MLM Directory - Full Service Marketing Company Offering Companies Knowledge Base

Full Service Marketing Company Offering Companies Knowledge Base

Is this legal, a marketing company hiring people to serve debtors? I just read a post in Spain's loqou web site, someone claims that a marketing company can not serve anyone to go to court in order to settle a petty debt becuase the court fees alone are more and these petty debts can be recovered after one finds a job, most are protected by the jurisdictions of their own EU country anyway. The person says that a Spanish marketing firm uses a loop hole where they locate a person (through adverts like personals, language exchange etc) then find a flat mate of theirs, serve them using the flat mate as a agent with out been aware. When the flat mate agrees to accept the documents, he can refuse then straight away once aware that he is been used as the middle person to bring the person with the debt to a small claims court, the person who is been served is usually someone visiting spain, student or passing through, however the marketing company who hires people to seek men online pretending to be single woman, students etc can not themselves serve or they have to appear in court and the Spanish Judge will throw the case out and make the individual (not the company who hires them) pay the court fees, this is becuase they are not legally private investigators or directly working under one or a registered lawyer. So the post on loqou claims that a marketing company basically offers services to seek out small petty debts like phone bills using min wage paid students dragging both the subject in debt and a 3rd party into a slow spanish cost with a amount less then the price to return to the UK or a bit more knowing the individual once in court has to re appear with the full payment in 3 to 6 months also, this is usually longer then anyone plans to visit, so basically the marketing company is making a living of off trapping petty debts and charging them their time for it. Would this be a scam?

Is this a good idea for a marketing company? Would this idea for a marketing company work? I will offer to sell websites for their personal business made by me, as well as logos. Also adding features such as a store that they can use their self to sell what they want through their website. I will also make deliver free services (at first) as a way to advertise for their business so long as they will link back to us or refer us to their customers. Also short and simple comercials made that can then be sent to local TV advertising companies? Also I will come up with ideas for their website as well as delivering a full admin access to easily be able to edit your website content, this content could include pictures provided by you or designed by me If you do not wish to add any content simply give us ideas or a brief outline of what you want the website to deliver. Is this a good idea to invest some of my spare time in to as a company? or no. I have like no experience in running a marketing company but website design, photoshop, etc... I am experienced enough with to provide these services. Also I will provide other routes of marketing strategies that we could use to help out their business.

Need a corporate event planner in Florida? You're Invited to Make Your Event an Eventure! Another offsite dinner? Bare bones cocktail hour? Small VIP Reception? Don't know where to start? Try something different with Four Seasons Event Productions! Four Seasons Event Productions is a full-service corporate event planning company dedicated to providing Florida’s premiere commercial real estate organizations with unique event and marketing services. Event Offering: • Groundbreaking & Grand Openings • National Sales Meetings • Team-Building Events • Company Picnics • Holiday Parties • Golf Tournaments • Executive “C-Level” Entertainment • Employee Recognition Events • Retirement Parties Planning Services: Venue Selection • Theme Development & Decor • Food & Beverage • Entertainment • Transportation & Destination Management • Audio & Visual • Marketing & Promotions • Specialty Gifts For more information or to schedule an event consultation, email us at PlanMyEvent@fourseasonsproductions.net

Has anyone used an "Inbound Marketing Tool" such as HubSpot http://www.hubspot.com for advertising? I am not affiliated. I am interested in knowing if there are any other services that offer a comparable service to this in a similar Search Engine Optimization. I believe Google Analytics, Clicky, and Rhinoseo provide nearly all of the same data that Hubspot collects at a cost of $0, but then HubSpot charges $6,000 a year for its services. Is there something I'm missing with this company and why do you think they are charging this much a year for its service, while other companies can provide free technologies? How can any new business see that these costs are well worth it? Has anyone used or know any companies that use their "inbound marketing" services? Can this be affective way of getting traction on a website or would hiring a SEO all-star full time be better recommended for a startup?

TCS are you aware of such type of fraud offer on mail offering jobs for Rs 14,200/=? Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) A, Sec 63, Distt Gautam Noida - 201 301, Budh Nagar, Inderpuri, Email:tataconsultancyservice_2011@hotmail.com REF: "TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICE" DIRECT RECRUITMENTS OFFER. Your Resume has been selected from MONSTER JOBS for our new job recruitment. Our Company selected 62 candidates for Senior Engineer, IT, Administration, Production, marketing ,Retail and general service Departments. It is our pleasure to inform you that your Resume was shortlisted as one of the 62 candidates selected for the interview. Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) is involved for Senior Engineer, IT, Administration, Production, marketing ,Retail and general service Departments India.Our Company is recruiting candidates for our new offices in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune.Hyderabad Kolkata ,Chennai ,Nagpur and Mumbai. Your interview will be held at our Corporate office in New Delhi on 18th Of June at 11.30am, we are pleased to inform you that out of the 62 candidate’s selected 56 will be giving appointment, meaning your application can be in progress to the final stage. You will have to come to the corporate office in New Delhi for the interview. Your offer letter with Air Ticket will be sent to you via courier before the date of the interview. Our Company can offer you a salary with benefits for this post 65, 000/- to 200, 000/- P.M. + (HRA + D.A + Conveyance and other Company benefits. The Designation and Job Location will be fixed by Company HRD. At time of final process. You have to come with photo-copies of all required documents. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY THE COMPANY HRD ====================================== 1) Photo-copies of Qualification Documents. 2) Photo-copies of Certificates (If any) 3) Photo-copies of Address Proof 4) Two ====================================== 1. Full Names: 2. Contact Address: 3. Mobile Number: 4. Sex: 5. Age: ====================================== You are expected to deposit a cash of 14, 200/-(Fourteen thousand two hundred rupees) as an initial amount in favour of our Company' account offer's name in charge of payment.You are to Pay Rs. 14,200/- (Fourteen thousand two hundred rupees) through any [STATEBANK OF INDIA] OR [ICICI BANK] Branch close to you.Upon your response this office shall be sending you the required account name and account number of our accountant general where you are expected to make your deposit.This is a refundable interview security deposit. Your offer letter With Air tickets will be sent to your Home Address through courier after receiving The confirmation of interview security deposit. The management of TCS will pay all the expenditure to you at the time of face-to-face meeting with you in our corporate office. Your Job profile, salary offer, and date -time of interview will be mention in your offer letter. Your offer letter will dispatch very shortly after receiving your confirmation of cash deposit in STATE BANK OF INDIA OR ICICI BANK. We wish you the best of luck for the subsequent and remaining stage. The last date of security deposit in bank 14th Of June 2011. You have to give the information after the deposit of Security amount in bank to the Company HRD -direct recruitment via email. Your Letter with supporting document will be dispatch same time by courier to your postal address after receipt of security deposit confirmation in bank. The interview process and arrangement expenditure will be paid by Tata Consultancy Services(TCS). Lodging, travelling and local conveyance actual will be paid by Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) as per bills. NB: You are advice to reconfirm your mailing address and phone number in your reply. And 14,000/- (Fourteen thousand rupees) will be the refundable Amount, as 200 rupees will be deducted as bank charges for funds deposit. And if you are been selected or not, still the amount will be refunded to you, as the amount is just to prove that you will be coming for the interview in order for us not to run at lost after sending you the air ticket and you don't show up on the day of interview. Wishing you the best of luck. Regards, Mr. Ramesh Kumar Human Resourses Manager(TCS)

Editor for college assignment section of my product/service business plan? I appriciate your help in advance, I have not been to school in over 20 years I am a little stressed with creating a business plan for my business I am hoping to initiate. Hoping for a clear concise explainations and correct use of grammar. PRODUCT/SERVICE Purpose of the product/service Baker's Seasoned Drapes provide full consultation services offering custom crafted soft window drapery products such creations as; draperies, valances, bedding, pillows, hardware etc. . . . The Company’s revenue stream will come from the direct sourcing, purchases from custom crafted units on behalf of clients. Since the service is to produce a higher end specialty segment, the two most important aspects of production are quality and scheduling. The companies projected customers will have buying power as they represent the reputation of the businesses final product produced. Therefore if the company does not produce the necessary items with the required specifications when needed, the loss of future revenue from a client can be significant. Unique features Baker’s Seasoned Drapes is in the business of providing clients with an outstanding level of service that they can call upon for support regarding window decorating of homes, offices, and apartments. Our line of custom products is made in an assortment of textiles to fit any area in the home to any specification in array of hundreds of fabric choices. At the onset of operations, Management intends to integrate a number of new technologies that allow users to take virtual tours of homes with decorated windows that they can have installed in their homes. This will not only allow the business to operate more cost effectively, but will also provide a strong marketing image for the Company. Stage of development The company is at the very beginning of development. Investigating availability of grants, resources and establishing relationships with vendors and contractors to acquire an adequate estimate for startup. The goal is to have the business operational by September 2012. Future research and development Patent research and application may be established in the future depending on result of investigation. Eventually Mrs. Baker wants to expand Baker's Seasoned Drapes into LLC with a store front also marketing ready-made items to serve more segments of the community. Trademarks, patents, copyrights, licenses, royalties Baker's Seasoned Drapes have a possible patent to be established in the future for current intellectual property. Governmental approvals The business is not far enough along in its stage to initiate this section but intends to comply with all government requirements and regulations. Product/service limitations All products will be delivered and installed with warrant to craftsmanship. Product/service liability Since quality is of the utmost importance next to service, I will ensure customer satisfaction with every order. If fabric was flawed, or custom product was made incorrectly, this will be shipped back to fabricator for repair or a local seamstress will be used to correct the issue in a more expedited manner. These decisions will be made at owner's discretion. The customer will be held liable for the color, fabric and style chosen which will be held accountable on the contract. The business will be insured with general liability insurance up to $10,000. Related products/services and spin-offs The company will provide free in home consultations for the first 30 days of business. We plan on marketing the free consultations prior to opening to create a wave of anticipation and to get schedule appointments. The structure after 30 days will require a small trip charge of $10 in order to recoup costs of time & gas. The trip charge will be waived if a sale takes place. New inventive intellectual property is not available to discuss yet. Production The marketing, decorator consultation, sales, hardware, fabric, customer service will be produced internally. Fabrication and Installation will be subcontracted. Facilities This is a home-based business. The business will be utilizing a 300 square foot space with in owner’s home which provides adequate space for operations. Payless receiving Storage will be a primary place of receiving, shipping and storing supplies, products and orders ready for installation. Suppliers Baker’s Seasoned Drapes is in the process of investigation with a goal to build a network of suppliers and subcontractors. Environmental factors Baker's Seasoned Drapes will offer all customers with the benefit to reduce energy consumption within their homes or offices by producing all draperies with insulated lining available on all drapery with various insulating levels. The owner will also initiate a recycle plan to all inner employees for all office & shipped supplies like paper, plastic and packing I know this is a whopper so any advice or quick review would be appreciated immensley, I have to turn this in today .

Does anyone sell a product/service they do on their own successfuly on the internet? I need to do a write up on a small 1 person company that is successful on the internet having produced a product or service of their own. The company should be successful enough to permit the person to work full time at it. If you have one or know of one, let me know...and in return I will likely offer some free marketing as I will be reporting on this as well. Thanks.

What is the best way to get financing for my small business? Hello, My name is Devon. I just started a small business a couple of months ago and I really need a grant or a loan to utilize its full potential. Where should I go and what should I do. My personal credit is not good, so the loan I'm not to sure about. My business is registered with my state and I and an EIN number. I'm all set just need the extra money. Take a look at my business proposal and give me constructive criticism please!!! TO ____________________________________ Submitted on __________________ Executive Summary VIDEO MEMORY seeks $30,000 to fund its enterprise endeavors that will serve the families of every community. This company will serve many different families by transforming their filmed special events into memorable home movies. VIDEO MEMORY will also offer internships to college students concentrating in film and video studies. The skills college students will gain working with Video Memory will allow them to establish or significantly enhance their resume. Contact: Devon Chambers · Video Memory · 562 candle lane #303· Newport News, VA 23608 Phone: (757) 438-5523 Email: devon@videomemori.com Website: www.videomemori.com A. Business Overview VIDEO MEMORY’s mission is to bridge the past and the present with the technologies of film production and video editing. Our company has no limitations. We film any and every special event, big or small. VIDEO MEMORY is located in the heart on Newport News, Va. Video Memory was generated after a successful attempt to create a treasured digital video memory of the owner’s daughter. Our company offers a broad range of film recording related services. Video Memory is dedicated to allowing people in different communities to take advantage of the company’s talent in capturing and transforming their treasured memories. The company’s specific aim is to create digital keepsakes for people to love, cherish, and enjoy forever. B. Description of Service VIDEO MEMORY works to bring an emotionally compelling and modernized home movie viewing experience for the luxury of all families. Our services includes filming major events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, family reunions, and small events such as birthday parties, cookouts, picnics, etc. EDUCATION: While serving our customers, we also make a strong effort to provide educational resources and career opportunities to students. We highly encourage youths to apply to our internship program because we are certain the skills gained will be critical in both academic and professional arenas. Internship students will obtain film making, video editing, photography, web design, videography, customer service, marketing, and entrepreneurship training. Through our wide range of services offered, our student interns, will have a unique opportunity to experience meeting the real world demands of digital media customers. ENTERPRISE: Starting as a company that converts VHS tapes into DVDs, VIDEO MEMORY, has evolved to offer a series of filming services. The evolution of Video Memory will allowed us to employ local teens and young college students. VIDEO MEMORY is proud to create such a rich opportunity for the young people of Hampton Roads to become pioneers in the film making revolution. The market for high end video editing technological skills is increasing exponentially. This is why it is critical to educate the youth of Hampton Roads to hone in on their digital talents and skills to meet the demands of valued customers. C. Population Groups Served VIDEO MEMORY serves people of all ages and backgrounds in Newport News, Va. We plan to expand to many different areas with our products and services. However, we have already started to reach out to and capitalized on the population groups accessible via the internet. D. Business Description VIDEO MEMORY seeks $30,000 to fund the camera equipment needed to complete the tasks of capturing and filming events. We offer a series of different packages, two of which requires VIDEO MEMORY to travel offsite to film different occasions. We also offer a series of incentive packages such as free limousine and disc jockey services to customers scheduling their special events with us. To the customer’s satisfaction, we will then edit their event footage and create a digital keepsake they are guaranteed to love. Here at VIDEO MEMORY, we strive to provide a very exciting and valuable experience for our interns and employees. We have developed an educational approach that incorporates the following elements: *Internship: We offer internships to any student willing to learn about the business and or continue to improve on their abilities to be creative and dynamic. *On the job approach: Each of our interns will be trained on video filming techniques. Ultimately, interns will be expected to capture and edit event footage under proper supervision to ensure the customer needs are met. We believe the on the job approach provides a meaning and co

What is the best option in getting financing for my business? Hello, My name is Devon. I just started a small business a couple of months ago and I really need a grant or a loan to utilize its full potential. Where should I go and what should I do. My personal credit is not good, so the loan I'm not to sure about. My business is registered with my state and I and an EIN number. I'm all set just need the extra money. Take a look at my business proposal and give me constructive criticism please!!! TO ____________________________________ Submitted on __________________ Executive Summary VIDEO MEMORY seeks $30,000 to fund its enterprise endeavors that will serve the families of every community. This company will serve many different families by transforming their filmed special events into memorable home movies. VIDEO MEMORY will also offer internships to college students concentrating in film and video studies. The skills college students will gain working with Video Memory will allow them to establish or significantly enhance their resume. Contact: Devon Chambers · Video Memory · 562 candle lane #303· Newport News, VA 23608 Phone: (757) 438-5523 Email: devon@videomemori.com Website: www.videomemori.com A. Business Overview VIDEO MEMORY’s mission is to bridge the past and the present with the technologies of film production and video editing. Our company has no limitations. We film any and every special event, big or small. VIDEO MEMORY is located in the heart on Newport News, Va. Video Memory was generated after a successful attempt to create a treasured digital video memory of the owner’s daughter. Our company offers a broad range of film recording related services. Video Memory is dedicated to allowing people in different communities to take advantage of the company’s talent in capturing and transforming their treasured memories. The company’s specific aim is to create digital keepsakes for people to love, cherish, and enjoy forever. B. Description of Service VIDEO MEMORY works to bring an emotionally compelling and modernized home movie viewing experience for the luxury of all families. Our services includes filming major events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, family reunions, and small events such as birthday parties, cookouts, picnics, etc. EDUCATION: While serving our customers, we also make a strong effort to provide educational resources and career opportunities to students. We highly encourage youths to apply to our internship program because we are certain the skills gained will be critical in both academic and professional arenas. Internship students will obtain film making, video editing, photography, web design, videography, customer service, marketing, and entrepreneurship training. Through our wide range of services offered, our student interns, will have a unique opportunity to experience meeting the real world demands of digital media customers. ENTERPRISE: Starting as a company that converts VHS tapes into DVDs, VIDEO MEMORY, has evolved to offer a series of filming services. The evolution of Video Memory will allowed us to employ local teens and young college students. VIDEO MEMORY is proud to create such a rich opportunity for the young people of Hampton Roads to become pioneers in the film making revolution. The market for high end video editing technological skills is increasing exponentially. This is why it is critical to educate the youth of Hampton Roads to hone in on their digital talents and skills to meet the demands of valued customers. C. Population Groups Served VIDEO MEMORY serves people of all ages and backgrounds in Newport News, Va. We plan to expand to many different areas with our products and services. However, we have already started to reach out to and capitalized on the population groups accessible via the internet. D. Business Description VIDEO MEMORY seeks $30,000 to fund the camera equipment needed to complete the tasks of capturing and filming events. We offer a series of different packages, two of which requires VIDEO MEMORY to travel offsite to film different occasions. We also offer a series of incentive packages such as free limousine and disc jockey services to customers scheduling their special events with us. To the customer’s satisfaction, we will then edit their event footage and create a digital keepsake they are guaranteed to love. Here at VIDEO MEMORY, we strive to provide a very exciting and valuable experience for our interns and employees. We have developed an educational approach that incorporates the following elements: *Internship: We offer internships to any student willing to learn about the business and or continue to improve on their abilities to be creative and dynamic. *On the job approach: Each of our interns will be trained on video filming techniques. Ultimately, interns will be expected to capture and edit event footage under proper supervision to ensure the customer needs are met. We believe the on the job approach p

Is The company "Ristix" a scam? Recently I've just received a job offer for the position of Operations Officer from a company named Ristix. The company sent me an email: Ristix offers companies a full spectrum of services to evaluate their needs, work out a business and marketing strategy to meet them. Our marketing consultants and analysts are ready to plan functionality to achieve good results in your business. We are currently looking for an Operations Officer. Candidate must have: • One year experience. • High School or GED some college preferred. Successful candidate must have: • Good computer skills. • Strong interpersonal, integrity, relationship and organizational skills. • Flexible schedule is an absolute must. Responsibilities and duties of the Operations Officer: • Plan, direct, coordinate the operations of company • Monitor and control the flow of payments • Compiling monthly reports on the overall turnover of funds Salary based on experience. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V. So I'm thinking about this job, however I realized that they gave me a pretty basic job description. So I decided to look into the company, www.ristix.com . And normally you would see if this company has been tagged as a ripoff or scam from the search engine. I didn't see anything at all but still didn't fully trust the company.The next email would furthermore make me skeptical. So after I sent them my resume, I get an email: We have received your resume and are reviewing it to see if your skills, experience, and education are a good match for our current needs. In order for us to move ahead in our selection process, could you please complete Application Form attached and return it to us. We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue in the recruitment process. We wish you every success. Please see the "Job Description" file for more details about the position. Our company is based in Italy. We also have our representative office in the United States. You will not need to come to work in our office, or visit a personal interview. All interviews will be carried out by email and telephone. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Ever since that email, I've been ready to throw my red flag and decline the offer, because it almost seemed too easy to receive this job and I have not received any phone calls at all. Only email and sending me application documents created in word. I do have someone by the name of Ryan Curran that seems to be from here and has been sending me the emails, What you do guys think, a scam? Thank you in advance for helping me, Howard Sorry about that, What do you guys think, a scam?

I HAVE RECEIVED AN APPOINTMENT LETTER FROM PFIZER PHARMACEUTICAL UK. this company & given offer is genuine ? From: careers@pfizer-uk.co.cc To: ram_belwalkar@hotmail.com Subject: SUCCESS LETTER FROM PFIZER PHARMACEUTICALS UNITED KINGDOM HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT.‏‏‏ Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:04:05 +0000 ATTENTION: RAMKRISHNA PURUSHOTTAM BELWALKAR , Greetings from Pfizer Pharmaceutical. This is an affirmation that you have emerged Successful and being appointed for the position stated in your appointment document. The mode of selection was based on the following; 1. CV and qualification 2. Mode in which your data is being presented on the employment data sheet. 3. Work experiences. We employ staff based on four core values namely; Productivity, Talent, Ambitions and Character and we expect all our newly recruited staff to exhibit these core values. Also we ensure that all our staff especially our International employees are comfortable. Please find attached herewith, relevant document containing the Soft Copy of your Contract Package for your perusal and approval. Your Job Offer Summary is as follows; CONTRACT DURATION: 60 MONTHS CONTRACT TERM. JOB DESIGNATION: DIRECT MARKETING EXECUTIVE START UP DATE: 30TH AUGUST 2010 LEAVE PERIOD: TWICE EVERY 12 MONTHS JOB REF: 010/01420CPFIZER/UKPF/P4-YL JOB CODE AP/S2653 JOB LOCATION: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM NOTE: You are to report your duty to Human Resource Manager. SOFT COPY OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT is made today between PFIZER UK of the 1st party and you as a 2nd party. For good consideration, Pfizer UK employs the Employee on the following terms and conditions. ARTICLE 1: CONTRACT PERIOD The contract period shall be for Contract duration: The contract shall last for duration of 60 consecutive months; 5 years and could be renewed based on employee's satisfactory services to the Company. ARTICLE 2: SALARY Pfizer UK shall pay Employee on satisfactory performance of the services the sum of (£ 6,475) Six Thousand Four Hundred & Seventy Five GBP Basic (Tax inclusive) MONTHLY. I.e. After Tax monthly, equivalent depending on employee's home country. The employee will be reimbursed by the employer for reasonable moving expense incurred only as a result of relocation or early termination of leases, storage charges; procurement of travel documents. Reimbursements shall be made before employees embark on journey not later than Five (5) working days after submission of employee's expense report and receipts, this after the acquisition of relevant traveling papers through the assistance of the company's legal adviser on Immigration Matters.. Employer shall also take care of employees' air ticket including that of employees' family only on employees' early notification to employer and as shall be requested by employee (ONLY TWO FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED) ARTICLE 3: Duties and Position. Pfizer UK hires the Employee in the capacity of Employee's duties may be reasonably modified at Pfizer UK discretion from time to time. ARTICLE 4: Employee to Devote Full Time to Pfizer UK. The Employee will devote full time, attention, and energies to the business of the Pharmaceuticals industry, and, during this employment, will not engage in any other business activity, regardless of whether such activity is pursued for profit, gain, or other pecuniary advantage. Employee is not prohibited from making personal investments in any other businesses provided those investments do not require active involvement in the operation of said companies. ARTICLE 5: Confidentiality of Proprietary Information. Employee agrees, during or after the term of this employment, not to reveal confidential information from rendering any services to any entity to whom said information has been or is threatened to be disclosed, the right to secure an injunction is not exclusive, and the COMPANY may pursue any other remedies it has against the Employee for a breach or threatened breach of this condition, including the recovery of damages from the Employee. ARTICLE 6: Disability. In the event that the Employee cannot perform the duties because of illness or incapacity for a period of more than 1 month, the compensation otherwise due during said illness. The Employee's full compensation will be reinstated upon return to work. However, if the Employee is absent from work for any reason for a continuous period of over 2 months, the COMPANY may terminate the Employee's employment, and the Pfizer UK obligations under this agreement will cease on that date. ARTICLE 7: Termination of Agreement. Without cause Pfizer may terminate this agreement at any time upon 6 days' written notice to the Employee the Employee will continue to perform his/her duties and may be paid his/her regular salary up to the date of termination. In addition, Pfizer

I work for an IT solutions firm and need marketing help.? IT solutions firm specializes in Networking services, product/software development, IT staffing (full time & consulting), IT outsourcing, and reller of hardware/software. Besides making calls to businesses, explaining our services, and getting no where, does any one have any tips for a beginner in the sales department? I started looking into becoming a third party vendor for other businesses/corporations but the company is mostly looking for local small - medium sized businesses. I also am looking into whether I can become affiliated with a business development company, so that they can offer my services to businesses that would benefit from the cost savings that my company offers. I hope this is detailed enough! Any help from veteran sales people, (or just someone with a good idea) would be greatly appreciated. THANKS GUYS/GALS

Is a college degree the only way to make a good living? I recently launched my own online business, offering affordable internet marketing services. I haven't given the business enough time to really take off but I feel like I'm stuck at a crossroads..I want to be able to work from home and make a great living above the norm. I want to be able to ask my girlfriend to marry me and I want a family. I work full time at a dead end $12 per hour job and I'm 26! I feel stuck because I know that the only way for me to have the future I want is to get out of this job and make more money! My girlfriend is already independent in her own career. I need HELP! Is a college degree the only real way to make a good living?? By the way, I'm not interested in any homebased business other than my own internet marketing company or affiliate marketing. So please dont spam my question with crap!

What is a Personal Marketing Assistant? what is the "published magazine" thing about? Personal Marketing Assistant Job Description: Must have customer service experience, (preferably from retail establishments, banks, or call centers). Must have excellent phone skills, be able to diffuse angry customers, and work under intense deadlines. Must have a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook. Duties will include answering large volumes of e-mails, answering phones, and meeting deadlines for each published magazine. Typing speed: 30+ wpm preferred. This family oriented company is looking for candidates who are passionate about what they do and want to help the company grow. The company offers flexibility in schedules, benefits (full medical, dental,vision, and 401K).

Survey! Would you use such a service? "Forex Managed Accounts"? Our company is proposing a new service to the public and we've been managing some big forex accounts for a while now.. problem is no one offers their professional services in our market to small investors.. here are few highlights of the service and would like to know if you would be interested in using it? or demand another feature maybe?! 1- Minimum deposit is 25$ only - minimum with our competition is 1000$. 2- Daily profit of 1% guaranteed.. never less.. never more. 3- Secure deposit and withdrawal facilities 24/7 from and to your paypal account.. 4- A physical Debit Card for premium account holders to withdraw their balance anytime & anywhere they wish (above 500$ accounts only). 5- 24/7 Online Support Center / LiveChat / Knowledge base. 6- Private account manager for holders of accounts above 500$. 7- 90 DAYS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE/ FULL REFUND / NO QUESTIONS ASKED policy on EVERY deposit you make. 8- Verified Paypal Deposits only accepted.. to protect YOU and US from fraud.. providing the maximum consumer protection you can find in the market. Please rate the proposed service, and give a suggestion if you have any on how to improve the list above.. To Mary!.. sorry .. didn't get your point!!!

Client offered a job but its work from home.? I work for a risk mgmt company. Here everyday I interact with many companies for Partnership purposes. Here i have a client who has offered me a job. Im working in India and my client is in Clover, USA. They are beginning to roll out a program involving international BD representatives. These BD professionals will be responsible for market development in their respective markets, calling on Life Science (and other) companies who wish to improve their business in the USA. They offer a variety of services for foreign companies, beginning with simple Americanization of their web sites and marketing materials, to consulting, coaching, trade show assistance, administrative help, appointment setting, and full-service sales and marketing programs.Currently they represent 3 CROs in India; Vimta Labs, AXIS Clinicals, and Clinigene (a division of Biocon). They feel many Indian companies need serious help when it comes to getting more business from the USA. They said: - "If you are interested in this position, please let me know, and provide me some framework of your compensation requirements. You must be able to work from home or have your own office, we will not be providing office rental, but we will compensate for travel (when required) and communication expenses." I have not worked for this kind of an environment. I would like some help from you who have experience in this field. Id like live examples and understanding. This seems like a good offer to me as Ive been in the corporate business for the last 8yrs. Thank y'all for your help.

When the amount of government spending exceeds the amount of revenues, the result is called:? Question No: 1 - Please choose one When the amount of government spending exceeds the amount of revenues, the result is called: ► Trade deficit ► Budget deficit ► Balance of payment ► Opportunity cost Question No: 2 - Please choose one What characteristic motivate a person to start his own business? ► Earning large incomes ► Being his own boss ► Challenge ► All of the given options Question No: 3 - Please choose one Firms can ensure responsibility to customers by: ► Safe manufacturing techniques ► Proper disposal of waste ► Seeking feedback about product ► Full financial disclosure Question No: 4 - Please choose one The position of “chief financial officer” is considered to be a: ► Supervisory position ► Top management position ► First-line management position ► Bottom-line position Question No: 5 - Please choose one The reinforcement theory that motivates employees by encouraging them to behave in a manner that avoids unfavorable consequences is __________ reinforcement. ► Positive ► Neutral ► Equity ► Negative Question No: 6 - Please choose one A Rolex watch and Mercedes car are considered: ► Convenience products ► Shopping goods ► Specialty products ► Industrial products Question No: 7 - Please choose one One way to accelerate the distribution process is to make sure that it is integrated with _______ process. ► Marketing ► Financing ► Advertising ► Production Question No: 8 - Please choose one Even a company’s product is properly produced, priced and distributed, it still needs to be: ► Manufactured ► Graded ► Promoted ► Market tested Question No: 9 - Please choose one _____________ is a management approach for an organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of all its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction and benefits to all members of the organization and to society. ► Total quality management ► Project management ► Personnel management ► Strategic planning Question No: 10 - Please choose one Information-systems applications, based on telecommunication technologies, that use networks of appliances or devices to communicate information by electronic means are: ► Electronic information technologies ► Management information systems ► Information management ► Transaction processing systems Question No: 11 - Please choose one Effective marketing are intended to affect the firm’s: ► Financial leverage ► Social responsibility ► Strategic plan ► Cash inflows Question No: 12 - Please choose one Arrangement whereby selected professional providers offer services at reduced rates and permit thorough review of their service recommendations is: ► Health maintenance organization ► Preferred provider organization ► Point-of-service ► Health Insurance Question No: 13 - Please choose one Process of conserving the firm's earning power and assets by reducing the threat of losses due to uncontrollable events is: ► Risk Avoidance ► Risk Management ► Risk Control ► Risk Transfer Question No: 14 - Please choose one __________ requires that expenses incurred in producing revenues be deducted from the revenue they generated during the same accounting period in order to accurately present the profitability of a business. ► Revenue Recognition ► Full Disclosure ► Matching principle ► Solvency Ratios Question No: 15 - Please choose one According to ___________ principle, organizations should be able to retain or dismiss employees at their discretion. ► Employment-at-Will ► Hostile work environment ► Workforce Diversity ► Knowledge Worker Question No: 16 - Please choose one Capital is the lifeblood of every business and is the most essential and important element of business. ► True ► False Qu

i have also got the similar e-mail from new london textile company u.k. just want to check is it fake? NEW LONDON TEXTILE COMPANY UNITED KINGDOM JOB REF: NLT 67/5474 EMPLOYER: NEW LONDON TEXTILE COMPANY UNITED KINGDOM RECRUITMENT DEPARTMENT: NEW LONDON TEXTILE RECRUITMENT DEPARTMENT SESSION: 2008/2009 ATTN: APPLICANT, INTRODUCTION: NEW LONDON TEXTILE COMPANY UNITED KINGDOM is interested in talented individuals who excel in their area of expertise, make superior business contributions, demonstrate strong leadership and team behaviour, take personal development and improvement seriously, and conduct business with integrity at all times to come and work with our company Email your Cv`s to: hr_recruittment@yahoo.com Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and the Vacancies are only Available at our company.. AVAILABLE POSITIONS Applicants Who specializes in this Job Fields/Skills should email their Most Updated Resumes at:hr_recruittment@yahoo.com a)MARKETING b)ECONOMICS c)ADMINISTRATION d)ACCOUNTING e)MANAGEMENT f)PRODUCTION ENGINEERING g)PROJECT MANAGEMENT h)LOGISTICS i)PROCUREMENT MANAGER NEW LONDON TEXTILE COMPANY is a world of all types of talent and its value is jointly created by its employers. Therefore, we view employees preciousness, are willing to take in the best minds of potential and sincerely wish every employee to have his or her own opportunity in the company. PROJECT SHALL REQUIRE: A co-operate project management team, of hardworking applicants in any of the afore mentioned offices A very attractive net salary paid in US$, Sterling or Euros equivalent depending on employee home country and currency preference. . Quality single or family housing accommodation in company community. . Free medical care in UK for employee and family. . Excellent educational assistance benefits with family status employment. . Paid airfares allowing full flexibility with holiday travel. . Personal effects shipment and excess baggage allowances. . Full access to some of the finest and social recreational facilities in UK.etc CONTRACT DURATION: Level 1: 12 Months, (One Year) and renewably only on satisfactory performance by employee. Level 2: Full time Interested candidates must have not less than 2 years experience in any of the above listed fields. Interested candidates should forward their resumes/CV with verifiable reference(s) as word attached document to: E-Mail:hr_recruittment@yahoo.com Note: Interested candidates are also required to contact our Uk Local Office strictly for the purpose of this project. Thanks, Mr. BILLY ADAMS. Head of Recruitment Department. NEW LONDON TEXTILE COMPANY UNITED KINGDOM. EMAIL:hr_recruittment@yahoo.com The sender cosdym009 of this email has accessed your resume on timesjobs.com. Please note that there is no charge for registering on Timesjobs.com. Products for which charges are payable are clearly indicated on the site. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to verify the content of the mails sent by the employers/recruiters. Further, you are advised to make appropriate/thorough enquiries before acting upon any unsolicited mail that you may receive from any individual/firm/company, asking for advance payment for any service that they may claim to be offering. Timesjobs.com does not vouch/guarantee for any such offers made by the above said parties. The sender of this email is registered with timesjobs.com as Pope Jerops(lazarusuduma@yahoo.com ,67 yes road) using timesjobs.com services. The responsibility of checking the authenticity of offers/correspondence lies with you. If you consider the content of this email inappropriate or spam, you may report abuse by forwarding this email to: timesjobs@timesgroup.com Please note that timesjobs.com does NOT endorse any requests for money payments, or sharing of bank account details. Legal Disclaimer: This Website/ E-mail are vulnerable to data corruption, interception, tampering, viruses as well as delivery errors and we do not accept liability for any consequence that may arise therefrom

Would this work, for a Collins-like project ? • •We started with the hope and now we are at that crossroad today in which we are equipped with the greatest technological advantages of all time, and still risk whatever we have built over the decades. Regular shift in out technological approach from manual to the automated system, standalone to unified database, traditional software technology to open source technologies, static to dynamic website applications development, in-house development to offshore outsourcing business solutions, and still being economical, advancement in the technologies and infrastructure, equipment, search engine optimization, internet marketing and the rapid increase in the size of the market. Hence, with the ever changing technology and environment it has been not easy to deliver "The Best" and a threat of being obsolete remains. Therfore, the best solution to capture the road to global business marketing is by outsourcing your services to the countries like India who are enriched by rich resources offering cheap, best, reliable and effective business solutions to all its investors this quality has made India the no. one contender for International centre of IT outsourcing increase in the number of investors has lead India to deliver best solutions. Due to the expertise in the field, market research of the company is done in such a way that leads to the best solutions ever which is a must for any company who wants to survive in the tooth to tooth competition. For decades, companies have been using outsourcing strategies but offshore outsourcing penetrated the IT world when companies found difficult to bear high development cost of local providers. These services includes offshore services, production, outsourcing business solutions, application services, network outsourcing services and outsourcing software development services. This practice leverages the guaranteed quality services and the cost efficiency of the IT know-how and expertise in their respective fields with service levels metrics combined to the key performance indicators. They are more sustainable, and these solutions can now easily address complex business problems. Cost efficiency being one thing and what else made offshore software development outsourcing services to be the global market leader? Online research states that improved access to IT skills and resources and reduction in its investment are the basics for profit making that leaded India as the most preferable destination for outsourcing. No doubt, continuous improvement in technology, future planning and better forecasting are the other main reasons for that fast growth. Offshore software development is one of the fastest growing organization but to output the best product these 6 things are of utmost importance -Understanding The User's Needs. -Reasonable Expectations. -Estimation of the Size of the Project. -Shared Vision with the Developer -Full proof Planning Stages -Regular & full proofed testing

I have been in East Africa Tourism for 10 yrs, how can i market my Tours & safaris company, online? Lexxus Tours and Safaris stands out as one of the most experienced and reliable tour operators in Kenya. With offices in Nairobi and in the entire world Lexxus Tours and Safaris expertly handles safaris to all tourist destinations in Kenya and Tanzania and in East Africa. Over the years LTS has built an experienced and dependable world force and an elaborate ground transport network. The pillar that supports our philosophy in Lexxus Safaris is our staff. The tour consultants have many years of experience and are specialised in Kenya and Tanzania. The staff speaks English, German, French and Dutch, as to fully understand our customer needs. An important business property that we value is diversity and Integrity ; hence customers can find all their travel needs under one roof and under one family , such as Hotel reservations, Short excursions, Camping and lodge safaris, Mountaineering, Beach holidays, Transfers, Shuttle services, Car hire, Air ticketing to domestic, regional and international destinations, Meet and greet service at all major airports within East-Africa. In addition to the above, we arrange; conferences, weddings and special interest tours. However if one of our standard packages doesn’t fit, a personalized tour package can be assembled with our consultants. Since Kenya is gifted with an incredible amount and multiplicity of wildlife species and splendid locations for leisure,LTS present many different holidays. Nevertheless we try to innovate our offer. Every LTS safari mini-bus,Land Cruisers are comfortable and designed with a large pop-up roof for the best view and photography of wild game. All LTS Safari guides have a full pack of experience in game tracking and are knowledgeable about the people, flora and fauna of the country. The success of our safari will largely depend on the quality of our accommodation, Services and the Spirit one has for Adventure. LTS offers luxury (Lodge) Safaris where you are accommodated in carefully selected lodges and hotels which will make you feel very out of Africa yet very close to nature. And what else? Lexxus Safaris has everything for everybody ranging from children mums dads and the entire family. For the budget travellers, LTS owns fully equipped campsites in most of Kenya game reserves with well trained personnel. Just come to us with the spirit of adventure and we will make your dream come true and realistic, most who have been with us always come back to us have great experience, just taste us and feel the Nature in your finger tips, providing and giving more than what you have paid for. LTS is unique in all aspects and always there for you. DARE TO TAKE THE MOST BREATH TAKING LIFE EXPERIENCE AND PACK YOUR LIFE WITH FOND MEMORIES, and you will never forget the real Africa Adventure with LEXXUS TOURS and SAFARIS. KARIBU-WELCOME

Does this sound like a dodgy job ? I'm 16 and looking for a job for the summer, new to the world of working, can anyone help me with this- ''All earnings are based on weekly totals of completed sales at the end of the financial week'' Does this mean that there is no minimum wage and that your money is strictly based on how much you sell ? I have a interview with them this Monday, and was wondering if the job sounded legit to older more experienced people :) The following passage is the job advertisement as seen on the website. Entry Level - Sales - Customer Service: Immediate Start! We have part time and some full time work opportunities for college students, individuals needing extra income, recent high school graduates and others. Our company markets on behalf of clients in the non-profit industries through a low key one-on-one approach. Specifically designed for individuals who have little or no business experience our company offers workshops in which one can learn how to arrange appointments, meet with potential customers, explain our products, answer questions, write up orders, and ask for recommendations. Overall, the sales & marketing training experience will strengthen and enhance CVs while permitting individuals to gain valuable sales and business skills. Our work opportunities offer a number of unique advantages: * Product training offered - no experience necessary * Valuable CV experience * PT/FT Flexible schedules * Opportunity to advance * All majors welcome CALL US to schedule an appointment with our company directly. All earnings are based on weekly totals of completed sales at the end of the financial week.

Would this work, for a generic project ? · ·We started with the hope and now we are at that crossroad today in which we are equipped with the greatest technological advantages of all time, and still risk whatever we have built over the decades. Regular shift in out technological approach from manual to the automated system, standalone to unified database, traditional software technology to open source technologies, static to dynamic website applications development, in-house development to offshore outsourcing business solutions, and still being economical, advancement in the technologies and infrastructure, equipment, search engine optimization, internet marketing and the rapid increase in the size of the market. Hence, with the ever changing technology and environment it has been not easy to deliver "The Best" and a threat of being obsolete remains. Therfore, the best solution to capture the road to global business marketing is by outsourcing your services to the countries like India who are enriched by rich resources offering cheap, best, reliable and effective business solutions to all its investors this quality has made India the no. one contender for International centre of IT outsourcing increase in the number of investors has lead India to deliver best solutions. Due to the expertise in the field, market research of the company is done in such a way that leads to the best solutions ever which is a must for any company who wants to survive in the tooth to tooth competition. For decades, companies have been using outsourcing strategies but offshore outsourcing penetrated the IT world when companies found difficult to bear high development cost of local providers. These services includes offshore services, production, outsourcing business solutions, application services, network outsourcing services and outsourcing software development services. This practice leverages the guaranteed quality services and the cost efficiency of the IT know-how and expertise in their respective fields with service levels metrics combined to the key performance indicators. They are more sustainable, and these solutions can now easily address complex business problems. Cost efficiency being one thing and what else made offshore software development outsourcing services to be the global market leader? Online research states that improved access to IT skills and resources and reduction in its investment are the basics for profit making that leaded India as the most preferable destination for outsourcing. No doubt, continuous improvement in technology, future planning and better forecasting are the other main reasons for that fast growth. Offshore software development is one of the fastest growing organization but to output the best product these 6 things are of utmost importance -Understanding The User's Needs. -Reasonable Expectations. -Estimation of the Size of the Project. -Shared Vision with the Developer -Full proof Planning Stages -Regular & full proofed testing Elan Technologies Source(s): http://www.elantechnologies.com To AP, Thanks for good answer. To Debbie's angel, Thanks for good answer. To AP and Debbie's angel Both terrific answers.

Will someone take a look at my resume please? I have a feeling that my resume isn't catching the attention of the employers. If someone could help me out and fix it please and send it to my email. I would greatly appreciate it. I need all the help I could get. Thank you Lindarose805@yahoo.com Resume: Qualifications Summary: Highly personable customer service professional with over 8 years of experience in sales success, product knowledge, administrative duties, and handling customer relations. Professional Skills: •Microsoft Word •Microsoft Windows •Filing/Editing •Typing (50+ wpm) •Telephone skills •Customer service Career and Work Experience: October 2010 to December- Kohl’s Orlando, Florida 32828 Sales •Areas of expertise include great customer service interactions, cash handling, offering and selling credit cards. •Additional duties include mastering product displays, June 2007 to September 2010– At&t 334 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828 Sales •Areas of expertise include handling cash drawers, processing transactions, extensive product knowledge, selling and offering products. •Other duties include schedule making, developing extensive ways to increase revenue, marketing the company, outside sales and developing flyers for the company. •Received several awards for being number one in the store for products sales and services. Developed several ways to increase sales by bundling products and prices that were highly successful. August 2002 to June 2007 - Best Buy 1900 Evans Road, Melbourne, Fl, 32901 (321-768-6840) Customer Service Leader/Cashier/Sales •Areas of expertise include up selling, offering and selling protection for products, sales, extensive product knowledge, handling cash drawers, processing transactions and maintaining positive customer relations. •Additional duties include resolved billing questions and disputes, credit application processing, data entry, answering busy multi-line phone system, training, returns and exchanges, and other necessary administrative duties. •Initially hired as a part-time employee and was promoted to full-time within three months. Received awards for employee of the month, outstanding performance, and great customer service. Education: •Graduated with high school diploma in May 2002 from Melbourne High School •Graduated Palm Bay Brevard Community College with AA. •G.P.A. at 3.3 Currently attending Full Sail University

Would proper tax credits for doctors eliminate the need for insurance .? Instead of forcing doctors to work with insurance companies to collect money why not allow free markets and tax incentives to lower fees and increase service . Instead we should offer doctors the chance to reduce the taxes they pay by providing treatment to low income families for reduced cost negotiated by the doctors and a full tax credit for services rendered below market values . Including and incentive to serve up to 50% of their patients for tax deductions and even full credits . This would allow them to treat people who need care and receive a break for doing so .

BLOG advertising,seo expert,seo experts,seo experts pakistan,best Seo company pakistan,best seo services? Internet usage is now all the rage for people to engage in communication with one another. Although people use email, instant messenger and chat, others have begun to create a type of online diary that gives others the chance to both read and comment on the writings. Blogs have become ever more fashionable, being authored by celebrities of stage and screen as well as various places of business. But our first question remain, what is a blog? Your blog is whatever you want it to be: it can be a personal diary that you share with the world, or your outlet for your political views. It can keep track of stories in the media, or connect a company to its customers on a personal level. Blogs are even being kept by family members to keep other family members who live too far away involved in their daily lives. What is a blogs purpose? A blog offers a way for the author to share their unabridged opinion on any topic, without having to worry about being censored. Most blogs also offer a way for readers to respond to topics with their own thoughts and comments. Some blogs are authored specifically to spark a debate or engage the readers in a discussion. Some blogs contain photographs that the blogger has taken themselves, or even videos of what went on in their day. Others may post material that others have authored to share with their visitors. Itas also common for bloggers to share links to web sites they enjoy, web site belonging to friends, and even the sites belonging to the visitors that participate in the comments. Blogs can be insanely popular, and garner a lot of website traffic. Some of the most popular web sites on the internet are strictly personal blogs of individuals who we would otherwise have never heard of. People can gain celebrity status just from creating a popular blog. A blog can also become a source of income for the author. First and foremost is the oldest method of turning your web site into a lucrative endeavor: advertising. Many bloggers offer advertising space on their site for a nominal fee. There are also multiple advertising management programs that bloggers can apply to, that deliver content-targeted ads, and pay the blogger for the views. Bloggers have a number of ways that they can increase traffic to their web site; some hold competitions or offer exclusive visitor content. Some spend money to obtain website traffic in order to increase their viewership and thus, perhaps, increasing their ad revenue. If you begin to wonder, what is a blog? You now know it is not a chance collection of someoneas random thoughts; it can be an educational experience, an amusing interlude, or simply mentally stimulating. A blog can generate money for its author, and if popular enough, it can provide its author with full-time employment. Share. seo expert,seo experts,seo experts Pakistan,best Seo company Pakistan,best seo services,seo services,best seo services Pakistan,best Seo Expert Pakistan,best seo services lahore http://bestseoservicespk.com/ http://bestseoservicespk.com/search-engine-optimization http://bestseoservicespk.com/internet-marketing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tUec51xAoE http://vimeo.com/28247686

How does everyone feel about what the article below addresses.? Its long but well worth the read, it's very informative. Equifax, Experian and Transunion have begun limited marketing of a new consumer credit scoring algorithm to Risk Based Lenders. According to David Rubinger of Equifax, the planned nationwide rollout to Risk Based Lenders is scheduled for July, and will be followed, approximately 9 months later, with the public disclosure of these scores to consumers. An algorithm is a mathematical formula that is written to assign value to specific data in order to attain a final score. Risk Based Lenders are financial institutions that lend money based upon a consumer's credit history and the consumer's ability and historical willingness to repay a loan. These types of lenders cover the full range of financial institutions lending money for credit cards, auto loans, unsecured loans and mortgage loans. David Rubinger, the national marketing contact for Equifax, explained "approximately one year ago, the analytical managers for the 3 credit bureaus got together for the purposes of addressing variations within the present scoring models in use. Under the current system, the three major credit-reporting agencies use three different algorithms that produce three different and unique scores, regardless of the data being scored. The primary issue to be addressed was how they could create a solution for Risk Based Lenders who wanted fewer variations within the credit scoring models they were using to make lending decisions." The solution for the three agencies was to create a single algorithm that would produce a more "predictive score" by creating a single variable in scoring, which would be the data. To do this, they came up with a solution that involved creating an independent company called VantageScore, LLC. Each credit-reporting agency would own an equal share in the company, and purchase a license to use and sell the resulting scores to risk based lenders under the VantageScore service mark. The hard part was creating the uniform scoring that the three credit-reporting agencies were attempting to design and sell. To achieve as close a model as possible, the three credit agencies tested the initial base algorithm on 15 million active credit files. Throughout the testing process, changes were made to the algorithm as were needed to create a more stable scoring model until the finished product created an acceptable level of score variance in the finished product. By creating an independent LLC company, the three credit reporting agencies are now able to offer a single product that has only one variable, the data being scored. Where the credit information reported is the same, the score for a consumer file will be the same, regardless of whether the score comes from Transunion, Experian, or Equifax. Where the credit information is different, the variations in the actual score will be significantly reduced. Under the new VantageScore product, the three agencies decided to change the scoring formula from its current 450 to 850 scoring range to a new 501 to 990 range. When asked about why they would do this, Rubinger responded, "The new scoring model is to help consumers better understand their credit score. By basing it on a grading scale used throughout the K through 12 school system, consumers can look at their score and know exactly what they have". Unfortunately for Risk Based Lenders, the new scoring model will require they spend thousands of dollars in updating software to incorporate the new scoring model. When asked about some of the negative aspects of the change, Mr. Rubinger declined to answer any questions. The initial question that Down Payment Solutions has relates to anti-trust laws and where the congressional oversight is. As we only have three major Credit Reporting Agencies, how is it they can bypass any oversight to create an LLC company in order to offer a single uniform product in which all can sell, with the goal appearing to be the complete replacement of the present day independent scoring algorithms? When contacted for comment on this matter, the Department of Justice - Anti-Trust division - declined comment and suggested consumers who have concerns should e-mail them at antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov. Neither Senator Bill Nelson (D - FL), Senator Mel Martinez (R - FL), Congressman Jim Davis (D-FL) or Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R- FL) offices would offer any comments for this article. Jan Helder of the Helder Law Firm called the formation of a LLC by the three Credit Reporting Agencies "shady, at best" and advised that, unfortunately for consumers, they "cannot file an anti-trust suit until they have experienced a financial loss resulting from the new VantageScore credit scoring system, and then they will have to prove financial loss in court." This will be well after low to moderate-income families, and the businesses dependent upon them, have felt the tightening of credit nationwide. "The new VantageScore model creates a significant financial risk to consumers in their ability to obtain affordable financing," according to Dwayne Singletary of Allstate Mortgage and Loan Corp in Tampa, Florida. "Many risk-based lenders in the mortgage industry use all three credit-reporting scores--also known as a Tri-Merged Credit Report--and have programs that allow them to use the credit-reporting agency that has the highest credit score. A reduction in that higher score will most likely result in home buyers needing more money out of pocket for a down payment, or require them to pay a higher rate of interest…" under the VantageScore model, whether refinancing or purchasing. In the installment and revolving credit market, most risk-based lenders do not use the scores from all three reporting agencies. Rather, each lender selects the reporting agency that best fits their type of borrower. A reduction in any one score across any credit-reporting agency, via adoption of the VantageScore algorithm, could result in consumers being unable to obtain credit, or consumers paying a significantly higher rate of interest to borrow the same money tomorrow, versus what they would pay under the current separate credit-scoring models. Rubinger contends the new scoring model is designed to help consumers better understand their score. However, given the thousands of dollars in financial costs that will be incurred by Risk Based Lenders in updating programming, it leaves the impression the new scoring model may actually be designed to mislead consumers into believing the new VantageScore system actually improves their credit scores. Under the current system, in theory, if a consumer has a Transunion credit score of 600, then potentially under the new VantageScore model, they could have a score as high as 720. This certainly would go a long way towards silencing a potential consumer backlash if someone with challenged credit sees a dramatic increase in their credit score. This is potentially misleading, and may be the reason for the delay in consumers having access to their new VantageScore credit score for any given credit-reporting agency. At present, it has not been disclosed how consumers will know what model they are being scored under. As consumers apply for credit, most will assume they are being scored under existing Credit Models, when in fact; they may have been scored under the VantageScore system if a particular financial institution adopted it. Consumers who are concerned about the potential implications that VantageScore has on their financial future should contact the DOJ - Anti-Trust Division. In addition, we strongly encourage you to contact your Congressman via www.congress.org. Down Payment Solutions believes that before this new Credit Scoring System is implemented, both the DOJ and Congress have some over sight as to how, when and if Transunion, Experian and Equifax, can implement this type of product in order to protect every American consumer and the businesses dependent upon them. You are free and encouraged to reproduce, link to, e-mail and redistribute this article in its entirety as long as you leave the below author information intact. Author: George Chaney, President, Down Payment Solutions, Inc. http://www.downpaymentsolutions.com

Help Edit college assignment for company Mission? here is my instuctors request You need to do a little ‘wordsmithing’ on your Mission statement. The use of “Our”, “We”, and the incomplete sentences in the bullet listing without nouns/pronouns is inconsistent and difficult to read. Also, some of the statements are a little long. Mission •Our emphasis is on the beauty of your home and window treatments by offering popular colors and style choices to meet current trends in the design market. • We will provide an experienced window decorator to help instill confidence in customer selection of product with no direct extra cost to customer. •Dedicated to passing quality custom made merchandise with honesty at least cost to customer. •Provide education on different energy efficient options with products to essentially become known as environmentally friendly company. In summary our mission is to provide a full service educated window decorating advisor to assist in all your product selection, questions and needs at the lowest possible price without compromising qualityl.

NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! consumer math 10 POINTS? 28. Which is NOT one of the credit reporting agencies? (1 point) Experian TransUnion Equifax TransMeridian 29. A very low credit score usually means you will get what? (1 point) declined for loans low interest rates low finance charges high available balances 30. Credit that is applied for once, and then is available until the consumer defaults or closes the account is called what type of credit? (1 point) revolving credit charge credit income credit department credit 31. What is NOT considered when calculating a credit score? (1 point) personal income payment history credit history length of credit history 32. When two sellers trade items without exchanging currency it’s called what? (1 point) negotiating bartering financing economics 33. What was the earliest form of currency called? (Hint: China around 1200 B.C.) (1 point) leather cards sea shells cowry shells wooden coins 34. The first international form of currency policy to control inflation was called the what? (1 point) World Trade Organization North American Free Trade Agreement Gold Standard European Trade Standard 35. If a computer is on sale for $1,099.10 and there is an additional 15% off at the register, what will the total cost be? (1 point) $934.24 $1,263.96 $974.88 $988.45 36. The abbreviation FICO stands for what? (1 point) Fraud-Index Corporation Fair-Index Corporation Fair-Issac Corporation Fraud-Issac Corporation 37. When someone leases a car, who owns the title to the automobile? (1 point) the automobile manufacturer the financing bank the automobile dealership the driver 38. What part of a personal budget should be the largest expense? (1 point) spending money savings housing insurance 39. When a company hires an employee, what does the company expect from the employee? (1 point) expenses productivity purchasing power income 40. The amount of products or services that someone can buy with the amount of money they have is called what? (1 point) personal purchasing power purchasing power parity consumer price index value power 41. Banks make money by charging borrowers what? (1 point) late payment fees interest rates financing charges all of the above 42. The money you pay to keep an insurance policy in effect is called a what? (1 point) deductible co-pay premium expense 43. The money you borrow from a bank or any other lender is called what? (1 point) principal investment interest equity 44. Your credit score determines whether or not you what? (1 point) are approved or denied a loan are given a high or low interest rate are approved or denied a credit card all of the above 45. The loans that individuals take out to continue their education are called what? (1 point) educational loans student loans optional loans deferred loans 46. Which of the following is NOT considered a small ticket item? (1 point) a toaster an automobile a pack of gum a cup of coffee 47. When an asset such as a home or a car decreases in value over a long period of time it’s called what? (1 point) decay depreciation appreciation neglect 48. Charge cards differ from credit cards in what ways? (1 point) they require you to pay the full balance at the end of the billing period they don’t allow you to make cash advances they don’t accept balance transfers all of the above 49. The marketing offers provided by credit card companies are called membership __________? (1 point) bonuses benefits incentives gimmicks 50. If you have $2,000.00 on a credit card and the interest rate is 21.8% per year. How much interest will you pay for one year? (Interest is compounded monthly, but to simplify your activity, just multiply it.) (1 point) $463.00 $436.00 $521.00 $400.00

i want to know this is true or fraud? Nationwide International Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society. In 1989 the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission, the Island's financial services regulator, issued six licences for building societies to operate in the Isle of Man. In May of that year Nationwide opened a branch operation in the Island's capital, Douglas. During the first two years the branch operated in traditional markets offering savings accounts to the local resident population. CUSTOMERS ATTENTION 24hrs online Customer service Nationwide International Bank Ltd London Branch......... Suite 2 02 New Loom House, 101 BackChurch Lane, London, U. K. Tel +44 703 182 1851, +44 703 183 8534 CUSTOMER ATTENTION!!! WINNER OF MICROSOFT LOTTERY. Note your winning funds of £1,500,000GBP which is converted to you in india rupees is 110840000 INR and is now ready to be transfered to your bank account information sent to us by you. All verification has been done, the telegraphic remittance process has been concluded and the funds is now available for immediate online transfer into your nominated bank account. This is in accordance with section 13(1)(n) of the international transfer act as adopted in 1993 and amended on 3RD July 1996 by the constitutional assembly.We want you to understand that you need to pay the (Cost Of Transfer ) to enable us proceed with the transfer of your winning funds. The (Cost Of Transfer ) means C.O.T. Every bank charges a certain amount for transferring funds and it is known as the Cost Of Transfer . The amount is £430 GBP(Four hundred and thirty Pounds Sterling only) equivalent to 32,500 INR. This amount must be paid by you before this bank will proceed with the transfer of your winning funds. The Cost Of Transfer charges is legally for licensing and coverage documentations approval signatures for the transfer before money reflects in your nominated bank accounts. ATTN: The TRANSFER CHARGES cannot be deducted from your funds, your funds have been protected by a professional handcover insurance policy, it has to be remitted to you in full value, we advise that you kindly send the payment of 32,500 INR via Bank Transfer into the account details that will be given to you by this bank. Note: The COT fee have to be made via Officer Account details, you are required to make payment in our Office Account details in your country. For easy payment, we will provide you with our Officer Account details in your country to enable you fasting the process so that the transfer of your funds can take place immediately. And also be informed that as soon as you meet with our requirement, the transfer of your funds to your account will commence today only and money will reflects in your nominated bank accounts same today. Upon your response to this mail, we will give you our account officer details for payment of Transfer Charges. While we await your response thank you for your time and urgent attention to these vital request as we are committed in delivering high quality banking services to suit your needs. For further clarification on your preferred option, please contact the Senior Accounts Officer of the Account Department on direct line Sir Collins Walter. (Mr.), Sir Collins Walter. (Mr.), (Senior Accounts Officer) Account Department (Local/ Foreign) International Banking Unit, Nationwide International Ltd... Tel: +44 703 182 1851 +44 703 183 8534 +44 703 184 1949 Nationwide International Ltd. ============================== Home internet online transfer ============================== Travel Services ============================== Standard Account Services ============================== Foreign Currency Drafts ============================== Company or Personal Cheques ============================== Western Union Payments ============================== Copyright © 2009 Nationwide International Bank Ltd. ______________________________ CONFIDENTIAL FROM Nationwide International Bank Ltd.

Whether MONSTER JOB OFFER SITE IS AWARE OF SUCH TYPE OF FRAUD OFFER...........? MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD (MSIL) Head Office Maruti Suzuki, India Limited Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Board no.4571000 Email: suziki.marutu2011@hotmail.com REF: "MARUTI SUZUKI" DIRECT RECRUITMENTS OFFER. Your Resume has been selected from MONSTER.COM for our new plant. The Company selected 62 candidates list for Senior Engineer, IT, Administration, Production, marketing and general service Departments. It is our pleasure to inform you that your Resume was selected as one of the 62 candidates shortlisted for the interview. The SUZUKI Company is the best Manufacturing Car Company in India; The Company is recruiting the candidates for our new plants in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai. Your interview will be held at The Company Corporate office in New Delhi on 30th Of May at 11.30am, we are pleased to inform you that the 62 candidate’s selected 55 candidates will be giving appointment, meaning your Application can be in progress to the final stage. You will have to come to the Company corporate office in New Delhi. Your offer letter with Air Ticket will be sent to you by courier before date of interview. The Company can offer you a salary with benefits for this post 65, 000/- to 200, 000/- P.M. + (HRA + D.A + Conveyance and other Company benefits. The Designation and Job Location will be fixing by Company HRD. At time of final process. You have to come with photo-copies of all required documents. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY THE COMPANY HRD ====================================== 1) Photo-copies of Qualification Documents. 2) Photo-copies of Experience Certificates (If any) 3) Photo-copies of Address Proof 4) Two Passport Size Photograph. ====================================== 1. Full Names: 2. Contact Address: 3. Mobile Number: 4. Sex:info@maruti.com 5. Age: ====================================== You are to deposit a cash of 14, 200/-(Fourteen thousand two hundred rupees) as an initial amount in favour of our Company accountant name in charges to collect your payment. Payment for the Rs. 14,200/- (Fourteen thousand two hundred rupees) through any [STATEBANK OF INDIA] OR [ICICI BANK] Branch from your Home City to our Company accountant name in charge. Account NO, which will be sending to you upon your response. This is a refundable interview security deposit. Your offer letter With Air tickets will be send to your Home Address by courier after receiving The confirmation of interview security deposit. This Company will pay all the expenditure to you at the time of face-to-face meeting with you in our corporate office. The Job profile, salary offer, and date -time of interview will be mention in your offer letter. Your offer letter will dispatch very shortly after receiving your confirmation of cash deposited in STATE BANK OF INDIA OR ICICI BANK. We wish you the best of luck for the subsequent and remaining stage. The last date of security deposited in bank 24th Of May 2011 you have to give the information after deposited the Security amount in bank to the Company HRD -direct recruitment via email. Your Letter with supporting document will be dispatch same time by courier to your postal address after receipt of security deposit confirmation in bank. The interview process and arrangement expenditure will be paid by SUZUKI COMPANY. Lodging, travelling and local conveyance actual will be paid by SUZUKI COMPANY as per bills. The candidate has to deposit the initial refundable security as mentioned by HRD.NB: You are advice to reconfirm your mailing address and phone number in your reply. And 14,200/- (Fourteen thousand Two hundred rupees) will be the refundable Amount, as 200 rupees will be deducted as bank charges for funds deposit. And if you are been selected or not, still the amount will be refunded to you, as the amount is just to prove that you will be coming for the interview in order for us not to run at lost after sending you the air ticket and you don't show up on the day of interview. Wishing you the best of lucks. Regards, Mr. Ramesh Kumar Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD (MSI)

Insurance company have sold My car without my consent / pay out? what can i do? My car has been written off by the insurance company back in January and i have not still been paid out due to me not agreeing with the offer. They have submitted me evidence justifying their offer but this was current market value and not prior. I have referred this matter to the finanical services ombudsman who are still investigating (long wait as they go by order of complaints received). I have just found out the insurance company have sold my car off to a salvage company who have sold it to another individual. What can i do? what is my legal standing point? can i claim against the insurance company? can i claim my car back? I am still in receipt of the V5, keys, service booklet and receipts for the car. I have not signed over ownership or given the insurance company concent to sell the car. I have assumed to date that the car is in storage at the repair garage. I have still to recieve full agreed final settlement for the car from the insurance company. HELP!!!! Thanks for responses. The insurance company made no attempt to tell me that they are not going to store the car any longer and i feel they should have done this. I understand i have not accepted their offers but this matter is with FOS to investigate and see if the valuation is correct. As for sale they did not let me know and i may have wanted to keep the car, they have not attempted to resolve the issue. I am willing to take the matter to court but if anyone can advice me on my legal stance and if i can claim damages etc. I have spoken to the incurance company and they said they can sell the car but no legal points were raised. How can someone sell something they do not own without my concent? Is this not theft? what do i do now? shall i take them to court? have an appointment with a solictor for Thu but don't want to waste money if i have no ground to. insurance company writtten to may saying have issued iterim payment so have sold car, even though they cannot until full payment has been made. I will contact them today as they have made no interim payment to me. They have also increased offer to 10100 but i want more as all my evidence submitted suggest the car is worth in excess of 11000. I have an appointment with a solicitor today....

How is your credit card company responding to the current market? Have they changed your terms? We have a creditor who pulled a very slick routine with us this week. They offered us a balance transfer with 5.99% APR for the life of the loan that had to be transferred by November 27th. We took advantage of the offer, and then found out TODAY (Dec 1) that they have already changed the terms. We either have to accept a. A monthly service fee AND an increased minimum payment from 2% to 5% of the balance (which more than doubles our payment each month), OR b. go to 7.99% APR for two years only, and keep it at 2% minimum payment and no service charge (but a higher interest rate and a shorter term than we agreed to just five days ago), OR c. pay the balance of the loan in full. Yeah, like most people, we are in such a position to either double up on our payments or pay the balance in full......leaving us essentially no other option than to go with a higher APR than what they conned us into. This is a MAJOR credit card company, and no fly by night as we would have defined it before today. When I asked them how they could legally penalize us this way and change the terms so capriciously, their reply was they had every legal right to make the change, and this was their response to the fluctuations in the market. I would have thought the Fair Credit Reporting Act would have protected consumers better than this, but apparently not. It would seem that creditors can change terms at will, even as early as one week after the transfer has been made. And we were told there were no "opt-outs" except the options presented. My question is have you experienced any changes in the terms of agreement with your creditor(s) since the recent downfall in the economy, and how did you respond to it if you did?

Do outside sales/inside sales jobs prefer no experience or is there a trick that I dont get? I've been applying to inside outside sales jobs(account executive and manager) and doing pretty good in the interviews but getting very few offers. Keep in mind these are entry level positions requiring 1-3 years of experience. I'm a recent grad from college and have had much more part time experience than any of my friends while in school. These jobs came with much greater responsibilities as well. So basically I dont know if theres somthin on the resume that scares them away or what it is that makes these deals fall through. Most of my friends were able to land these jobs that require 1-5 years of experience with pretty much 0 expererience or at best it would be very unrelated to the job. Keep in mind most didn;t have an IN or a contact in there that would place them in the company. Any idea what im doing wrong or whats wrong on my resume? I do good on interviews and the main concern for hiring managers is that I have no B2B sales experience it seems. Only the first company is my first real full time job. company 1, A January – March 2009 Business Development Associate • Analyzed all physicians within market for referral patterns and potential marketing plans. Concentration placed on Neurosurgeon, Orthopedic and Chiropractic physicians • Generated new business by cold calling physician offices and effectively presenting, marketing and advertising our service • Cooperate with other divisions and business units to ensure that our marketing strategy and measures are aligned with overall corporate strategies Company 2 January – July 2008 Sales Intern Program • Building and maintaining nationwide database of over 500 prospective clients • Calling commercial real estate buyers throughout the U.S. to introduce transactions, drive bids and assist in driving the market-making process • Assisting Directors with the hands-on execution of transactions in various phases • Creating sales proposals and market evaluations using necessary documents from third parties Company 3 2005 - 2008 Manager • Directly responsible for management and operation of a high quality 24- hour care center for elderly and disabled residents • Analyzed existing business practices and developed new business model to maximize high quality of service • Worked closely with the Department of Social and Health Services to meet the WAC regulations company 4 2004 – 2005 Agent/Marketing Specialist • Marketed listings throughout Seattle and held open houses to aggressively grow area sales • Prepared contracts and documentation; advised clients on general escrow and title procedures • Designed and updated marketing materials. Performed competitive product evaluations company 5 2003 - 2004 Manager • Responsible for the marketing and managing of a $10 million portfolio consisting of over 18 commercial and residential real estate assets in the Puget Sound area company 6 2002 - 2003 Junior Loan Officer • Assisted Customers in determining financial needs and recommended appropriate mortgage solutions • Embraced cold calling as means to build business and generate new leads

SCAMS by Bnp-realty ? This is the return email I got after relying to a rental on craigs list, is this a scam??? Hi, Thank you for contacting BNP Rentals. We are pleased you have taken interest in our property for rent on CraigsList. This property has just hit the market and is available for an immediate rental agreement (Short or Long Term) with no deposit required. Since we offer our properties with 'no deposit' required and before we can create a contractual rental agreement, we require all applicants to go through a simple credit check. This will verify your contact information and current credit status. This is a completely free service if you use our recommended company and takes about 5 minutes to complete. Once you receive your results from the credit check please forward them to bnprentals@gmail.com. One our agents will contact you to arrange a convenient time to meet and show you the property. We suggest you get your credit check here... http://bnp-realty.com/creditcheck.php This is the best service and includes all the details we require. It is also the only company that offers the service for free. Because of the immense interest we expect to receive about this property we cannot accept any applicants without a full credit check. Applicants will be accepted and considered on a first come first serve basis. Thank you for understanding. Regards, Michael Anderson Sales/Rental Associate – BNP Rentals IS THIS A SCAM??????????????????????/

Anyone looking for job in singapore?-Financial Adviser? As the economic is bad. I'm here to helps those who are looking for jobs. We are a part of a fast growing company that offers a systematic and secure path towards a successful managerial career. As we are expanding rapidly, we are seeking aspiring, enterprising and result-oriented individuals to join us in this challenging and rewarding career. Responsibilities: •Procure new clients and manage existing clientele base. •Provide excellent customer service and cultivate long term relationship through effective relationship management in the area of: •Portfolio advisory and management •Group & employee benefit consultancy •Implement marketing plans for products and services •Established healthy customers management •Servicing and providing support to existing customer as well as establishing new customers. Requirements: Candidate must possess at least a: •Min. 4 “O" Level / Higher Nitec •Applicants should be Singaporean citizens or hold relevant residence status. •Fresh graduates/Entry level/ORD personnel applicants are encouraged to apply. •Applicant must be 21 years & above. •Full-Time positions available. What You Can Expect: •An excellent system to support you in your endeavours •Good Career Advancement •Development of leadership skills • Overseas trips opportunities (Europe or Asia) Interested applicants kindly email your resume to: H.Resource31080@yahoo.com.sg Our company are training up youngster and trainning is provided for unexperience candidates.=]

• Would this work, for a generic, sempiternal, almost Collins-like, project clone ? •We started with the hope and now we are at that crossroad today in which we are equipped with the greatest technological advantages of all time, and still risk whatever we have built over the decades. Regular shift in out technological approach from manual to the automated system, standalone to unified database, traditional software technology to open source technologies, static to dynamic website applications development, in-house development to offshore outsourcing business solutions, and still being economical, advancement in the technologies and infrastructure, equipment, search engine optimization, internet marketing and the rapid increase in the size of the market. Hence, with the ever changing technology and environment it has been not easy to deliver "The Best" and a threat of being obsolete remains. Therfore, the best solution to capture the road to global business marketing is by outsourcing your services to the countries like India who are enriched by rich resources offering cheap, best, reliable and effective business solutions to all its investors this quality has made India the no. one contender for International centre of IT outsourcing increase in the number of investors has lead India to deliver best solutions. Due to the expertise in the field, market research of the company is done in such a way that leads to the best solutions ever which is a must for any company who wants to survive in the tooth to tooth competition. For decades, companies have been using outsourcing strategies but offshore outsourcing penetrated the IT world when companies found difficult to bear high development cost of local providers. These services includes offshore services, production, outsourcing business solutions, application services, network outsourcing services and outsourcing software development services. This practice leverages the guaranteed quality services and the cost efficiency of the IT know-how and expertise in their respective fields with service levels metrics combined to the key performance indicators. They are more sustainable, and these solutions can now easily address complex business problems. Cost efficiency being one thing and what else made offshore software development outsourcing services to be the global market leader? Online research states that improved access to IT skills and resources and reduction in its investment are the basics for profit making that leaded India as the most preferable destination for outsourcing. No doubt, continuous improvement in technology, future planning and better forecasting are the other main reasons for that fast growth. Offshore software development is one of the fastest growing organization but to output the best product these 6 things are of utmost importance -Understanding The User's Needs. -Reasonable Expectations. -Estimation of the Size of the Project. -Shared Vision with the Developer -Full proof Planning Stages -Regular & full proofed testing

Is Web Action Limited a scam? Here is the email below that I recieved from a job poster on Careerbuilder. Thank you for your interest in the position of an account manager with Webaction Limited. Our company offers a wide range of IT services, such as web development, web design, Internet marketing, iPhone application development, SEO, etc. We have been on a dynamic and rapidly developing IT market for more than 7 years, we have more than 100 professionals working with us in Europe and in the USA, and we are looking for new members of our team. Please note that neither our company, nor any of our partners ever ask for any investments or entry fees from candidates! Also, this is a work-from-home opportunity, no travel or relocation is required. As an account manager, you will not promote or sell any of our services/products; neither you will be responsible for searching new customers. This is a customer support position, and the responsibilities include the following: - working on the projects with project managers and team members - establishing contacts with new and existing customers - organizing the billing process for new customers - processing customer requests and answering questions on the projects - distributing initial payments for the projects among programmer teams - preparing reports on the project status for customers. This is a full-time position, and you will be working Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm (according to your time zone). Your typical working day will look like the following: 1. Logging into your webdesk account, checking for new assignments. 2. Phone briefing with a project manager, learning current news and updates. 3. Working on today's assignments according to the schedule. 4. Responding to customers, getting updates from them. 5. Filling in the daily time-table, reporting your daily activity. Along with a base salary of $3,500, which is paid once a month, we offer a flexible bonus system based on indvidual performance. Account managers receive bonuses for each project they support; once a new project is assigned to you, the bonus for it is paid instantly. According to the company's statistics, the average monthly income for experienced account managers supporting multiple projects is above $5,000. You can find additional information about Webaction Limited at our website or forward your questions to your contact manager. Please reply to this message, in order to receive the employment form and arrange the time for a phone interview. Webaction HR Department

What should I charge as an hourly wage for my small business? I recently started a small marketing firm and acquired my first client. I began this for experience only, as I am in my last year of undergrad (Marketing Major at the University of Louisville). Recently my client insisted that I form a contract so that he may start paying me. I have the contract drafted, but I am unsure what to charge for my hourly wage. I have interned at a financial firm for the past 4 years earning 12$ per hour and will continue this job while also working for myself. My services are as follows: •Developing Marketing Strategies •Implementing Marketing Strategies •Managing Online promotional tools •Providing consultation when necessary •Communication to advertising medias •Improve the company's marketing yield •Reporting to the Owner / Operator Administrative duties & periodic, light in store help Hours per week will fluctuate depending on work load, but remain rather low (Ave 7 per week). How much do you think I should charge? Additional Details The client is just starting out, (9 weeks in). 30 dollars an hour as suggested by my first respondent seems a little steep, and I have very little to no overhead to clear, also, I don't have a degree yet. 30 dollars an hour equates to nearly 60K full time, and I have never seen any starting Marketing job offer that much. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to charge that, I just think my client will laugh at me if I approach him with a number like that. Am I totally off base by thinking I should charge lower that 15 an hour?

what plz tell me is it true or fake?if true then next procedure.? Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:09:32 0700 Printer Friendly Version From: Recruitment TexacoOil <recruitment_service_uk@texacoplc.co.cc> To: abhi_bond2004@sify.com Subject: Texaco Online Employment system Language Mail Full Headers Dear Abhijit Murlidhar Naralkar. Thank you for contacting us. Please be informed that you have been automatically employed by TEXACO Oil Group London and we are proud to notify you that your experiences and qualifications where found suitably qualified for the requirements to work in our company.You are to resume work within 50days with a monthly salary of £7,500. Therefore, your two years contract document will be signed as soon as you arrive London. Your work permit processing number is 532#, date of issue is 28th July 2008, and length of issue is 2 years. A hard copy of your employment letter has been sent to the United Kingdom Immigration Service London. Therefore, you are required to officially and immediately contact the United Kingdom Immigration Service London to apply for your work/residence permit papers and residence visa to United Kingdom, as we have made a contract agreement deal with them to process your work permit/residence visa within the period of 50 days for your work resumption in TEXACO Oil Group London. Your designation will be to work as an Administrative Officer in the customer service department in UK where you will operate the switchboard and direct calls appropriately, thereby providing company marketing informations on stocks to clients or customers willing to invest on Company products. Also note that you will undergo a three months course in TEXACO Oil Group London with a monthly income of £7,500, so as to be enlightened on company rules and regulations, departmental schemes/facilities in various sectors and project activities carried out by TEXACO Oil Group London. Lecture on matters concerning your duty as a Administrative Officer will as well be conducted for broader understanding of your position and responsibility in TEXACO Oil Group London. Therefore, your visit to London will be under the job position offered to you as a Administrative Officer regardless of your qualification/experiences and you can be privileged to gain another position within 3 months of the first visit to London, on your choice sector of work or area of choice duty especially if the Management of TEXACO Oil Group London recommends of your efficiency on duty. After your three months course study period, you will gain a level promotion in which you will be given the privilege to work in any of the TEXACO oil, gas, industrial resources that suits your area of course study with a higher monthly income in TEXACO Oil Group London. We provide a lot of free services to our staffs and such services includes; . Quality single or family housing in company community/staff quarters. . Personal effects shipment and excess baggage allowances. . Access to some of the finest social and recreational facilities in London. . Free medical care in TEXACO Oil Group London for you and your family for contract duration. . Company Suits and free dry cleaning . Excellent educational assistance benefits with family status. . Complete meals also for you and your family as deemed appropriate. . Life insurance Policy. . Maximum and efficient security both in work place and housing Community. According to the recruitment process as used on your behalf, there will be no interview until you are in London. Your interview will be conducted as an exam which you will sit for after you have undergone and worked with us for three months. This is part of your course study exercise and if Texaco Oil Group London discovers that you did not make good grade after your three months course study, you will be retrenched from working with us and will go back to your country. As an employee, your working hours shall consist of 48 hours a week, 6 days a week, Tuesdays to Sundays and from 7:30am to 3:30pm, 3:30pm to 11:00pm or 11:00pm to 7:30am between weekly shifts. There shall be 1hour lunch break: Timing shall be agreed with immediate supervisor. You are also entitled to 3 weeks paid holiday per annum. At the end of one year service, an extra days holiday entitlement is given - followed by a further one day holiday entitlement for each of the next year service: bringing maximum holiday entitlement to two (2) weeks. This depends on your agreement to continue working with the Company. In all but one instance, You must report any grievance to the immediate supervisor. Where and only where, the grievance is with the immediate supervisor, you can make his grievance known to the immediate supervisor at your TEXACO Customer Service Management Department. Please note that you are advised never to go to your country Embassy or Immigration Service for information on the processing of your residence papers/visa to United Kingdom to start work with Texaco Oil Group London because we did not sign any contract agreement with them to procure you a work permit/residence papers/visa to United Kingdom neither where they given any authorization to procure these documents for you. But your country embassy will be contacted by the United Kingdom Immigration Service London immediately after your residence papers/visa and work permit documents are processed and registered with your country Boarder Agency so as to pass your residence papers/visa and work permit clarifications when presented and allow you free entrance to United Kingdom. You are advised to contact the United Kingdom Immigration Service E-mail information below so that they will start processing your work permit/residence papers/visa to United Kingdom. Moreover, work permit documents are only procured in UK and without it, you cannot be allowed entry to visit London as a Texaco employee, that is why your residence papers/visa and work permit documents will be procured in London by the United Kingdom Immigration Service London. UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION OFFICE FOR YOUR VISA PROCUREMENT Contact Office:Migration Expert London Position: ......................HEAD OF VISA PERMIT OPERATION E-mail:........................ migration.expert.uk@london.com Address: 4th Floor, 153-155 Regent Street London W1B 4JE Registered Migration Contact Number Tel:.......................... .... 447045739585 Tel................................ 447035903332 Fax........................... ... 447005-964-173 At the end of every 2 years section working with us, your contract agreement can be renewed if you wish to continue working with TEXACO Oil Group London. Also be informed that other formalities concerning your employments will be done when you are in London. You can learn more about Our Business and Our Community by visiting these links. Management, Texaco/Chevron Downstream Europe 1 Westferry Circus Canary Wharf London E14 4HA Tel: 00 44 (70) 4573 9577

what are some fields of science for this article below? Google Inc.'s YouTube said Thursday it is vastly expanding its library of full-length movies and TV shows it offers online, while also launching a new advertising service and adding about a dozen new content partners. The long-form videos will be housed on a unique page at http://www.youtube.com/shows and get a "Shows" tab on the main YouTube site. The offering, which went live late Thursday, marks a further departure from the fuzzy homemade clips that made the Web site popular and is the latest move in YouTube's attempt to boost sales and profits. Last week, YouTube announced it was teaming up with Universal Music Group to create an online music video venture. "It's a first step in a long commitment," said Shiva Rajaraman, a YouTube senior product manager, in a conference call with reporters. The company hopes to add to its movie and show content over time. The titles available at launch are mostly older fare that are already available elsewhere on the Web. It will offer for free hundreds of TV show titles including "Beverly Hillbillies" and "Married With Children," and hundreds of movies, including "Casino Royale" and "Cliffhanger." The service expands on YouTube's existing partnership with several studios, whose parents include Sony Corp., Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., CBS Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Liberty Media Corp. On Thursday it also announced new partnerships with 13 smaller companies such as Discovery Communications Inc., National Geographic and SnagFilms LLC. Advertising revenue will be shared with the content providers. The news came on the same day Mountain View-based Google said it earned $1.42 billion, or $4.49 per share, in the first quarter, up 9 percent from a year ago. Google bought YouTube for $1.76 billion in late 2006 but it hasn't emerged as a major marketing vehicle and the company does not disclose its revenue figures. Analysts have estimated its revenue in 2008 at around $200 million. On Thursday, YouTube spokesman Chris Dale simply said a recent analyst estimate that said the site lost $500 million a year was "factually incorrect" and said its performance was better. As a way to bolster its ad revenue, YouTube also announced it is launching Google TV Ads Online, which will help advertisers target viewers of online content with video ads. Single video ads are planned to be inserted in scheduled breaks in shows and movies, Rajaraman said. Sometimes the ads will be sold by Google and sometimes by the content providers. Certain content providers also provide their own video players, such as Sony's Crackle.com player, which will be embedded in the YouTube site. Crackle.com has 60 movies on its site, but will be offering only 15 at time through the partnership. For example, "Groundhog Day," initially will not be shared, as Sony managers intend to use YouTube's large audience to help drive traffic to Crackle.com.

EXTREAMLY IMPORTANT AND URGENT*PUT THIS IN YOUR OWN WORDs? IF YOU POST AND DO NOT PUT THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR OWN WORDS YOU WILL ME REPORTED The key to what Microsoft is calling "Zune round two" is not so much the features of the new devices -- such as the touch pad and flash memory -- but rather the added social networking elements the company is integrating into the broader service, especially via a development that Microsoft is calling Zune Social. The service will automatically list songs that Zune users have most recently played, allow members to customize their own list of favorite artists and enable visitors to stream full versions of each song. Additionally, each Zune Social profile (called a Zune Card) can be added, much like a widget, to other social network sites, blogs and Web sites. Microsoft's latest Zune effort attempts to combine pieces of existing digital music initiatives into one offering. "We've got the hardware, the software, and now we have community," Zune general manager of global marketing Chris Stephenson said. We think we can pull all three exciting areas together and create one improved consumer experience." That's easier said than done. Such music communities as Last.fm and MOG have already attracted millions of users, and such initiatives as Imeem are embracing ad-supported models that allow users to stream full songs discovered on other users' profiles. Combined with the move toward digital-rights-management-free tracks and widget-based sales, an interoperable community of music discovery and distribution is already in development while Microsoft works to build a self-contained version. Microsoft has sold 1.2 million units of the original Zune, snagging the No. 2 market-share position for hard-drive-based MP3 players. It wants to achieve the same with its new flash-based devices on the back of its social sharing and networking strategy, but faces strong incumbents and equally innovative newcomers. Sandisk is second in flash-based-device market share at about 10 percent, behind Apple's 74 percent, and is integrated with such services as Yahoo Music Unlimited and Rhapsody. Additionally, new Wi-Fi-enabled devices are expected to hit the market this holiday season, particularly the Slacker model -- which comes integrated with an online personal radio service.

Can someone proofread my grammar and spelling please ? I will be explaining the three different approaches to health education in promoting services to others The first approach that I am going to describe is social marketing. Health education required a more health education requires a more complex approach to marketing. for example, something that will be helpful to use for an advertisement in companies that are commercial such as, advertising unhealthy products like: chocolate, alcohol and fast food. This is known as social marketing. Social marketing is defined as using something for the public by trying to change their mind or convincing them. It’s our health”: realaising the potential or effective social marketing, national social marketing centre 2007. The key features of social marketing are the following: the customer or consumer is placed at the centre. It focuses on the individual circumstances in the future at present them. Instead of thinking of how a person might be. ‘Clear behaviour goals’ – it focus on what the individual actually do. it is there to create impact on others and it’s notonly about what they know, aware of or what their religious views are on problems. The approach clearly explains what the aim of intervention for example goals and steps towards it and in terms of what their behaviour might be.Developing ‘insight’ it focuses on the way people behave and why they do so. Moreover in terms of the way individuals think, feel and their religious views about an issue, The exchange – this emphasis on it make you clearly understand what they give or what is to be ‘offered’ the strengths of being active for example it makes you happy about the ‘ full cost’ when you are taking the offer that they give to you. you might need to look at the some money, duration, activity and so forth. the main aim is to decreasing all the ‘cost’s of adopting, keeping or modifying a person’s behaviour. the competition this is the act of competing to look at every fctor of that compete for individual’s attention as well as willingness or to take on a desirable behaviour. it focuses on both external and (outside of the person such as, competitor advertising and in ternal which is factors that creates into the person within such as habit) . segmentation : this one goes beyond focusing on traditional ‘targeting’ by thinking about presenting a choice between two things or tow positions may be comprehended and for med into a profile. it looks carully at how different react to a problem what inspires them, such as Diet Coke a mark to aim at older females. ‘intervention mix’ and making mix ‘ there are many way to accomplish a certain goal, the single are not that good than mulit-layered approaches, and for that reason it needs ‘marketing mix’ of diverse approaches such as, a campaging all people to promote safe sex may contain

This is an Economy question about changes in the airline industry.? Turmoil in the Airline Industry Even before the September 11 terrorist attacks, the major airlines were flying into stiff head winds. Slim to nonexistent profits, bankruptcies and buckets of red ink, poor service, late arrivals, overexpansion, frequent air-traffic control breakdowns, some of the worst labor-management relations in business, high fuel costs, a full-blown economic downturn, and the collapse of business travel had cast this industry into one of the worst periods in aviation history. Road Warriors Get Smart For years, the major airlines had succeeded in getting business travelers (road warriors) to pay premium fares by pampering them with special business-class seats and other perks. Business travel was their lifeblood. Sales of unrestricted fares and last-minute tickets generated about two to three times as much as economy fares and contributed about 70 percent of a major airline?s revenue. But with corporate profits hitting the skids in late 2000, companies put the brakes on travel spending. The corporate exodus hit the major airlines hard. Resourceful business travelers used substitute products such as videoconferencing or other transportation modes ? even if it meant putting up with inconveniences ? to reduce travel expenses. Some turned to the Internet to find cheaper airfares. Others moved their business downstream to discount airlines such as Southwest and Jet Blue. Major airlines tried to raise round-trip leisure tickets to make up for their lost business revenues, but fierce competition from discounters prevented them from doing so. Air Travel is ?Wal-Marted? Just as Wal-Mart did in retailing, the discounters of the air such as Southwest and Jet Blue are squeezing the major airlines from all ends. Low-cost carriers now account for nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic air capacity, up from 6 percent in the early 1990?s. They can afford to sell travel tickets for less because they have many cost advantages over full-service rivals. To begin with, they have younger fleets, which require less maintenance, and younger labor forces that aren?t tied to complicated, inefficient labor contracts. Moreover, low-fare carriers typically fly one airplane model, thus minimizing maintenance, operating, and training costs. By contrast, big carriers typically fly six or seven types of aircraft. And unlike the big guys, the discount airlines don?t operate expensive hub-and-spoke systems. Caught Between a Hub and a Hard Place Using a hub-and-spoke route system, major airlines scoop up traffic from smaller cities (the spokes) and funnel it through a few gathering points (the hub). This practice allows airlines to serve small markets and offer passengers more destinations and more frequent flights. But is also presents a logistical nightmare. It forces major airlines to schedule lots of flights to arrive and depart within narrow windows of time in order to minimize passenger layover times. This means that ground crews, such as gate attendants and baggage handlers, often sit idle between waves of connecting flights. By Contrast, point-to-point carriers, such as Southwest and Jet Blue, schedule flights as if passengers are moving to their final destinations. Instead of having planes and crews sit around and wait for passengers, point-to-point carriers maintain fast-paced schedules, which means minimal downtime for aircraft and fewer personnel on the ground. Turbulent Skies for the Bid Carriers Today, one in four tickets sold is on a discount airline. As pressure from low-fare carriers mounts, major airlines are reevaluating every aspect of their operations. The major carriers are undergoing radical change just to stay in business. They are experimenting with changes in costs, capacity, pricing, and product features in ways they haven?t seriously contemplated since the industry was deregulated in 1978. They are stripping billions of dollars from their operations by revamping their hub system, cutting jobs, eliminating flights, ending food service, and removing first-class seats, and by simplifying their fleets to cut training and maintenance costs, Some are replacing agents with self-service kiosks. Others are wrangling concessions from unions for huge pay cuts to reduce labor costs ? a major differentiating factor when you consider that in 2002 a United Airlines captain earned $9,000 to $11,000 more a month than a Jet Blue captain. Still others, such as U.S. Airways and United Airlines have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize their outstanding debt and lower their operating costs. In spite of their efforts, questions loom as to whether all the major airlines can survive. Even with huge cost cuts, all airlines remain susceptible to possible terrorist attacks, economic turns, or employee unrest. As experts claim that this is just the beginning of an industry-wide shakedown. After all, no airline can fly forever losing billions of dollars. Critical Thinking Questions 1. What s 1. What supply and demand factors have changed the equilibrium point for airline tickets? 2. How has information technology affected the airline industry? 3. How are complimentary products affected by problems in the airline industry? 4. Take a closer look at the airline industry by logging on to http://www.hoovers.com, and type in Airlines for your search. List six domestic (U.S.) airlines and their locations and six international (global) airlines with their locations as well. 5. Why do U.S. airlines form alliances with overseas partners?

Is this a good business idea? Hello. I currently am a partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. I am financially independent, but I would like to start my own company when I leave. I have an idea for a company that I could start. It would be a boardroom facility company. You know that their are currently many home based businesses and online businesses that are starting each day. What happens when thte owner of the business needs to have a meeting regarding something important about the company? Where do they go? They don't have a boardroom. What happens when someone is traveling for work and needs a boardroom for a meeting with potential clients? Sure, they could use the hotel boardroom, but most of the time, they are untidy and booked. At first my company would purchase some space in a office building in a location that is filled with business (NYC, Chicago, etc.). We would then turn that space into a full business meeting facility. Each facility would have multiple board rooms, offices, printers, fax machines, Internet access, catering services, projectors, laptops, and secretary services. People would be able to book their meeting. They would pay a fee based on the room type needed, and other features. There could also be a lounge that serves drinks when people are waiting. At first, we would only have a couple locations, and as we grow, we could maybe go world wide. Unlinke companies that do this type of service already (regus), our main focus would be on business meetings instead of office realty. As the company grows, we could partner with airlines and have lounges in airports. We could also offer a private jet rental. Starting costs would be around a few million just for one location, marketing, and to build the space. I would use some of my own money as well as pitching to a venture capital firm. Is this a good idea? Could it be profitable? Thanks.

I want to get the answers of the following comprehension.? One recent example of industrial hyper growth has taken place in the recycling industry, led by the rapid expansion of the recycled paper market. Though many laws were enacted in the late 1980s to encourage (and in some cases require) the collection of waste paper for recycling, there were not, at that time, companies with sufficient capacity to recycle it all. Consequently the collected paper accumulated in storage, usually at the expense of the recycling companies, thereby adding to their overhead and squeezing their already thin profit margins. Today a different situation exists. Fifty-seven new paper mills have been built since 1991, and of these, at least twenty-nine use recycled fiber. This surge in capacity has resulted in a concurrent rise in profits. The price per Ton of waste paper has quadrupled in the past year, as have the prices of corrugated cardboard and used newsprint. Trash haulers have benefited from these conditions by combining their trash hauling and recycling operations. Recycling centers are connected both to the clients to whom they sell end products and to those from whom they collect refuse; thus, the company gets paid twice for the same trash, once for hauling the waste and once for selling the usable material. Industry profits have increased more than tenfold during this period. As the industry has become more competitive, some haulers have chosen to rebate a portion of this money to their clients in the hopes of ensuring their loyalty. 27. According to the passage, which of the following is a reason for the increase in profits in the trash hauling business? A Haulers' ability to sell both services and products. B Money offered by haulers to preferred customers. C Foresight exhibited by the leaders of the industry. D Haulers' willingness to adapt technology to a changing industry. E Passage of stricter environmental legislation. 28. It can be inferred from the passage that the price of waste paper A will increase steadily over the next few years B will increase as more companies get involved in the industry C is closely related to the availability of trash haulers D is not as important to trash haulers as the price they charge for hauling waste E is sometimes set by the weight of the product 29. The author of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following? A. Competition between trash haulers and recyclers will prevent the recycled paper industry from reaching its full economic potential. B. Pressure from anti-environmental groups has increased pressure on the government to oppose recycled paper initiatives. C. The recycled paper industry may continue to grow at its present rate as long as the industry remains profitable. D. The profit-seeking of recyclers have overshadowed environmental concerns in the recycled paper industry. E. Government negligence prevented the recycled paper industry from becoming successful until the early 1990’s. 30. According to the passage, all of the following are results of the increase in the number of new mills using recycled finer except A. The price of waste paper has risen dramatically. B. Trash haulers are earning increased revenues. C. Profits at recycling centers have increased more than tenfold. D. The price of corrugated cardboard has risen. E. Trash haulers have been forced to compete with recyclers.

What are the correct terms to use in filing a formal complain? A telecommunication company here in the Philippines offers an Unlimited Text (sms) service for prepaid account. For 150 pesos, you can have 30day unlimited text to the same network. For 2 consecutive times now, they removed my unlimited service without prior notice. The first time, I just consumed more or less 18days and the just this month; just 3 days after I loaded they removed it again. When I called their hotline, they kept on saying that they blocked my unlimited service due to abnormal usage. The company keeps on advertising that their service is unlimited when in fact it is not! I was asking them what is their basis for “normal usage” so that I could watch over my usage but they won’t reveal it, they insist that it’s system generated. They won’t properly inform the consumers about it. What are the things should I include in my formal complain? Should I put “false marketing” and abuse of my consumer rights since I haven’t got the full service I purchased?

Hi,Plz giude me,It's urgent...what queries can be asked for the job of s/w testing on following projects:? 1)Human Resource Management and Payroll System.( A human resource management and payroll system is an online system that maintains employee’s earnings and deduction details. It maintains daily attendance and overtime hours . This project is developed for calculating salaries of employees and maintaining accounts of company. ) 2)Real Estate System ( Real Estate System Limited the recipient of Best Overall Marketing Campaign Award, is one of the biggest one of a full-service property group offers a total property services. It is a highly sophisticated and user-friendly website and is regarded by both international and domestic users as the most usable and informative website in the property market. The project is developed to help the company in Sales, Property and Leasing Management ) 3)Sales System( Sales Force system is a web-based application, enabling sales representative to add their product sales for the day. The main functionalities of system – Scheduling & Planning – Sales

Hi, is this a scam email I received? I'm pretty sure this is a scam since I don't have any idea how they know I'm a finance and accounting major, and never gave my email address out to anyone, but I'm having a hard time figuring out just exactly what the scam is since they aren't asking me for any personal information, even in follow up emails. anyway, this is what the email says: fromJovita Bernat <jovitabernat0531@hotmail.com> tog**************@gmail.com (I blocked my email out) dateWed, Dec 2, 2009 at 4:32 AM subjectEntry level position at MF GMBH is available now mailed-byhotmail.com hide details 4:32 AM (6 hours ago) MF Group GmBH has a new enty level job opening in the Accounting Department. (No previous accounting experience is required). We are the largest Insurance Company in Europe with a successful long term commitment history. About the Job: We are looking for career oriented individual to join our accounting staff. This position is entry level and will be in our financial reporting and operations accounting areas. Candidate will handle various accounting responsibilities, including: perform data entry of journal entries, assist in performing financial transactions, assist with month�end, quarter-end and year-end financial reports, monitor and review transaction details, perform other duties as assigned. About us: Ag Int. is an independent, private, owner-managed company since 1993. Our headquarters are in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1993, we now have a global network of subsidiaries and offices around the world. Ag Int. has ended the year 2008 with USD3.22 billion in assets under management. The company provides unmatched convenience in Europe and the United States, serving more than 130.000 consumer and business clients. We take a global approach to our core businesses of general and life insurance. The diversity of our portfolio, both geographically and by line of business, is key to our strategy. We offer a comprehensive range of general and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, commercial enterprises, mid-sized and large corporations and multinational companies. Our customers are some of the world's largest industrial, c ommercial and professional service firms, insurance companies, and financial institutions. They trust us for our superior financial security, risk expertise, and service excellence. They value our fundamental strength � our capital and our people. We aspire to become the leading global insurance group in our chosen markets, and to consistently deliver top-tier results for our shareholders. By so doing, we will create strong relationships with our customers, agents and brokers, and provide rewarding opportunities for our employees. What we offer: Full/Part time employment Compensation 45.000 � 55.000 USD + 13th salary An excellent growth platform and a great working environment Zero cost health insurance, matching 401(k) Annual Partnership Exchange Programs Free Regular Seminars What are we looking for: Must be US citizen or legal alien authorized to work in the US High School degree (college degree is a plus) Experience in Accounting/Bookkeeping is a plus Must be willing to work overtime during certain parts of our month-end process Ability to handle multiple tasks within a strict timeframe Must have strong communication skills and customer service background Should be able to work independently in a team environment MS Office System Skills Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. This company will appreciate your contributions and you will be valued for your dedication. AG Int. Is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minority and disabled candidates. To Learn more about this position please contact Human Resources Department representative by replying to this E-Mail: alex.nuberg@gmail.com . Your request will be forwarded directly to a Recruitment Officer.

don't bother thank youuu? Payback analysis determines how long it takes an information system to pay for itself through reduced costs and increased benefits. physical design The physical design of an information system is a plan for the actual implementation of the system. prototype A prototype is an early, rapidly constructed working version of the proposed information system. prototyping The method by which a prototype is developed. It involves a repetitive sequence of analysis, design, modeling, and testing. It is a common technique that can be used to design anything from a new home to a computer network. read-only properties Elements of an application that can configured so users can view, but not change the data. report generator A report generator, also called a report writer, is a tool for designing formatted reports rapidly. request for proposal (RFP) A request for proposal (RFP) is a written list of features and specifications given to prospective vendors before a specific product or package has been selected. request for quotation (RFQ) A request for quotation (RFQ) is used to obtain a price quotation or bid on a specific product or package. return on investment (ROI) A percentage rate that measures profitability by comparing the total net benefits (the return) received from a project to the total costs (the investment) of the project. ROI = (total benefits - total costs) / total costs. screen generators A screen generator is a component of some user applications that allows users to design their own data entry forms and reports. service-oriented architecture (SOA)Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is an architectural style whose goal is to achieve loose coupling among interacting software objects that can provide services. service provider A firm that offers outsourcing solutions. Two popular outsourcing options involve application service providers and firms that offer Internet business services. Software as a Service (SaaS) Software as a Service (SaaS) is redefining the way that companies develop and deploy their information systems. SaaS is a model of software delivery that cuts across all market segments, including homes and business of all sizes. Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) An industry group that focuses on the digital economy. The SIIA believes that the concept of software as a service is redefining the way that companies develop and deploy their information systems. software license A software license gives users the right to use the software under certain terms and conditions. software package Software that is purchased or leased from another firm. software requirements specification A software requirements specification, or system requirements document, contains the requirements for the new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management. It is the end product of the systems analysis phase. software vendors Companies that develop software for sale. subscription model A service model that charges a variable fee for an application based on the number of users or workstations that have access to the application. system prototyping System prototyping produces a full-featured, working model of the information system being developed. system requirements document A system requirements document, or software requirements specification, contains the requirements for the new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management. It is the end product of the systems analysis phase. systems design The goal of systems design is to build a system that is effective, reliable, and maintainable. throwaway prototyping Prototyping of user requirements, after which the prototype is discarded and implementation continues. Also called design prototyping. transaction model A service model that charges a variable fee for an application based on the volume of transactions or operations performed by the application. Also called a usage model. usage model A service model that charges a variable fee for an application based on the volume of transactions or operations performed by the application. Also called a transaction model. user application User applications utilize standard business software, such as Microsoft Office 2003, that has been configured in a specific manner to enhance user productivity. A user interface includes screens, commands, controls, and features that enable users to interact more effectively with an application. value-added reseller (VAR) A firm that enhances a commercial package by adding custom features and configuring it for a particular industry. vertical application A software package that has been developed to handle information requirements for a specific type of business. WebSphere IBM's Web-based development environment. Web services are Web-based modular applications that can perform functions that can be q

Is this job offer a scam? Is this a scam? I believe it is just wanting to see others opinions...although they do not ask for bank account you have to give the bank account to the clients it so the money can deposit. What do you guys think? Dear Candidate Voice Applied Customer Service Nationwide Staffing Solutions/Liberal art company is a Switzerland Textile Company. We produce and distribute clothing materials such as batiks, assorted fabrics,pencil or airbrush mixed with color pencils to Digital artworks and traditional costume worldwide. We have reached big sales volume of textile materials in the Europe and now we are trying to penetrate the US and Canada market. Quite soon we will open representative offices or authorized sales centers in all the state in the US and therefore we are currently looking for people who will assist us in establishing a new distribution network in your area for now. The fact is that despite the US and Canada market is new for us we already have regular clients also speaks for itself. We are looking for representatives in your area who will w ork for us as partime or full time and we will be willing to pay 10% percent on every transaction. This job would not affect your present state of work, all we need is someone who would help us recieve payment from ou r customers in your area. A responsible and reliable person who is trustworthy and honest will fit in to this category due to the cost of relocating and getting payment is very expensive and inefficient for us .Branches have been set up in few countries and states with our head office in Canada . We are working on setting up a branch in your locality but for now we need a representative in your area who will be handling the payment aspect. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US? The international money transfer tax for legal entities (companies) in Switzerland is 25%, whereas for the individual it is only 7%.There is no sense for us to work this way, while tax for international money transfer made by a private individual is 7% .That's why we need you! We need agents or representatives to receive payment for our textiles( in money orders, check or bank wire transfers) and to resend the money to us via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer. This way we will save money because of tax decreasing. JOB DESCRIPTION? 1. Receive payment from Clients 2. Cash Payments at your Bank 3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed. 4. Forward bal ance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to forwarded either by Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer). HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN? 10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000 USD via checks or money orders on our behalf. You will cash the money and keep $700 (10% from $7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 12%! ADVANTAGES You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office. Your job is absolutely legal. You can earn up to $3000-4000 monthly depending on time you will spend for this job. You do not need any capital to start. You can do the Work easily without leaving or affecting your present Job. The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers. Anyway our employees never leave us due to our excellent work condition. MAIN REQUIREMENTS Under the age of 80,legally capable and responsible,ready to work 3-4 hours per week. with PC knowledge,e-mail and internet experience (minimal) And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that's why You have to fill a contract! If you are interested in our offer, please respond with the following details for us to reach you. NOTICE : We will never ask you for anything more then that, no bank20account number, routing number, credit card, passwords, SSN # etc. If anyone asks for those on our behalf, please do not give out this info. This is to ensure your security and non-involvement in cases of identity theft. If anyone ask you for any of those info in our notice please kindly report to your nearest local or federal authorities. * Full Names_______________ * Address(Not A P.O BOX)__________________ * City_____________________ * State____________________ * Postal Code_______________ * Phone___________________ * Email___________________ * Age_____________________ * Present Occupation_______________ * Marital Status_____________ * Sex_____________________ * Bank Name_________________ Thanks for your anticipated action. And we hope to hear back from you. Thanks and best regards. C.E.O

Military wife looking for a job can you help? Please I have applied to so many jobs and I have such a hard time finding a job in my local area! I am a military wife that has just moved to Quantico, VA from Pennsylvania. I have so much experience more then what is on my resume. What is not on my resume is my bartending and retail experience! I am am fast learning multi-tasker!! I have excellent customer service and administrative skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet as well as filing and phone experience that would be an asset to your company. In addition, I am an experienced billing manager. I am also a very motivated, reliable professional, who learns quickly and has the ability to work with diverse populations in fast paced environments, independently or within a team. ANY JOB OFFERS Please contact me via phone(267-679-4665) or e-mail (alexandria.blank@yahoo.com)!!! I am looking for about $10/hr Full-time! I have placed my resume below PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!! I am an HONEST hard worker!!! (I can send you my resume in a word doc.!!) Alexandria Blank 11022 Poynter Street Quantico, Virginia 22134 Cell (267) 679-4665 alexandria.blank@yahoo.com Objective To obtain a position where my excellent customer service and administrative skills can be utilized in a company with growth potential. Summary of Qualifications -Excellent customer service skills and able to effectively serve and work with diverse populations and ages including supervisors, colleagues, customers and vendors. -Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point and the Internet. -Exceptional organizational and administrative skills, with ability to set up and maintain confidential filing systems, answer single and multi-line telephones, and deliver messages promptly. -Motivated and proactive with ability to work in fast paced environments independently or in a team. -Proven marketing skills including product information, design and location. -Over two (2) years experience accurately handling cash and balancing books. Professional Experience Manager Maui Wowi (Gourmet Coffee & Smoothies), Langhorne, PA (3/07-1/08) -Responsible for the complete operation of the store, including reconciling daily cash and sales, and supervising staff. -Provided excellent customer service at all times by greeting and assisting customers, and promptly and professionally responding to customer inquiries and complaints. -Monitored sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods and conducted marketing of store and products. -Responsible to recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, schedule and complete payroll for employees. -Directed and supervised employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers. -Performed inventory of stock and reordered when inventory dropped to a specified level. -Maintained records of purchases, sales, and requisitions. Examined products purchased for resale or received for storage to assess the condition of each product or item. -Enforced safety, health, and security rules and maintained clean store at all times. -Assisted in the performance of work activities of subordinates, such as cleaning and organizing shelves and displays and selling merchandise. Alexandria Blank Page two Billing Manager Wilco Electronics Inc. (Cable & Alarm Company), Fort Washington, PA (1/06-10/06) -Verified accuracy of billing data and revised any errors. -Operated typing, adding, calculating, and billing machines. -Prepared itemized statements, bills, or invoices; and recorded amounts due for items purchased or services rendered. -Reviewed documents such as purchase orders, sales tickets, charge slips, or records in order to compute fees and charges due. -Performed data entry and bookkeeping work, including posting data and keeping other records concerning costs of goods and services and the shipment of goods. -Maintained records of invoices and support documents. -Counted daily cash and resolved discrepancies in accounting records. -Typed billing documents, shipping labels, credit memorandums, and credit forms. -Contacted customers in order to obtain or relay account information. -Computed credit terms, discounts, shipment charges, and rates for goods and services in order to complete billing documents. -Ordered office supplies. Greeter McCafferty Auto Group (Hyundai/Suzuki Showroom) Langhorne, PA (8/05-12/05) -Operated telephone switchboard to answer, screen and forward calls, providing information, taking messages, scheduling appointments, and to hear and resolve issues/complaints from customers and public. -Received payments and recorded receipts for services. -Performed administrative support tasks such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, and operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets and other documents. -Greeted person

Will anyone tell me if the attached email is genuine or not? From: VA CONSULTANTS <engr.roejames2009@gmail.com> Sent: Sat, January 29, 2011 3:10:32 PM Subject: OPPORTUNITIES @ VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS, HEATHROW AIRPORT, UK VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS HEATHROW AIRPORT. JOB REF: 011/013L/UKVA/T4-VA CONSULTANT: NAUKRIGULF.COM VACANCIES (URGENT) : UNLIMITED FOR THOSE IN AVIATION AND RELATED INDUSTRIES. 1: Business Development Executives 2: Cargo jobs 3: Ticketing & Reservations Officers 4: Aircraft Maintenance Jobs 5: Sales Executives /Purchase Executives 6: Account Officers/ Finance Officers 7: Cabin Crew Jobs (Heathrow and Glasgow) 8: Ground Staff 9: Marketing Executive 10: Customer Service Executives 11: Project Manager/ Asst. 12: Director of Sales & Marketing 13: Operations Manager/Asst. 14: Staff Nurse 15: Database Administration Executives 16: Warehouse/ Store Manager 17: Safety Officers 18: HSE Officers This is to inform all Interested Expatriates that VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS,UKis in need of expatriates that can work in various field, and we've gone through your CV/Resume together with your qualification through our Job Provider, so all interested candidate should answer the ONLINE INTERVIEW below and send it with an application / Cover letter together with him/her CV/Resume and send it to through email Attachment: Email: ( engr.roejames2009@gmail.com ) ( OUR LABOUR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT). 1. Briefly describe your ideal job? 2. Why did you choose this career? 3. What goals do you have in your career? 4 How do you plan to achieve these goals? 5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure? 6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were the Repercussions? 7. Do you have reference list? 8. Why do you want to work here? 9. Have been recruited online before?If yes,state the name of the company. 10. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed? 11. What is your Current Monthly Salary Package (convert to US$) ? 12. How soon can you travel down to start your new Job? 13. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from VIRGIN ATLANTICAIRWAYS (UK)? 14. Give us full details on the Following; (A.) Full Name (B.) Permanent Mailing address (C.) Current Mailing Address (D.) Tel/Mobile Number(s) 15. What is your Country of Nationality? Is it different from your Present Location? If yes please state your Current resident Country. 16. What are your Future Plans for VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS (UK), if Permanently Employed? REQUIREMENTS: All applicants are to possess all of the following: (1) Should possess at least a diploma in any of the stated fields or Must have obtained tutorials on the above said in any institution or center of training. (2)Must be computer literate (3)Must have at least six (6) months experience in the above said profession or that which is related to the profession. (4) Must have a valid international passport and ready to travel within 1 month of receiving contract documents. BENEFITS/PERKS: All applicants that have qualified or viewed successful to take up the job based on the scrutiny of their Curriculum Vitae would enjoy and share in the following benefits: (1)He /she would be paid an attractive salary ranging from GBP 3,500 - 15,000 per month after tax deductions depending on his/her qualifications (2)The job offered would be a family status one and as such would be entitled and privileged to come with his family. (3)Free medical care and free family accommodation fully furnished. 4) Educational assistance based on family status employment OTHER EPHEMERAL OF EMPLOYMENT: Contract Period/duration: This is a 4 years contract but subject to renewal based on the services of the employee Location: London (UK) . Accommodation: Virgin Atlantic Housing Estate Please Note Behind: Entry of application close as soon as possible since the date of job commencement for successful candidates will start soon. Due to this impending urgency, no interview shall be conducted and we regret that only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted via our official mailing address. Contact: Mr James Roberts Email: engr.roejames2009@ gmail.com Phone: 44 7031982694

No room for me in the economy, frustrated. Only experts respond please? Greetings please I would like to have somebody with a degree in economy at least to answer my question. Iam not looking specifically for advice on what to do with my time and money Iam looking at answers on the economical factors that are affecting the opportunities I have into starting a new bussiness. A professional view on my testimony of things. Iam 25 years old. I quit my job a year ago and I have a good sum of money saved and I have been looking into finding opportunities to start growing a bussiness. I have been doing some market research basically I do investigations of companies in a particular industry and ask myself who is buying and who is selling and what prices are being neogitated for a particular product/service to calculate what it woudl take me to get in that particular market and the profit margin... any type of product or service for the same country and for export (to international clients)... be it raw materials, computer products imports to sell in my country.. etc. IN VERY GENERAL TERMS I ASK MYSELF: Why is it that in general I feel that markets every time offer so little margin for profit in doing bussiness. I have this feeling (i also get that from my parents that have their own bussiness) that now even after the international crisis...... one has to sell a lot of product to be able to sustain a reasonable profit. In other words I feel that starting a business now a days involves a full time thing where one has to work very hard to achieve profit... even If I have money to invest and grow... I feel that the bigger companies are the one that have more room to grow and even then you hear from time to time they arent doing great either. The typical example. Walmart in my country decided they want to sell more and knock of the rest of the local chains... they already have low prices and they decided to drop the prices on 5000 products for the whole country... their strategy negotiate lower prices with their providers.. I mean... I dont think anybody is winning except for walmart... and they pay NET45.. thats just insane. If I plan to introduce or import products of some nature into my country.. its not like before where you would import from the US and sell here.. unless iam selling millions of dollars per year then yes.. it is profitable.. but to start hell no. Then you think.. ok well if I import the stuff directly from china.. but then you have to buy from them very large quantities, the risk is to high.. the transit time is to high.. I have been thinking of exporting raw materials that my country produces and is currently exporting a lot... but then I found out that in the 3 cases I have studied... the international prices for buying them are so close to my cost... that either I would have to 1 produce that raw material entirely on my own to have acceptable profit or do creative stuff... or export a lot of containers per month to be able to have something arround $10k - $20k profit.. which to me is just silly.. sooo much work and risk. THis same feeling is what I get in general.. what needs to happen for this to change? I dont remember it was like this 5-6 years ago.. I think there was more opportunity... more room for creativity and actually transforming ideas into companies... I consider myself to be very intelligent and Iam starting to simply give up and return to college study more (perhaps 2 more careers) and just get a job at a company. I have this feeling that before if you started a bussiness you had enough margin to delegate to people... and perhaps even subcontract or outsource parts of your operations.. and then slowly you would start doing it all on your own....now it seems that if you want to start a company you need to have a few hundred thousand dollar contract, or buy your products directly from the manufacturer in china..... etc.. no middleman on anything anymore. Whats going on with the economy.. what technical factors are in play, and what technical factors needs to happen for this to change? My MSN contact is jprollerskate attt live.com if any friend out there whiches to expand in a chat.

mystery shopper scam? out of the blue, i got this email: Hello , Zentral Evaluators Ltd. © is a company that conducts surveys and stealth evaluation of companies and organizations. Our mystery shoppers pose as normal customers to perform specific tasks such as purchasing a product, asking questions, registering complaints or behaving in a certain way and then providing detailed reports or feedback about their experiences. Unlike the methodologies used in mainstream market research mystery shopping attempts to gauge the service delivery process instead of the service result. You are to visit businesses to evaluate. These evaluations are done anonymously, with you posing as a regular customer. After which you are required to complete a detailed critique, including a detailed written summary/story line of the visit, customer services and product, salesmanship, hospitality. Etc Examples of details you would forward to us are: 1) How long it took you to get services. 2) Smartness of the attendant 3) Customer service professionalism 4) Sometimes you might be required to ruffle the attendant a bit, to see how they react to clients when under pressure. And we turn the information over to the company executives and they would carry out their own duties in improving there services. After which we customize your evaluation criteria to meet the goals and expectations this companies have established for their customers. We then communicate your results back to the companies in an accurate, comprehensive and timely manner. Most companies employ our assistance when people give complains about their services, or when they feel there are needs for them to improve their customer service. Your Identity would be kept confidential as the job states (secrets shopper) you would be paid $350 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance, and funds would be given to you if you have to dine as part of the duty. Your job will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of shops, stores, restaurant and services in your area. No commitment is made on this job, and you would have flexible hours as it suits you. If you are interested do send in your full name contact address and telephone number, so we can find assignment areas that are close to you and would suit you and offer you flexibility, your address would also be needed for your payments. I would have to put you down in our data base system as one of our numerous agents, And you would be covering your area, and some close cities near you, you would find this job very interesting and rewarding. An acceptance e mail would be sent to you, we have evaluation activities around your city that is why we need your services I would have to get you the full details of the services which you would have to partake in. I would like to know what your schedule is so I know what days to fix you in. As soon as you are accepted for this job, you would be given full details of the activities you have to carry out, and you would be told what to keep for records, and your payment information would be included in the mail. If you are still interested, Please reply this e mail with the following information:- Full Name: full Mailing Address (not P.O.Box please): City: State: Zip Code: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Gender: Age: Marital Status: Best Times To Call: Present Job Status/Position: Email: Best Regards, Ralph Arthur. Consultant / HR Manager Delivering simple solutions and achievable business objectives! Tel: 1 (718) 487-9854 |Tel: 1 (718) 487-9854 didn't give them any info, but i asked where they got my "application" from, and received this: Your application has been viewed by our customer service, and has been approved.Your first assignment would be to run a survey on a prominent companies in your area. which is a close Western Union Location to you which would be disclosed to you later on, The management and staff of western union has reported a laps in the services of their Management and some of their staffs, Their complains were based on reports which their customers forwarded anonymously and Phone calls which were also made to the head office. The Western union location was reported for evaluation for the following reasons. I) Customers have reported their money missing ii) Slow services iii) Unbalanced exchange rate (Iv) Poor services (v) Rudeness to customers (vi) Excess charge (vii) Late opening time and Closing before time. Your Secret Evaluation would be 1) To make a transfer of fund from this western union location to one of our Mystery shoppers whose details will be given to you as we proceed. And the funds would be picked up by our based mystery shopper at the exact location Which a customer reported her funds stolen from. 2) You would have to record the time at which you go to the location and how many minutes it took you to get service. You would be sent a check which would cover your payme

The Pirate bay and Warner Bros. coop? Fake or real? TPB (loves) WB??? http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4816087/Warner_Bros_Loves_The_Pirate_Bay.pdf http://thepiratebay.org/ what is this about: YOU CAN DOWNLOAD TORRENT OR READ BELOW full statement: PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLISHING Warner Brothers Inc. announced today that it has agreed to acquire The Pirate Bay, the consumer media company for people to share original copies through a Web experience, for $13.37 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. Following the acquisition, The Pirate Bay will operate independently to preserve its successful brand and passionate community. The acquisition combines one of the largest and fastest growing online entertainment communities with Warner Bros’s expertise in organizing information and creating new models for advertising on the Internet. The combined companies will focus on providing a better, more comprehensive experience for users interested in downloading, watching and sharing content, and will offer new opportunities for professional content owners to distribute their work to reach a vast new audience. “The The Pirate Bay team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Warner Bros’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” said Jim Kjeyzer, Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. “Our companies share similar values; we both always put our users first and are committed to innovating to improve their experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers.” “Our community has played a vital role in changing the way that people consume media, creating a new hip culture. By joining forces with Warner Bros, we can benefit from its global reach and technology leadership to deliver a more comprehensive entertainment experience for our users and to create new opportunities for our partners,” said Anakata, CEO and Co-Founder of The Pirate Bay. “I’m confident that with this partnership we’ll have the flexibility and resources needed to pursue our goal of building the next-generation platform for serving media worldwide.” When the acquisition is complete, The Pirate Bay will retain its distinct brand identity, strengthening and complementing Warner Bros’s own fast-growing video business. The Pirate Bay will continue to be based in Stockholm, Sweden, and all The Pirate Bay employees will remain with the company. With Warner Bros’s technology, advertiser relationships and global reach, The Pirate Bay will continue to build on its success as one of the world’s most popular services for online entertainment. The number of Warner Bros shares to be issued in the transaction will be determined based on the 30-day average closing price two trading days prior to the completion of the acquisition. Both companies have approved the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009. The company will host a conference and webcast at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) tomorrow to discuss the acquisition. To access the conference, please email scott.rowe@warnerbros.com A replay of the will be available until midnight Thursday, April 16 at various interwebs internationally. Confirmation code for the replay is 1337101. About Warner Bros Inc. Warner Bros’s innovative movie film technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1918 by small time crooks Harry and Albert, Warner Bros today is a top web property in all major global markets. Warner Bros’s targeted film movie program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Warner Bros is headquartered in Hollywood with offices throughout the Americas, Europes and Asias. For more information, visit www.WarnerBros.com. About The Pirate Bay Founded in February 2003, The Pirate Bay is a consumer media company for people to share original copies worldwide through a Web experience. The Pirate Bay allows people to easily upload and share torrents on www.ThePirateBay. org and across the Internet through websites, blogs, and e-mail. The Pirate Bay currently delivers more than 1 million torrents every day with 65,000 new torrents uploaded daily and it has quickly become the leading destination on the Internet for video entertainment. Real or fake? April fools joke?

What are some really effective ways to market my small home-based business? I have a home-based business and provide Administrative, Clerical and Computer Training services to businesses. I will also be offering Computer Training services to individuals as well. Last week, I started by creating a nice full-color flier (to advertise the Administrative and Clerical side of my business) and e-mailing it to a list of over 300 people. I got the company names and e-mail addresses from the local Chamber of Commerce directory. I received a couple of phone calls, but no business has came out of it yet. This week I am planning to distribute full-color fliers (to advertise the Computer Training side of my business). I am going to put them in page protectors and tape them to the sides of the mailboxes on our subdivision. We live in a house and have 2 to 3 mailbox receptacles per street. I want to really get my company name out there. Do you know of any really effective ways to market my small home-based business?

How can I get a large Scholarship? About Me: I'm currently a full-time student at a community college. I've been here for almost two years in order to save money and I'll be transferring to a university next fall. Grades: Throughout high school and my two years in college I've had a 4.0 GPA. I've also been in the Honors program at my school since I began college. I've done community service work such as organizing and helping give out food to homeless in Los Angeles and also working with the poor in New Orleans after Katrina hit. I also did well on my SAT's I think my grades / volunteer work would look good on an application for a scholarship, however, I don't know how to go about finding scholarships that would offer a good amount of assistance in paying for my education. Does anyone know where / how I can find a company or organization that offers large scholarships for a person in my situation? Thank you in advance for any help! Additional information: I'm majoring in Marketing. EDIT Thanks, but you misunderstand what I'm asking. I have a major and I know which school I'll be attending. I don't need help finding a career or calling, I just want to know where I can find scholarships that will help me out financially while I'm in school Any suggestions?

math questions please me out!!? 29. A very low credit score usually means you will get what? (1 point) declined for loans low interest rates low finance charges high available balances 30. Credit that is applied for once, and then is available until the consumer defaults or closes the account is called what type of credit? (1 point) revolving credit charge credit income credit department credit 31. What is NOT considered when calculating a credit score? (1 point) personal income payment history credit history length of credit history 32. When two sellers trade items without exchanging currency it’s called what? (1 point) negotiating bartering financing economics 33. What was the earliest form of currency called? (Hint: China around 1200 B.C.) (1 point) leather cards sea shells cowry shells wooden coins 34. The first international form of currency policy to control inflation was called the what? (1 point) World Trade Organization North American Free Trade Agreement Gold Standard European Trade Standard 35. If a computer is on sale for $1,099.10 and there is an additional 15% off at the register, what will the total cost be? (1 point) $934.24 $1,263.96 $974.88 $988.45 36. The abbreviation FICO stands for what? (1 point) Fraud-Index Corporation Fair-Index Corporation Fair-Issac Corporation Fraud-Issac Corporation 37. When someone leases a car, who owns the title to the automobile? (1 point) the automobile manufacturer the financing bank the automobile dealership the driver 38. What part of a personal budget should be the largest expense? (1 point) spending money savings housing insurance 39. When a company hires an employee, what does the company expect from the employee? (1 point) expenses productivity purchasing power income 40. The amount of products or services that someone can buy with the amount of money they have is called what? (1 point) personal purchasing power purchasing power parity consumer price index value power 41. Banks make money by charging borrowers what? (1 point) late payment fees interest rates financing charges all of the above 42. The money you pay to keep an insurance policy in effect is called a what? (1 point) deductible co-pay premium expense 43. The money you borrow from a bank or any other lender is called what? (1 point) principal investment interest equity 44. Your credit score determines whether or not you what? (1 point) are approved or denied a loan are given a high or low interest rate are approved or denied a credit card all of the above 45. The loans that individuals take out to continue their education are called what? (1 point) educational loans student loans optional loans deferred loans 46. Which of the following is NOT considered a small ticket item? (1 point) a toaster an automobile a pack of gum a cup of coffee 47. When an asset such as a home or a car decreases in value over a long period of time it’s called what? (1 point) decay depreciation appreciation neglect 48. Charge cards differ from credit cards in what ways? (1 point) they require you to pay the full balance at the end of the billing period they don’t allow you to make cash advances they don’t accept balance transfers all of the above 49. The marketing offers provided by credit card companies are called membership __________? (1 point) bonuses benefits incentives gimmicks 50. If you have $2,000.00 on a credit card and the interest rate is 21.8% per year. How much interest will you pay for one year? (Interest is compounded monthly, but to simplify your activity, just multiply it.) (1 point) $463.00 $436.00 $521.00 $400.00

What should I minor in? I am a Nutritional Science major (Food Service Administration) and am minoring in Environmental and Business Economics (my school is environmentally-based, so I can't minor in just business). I need a double minor, however, to achieve my full amount of credits by graduation. Any ideas? I was thinking Food Science, but I thought that might be a little bit redundant. Unfortunately, my school does not offer minors in management or marketing, which would be really helpful as I want to hopefully work for a healthy food production company (such as Kashi). Any ideas as to what I should do? I go to Rutgers, so if it helps, here is the list of minors for my specific school at RU: http://catalogs.rutgers.edu/generated/nb-ug_current/pg21089.html Take a look and let me know what you think! Thanks so much! Chem is not an option, haha. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

Conservatives HELP!!!? Regulations question trying to make it articulate, will you help?? ? I need help rewriting this to make it comprehendible. Can anyone help a sista out on this? The point is to try and show an example of the difference between how Democrats see regulations and Republicans (should see) see regulations. All though I really mean conservatives as the GOP is infested with neo-cons. Ok so here is the question when CEO's earn money without accountability for their performance, That is wrong, to draw millions from their company when the company is bordering on financial failure. No one is disputing that, That is Greed. •To the conservative it is fair to say we believe Free markets only work when there is full information, full accountability and full response to activities that adjust in the market. And that is where regulations come in, Conservatives hold the premise that accountability should to upheld and yet standards not dictated. That should be left to the free market or the will of the people. From the type of product and what it is made out of to How much someone is paid or not paid for doing a job from minimum wage to Stock holders and CEO’s – If a company like what has recently happens pays failing CEO’s bonuses it is the contention of conservatives that we the people should be outraged and then not buy that companies products or services to show we wont stand for it But not have government come in to a private business and say you must do this or that, Does that make sense to Democrats- the difference of how we see regulations? Though if a company is going to take a “Bailout” Which is pathetic and they shouldn’t be offered but if they are going to be part of that THEN and ONLY then does government have a right to dictate any terms it wants as you are not essentially owed buy the government.

How can I help myself get my next job? The company I work with has very kindly offered to train me to be a Deputy Compliance Officer to assist the Compliance Manager. There will pay for all external training costs. They also want me to continue in my Admin as where I perform a wide range of office management, research and development tasks for a accountant and actuary. The thing that concerns me though is that I will have little problems performing my duties as a Deputy Compliance Officer for the company because they do not sell anything, but instead provide services to their own Group Companies so no cash is exchanged. Thing is, I do not know if this is a good thing for my career as I don’t really want Compliance to be a full time activity because I do not have a background in law or accounts, and secondly it is a very responsible position where you have to be on your toes and look out for irregularities. Are there elements of a (Deputy) Compliance Officer role that can be useful in other jobs? Is it going to be easy for me to find my next job? How can I market myself to employers? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am feeling both excited and apprehensive about taking on this new role within the company.

Keep cushy office job or leave to work towards my dream position....? I currently work as department manager in the marketing department for a large-but-new digital media and technology company. I have a solid salary, benefits, a great team of people around me and paid vacation. Unfortunately, the position is not particularly rewarding or interesting to me. The hours are long, the stress level is pretty high and I am not passionate about the field. My background is art history, don't ask me how I found my way into this position... I couldn't tell ya! The work is not satisfying outside of the context of me loving my colleagues and genuinely enjoying their/our success. My real passion is baking. I do custom pies, cakes and cupcakes on the side. Usually about 5 orders a month and a wedding cake 3 times a year. I don't make a profit, typically. It's done for me. I love doing it, it's my meditation and what "gets me out of bed in the morning." I already have a plan in place to transition slowly from my present position into opening my own bakeshop. Today, completely out of the blue, I was offered a low-paying, no benefits position as head baker/dessert "chef" for a popular, well respected cafe here in Chicago. It has been a fixture for the last 8 years in an extremely "trendy" neighborhood. It requires 3 days of work a week... about 10 hours each day. Certainly not enough to sustain me full time... but too much to continue working my present job. This new job would be an opportunity of a lifetime. The experience and networking opportunities it would provide would likely ensure that I am successful in my own establishment down the line. However, I don't know how I would make ends meet. I also don't want to hurt my current company, colleagues or "brand" in any way-- I love all of them, just not what I'm doing with them. I don't know what to do. I'm 25 years old. I work in the position of a LIFETIME. While most of my peers are working low paying office jobs or food service, I have a substantial title and work for a genuinely wonderful company. Am I being petulant and ungrateful? The work bores me, I can see the quality of my work slipping as I get increasingly frustrated with the fact that 1) I don't enjoy it and 2) I'm not making any real difference or impact. Granted making desserts isn't going to end world hunger-- but I really see the power in small acts that make someone's day better. Giving someone a delicious dessert that puts a smile on their face for 10 minutes can turn around a day... and that good day can sometimes make all the difference. Totally cheeseball and idealistic, I know. Do I stick with the job I have and my plan to open the shop in the next 5 years? Do I take the new position and try to build out my side business or grab a bartending gig? What would you do? What would you tell your kid to do? Any help is so greatly appreciated.

ARE THESE MSGS SCAMS? -----Inline Attachment Follows----- About us: We are an Austrian company named Element Advertising and we are selling in Europe advertising packages like ads in Europe Newspapers, Email marketing packages, Search engine services. We have one available job: USA Representative: $800-$1200/week or more depending on you.USA Representative for our company. Income is 100% available from first month of work. Full/Paid training is provided. You can work in your spare time. In this Payments Representative position your task is to receive and process (cash) the money orders or cashier checks that our US customers have to pay to our company for advertising packages. In this way we will receive some payments faster (US money orders/checks are cleared in Austria in 30 days from the day are received). HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN? You have 10% commission from every check that you will receive so you are paid for your services same day you process the payment because you will deduct your share directly. 10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000 USD via checks or money orders on our behalf. You will cash the money and keep $700 (10% from $7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 15%! The job is 100% legal in USA and all our sales activities are recorded at US Work Bureau. In order to start this part time job today we have some requirements: 1. Be at least above 17 years old and have a bank account (in order to cash checks/money orders without fees - IMPORTANT: WE WILL NEVER ASK FOR YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM YOU) 2. Have an address where you will receive money orders and cashier checks from our customers, your home address will be fine, not a PO Box. 3. Possibility to check your email and respond to our messages (if any) same day. Our support team will assist you 100% in order to have all payments processed in time. All you need is an established bank account, where you will cash the checks. It really depends where you cash the checks. We do not welcome new bank accounts for our business for a few reasons. First, you won't be able to cash checks fast, because the banks put at least a few days' hold to deposits into a new account. We do make background research on all the international customers before we sell our advertising packages. We also verify the checks for funds availability before it arrives to you. In an outstanding case of any problem, we offer a full guarantee to cover the fees. That way you can feel absolutely protected and safe. You will receive various payments from our US or Canada buyers for our advertising packages. With US representative's help we can process payments faster and the customers will be served faster. We are selling in US 95% from time advertising packages like ads in Europe Newspapers, email marketing packages, Search engine services. The more checks you cash, the more money you will make! The money orders and cashier checks that will be processed by you can be cleared same day you receive the Fed-ex or Ups delivery. If you agree and want to start the job, Your response with your name and address is expected today. SIMPLE 100% JOB DESCRIPTION: 1. Receive payment from Clients (checks and Money order). 2. Cash Payments at your Bank 3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed. 4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to forwarded either by Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer). This job implies only checks/money orders cashing, nothing else is required to work for us. We will never ask you any fees to work for us. From the moment we have your approval and your name and address we will start the advertising program and ask customers to send checks and money orders to your address. After 30 days of testing period we'll sign by mail contract for long-term. Within these 30 days, testing period, your approval to work for our company is a US legally binding contract. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS JOB IF YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE! We provide 1099 form at the end of each year. Job is very simple and all terms are clear. To begin this job we need today your FULL NAME AND ADDRESS (your postal address -- home address) FOR PAYMENTS that will be mailed (shipped) to your address: * Full Names: * Address(Not A P.O BOX): * City_____________________ * State____________________ * Postal Code_______________ * Phone___________________ * Age_____________________ * Present Occupation_______________ * Sex_____________________ * Bank Name_____________________ * Nationality_____________________ Thank you for your time. Diamond Perkins. Element Advertising Company Austria Oorsprongpark 7 3581 ET Utrecht.

Nordstrom Careers, Inc.? Do anyone know about this nordstrom company? They say Our company's name: Nordstrom Careers, Inc. About us: We are selling in USA advertising packages like ads in Europe Newspapers, Email marketing packages, Search engine services. What is your role: In this Representative position your task is to receive and clear at the bank the money orders or cashier checks that our US customers have to pay to our company for advertising packages. In this way we will receive some payments faster (US money orders/checks are cleared in Germany in 30 days from the day are received). You have 10% commission from every payment that you will process, so you are paid for your services same day you process the payment because you will deduct your share directly. The job is 100% legal in U.S.A. and all our sales activities are recorded at US Work Bureau. In order to start this part time job today we have few requirements: 1. Be at least 18 years old and have a bank account (in order to cash cashier checks/money orders same day, without fees). Important: We don't need your bank account info or details and will not ask for it for any reason. You will not pay any fees or any membership for this job. 2. Have an address where you will receive money orders and cashier checks from our customers, your home address will be fine, or a PO Box, if you have one. 3. Possibility to check your email and respond to our messages (if any) same day. All you need is an established bank account, where you will cash the checks. It really depends where you cash the checks. We do not welcome new bank accounts for our business for a few reasons. First, you won't be able to cash checks fast, because the banks put at least a few weeks' hold to deposits into a new account. We do make background research on all the international customers before we sell our advertising packages. We also verify the checks/money orders for funds availability before it arrives to you. In an outstanding case of any problem, we offer a full guarantee to cover the fees. That way you can feel absolutely protected and safe. Our support team will assist you 100% in order to have all payments processed in time. If there will be something that you don't know, simply ask our support team and you will have all the answers within few hours or minutes. My name is Claude Rhone and I will keep you informed regarding payments and procedures. This is step by step explanation of entire job, it is very simple and can be done in your spare time: 1. You complete the name and address below 2. We advertise our services and in 4-5 days after you sent your address you start to receive payments from our customers (money orders, checks) made payable to your name and address for instant processing 3. You cash one payment (check or money order) - at the bank same day 4. You deduct your 10% from total amount of the check or money order that you receive and clear at the bank. 5. You transfer us 90% minus transfer costs (all transfer costs are paid from our 90%) with bank to bank transfer or Western Union 6. You receive another payment and you process it same way. This job implies only checks/money orders cashing, nothing else is required to work for us. We will never ask you any fees to work for us. To begin this job TODAY we need your FULL NAME AND ADDRESS (your postal address -- home address) FOR PAYMENTS that will be mailed (shipped) to your address: Full name: Address: City, State, Zip code: 2 Email Addresses: Phone number: Reply today with this info and job will be started. Check twice your name and address to be correct, it is very important. The money orders and cashier checks that will be processed by you can be cleared same day you receive the USPS delivery. If you agree and want to start the job, Your response with your name and address is expected today. From the moment we have your approval and your name and address we will start the advertising program and ask customers to send checks and money orders to your address. How you will be paid: You will have 10% from each payment that you receive and process AND also will receive every two weeks $1,000 paycheck from our company starting the day you process your first payment. After 30 days of testing period we'll sign by mail contract for long-term. Within these 30 days, testing period, your approval to work for our company is a US legally binding contract, you cannot agree now, make us spend money advertising and then leave this job. We provide 1099 form at the end of each year. Please be responsible. Job is very simple and all terms are clear, we will instruct you step by step if you don't know anything.

Has anyone recived an email from World Creative Studios? Stating that they are an internet based company etc. and they want me to be a Manager for them in the US to develope US customers, it is working from home... the only thing that makes me wonder is he writes backs answers to my detailed questions, it's not some generic based e-mail. But any work from home offer seems to good to be true. This is what he wrote last: Thank you for your reply. In this email I will explain you about this job offer. Also I forward you our Instructions, FAQ and Agreement. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the above files. If you do not have this software on your computer, please go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html and download the program for free. Our company enters the american market now because almost all online business are located in the USA. So we have to search managers in the USA to create our subsidiaries. Our Marketing Department has developed a perfect idea to boost sales. The idea is to have more subsidiaries that would resell our items (for example web-templates). The more subsidiaries we have the more things we sell and our profit grows accordingly. Your mission in the project is to create business tools (registering a business, setting up business and merchant bank accounts) and it is for these services that you will be paid. World Creative Studio, Inc., Inc. creates a web-site (online store or subsidiary another words) which will sell our products (webtemplates, flash intro and web logos). The work of this web site is impossible without a company and that's why your first step will be the opening of company (the company may be registered as a Corporation, LLC, Sole Proprietorship or other business entity). If you already have a company, it's great and will make the start up yet faster. Next you open bank business and merchant account and Gateway on Authorize.net. Your commission will be 10% from all the sales (you'll earn about $4000-5000 a month). Also all bank and merchant fees will be paid by our company. You will get your 10% in any case not depending what fees we will have. Your income will increase as the business progresses. You will be responsible to pay taxes only on your 10% commission; the rest taxable 90% is the responsibility of World Creative Studio, Inc., Inc. You will need the W-2 form or 1099 for taxes. Find out about it and you will see that you will be responsible only for your 10%. Add here absolute transparence of all partnership activities and full control in your hands. If you are interested you need to do next: You need to send the signed agreement, the copy of your ID (it can be just DL) and copy of your any utility bill. You can send all these documents or to this email either by fax (708) 842-8482. If you have any questions please ask me. Best regards, Kamil Kowalski Hello Danielle, How are you? Do you interest to our offer of job? I hoped you will be the good manager. If you refuse, write the cause of denial, please. Best regards, Kamil Kowalski

I want to know if this truck for sale is a scam.? I was searching on craigslist.com and came upon a 2006 dodge ram SRT-10 for only $5400. the owner sent me an e-mail. the guy says that he wants to do the transaction through ebay motors. he said that after I complete the deposit I will have 10 days to test it out before he gets the money. he says he had just moved to quebec, canada. he is offering to handle shipping free and says that an "ebay refund policy" will be enforced on the transaction. he also says that he wants to start the whole procedure himself. I specifically asked for his phone number and in the e-mail he sent me it didn't mention his phone number at all. he wanted to know my full name and the shipping address. this was what the e-mail said: Hello, Thanks for your email! First of all I would like to tell you that the car is located in Quebec, Canada as I recently moved here. I received a good job here and along with the job I received a company car a new Range Rover gas expenses free. I have no use for Dodge RAM anymore and I will not spend a fortune to register it here so I am forced to sell it much below the US market value. The full price is $5,400 US dollars with shipping included to your location. I have a clean title ready to be signed, you will test drive the car for 10 days after you complete the deposit to eBay. The car has no electrical or mechanical problems, never been involved in any kind of accidents. For our protection we can use eBay Motors to complete the transaction. The deal will go strictly according to eBay rules and policy. In order to start the official transaction, I need to know your details: - Full name and Shipping address As soon as I have them, I'll start the official procedure and eBay service will notify you about this. I'll handle the shipping, so this will be free of charge for you. We will use eBay Motors to manage the payment because it is the safest way for both of us and also you will have 10 days to inspect the car before I receive the money. Also, an eBay refund policy will be included. 2006 DODGE RAM SRT-10 VIN: 3D3HA18H36G198004 Miles: 23,400 CREW PICKUP 8.3L V10 SFI REAR WHEEL DRIVE The car is immaculate inside and out! No smokers, no pets! Click here to view more car pictures and details: http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu105/2006dodgeRam/ Best wishes, Luke does ebay even hold money for you and does the ebay refund policy even exist?

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english assignment dream job? have to write a 4-6 minute speech about the dream job this is the criteria my dream job is to work in McDonald's 1.job title and detailed description 2.revel ant qualifications 3.places of employment 4.personality and personal skills/abilities required 5.physical skills/abilities required 6.your suitability for the job and an explanation as to why this your dream job My dream job is to own my own franchise at McDonalds Who had dreamt about owning his own business since I was a little kid, first considered the option owning McDonald's franchisee about 8 years ago. My dream slowly became reality when, , i began the process of opening my own store. "I thought it might be an interesting opportunity for me to take that wouldn't be so risky.” i had worked for 3 years with a Fortune 100 company, serving in several management positions in the technical, operations and training aspects of the bottling and canning business. When he started looking into what type of business he'd like to invest in, i looked for one that would allow him to use his past management experience in the food industry and make him a part of what he felt was a winning team.” I’m used to working with a company that's No. 1 in their field, and McDonald's is," . "I wanted to stay No. 1, to be a leader in the industry.” While going through franchise training with McDonald's, i did have some fears about going out on his own, but many of those were quickly dispelled. "When you step out there kind of by yourself, you're a bit hesitant, "I found McDonald's very supportive through the initial start-up, and that took my fear away.” I opened my store in brisbane in January 2008. i want to employ about 41 full- and part-time employees, and works five to six days a week on the day-to-day operations of the store and on different community activities. The hard work and dedication is what i feel makes it possible for anyone to have a successful franchise.” If somebody really wants to be involved in the business on a day-to-day basis, McDonald's is a good opportunity," because this is a lot more work than people think.” i believe it's possible for a regular person to open his or her own McDonald's? "Yes, I do believe a regular person can open a McDonald’s restaurant,” I believe if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen.” McDonald’s is the world's leading food service organization. We generate more than $40 billion in System wide sales. We operate over 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries on six continents. We have the benefits that come with scale and a strong financial position. We own one of the world's most recognized and respected brands. We have an unparalleled global infrastructure and competencies in restaurant operations, real estate, retailing, marketing and franchising. We are a leader in the area of social responsibility. We actively share our knowledge and expertise in food safety and are committed to protecting the environment for future generations. Yet, we have not achieved our growth expectations for the past several years. So, our challenge is to leverage our strengths to profitably serve more customers more ways more often. I am suitable for this position in the fast food industry because I demonstrate these important qualities. I believe I have many skills to offer in particular that I am a very honest and reliable individual who is highly motivated and thrives on challenges. This would be an asset as I would be able to deal with fast flowing customers. I consider myself to be a very hard worker who always gives my best and maintains high standard in all situations. I have good sense of humour and can work well in a team environment as well as alone minimal supervision. I can also communicate with other people and can make change correctly and quickly. This would ensure that the customers would be satisfied with services that I offer them. My interpersonal and communication skills enable me to easily establish rapport with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. I have excellent listening skills with the ability to be receptive to the ideas and needs of my employer. I deem myself to be an open and honest individual, who is highly reliable and confident with all tasks I undertake. Therefore I believe I would be an asset to this industry because I have many skills to offer and I enjoy working in this industry as I am motivated and strive to help and learn from others. Even though I have no experience working in the fast food industry, I’m willing to work hard and try to succeed to the best of my ability as I’m progressing throughout my career. My goal is to be manager one day and run my own franchise.

Job scam? Received from executive Recruiter with RJ & Makay? Hello, I am an Executive Recruiter with RJ & Makay. We are the largest recruiting firm within the financial services industry nationwide. We came across your resume and would like to speak to you regarding an opportunity that may be of interest. Our client is looking for professionals who have experienced success in a prior career and want to leverage their experience in a new industry. This position offers an opportunity for excellent training and licensing in the financial services industry. The position offers a salary plus commissions and full benefits. You will become both a stockbroker and a Financial Advisor working from your own office with your own full time assistant, working with leading-edge technology and more support than you ever thought possible. You may be wondering why your resume was selected. You display traits that our client is looking for; so, your background may transition well into this career. Many of our candidates ask us why they should consider a career in financial services now during a time of economic uncertainty and market volatility. We’re proud to represent clients who are stable, not connected directly to the banking industry, and who manage investments conservatively for the long run. Although the media is painting a very bleak picture, their analysts have guided advisors well and they continue to perform well. History has proven that new advisors at our client companies do as well in down markets as they do in bull markets. Investors are starving for good, prudent advice. Our clients’ competitors are not talking to their clients and this represents a tremendous opportunity for our advisors who are proactively making contact with these prospects. Our clients’ financial advisors are as successful in transferring in accounts during down markets by being proactive with potential clients as they do in up markets. New FAs have a proven history of doing well in declining or flat markets due to our clients’ prospecting strategy. It quite simply is more effective in building trust and establishing new relationships. Our New FA’s are currently performing at the highest levels since early 2005. Opportunities like this are rare - and this one doesn't cost you anything but time and interest. We can equip you with a highly competitive advantage by coaching you through the candidacy process. This is a serious professional opportunity with a leading firm in the financial industry. We will act as your agent, at no cost to you. After your initial interview with us, should we decide to move forward with the client interview process, we will send you our customized Interview Preparation Package which is a detailed and powerful tool equipping you with everything you need to know about the process, position and the client. Please reply to this e-mail to set an appointment to discuss the position in detail and include the following: #1 - The best 2 hour window for you to be reached to hear about the position #2 - The best phone number for us to call you #3 - A copy of your resume/CV in MS Word or PDF format If a member of our hiring team has not already called you, you may receive a call soon. For additional information, please feel free to visit our website at www.rjandmakay.com. Sincerely, Adrienne Obey RJ and Makay Executive Recruiting aobey@rjandmakay.com (888) 928-0008 ext. 308

Quitting a job? So for the past 7 months i've been working for Aflac on 100% commission, I love some aspects of the job and others I cant stand. Of course the 100% sucks at times, my trainer has so many personal problems that affect the training, the people really care about themselves and not the company, the market isso saturated. So I got a couple groups one of which a pretty giid size and got me a lot of money. I serviced the account and resolved several issues that my boss got me into. After doing so well with this account they offered me a job. It consists of base salary, plus commission, full benefits, basically everything someone my age (24) can ask for. My problem is that I hate quitting jobs. I feel terrible doing it. I am wondering what advice someone can give me about doing it. Also account I opened, i'm wondering if anyone who worked ith aflac can tell em what to do about it. The account will get a lot of more premium written it every month. Im wondering if I still get a cut of that. Thnx

how to get defamatory content removed from web without litigation? Let me preface this briefly- I'm entering the job market soon and work in an industry that does fairly heavy background checks as before making anyone offers. Of course, in this day and age anything on the internet with my name on it will be found My problem is that someone who I have had a personal disagreement with (to put it lightly) has, over the past year, endeavored to create a website where, amongst other things, they say some awfully terrible and untrue things about me. Like terrible enough to cause me to fail a background check. And untrue, as in so completely made up and imagined they couldn't be further from reality. It gets worst. I already took a few steps with the company hosting this site-- I was able to locate them by using whois.org. It was one of those free/low cost sites... And i read their terms of services. The site in question was definitely in violation for quite a few of the terms so i wrote an anonymous letter documenting said violations with a request that, as the TOS said, the site be pulled down with no notice and the customer be banned from the company's services. There were two main violations- publishing a 3rd party's (me) sensitive personal information (the site had one page with my name, social security number, address, CRAZY i know). The other was publishing content for the purposes of solely defaming an individual (the untrue things written that would screw my background check). I gave the hosting company a month's time to pull down the site or else"i will have to contact legal representation" and include them in litigation. two days later, the site disappeared. Relief, right? well At the end of the month i checked back and the site was back up albeit without the SS#, but still plenty of defamatory nonsense and my full name and address all over it. so essentially, the company ignored their own TOS and, with a clear violation, instead of taking down the site permanently "with no notice" asked the publisher to take off the really uncool stuff like my SS and allowed it to go back up. Totally whack. the problem is my whole 30 days or else you hear from lawyer thing was a total bluff. I can't afford to retain a lawyer... Im in my early twenties and have neither the time or money for any sort of litigation. I figured what i wrote should have been enough. So i'm curious if anyone knows of a good way to get a site taken down without flying in the legal eagle? Or, at least, is there anyway to get them taken off search engine results so I can at least feel assured nobodys finding it? I understand that one way to get google/yahoo/msn to drop a site from its results is to overspam their listing servers with requests. Does anyone know a I could do this, somewhat intentionally, to this site to accomplish this? thanks for taking the time to read. crazy, i know...

Is this email valid? EMPLOYMENT Sei stato invitato a: Nessun titolo Dall'organizzatore: office mail234 Messaggio: Good day! REQUESTED TO BE OUR PAYMENT AGENT/ADVERTIZERS We are glad to offer you for a job position with our company.We need someone to work for the company as a Payment Agent/Advertizer in the USA. This is in view of our not having an office presently in the USA. You don't need to have an Office and this certainly won't disturb any form of work you have going at the moment. Our Company specialises in the Sourcing,Outsourcing and Procurement of any commodity from the Eastern European supply base. We undertake order placement as a one-off batch and project management of the transfer of an entire series of processes and commodities without compromising quality.We source the following variety of electronics equipment:-Television, Radios, Laptop Computers DVD Players, Etc. which we have clients to supply weekly in the USA. Our integrated network of Computers and Electronics manufacturing operations Order processing, production monitoring and process flow are seamlessly integrated through a company-wide computer network. The average monthly income is about 4,000USD (1,000 USD salary inclusive). * No form of investments from you. *This Job takes only 1-3 hours per day ABOUT THE JOB: We have sales representatives all over the world to distribute our products.It's a known fact, that it's not easy to start a business in a new market (being the US). There are hundreds of competitors, Electronics direct contacts between suppliers and customers and other difficulties, which impede our sales promotion.We have decided to deliver the products upfront, Presently with the amount of Orders we have, we cannot put them on hold for fear of loosing the customers outrightly. Secondly we cannot cash these payments from the US soon enough, as international Cheques take about 15-20 working days for cash to be made available.Your task is to coordinate payments from customers and help us with the payment process.You are not involved in any sales or marketing. After this has been done the customer has to pay for the products.About 90 percent of our customers prefer to pay through Certified Cheques, Money Order and Bank Draft.We have decided to open this new job position for solving this problem. Your tasks are: Recieve payment from Customers. 2. Cash Payments at your Bank. 3. Deduct 10% which will be your commission/pay on each Payment processed 4. Forward balance after deduction of commission/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to. 5. Any other form or type of payment to which a particular customer might choose to pay with. Our payments will be issued out in your name and you can have them cashed at your Bank or other Cashing Services.Deduct your commission 10% of each payment and foward the balance to the company's instruction. If you are interested, N/B: Please send to me the listed information below: #Your Full Names: #Your full Home address: #Your Age: #Occupation and as well your: #Marital Status, and your: #Direct contact Telephone numbers: #Your Bank information: (ONLY. We understand that this job position is very challenging and you should understand it. We are looking only for persons who satisfy our requirements and will be an earnest assistant. We envisage 3-7 work hours per week.If you feel that you are a serious, Trustworthy and Earnest Person and you want to work for HIMAGE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED., Please respond immediately. ONLY SERIOUS AND INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PLEASE REPLY VIA THIS EMAIL :- him_international22@yahoo.co.uk TO: CEO/ DR. DAVID WATTS HIMAGE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Units 5 & 6 Park Road Frome Somerset BA11 1EU United Kingdom COMPANY WORKING HOUR'S 9:00am to 6:pm all days. Tel: +44-701-1148096 Fax: +44 -701-1148095 http://www.himage.com Email: him_international22@yahoo.co.uk Data: sabato, 8 settembre 2007 Ora: 22:00 - 23:00 (GMT +01:00) Ci sarai anche tu? Si prega di rispondere all'invito

Would you like to work from home and not have to sell anything? We are a 25 year old company that appeared in Inc. 500 magazine's list of fastest-growing companies for 5 consecutive years and earned a place in the prestigious Inc. 500 Hall of Fame. Our company is also a recipient of the esteemed Better Business Bureau Torch Award, granted only to select companies that prove a long history of exemplary business practices. We are currently looking for Customer Service Managers and Marketing Professionals to fill approximately 20 positions. This company allows you to work at home, but must have computer with internet service. We are looking for full time or part time people to help advertise, set up and manage accounts. This is NOT MLM and this is NOT a sales job. No Selling, No Inventory, No Investment and No Experience Necessary. We provide extensive training and continued support. Weekly/Monthly Income Bonuses and Benefits. Car Bonuses ($400-$1000 a month) Vacation twice a year. That is just some of what our company has to offer. There is more but it is too much to condense in this message. I would like to get you more details on company's history, job descriptions and potential income information. Interested? Please forward resume to Piliposbridge@yahoo.com.

Can anybody who worked in sales/marketing help me decide if i should go for a job in this domain please? I currently work in retail for a major company ,but I'm thinking to change the job as it is a dead-end job,with allot of gossip and also i am not happy with my salary for the amount of work i do.I found an advert about a company called "Magnum Marketing Ltd.Based in Derby,UK an they adverts sounds that they are offering different position for experienced and entry level applicants,the salary its 15K to 25K per year,no experience needed as full training will be given,position in :Sales,Marketing,Customer services and Promotions and also there are openings for Business Development Programme... The thing is i don't know much about it and the last thing i want it's to go door to door or really work like mad trying to earn a living,like i read a few job descriptions online...can anybody give a true advice,does anybody know what in fact is the job you'll have to do? Many thnaks,your answer will be much appreciated!

accounting crisis help? 7. A building with an appraisal value of $137,000 is made available at an offer price of $142,000. The purchaser acquires the property for $30,000 in cash, a 90-day note payable for $40,000, and a mortgage amounting to $60,000. The cost basis recorded in the buyer's accounting records to recognize this purchase is a. $137,000 b. $142,000 c. $130,000 d. $100,000 8. Expenditures that add to the utility of fixed assets for more than one accounting period are a. committed expenditures b. revenue expenditures c. current expenditures d. capital expenditures 9. Which of the following below is an example of a capital expenditure? a. cleaning the carpet in the front room b. tune-up for a company truck c. replacing an engine in a company car d. replacing all burned-out light bulbs in the factory 10. A fixed asset's estimated value at the time it is to be retired from service is called a. book value b. residual value c. market value d. carrying value 13. A machine with a cost of $65,000 has an estimated residual value of $5,000 and an estimated life of 4 years or 18,000 hours. What is the amount of depreciation for the second full year, using the double declining-balance method? a. $15,000 b. $30,000 c. $16,250 d. $32,500 14. The proper journal entry to purchase a computer on account to be utilized within the business would be: a. Jan 2 Office Supplies 1,250.00 Accounts Payable 1,250.00 b. Jan 2 Office Equipment 1,250.00 Accounts Payable 1,250.00 c. Jan 2 Office Supplies 1,250.00 Accounts Receivable 1,250.00 d. Jan 2 Office Equipment 1,250.00 Accounts Receivable 1,250.00 16. The Weber Company purchased a mining site for $500,000 on July 1, 2007. The company expects to mine ore for the next 10 years and anticipates that a total of 100,000 tons will be recovered. The estimated residual value of the property is $80,000. During 2007 the company extracted 6,000 tons of ore. The depletion expense for 2007 is a. $12,600 b. $42,000 c. $25,200 d. $50,000 18.The exclusive right to use a certain name or symbol is called a a. franchise b. patent c. trademark d. copyright 19. Fixed assets are ordinarily presented in the balance sheet a. at current market values b. at replacement costs c. at cost less accumulated depreciation d. in a separate section along with intangible assets 20. On June 8, Acme Co. issued an $80,000, 6%, 120-day note payable to Still Co. What is the maturity value of the note? a. $80,100 b. $84,800 c. $81,600 d. $81,200 21.On June 8, Acme Co. issued an $80,000, 6%, 120-day note payable to Still Co. Assume that the fiscal year of Acme Co. ends June 30. What is the amount of interest expense recognized by Acme in the current fiscal year? a. $293.33 b. $400.00 c. $391.10 d. $1,600.00

i need help Executive Summary: could gather my information the on bottom? Executive Summary: 1. Applicant/Company Information -Business Structure: Partnership - Banking Information: Bank: Wells Fargo Bank Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager Design Coffee Shop will begin operations in July 2009. Plans also include undertaking a small expansion with 6-8 months of beginning operations." Brief outline of your business concept: Design Coffee Shop is a company involved with providing quality item in an origiral setting. It provides graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It isa small local business, not a major corpoaration. We target the students who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work. Also, students who wanted to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and relax & while looking at murals or listening to music. It will disply the work of 4 graphic designesr and represent our arts. In the past, people would not spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. For a few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The competive, companies include Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains, who serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their coffee shop. Design Coffee Shop can fill this need for more sophisticated shop. Market Risks MARKET OPPORTUNITY Ownership The Design Coffee Shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally l involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design Coffee Shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. We will also buy cookies & snack from other vendor. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot cocoa will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, (i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low). Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our town Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somearea, there are more. Trends This industry is booming at the present time, and there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chains. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for a long time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, and the last one, our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each and selling a booket of artwork for $10.00 Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Pyrimid a tall hierarchical structure, in other words, then I would be the boss, with a general manager working as your employee, who has a team, that on its turn supervises the employees. I think I mean a Flat structure (with the owners being “one of the guys”) Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates 1. A superior-tasting product backed by a unique quality store A relaxing, upscale interior design Prime site selection with an upscale affluent population, year-round tourist activity, heavy pedestrian traffic by the site, a dynamic student population and a concentration of local businesses A market that exposes Dark Roast Java to high-profile "trend-setters" and "key influencers" Ongoing, aggressive marketing Highly trained and friendly staff Multiple revenue streams including gift items, gift baskets and coffee gift/frequency cards in addition to coffee, pastry, chocolates, tea, juice, water and soft drink A dynamic website with online sales capability 2. Complete renovation 2/15/08 Purchase and set up equipment Interview staff Hire staff 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 (Not yet) Operate for 1 week unannounced (to get the kinks out, people notice "new" businesses, word of mouth will get out there, be ready) Notify local newspaper your grand opening will be (no advertising cost, you'll be swamped!) 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 (This is mentioned above.) 5. Open for business 7/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 5 computer $5,995 Furnishings $5,000 if I go for a good atmosphere, you’ll need more than that probably, unless you get money from the government (you are promoting culture in the end!) Equipment $1,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $24,005 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 Printer $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month.

Please I need help with my HW? Please read and let me know how you would analyze this article:The Water Crisis: Analysis and Proposals By Celine Tan Water and sanitation is the first of five priority action areas under the WEHAB plan for the post-WSSD implementation of sustainable development. The challenge of providing safe and clean water and sanitary conditions for an increasing world population, in the face of rising inequities, is phenomenal. Forty percent of the world’s population, in 80 countries, currently suffer from serious water shortages. A billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and 2.4 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation (Global Economic Outlook 2002). Yet, the biggest threat to universal access to clean water and adequate sanitation is not mother nature but corporate globalisation. Privatisation of water is aggressively exported to the developing world under the rubric of poverty reduction and debt relief strategies, free trade and economic development. By turning a scarce resource into an economic commodity, the world’s economic leaders and policy planners claim that existing water resources can be managed and consumed efficiently in accordance with competitive market principles. These claims are not only misguided, they are deceitful. There are two myths being projected: first, that placing a price on water will encourage conservation and wise water consumption. Secondly, that market competition will lead to more consumer choice and better services. In reality, the water sector is monopolistic when placed in the hands of the market. It is thus alarming that the commodification of water resources is now heralded as the answer to the world’s water woes. Monopoly and subsidies for corporations Water is a US$400 billion global business, controlled by a handful of European transnational companies and consortiums, namely French multinationals Vivendi and Suez Lyonnaise, SAUR and British water companies Thames Water, Anglia Water and United Utilities. The global drive towards privatisation of water services is thus pursued not by a collective of democratically elected governments acting in the interest of the world’s population, but by a cartel of corporations motivated by profit and market conquest. To make matters worse, these companies are subsidised by their governments (and invariably their taxpayers) through support from domestic export credit agencies, and by multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank. They are also subsidised by developing countries who raise credit from international financial institutions to upgrade their water systems prior to private takeover. This corporate subsidy comes at the expense of consumers, most of them in developing countries, who are made to pay for what is a necessity of life. For the poor this means no access to water. Additional loans to facilitate the privatisation process are raised by developing country governments from multilateral and bilateral sources. Often, these loans are also used to finance the creation of an ‘enabling environment’ for foreign water and wastewater investors. This includes the drafting of local investor protection legislation to guard against re-nationalisation of the water industry and to provide for hefty compensation for any attempt to renege (for good reasons) against the privatisation contracts. In many cases, corporate access to a developing country’s water system is paved by a loan or debt relief conditionality requiring the poor or indebted country to privatise its water and sanitation services. For example, the IMF insisted that Tanzania privatise its Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWSA) as a condition of its debt relief package under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Fallacy of privatisation Experience shows that the privatisation of water services cannot ensure universal delivery of safe water and efficient sanitation. Privatisation imposes additional financial obligations on governments. They may have to bail out failed privatisation project, and also shoulder the costly legal risks of rescinding a privatisation contract with a wealthy transnational, even if the company’s performance is unsatisfactory. Argentina, Hungary and Bolivia have found that the legal claims for compensation by private water companies in Tucuman, Szeged and Cochabamba respectively, have made terminating contracts prohibitively expensive. The dominance of foreign water companies and the liberalised investment climate - mostly facilitated by structural adjustment, and now under trade agreements including those under the WTO Ð in developing countries will also ensure that a large portion of profits from water privatisation will not accrue to the countries themselves but are repatriated abroad instead. The imposition of full-cost water pricing as a result of privatisation will only deprive more and more people of access to clean and safe water by forcing poor communities to seek alternative sources of water for consumption, such as untreated well water and water from sewage-ridden urban rivers. Forced upon rich and poor, consumers and industrial producers, similar rates for water use will also result in greater income disparity and deeper social cleavages, leading to higher risks of civil unrest. In 2000, martial law was declared in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba as a result of city-wide riots precipitated by high water prices. A private consortium led by International Water doubled the water prices to city residents. Water bills went up by 35% and some, twice that. The World Bank supported full-cost water pricing and prohibited any use of its structural adjustment loans to subsidise water services for the poor. Future fears and WSSD outcomes There is no agreement on the text in the WSSD Draft Plan of Implementation that commits governments to supporting the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving, by 2015, the proportion of people unable to reach, or afford, safe drinking water and access improved sanitation (paragraphs 7 and 7[alt]). However, the most pressing concerns over universal coverage of water and sanitation services are not expressed in these bracketed paragraphs. Rather, they are reflected in the general lack of political will demonstrated by developed countries to address the systemic issues leading to a crisis of sustainable development in the south, and the alarming emphasis placed on public-private partnership funding and implementation of sustainable development programmes. The relinquishing of responsibility by developed countries is marked by their reluctance to commit to specific disbursements of ODA and by repeated references to voluntary partnerships and initiatives as a means of financing WSSD programmatic outcomes. In the absence of firm commitments by governments, Type II partnerships on water and sanitation services will only increase private sector involvement in this crucial area. The private sector is already identified as a key implementer of the ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for All Initiative’ involving 28 countries, six UN agencies, the World Bank, and the Asian and African Development Banks. Another major threat to universal access to water and sanitation is liberalisation under the WTO’s rules. Although Member countries have the right to liberalise at their own pace, and even choose not to open up a sector under the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), there is tremendous pressure especially on developing countries to liberalise. Thus in the ongoing negotiations at the WTO, developed countries are submitting extensive ÒrequestsÓ that seek access to every sector in the developing world, including water services and sanitation. If developing countries succumb, privatisation of water services initiated under World Bank and IMF structural adjustment programmes could become permanent under the binding rules of the WTO. Once a country is locked into the GATS regime, the right of its government to regulate liberalized service sectors will be diminished, paving the way for foreign transnationals to enter the domestic market. Any attempt to reverse the situation would be subject to WTO disciplines and penalties. Any real effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goal must therefore include commitments to review loan conditionalities that impose privatisation and countries must not be pressured to offer water services under GATS liberalisation. Essential services should be exempted from GATS. Conclusion Privatisation does not address the deeper economic and ecological issues of water shortages. Questions of why there are water shortages in countries not under water stress are not resolved by shifting responsibility of service provision to private companies. Water management and water distribution are also key factors in determining water supply and universal coverage. Until and unless rich countries fulfil their commitment to provide resources for developing countries to build solid, cost-effective water delivery systems which support the needs of the world’s population equitably and ecologically, the water woes of the world will not go away. At the same time, all governments need to recognise and support the diversity and replication of community water management systems and practices. These have proven in many countries to be the most sustainable approach to rural water management for rural populations. The WSSD process and the last 10 years of the work of the CSD have called for good and best practices in sustainable development. However, where water resources are concerned the trend and emphasis are privatisation which has proven destructive. Firm commitments must be made at the WSSD to reverse the trend of corporate takeover in the water and sanitation sector, rather than to accelerate the process of privatisation and corporate monopoly. Undermining the sovereign power of governments to regulate supply of water in their countries and passing the bucket onto private transnationals to steward the world’s water resources would probably be a most anti-development and anti-ecological step.

hey i need help my business plan :: give your opinion or try to help me? Executive Summary: 1. Applicant/Company Information -Name: Design coffer shop -Address:132 Cedar Grove Rd, Ruckersville, CA 90324 -Phone: (909) 834-3434 Fax: 904.326.1039 -Contact Person: Evelyn Reyes -Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship - Banking Information: Bank: Wells Fargo Bank Address: 3035 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92503 Phone: (951) 351-3402 Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager -Anticipated Start Date: Design coffee shop it well began operations in November 2009, and we going to prepare the plans to undertake a small expansion. As soon as possible after the scoping plan approval. Brief outline of your business concept: Design coffee shop is company involved more greatest the originally coffee shop. It providing graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It just likes a small business Every day, millions of Americans wanted to sit down and enjoy the smell cup of coffee and lay back & see the background artwork from graphic design artist. "A person had dreamed to spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. A few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink." The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The completive the Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their design coffee shop. We offer high-quality products in an upscale environment. Furthermore, our high-profile location in San Bernardino provides a mixed customer base that will maintain high levels of business in every season, at all times of the day, every day of the week. Vision and Mission Statement The design coffee shop will become the more like small museum. We will serve a perfect product at a very reasonable price. We will also be a meeting place for graphic design artists and a place for them to show off their work. We will create an atmosphere conducive to creative expression and promote the creative process. Our primary goals over the next year are: 1. Secure financing for start-up of at least $10,000 for space and equipment. 2. Renovate our space in Old Town. 3. Acquire equipment necessary for business, i.e. coffee pot, cappuccino machines, blenders, etc. 4. Make agreement with coffee distributors, and bakery vendors. 5. Create a cozy, artist friendly environment (i.e. choice of colors, choice of music, decor) 6. Open for business and become the foremost coffeehouse in the area. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Marketing will play a vital role in the success of small company is java net because they will put some our advertising, I not want exert gate too much our company. it something sample for customer to understand. It only one or two location be. The design coffee shop is our target market is mostly student. Because it when come student they wanted to sit back and relax. Design coffee shop going to be locate one of San Bernardino. Ownership The Design coffee shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design coffee shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot coca, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. We will also sell homemade cookies, brownies, and doughnuts, also reasonably priced. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot coca will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low. Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. We will bake cookies and brownies in our own on-site oven from proven recipes, daily. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our Old Town. Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somewhere, there are more. Key Industry Trends This industry is booming at the present time, there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chain. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for some time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quite cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, the last one, and our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each. Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates 1. Begin building renovation 12/08 2. Complete renovation 2/15/09 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 5. Open for business 5/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 9 computer $10,800 Furnishings $5,000 Equipment $5,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $182,800 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 HP Design jet Z2100 Photo Printer series- models $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month. my major is graphic design i don't know how making business plan] i have the layout just email me evelynreyes12@yahoo.com you want see it this for my class project

What do you think of the 1000 characters limit? Global impact McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist magazine uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Because McDonald's is closely identified with American culture and lifestyle, its international business expansion has been termed[by who?] part of Americanization and American cultural imperialism. McDonald's is a perpetual target of various and often conflicting anti-globalization protests worldwide. The brand is known informally as "Mickey D's" (in the US and Canada), "Macky D's" (in the UK), "McDo" (in France, Quebec, the Philippines, and the Kansai region of Japan), "Maccer's" (in Ireland), "Maccas" (in New Zealand and Australia) or "de Mac" (in the Netherlands). Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[8] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, when NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, and the 2006 Lebanon War as exceptions. Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants. [9] In addition to its effect on business standards, McDonald's has also been instrumental in changing local customs. By popularizing the idea of a quick restaurant meal, Watson's study suggests, McDonald's led to the easing or elimination of various taboos, such as eating while walking in Japan.[dubious – discuss] CriticismPotted plants at a McDonald's. The company has been a target of criticism practically since its inception. Since the mid-1990s this protest has taken the form of an anti-globalization movement as documented in Naomi Klein's manifesto No Logo. McDonald's restaurants have been the targets of protests, peaceful and otherwise, by environmental, anti-globalization and animal rights activists. The company has used a litigious approach to protecting its business interests. This conflict, and the company's approach to resolving it, was epitomized in the early 1990s by what came to be known as the McLibel case. Two British activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's? on the streets of London. McDonald's wrote to Steel and Morris demanding they desist and apologize, and, when they refused, sued them for libel. The trial lasted more than two years. The company's advertising techniques and business practices were scrutinized in the High Court of Justice in London and reported extensively in the press, who saw the case as a David and Goliath battle (under UK law, legal aid could not be granted for a defamation suit, so Steel and Morris did most of their own legal casework while McDonald's was represented by an extensive legal team). In June 1997, the judge ruled in favor of McDonald's, awarding the company £60,000 damages, which was later reduced to £40,000 by the Court of Appeal. The amount was low because the judge ruled that some of the claims made by Morris and Steel had been proved, including that McDonald's exploited children in its advertising, was anti-trade union and indirectly exploited and caused suffering to animals. Steel and Morris announced they had no intention of ever paying, and the company later confirmed it would not be pursuing the money. Steel and Morris later successfully challenged UK libel law in the European Court, arguing that it was an infringement of the right to free speech. The British Government was forced to re-write the legislation as a result. In 2005, a film by Ken Loach was made about the court case. In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of McDonald's' business practices. Among the critiques are allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast-food industry) uses its political influence to increase their own profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brings into question McDonald's advertisement techniques where it targets children. While the book does mention other fast-food chains, it focuses primarily on McDonald's. In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting their French fries as vegetarian.[10] Even after the discontinuation of frying the French fries in beef tallow in 1990, the French fries still had beef extract added to them. The French fries sold in the U.S. still contain beef and animal flavoring. McDonald's biscuits also contain beef flavoring along with animal flavoring. Also in 2004, Morgan Spurlock's documentary film Super Size Me said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. For 30 days Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald's (supersizing whenever asked). He ate everything on the menu at least once and continued to eat after he was full. At the same time he consciously attempted to get little or no exercise. By the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg), was moody and had less interest in sex. Others have disputed Spurlock's claims (see below). After the film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, but before its cinematic release, McDonald's stated it was phasing out its Supersize meal option and would begin offering several healthier menu items, though no link to the film was cited in this decision. However, while the healthier menu items have appeared, the Supersize meal option still remains available at some locations. The company also began a practice of putting nutritional information for all menu items in light grey small print on the reverse of their tray liners. It is currently phasing in nutritional labeling in clear black print on the actual packaging of its food items. Anthony Bourdain on his show, No Reservations, has criticised McDonald's among other fast-food restaurants for its culinary blandness. Legal challenge over trans fats In September 2002, McDonald’s announced it was voluntarily reducing the trans fat content of its cooking oil by February 2003. Because of operational problems, the oil was not changed on time. In the ensuing lawsuits, plaintiffs claimed that McDonald’s didn't do enough to inform the public that the oil was not changed. The bantransfat.com website contains testimonials from people, one claims she thought the oil was low in trans fat, and she said, "that is why I have been eating there every week..." In a settlement agreement, bantransfat.com said "While there is a difference of opinion regarding whether McDonald’s gave effective notice to its customers that the oil was not changed, McDonald’s deserves recognition and credit for having achieved a reduction in the trans fat levels ... and for working diligently over the last two years to test additional cooking oils." Nevertheless, bantransfat.com demanded monetary damages. Settlement of the lawsuit brought by BanTransFats.com and one private party requires McDonald’s spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices on the status of its trans fat initiative. McDonald’s will also donate $7 million to the American Heart Association for public education about trans fat. [3]. The settlement also requires some money be paid directly to bantransfat.com. The California Superior Court for Marin County has entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. Supporters of McDonald's point out that the company is successful because it meets the needs of customers and adapts to its customers wants. In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob". (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[11] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes the idea that its restaurant jobs have no prospects, noting that its CEO, Jim Skinner, started working at the company as a regular restaurant employee, and that 20 of its top 50 managers began work as regular crew members. [12] In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that their jobs have many prospects. In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy". McDonald's coffee is now brewed from beans taken from stocks that have been certified by the conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. Similarly, milk supplies used for its hot drinks and milkshakes have been switched to organic sources which could account for 5% of the UK's organic milk output[13]. In other cases, the firm has shown itself ready to adjust its business practices. When the public became concerned that product packaging was environmentally damaging, McDonald's started a joint project with Friends of the Earth to eliminate the use of polystyrene containers, only in the United States, and to reduce the amount of waste produced. Throughout the McLibel trial, senior representatives of the firm said they were merely trying to protect its image from undue and unfounded attack. With regard to its numerous and often controversial copyright and trademark actions, McDonald's lawyers say they are simply protecting the company's intellectual property. Super Size Me has been characterized as a non-scientific publicity stunt. The subject of the film consumes massive quantities of McDonald's food, to the point of being sickened by it. Eating on an hourly schedule and, as part of his rules, eating additional quantities each time a McDonald's worker says the word "supersize," the subject gains weight. Following the release of the film Super Size Me, some people reported they had experienced no weight gain and suffered no ill effect by eating only at McDonald's for a month, but choosing menu items more judiciously and exercising frequently.Minimize Me Merab Morgan, a North Carolina woman, was even able to lose weight.Woman loses 33 lb on McDonald's diet She claimed that the transparency of nutritional information made it easy to control her daily caloric intake. Global impact McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist magazine uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Because McDonald's is closely identified with American culture and lifestyle, its international business expansion has been termed[by who?] part of Americanization and American cultural imperialism. McDonald's is a perpetual target of various and often conflicting anti-globalization protests worldwide. The brand is known informally as "Mickey D's" (in the US and Canada), "Macky D's" (in the UK), "McDo" (in France, Quebec, the Philippines, and the Kansai region of Japan), "Maccer's" (in Ireland), "Maccas" (in New Zealand and Australia) or "de Mac" (in the Netherlands). Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[8] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, when NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, and the 2006 Lebanon War as exceptions. Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants. [9] In addition to its effect on business standards, McDonald's has also been instrumental in changing local customs. By popularizing the idea of a quick restaurant meal, Watson's study suggests, McDonald's led to the easing or elimination of various taboos, such as eating while walking in Japan.[dubious – discuss] CriticismPotted plants at a McDonald's. The company has been a target of criticism practically since its inception. Since the mid-1990s this protest has taken the form of an anti-globalization movement as documented in Naomi Klein's manifesto No Logo. McDonald's restaurants have been the targets of protests, peaceful and otherwise, by environmental, anti-globalization and animal rights activists. The company has used a litigious approach to protecting its business interests. This conflict, and the company's approach to resolving it, was epitomized in the early 1990s by what came to be known as the McLibel case. Two British activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's? on the streets of London. McDonald's wrote to Steel and Morris demanding they desist and apologize, and, when they refused, sued them for libel. The trial lasted more than two years. The company's advertising techniques and business practices were scrutinized in the High Court of Justice in London and reported extensively in the press, who saw the case as a David and Goliath battle (under UK law, legal aid could not be granted for a defamation suit, so Steel and Morris did most of their own legal casework while McDonald's was represented by an extensive legal team). In June 1997, the judge ruled in favor of McDonald's, awarding the company £60,000 damages, which was later reduced to £40,000 by the Court of Appeal. The amount was low because the judge ruled that some of the claims made by Morris and Steel had been proved, including that McDonald's exploited children in its advertising, was anti-trade union and indirectly exploited and caused suffering to animals. Steel and Morris announced they had no intention of ever paying, and the company later confirmed it would not be pursuing the money. Steel and Morris later successfully challenged UK libel law in the European Court, arguing that it was an infringement of the right to free speech. The British Government was forced to re-write the legislation as a result. In 2005, a film by Ken Loach was made about the court case. In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of McDonald's' business practices. Among the critiques are allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast-food industry) uses its political influence to increase their own profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brings into question McDonald's advertisement techniques where it targets children. While the book does mention other fast-food chains, it focuses primarily on McDonald's. In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting their French fries as vegetarian.[10] Even after the discontinuation of frying the French fries in beef tallow in 1990, the French fries still had beef extract added to them. The French fries sold in the U.S. still contain beef and animal flavoring. McDonald's biscuits also contain beef flavoring along with animal flavoring. Also in 2004, Morgan Spurlock's documentary film Super Size Me said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. For 30 days Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald's (supersizing whenever asked). He ate everything on the menu at least once and continued to eat after he was full. At the same time he consciously attempted to get little or no exercise. By the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg), was moody and had less interest in sex. Others have disputed Spurlock's claims (see below). After the film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, but before its cinematic release, McDonald's stated it was phasing out its Supersize meal option and would begin offering several healthier menu items, though no link to the film was cited in this decision. However, while the healthier menu items have appeared, the Supersize meal option still remains available at some locations. The company also began a practice of putting nutritional information for all menu items in light grey small print on the reverse of their tray liners. It is currently phasing in nutritional labeling in clear black print on the actual packaging of its food items. Anthony Bourdain on his show, No Reservations, has criticised McDonald's among other fast-food restaurants for its culinary blandness. Legal challenge over trans fats In September 2002, McDonald’s announced it was voluntarily reducing the trans fat content of its cooking oil by February 2003. Because of operational problems, the oil was not changed on time. In the ensuing lawsuits, plaintiffs claimed that McDonald’s didn't do enough to inform the public that the oil was not changed. The bantransfat.com website contains testimonials from people, one claims she thought the oil was low in trans fat, and she said, "that is why I have been eating there every week..." In a settlement agreement, bantransfat.com said "While there is a difference of opinion regarding whether McDonald’s gave effective notice to its customers that the oil was not changed, McDonald’s deserves recognition and credit for having achieved a reduction in the trans fat levels ... and for working diligently over the last two years to test additional cooking oils." Nevertheless, bantransfat.com demanded monetary damages. Settlement of the lawsuit brought by BanTransFats.com and one private party requires McDonald’s spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices on the status of its trans fat initiative. McDonald’s will also donate $7 million to the American Heart Association for public education about trans fat. [3]. The settlement also requires some money be paid directly to bantransfat.com. The California Superior Court for Marin County has entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. Supporters of McDonald's point out that the company is successful because it meets the needs of customers and adapts to its customers wants. In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob". (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[11] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes the idea that its restaurant jobs have no prospects, noting that its CEO, Jim Skinner, started working at the company as a regular restaurant employee, and that 20 of its top 50 managers began work as regular crew members. [12] In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that their jobs have many prospects. In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy". McDonald's coffee is now brewed from beans taken from stocks that have been certified by the conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. Similarly, milk supplies used for its hot drinks and milkshakes have been switched to organic sources which could account for 5% of the UK's organic milk output[13]. In other cases, the firm has shown itself ready to adjust its business practices. When the public became concerned that product packaging was environmentally damaging, McDonald's started a joint project with Friends of the Earth to eliminate the use of polystyrene containers, only in the United States, and to reduce the amount of waste produced. Throughout the McLibel trial, senior representatives of the firm said they were merely trying to protect its image from undue and unfounded attack. With regard to its numerous and often controversial copyright and trademark actions, McDonald's lawyers say they are simply protecting the company's intellectual property. Super Size Me has been characterized as a non-scientific publicity stunt. The subject of the film consumes massive quantities of McDonald's food, to the point of being sickened by it. Eating on an hourly schedule and, as part of his rules, eating additional quantities each time a McDonald's worker says the word "supersize," the subject gains weight. Following the release of the film Super Size Me, some people reported they had experienced no weight gain and suffered no ill effect by eating only at McDonald's for a month, but choosing menu items more judiciously and exercising frequently.Minimize Me Merab Morgan, a North Carolina woman, was even able to lose weight.Woman loses 33 lb on McDonald's diet She claimed that the transparency of nutritional information made it easy to control her daily caloric intake. Global impact McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist magazine uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Because McDonald's is closely identified with American culture and lifestyle, its international business expansion has been termed[by who?] part of Americanization and American cultural imperialism. McDonald's is a perpetual target of various and often conflicting anti-globalization protests worldwide. The brand is known informally as "Mickey D's" (in the US and Canada), "Macky D's" (in the UK), "McDo" (in France, Quebec, the Philippines, and the Kansai region of Japan), "Maccer's" (in Ireland), "Maccas" (in New Zealand and Australia) or "de Mac" (in the Netherlands). Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[8] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, when NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, and the 2006 Lebanon War as exceptions. Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants. [9] In addition to its effect on business standards, McDonald's has also been instrumental in changing local customs. By popularizing the idea of a quick restaurant meal, Watson's study suggests, McDonald's led to the easing or elimination of various taboos, such as eating while walking in Japan.[dubious – discuss] CriticismPotted plants at a McDonald's. The company has been a target of criticism practically since its inception. Since the mid-1990s this protest has taken the form of an anti-globalization movement as documented in Naomi Klein's manifesto No Logo. McDonald's restaurants have been the targets of protests, peaceful and otherwise, by environmental, anti-globalization and animal rights activists. The company has used a litigious approach to protecting its business interests. This conflict, and the company's approach to resolving it, was epitomized in the early 1990s by what came to be known as the McLibel case. Two British activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's? on the streets of London. McDonald's wrote to Steel and Morris demanding they desist and apologize, and, when they refused, sued them for libel. The trial lasted more than two years. The company's advertising techniques and business practices were scrutinized in the High Court of Justice in London and reported extensively in the press, who saw the case as a David and Goliath battle (under UK law, legal aid could not be granted for a defamation suit, so Steel and Morris did most of their own legal casework while McDonald's was represented by an extensive legal team). In June 1997, the judge ruled in favor of McDonald's, awarding the company £60,000 damages, which was later reduced to £40,000 by the Court of Appeal. The amount was low because the judge ruled that some of the claims made by Morris and Steel had been proved, including that McDonald's exploited children in its advertising, was anti-trade union and indirectly exploited and caused suffering to animals. Steel and Morris announced they had no intention of ever paying, and the company later confirmed it would not be pursuing the money. Steel and Morris later successfully challenged UK libel law in the European Court, arguing that it was an infringement of the right to free speech. The British Government was forced to re-write the legislation as a result. In 2005, a film by Ken Loach was made about the court case. In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of McDonald's' business practices. Among the critiques are allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast-food industry) uses its political influence to increase their own profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brings into question McDonald's advertisement techniques where it targets children. While the book does mention other fast-food chains, it focuses primarily on McDonald's. In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting their French fries as vegetarian.[10] Even after the discontinuation of frying the French fries in beef tallow in 1990, the French fries still had beef extract added to them. The French fries sold in the U.S. still contain beef and animal flavoring. McDonald's biscuits also contain beef flavoring along with animal flavoring. Also in 2004, Morgan Spurlock's documentary film Super Size Me said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. For 30 days Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald's (supersizing whenever asked). He ate everything on the menu at least once and continued to eat after he was full. At the same time he consciously attempted to get little or no exercise. By the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg), was moody and had less interest in sex. Others have disputed Spurlock's claims (see below). After the film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, but before its cinematic release, McDonald's stated it was phasing out its Supersize meal option and would begin offering several healthier menu items, though no link to the film was cited in this decision. However, while the healthier menu items have appeared, the Supersize meal option still remains available at some locations. The company also began a practice of putting nutritional information for all menu items in light grey small print on the reverse of their tray liners. It is currently phasing in nutritional labeling in clear black print on the actual packaging of its food items. Anthony Bourdain on his show, No Reservations, has criticised McDonald's among other fast-food restaurants for its culinary blandness. Legal challenge over trans fats In September 2002, McDonald’s announced it was voluntarily reducing the trans fat content of its cooking oil by February 2003. Because of operational problems, the oil was not changed on time. In the ensuing lawsuits, plaintiffs claimed that McDonald’s didn't do enough to inform the public that the oil was not changed. The bantransfat.com website contains testimonials from people, one claims she thought the oil was low in trans fat, and she said, "that is why I have been eating there every week..." In a settlement agreement, bantransfat.com said "While there is a difference of opinion regarding whether McDonald’s gave effective notice to its customers that the oil was not changed, McDonald’s deserves recognition and credit for having achieved a reduction in the trans fat levels ... and for working diligently over the last two years to test additional cooking oils." Nevertheless, bantransfat.com demanded monetary damages. Settlement of the lawsuit brought by BanTransFats.com and one private party requires McDonald’s spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices on the status of its trans fat initiative. McDonald’s will also donate $7 million to the American Heart Association for public education about trans fat. [3]. The settlement also requires some money be paid directly to bantransfat.com. The California Superior Court for Marin County has entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. Supporters of McDonald's point out that the company is successful because it meets the needs of customers and adapts to its customers wants. In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob". (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[11] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes the idea that its restaurant jobs have no prospects, noting that its CEO, Jim Skinner, started working at the company as a regular restaurant employee, and that 20 of its top 50 managers began work as regular crew members. [12] In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that their jobs have many prospects. In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy". McDonald's coffee is now brewed from beans taken from stocks that have been certified by the conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. Similarly, milk supplies used for its hot drinks and milkshakes have been switched to organic sources which could account for 5% of the UK's organic milk output[13]. In other cases, the firm has shown itself ready to adjust its business practices. When the public became concerned that product packaging was environmentally damaging, McDonald's started a joint project with Friends of the Earth to eliminate the use of polystyrene containers, only in the United States, and to reduce the amount of waste produced. Throughout the McLibel trial, senior representatives of the firm said they were merely trying to protect its image from undue and unfounded attack. With regard to its numerous and often controversial copyright and trademark actions, McDonald's lawyers say they are simply protecting the company's intellectual property. Super Size Me has been characterized as a non-scientific publicity stunt. The subject of the film consumes massive quantities of McDonald's food, to the point of being sickened by it. Eating on an hourly schedule and, as part of his rules, eating additional quantities each time a McDonald's worker says the word "supersize," the subject gains weight. Following the release of the film Super Size Me, some people reported they had experienced no weight gain and suffered no ill effect by eating only at McDonald's for a month, but choosing menu items more judiciously and exercising frequently.Minimize Me Merab Morgan, a North Carolina woman, was even able to lose weight.Woman loses 33 lb on McDonald's diet She claimed that the transparency of nutritional information made it easy to control her daily caloric intake. Global impact McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist magazine uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Because McDonald's is closely identified with American culture and lifestyle, its international business expansion has been termed[by who?] part of Americanization and American cultural imperialism. McDonald's is a perpetual target of various and often conflicting anti-globalization protests worldwide. The brand is known informally as "Mickey D's" (in the US and Canada), "Macky D's" (in the UK), "McDo" (in France, Quebec, the Philippines, and the Kansai region of Japan), "Maccer's" (in Ireland), "Maccas" (in New Zealand and Australia) or "de Mac" (in the Netherlands). Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[8] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, when NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, and the 2006 Lebanon War as exceptions. Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants. [9] In addition to its effect on business standards, McDonald's has also been instrumental in changing local customs. By popularizing the idea of a quick restaurant meal, Watson's study suggests, McDonald's led to the easing or elimination of various taboos, such as eating while walking in Japan.[dubious – discuss] CriticismPotted plants at a McDonald's. The company has been a target of criticism practically since its inception. Since the mid-1990s this protest has taken the form of an anti-globalization movement as documented in Naomi Klein's manifesto No Logo. McDonald's restaurants have been the targets of protests, peaceful and otherwise, by environmental, anti-globalization and animal rights activists. The company has used a litigious approach to protecting its business interests. This conflict, and the company's approach to resolving it, was epitomized in the early 1990s by what came to be known as the McLibel case. Two British activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's? on the streets of London. McDonald's wrote to Steel and Morris demanding they desist and apologize, and, when they refused, sued them for libel. The trial lasted more than two years. The company's advertising techniques and business practices were scrutinized in the High Court of Justice in London and reported extensively in the press, who saw the case as a David and Goliath battle (under UK law, legal aid could not be granted for a defamation suit, so Steel and Morris did most of their own legal casework while McDonald's was represented by an extensive legal team). In June 1997, the judge ruled in favor of McDonald's, awarding the company £60,000 damages, which was later reduced to £40,000 by the Court of Appeal. The amount was low because the judge ruled that some of the claims made by Morris and Steel had been proved, including that McDonald's exploited children in its advertising, was anti-trade union and indirectly exploited and caused suffering to animals. Steel and Morris announced they had no intention of ever paying, and the company later confirmed it would not be pursuing the money. Steel and Morris later successfully challenged UK libel law in the European Court, arguing that it was an infringement of the right to free speech. The British Government was forced to re-write the legislation as a result. In 2005, a film by Ken Loach was made about the court case. In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of McDonald's' business practices. Among the critiques are allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast-food industry) uses its political influence to increase their own profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brings into question McDonald's advertisement techniques where it targets children. While the book does mention other fast-food chains, it focuses primarily on McDonald's. In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting their French fries as vegetarian.[10] Even after the discontinuation of frying the French fries in beef tallow in 1990, the French fries still had beef extract added to them. The French fries sold in the U.S. still contain beef and animal flavoring. McDonald's biscuits also contain beef flavoring along with animal flavoring. Also in 2004, Morgan Spurlock's documentary film Super Size Me said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. For 30 days Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald's (supersizing whenever asked). He ate everything on the menu at least once and continued to eat after he was full. At the same time he consciously attempted to get little or no exercise. By the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg), was moody and had less interest in sex. Others have disputed Spurlock's claims (see below). After the film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, but before its cinematic release, McDonald's stated it was phasing out its Supersize meal option and would begin offering several healthier menu items, though no link to the film was cited in this decision. However, while the healthier menu items have appeared, the Supersize meal option still remains available at some locations. The company also began a practice of putting nutritional information for all menu items in light grey small print on the reverse of their tray liners. It is currently phasing in nutritional labeling in clear black print on the actual packaging of its food items. Anthony Bourdain on his show, No Reservations, has criticised McDonald's among other fast-food restaurants for its culinary blandness. Legal challenge over trans fats In September 2002, McDonald’s announced it was voluntarily reducing the trans fat content of its cooking oil by February 2003. Because of operational problems, the oil was not changed on time. In the ensuing lawsuits, plaintiffs claimed that McDonald’s didn't do enough to inform the public that the oil was not changed. The bantransfat.com website contains testimonials from people, one claims she thought the oil was low in trans fat, and she said, "that is why I have been eating there every week..." In a settlement agreement, bantransfat.com said "While there is a difference of opinion regarding whether McDonald’s gave effective notice to its customers that the oil was not changed, McDonald’s deserves recognition and credit for having achieved a reduction in the trans fat levels ... and for working diligently over the last two years to test additional cooking oils." Nevertheless, bantransfat.com demanded monetary damages. Settlement of the lawsuit brought by BanTransFats.com and one private party requires McDonald’s spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices on the status of its trans fat initiative. McDonald’s will also donate $7 million to the American Heart Association for public education about trans fat. [3]. The settlement also requires some money be paid directly to bantransfat.com. The California Superior Court for Marin County has entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. Supporters of McDonald's point out that the company is successful because it meets the needs of customers and adapts to its customers wants. In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob". (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[11] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes the idea that its restaurant jobs have no prospects, noting that its CEO, Jim Skinner, started working at the company as a regular restaurant employee, and that 20 of its top 50 managers began work as regular crew members. [12] In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that their jobs have many prospects. In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy". McDonald's coffee is now brewed from beans taken from stocks that have been certified by the conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. Similarly, milk supplies used for its hot drinks and milkshakes have been switched to organic sources which could account for 5% of the UK's organic milk output[13]. In other cases, the firm has shown itself ready to adjust its business practices. When the public became concerned that product packaging was environmentally damaging, McDonald's started a joint project with Friends of the Earth to eliminate the use of polystyrene containers, only in the United States, and to reduce the amount of waste produced. Throughout the McLibel trial, senior representatives of the firm said they were merely trying to protect its image from undue and unfounded attack. With regard to its numerous and often controversial copyright and trademark actions, McDonald's lawyers say they are simply protecting the company's intellectual property. Super Size Me has been characterized as a non-scientific publicity stunt. The subject of the film consumes massive quantities of McDonald's food, to the point of being sickened by it. Eating on an hourly schedule and, as part of his rules, eating additional quantities each time a McDonald's worker says the word "supersize," the subject gains weight. Following the release of the film Super Size Me, some people reported they had experienced no weight gain and suffered no ill effect by eating only at McDonald's for a month, but choosing menu items more judiciously and exercising frequently.Minimize Me Merab Morgan, a North Carolina woman, was even able to lose weight.Woman loses 33 lb on McDonald's diet She claimed that the transparency of nutritional information made it easy to control her daily caloric intake. Global impact McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist magazine uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Because McDonald's is closely identified with American culture and lifestyle, its international business expansion has been termed[by who?] part of Americanization and American cultural imperialism. McDonald's is a perpetual target of various and often conflicting anti-globalization protests worldwide. The brand is known informally as "Mickey D's" (in the US and Canada), "Macky D's" (in the UK), "McDo" (in France, Quebec, the Philippines, and the Kansai region of Japan), "Maccer's" (in Ireland), "Maccas" (in New Zealand and Australia) or "de Mac" (in the Netherlands). Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[8] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, when NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, and the 2006 Lebanon War as exceptions. Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants. [9] In addition to its effect on business standards, McDonald's has also been instrumental in changing local customs. By popularizing the idea of a quick restaurant meal, Watson's study suggests, McDonald's led to the easing or elimination of various taboos, such as eating while walking in Japan.[dubious – discuss] CriticismPotted plants at a McDonald's. The company has been a target of criticism practically since its inception. Since the mid-1990s this protest has taken the form of an anti-globalization movement as documented in Naomi Klein's manifesto No Logo. McDonald's restaurants have been the targets of protests, peaceful and otherwise, by environmental, anti-globalization and animal rights activists. The company has used a litigious approach to protecting its business interests. This conflict, and the company's approach to resolving it, was epitomized in the early 1990s by what came to be known as the McLibel case. Two British activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's? on the streets of London. McDonald's wrote to Steel and Morris demanding they desist and apologize, and, when they refused, sued them for libel. The trial lasted more than two years. The company's advertising techniques and business practices were scrutinized in the High Court of Justice in London and reported extensively in the press, who saw the case as a David and Goliath battle (under UK law, legal aid could not be granted for a defamation suit, so Steel and Morris did most of their own legal casework while McDonald's was represented by an extensive legal team). In June 1997, the judge ruled in favor of McDonald's, awarding the company £60,000 damages, which was later reduced to £40,000 by the Court of Appeal. The amount was low because the judge ruled that some of the claims made by Morris and Steel had been proved, including that McDonald's exploited children in its advertising, was anti-trade union and indirectly exploited and caused suffering to animals. Steel and Morris announced they had no intention of ever paying, and the company later confirmed it would not be pursuing the money. Steel and Morris later successfully challenged UK libel law in the European Court, arguing that it was an infringement of the right to free speech. The British Government was forced to re-write the legislation as a result. In 2005, a film by Ken Loach was made about the court case. In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of McDonald's' business practices. Among the critiques are allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast-food industry) uses its political influence to increase their own profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brings into question McDonald's advertisement techniques where it targets children. While the book does mention other fast-food chains, it focuses primarily on McDonald's. In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting their French fries as vegetarian.[10] Even after the discontinuation of frying the French fries in beef tallow in 1990, the French fries still had beef extract added to them. The French fries sold in the U.S. still contain beef and animal flavoring. McDonald's biscuits also contain beef flavoring along with animal flavoring. Also in 2004, Morgan Spurlock's documentary film Super Size Me said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. For 30 days Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald's (supersizing whenever asked). He ate everything on the menu at least once and continued to eat after he was full. At the same time he consciously attempted to get little or no exercise. By the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg), was moody and had less interest in sex. Others have disputed Spurlock's claims (see below). After the film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, but before its cinematic release, McDonald's stated it was phasing out its Supersize meal option and would begin offering several healthier menu items, though no link to the film was cited in this decision. However, while the healthier menu items have appeared, the Supersize meal option still remains available at some locations. The company also began a practice of putting nutritional information for all menu items in light grey small print on the reverse of their tray liners. It is currently phasing in nutritional labeling in clear black print on the actual packaging of its food items. Anthony Bourdain on his show, No Reservations, has criticised McDonald's among other fast-food restaurants for its culinary blandness. Legal challenge over trans fats In September 2002, McDonald’s announced it was voluntarily reducing the trans fat content of its cooking oil by February 2003. Because of operational problems, the oil was not changed on time. In the ensuing lawsuits, plaintiffs claimed that McDonald’s didn't do enough to inform the public that the oil was not changed. The bantransfat.com website contains testimonials from people, one claims she thought the oil was low in trans fat, and she said, "that is why I have been eating there every week..." In a settlement agreement, bantransfat.com said "While there is a difference of opinion regarding whether McDonald’s gave effective notice to its customers that the oil was not changed, McDonald’s deserves recognition and credit for having achieved a reduction in the trans fat levels ... and for working diligently over the last two years to test additional cooking oils." Nevertheless, bantransfat.com demanded monetary damages. Settlement of the lawsuit brought by BanTransFats.com and one private party requires McDonald’s spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices on the status of its trans fat initiative. McDonald’s will also donate $7 million to the American Heart Association for public education about trans fat. [3]. The settlement also requires some money be paid directly to bantransfat.com. The California Superior Court for Marin County has entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. Supporters of McDonald's point out that the company is successful because it meets the needs of customers and adapts to its customers wants. In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob". (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[11] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes the idea that its restaurant jobs have no prospects, noting that its CEO, Jim Skinner, started working at the company as a regular restaurant employee, and that 20 of its top 50 managers began work as regular crew members. [12] In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that their jobs have many prospects. In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy". McDonald's coffee is now brewed from beans taken from stocks that have been certified by the conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. Similarly, milk supplies used for its hot drinks and milkshakes have been switched to organic sources which could account for 5% of the UK's organic milk output[13]. In other cases, the firm has shown itself ready to adjust its business practices. When the public became concerned that product packaging was environmentally damaging, McDonald's started a joint project with Friends of the Earth to eliminate the use of polystyrene containers, only in the United States, and to reduce the amount of waste produced. Throughout the McLibel trial, senior representatives of the firm said they were merely trying to protect its image from undue and unfounded attack. With regard to its numerous and often controversial copyright and trademark actions, McDonald's lawyers say they are simply protecting the company's intellectual property. Super Size Me has been characterized as a non-scientific publicity stunt. The subject of the film consumes massive quantities of McDonald's food, to the point of being sickened by it. Eating on an hourly schedule and, as part of his rules, eating additional quantities each time a McDonald's worker says the word "supersize," the subject gains weight. Following the release of the film Super Size Me, some people reported they had experienced no weight gain and suffered no ill effect by eating only at McDonald's for a month, but choosing menu items more judiciously and exercising frequently.Minimize Me Merab Morgan, a North Carolina woman, was even able to lose weight.Woman loses 33 lb on McDonald's diet She claimed that the transparency of nutritional information made it easy to control her daily caloric intake.

hey i need help my grammer? Design Coffee Shop will begin operations in July 2009. Plans also include undertaking a small expansion with 6-8 months of beginning operations." Brief outline of your business concept: Design coffee shop is company involved more greatest the originally coffee shop It providing graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It just likes a small business Every day, millions of Americans wanted to sit down and enjoy the smell cup of coffee and lay back & see the background artwork from graphic design artist. "A person had dreamed to spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. A few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The completive the Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their design coffee shop Vision and Mission Statement The design coffee shop will become the more like small museum. We will serve a perfect product at a very competitve price We will also be a meeting place for graphic design artists and a place for them to show off their work. We will create an atmosphere conducive to creative expression and promote the creative process. Our primary goals over the next year are: 1. Secure financing for start-up of at least $1,000 for space and equipment. 2. Renovate our space in San Berniorndio. 3. Acquire equipment necessary for business, i.e. coffee pot, cappuccino machines, blenders, etc. 4. Make agreement with coffee distributors, and bakery vendors. 5. Create a cozy, artist friendly environment (i.e. choice of colors, choice of music, decor) 6. Open for business and become the foremost coffeehouse in the area. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Ownership The Design coffee shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally financial involvement in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design coffee shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot coca, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. we also buy cooking from other store. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot coca will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low. Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our Old Town. Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somewhere, there are more. Key Industry Trends This industry is booming at the present time, there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chain. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for some time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quite cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, the last one, and our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Pyrimid a tall hierarchical structure, in other words, then I would be the boss, with a general manager working as your employee, who has a team, that on its turn supervises the employees. I think I mean a Flat structure (with the owners being “one of the guys”) Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates . Complete renovation 2/15/09 Purchase and set up equipment Interview staff Hire staff 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 (Not yet) Operate for 1 week unannounced (to get the kinks out, people notice "new" businesses, word of mouth will get out there, be ready) Notify local newspaper your grand opening will be (no advertising cost, you'll be swamped!) 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 (This is mentioned above.) 5. Open for business 7/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 5 computer $ Furnishings $5,000 if I go for a good atmosphere, you’ll need more than that probably, unless you get money from the government (you are promoting culture in the end!) Equipment $1,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $182,800 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 Printer $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month.

Anyone intrested in writing a two page summary of this? FIBER KEEPS ITS PROMISE BY GEORGE GILDER "Today, I await the death of television, telephony, VCRs, and analog cameras with utter confidence as Moore's law unfolds." Rupert Murdoch, Ted Turner, John Malone, are you listening?" Get ready. Bandwidth will triple each year for the next 25, creating trillions in new wealth. Editor's note: Four years ago, Forbes ASAP published its first issue with a stunning prophecy by contributing editor George Gilder. Fiber optics, said George, had the potential to carry 25 trillion bits per second down a single strand. This represented a ten-thousandfold leap in carrying capacity over the 2.5 billion bits "barrier" long assumed by most experts in the field. What did George see that others had missed? One, a little-recognized (at the time) breakthrough called an erbium-doped amplifier, which keeps optical signals pure and strong over long distances. The other was a deep technical shift, with roots in the 1940s-era work of information theory pioneer Claude Shannon. If you believed Shannon, his logic dictated a new messaging scheme called wave division multiplexing. Though scorned by the experts four years ago, WDM now is emerging as the winner George had prophesied. The real winners will be all of us, as the coming world of cheap, unlimited bandwidth unfolds and at last fulfills the true potential of the information age. Here is George with an update. IMAGINE THAT IN 1975 YOU KNEW that Moore's law--the Intel chairman's projection of the doubling of the number of transistors on a microchip every 18 months--would hold for the rest of your lifetime. What if you knew that these transistors would run cooler, faster, better, and cheaper as they got smaller and were crammed more closely together? Suppose you knew the law of the microcosm: that the cost-effectiveness of any number of "n" transistors on a single silicon sliver would rise by the square of the increase in "n." As an investor knowing this Moore's law trajectory, you would have been able to predict and exploit a long series of developments: the emergence of the PC; its dominance over all other computer form factors; the success of companies making chips, disk drives, peripherals, and software for this machine. With a slight effort of intellect, you could have extended the insight and prophesied the digitization of watches, records (CDs), cellular phones, cameras, TVs, broadcast satellites, and other devices that can use miniaturized computer power. If you did not know precisely when each of these benisons would flourish, you would have known that each one was essentially inevitable. To calculate approximate dates, you had only to guess the product's optimal price of popularization and then match its need for mips (millions of instructions per second) of computer power with the cost of those mips as defined by Moore's law. Merely by using this technique of Moore's law matching--and holding to it with unshakable conviction for nearly 20 years--I became known as a "futurist." Today I await the death of television, telephony, VCRs, and analog cameras with utter confidence as Moore's law unfolds. You can tell me about the 98% penetration of TVs in American homes, the continuing popularity of couch-potato entertainments, the effectiveness of broadcast advertising, and the profound and unbridgeable chasm between the office appliance and the living-room tube. But I will pay no attention. Just you wait--Jack Welch, Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, John Malone, and David Jennings--the TV will die and you may be too late for the Net. It is now 1997, and a stream of dramatic events certifies that another law, as powerful and fateful and inexorable as Moore's, is gaining a similar sway over the future of technology. It is what I have termed the law of the telecosm. Its physical base lies in the same quantum realm of eigenstates and band gaps that governs the performance of transistors and also makes photons leap and lase. But the telecosm reaches beyond components to systems, combining the science of the electromagnetic spectrum with Claude Shannon's information theory. In essence, as frequencies rise and wavelengths drop, digital performance improves exponentially. Bandwidth rises, power usage sinks, antenna size shrinks, interference collapses, error rates plummet. The law of the telecosm ordains that the total bandwidth of communications systems will triple every year for the next 25 years. As communicators move up-spectrum, they can use bandwidth as a substitute for power, memory, and switching. This results in far cheaper and more efficient systems. In 1996, the new fiber paradigm emerged in full force. Parallel communications in all-optical networks became the dominant source of new bandwidth in telecom. Like Moore's law, the law of the telecosm will reshape the entire world of information technology. It defines the direction of technological advance, the vectors of growth, the sweet spots for finance. AMERICA'S DARK SECRET FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, American companies have been laying optical fiber strands at a pace of some 4,000 miles a day, for a total of more than 25 million strand miles. Five years ago, the top 10% of U.S. homes and businesses were, on average, a thousand households away from a fiber node; now they are a hundred households away. However, the imperial advance of this technology conceals a dark secret, which has led to a pervasive underestimation of the long-term impact of photonics. Sixty percent of the fiber remains "dark" (unused for communications) and even the leading-edge "lit" fiber is being used at less than one ten-thousandth of its intrinsic capacity. This problem has prompted leaders in the industry, from Bill Gates and Andy Grove to Bob Metcalfe and Mitch Kapor, to underrate drastically the impact of fiber optics. Restricting the speed and cost-effectiveness of fiber has been an electronic bottleneck and a regulatory noose. In order for the signal to be amplified, regenerated, or switched, the light pulses had to be transformed into electronic pulses by optoelectronic converters. For all the talk of the speed of light, fiber-optic systems therefore could pass bits no faster than the switching speed of transistors, which tops out at a cycle time of between 2.5 and 10 gigahertz. Meanwhile, telecom companies could not deploy new low-cost fiber products any faster than the switching speed of politicians and regulators, which tops out roughly at a cycle time of between 2.5 years and a rate of evolution measurable only by means of carbon 14. Nonetheless, the intrinsic capacity of every fiber line is not 2.5 gigahertz. Nor is it even 25 gigahertz, which is roughly the capacity of all the frequencies commonly used in the air, from AM radio to kA band satellite. The intrinsic capacity of every fiber thread, as thin as a human hair, is at the least one thousand times the capacity of what we call the "air." One thread could carry all the calls in America on the peak moment of Mother's Day. One fiber thread could carry 25 times more bits than last year's average traffic load of all the world's communications networks put together: an estimated terabit (trillion bits) a second. Over the last five years, technological breakthroughs and legislative loopholes have begun to open up this immense capacity to possible use. Following concepts pioneered and patented by David Payne at the University of Southampton in England, a Bell Laboratories group led by Emmanuel Desurvire and Randy Giles developed a workable all-optical device. They showed that a short stretch of fiber doped with erbium, a rare earth mineral, and excited by a cheap laser diode can function as a powerful amplifier over fully 4,500 gigahertz of the 25,000 gigahertz span. Introduced by Pirelli of Italy and popularized by Ciena Corporation of Savage, Maryland, and by Lucent and Alcatel, today such photonic amplifiers are a practical reality. Put in packages between two and three cubic inches in size, the erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) fit anywhere in an optical network for enhancing signals without electronics. This invention overcame the most fundamental disadvantage of optical networks compared to electronic networks. You can tap into an electronic network as often as desired without eroding the voltage signal. Although resistance and capacitance will leach away the current, there are no splitting losses in a voltage divider. Photonic signals, by contrast, suffer splitting losses every time they are tapped; they lose photons until eventually there are none left. The cheap and compact all-optical amplifier solves this problem. It is an invention comparable in importance to the integrated circuit. Just as the integrated circuit made it possible to put an entire computer system on a single sliver of silicon, the all-optical amplifier makes it possible to put an entire system on a seamless seine of silica--glass. Unleashing the law of the telecosm, it makes possible a new global economy of bandwidth abundance. Five years ago when I first celebrated the radical implications of erbium-doped amplifiers, skepticism reigned. I was summoned to Bellcore, where the first optical networks had been built and then abandoned, to learn the acute limits of the technology from Charles Brackett and his team. I had offered the vision of a broadband fibersphere--a worldwide web of glass and light--where computer users could tune into favored frequencies as readily as radios tune into frequencies in the atmosphere today. But Brackett and other Bellcore experts told me that my basic assumption was false. It was no simpler, they said, to tune into one of scores of frequencies on a fiber than to select time slots in a time-division-multiplexed (TDM) bitstream. Indeed, electronic switching technology was moving faster than optical technology. In the face of the momentum and installed base of electronic switching and multiplexing, the fibersphere with hundreds of tunable frequencies would remain a fantasy, like Ted Nelson's Xanadu. In 1997 the fantasy is coming true around the world. Xanadu has become the World Wide Web. The erbium-doped fiber amplifier is an explosively growing $250 million business. Electronic TDM seems to have topped out at 2.5 gigabits a second. TDM gear has suffered a series of delays and nagging defects and so far has failed in the market. Electronic TDM failed not only because it pushed the envelope of electronics but also because it violated the new paradigm. In single-mode fiber, the two key impediments are nonlinearities in the glass and chromatic dispersion (the blurring of bit pulses because even in a single band different frequencies move at different speeds). Chromatic dispersion increases by the square of the bit rate, and the impact of nonlinearities rises with the power of the signal. High-powered, high-bit-rate TDM flunked both telecosm tests. By contrast, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) follows the laws of the telecosm; it succeeds by wasting bandwidth and stinting on power. WDM takes some 33% more bandwidth per bit than TDM, but it reduces power to combat nonlinearity and divides the bitstream into multiple frequencies in order to combat dispersion. Thus it can extend the distance or increase capacity by a factor of four or more today and can lay the foundations for the fibersphere tomorrow. In 1996 the new fiber paradigm emerged in full force. Parallel communications in all-optical networks, long depicted as a broadband pipe dream, crushed all competitors and became the dominant source of new bandwidth in the world telecom network. The year began with a trifold explosion at the Conference on Optical Fiber Communication in San Jose when three companies--Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs, NTT Labs, and Fujitsu--all announced terabit-per-second WDM transmissions down a single fiber. Sprint confirmed the significance of the laboratory breakthroughs by announcing deployment of Ciena's MultiWave 1600 WDM system, so called because it can increase the capacity of a single fiber thread by 1,600%. The revolution continues in 1997. At the beginning of January, NEC declared that by increasing the number of bits per hertz from one to three, it had raised the laboratory WDM record to three terabits per second. During 1996, MCI had increased the speed of its Internet backbone by a factor of 25, from 45 megabits a second to 1.2 gigabits. On January 6, Fred Briggs, chief engineering officer at MCI, announced that his company is in the process of installing new WDM equipment from Hitachi and Pirelli that increases the speed of its phone network backbone to 40 gigabits per second. Accelerating MCI's previous plans by some two years, the new system will use a more limited form of wavelength-division multiplexing to put four 10-gigabit in-cause formation streams on a single fiber thread. The first deployment will use existing facilities on a 275-mile route between Chicago and St. Louis, but the technology will be extended to the entire network. This move will consummate a nearly thousandfold upgrade of the MCI backbone, from 45 megabits per second to 40 gigabits, within some 36 months. Ciena, meanwhile, has announced technology that allows transmission of 100 gigabits per second. Its February IPO was the most important since Netscape (market cap at the end of the first trading day: $3.4 billion). Why? Ciena is the industry leader in open standard WDM gear. During the first six months the MultiWave 1600 was available, through October 1996, the firm achieved $54.8 million in sales and $15 million in net income. (Lucent is believed to be the overall leader with more than $100 million of mostly proprietary AT&T systems.) At the same time, the trans-Pacific consortium announced that it would deploy 100-gigabit-per-second fiber in its new link between the United States and Asia. A powerful new player in these markets will be Tellabs, currently the fastest-growing supplier of electronic digital cross-connect switches and other optical switching gear. In a further coup, following its purchase of broadband digital radio pioneer Steinbrecher, Tellabs has signed up all 12 principals in IBM's all-optical team. Headed by Paul Green, recent chairman of the IEEE Communications Society and author of the leading text on fiber networks, and by Rajiv Ramaswami, coauthor of a new 1997 text on the subject, the IBM group built the world's first fully functioning all-optical networks (AONs), the Rainbow series. Tellabs now owns the 11 AON patents and 100 listed technology disclosures of the group. The implications of the WDM paradigm go beyond simple data pipes. The greatest impact of all-optical technology will likely come in consumer markets. A portent is Artel Video Systems of Marlborough, Massachusetts, which recently introduced a fiber-based WDM system that can transmit 48 digital video channels, 288 CD-quality audio bitstreams, and 64 data channels on one fiber line. Aggregating contributions from a variety of content sources--each on different fiber wavelengths--and delivering them to consumers who tune into favored frequencies on conventional cable, the Artel system represents a key step into the fibersphere. It can be used for new services by either cable TV companies or telcos. The deeper significance of the Artel product, however, is its use of bandwidth as a replacement for transistors and switches. The Artel system works on dark fiber without compression. The video uses 200-megabit-per-second bitstreams (compare MPEG2 at 4 to 6 megabytes per second) that permit lossless transmissions suitable for medical imaging, and obviate dedicated processing of compression codes at the two ends. A move to massively parallel communications analogous to the move to parallel computers, all-optical networks promise nearly boundless bandwidth in fiber. According to Ewart Lowe of British Telecom, whose labs at Martlesham Heath in Ipswich have been a fount of all-optical technology, the new paradigm will reduce the cost of transport by a factor of 10. For example, the optoelectronic amplifiers previously used in fiber networks entailed nine power-hungry bipolar microchips for each wavelength, rather than a simple loop of doped silica that covers scores of wavelengths. As these systems move down through the network hierarchy, the growth of network bandwidth and cost-effectiveness will not only outpace Moore's law, it will also excel the rise in bandwidth within computers--their internal "buses" connecting their microprocessors to memory and input-output. While MCI and Sprint move to deploy technology that functions at 40 gigabits a second, current computers and workstations command buses that run at a rate of close to 1 gigabit a second. This change in the relationship between the bandwidth of networks and the bandwidth of computers will transform the architecture of information technology. As Robert Lucky of Bellcore puts it, "Perhaps we should transmit signals thousands of miles to avoid even the simplest processing function." Lucky implies that the law of the telecosm eclipses the law of the microcosm. Actually, the law of the microcosm makes distributed computers (smart terminals) more efficient regardless of the cost of linking them together. The law of the telecosm makes broadband networks more efficient regardless of how numerous and smart are the terminals. Working together, however, these two laws of wires and switches impel ever more widely distributed information systems, with processing and memory in the optimal locations. WHAT SHOULD THE MAJOR PLAYERS DO NOW? FOR THE TELEPHONE COMPANIES, the age of ever smarter terminals mandates the emergence of ever dumber networks. Telephone companies may complain of the large costs of the transformation of their system, but they command capital budgets as large as the total revenues of the cable industry. Telcos may recoil in horror at the idea of dark fiber, but they command webs of the stuff 10 times larger than any other industry. Dumb and dark networks may not fit the phone company self-image or advertising posture. But they promise larger markets than the current phone company plan to choke off their own future in the labyrinthine nets of an "intelligent switching fabric" always behind schedule and full of software bugs. Telephone switches (now 80% software) are already too complex to keep pace with the efflorescence of the Internet. While computers become ever more lean and mean, turning to reduced instruction-set processors and Java stations, networks need to adopt reduced instruction-set architectures. The ultimate in dumb and dark is the fibersphere now incubating in their magnificent laboratories. The entrepreneurial folk in the computer industry may view this wrenching phone company adjustment with some satisfaction. But computer firms must also adjust. Now addicted to the use of transistors to solve the problems of limited bandwidth, the computer industry must use transistors to exploit the nearly unlimited bandwidth. When home-based machines are optimized for manipulating high-resolution digital video at high speeds, they will necessarily command what are now called supercomputer powers. This will mean that the dominant computer technology will first emerge not in the office market but in the consumer market. The major challenge for the computer industry is to change its focus from a few hundred million offices already full of computer technology to a billion living rooms now nearly devoid of it. Cable companies possess the advantage of already owning dumb networks based on the essentials of the all-optical model of broadcast and select--of customers seeking wavelengths or frequencies rather than switching circuits. Cable companies already provide all the programs to all the terminals and allow them to tune in to the desired messages. But the cable industry cannot become a full-service supplier of telecommunications unless the regulators give up their ridiculous two-wire dream in which everyone competes with cable and no one makes any money. Cash-poor and bandwidth-rich, cable companies need to collaborate with telcos--which are cash-rich and bandwidth-poor--in a joint effort to create broadband systems in their own regions. In all eras, companies tend to prevail by maximizing the use of the cheapest resources. In the age of the fibersphere, they will use the huge intrinsic bandwidth of fiber, all 25,000 gigahertz or more, to simplify everything else. This means replacing nearly all the hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of switches, bridges, routers, converters, codecs, compressors, error correctors, and other devices, together with the trillions of lines of software code, that pervade the intelligent switching fabric of both telephone and computer networks. The makers of all this equipment will resist mightily. But there is no chance that the old regime can prevail by fighting cheap and simple optics with costly and complex electronics and software. The all-optical network will triumph for the same reason that the integrated circuit triumphed: It is incomparably cheaper than the competition. Today, measured by the admittedly rough metric of mips per dollar, a personal computer is more than 2,000 times more cost-effective than a mainframe. Within 10 years, the all-optical network will be thousands of times more cost-effective than electronic networks. Just as the electron rules in computers, the photon will rule the waves of communication. I know people would not write it..But worth a try:)

Survive in America DIE in Europe!!! Just how much better is American MEDICINE?? ALOT!!!!!? READ THIS>>> Die in Britain, Survive In The US James Bartholomew The Spectator Which is better — American or British medical care? If a defender of the National Health Service wants to win the argument against a free market alternative, he declares, ‘You wouldn’t want healthcare like they have in America, would you?’ That is the knock-out blow. Everyone knows the American system is horrible. You arrive in hospital, desperately ill, and they ask to see your credit card. If you haven’t got one, they boot you out. It is, surely, a heartless, callous, unthinkable system. American healthcare is unbridled capitalism, red in the blood of the untreated poor. For goodness’ sake, the American system is so bad that even Americans — plenty of them anyway, if not all — want to give it up. They want something more like the Canadian system or our own National Health Service. That is what Hillary Clinton wanted and there are still plenty of people like her around. Tony Judt, in a recent edition of the New York Review of Books, was damning about American medical care and glowing about European healthcare. Think of all the money that is wasted in America invoicing patients and administering lots of separate, independent hospitals. At the same time, we can’t help being aware that back here in Britain the NHS is not exactly perfect. The waiting lists have come down, according to the government. They have probably come down somewhat in reality, too. But they still exist and, come to that, there is the worryingly high incidence of hospital infections. So is British healthcare better than American? Or the other way round? And how do you judge? Let’s try the simple way first. Suppose you come down with one of the big killer illnesses like cancer. Where do you want to be — London or New York? In Lincoln, Nebraska or Lincoln, Lincolnshire? Forget the money — we will come back to that — where do you have the best chance of staying alive? The answer is clear. If you are a woman with breast cancer in Britain, you have (or at least a few years ago you had, since all medical statistics are a few years old) a 46 per cent chance of dying from it. In America, your chances of dying are far lower — only 25 per cent. Britain has one of the worst survival rates in the advanced world and America has the best. If you are a man and you are diagnosed as having cancer of the prostate in Britain, you are more likely to die of it than not. You have a 57 per cent chance of departing this life. But in America you are likely to live. Your chances of dying from the disease are only 19 per cent. Once again, Britain is at the bottom of the class and America at the top. How about colon cancer? In Britain, 40 per cent survive for five years after diagnosis. In America, 60 per cent do. With cancer of the oesophagus, survival rates are low all round the world. In Britain, a mere 7 per cent of patients live for five years after diagnosis. In America, the survival rate is still low, but much better at 12 per cent. The more one looks at the figures for survival, the more obvious it is that if you have a medical problem your chances are dramatically better in America than in Britain. That is why those who are rich enough often go to America, leaving behind even private British healthcare. One reason is wonderfully simple. In America, you are more likely to be treated. And going back a stage further, you are more likely to get the diagnostic tests which lead to treatment. Fewer than one third of British patients who have had a heart attack are given beta-blocker drugs, whereas in America 75 per cent of patients are given them. In America, you are far more likely to have your heart condition diagnosed with an angiogram — a somewhat invasive but definitive test. You are far more likely to have your artery widened with life-saving angioplasty. In Britain not very long ago, a mere 1 per cent of heart attack victims had angioplasty. In America you are much more likely to have heart by-pass surgery. In 1996 British surgeons performed 412 heart by-passes for every million people in the population, less than a fifth of the 2,255 by-passes per million performed in the United States. America has many more lithotripsy units for treating kidney stones — 1.5 per million of population compared with 0.2 in Britain. It is true that in America they overdo the diagnostic tests. In one hospital they did a CT head scan on absolutely everybody who came in complaining of a headache. Even some of the doctors began to think this might be over the top when they realised that only in 2 per cent of cases was anything found. But in Britain the problem is the other way round. Having any diagnostic test beyond an X-ray tends to be regarded as a rare, extravagant event, only to be done in cases of obvious, if not desperate, need. Peggy, an American radiologist, came to Britain to meet her English boyfriend’s family. A pall fell over the visit when the boyfriend’s father found blood in his urine. He went to the local NHS hospital. Peggy knew that blood in the urine could mean something worryingly serious or could be utterly minor. A few tests could make things clear: a CT scan or cystoscopy for example. That would be routine in the US. But no such tests were done by the NHS hospital in Welwyn Garden City where the father was a patient. Tests are underperformed in Britain: first, because there is a shortage of equipment and second, because the equipment is underused. Britain has half the CT scanners per million of population that America has (6.5 compared with 13.6). It also has half the MRI scanners (3.9 per million of population versus 8.1). In Britain these machines are generally used during business hours only, regardless of the fact that some are extremely expensive. At the Mayo Clinic in America, by contrast, an MRI scanner is in use around the clock. And if you do get your X-ray scan in Britain, it may well be done with an old machine. Dr Colin Connolly carried out an audit on behalf of the World Health Organisation and found that over half of British X-ray machines were past their recommended safe time limit. Come to that, he found plenty of other machinery out of date, too. More than half of the anaesthetists’ machines needed replacing. Even the majority of operating tables were over 20 years old — double their safe life span. Look at any proper measure of the capacity or success of a medical service and one finds, again and again, that America comes out better. In Britain 36 per cent of patients have to wait more than four months for non-emergency surgery. In the US a mere 5 per cent do. While in Britain the government celebrates if the waiting times get a bit lower, in America they don’t do waiting. There are more American doctors per patient so, not surprisingly, patients have more time with their doctors. American patients also get to see specialists as a matter of routine whereas in Britain 40 per cent of cancer patients, for example, don’t see a cancer consultant. There are shortages of specialists in many areas of medicine in Britain. The father of Peggy’s boyfriend had asthma that was getting worse. In America he would have been seen by an asthma specialist while in hospital. They would have thought it convenient to do any necessary tests while he was readily available. Not in Britain. The father lay in his hospital bed with breathing difficulties but still did not see a specialist. He was told the wait would be six weeks. Peggy was surprised at how ‘accepting’ her boyfriend’s family was. She didn’t say too much because she did not want to come across as a pushy, arrogant American but she was thinking that ‘in America we’d go nuts if we were told we would have to wait six weeks to see a specialist. Expectations are so much higher.’ Shortly afterwards, her boyfriend’s father was discharged from hospital. Back home, before his appointment with a consultant came up, he died of an asthma attack. ‘Ah yes,’ comes the knowing response, ‘but what about the poor? The rich might get great care in America, but the good thing about the NHS is that everyone gets treated equally. The care is, in the hallowed phrase, “free at the point of delivery”.’ Before going into any detail, let us remember one thing: all those figures at the start about death rates from various forms of cancer were not just for the rich. They were for the whole population, poor included. That said, yes, it is true that American healthcare is expensive. It is true, too, that the financial burden on people is awesomely unequal; but not in the way you might expect. The seriously poor do not get the worst of it. They get treated for free. They get Medicaid, the national subsidy for healthcare for the poor. Their treatment is paid for by the state and subsidised by the hospital, or rather its other patients and — if it is a for-profit hospital — the shareholders. The poor might not get showered with as many diagnostic tests as those with full insurance, but they get treated and without the delays that are normal in Britain. No, the people who get the worst of the cost of the American healthcare system are not the poor. They are not the rich either, of course. Come to that, they are not the old, who are covered by Medicare, another government programme. And they are not the majority of people who are in jobs and have company health insurance. The ones who face major problems are somewhere between middle-income and poor. They are the ones who are not earning enough to take out an insurance policy, or not one with a high limit on medical expenditure. So if they come down with an illness which requires a long — and therefore ruinously expensive — stay in hospital, their insurance may run out and they may have to sell their homes or even go bankrupt. Those who are temporarily unemployed, between jobs, are similarly vulnerable. The numbers are not large in relation to the whole population. We are talking about a minority of the American population — figures of 35–45 million are mentioned — which is not insured and which is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Of that minority only a small proportion will need fairly long-term hospital treatment. But financial disaster can happen and sometimes does. People lose their homes, their savings, everything. Half the bankruptcies in America are people who had previously been ill. In Britain the system might kill you. In America the system will keep you alive but might bankrupt you. So there is no doubt that the American system is lousy in certain ways. Actually it is lousy in lots of ways. The insurance policies that cover most people are extremely expensive. They can cost as much as $8,000 a year. Part of the problem is that each state dictates what must be in such policies, thus raising the cost and reducing the competition among providers. A young man can be obliged to pay for a policy which insures him against getting pregnant. State interference means that people cannot easily get the kind of insurance they would really like and which could lead to the most economical healthcare. That could be insurance with a large ‘excess’ — offering coverage against real disasters but not against regular bills for ordinary visits to a doctor. The tax rules in America are also highly favourable to insurance provided through a company, but offer little of the same advantages to anyone taking out insurance personally. That gives rise to the ‘between jobs’ period of risk of falling ill. There is much that is wrong with American healthcare. The inflated cost is boosted by restricted entry into the medical profession. It has been pushed up by the courts which have given crippling damages for medical negligence. The doctors have to insure themselves against such damages and so the insurance premiums they pay are huge. Doctors can only pay these by charging high fees. The risk of being sued is also an important reason why American doctors would rather give you too many tests than too few. Let’s face it, the American system is rotten. It is not even a system. It is a hotch-potch. Most hospital provision is by not-for-profit, private hospitals. But the biggest buyer of medical care is the US government. Through Medicaid (for the poor) and Medicare (for the old) and other schemes, the government pays for 45 per cent of all healthcare. (The British assumption that American healthcare consists of an unfettered free market could not be more wrong.) Most British people do not realise that the non-private hospitals in America are not run by the federal government. They are local government hospitals. The San Francisco General is run by the City of San Francisco. And another unexpected thing for Brits is that even in such local government hospitals treatment is not free to those who can afford it. (Incidentally, all sorts of American hospitals — especially the not-for-profit ones — receive large sums of cash from charitable benefactors.) And if you think all the above is confusing, that is hardly even the beginning of the bewildering diversity and contradictions of American healthcare. It is a muddle. The British system was a muddle, too, until Aneurin Bevan came along in 1945. As minister of health, he set about unmuddling it. We, too, used to have local government (‘municipal’) hospitals until he took them over. He took over the charitable hospitals too, like St Mary’s and Moorfields and many other famous ones. He made it not confusing at all. What could be simpler than the central government being in charge of everything? Over time, the government put itself in charge of all the doctors, too. So all was made simple and clear. But the curious thing is that the new, improved, simple state system of Britain does not work as well as the American muddle. You have a better chance of living to see another day in the American mishmash non-system with its sweet pills of charity, its dose of municipal care and large injection of rampant capitalist supply (even despite the blanket of over-regulation) than in the British system where the state does everything. It is not that America is good at running healthcare. It is just that British state-run healthcare is so amazingly, achingly, miserably and mortally incompetent. James Bartholomew’s book, The Welfare State We’re In is published by Politico’s (£18.99).

Please Help Me: I need some idea's on how to organize in Power Point With some nice Pictures? I need help on finding gooe pictures for each of my ideas posted here; perhaps i can help you with something? i am in South Korea; just ask. I am doing a Power Point Presentation on Protect the Enviroment; and i have the following ideas; however i could use great help on pictures for each idea. Please help me? To Stop Global Warming (Protect our Environment) 1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 2. Install a programmable thermostat Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill. 3. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling. 4. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 5. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models available. 6. Do not leave appliances on standby Use the "on/off" function on the machine itself. A TV set that's switched on for 3 hours a day (the average time Europeans spend watching TV) and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode. 7. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket You'll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 50°C. 8. Move your fridge and freezer Placing them next to the cooker or boiler consumes much more energy than if they were standing on their own. For example, if you put them in a hot cellar room where the room temperature is 30-35ºC, energy use is almost double and causes an extra 160kg of CO2 emissions for fridges per year and 320kg for freezers. 9. Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly Even better is to replace them with newer models, which all have automatic defrost cycles and are generally up to two times more energy-efficient than their predecessors. 10. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period When airing your house, open the windows for only a few minutes. If you leave a small opening all day long, the energy needed to keep it warm inside during six cold months (10ºC or less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions. 11. Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing This requires a bit of upfront investment, but will halve the energy lost through windows and pay off in the long term. If you go for the best the market has to offer (wooden-framed double-glazed units with low-emission glass and filled with argon gas), you can even save more than 70% of the energy lost. 12. Get a home energy audit Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist. 13. Cover your pots while cooking Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%! 14. Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full If you need to use it when it is half full, then use the half-load or economy setting. There is also no need to set the temperatures high. Nowadays detergents are so efficient that they get your clothes and dishes clean at low temperatures. 15. Take a shower instead of a bath A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To maximise the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are cheap and provide the same comfort. 16. Use less hot water It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot. 17. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year. 18. Insulate and weatherize your home Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. Energy Efficient has more information on how to better insulate your home. 19. Be sure you're recycling at home You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area. 20. Recycle your organic waste Around 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions through the methane is released by decomposing bio-degradable waste. By recycling organic waste or composting it if you have a garden, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul. 21. Buy intelligently One bottle of 1.5l requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5l. As well, buy recycled paper products: it takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide. 22. Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can You will also cut down on waste production and energy use! 23. Reuse your shopping bag When shopping, it saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil. 24. Reduce waste Most products we buy cause greenhouse gas emissions in one or another way, e.g. during production and distribution. By taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one, you save the energy needed to produce new lunch boxes. 25. Plant a tree A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership. 26. Switch to green power In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what's available in your area. 27. Buy locally grown and produced foods The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community. 28. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce. 29. Seek out and support local farmers markets They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer's market in your area at the USDA website. 30. Buy organic foods as much as possible Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we'd remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! 31. Eat less meat Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath. 32. Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Look for transit options in your area. 33. Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers. 34. Don't leave an empty roof rack on your car This can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10% due to wind resistance and the extra weight - removing it is a better idea. 35. Keep your car tuned up Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere. 36. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel You can reduce CO2 emissions by readjusting your driving style. Choose proper gears, do not abuse the gas pedal, use the engine brake instead of the pedal brake when possible and turn off your engine when your vehicle is motionless for more than one minute. By readjusting your driving style you can save money on both fuel and car mantainance. 37. Check your tires weekly to make sure they're properly inflated Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference! 38. When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency on FuelEconomy and on GreenCars websites. 39. Try car sharing Need a car but don't want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies - such as Flexcar - offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar. 40. Try telecommuting from home Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition. 41. Fly less Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects. 42. Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions You can extend your positive influence on global warming well beyond your home by actively encouraging other to take action. 43. Join the virtual march The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-political effort to bring people concerned about global warming together in one place. Add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other people urging action on this issue. 44. Encourage the switch to renewable energy Successfully combating global warming requires a national transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. These technologies are ready to be deployed more widely but there are regulatory barriers impeding them. Take action to break down those barriers with Vote Solar. 45. Protect and conserve forest worldwide Forests play a critial role in global warming: they store carbon. When forests are burned or cut down, their stored carbon is release into the atmosphere - deforestation now accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Conservation International has more information on forests and global warming. 46. Consider the impact of your investments If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that your investments and savings will have on global warming. Check out SocialInvest and Ceres to can learn more about how to ensure your money is being invested in companies, products and projects that address issues related to climate change. 47. Make your city cool Cities and states around the country have taken action to stop global warming by passing innovative transportation and energy saving legislation. 194 cities nationwide representing over 40 million people have made this pledge as part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Find out how to make your city a cool city. 48. Tell Congress to act The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act would set a firm limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then use free market incentives to lower costs, promote efficiency and spur innovation. Tell your representative to support it. 49. Make sure your voice is heard! Americans must have a stronger commitment from their government in order to stop global warming and implement solutions and such a commitment won't come without a dramatic increase in citizen lobbying for new laws with teeth. Get the facts about U.S. politicians and candidates at Project Vote Smart and The League of Conservation Voters. Make sure your voice is heard by voting!

Please Help Me: I need some idea's on how to organize in Power Point With some nice Piictures? I need help on finding gooe pictures for each of my ideas posted here; perhaps i can help you with something? i am in South Korea; just ask. I am doing a Power Point Presentation on Protect the Enviroment; and i have the following ideas; however i could use great help on pictures for each idea. Please help me? To Stop Global Warming (Protect our Environment) 1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 2. Install a programmable thermostat Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill. 3. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling. 4. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. 5. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models available. 6. Do not leave appliances on standby Use the "on/off" function on the machine itself. A TV set that's switched on for 3 hours a day (the average time Europeans spend watching TV) and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode. 7. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket You'll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 50°C. 8. Move your fridge and freezer Placing them next to the cooker or boiler consumes much more energy than if they were standing on their own. For example, if you put them in a hot cellar room where the room temperature is 30-35ºC, energy use is almost double and causes an extra 160kg of CO2 emissions for fridges per year and 320kg for freezers. 9. Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly Even better is to replace them with newer models, which all have automatic defrost cycles and are generally up to two times more energy-efficient than their predecessors. 10. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period When airing your house, open the windows for only a few minutes. If you leave a small opening all day long, the energy needed to keep it warm inside during six cold months (10ºC or less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions. 11. Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing This requires a bit of upfront investment, but will halve the energy lost through windows and pay off in the long term. If you go for the best the market has to offer (wooden-framed double-glazed units with low-emission glass and filled with argon gas), you can even save more than 70% of the energy lost. 12. Get a home energy audit Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist. 13. Cover your pots while cooking Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%! 14. Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full If you need to use it when it is half full, then use the half-load or economy setting. There is also no need to set the temperatures high. Nowadays detergents are so efficient that they get your clothes and dishes clean at low temperatures. 15. Take a shower instead of a bath A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To maximise the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are cheap and provide the same comfort. 16. Use less hot water It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot. 17. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year. 18. Insulate and weatherize your home Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. Energy Efficient has more information on how to better insulate your home. 19. Be sure you're recycling at home You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area. 20. Recycle your organic waste Around 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions through the methane is released by decomposing bio-degradable waste. By recycling organic waste or composting it if you have a garden, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul. 21. Buy intelligently One bottle of 1.5l requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5l. As well, buy recycled paper products: it takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide. 22. Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can You will also cut down on waste production and energy use! 23. Reuse your shopping bag When shopping, it saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil. 24. Reduce waste Most products we buy cause greenhouse gas emissions in one or another way, e.g. during production and distribution. By taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one, you save the energy needed to produce new lunch boxes. 25. Plant a tree A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership. 26. Switch to green power In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what's available in your area. 27. Buy locally grown and produced foods The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community. 28. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce. 29. Seek out and support local farmers markets They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer's market in your area at the USDA website. 30. Buy organic foods as much as possible Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we'd remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! 31. Eat less meat Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath. 32. Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Look for transit options in your area. 33. Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers. 34. Don't leave an empty roof rack on your car This can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10% due to wind resistance and the extra weight - removing it is a better idea. 35. Keep your car tuned up Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere. 36. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel You can reduce CO2 emissions by readjusting your driving style. Choose proper gears, do not abuse the gas pedal, use the engine brake instead of the pedal brake when possible and turn off your engine when your vehicle is motionless for more than one minute. By readjusting your driving style you can save money on both fuel and car mantainance. 37. Check your tires weekly to make sure they're properly inflated Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference! 38. When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency on FuelEconomy and on GreenCars websites. 39. Try car sharing Need a car but don't want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies - such as Flexcar - offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar. 40. Try telecommuting from home Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition. 41. Fly less Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects. 42. Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions You can extend your positive influence on global warming well beyond your home by actively encouraging other to take action. 43. Join the virtual march The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-political effort to bring people concerned about global warming together in one place. Add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other people urging action on this issue. 44. Encourage the switch to renewable energy Successfully combating global warming requires a national transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. These technologies are ready to be deployed more widely but there are regulatory barriers impeding them. Take action to break down those barriers with Vote Solar. 45. Protect and conserve forest worldwide Forests play a critial role in global warming: they store carbon. When forests are burned or cut down, their stored carbon is release into the atmosphere - deforestation now accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Conservation International has more information on forests and global warming. 46. Consider the impact of your investments If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that your investments and savings will have on global warming. Check out SocialInvest and Ceres to can learn more about how to ensure your money is being invested in companies, products and projects that address issues related to climate change. 47. Make your city cool Cities and states around the country have taken action to stop global warming by passing innovative transportation and energy saving legislation. 194 cities nationwide representing over 40 million people have made this pledge as part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Find out how to make your city a cool city. 48. Tell Congress to act The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act would set a firm limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then use free market incentives to lower costs, promote efficiency and spur innovation. Tell your representative to support it. 49. Make sure your voice is heard! Americans must have a stronger commitment from their government in order to stop global warming and implement solutions and such a commitment won't come without a dramatic increase in citizen lobbying for new laws with teeth. Get the facts about U.S. politicians and candidates at Project Vote Smart and The League of Conservation Voters. Make sure your voice is heard by voting!

Recession : With War or Without it ? Isrel vrs Iran// War - and US?? Recession: With War or Without It? by Gary North by Gary North DIGG THIS The world's economy has been in growth mode at least since 1991. China has been in growth mode since 1979. The American economy had a sharp recession in 1991. Asia had a financial crisis in 1998. America had a very brief, very shallow recession in 2001. The Federal Reserve System pumped in money at an accelerating rate after mid-2000 through 2004, and did not go to tight money until the month Bernanke took over: February 2006. Inflation overcame the recession of 2001, and it overcame the crisis of 9/11, but it created the housing bubble and the commodity bubble. The housing bubble has popped. This is going to take the price of housing in the United States lower than it is today. I think 20% lower is a conservative figure. We are nowhere near the end of this popped bubble. The commodity bubble is still in full force. It is a worldwide bubble. The price of energy and the price of rice and other food commodities have received most of the attention. Federal Reserve policy since early 2006 has been one of relatively stable money. There is a lot of chatter to the contrary, but if we look at the two most significant monetary indicators, the adjusted monetary base and M1, we see that there has been very little growth in either. This is why the United States is now either in a recession or is facing one in the next few months. When a period of monetary inflation ends, economies go into recession. The American economy is slowing down, and it will continue to slow down. Both China and India have expanded their money supplies dramatically for a decade. Both countries are now facing a crisis of rising prices. Price inflation is a major threat to the continued prosperity of both countries. China's government has begun to impose selective price controls. This is creating shortages and production bottlenecks. India's government is considering doing the same thing. What both governments need to do is to tell their central banks to cease buying all government debt and all assets of any kind. The central banks need to stop inflating the money supply. But if the banks do this, both countries will experience major recessions. The governments do not want to have major recessions, but they also do not want to experience the effects of monetary inflation: price inflation. So, both of them are tempted to go back to the traditional policy of imposing price controls. This always creates shortages, and it always reduces the rate of growth of the economy. China and India are trapped. AN INTERNATIONAL TRAP The United States is in the same trap. The headlines scream of the skyrocketing costs of energy and food, but the broader consumer price indexes indicate slow increases: maybe 3% a year. This is because families are readjusting their budgets. As the prices of gasoline and food rise, families are forced to cut back expenditures in other areas. So, the general price indexes are not rising dramatically, but families are struggling with their budgets. This struggle will get much worse this winter, when the price of heating oil rises. This will exacerbate the existing economic slowdown. Furthermore, the rising price of oil means a rising balance of payments deficit for the United States. Oil-exporting countries are the main beneficiaries of the rising price of oil. This means that foreign sellers of oil will get the lion's share of the increase of the price of oil. American producers will pay for the prosperity of the oil exporting countries. They will pay in the form of reduced demand for their products. The world is facing simultaneous recession. Meanwhile, the American financial system has absorbed hundreds of billions of dollars of IOUs from home buyers who cannot possibly pay off their debts. They are in the process of defaulting to the lenders. This has created a crisis for America's largest banks, and for several major European banks. We all know the story by now, but psychologically, most Americans have not adjusted to the new economic reality. Most investors have not adjusted. Yes, the American stock market is down by 20% since last October. But still they think a recovery is just around the corner. The media keep saying this. American investors still have faith that the economy is essentially healthy, that there will not be a continuing fall in the stock market, and that the economy will not go into recession and stay in the recession for two or more years. So far, I am giving you the good news. The good news is there is going to be an international recession, rising corporate bankruptcies, bank failures, and retrenchment by consumers because they can no longer pay the rising cost of energy. Why is this good news? Because this recession is going to put a cap on the rising cost of energy. Commodity prices will fall during the recession; this includes the price of oil. NO MORE FISCAL WIGGLE ROOM Americans have steadily stopped saving over the last 28 years. In 1981, they saved over 11% of their discretionary income. Today, they save nothing. They are now in full spending mode. They have borrowed money against their future income, against their home equity, and on simple promises to pay (signature loans: credit cards). They have stretched themselves thin with respect to debt. If oil goes to $400 a barrel, or $500 a barrel, and stays there for a year, American consumers will be in panic mode. They will have to cut their budgets, and they have forgotten how to cut their budgets. They have forgotten how to save. The strategy of the optimists is to tell us that the worst is over economically. This is the government's official position. Chairman Ben Bernanke does not say this. He keeps hinting of more trouble to come. He keeps telling us that the Federal Reserve System is monitoring events. He keeps implying that there is some sort of rabbit still remaining in the Federal Reserve System's hat which they can pull out if the banking system moves into paralysis mode. But he doesn't tell us what these rabbits are, or under what conditions the FED will pull them out of its hat. The good news regarding the economy in general is not backed up by anything specific. The government tells us that the worst is over, but there are almost no indications that the worst is over. The housing market is still in decline. Foreclosures are still rising rapidly. The lenders are not selling foreclosed properties at market prices. Instead, they keep buying back the properties. There is a growing inventory of unsold properties on the books of the lenders. Meanwhile the two major sources of liquidity for the housing market, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are verging on bankruptcy. On Wednesday, July 9, the stock price of Freddie Mac dropped by 23%. Yet its stock price was down over 50% since January. These two stocks have continued to fall. Everywhere we look on the horizon of the domestic economy, there is bad news. There is no sector of the economy that is improving, unless it is heavily funded by the Federal government. Health care has not slumped, because health care as funded by Medicare and other state and local government programs. This means that the Federal deficit is going to get worse in any recession. Medicare and Social Security are non-discretionary spending items. The revenues will fall. So, the supposed strength sectors of the economy are in fact guarantees of a government fiscal crisis. If the general economy slumps, the Federal deficit is likely to go over $500 billion a year. When the recession hits, commodity prices will fall. If the recession does not hit, commodity prices will continue to rise. But rising commodity prices will force bankruptcies in those firms that are not in a position to pass on increased costs to their consumers. This means industries associated with discretionary spending. If your company is dependent upon discretionary spending by the public, your job is at risk. If the recession hits, your company will suffer. If the recession doesn't hit, rising commodity prices will squeeze your company. Consumers will spend their money for gasoline and heating oil, not on the products or services your company produces. The boom economy has not been based primarily on non-discretionary income. The boom has come at the margin: those areas of the economy in which consumers do have the option of spending their money rather than saving it. So far, I have been giving you the good news. The good news is there is going to be an international recession, rising corporate bankruptcies, bank failures, and retrenchment by consumers because they can no longer pay the rising cost of energy. THE BAD NEWS The bad news is that the State of Israel is increasingly likely to launch an air strike on suspected Iranian nuclear weapons production facilities. I have discussed this before. If this happens, the price of oil will skyrocket. This will force massive readjustments of family budgets in every country on a permanent basis. This is going to force producers to fire people out of fear of bankruptcy. Consumers are going to stop buying much in the area of discretionary income. That is, those items that can be cut back will be cut back. This could mean you. If the State of Israel launches an attack on Iran, the economic news will get really bad really fast all over the world. So, the most important question today is whether or not the Israeli Air Force will attack Iran. From an economic standpoint, this is the crucial question. Here, too, the mainstream media have generally promoted optimism. They suggest that the Israelis will not attack Iran. The problem is, they can't point to anything specific that officials in the State of Israel have said that indicates that there will not be an attack. On the contrary, officials there keep saying "no comment." Something else is really ominous. The political leaders in the countries over which Israeli bombers will have to fly are deadly silent. They are not telling Israel in full public view that if Israel sends planes over their airspace, they will go to war with Israel. They are not saying that they are preparing right now to shoot down every Israeli plane that flies over their airspace. They are saying nothing. Why? I think the main reason is that they will not back up their words with deeds. They will not shoot down Israeli planes. They say nothing in public because they will do nothing if the overflights take place. If they go public with bellicose threats today, their own people will turn on them if they fail to back up their words with deeds if the flights take place. "You said you would do something. You did nothing. Get out!" This could start internal revolutions in the overflown countries. Silence is golden. It's yellow, but it's golden. This tells me that the overflight countries' leaders think the attack may take place. They would prefer to be accused of having been caught flat-footed by the Israeli Air Force than unwilling to back up a threat. American officials are offering the bipartisan line: "We must settle this through diplomacy." (To which Israeli government officials can respond, Tonto-like: "Who you mean we, paleface?") They are not saying anything about what sanctions against the State of Israel that America will impose as soon as Israeli jets bomb Iran. That is because there will be no such sanctions. Admiral Mullen supposedly sent Israel a statement in early July saying that the United States has not issued a green light for an Israeli attack on Iran. This supposedly means something important in itself. It means nothing in itself. What it means is the United States has not issued a red light against an Israeli attack on Iran. This means that there is no stop sign. There is no red light, so the absence of a green light means nothing. Of course no one has said that the United States will help Israel in such an attack. So what? Israeli officials are not asking for a public offer of American help. If the United States and those governments over which the Israeli Air Force must fly are not issuing public statements at this time warning that there will be significant negative sanctions imposed on the State of Israel as soon as the attack is launched, then this is an implied green light. Do we imagine that senior decision-makers in the Israeli government care a whit about the lack of an official American green light to their attack on Iran? They are as unconcerned about the lack of a green light as Iran is unconcerned about President Bush's threat of sanctions if Iran does not comply with all requirements announced by the Bush administration. Iran knows what Israel knows: the Bush administration is terminal. It will end on January 20, 2009. It has no teeth. Lame ducks don't bite. They merely squawk. Why should we think that either Iran or Israel gives a fig about the red light/green light debate? American pundits may think this debate is important, but why should anyone with common sense think it's important? TIMETABLES Iraq has announced that the United States must pull out its troops. It is demanding dates for this withdrawal. The Bush administration is pooh-poohing all this, and will not under any circumstances announce such a timetable, but so what? There is a timetable for the Bush administration's withdrawal: January 20, 2009. This means that the United States is going to be pressured by Iraq's government to leave Iraq from now on. Most of the troops will be forced to leave Iraq unless things change dramatically. Then what will be done with the 14 major military bases that have been built? As the pressure increases to force us to leave Iraq, and as the pressure from the Taliban increases in Afghanistan, and as the pressure from voters increases to get our troops out of both countries, and as the likelihood of the election of Obama increases, decision-makers in the State of Israel are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. If the United States pulls out of the region, the State of Israel will be left high and dry. But there is another possible scenario. If Iran's surrogate Shia forces in the region take on the United States troops in reaction to an Israeli attack on Iran, American public opinion will swing in favor of keeping the troops there, no matter what. "Who do those Iranians think they are? We issued no green light to the Israelis. It's not our fault." If Iran begins to supply weapons to Shia forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the American death rate goes up, then American voters will switch back to a pro-war position. At least, this is a possibility. Americans do not like to be pushed around. Any escalation of war in the region will create havoc for the supply of oil. The world economy is moving into recession already; it may go into a true depression if oil goes to $500 and stays there. So, the stakes are enormous. The outcome is no longer in the hands of the United States, Europe, Asia, or any of the other outsiders to the Middle East. The outcome, or at least the trigger, is completely in the hands of the decision-makers in the State of Israel. They hold the gun. Unless the United States and Western Europe tell the decision-makers in the State of Israel that Europe and the United States will impose significant negative sanctions after an attack on Iran, then decision-makers there are going to make a decision based on the self-interest of the ruling party, not the self-interest of American or European voters. They are going to take care of their perceived problem, exactly as we would expect any other national political leaders would take care of their problem. That's why all talk about war being a threat to the self-interest of the whole makes sense only if the Israelis conclude that the economic crisis will be so severe that it will take them down in the whirlpool of economic collapse. They are not afraid of military retaliation from Iran. They are also not afraid of the United States, Europe, Asia, or any other coalition that does not have the backbone to say in advance that there will be major sanctions placed on the State of Israel if there is an attack on Iran. This is why I am concerned about the threat of an Israeli attack on Iran. I am in no way calmed by statements attributed to Admiral Mullen. When Admiral Mullen holds a press conference and says publicly that there is no green light for an attack by the Israeli Air Force on Iran, and that any flyover of Iraq by Israeli planes will lead to shoot downs of Israeli planes by American planes, then I will stop worrying about the threat of an attack on Iran by the Israeli Air Force. How likely do you think such a press conference is? We must face reality: the decision to go to war with Iran is 100% in the hands of Israeli decision-makers. It is not in the hands of the United States, Europe, or Asia. In other words, the economic fate of the West over the next decade is now in the hands of decision-makers who are concerned about the long-term survival of their own country. They are concerned because they do not want to have Iran in the possession of nuclear weapons. Both candidates for President have said the same thing. We have seen saber-rattling by the Iranians with the film-doctored test of the missiles this week. These missiles are militarily useless as weapons against the Israelis. They are as irrelevant militarily as Germany's V-2 missiles were in 1945. They cannot inflict enough damage to make a difference, unless they are used against Saudi Arabian oil fields. But, if they had a nuclear warhead, that would make all the difference. The Israelis know this. So, they are going to make their decision in terms of this long-term threat. The main inhibition against an attack is the possible collapse of the Western economy, which buys Israeli-produced goods. This threat may be sufficient to keep them from attacking. I dearly hope that it is. But it is naïve to believe that they are going to make their decision because of worries about whether Admiral Mullen has issued a green light or not. CONCLUSION When you invest your money, do not ignore the worst-case scenario. Set aside some of your money on the assumption that the worst-case will come true. This is what any military strategist does. He makes his decisions in terms of what the enemy can do, not what it would be convenient for the enemy to do. I suggest that you be aware of this threat. I suggest that you sit down with the family budget and outline what your response would be if the price of gasoline were $10 a gallon or $15 a gallon or $20 a gallon. What would you do? I know what you would do. You would drive less. Ignore the happy-face assessments of the geopolitical strategists. Ignore the happy-face assessment of the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry "Goldman Sachs" Paulson. These assessments are being issued to keep panic from spreading. I am doing my best to encourage people to take rational steps with some of their liquid assets: to hedge themselves against the possibility that there will be an attack on Iran before January 20, 2009. This doesn't mean that I think such an attack is a sure thing. Decision-makers in the State of Israel are going to have to live with $400 oil, just like all the rest of us. They may decide that this risk is too great. They may decide to put up with the threat of a future nuclear-armed Iran. I won't bet all of my money on this. I don't think you should either. July 12, 2008 Gary North [send him mail] is the author of Mises on Money. Visit http://www.garynorth.com.

Should we give money to poor ppl? ZAKAAT (Alms) Ramadan is the month of giving and benevolence, the Messenger was more benevolent than a falling rain. Muslims are encouraged to emulate the Messenger of Allah (saas), to assess and pay their Zakaat during the month of Ramadan, thus combining the two pillars of Islam at the same time. Zakaat (alms) is the name of what a believer returns out of his or her wealth to the neediest of Muslims for the sake of the Almighty Allah. It is called Zakaat because the word Zakaat is from Zakaa which means, to increase, purify and bless. Who Should Give Zakaat The obligation of Zakaat is mandatory on every Muslim who possesses the minimum Nisaab, whether the person is man, woman, young, old sane or insane. Because the proof of Zakaat in Al-Qur`an and Sunnah is general and does not exclude young or insane. Allah (SWT) stated that: "Of their goods take alms so that thou mightiest purify and sanctify them..." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 103) Imam Ibn Hazim said that every Muslim young or old sane or insane needs to cleanse his or her wealth with Zakaat because of generality of the evidence. Anas bin Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Trade with the money of the orphan, lest it is eaten up by Zakaat." (At-Tabraani) In another Hadith `Amru bin Shuaib related from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever is entrusted with money of an orphan should trade with it and should not leave it sitting to be used up by charity." (Tirmidhi) The point of reference in these reports is that the Messenger (saas) urged the trustee on the estate of people who due to age or other reasons cannot manage their own financial affairs, to invest it in a business that will yield a return and make it grow until they are in a position to do so themselves. For, if proper investment is not made with an ophan's inheritance, it will be depleted by charity, thus leaving the orphan with little or nothing. The Nisaab The Lawgiver, Allah has prescribed the minimum amount that is obligatory for Zakaat in different ranges of properties, and that minimum amount is known as nisaab. The reason for nisaab is to ensure that no one is forced to give Zakaat out of what he or she does not have, and that no wealth goes without Zakaat. Nisaab is also an insurance against the tyranny of the state to tax the poor and or the neediest as is the case in many countries. Nisaab is a reference point for the average Muslim who is not sure whether he possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakaat is obligatory. The wealthy need not worry about the Nisaab. Zakaat is obligatory on their entire wealth and must be paid out at the end of financial year that they set for their Zakaat. The Nisaab will not be valid unless it fulfills two conditions: 1) The amount that has reached Nisaab must be the excess or surplus known as "faadil" from one's essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, vehicles, tools and machinery that is used in business. The essentials for living are exempted from Zakaat. Although what constitutes nisaab may change from one country to another, the amount that is needed for the basic needs of living in different countries is very similar, because the market place determines the prices, whether it is an official market or a non-official market. In the poorest countries people do without or live below the poverty standard, and that is why many go hungry or without basic essentials. However, we must realize that Zakaat is an act of worship (ebadah) like Salaat. The element of intention (niyyah) is necessary, and we should not overly rely on state agencies to determine for us the requirements of our religious duty. The so called the "consumption basket" (that is poverty level as determined the social security administration which are updated every fiscal year) may not be the same as what Islam considers minimum Nisaab. In the industrialized countries, the consumption basket may include items that are not necessarily essential, such as entertainment, extra clothing, variety of food, eating in restaurant or eating at home, owning more than one car as opposed to having three cars in the driveway, drinking water as opposed to juices, eating regular food or special "health" food. This is why I believe it is essential that we do not lose site of the fact that Zakaat is ebadah of wealth, like salaat and fasting. Non Muslims may consider all the things mentioned above as essentials while Muslims will not. Indeed, no Muslims in good standing will attempt to hide behind the label of consumption basket so as to evade Zakaat. Nisaab eliminates the possibility of injustice or unfair treatment of the Zakaat payer. To suggest that if we do not follow the rules of International Monetary Fund or the arbitrary figures of social security administration or department of agriculture we will be doing injustice to the Zakaat payer is ludicrous. 2) Nisaab must mature, that is the money is not liable for Zakaat unless it has remained a full year in the possession of a person. This is the understanding of the majority of the scholars. Imam Abu Hanifah (raa) said: "What should be considered is the existence of nisaab at the beginning and the end of the Zakaat year set by the payer". It does not matter if the nisaab money increases or decreases during the calendar year, as we will explain later. This condition does not include farm produce, for it is due on the day it is harvested. Allah (SWT) stated: "... But render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered..." (Al-Qur`an, 6: 141) According to Imam Al-`Abadi, (raa) Zakaat money is of two kinds: one that by its nature can not be invested and Zakaat of this category is due on the day of harvest. This includes all the farm produce that is liable for Zakaat. The other is wealth that can be invested in the hope of a good return, like cash, gold or silver, because the opportunity is there that cash in one's hand can be invested for a good return. This includes currency investment, merchandise and livestock. Their Zakaat is not due until they have matured in one full year. The proof of this condition is the Hadith related by Ibn `Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "He who acquires property is not liable for Zakaat on it till a year passes." According to Ibn Rushd (raa) this is the understanding of the majority of scholars, including the four rightly guided Khalifahs. Zakaat Of Salaries The condition of yearly term maturity applies to the commodities on which the Lawgiver said Zakaat is due, and this includes silver, gold, modern paper currency and livestock. Paper currency is analogous to silver, therefore, it takes the case of silver. There is no Zakaat on salary, earned income from wage earners or professionals or independent contractors until such money matures in a full year. There is no such thing as paying your Zakaat on the day you receive your paycheck. What the wage earner must know is that he or she can purify that money with charity (sadaqah) anytime they cash the paycheck. Allah (SWT) states: "And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the needy, he who asks and he who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking)." (Al-Qur`an, 51: 19). We can deduce from the concept of "yearly maturity" of wealth on which Zakaat is due as encouraging, among other things, saving on the part of the Zakaat payer, and enhances the chances for eradicating poverty, because if the poor receives his rightful share of Zakaat there will be the possibility that he can take Zakaat money and invest it and become a Zakaat payer instead of recipient. This possibility will be lost if he receives few Zakaat dollars every month. To say that the wage earner just brings his check home and spends everything on necessities and lives from check to check with nothing left over means the person is eligible for Zakaat. Using farm produce as analogous to salary for Zakaat is wrong analogy. As Imam Al-`Abadi said, these are two different categories of money. $2, 500.00 cash can be invested by the person and expect a good return whereas it will be difficult to invest a bushel of corn. It can be traded as a commodity, which is what it is. This why we must know that analogy has rules that must be followed before it is applied. Certainly the jurists are unanimous that earned income, known as almal al-mustafadah, should either be added to existing money and wait until that amount reaches maturity and then give their Zakaat; or if there is no money on hand the time one possesses this money, he or she should wait one full year before assessing it for Zakaat. Zakaat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a vital element in the religion of Islam. It is the twin sister of Salaat. In Al-Qur`an, Allah (SWT) stated: "So establish regular Prayer and give regular Alms; and obey the Messenger; that you may receive mercy." (Al-Qur`an, 24: 56) Also, "...Establish regular Prayer and give regular Alms, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan...." (Al-Qur`an, 73: 20) "And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular Prayer and to practice regular charity; and that is the religion right and straight." (Al-Qur`an, 98: 5) In a famous Hadith reported by `Umar Bin Khattab (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) responded to Jibreel (as) and said: "... Islam is to testify that there is no deity but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform the prayer, to pay Zakaat, to observe fasting in Ramadan, and to make pilgrimage to the house of Allah if you are able to do os...." (Bukhari, Muslim) There is consensus among Muslim scholars that it is mandatory on every believer who is financially able. Whoever knowingly denies this obligation, while he possesses the minimum amount, would be considered a disbeliever and a renegade from Islam. Whoever is stingy, or tries to cheat, is considered among the wrongdoers. Zakaat is mandatory on four categories of items. 1. Farm produce of seeds and fruits, such as wheat, barley, rice, dates, raisins, cocoa, pistachios, coffee, cashews. Allah (SWT) stated: "O you who believe, give of the good things which you have (honorably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you..." (Al-Qur`an, 2: 267) Also: "... But render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered..." (Al-Qur`an, 6: 141) Thus, these two verses and many others indicate that Zakaat is due on farm products that reached the minimum amount (nisaab). No farm product is liable for Zakaat unless it is a product that is considered as food and can be stocked or saved naturally without refrigeration. If the produce is perishable fruit, such as grapes, there is no Zakaat. But if one sells them they will pay their Zakaat on the profit earned when it matures. The nisaab is 612 kilos, which equals 1,346.40 lb. There is no Zakaat on produce that is less than this amount. If the farm produce or crops grow dependant on rainwater, or without any man's labor or irrigation, Zakaat due is one-tenth of the total. If it is grown by irrigation, then the Zakaat due is half of one-tenth of the total produce. There is no Zakaat on fruits like apples or oranges or vegetables which are perishable and need refrigeration for long storage, but they should be considered as any income if the profit earned from their sale reaches the amount of Zakaat, then Zakaat should be given. 2. Cattle, including camels, cows, sheep and goats, that are freely graze and are raised for trade and production. For Zakaat to be obligatory, the number must reach the nisaab. The nisaab of camels is five, of cows 30, of sheep and goats, 40. By freely grazing is meant the animal goes out to feed without the owner buying or bringing it feed or hay. If it is not a grazing animal, there is no Zakaat in the stock by itself. The stock will, however, be considered as articles of trade, then will be assessed for Zakaat as articles of trade when the profit earned from their sale reaches the amount by itself or in combination with other articles of the trade. 3. Merchandise and goods of trade and commerce. This includes anything that is obtained for the business of buying and selling: land, animals, food provisions, fabric, cars, spare parts, etc. This inventory is evaluated annually and assessed for Zakaat, whether the value is the same as the amount spent on it, more, or less. The owners of grocery stores, like any other business, must evaluate every item and give their Zakaat. Simple bookkeeping of inventory, orders, cash on hand, and credits, that is non-delinquent loans, will give one a good picture of the zakaatable assets. But if one is unable to account for everything in the store or shop, he should assess it according to his ability until he is sure that his conscience is clear. There is no Zakaat on what is within one's dwelling or property which includes food, drinks, furniture, houses, animals, cars, clothes and shoes. The only exception is gold and silver. There is no Zakaat on assets from rentals or lease, whether they are apartment units, taxi cabs, etc. That is, there is no Zakaat on the apartment units, buses or cars for rental like yellow cabs company or trucks for rental or equipments. But there is Zakaat on the proceeds or incomes from these rental assets if these assets reach the executable amount, either by themselves or in combination with other assets. Business Activities Many scholars are of the opinion that any business activity that brings any return to the entrepreneur or investor should be assessed for Zakaat. If the activity has a prescribed nisaab, such as gold, silver or paper currency, that nisaab is applied for Zakaat. But if the business has no declared nisaab, its nisaab is the nisaab of commerce, one reason being that most business activities are considered as commerce and because, in actual fact, it is not factitious business name, such as GM, Apple or GE that is taxed for Zakaat, it is the individual investor. We do not tax cooperations such IBM, Apple, GM or Rajihy Bank but the individual investors, share holders and owners of these corporations. Indeed, there are enough rules in Zakaat books to cover all types of business activity, be it cash or risk investment. If the business activity is analogous to commerce, it should be assessed the same rate as commerce. To subject the business to a different Zakaat rate of 10%, which is the rate of farm products instead of its correct rate of 2.5%, the rate of commerce, is unfair and unjustified. Besides, there is no proof, even a weak one, to justify this unfair arbitrary taxation. The difference between 2.5% and 10% is high. The Zakaat system is not like a state revenue collection, but Allah's `ebadah. However, if a business person decides to give more than 2.5% after deducting all the expenses including depreciation, Allah (SWT) will accept it from him. 4. Gold and silver, whether used for commerce or jewelry. Allah (SWT) states: "...And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty. On the day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks and their backs. This is the (treasure) which you buried for yourselves: taste you, then, the (treasures) you buried." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 34-35). By hoarding is meant refusal to give it in the path of Allah, which includes Zakaat. In a hadith reported by Abu Hurairah (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "For the owner or possessor of gold and silver who does not fulfill its obligation, on the Day of Resurrection it will be cast into sheets of fire and be branded on his forehead, side and back. Whenever it cools it is to be repeated for him in a day whose length is the length of fifty thousand years, until the judgement is rendered among the people." (Muslim). By its obligation is meant assessing it for Zakaat. In another version: "No possessor of a treasure who does not give its Zakaat." Zakaat is mandatory in gold and silver, irrespective of its form: in coins, raw or nugget, or jewelry for wearing, or for rent, because of the generality of evidence of Zakaat without any detail. In a report by Abdullah bin `Amr bin `Aas (raa), he related that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah with her daughter. On the daughter's wrist were two heavy gold bracelets. The Messenger asked her, "Do you pay Zakaat on this?" She replied, "No." The Messenger said: "Would it please you that Allah will encircle you with two bracelets of fire?" The reporter commented that she took them off and threw them down in front of the Messenger, and said: "They are for Allah and his Messenger." (Ahmed, Tirmidhi). The Messenger's wife reported that: "The Messenger entered into my house and saw in my hand a huge ring made of silver, so he asked, `What is this?' I replied, `I made them to beautify myself for you, O Messenger of Allah.' He inquired, `Do you give their Zakaat?' I said, `No,' or `Allah willing.' He said: `It will suffice you in the hellfire.'" (Abu Dawuud). Zakaat is due on gold when it reaches the amount of (nisaab), which is 20 Dinaar. According to a hadith, the Messenger said: "No Zakaat on you is due until it reaches 20 dinaar." (Abu Dawud) The Islamic dinaar (currency) is one mithqal, a unit of weight which weighs four and one quarter of a gram. Thus, the nisaab is 85 grams. This is equal to $30.00 US dollars. Similarly, there is no Zakaat on silver until it reaches five oqiyah, because the Messenger said: "There is no Zakaat on less then five oqiyah." (Muslim/Bukhari) Oqiyah is equal to forty Islamic dirhams. The nisaab is 200 dirhams. One dirham is equivalent to 595 grams. The zakaatable amount in both the gold and silver is a quarter of a tenth only. Paper Currency There is Zakaat on modern paper currency because it is equivalent to silver. During the early days of Islam, silver and gold were the currency of exchange minted into dirham for silver and dinaar for gold. Silver, not gold, had a larger circulation. Thus many scholars are of opinion that silver should be the standard for the paper currencies of today because that is more advantageous to the Zakaat payer, as it raises the minimum nisaab whereas gold lowers it. Although both metals are no longer circulated, they are still considered as a security against ever fluctuating paper money. Silver should be used as a standard to assess Zakaat annually, not paper currency, even if the currency is hard currency like the US dollar, Yen and Deutch Mark or Pound Sterling. Because these currencies are backed by political decisions that may not have anything to do with the economy, the value and strength of this paper money depends largely on all haram usury system of interest rates. Thus, the Zakaat payer should look up in the local newspaper's financial or business section for the price of silver which is currently about $3.82. per ounce. The nisaab, then, is 596 x .04=28.80 ounce multiplied by$3.82= 90.91. therefore. The nisaab is about $100.00, as of December 17, 1991. The nisaab should be based on the market value of the currency. If the money is hard currency, there will be no problem, but if the money is a non-marketable currency, like most currencies in the third world countries, the nisaab should be based on the black market, which realistically reflects the value of the currency on the money market. In any case, the silver rate should be used to assess the Zakaat. If the nisaab is determined, the zakaatable amount is 2.5%, or .025 multiplied by the amount. For instance, if the zakaatable amount is $56,000.00 it will be 56,000. x .025 = $1,400.00. Zakaat is due on gold, silver, and or paper currency, whether it is cash in hand or credit in the hands of borrowers. Zakaat is due on debts or cost of merchandize or rental money. If the borrower is a wealthy person that you know will pay back the debt, the lender (that is Halaal lending free of usury) should include that money in the assessment and give its Zakaat. However, one can delay Zakaat on a loan until he receives payment, then return its Zakaat for the past years that he was unable to assess for Zakaat. If the borrower is poor or is refusing to pay the debt, there will be no Zakaat on the money until the lender receives the money. Then he will assess it for Zakaat of one past due year, but there will be no Zakaat in the years before that. There is no Zakaat on precious stones such as diamonds, or metals such uranium, regardless of their value. Gold and silver, of course are assessed for Zakaat. However, if a person possesses any of these stones or metals, he should give their Zakaat like any other articles of trade. If a person possesses diamonds or any other precious stones as an edge against inflation or for ornaments, there will no Zakaat on these. How To Give Zakaat Zakaat may be assessed and returned in two ways: a) Make a record of all money earned, either daily or monthly, which has reached the nisaab and remains in the treasury. The Zakaat of that money would be due one year later on the same day the money was earned and reached nisaab. This means every month's income must be set aside and assessed for Zakaat and so will be the case for the rest of the months. For instance, the income of January, 1991 will be assessed for Zakaat in January, 1992, and the income of February, 1991 will be assessed for Zakaat in February 1992, etc. This method of assessing Zakaat is very difficult because it entails complete bookkeeping of daily or monthly earnings. b) The best way is to set a day or a month, preferably Ramadan, for your annual Zakaat return calendar, say Ramadan 1st, 1412. One year later on the same day Ramadan, 1413, your Zakaat is due and payable. Whatever is in the savings is due for Zakaat, regardless of whether all the amount in the savings reaches a year or not. For instance: if you have $20,000.00 in the savings account on the 1st of Ramadan, 1412 and one year later by the 1st of Ramadan, 1413 there is $50, 000.00, your Zakaat will be assessed for $50,000.00, that is: $50.000.00 x .025= $1,250.00. If, on the other hand, by the 1st of Ramadan, 1413 the amount in the savings is $15,000.00, your Zakaat will be for the amount in the savings, that is $15,000.00 x .025= $375.00. This method is the best because it is easy to assess, meets one's obligation and relieve one's conscience. The Recipient Of Zakaat Knowing who qualifies as recipient of Zakaat is an important aspect of Zakaat collection in Islam. Fortunately, Allah (SWT) has been merciful to us in that He Himself spelled out the people eligible to receive Zakaat. In Surah Tawbah He stated: "Alms are for the poor and the needy; and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 60) In this verse Allah enumerated the people who deserve this divine welfare, and they are as follows: The poor and the needy. These are individuals, and those under their care, to live on. By the poor and needy is meant the people whose income or salaries, or whatever material goods they have, fall short of the cost of living in a given environment and economy. The poor and the needy should be given what will suffice them and their families for one full year. The needy who want to get married and have no means should be given enough for this purpose, and so, too, the student who needs money for tuition, rent, food, and books. The working poor should be given supplementary Zakaat. But the wealthy, or any person with enough income to live on should not be given Zakaat, even if they asked for it. Instead, they should be warned and admonished for asking for what does not belong to them. In a hadith reported by Abdullah bin `Umar, the Messenger of Allah (saas) stated: "A man keeps on asking others for something till he comes on the day of Resurrection without any piece of flesh on his face." (Bukhari/Muslim). This hadith indicates a humiliating appearance before Allah (SWT) that awaits a person who asks illegally. Some said: this hadith implies Allah will punish a person with the very limb, the face, that he used to impress on others to give him their money unlawfully. In another hadith reported by Abu Hurairah, the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever asks people for their money so as to get rich, he is asking for flames of fire. It is up to him to ask for more or less (he should beware)." (Muslim) This hadith indicates the severity of the punishment, the more one asks the more punishment, the less one asks the less the punishment. In another hadith, reported by Hakeem bin Hizaam said: I begged the Messenger of Allah and he gave me. I begged again, and he gave me. I begged again and he gave me. He then said: "This money is green and sweet; he who receives it from people with a cheerful heart, Allah will bless him in it; he who receives it, with an avaricious mind would not be blessed in it. He will be like the person who eats without being satisfied; and the upper hand is better than the lower hand" (Muslim) This hadith gave an analogy between money and green, ripened fruit that people love to eat. Thus, it indicates that both are greatly loved but easily finished. For money that is easy come easy go, one must be careful about the punishment that awaits the illegal eater. If a person asks for Zakaat and there are no signs of wealth, and he does not know that he should not ask, or a person who is well and able, who can work, but does not; if these people do not know that it is not permissible for them to ask, it may be given anyway. In a hadith reported by Ahmed, Abu Dawud, and Nasa'e, two men came to the Messenger of Allah (saas) and asked for Zakaat. He looked at them closely and found them strong and able, he said, "If you want I will give you. But you should know that the wealthy or an able person who can work has no share in Zakaat" (Ahmad) Those who administer the Zakaat department, assigning people for collecting, bookkeeping, making lists of people eligible for Zakaat, and a financial calendar. These people will receive Zakaat as compensation for their work, even if they are wealthy. This does not include a person who works as an agent for one or two wealthy people to take Zakaat for himself. They should donate their time for Zakaat disbursement and do it with honesty and truthfulness. If they can not, they should be paid or rewarded for their time. In a hadith related by Abu Musa Al-Ashi`ari (raa), the Messenger of Allah said: "A trustworthy Muslim executor is the one who executes completely what has been entrusted to him of Zakaat money in good faith." (Bukhari) That is, he will give the Zakaat money to any of the eligible recipients of Zakaat. He should carry on the duty voluntarily, but if he can not distribute the money without being paid, the Zakaat payer should pay him for his work. The payment for the service of distributing Zakaat should not come out of Zakaat money. The new converts to Islam whose hearts we want to harmonize into the fold of Islam, either because their faith is weak or we are afraid of their being harmed, should be given Zakaat to strengthen their Iman or until we no longer fear their harm. The bonds person who has contracted with his master to buy himself out of bondage deserve Zakaat and should be given enough to pay off their debt to the master and be freed themselves; similarly, Muslim prisoners of war if their freedom is tied to monetary payment, deserve Zakaat sufficient enough to secure their release. On the other hand, if a pearson accidently killed someone and have no means to pay off the blood money, he should be helped from Zakaat funds. The people in debt are of two kinds: (A) The guarantor, who takes the responsibility of someone else's debt so as to reconcile the two warring parties, to extinguish the fire of fitnah between them. If the person requests Zakaat money to pay off this debt he should be given it, which will encourage him to continue in this noble cause. In a hadith reported by Qubaysah Al-Hilaaly (raa), he said I was under debt (hamaalah) and I came to the Messenger (saas) and begged him to help me pay it off. The Messenger told him: "Wait until we receive charity, so we will command that it be given to you." However, the Messenger stated: "O Qubaysah, begging is not permitted except for one of three categories of people: A man who has incurred debt (as guarantor to reconcile blood wit) for him begging is permissible till he pays that off, after which he must stop it; a man whose property has been destroyed by calamity which has smitten him; for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support life or will provide him reasonable subsistence; and a man who has been smitten by poverty, the genuineness of which should be confirmed by three knowledgeable members of his people; for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support him, or will provide him subsistence. Besides these three, Qubaysah, begging is forbidden for every other persons, and one who engages in such consumes that which is forbidden." (Muslim) (B) Whoever incurs debt and has no money to pay it back will be given from Zakaat to help pay his debt, whether the amount is large or small; or his creditor should be paid directly on his behalf, so long as it is paid off. Zakaat can be given in the path of Allah. By this is meant to finance a Jihad effort in the path of Allah, not for Jihad for other reasons. The fighter (mujahid) will be given as salary what will be enough for him. If he needs to buy arms or some other supplies related to the war effort, Zakaat money should be used provided the effort is to raise the banner of Islam. The wayfarer. This is the traveller who in a strange land runs out of money. He or she deserves Zakaat, enough money to take him back to his country, even if he is wealthy and can find someone to loan him the money. On his part, he should take with him on his trip sufficient money, if he is wealthy, so that he will not need Zakaat. Zakaat money can not be used to pay off other obligations, such as giving Zakaat money to people you are obligated to take care of by law; or Zakaat money can not be used to pay for hotel and food expenses. It is, however, permissible to give Zakaat to a wife or family member, provided it is not part of their daily living expense money, but is needed to pay off a debt for one's wife if she can not pay it. So is the case for one's parents if they can not pay their debt. Zakaat money may be given to members of the family for their expenses if one is not obligated to take care of them financially. The wife can pay off a debt of her husband with Zakaat money, because he may be among the eight eligible recipients and she is not obligated to spend on him as he is on her. The eight eligible recipients of Zakaat can be denied their right to Zakaat without proof from Al-Qur`an or Sunnah. In a hadith reported by Ibn Mas`ud, his wife Zaynab heard the Messenger of Allah order women to give Zakaat, so she asked the Messenger (saas): " O Messenger of Allah, you commanded us to give Zakaat, and I have jewelry that I wanted to assess for Zakaat, but my husband Abdullah bin Mas`ud claimed that his son deserves it more than anyone." The Messenger replied: Your husband Ibn Mas`ud is right. Your son deserves your charity more than anyone." In another hadith reported by Salman bin `Aamir, he said the Messenger of Allah said: " Charity to the poor is only charity, but charity to the rest of kind is charity and maintenance of relations (sillah)." (Nisaee) No loan should be written off as Zakaat because Zakaat is taken and given. Allah (SWT) said: "Of their goods take alms...." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 103) And in a Hadith the Messenger has been reported as saying: "Allah has mandated on you Zakaat to be taken from the wealthy and to be given to the poor." Thus, writing off debt is not taken. For instance, If you loan a person money, you can not write off that loan as a Zakaat. However, it could be written off as sadaqah charity. Furthermore, loan, delinquent or not, is considered an absent money, therefore, it should not be transacted in Zakaat. for Zakaat is assessed only in cash in hand. Besides, debt money is valued less than cash in the hand, and using that money for alms is like exchanging good money for bad. The assessor of alms should try to give his Zakaat to an eligible person, but if he makes a mistake and gives it to an ineligible person it is accepted. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah, he said the Messenger said: "A man expressed his intention to give charity, so he came with his charity and placed it in the hand of an adulteress. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity was given to an adulteress last night. The donor said: O Allah, to thee be the Praise - charity to an adulteress! He then again expressed his intention to give charity, so he went out with it and placed it in the hand of a rich person. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity was given to a rich person. The donor said, O Allah to You be the praise - charity to a rich man! He then expressed his intention to give charity, so he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity to the thief. So the man said, O Allah to You be the praise (what a misfortune that charity has been given) to the adulteress, the rich and the thief! Then someone came to him and told him your charity has been accepted. As for the adulteress the charity might become the means whereby she might restrain from fornication. The rich man might perhaps learn a lesson and spend from what Allah has given him, and the thief might thereby restrain from committing theft. (Muslim/ Bukhari) http://www.islamfortoday.com/beliefs.htm

Give me your opinion insights and summary or how you understand this..? CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article One Basic Air Quality Policies SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999". SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that "polluters must pay". Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be the concern of all. SECTION 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to: a. Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; b. Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments; c. Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution; d. Promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and e. Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages. SECTION 4. Recognition of Rights. - Pursuant to the above-declared principles, the following rights of citizens are hereby sought to be recognized and the State shall seek to guarantee the enjoyment: a. The right to breathe clean air; b. The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development; c. The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process; d. The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and public health; e. The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of pollution and the accidental or deliberate release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous substances; f. The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act; g. The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws;and h. The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health impact of a project or activity. Article Two Definition of Terms SECTION 5. -Definitions.- As used in this Act: a.) "Air pollutant" means any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations, that is detrimental to health or the environment, which includes but not limited to smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly ash, solid particles of any king, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam and radioactive substances; b.) "Air pollution" means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes; c.) "Ambient air quality guideline values" means the concentration of air over specified periods classified as short-term and long-term which are intended to serve as goals or objectives for the protection of health and/or public welfare. These values shall be used for air quality management purposes such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement o the air quality, and in general, used as basis or taking positive action in preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution; d.) "Ambient air quality" means the general amount of pollution present in a broad area; and refers to the atmosphere's average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution; e.) "Certificate of Conformity" means a certificate issued by the Department o Environment and Natural Resources to a vehicle manufacturer/assembler or importer certifying that a particular new vehicle or vehicle type meets the requirements provided under this Act and its rules and regulations; f.) "Department" means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; g.)" Eco-profile" means the geographic-based instrument for planners and decision makers which present an evaluation of the environment quality and carrying capacity of an area. It is the result of the integration of primary data and information on natural resources and antropogenic activities on the land which evaluated by various environmental risk assessment and forecasting methodologies that enable the Department to anticipate the type of development control necessary in the planning area. h.)" Emission" means any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere; i.) " Greenhouse gases" means those gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, chloroflourocarbons, and the like; j.) "Hazardous substances" means those substances which present either : (1) short-term acute hazards such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire explosion; or (2) long-term toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogecity (which in some cases result in acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters; k.)" Infectious waste " means that portion of medical waste that could transmit an infectious disease; l.)" Medical waste" means that materials generated as a result of patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; m.) " Mobile source" means any vehicle propelled by or thorough combustion of carbon-based or other fuel, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property goods; n.) " Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled by a gasoline or diesel engine or by any means other than human or animal power, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property or goods in a public highway or street open to public use; o.) " Municipal waste" means the waste materials generated from communities within a specific locality; p)." New vehicle" means a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the DOTC or with the appropriate agency or authority, and operated on the highways of the Philippines, any foreign state of country; q.) " Octane Rating or the Anti-Knock Index(AKI)" means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON), plus the Motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for use in a motor vehicle or a class thereof , whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which such manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or a substantial portion of such class, without knocking; r.) " Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)" means those substances that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects of human health and the environment such as , but not limited to , chloroflourocarbons, halons and the like; s.) "Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)" means the organic compounds that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. These compounds resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation, which shall include but not be limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane; t.) "Poisonous and toxic fumes" means any emissions and fumes which are beyond internationally-accepted standards, including but not limited to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values; u. " Pollution control device " means any device or apparatus used to prevent, control or abate the pollution of air caused by emissions from identified pollution sources at levels within the air pollution control standards established by the Department; v.) " Pollution control technology" means the pollution control devices, production process, fuel combustion processes or other means that effectively prevent or reduce emissions or effluent; w.) " Standard of performance " means a standard for emissions of air pollutant which reflects the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction, taking into account the cost of achieving such reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirement which the Department determines, and adequately demonstrates; and x.) " Stationary source" means any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant. CHAPTER 2 AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Article One General Provisions SEC. 6. Air Quality Monitoring and Information Network - The Department shall prepare an annual National Air Quality Status Report which shall be used as the basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework, as provided for in Sec. 7. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: a.) Extent of pollution in the country, per type of pollutant and per type of source, based on reports of the Department's monitoring stations; b.) Analysis and evaluation of the current state, trends and projections of air pollution at the various levels provided herein; c.) Identification of critical areas, activities, or projects which will need closer monitoring or regulation; d.) Recommendations for necessary executive and legislative action; and e.) Other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information concerning the extent of air pollution and the air quality performance rating of industries in the country. The Department, in cooperation with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), shall design and develop an information network for data storage, retrieval and exchange. The Department shall serve as the central depository of all data and information related to air quality. SEC. 7. Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework.- The Department shall within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, establish, with the participation of LGUs, NGOs, POs, the academe and other concerned entities from the private sector, formulate and implement the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework for a comprehensive air pollution management and control program. The framework shall, among others, prescribe the emission reduction goals using permissible standards, control strategies and control measures to undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, managements strategies, collective actions, and environmental education and information. The Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint with which all government agencies must comply with to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. SEC. 8 Air Quality Control Action Plan- Within six (6) months after the formulation of the framework, the Department shall, with public participation, formulate and implement an air quality control action plan consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act. The action plan shall : a.) Include enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means or techniques, as well as schedules and time tables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; b.) Provide for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures necessary to monitor, compile and analyze data on ambient air quality; c.) Include a program to provide for the following : (1) enforcement of the measures described in subparagraph (a);(2) regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary source within the areas covered by the plan, in accordance with land use policy to ensure that ambient air quality standards are achieved; d). Contain adequate provisions, consistent with the provisions of this Act, prohibiting any source or other types of emissions activity within the country from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will significantly contribute to the non-attainment or will interfere with the maintenance by the Department of any such ambient air quality standard required to be included in the implementation plan to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility; e.) Include control strategies and control measures to be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collection action and environmental education and information; f.) Designate airsheds; and g.)All other measures necessary for the effective control and abatement of air pollution. The adoption of the plan shall clarify the legal effects on the financial, manpower and budgetary resources of the affected government agencies, and on the alignment of their programs with the plans. In addition to direct regulations, the plan shall be characterized by a participatory approach to the pollution problem. The involvement of private entities in the monitoring and testing of emissions from mobile and/or stationary sources shall be considered. Likewise, the LGU's, with the assistance from the Department, shall prepare and develop an action plan consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards with their respective airsheds as provided in Sec. 9 hereof. The local government units shall develop and submit to the Department as procedure for carrying out the action plan for their jurisdiction. The Department, however, shall maintain its authority to independently inspect the enforcement procedure adopted. The Department shall have the power to closely supervise all or parts of the air quality action plan until such time the local government unit concerned can assume the function to enforce the standards set by the Department. A multi-sectoral monitoring team with broad public representation shall be convened by the Department for each LGU to conduct periodic inspections of air pollution sources to assess compliance with emission limitations contained in their permits. SEC. 9 Airsheds. - Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the designation of airsheds shall be on the basis of, but not limited to, areas with similar climate, meteorology and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, or areas which share common interest or face similar development programs, prospects or problems. For a more effective air quality management, a system of planning and coordination shall be established and a common action plan shall be formulated for each airshed. To effectively carry out the formulated actions plans, a Governing Board is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman. The members shall be as follows: a.) Provincial Governors from areas belonging to the airshed; b.) City/Municipal Mayors from areas belonging to the airshed; c.) A representative from each concerned government agency; d.) Representatives from people's organizations; e.) Representatives from non-government organizations; and f.) Representatives from the private sector. The Board shall perform the following functions: a.) Formulation of policies; b.) Preparation of a common action plan; c.) Coordination of functions among its members; and d.) Submission and publication of an annual Air Quality Status Report for each airshed. Upon consultation with appropriate local government authorities, the Department shall, from time to time, revise the designation of airsheds utilizing eco-profiling techniques and undertaking scientific studies. Emissions trading may be allowed among pollution sources within an airshed. SEC. 10. Management of Nonattainment Areas.- The Department shall designate areas where specific pollutants have already exceeded ambient standards as nonattainment areas. The Department shall prepare and implement a program that will prohibit new sources of exceeded air pollutant without a corresponding reduction in existing resources. In coordination with other appropriate government agencies, the LGUs shall prepare and implement a program and other measures including relocation, whenever necessary, to protect the health and welfare of residents in the area. For those designated as nonattainment areas, the Department, after consultation with local government authorities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people's organizations (POs) and concerned sectors may revise the designation of such areas and expand its coverage to cover larger areas depending on the condition of the areas. SEC. 11 Air Quality Control Techniques - Simultaneous with the issuance of the guideline values and standards, the Department, through the research and development program contained in this Act and upon consultation with appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs, shall issue, and from time to time, revise information on air pollution control techniques. Such information shall include: a.) Best available technology and alternative methods of prevention, management and control of air pollution; b.) Best available technology economically achievable which shall refer to the technological basis/standards for emission limits applicable to existing, direct industrial emitters of nonconventional and toxic pollutants; and c.) Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods which will result in the eliminator or significant reduction of emissions. Such information may also include data relating to the cost of installation and operation, energy requirements, emission reduction benefits, and environmental impact or the emission control technology. The issuance of air quality guideline values, standards and information on air quality control techniques shall be made available to the general public : Provided, That the issuance of information on air quality control techniques shall not be construed as requiring the purchase of certain pollution control devices by the public. SECTION 12. Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values and Standards.- The Department, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall review and or revise and publish annually a list of hazardous air pollutants with corresponding ambient guideline values and / or standard necessary to protect health and safety, and general welfare. The initial list and values of the hazardous air pollutants shall be as follows : a.) For National Ambient Air Quality Guideline for Criteria Pollutants : Short Term a Long Term b Pollutants µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time Suspended Particulate Matterc-TSP 230d 24 hours 90 -- 1 yeare -PM-10 150f 24 hours 60 -- 1 yeare Sulfur Dioxidec 180 0.07 24 hours 80 0.03 1 year Nitrogen Dioxide 150 0.08 24 hours -- -- -- Photochemical Oxidants 140 0.07 1 hour -- -- --- As Ozone 60 0.03 8 hours -- -- -- Carbon Monoxide 35 30 1 hour -- -- -- mg/Ncm 10 9 8 hours -- -- -- mg/Ncm Leadg 1.5 -- 3 monthsg 1.0 -- 1 year a.Maximum limits represented by ninety-eight percentile (98%) values not to be exceed more than once a year. b. Arithmetic mean c. SO2 and Suspended Particulate matter are sampled once every six days when using the manual methods. A minimum of twelve sampling days per quarter of forty-eight sampling days each year is required for these methods. Daily sampling may be done in the future once continuous analyzers are procured and become available. d. Limits for Total Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 25-50 um. e. Annual Geometric Mean f. Provisional limits for Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 10 microns and below until sufficient monitoring data are gathered to base a proper guideline. g. Evaluation of this guideline is carried out for 24-hour averaging time and averaged over three moving calendar months. The monitored average value for any three months shall not exceed the guideline value. b) For National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Source Specific Air Pollutants from : Industrial Sources/ Operations: Pollutants1 Concentration2 Averaging time (min.) Method of Analysis/ Measurement3 µ/Ncm ppm 1. Ammonia 200 0.28 30 Nesselerization/ Indo Phenol 2. Carbon Disulfide 30 0.01 30 Tischer Method 3. Chlorine and Chlorine Compounds expressed as Cl2 100 0.03 5 Methyl Orange 4. Formaldehyde 50 0.04 30 Chromotropic acid Method or MBTH Colorimetric Method 5. Hydrogen Chloride 200 0.13 30 Volhard Titration with Iodine Solution 6. Hydrogen Sulfide 100 0.07 30 Methylene Blue 7. Lead 20 30 AASc 8. Nitrogen Dioxide 375,260 0.20,0.14 30,60 Greiss- Saltzman 9. Phenol 100 0.03 30 4-Aminoantiphyrine 10. Sulfur Dioxide 470, 340 0.18, 0.13 30,60 Colorimetric-Pararosaniline 11. Suspended Particulate Matter-TSP 300 -- 60 Gravimetric 1 Pertinent ambient standards for Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Asbestos, Nitric Acid and Sulfuric Acid Mists in the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations may be considered as guides in determining compliance. 2 Ninety- eight percentile (98%) values of 30-minute sampling measured at 250C and one atmosphere pressure. 3 Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. The basis in setting up the ambient air quality guideline values and standards shall reflect, among others, the latest scientific knowledge including information on : a) Variable, including atmospheric conditions, which of themselves or in combination with other factors may alter the effects on public health or welfare of such air pollutant; b) The other types of air pollutants which may interact with such pollutant to produce an adverse effect on public health or welfare; and c) The kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from presence of such pollutant in the ambient air, in varying quantities. The Department shall base such ambient air quality standards on World Health Organization (WHO) standards, but shall not be limited to nor be less stringent than such standards. SEC. 13. Emission Charge System. - The Department, in case of industrial dischargers, and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), in case of motor vehicle dischargers, shall, based on environmental techniques, design, impose on and collect regular emission fees from said dischargers as part of the emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the case may be. The system shall encourage the industries and motor vehicles to abate, reduce, or prevent pollution. The basis of the fees include, but is not limited to, the volume and toxicity of any emitted pollutant. Industries, which shall install pollution control devices or retrofit their existing facilities with mechanisms that reduce pollution shall be entitled to tax incentives such as but not limited total credits and/or accelerated depreciation deductions. SEC. 14 Air Quality Management Fund. - An Air Quality Management Fund to be administered by the Department as a special account in the National Treasury is hereby established to finance containment, removal, and clean-up operations of the Government in air pollution cases, guarantee restoration of ecosystems and rehabilitate areas affected by the acts of violators of this Act, to support research, enforcement and monitoring activities and capabilities of the relevant agencies, as well as to provide technical assistance to the relevant agencies. Such fund may likewise be allocated per airshed for the undertakings herein stated. The Fund shall be sourced from the fines imposed and damages awarded to the Republic of the Philippines by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), proceeds of licenses and permits issued by the Department under this Act, emission fees and from donations, endowments and grants in the forms of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the Government. SEC. 15. Air Pollution Research and Development Program. - The Department, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), other agencies, the private sector, the academe, NGO's and PO's, shall establish a National Research and Development Program for the prevention and control of air pollution. The Department shall give special emphasis to research on and the development of improved methods having industry-wide application for the prevention and control of air pollution. Such a research and development program shall develop air quality guideline values and standards in addition to internationally-accepted standards. It shall also consider the socio-cultural, political and economic implications of air quality management and pollution control. ARTICLE TWO Air Pollution Clearances and Permits for Stationary Sources Sec. 16. Permits. Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution. Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action plan. SEC. 17 Emission Quotas. The Department may allow each regional industrial center that is designated as special airshed to allocate emission quotas to pollution sources within its jurisdiction that qualify under an environmental impact assessment system programmatic compliance program pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586. SEC. 18. Financial Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation. As Part of the environmental management plan attached to the environmental compliance certificate pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and rules and regulations set therefore, the Department shall require program and project proponents to put up financial guarantee mechanisms to finance the needs for emergency response, clean-up rehabilitation of areas that may be damaged during the program or project's actual implementation. Liability for damages shall continue even after the termination of a program or project, where such damages are clearly attributable to that program or project and for a definite period to be determined by the Department and incorporated into the environmental compliance certificate. Financial liability instruments may be in the form a trust fund, environmental insurance, surety bonds, letters of credit, as well as self-insurance. The choice of the guarantee instruments shall furnish the Department with evidence of availment of such instruments. ARTICLE THREE Pollution from Stationary Sources SEC. 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources.- The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefore arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary source of air pollution based on internationally accepted standards, but not be limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set forth in this section. The standards, whichever is applicable, shall be the limit on the acceptable level of pollutants emitted from a stationary source for the protection of the public's health and welfare. With respect to any trade, industry, process and fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant emitting air pollutants, the concentration at the point of emission shall not exceed the following limits: Pollutants Standard Applicable to Source Maximum Permissible Limits (mg/Ncm) Method of Analysisa 1. Antimony and Its compounds any source 10 as Sb AASb 2. Arsenic and its compounds Any source 10 as As AASb 3. Cadmium and its compounds Any source 10 as Cd AASb 4. Carbon Monoxide Any industrial Source 500 as CO Orsat analysis 5. Copper and its Compounds Any industrial source 100 ax Cu AASb 6. Hydrofluoric Acids and Fluoride compounds Any source other than the manufacture of Aluminum from Alumina 50 as HF Titration with Ammonium Thiocyanate 7. Hydrogen Sulfide i) Geothermal Power Plants c.d Cadmium Sulfide Method ii) Geothermal Exploration and well-testing e iii) Any source other than (i) and (ii) 7 as H2S Cadmium Sulfide Method 8. Lead Any trade, industry or process 10 as Pb AASb 9. Mercury Any Source 5 as elemental Hg AASb/Cold-Vapor Technique or Hg Analyzer 10. Nickel and its compounds, except Nickel Carbonyl f Any source 20 as Ni AASb 11. NOx i) Manufacture of Nitric Acid 2,000 as acid and NOx and calculated as NO2 Phenol-disulfonic acid Method ii) Fuel burning steam generators Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1,500 as NO2 New Source • Coal-Fired 1,000 as NO2 • Oil-Fired 500 as NO2 iii) Any source other than (i) adn (ii) Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1000 as NO2 New Source 500 as NO2 12. Phosphorus Pentoxideg Any source 200 as P2O5 Spectrophotometry 13. Zinc and its Compounds Any source 100 as Zn AASb a Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. b Atomic Absorption Specttrophotometry c All new geothermal power plants starting construction by 01 January 1995 shall control HsS emissions to not more than 150 g/GMW-Hr d All existing geothermal power plants shall control HsS emissions to not more than 200 g/GMW-Hr within 5 years from the date of effectivity of these revised regulations. e Best practicable control technology for air emissions and liquid discharges. Compliance with air and water quality standards is required. f Emission limit of Nickel Carbonyl shall not exceed 0.5 mg/Ncm. g Provisional Guideline Provided, that the maximum limits in mg/ncm particulates in said sources shall be : 1. Fuel Burning Equipment a) Urban or Industrial Area 150 mg/Ncm b) Other Area 200 mg/Ncm 2. Cement Plants (Kilns, etc.) 150 mg/Ncm 3. Smelting Furnaces 150 mg/Ncm 4. Other Stationary Sourcesa 200 mg/Ncm a Other Stationary Sources means a trade, process, industrial plant, or fuel burning equipment other than thermal power plants, industrial boilers, cement plants, incinerators and smelting furnaces. Provided, further, that the maximum limits for sulfur oxides in said sources shall be : (1) Existing Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 2.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel burning Equipment 1.5gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 1.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (2) New Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 1.5 gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel Burning Equipment 0.7 gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 0.2 gm.Ncm as SO3 a Other Stationary Sources refer to existing and new stationary sources other than those caused by the manufacture of sulfuric acid and sulfonation process, fuel burning equipment and incineration. For Stationary sources of pollution not specifically included in the immediately preceding paragraph, the following emission standards shall not be exceeded in the exhaust gas : I. Daily And Half Hourly Average Values Daily Average Values Half Hourly Average Values Total dust 10 mg/m3 30 mg/m3 Gaseous and vaporous organic substances, expressed as total organic carbon 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 Hydrogen chloride (HCl) 10 mg/m3 60 mg/m3 Hydrogen fluoride (HF) 1 mg/m3 4 mg/m3 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 50 mg/m3 200 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes per hour 200 mg/m3 400 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity of 3 tonnes per hour or less 300 mg/m3 Ammonia 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 II. All the Average Values over the Sample Period of a Minimum of 4 and Maximum of 8 Hours. Cadmium and its compounds, expressed as cadmium (Cd) total 0.05 Thallium and its compounds, expressed as thallium (Tl) mg/m3 Mercury and its Compounds, expressed as mercury (Hg) 0.05 mg/m3 Antimony and its compounds, expressed as antimony (Sb) Arsenic and its compounds, expressed as arsenic (As) total 0.5 mg/m3 Lead and its compounds, expressed as lead ( Pb) Chromium and its compounds, expressed as chromium (Cr) Cobalt and its compounds, expressed as cobalt (Co) Copper and its compounds, expressed as copper (Cu) Manganese and its compounds, expressed as manganese (Mn) Nickel and its compounds, expressed as nickel (Ni) Vanadium and its compounds, expressed as vanadium (V) Tin and its compounds, expressed as tin (Sn) These average value cover also gaseous and the vapor forms of the relevant heavy metal emission as well as their compounds. Provided, that the emission of dioxins and furans into the air shall be reduced by the most progressive techniques. Provided, further that all average of dioxin and furans measured over the sample period of a minimum of 5 hours and maximum of 8 hours must not exceed the limit value of 0.1 nanogram/m3. Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the Department shall prepare a detailed action plan setting the emission standards or standards of performance for any stationary source the procedure for testing emissions for each type of pollutant, and the procedure for enforcement of said standards. Existing industries, which are proven to exceed emission rates established by the Department in consultation with stakeholders, after a thorough, credible and transparent measurement process shall be allowed a grace period of eighteen (18) months for the establishment of an environmental management system and the installation of an appropriate air pollution control device : Provided, That an extension of not more than twelve (12) months may be allowed by the Department on meritorious grounds. SEC. 20 Ban on Incineration.- Incineration , hereby defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited; Provided, however, That the prohibition shall not apply to traditional small-scale method of community/neighborhood sanitation "siga", traditional, agricultural, cultural, health, and food preparation and crematoria; Provided, further, That existing incinerators dealing with a biomedical wastes shall be out within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act; Provided, finally, that in the interim, such units shall be limited to the burning of pathological and infectious wastes, and subject to close monitoring by the Department. Local government units are hereby mandated to promote, encourage and implement in their respective jurisdiction a comprehensive ecological waste management that includes waste segregation, recycling and composting. With due concern on the effects of climate change, the Department shall promote the use of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound and safe non-burn technologies for the handling, treatment, thermal destruction, utilization, and disposal of sorted, unrecycled, uncomposted, biomedical and hazardous wastes. ARTICLE FOUR Pollution from Motor Vehicles Sec. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles. a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. The following emission standards for type approval of motor vehicles shall be effective by the year 2003: a.) For light duty vehicles, the exhausts emission limits for gaseous pollutants shall be: Emission Limits for Light Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/441/EEC) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) 2.72 0.97 0.14 a for compression-ignition engines only b) For light commercial vehicles, the exhaust emission limit of gaseous pollutants as a function of the given reference mass shall be : Reference Weight (RW) (kg) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) Category 1 1250< RW 2.72 0.97 0.14 Category 2 1250< RW<1700 5.17 1.4 0.19 Category 3 RW>1700 6.9 1.7 0.25 a for compression-ignition engines only c.) For heavy duty vehicles, the exhaust emission limits of gaseous pollutants shall be : Emission Limits for Heavy Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/542/EEC) CO (g/k/Wh) HC (g/k/Wh) NOx (g/k/Wh) PM (g/k/Wh) 4.5 1.1 8.0 0.36a a In the case of engines of 85 kW or less, the limit value for particular emissions in increased by multiplying the quoted limit by a coefficient of 1.7 Fuel evaporative emission for spark-ignition engines shall not exceed 2.0 grams hydrocarbons per test. Likewise, it shall not allow any emission of gases from crankcase ventilation system into the atmosphere. b.) The Department, in collaboration with the DOTC, DTI and LGUs, shall develop an action plan for the control and management of air pollution from motor vehicles consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Framework. The DOTC shall enforce compliance with the emission standards for motor vehicles set by the Department. The DOTC may deputize other law enforcement agencies and LGUs for this purpose. To this end, the DOTC shall have the power to : (1) Inspect and monitor the emissions of motor vehicles ; (2) Prohibit or enjoin the use of motor vehicles or a class of motor vehicles in any area or street at specified times; and (3) Authorize private testing emission testing centers duly accredited by the DTI. c.) The DOTC, together with the DTI and the Department, shall establish the procedures for the inspection of motor vehicles and the testing of their emissions for the purpose of determining the concentration and/or rate of pollutants discharged by said sources. d.) In order to ensure the substantial reduction of emissions from a motor vehicles, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the DOTC and the Department shall formulate and implement a national motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program that will promote efficient and safe operation of all motor vehicles. In this regard, the DTI shall develop and implement standards and procedures for the certification of training institutions, instructors and facilities and the licensing of qualified private service centers and their technicians as prerequisite for performing the testing, servicing, repair and the required adjustment to the vehicle emission system. The DTI shall likewise prescribe regulations requiring the disclosure of odometer readings and the use of tamper-resistant odometers for all motor vehicles including tamper-resistant fuel management systems for the effective implementation of the inspection and maintenance program. SEC. 22 Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines. Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department. Any imported new motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. Any imported used motor vehicle or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts or components shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards. In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engine so it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards. No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or its authorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration. The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and engines including devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certified to meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices. SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines. Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. ARTICLE FIVE- Pollution from Other Sources SEC. 24 Pollution from smoking. Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one's private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs. SEC. 25. Pollution from other Mobile Sources. The Department, in coordination with appropriate agencies, shall formulate and establish the necessary standards for all mobile sources other than those referred to in Sec. 21 of this Act. The imposition of the appropriate fines and penalties from these sources for any violation of emission standards shall be under the jurisdiction of the DOTC. CHAPTER 3 FUELS, ADDITIVES, SUBSTANCES AND POLLUTANTS Article One- Fuels, Additives and Substances SEC. 26 Fuels and Additives. Pursuant to the Air Quality Framework to be established under Section 7 of this Act, the Department of Energy (DOE), co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in consultation with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI, the DOST, the representatives of the fuel and automotive industries, academe and the consumers shall set the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products, to improve fuel composition for increased efficiency and reduced emissions; Provided, however, that the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products set-forth pursuant to this section shall be adopted by the BPS as Philippine National Standards (PNS). The DOE, shall also specify the allowable content of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products. Such standards shall be based primarily on threshold levels of health and research studies. On the basis of such specifications, the DOE shall likewise limit the content or begin that phase-out of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products as it may deem necessary. Other agencies involved in the performance of this function shall be required to coordinate with the DOE and transfer all documents and information necessary for the implementation of this provision. Consistent with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs under this section, it is declared that : a. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce unleaded premium gasoline fuel which has an anti-knock index (AKI) of not less that 87.5 and Reid vapor pressure of not more than 9 psi. Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, unleaded gasoline fuel shall contain aromatics not to exceed forty-five percent (45%) by volume and benzene not to exceed four percent (4%) by volume; Provided, that by year 2003, unleaded gasoline fuel should contain aromatics not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) by volume and benzene not to exceed two percent (2%) by volume; b. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply , offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce automotive diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.20% by weight with a cetane number of index of not less than forty-eight (48); Provided, That by year 2004, content of said sulfur shall be 0.05% by weight ; and c. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no Person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce industrial diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.30% (by weight). Every two (2) years thereafter or as the need arises, the specifications of unleaded gasoline and of automotive and industrial diesel fuels shall be reviewed and revised for further improvement in formulation and in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The fuels characterized above shall be commercially available. Likewise, the same shall be the reference fuels for emission and testing procedures to be established in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Any proposed additive shall not in any way increase emissions of any of the regulated gases which shall include, but not limited to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, in order to be approved and certified by the Department. SEC. 27. Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives.- The DOE, in coordination with the Department and the BPS, shall regulate the use of any fuel or fuel additive. No manufacturer, processor or trader of any fuel or additive may import, sell, offer for sale, or introduce into commerce such fuel for additive unless the same has been registered with the DOE. Prior to registration, the manufacturer, processor or trader shall provide the DOE with the following relevant information: a. Product identity and composition to determine the potential health effects of such fuel additives; b. Description of the analytical technique that can be used to detect and measure the additive in any fuel ; c. Recommended range of concentration; and d. Purpose in the use of the fuel and additive. SEC. 28 Misfueling. In order to prevent the disabling of any emission control device by lead contamination, no person shall introduce or cause or allow the introduction of leaded gasoline into any motor vehicle equipped with a gasoline tank filler inlet and labeled " unleaded gasoline only ". This prohibition shall also apply to any person who knows or should know that such vehicle is designed solely for the use of unleaded gasoline. SEC. 29. Prohibition on Manufacture. Import and Sale of leaded Gasoline and of Engines and/or Components Requiring Leaded Gasoline. Effective not later than eighteen (18) months after the enactment of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, introduce into commerce, convey or otherwise dispose of , in any manner leaded gasoline and engines and components requiring the use of leaded gasoline. For existing vehicles, the DTI shall formulate standards and procedures that will allow non-conforming engines to comply with the use of unleaded fuel within five(5) years after the effectivity of this Act. Article Two Other Pollutants SEC. 30. Ozone-Depleting Substances. Consistent with the terms and conditions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other international agreements and protocols to which the Philippines is a signatory, the Department shall phase out ozone-depleting substances. Within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall publish a list of substances which are known to cause harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone layer. SEC. 31. Greenhouse Gases. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) shall regularly monitor meteorological factors affecting environmental conditions including ozone depletion and greenhouse gases and coordinate with the Department in order to effectively guide air pollution monitoring and standard-setting activities. The Department, together with concerned agencies and local government units, shall prepare and fully implement a national plan consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international agreements, conventions and protocols on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. SEC. 32. Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Department shall, within a period of two (2) years after the enactment of this Act, establish an inventory list of all sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Country. The Department shall develop short-term and long-term national government programs on the reduction and elimination of POPs such as dioxins and furans. Such programs shall be formulated within a year after the establishment of the inventory list. SEC. 33. Radioactive Emissions. All projects which will involve the use of atomic and/or nuclear energy, and will entail release and emission of radioactive substances into the environment, incident to the establishment or possession of nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials, handling, transport, production, storage, and use of radioactive materials, shall be regulated in the interest of public health and welfare by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), in coordination with Department and other appropriate government agencies. CHAPTER 4 INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM SEC. 34. Lead Agency.- The Department, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act. To be more effective in this regard, The Department's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be converted from a staff bureau to a line bureau for a period of no more than two (2) years, unless a separate, comprehensive environmental management agency is created. SEC. 35 Linkage Mechanism. - The Department shall consult, participate, cooperate and enter into agreement with other government agencies, or with affected non-governmental (NGOs) or people's organizations (POs),or private enterprises in the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. SEC. 36. Role of Local Government Units.- Local Government units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction. Consistent with Secs. 7,8 and 9 of this Act, LGUs shall implement air quality standards set by the Board in areas within their jurisdiction; Provided, however, that in case where the board has not been duly constituted and has not promulgated its standards, the standards set forth in this Act shall apply. The Department shall provide the LGUs with technical assistance, trainings and a continuing capability-building program to prepare them to undertake full administration of the air quality management and regulation within their territorial jurisdiction. SEC. 37 Environmental and Natural Resources Office.- There may be established an Environment and Natural Resources Office in every province, city, or municipality which shall be headed by the environment and natural resources officer and shall be appointed by the Chief Executive of every province, city or municipality in accordance with the provisions of Section 484 of Republic Act No. 7160. Its powers and duties, among others, are : a. To prepare comprehensive air quality management programs, plans and strategies within the limits set forth in Republic act. No. 7160 and this Act which shall be implemented within its territorial jurisdiction upon the approval of the sanggunian ; b. To provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to air quality; c. To take the lead in all efforts concerning air quality protection and rehabilitation; d. To recommend to the Board air quality standards which shall not exceed the maximum permissible standards set by rational laws ; e. To coordinate with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control air pollution; and f. Exercise such other powers and perform such duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. Provided, however, that, in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may designate any of his official and/ or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee; Provided, finally, that in case an employee is designated as such, he must have a sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization. SEC. 38 Record-keeping, Inspection, Monitoring and Entry by the Department.- The Department or its duly accredited entity shall, after proper consultation and notice, require any person who owns or operates any emissions source or who is subject to any requirement of this Act to : (a) establish and maintain relevant records; (b) make relevant reports; (c) install, use and maintain monitoring equipment or methods; (d) sample emission, in accordance with the methods, locations, intervals and manner prescribed by the Department; (e) keep records on control equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; and (f) provide such other information as the Department may reasonably require. Pursuant to this Act, the Department, through its authorized representatives, shall have the right of : (a) entry of access to any premises including documents and relevant materials as referred to in the herein preceding paragraph, b) inspect any pollution or waste source, control device, monitoring equipment or method required, and c) test any emission. Any record, report or information obtained under this section shall be made available to the public, except upon a satisfactory showing to the Department by the entity concerned that the record, report or information, or parts thereof, if made public, would divulge secret methods or processes entitled to protection as intellectual property. Such record, report or information shall likewise be incorporated in the Department's industrial rating system. SEC. 39. Public Education and Information Campaign.- A continuing air quality information and education campaign shall promoted by the Department, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act, such campaign shall encourage the participation of other government agencies and the private sector including NGOs, POs, the academe, environmental groups and other private entities in a multi-sectoral information campaign. CHAPTER 5 ACTIONS SEC. 40 Administrative Action.- Without prejudice to the right of any affected person to file an administrative action , the Department shall, on its own instance or upon verified complaint by any person, institute administrative proceedings against any person who violates: a) Standards or limitation provided under this Act; or b) Any order, rule or regulation issued by the Department with respect to such standard or limitation. SEC. 41. Citizen Suits. for purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or administrative action in the proper courts against: (a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or (b) The Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this act; and/or (c) Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty; or, in any manner, improperly performs his duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That no suit can be filed until thirty-day (30) notice has been taken thereon. The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees, except fees for actions not capable of pecuniary estimations, and shall likewise, upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation complained of, exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of a preliminary injunction. Within thirty (30) days, the court shall make a determination if the compliant herein is malicious and/or baseless and shall accordingly dismiss the action and award attorney's fees and damages. SEC .42 . Independence of Action.- The filing of an administrative suit against such person/entity does not preclude the right of any other person to file any criminal or civil action. Such civil action shall proceed independently. SEC. 43 Suits and Strategic Legal Actions Against Public Participation and the Enforcement of this act.- where a suit is brought against a a person who filed an action as provided in Sec. 41 of this Act, or against any person, institutions or government agency that implements this Act, it shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination thereof , evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award attorney's fees and double damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for acts committed in their official capacity, their being no grave abuse of authority, and done in the course of enforcing this Act. SEC. 44 Lien Upon Personal and Immovable Properties of Violators. Fines and penalties imposed pursuant to this Act shall be liens upon personal immovable properties of the violator. Such lien shall, in case of insolvency of the respondent violator , enjoy preference to laborer's wages under Article 2241 and 2242 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the New Civil Code of the Philippines. CHAPTER 6 FINES AND PENALTIES SEC. 45. Violation of Standards for Stationary Sources. For actual exceedance of any pollution or air quality standards under this Act or its rules and regulations, the Department, through the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), shall impose a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos ( P 100,000.00) for every day of violation against the owner or operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with. For purposes of the application of the fines, the PAB shall prepare a fine rating system to adjust the maximum fine based on the violator's ability to pay, degree of willfulness, degree of negligence, history of noncompliance and degree of recalcitrance. Provided, That in case of negligence, the first time offender's ability to pay may likewise be considered by the Pollution Adjudication Board; Provided, further, That in the absence of any extenuating or aggravating circumstances, the amount of fine for negligence shall be equivalent to one-half of the fine for willful violation. The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at least ten percent (10%), every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines. In addition to the fines, the PAB shall order closure, suspension of development, construction, or operations of the stationary sources until such time that proper environmental safeguards are put in place; Provided, that an establishment liable for a third offense shall suffer permanent closure immediately. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the immediate issuance of an ex parte order for such closure, suspension of development or construction, or cessation of operations during the pendency of the case upon prima facie evidence that their is imminent threat to life, public health, safety or general welfare, or to plant or animal life, or whenever there is an exceedance of the emission standards set by the Department and/or the Board and/or the appropriate LGU. SEC. 46. Violation of Standards for Motor Vehicles. No motor vehicle shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission standards set by the Department as provided in Sec. 21 hereof. Any vehicle suspected of violation of emission standards through visual signs, such as, but not limited to smoke-belching, shall be subjected to an emission test by a duly authorized emission testing center. For this purpose, the DOTC or its authorized testing center shall establish a roadside inspection system. Should it be shown that there was no violation of emission standards, the vehicle shall be immediately released. Otherwise, a testing result indicating an exceedance of the emission standards would warrant the continuing custody of the impounded vehicle unless the appropriate penalties are fully paid, and the license plate is surrendered to the DOTC pending the fulfillment of the undertaking by the owner/operator of the motor vehicle to make the necessary repairs so as to comply with the standards. A pass shall herein be issued by the DOTC to authorize the use of the motor vehicle within a specified period that shall not exceed seven (7) days for the sole purpose of making the necessary repairs on the said vehicle. The owner/operator of the vehicle shall be required to correct its defects and show proof of compliance to the appropriate pollution control office before the vehicle can be allowed to be driven on any public or subdivision roads. In addition, the driver and operator of the apprehended vehicle shall undergo a seminar on pollution control managem

Have you read the Health Care Proposal? BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN’S PLAN TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS AND ENSURE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL Health care costs are skyrocketing. Health insurance premiums have doubled in the last 8 years, rising 3.7 times faster than wages in the past 8 years, and increasing co-pays and deductibles threaten access to care.1 Many insurance plans cover only a limited number of doctors’ visits or hospital days, exposing families to unlimited financial liability. Over half of all personal bankruptcies today are caused by medical bills.2 Lack of affordable health care is compounded by serious flaws in our health care delivery system. About 100,000 Americans die from medical errors in hospitals every year.3 One-quarter of all medical spending goes to administrative and overhead costs, and reliance on antiquated paper-based record and information systems needlessly increases these costs.4 Tens of millions of Americans are uninsured because of rising costs. Over 45 million Americans5— including over 8 million children6—lack health insurance. Eighty percent of the uninsured are in working families.7 Even those with health coverage are struggling to cope with soaring medical costs. Skyrocketing health care costs are making it increasingly difficult for employers, particularly small businesses, to provide health insurance to their employees. Underinvestment in prevention and public health. Too many Americans go without high-value preventive services, such as cancer screening and immunizations to protect against flu or pneumonia. The nation faces epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases as well as new threats of pandemic flu and bioterrorism. Yet despite all of this less than 4 cents of every health care dollar is spent on prevention and public health.8 Our health care system has become a disease care system, and the time for change is well overdue. OBAMA-BIDEN PLAN TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE TO ALL Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s plan strengthens employer–based coverage, makes insurance companies accountable and ensures patient choice of doctor and care without government interference. Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year. If you don’t have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options. Inefficient and poor quality care costs the nation at least $50 to $100 billion every year.9 Billions more are wasted on administration and overhead because of inefficiencies in the health care system.10 And given current trends, this problem will only get worse as health care spending is expected to double within the next decade.11 A growing body of research points to substantial opportunities to improve quality while reducing the costs of care. Health care systems in many parts of the country deliver high quality care to the populations they serve at half the cost of other equally renowned academic medical centers in other parts of the country.12 The key is to provide information, incentives and support to help physicians and others work together to improve quality of care while reducing costs. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must redesign our health system to reduce inefficiency and waste and improve health care quality, which will drive down costs for families and individuals. The Obama-Biden plan will improve efficiency and lower costs in the health care system by: (1) adopting state-of-the-art health information technology systems; (2) ensuring that patients receive and providers deliver the best possible care, including prevention and chronic disease management services; (3) reforming our market structure to increase competition; and offering federal reinsurance to employers to help ensure that unexpected or catastrophic illnesses do not make health insurance unaffordable or out of reach for businesses and their employees. (1) INVEST IN ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS. Most medical records are still stored on paper, which makes them difficult to use to coordinate care, measure quality, or reduce medical errors. Processing paper claims also costs twice as much as processing electronic claims.13 Barack Obama and Joe Biden will invest $10 billion a year over the next five years to move the U.S. health care system to broad adoption of standards-based electronic health information systems, including electronic health records. They will also phase in requirements for full implementation of health IT and commit the necessary federal resources to make it happen. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure that these systems are developed in coordination with providers and frontline workers, including those in rural and underserved areas. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure that patients’ privacy is protected. A study by the Rand Corporation