the company's New York City area headquarters. Brokerage chief James P. Gorman also announced a plan to consolidate 61 areas into 23 districts, which also included naming several company veterans as associate division directors.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dogIjjvHhYhdbRTIlz
====
FYI...
Tax Pros has a great tax savings program for your business associates, friends and family. Pass it on.
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Financial-services execs worried about foreign-investment legislation
Financial-services execs worried about foreign-investment legislation
Executives from JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup, MetLife Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group are among those who wrote a letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard C. Shelby expressing concern about a plan to regulate foreign purchases of U.S. assets. Financial services companies are concerned that pending legislation would scare away foreign investment and invite retaliation overseas. An additional letter, mailed from the Organization for International Investment to Banking Committee members, was signed by the Securities Industry Association, among others.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dogIjjvHhYhdeFUswS
Pension-overhaul legislation hits speed bump
Pension-overhaul legislation hits speed bump
Compromise talks on federal pension-overhaul legislation already passed by the House and Senate have broken down, despite the April 7 deadline set by the chairman of the committee working on the bill. The impasse makes it unclear whether some companies' required financial contributions toward pension-plans could be increased.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dogIjjvHhYhdfdqIOu
FYI...
Tax Pros has a great tax savings program for your business associates, friends and family. Pass it on.
Get FREE tax services and a financial plan when you join the Wealth Builder Program!
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Trends" examines codependent relationship between New York and Financial Services Industry
Trends" examines codependent relationship between New York and industry
The importance of the securities industry to New York City and New York state is long-standing and well recognized. The industry has a profound impact on and makes a disproportionate contribution to personal income, tax revenues, and overall economic growth of the state and local economies. This issue of "Securities Industry Trends - The Street, The City and The State: The Securities Industry's Importance to New York City and State," examines this co-dependent relationship. Click here to view this issue of Trends.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dogIjjvHhYhdgVFLkf
Jobs: FX Developer
My name is Melody and I'm an IT recruiter at Algomod Technologies Corporation. Are you an experienced IT professional with experience in FX Development. This experience is relevant to one of my current openings.
Working with a Global Investment Bank located in NY, NY has an immediate consulting opportunity for an FX Developer. Please reply to this email with current if interested, thanks!
The position is for an experienced applications developer who will be in charge of designing and developing major components of a straight through processing system for FX cash and option trades. The system will manage the workflow associated with completing the life cycle events for FX option trades from trade capture through confirmation, settlement and reporting to the firm's books and records. The system must be able to facilitate the trade life cycle for a dynamically changing set of products and interpretation to existing external system definitions. The person must be a self-motivated and willing to take on tough technical challenges that span multiple platforms. Job responsibilities would include but are not limited to: - designing and implementing complex components - working across multiple technical teams - analyzing and renovating existing workflows and system interfaces - proposing creative solutions in a time-to-market environment - interacting with business users and analysts to translate business requirements into technical specs
Skills Required:
Experienced application developer well versed in all aspects of the development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deploying applications to production. - self motivated individual that can work well with others - analytical thinking and problem solving skills - hands on experience with Java or .Net technologies
Skills Desired:
Programming Languages (Java or C#) - Working knowledge of Linux/UNIX environments or Microsoft. - Relational Database, preferably Sybase. - SOAP/XML - MQ .
If you are qualified, available, interested, planning to make a change, or know of a friend who might have the required qualifications and interest, please include a daytime phone number so I can reach you. In considering candidates, time is of the essence, so please respond ASAP. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Melody Gingrich
Algomod Technologies Corp.
If you are not currently seeking employment, or if you would prefer I contact you at some later date, please indicate your date of availability so that I may honor your request. In any event, I respectfully recommend you continue to avail yourself to the employment options and job market information we provide with our e-mail notices.
Thanks again.
Melody
Algomod Technologies Corporation
For more job opportunities: www.algomod.com
Lookup Candidate
Give Your Workforce an Edge With Tablet PC's
Give Your Workforce an Edge With Tablet PC's
Tablet PC's are transforming how people with a
broad range of needs learn, work and interact.
From solution providers, consultants and SMB's,
to enterprise decision makers and IT executives,
Tablet PC's offer the ability stay ahead of the tech
curve when dealing with an increasingly independent
and mobile workforce.
Toshiba, in partnership with Microsoft, introduces
the Toshiba Business Center,
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
dedicated to keeping you abreast of the latest
Tablet PC information and technology, and
answering questions such as:
What key advantages can Tablet PC's offer to my workforce?
How easily can I deploy Table PC's within my existing infrastructure?
How do Tablet PC's improve business efficiency and productivity?
Find answers to these questions and many more at
the Toshiba Business Center.
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
Our comprehensive offering of FREE information includes:
eSeminars
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
Learn more about how Tablet PC's are
helping businesses of all sizes across all markets.
Live Event Roundtables
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
Mobilize your enterprise employees, improve customer
interactions, automate workflow and eliminate paper processes.
Tablet PC Resources
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
Benefits of Tablet PC computing across vertical
industries from healthcare to education.
Tablet PC 101
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
An introductory guide to the latest terms used
in Tablet PC technology.
Toshiba Tablet PCs
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
The latest Toshiba products specifically designed
to meet your professional needs.
Microsoft Tablet PC Resources
http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-634-1-278-144054-33230-0-0-0-1
Ziff Davis Media Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016
WealthBuilder Online Groups
WealthBuilder Online Groups
Great groups forming on www.MeetUp.com
Network with others and build your wealth and communities together.
One Minute Millionaire Meetups
Meet other local readers of the best seller, One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth. Network and share financial tips and info discussed in the book.
http://oneminutemil.meetup.com/
The New York Financial Engeneering Group (New York, NY)
The group will focus on a dynamic process of building and protecting wealth. The goal is to help achieve additional benefits in the area of wealth building, tax savings, and improved protection management for a more enjoyable financial life.
http://financialchaos.meetup.com/29/
How to Raise Your Own Salary (Hasbrouck Heights, NJ)
Meet people that are involoved in raising their own salaries through the concept of a Master Mind. Discussions will include: passive income, building a legacy business, key financial concepts, transfer of wealth, etc.
http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/633/
Black Millionaires in Motion (San Diego, CA)
We are working on the Black Prosperity Now and Forever Financial Seminar Series to advocate financial independence and wealth for Black professionals around the world through credit repair, option trading and ownership of real estate.
http://blackbiz.meetup.com/149/
The Real Estate Networking Association (New York, NY)
The Real Estate Networking Association of NYC is a group dedicated to connecting people of the real estate community. Our goal is to energize and boost the careers of our membership.
http://realestateagent.meetup.com/14/
The New York City Landlords Meetup Group (New York, NY)
http://landlords.meetup.com/2/
Jobs: 7 Tips for Switching Industries
Jobs: 7 Tips for Switching Industries
If you're bored and tired of the same type of position, in the same industry, there is a way to break out. Executive recruiting expert Martha Heller offers advice on how to switch industries.
Read article
http://cxolyris.cxo-media.com/t/4237/121769/48/0/
The Price of Online Privacy
The Price of Online Privacy
What is the price one pays to maintain online privacy? According to Apple, it's $49. Scott Berinato shares an unfortunately all too common experience in this month's Alarmed column.
Read article
http://cxolyris.cxo-media.com/t/4237/121769/47/0/
GAMES AREN'T JUST CHILD'S PLAY
GAMES AREN'T JUST CHILD'S PLAY
Building a small company to publish and market original board
games is a painstaking business. Here's how one MBA-entrepreneur
spends his day. I am the founder and co-manager of North Star
Games, a company in Maryland that designs, publishes, and markets
original board games. Our mission is to bring people together
through memorable experiences that inspire laughter and cheering
while engaging the mind. I have been designing games since the
sixth grade but got the idea to start this company when several
friends started arguing over who could take Cluzzle (our first
award-winning game) home for the holidays.
I attended the MBA program at the Smith School of Business at the
University of Maryland to find a business partner and learn how
to start the board game company of my dreams. My passion about
the benefits of face-to-face social interaction led to my choice
of industry, but I was delighted to find out that the board game
segment is growing quickly. In fact, most parts of the industry
have been outpacing those of computer games for the past several years.
http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=606934&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=2
THE JOBS COME LOOKING FOR GRADS IN 2006
THE JOBS COME LOOKING FOR GRADS
The class of 2006 is seeing the best employment market since the
dot-com bust. The highest demand, not surprisingly, is for
business students. University of Wisconsin Business School senior
Joe Jennings is kicking back, enjoying his last few months of
college life. And why shouldn't he? Jennings received four job
offers by the end of the fall semester and accepted a position at
PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Chicago in late November.
Jennings says he was surprised by how easy it was to land a job.
"It was awesome," he says. "I got offers from companies I'd never
even heard of -- extremely painless." The 23-year-old, who will
earn a starting salary of $53,500 with a $2,000 bonus, is not
alone. This year's job market for undergraduates is the strongest
since 2000. These job-market improvements are the most dramati
c -- and in some cases extreme -- in years.
"There were a few employers that reported some pretty large
increases, and I even called a few to see if there were
mistakes," says Andrea Koncz, employment information manager for
the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a
group of recruiters and university career services officials that
researches workforce trends. Recruiters, some of whom had been
missing on campus in recent years, have returned -- and they're
seriously competing for top talent.
Read more...
http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=606934&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=5
