Daniel Riveiro Jr., of the Tampa Bay area, is excited to begin participating in the Watoto program. Watoto aims to rebuild the nation of Uganda, where a heartbreaking number of citizens have lost their lives in recent wars. It is truly a tragedy of epic proportions, one that has created countless widows and orphans. Clearly, Uganda’s citizens are in desperate need of assistance.

Daniel Riveiro is no stranger to philanthropy. As an alumnus of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Daniel learned to be a leader and a man of faith from an early age, so joining forces with Watoto seemed like an obvious choice. Now, he plans on taking a trip to Uganda in the near future so he can help ease the people’s suffering. The Watoto program provides a range of services, including medical care such as HIV/AIDS treatment, education to help develop the next generation of leaders, trauma counseling, and spiritual discipleship.

There are many ways to participate in the program according to Watoto.com. One can donate toward the cost of vehicles, technology, or medical equipment. There are also a number of sponsorship options. One can sponsor an individual baby, child, or housemother or make a contribution to the Living Hope program, which focuses on abandoned or widowed women, some of which are HIV positive. But Watoto is about more than just fundraising: those with the means can travel to Kampala, the war-torn capital of Uganda, and visit the Watoto church to see firsthand how the program has improved people’s lives since it began in 1983.

Uganda’s people have suffered terribly at the hands of corrupt rulers, and nearly one million people have been killed in the fighting that has plagued the country for years. Even worse, 20,000 children were abducted and forced to be child soldiers, according to Watoto.com. Thankfully, there are people like Daniel Riveiro who are willing to help the Ugandan people get back on their feet again.

Find out more about Daniel Riveiro:

• About.Me
• Daniel Riveiro 
• Flickr
• Flavors.Me
• Travel
• Career
• Pictures
• Dooid
• Image Portfolio

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Washington, U.S.A. —  NASA was named the best place to work in the federal government among large agencies in a survey released today by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization. This ranking, which reflects NASA’s highest results since this index was developed, makes clear that the agency’s work force is focused on carrying out the nation’s new and ambitious space program.

“The best workforce in the nation has made NASA the best place to work in federal government,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, who is accepting the award at a ceremony this morning in Washington, D.C. ”Our employees are carrying out the nation’s new strategic missions in space with heart-stopping landings on Mars, cutting-edge science and ground-breaking partnerships with American companies to resupplying the space station. They are truly leading in the innovation economy.”

The rankings are based on responses from nearly 700,000 federal workers. The Best Places to Work rankings are based on data from the Office of Personnel Management’s annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey conducted from April through June 2012 and additional survey data from nine agencies plus the Intelligence Community. This is the seventh edition of the Best Places to Work rankings since the first in 2003.

NASA’s Stennis Space Center was ranked second in the sub-agency component category.

During the past year, NASA’s employees continued to implement America’s ambitious space exploration program, landing the most sophisticated rover on the surface of Mars, carrying out the first-ever commercial mission to the International Space Station and advancing the systems needed to send humans deeper into space.

Just last week, NASA announced the next Mars rover mission and recently announced the first year-long crew stay on the International Space Station. As the agency continues developing the capabilities to explore the solar system and beyond, as well as understand our home planet and make life better here, workers with a wide range of skills and interests will be critical.

For more about NASA, visit: http://www.nasa.gov.

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New York, U.S.A. — Mortgage rates showed little movement, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate reversing last week’s move and rebounding to 3.52 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.37 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate held at 2.85 percent and the larger jumbo 30-year mortgage remained at the record low of 3.98 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the 1-year ARM sliding to 2.97 percent, the 5-year ARM staying at 2.74 percent for a third consecutive week, and the 10-year ARM rising to 3.2 percent.

Mortgage rates showed little movement as the fiscal cliff talks looked more like a stalemate. But a newly announced stimulus plan from the Federal Reserve aimed at buying longer-term Treasuries should help bring both bond yields and mortgage rates lower, albeit modestly. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds. Don’t expect any big moves in mortgage rates as long as the fiscal cliff talks drag on.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was November 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 3.52 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $900.32, a difference of $341 per month for anyone refinancing now.

Survey Results

30-year fixed: 3.52% — up from 3.50% last week (avg. points: 0.37)
15-year fixed: 2.85% — unchanged from last week (avg. points: 0.27)
5/1 ARM: 2.74% — unchanged from last week (avg. points: 0.35)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/mortgagerates.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages

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Chicago, U.S.A. — Hiring the right person to fill a position can be a difficult decision to make, and a new CareerBuilder study shows the cost of choosing incorrectly can be high. Sixty-nine percent of employers reported that their companies have been adversely affected by a bad hire this year, with 41 percent of those businesses estimating the cost to be over $25,000. Twenty-four percent said a bad hire cost them more than $50,000.

“Whether it’s a negative attitude, lack of follow through or other concern, the impact of a bad hire is significant,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Not only can it create productivity and morale issues, it can also affect the bottom line.”

Effects of a Bad Hire
The price of a bad hire adds up in a variety ways. The most common are:

• Less productivity – 39 percent
• Lost time to recruit and train another worker – 39 percent
• Cost to recruit and train another worker – 35 percent
• Employee morale negatively affected – 33 percent
• Negative impact on clients – 19 percent
• Fewer sales – 11 percent
• Legal issues – 9 percent

Characteristics of a Bad Hire
When classifying what makes someone a bad hire, employers reported several behavioral and performance-related issues:

• Employee didn’t produce the proper quality of work – 67 percent
• Employee didn’t work well with other employees – 60 percent
• Employee had a negative attitude – 59 percent
• Employee had immediate attendance problems – 54 percent
• Customers complained about the employee – 44 percent
• Employee didn’t meet deadlines – 44 percent

Why Companies Make Bad Hires 
The most common reason associated with a bad hire is rushing the decision process. Two-in-five hiring managers attributed a bad hire to pressure to fill the job opening.

• Needed to fill the job quickly – 43 percent
• Insufficient talent intelligence – 22 percent
• Sourcing techniques need to be adjusted per open position – 13 percent
• Fewer recruiters due to the recession has made it difficult  to go through applications – 10 percent
• Didn’t check references – 9 percent
• Lack of strong employment brand – 8 percent

One-in-four employers (26 percent) stated they weren’t sure why they made a bad hire and said sometimes you just make a mistake.

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New York, U.S.A. — This holiday season—with crowded malls, shrinking bank accounts, and frayed nerves—providing great service is even more critical than usual. Much like Santa, customers have their own “naughty or nice list,” and they won’t hesitate to take their business elsewhere.

“There’s no better time than the holiday season to uplift your customers with great service,” says Ron Kaufman, author of the New York Times bestseller Uplifting Service: The Proven Path to Delighting Your Customers, Colleagues, and Everyone Else You Meet. ”Unfortunately, there’s also no easier time to do or say exactly the wrong thing.”

During the holidays, companies are overbooked and short staffed. Popular items run out of stock. Departments aren’t prepared for the increased volume of customer inquiries and complaints.

“These practices will land you on customers’ naughty lists,” says Kaufman. “These are often not isolated incidents. Instead, they are evidence of a bigger problem in the organization’s overall service culture.”

Kaufman is at the head of a growing worldwide movement to uplift service in general—for customers and for colleagues. His book takes readers on a journey into a world of uplifting service with dynamic case studies and perspective-changing insights. Readers learn how the world’s best-performing companies achieved an uplifting service transformation.

To Stay on the Nice List

Make it seamless. Customers will be shopping, ordering, and asking questions across every possible channel: in person, over the phone, at their computers, on their mobile devices, at work, in their cars, and from home. Providing integrated, smooth service across channels reduces frustration and allows them to get back to their busy lives.

Customize for your customers. Your customers know they aren’t your only customer, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be treated that way. Personalized service makes people feel special. Implement processes that allow you to recall your customers’ questions, preferences, and choices in all future interactions.

Say “Yes.” to service recovery. Great service recovery turns “oops” into opportunities. Be grateful when unhappy customers give you a chance to win back their business. Why? Because for every customer who does complain, there are several others who didn’t give you a second chance. The key? Make sure employees are empowered to make amends.

Happy (engaged) employees equals service with a smile. Service providers seem exhausted and too overwhelmed to do anything more than provide the minimum service to keep customers moving along. Aligned, vigorously supported employees who are connected to the brand, to colleagues, and to customers fuel job and customer satisfaction.

Weave yourself into the fabric of the community. Companies that contribute to and participate in the wider community are ones people want to do business with and places where employees want to work.

To Get Stuck on the Naughty List

Specialize in the run-around. Companies that aren’t streamlined force customers to give the same information to one person after another as they’re passed from department to department. Departments are so siloed that customers feel like they aren’t talking to people who work at the same company.

Treat customers like a number. When you don’t personalize service by taking the time to learn your customers’ names or implementing systems that remember their needs, you make customers feel like they’re just one of many. Make one mistake and they will immediately go somewhere else.

Exhibit a “the customer’s always wrong” mentality. A shaky service recovery program reacts to complaining customers by seeking to avoid blame (often too focused on passing the buck to even take notice of the customers’ real needs).

Put unhappy, clock-watching employees in front of customers. Employees who are interested only in working for a wage often feel that the service they provide is a chore (and it shows).

Put the bottom line on a pedestal. Companies concerned only with their bottom line make customers feel like they’re being tricked or swindled. They offer deals that aren’t backed by great service, or run ads touting low-cost products that don’t offer real satisfaction. Both parties may have completed a deal, but neither was uplifted by any lasting value.

“When you commit to creating an uplifting service culture, you’ll spend every holiday season on your customers’ nice lists,” says Kaufman. “And you will reap the benefits year-round.”

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Carlsbad, U.S.A. — The three best professions for job seekers with disabilities are all in the field of health care: Pharmaceutical Sales, Pharmacy Technician and Physician’s Assistant, according to a new report by CareerCast.com.

“Organizations specializing in job placement for the disabled find that healthcare employers offer better access to careers than any other industry,” says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. “Many Americans have some kind of disability and a large percentage of them either work in health care today or will find a job in that sector in the future.”

The 2010 U.S. Census estimates that 54 million Americans have a disability, which translates into 10% of the population ages 18 to 64. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that unemployment for the disabled is 12.9%, which is significantly higher than the national average and up from a rate of 9.3% at the onset of the recession in 2008. However, healthcare job growth is rising steadily, with the sector expected to increase by 5.6 million jobs within the next eight years, creating many available positions for disabled candidates.

Disabled workers can be a great asset to a company, but only about 20% of Americans with a physical or cognitive disability participate in the traditional workforce today. Discrimination is still a key barrier to employment, and one the most difficult hurdles for disabled job seekers to overcome is perception.

The following is an overview of the best jobs for disabled candidates, according to data gathered for the CareerCast Jobs Rated report.

Pharmaceutical Sales
Median Pay (Wholesale/Manufacturing Sales Representatives): $56,620
Number of Jobs/Outlook: 1,830,000/16% growth

Pharmacy Technician
Median Pay: $28,400
Numbers of Jobs/Outlook for Growth: 334,400/32%

Physician Assistant
Median Pay: $86,410
Number of Jobs/Outlook for Growth 83,600/ 30%

Accountant/Auditor
Median Pay: $61,690
Number of Jobs/Outlook for Growth: 1,216,900/16%

Telecommunications Equipment Specialist
Median Pay: $54,710
Number of Jobs/Outlook for Growth: 194,900/15%

Software Developer
Median Pay: $90,530
Numbers of Jobs/Outlook for Growth: 913,100/ 30%

Market Research
Median Pay: $60,570
Number of Jobs/Outlook for Growth: 282,700/41%

Vocational Counselor
Median Pay: $53,380
Number of Jobs/Outlook: 281,400/19% growth

Medical Technologist
Median Pay: $46,680
Number of Jobs/Outlook: 330,600/13% growth

Management Analyst
Median Pay: $78,160
Number of Jobs/Outlook: 718,800/22% growth

To read CareerCast.com’s full report, visit http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-jobs-disabled.

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Dearborn, U.S.A. – A key part of Ford Motor Company’s heritage returns home as a Model A built in 1903 is again with the Ford family, kicking off the yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of company founder Henry Ford. Considered the oldest surviving Ford vehicle, the 1903 Model A was unveiled on December 11 to Ford Motor Company employees by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, who purchased the vehicle at an auction in October.

“The timing was perfect to bring this key part of Ford heritage back to the family as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s birth and his vision to improve people’s lives by making cars affordable for the average family,” said Bill Ford. “His vision to build cars that are reasonably priced, reliable and efficient still resonates and defines our vision today as well.”

MotorCities National Heritage Area and the Henry Ford Heritage Association teamed up with more than 30 Henry Ford-related collaborators to coordinate the yearlong celebration of events. These activities, highlighting Ford’s legacy, contributions and influence, include tours, educational programming, dramatic re-enactments, lectures, integration and special events at auto shows and more.

A dedicated website, www.henryford150.com, that includes an interactive timeline of Ford’s life, tours, a calendar of 2013 events and information about efforts to preserve Henry Ford’s heritage also launched on December 11.

Henry Ford’s 150th legacy will be celebrated in 2013 through a variety of events. Some of these include:

• Coming Together: A Celebration of Henry Ford – July 27, 2013, The Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane, Dearborn, Mich. This free community event will bring Henry Ford to “life” and feature many of his little-known interests and contributions.
• Maker Faire – July 27-28, The Henry Ford, Dearborn, Michigan. A two-day, family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. This year’s celebration of the Maker movement will include a special program to recognize innovators.
• Discovering Henry Ford shows at The Henry Ford – April-December. A presenter-facilitated multimedia program using a large touch screen monitor to access digital assets (movies, photos) in themed 20-minute shows (Henry Ford the Tinkerer, Henry Ford and the Model T).
• Henry’s T – Dramatic presentation at Greenfield Village – May-August. Visitors will meet Henry Ford in this interactive 15-minute play and hear how he was inspired to build the world’s universal car. Guests also will find out why the Model T was so revolutionary and how Henry Ford’s visionary thinking and hard work enabled him to put the world on wheels.

The role of the Model A 

The Model A returning home played a pivotal role in Ford Motor Company history.

In July 1903, Henry Ford faced a daunting situation: The company’s cash balance stood at less than$250. A much-needed cash infusion arrived on July 13, 1903: One full payment and two deposits totaling$1,320 for three Model A cars kept Ford Motor Company afloat.

The car revealed is a red 1903 Model A Rear Entry Tonneau. It is believed to be car No. 3, chassis No. 30, and the lone survivor of the group of three Model A cars sold on that day.

The vehicle was auctioned through RM Auctions in October in Hershey, Pa.

“The Model A helped keep our company going during a difficult time and enabled my great-grandfather to continue pursuing his vision of putting the world on wheels,” said Bill Ford. “We look forward to carrying that same spirit of innovation forward as we develop new technologies for safer, cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.”

For additional information, go to http://media.ford.com/mini_sites/10031/HenryFord150.

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Irvine, U.S.A. — For those with fingers on the pulse of the business world, Entrepreneur magazine reveals the biggest trends of 2013 and the directions they’ll take various industries in the future. These movements reflect the wants and needs of a changing demographic in the United States and what’s necessary for entrepreneurs to keep in mind when considering consumers, employees and how business is getting done around them.

“Whether you’re running an established company or hope to start in the new year, it’s crucial to stay in-the-know with what’s happening in business right now to stay competitive—and more importantly, what to expect next,” says Amy Cosper, VP and editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “Being savvy about modern expectations and consumer tendencies can make or break a business, and we’ve got a great look at what 2013 has in store.”

The list looks at the booming trends that will help anchor a business moving forward and thinking ahead:

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New York, U.S.A. — In its November issue, National Underwriter Life & Health, a Summit Business Media publication, featured an extensive investigative report into The Saga of the Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (ELNY). Spanning more than 20 years, the rehabilitation of ELNY was an exercise in gross bureaucratic mismanagement, which turned an otherwise healthy insurance company into a financial black hole, ultimately cutting off long-term financial support to hundreds of structured settlement annuitants who have come to depend on their annuities to live.

The Complete ELNY Saga: 21 Years of Mismanagement, Corruption, Broken Promises and Shattered Lives tells, for the first time, the complete story of the life insurance industry’s biggest corporate failure, and the damage that was wrought because of it. After twenty years of silence, National Underwriter exposes how regulatory failures across the board are resulting in the financial destruction of hundreds of innocent families.

“The National Underwriter Life & Health team spent hundreds of hours poring over financial and legal documents, interviewing sources and piecing together a 21-year history of one of the most infamous insurance insolvencies of all time,” said Bill Coffin, Group Editor-In-Chief for the Life Health Group. “The Complete ELNY Saga is a story anyone who writes, sells or buys insurance should read. It is more than a cautionary tale. It is a red alert to how what happened to one unfortunate life insurance company and its customers could happen to any other company. It is a story of how insurance itself has been put at risk.”

For more information or to read the Complete ELNY Saga, please visit http://www.lifehealthpro.com/pages/elny.

About National Underwriter Life & Health

As the total news source for the life, health and financial services industry, National Underwriter Life & Health is uniquely positioned to provide agents and brokers with timely, insightful information. With the largest, most experienced team of editors in the industry, National Underwriter Life & Health is able to identify, analyze and comment on the latest trends and events for their significance to the market every business day. Available in print, online and via LifeHealthPro.com eNewsletters, National Underwriter Life & Health helps life and health agents navigate the specialty markets and sort through critical developments whenever and wherever they are in their day. For more information, please visitLifeHealthPro.com/National-Underwriter-Life-Health.

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San Francisco, U.S.A. – ApartmentList.com , a growing apartment search engine that is reinventing the rental market on a foundation of trust and transparency, has released the results of its first “Rentonomics” Report, which uses both pricing and survey data to take the pulse of the rental economy in America. Along with the report, Apartment List has released a corresponding state-by-state snapshot to show where rents are rising and falling leading up to the presidential elections.

“Forty percent of American households rent, and we want to shed light on how this important slice of the population is faring leading up to the elections,” said John Kobs, CEO and co-founder of Apartment List. “The fact that a quarter of renters plan to never own a home indicates to us that the definition of the American Dream is changing. One third of renters have had their rent raised in a tough economic climate. While the resale market slowly recovers, it seems that more Americans are embracing renting for the long term. We will be keeping a close eye on how the next administration can improve the situation for renters around the U.S.”

• Pricing data shows average rent hikes of nearly 10%; Rents climbed in vast majority of states analyzed

An overwhelming majority of states have demonstrated an increase in asking rents since January 2011. 34 out of the 45 states the study analyzed showed rising rents. Nationally, residential rents rose 9.7% between January 2011 and June 2012. 15 red states and 19 blue states saw rents rising, while 2 red states and 9 blue states experienced falling rents. Renters in North Dakota (+32.9%), New York (+24.8%) and Massachusetts (+23.5%) suffered the highest rent hikes around the country, while residents inNevada (-8.6%), Louisiana (-7.4%) and Missouri (-4%) benefitted most from falling rents. Due to a limited sample size, pricing data was not available for MT, SD, VT, WV, and WY.

• Despite price hikes, nearly half of renters surveyed say renting is smarter than buying, and one quarter never intend to own a home:

When asked about the length of time they plan to rent, 24% of renters say they plan to rent for the rest of their lives. 47% of all people surveyed believe renting is smarter than buying a home in today’s economy. 32% of those surveyed report that their landlords have hiked their rent in the last 12 months and 44% expect their landlord to raise rent in the coming 12 months. At the same time, 57% of renters expect their income to remain flat or decline in the coming 12 months.

Also, 37% of renters say home ownership is overrated and is not an important life goal. Of the 24% who said outright they do not want to be homeowners, 39% cite the expense of homeownership as a deterrent, and 31% believe that owning is too risky financially.

• Those who do wish to own a home say the economy has delayed their ability to buy

55% of renters surveyed say they wish they were homeowners, and nearly the same amount – 59% – say the current economy has delayed their ability or decision to buy a home. Of renters who do plan to eventually buy a home, only 4% indicated an intention to buy in the next year. 41% say they plan to rent for the next one to three years. 20% plan to rent for four to five years and 7% think they will rent for six to ten years.

Image Courtesy of  rrunaway

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Harrisburg, U.S.A. — Governor Tom Corbett announced on October 22, that K-Fab will expand its operations to support new growth in the natural gas industry, increasing its employment to more than 300 in Berwick, Columbia County.

“My administration is committed to growing the Pennsylvania economy and ensuring there is a job available for every Pennsylvanian who wants one,” Corbett said. “Today’s announcement is a great example of state government working with business to create new job opportunities. As a result of this partnership, K-Fab will create 50 new manufacturing jobs in Columbia County.”

K-Fab will expand its operations by purchasing an additional facility to support its new product line, machining, assembling, and painting pumps for the natural gas industry. The company will invest more than $2.4 million in renovations, infrastructure improvements, new equipment and employee training and has committed to creating at least 50 new jobs while retaining 266 within the next three years.

“The commonwealth, the Department of Community & Economic Development, the Governor’s Action Team, and the Berwick Industrial Development Association have been tremendously helpful in providing timely assistance to us for this project,” K-Fab System Manager Craig Barroll said. “It was great to have the backing we needed to keep this work in Pennsylvania.”

The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) including $100,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, a $100,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $22,500 in guaranteed free training, and a $750,000 loan from the Machine and Equipment Loan Fund.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. GAT worked with the Berwick Industrial Development Association (BIDA) to support K-Fab’s expansion project.

“We applaud the decision of a major Berwick-area employer to increase its workforce and appreciate the support from the DCED,” BIDA Executive Director Stephen Phillips said. “BIDA has worked closely with the Governor’s Action Team on several other projects within its service area, and remains committed to assisting local employers expand their businesses and increase employment opportunities.”

K-Fab is a sole source manufacturer of material processing, fabrication, machine assembly, and paint that serves many different sectors of the manufacturing industry including pumps used in the Marcellus Shale Industry. Founded in 1969, K-Fab currently employs 266 at locations in the Berwick area.

For more information on K-Fab visit www.kfabinc.com.

For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and other economic development initiatives inPennsylvania, visit newPA.com.

Image Courtesy of  Governor Tom Corbett

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San Francisco, U.S.A. — On October 19, SkyPop announced that the restaurant chain Jersey Mike’s Subs  has signed up the 650,000th member of its Shore Points Rewards loyalty program powered by SkyPop’s mobile marketing platform. The milestone comes just six months following the April launch of the multi-layered loyalty program, which replaced a paper punch card format that was in use in the company’s stores nationwide.

“The SkyPop-powered Shore Points Rewards program has far exceeded all expectations, across the board,” said Rich Hope, chief marketing officer, Jersey Mike’s. “It was incredibly popular from day one because of how easy it is for customers to sign up, and it resulted in an immediate boost to our loyalty program traffic.”

Hope reported that, historically, 7% of all Jersey Mike’s customers come in three times or more per month. Among those who have signed up for the Shore Points Rewards program, 11% have come into the stores three times or more per month.

SkyPop’s program for Jersey Mike’s includes a custom mobile app for Android and iPhones, a customizable smartphone ad manager dashboard, cloud-based message and notification delivery, and text messaging capabilities. The program also offers near field communication (NFC) stickers that can be placed on phones and tapped at the store.

Hope said these elements enable Jersey Mike’s to offer a robust marketing platform that engages customers. He said that 93% of Shore Points Rewards members (more than 600,000) have opted in to receive text messages with special local offers. Additionally, more than 40,000 smartphone customers are managing their loyalty points and offers, and receiving special in-app ads and offers, through the branded Jersey Mike’s Shore Points Rewards mobile app.

A “Double Points Thursdays” program has generated double-to-triple the normal loyalty club traffic during regional store tests, according to Hope, who said plans are underway for a national roll-out of the double points program.

Joe Poletto, managing partner of SkyPop’s parent company, Indie Global, said, “Our platform enables Jersey Mike’s to monitor usage on a real time basis throughout all its stores and adapt immediately to market-by-market conditions with special offers.”

Jersey Mike’s use of the SkyPop platform recently won a Breakthrough Award in the category of Customer Engagement Innovation. Presented by Hospitality Technology Magazine, the Breakthrough Awards honor foodservice companies for outstanding achievement in technological innovation.

Scott Scherer, Jersey Mike’s chief information officer, said, “This award represents validation of our innovative Shore Points Rewards program. Our IT team was able to seamlessly integrate our own bar code-based loyalty program with the SkyPop NFC mobile marketing platform to create a truly superior customer loyalty and retention product without impacting in-store operations.”

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Chicago, U.S.A. — Nine percent may not sound like much, but when tech giant Google is the company in question, a stock price decline of nine percent equals more than 20 billion dollars. That decline happened after Google accidentally released its third quarter earnings report several hours early – a report that showed a sizable falloff in revenue and profit. Wall Street being what it is, the response was immediate and profound.

The effects of this snafu will ripple beyond short-term share prices. Google will likely have to be less restrictive in its advertiser vetting process. The company may even offer incentives for previously banned advertisers to return to the platform. Prior to this latest sour earnings report, Google had been notoriously cavalier in its banning of “edgy” advertisers.

“Google has been killing businesses,” said Dave Chappelle, editor at Securebuzz.ca. “Business owners who’ve been spending thousands of dollars with Google AdWords one day receive a curt notification that their accounts have been suspended – and there’s no chance for appeal, or even explanation.”

Bestselling author and Google AdWords expert Perry Marshall sees a silver lining to all this restructuring and retooling. In a recent blog post, he explains why Google will have to reconsider its scorched-earth policy toward advertisers in health, diet and business opportunity niches.

“In the past, Google erred on the side of caution in terms of banning questionable AdWords accounts,” said Marshall. “In the wake of this smack-down from Wall Street, Google has to make tweaks to that philosophy. The system will have to be more discriminating, which means not banning every advertiser in an entire category simply because a few are bogus or fraudulent.

“Wall Street is a strange place; Google’s being punished for factors beyond its control. However, that could be good news for legitimate advertisers who have run afoul of the search giant in the past. If you’re an advertiser who has been dumped by Google, now is the time to see if you can get back on board.”

Marshall and Chappelle maintain their belief that Google AdWords is still the best platform for e-commerce and Internet advertising. The company’s lackluster earnings report is a bump in the road for Google, but for advertisers, it might just be an advantageous bump.

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Philadelphia, U.S.A. – Fiberlink, a cloud-based solutions for secure mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) company, announced on October 17 that it has again been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The employee-ranked award recognizes the most appreciated employers in the Delaware Valley area.

Through Fiberlink’s MaaS360 platform, organizations can easily enable iPhones, iPads and Android devices in the workplace by providing IT staff with the security and management tools needed to embrace these consumer devices. This is a technology market that is experiencing explosive growth and Fiberlink has succeeded with industry-leading cloud technologies and an equally forward-thinking culture.

“Fiberlink continues to serve as a great example of the types of companies we have in the vibrant and innovative Philadelphia business community,” said Jim Sheward, CEO and cofounder at Fiberlink. “We’re honored our employees continue to consider us the best around, and without a doubt owe our success to their hard work and dedication. As the enterprise mobility space continues to grow and evolve, we rely on their innovative ideas and solutions to keep us ahead of the game.”

Fiberlink’s workforce evaluated the company on criteria that covered both culture and benefits. Employees cited open communication, a productivity-promoting environment and cool workplace perks as the main bonuses.

Fiberlink is looking to bring on new employees to its award winning company. Fiberlink is looking for professionals in the areas of sales, marketing, R&D, and customer service to join their talented, creative, passionate team of employees. The company recently opened a new office in Philadelphia. Further details here: http://www.maas360.com/join.

About Fiberlink

Fiberlink is the recognized leader in software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for secure enterprise mobile device and application management. Its cloud-based MaaS360 platform provides IT organizations with mobility intelligence and control over mobile devices, applications and content to enhance the mobile user experience and keep corporate data secure across smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

MaaS360 helps companies monitor the expanding suite of mobile operating systems, including Apple iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. Named by Network World as the Clear Choice Test winner for mobile device management solutions, MaaS360 is used to manage and secure more than one million endpoints globally. For more information, please visit http://www.maas360.com.

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Boca Raton, U.S.A. — LinkedIn, a business to business social media site whose membership now exceeds 175 million with an average of two members joining per second. Ray Knight, Chief Envisioneer Officer of The RaynMakers, is considered a LinkedIn guru and has partnered with TransMedia Group to offer his knowledge to professionals seeking clients and to businesses looking to grow.

“Most individuals and  businesses know what LinkedIn is and have a presence on it, but very few professionals know how to properly utilize the site in order to generate more business. I’m excited about my partnership with a public relations leader like TransMedia Group and look forward to helping businesses make LinkedIn a valuable tool,” said Ray Knight, CEO of The RaynMakers.

Knight has spent eight years working with LinkedIn profile creation and optimization. He helps businesses better position themselves within LinkedIn with completed profiles that rank high in keywords. Knight has achieved page one position for a number of clients including executives and business owners alike including:

• Attorneys
• Catering Companies
• Consultants
• Consumer Goods Executives
• Doctors
• Digital Revenue Executives
• Financial Executives
• Indoor Environmentalists
• Limousine Owners
• Moisture Instruction Experts
• Real Estate Executives
• Spa /Wellness Centers

“We are so pleased to be linked in with Ray Knight as his expertise will help individuals and companies leverage the LinkedIn network. His knowledge will help businesses and our clients maximize their LinkedIn ranking position and search results, which will equal more business,” said Tom Madden CEO and Founder of TransMedia Group.

For more information, visit www.transmediagroup.com/socialmedia.php.

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Google-owned Motorola Mobility has withdrawn a patent-infringement lawsuit against Apple Inc., which it brought to the U.S. International Commission Trade, in order to block the importation of some Apple products: iPhones, iPads and iPods. Google’s Motorola Mobility business filed the complaint on August 18 and asked the commission to outlaw the importation of Apple products, claiming Apple had infringed seven patents for functions, including email notifications, voice controls, media players and other features.

In the withdrawal, dated Monday, Motorola Mobility said  it had not settled the dispute with Apple, and it asked to withdraw the complaint “without prejudice.” The company reserved the right to renew its case again later. No explanation was given by Motorola Mobility for dropping the complaint. A notice of dismissal was also filled in a companion civil lawsuit filed in a a federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.

According to Reuters, Apple did not return phone calls seeking comments about the withdrawal. A spokesman for Google said the Mountain View, California company would “continue to vigorously defend its partners,” a reference to the companies whose mobile devices run on Google’s open operating system, called Android. The U.S International Commission Trade indicated it planned to investigate the Motorola allegation.

Acquired by Google in May, Motorola Mobility filed a separate patent claim against Apple with ITC, which it is continuing. The $1.25 billion deal between Google and Motorola made the latter the key manufacturer of smartphones and holder of patents for the California internet titan’s legal arsenal.

Florian Mueller was the first one to report Google’s withdrawal on his blog, saying that Google withdrew the complaint in order to prevent it from being consolidated with an earlier case, thus slowing the case down. The simplest explanation would be a global settlement deal being reached between the two companies. Mueller stated that “this could be a unilateral goodwill gesture on Google’s part toward Apple if high-level settlement talks are processing well.”

“But it could also be a tactical decision involving a plan to reassert the same claims in federal court,” Mueller continued. According to him, it is more likely that parent company Google didn’t believe that the complaint would succeed in the International Commission Trade.

Motorola was seen as having one of the best legal shots against Apple, with its huge intellectual property collection, and that is what makes this withdrawal so odd. Rumor has it that the company was having trouble getting its evidence in order for the legal proceedings. High-levels talks between the parent company and Apple could also be going on.

Image Courtesy of  Lyao / Shutterstock.com

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Arlsbad, U.S.A — Some of the most appealing jobs in today’s workplace are underrated, while alluring jobs like advertising agency executive, photojournalist and public relations executive may hold cachet – but they also have a downside, landing them on the CareerCast.com list of most overrated jobs of 2012. Also placing on the most overrated jobs list were senior corporate executive, commercial airline pilot, stockbroker, surgeon and attorney.

“Poor outlook for future growth, long hours, stress and a multitude of new candidates entering the industry make it especially challenging to break into many of our overrated careers,” says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. “Overrated jobs seem attractive from the outside, but often sound better than they really are.”

CareerCast.com’s Overrated Jobs list pinpoints careers that the rest of the world perceives as great, but the truth is somewhat different. The glamorous, Scotch-drinking ad agency executives portrayed on television’s popular “Mad Men” are unlike the ad agency executives on Madison Avenue today, who see job turnover resulting from the pressure of high expectations and the stress of competition for accounts with lower budgets.

Those looking for a rewarding career that has great advantages, including high growth, low stress and rewarding work, should consider the professions computer systems analyst, civil engineer, veterinarian, biologist and market research analyst, which all rank among CareerCast.com’s most underrated jobs.

“The most underrated jobs offer increasing opportunities and rewarding potential for job seekers new to the labor force, or those who need a change,” says Lee. “Some positions, such as veterinarian and school principal, require specialized advanced degrees, but you can become a plumber, electrician or automobile mechanic with additional training after high school.”

To read the full report, visit http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/most-overrated-jobs-2012.

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Lexington, U.S.A — Tempur-Pedic International, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of premium mattresses and pillows worldwide, and Sealy, a global bedding manufacturer, announced on September 27, that they have signed a definitive agreement to create a $2.7 billion global bedding provider.

The combination brings together two highly complementary companies with iconic brands and significant opportunities for global innovation and growth. Founded in 1992, Tempur-Pedic is the leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of premium mattresses and pillows made from its proprietary Tempur pressure-relieving material in over 80 countries under the Tempur and Tempur-Pedic brand names.

Sealy, with roots dating back to 1881 is a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of a broad range of high quality mattresses and foundations with a portfolio of well-known bedding brands, including Sealy, Sealy Posturepedic, and Stearns & Foster.

The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Stockholders holding approximately 51% of Sealy’s outstanding common stock have executed a written consent approving the transaction. No additional shareholder approvals are required to complete the transaction. Tempur-Pedic will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Sealy for $2.20 per share, representing a premium of approximately23 percent to Sealy’s 30-day average closing price on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

In addition, Tempur-Pedic will assume or repay all of Sealy’s outstanding convertible and non-convertible debt, for a total transaction value of approximately $1.3 billion. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to close during the first half of 2013.

Tempur-Pedic Chief Executive Officer Mark Sarvary commented, “This is a transformational deal that brings together two great companies, each with globally recognized brands. Tempur-Pedic and Sealy together will have products for almost every consumer preference and price point, distribution through all key channels, in-house expertise on most key bedding technologies, and a world-class research and development team.

In addition, our global footprint will span over 80 countries. The shared know-how and improved efficiencies of the combined company will result in tremendous value for our consumers, retailers and shareholders.”

Tempur-Pedic and Sealy will operate independently. Larry Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Sealy, who has been with Sealy for 33 years, will remain CEO of Sealy and report to Mr. Sarvary.

Sealy Chief Executive Officer Larry Rogers, said, “The complementary product and market fit of these two companies deliver a unique opportunity to create the first full spectrum, global bedding company that addresses all market segments and consumer preferences. Together, we believe that we can deliver more value than either business could on its own by leveraging our strong combined assets.”

Strategic Rationale
Tempur-Pedic and Sealy have highly complementary products, brands, technologies, and geographic footprints. Their combination will provide significant opportunity for both entities to leverage each other’s capabilities to grow beyond their current footprints, and to increase efficiencies across the entire supply chain.

• Comprehensive Portfolio of Iconic Brands. Together, Tempur-Pedic and Sealy will have the strongest brand portfolio in the industry with the most highly recognized brands including Tempur, Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Sealy Posturepedic, and Stearns & Foster. The combined company’s brand portfolio will have some of the best known brands in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
• Complementary Product Offering. The combination creates the most comprehensive suite of bedding products available in the market.  Sealy’s strength and expertise in innerspring and hybrid innerspring mattress technologies fit seamlessly with Tempur-Pedic’s position in visco-elastic mattress, adjustable base and pillow technologies. Further, the company will be able to invest more in R&D to strengthen existing products as well as develop innovative new offerings to better meet the needs and preferences of consumers and retailers.
• A Truly Global Company. Tempur-Pedic and Sealy have a highly complementary global footprint with distribution in over 80 countries. The combination provides both companies access to countries that represent future growth opportunities. Tempur-Pedic has a strong presence around the world, and particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia while Sealy is represented in a meaningful way in North America,Argentina and Asia. The Sealy brand is also well-recognized in many other key global markets through its international licensees and joint ventures.
• Significant Shareholder Value Creation. The combination is expected to be accretive in the first full year of operations, with annual cost synergies from the combined operations expected to be in excess of $40 million by the third year. These will be primarily realized through purchasing, supply chain and increased efficiencies.  In addition, the combination has the potential for revenue synergies as a result of a broader product offering and access to more channels, including international expansion.

• Strong Financial Characteristics. Together, Tempur-Pedic and Sealy had combined pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $504 million based on the 12-months ended June 30, 2012 for Tempur-Pedic and May 27, 2012for Sealy. The combined company will have strong cash flow characteristics that will enable rapid debt reduction and continued investment in growth initiatives.

• Combination of Two Strong Management Teams. The combination pairs two strong management teams with extensive industry and global consumer products experience. Tempur-Pedic and Sealy have a shared corporate culture focused on consumer-driven product innovation to deliver the best quality of sleep and building strong retailer relationships.

Tempur-Pedic intends to finance the acquisition through debt financings, for which BofA Merrill Lynch has already provided customary commitment letters.

BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as Tempur-Pedic’s exclusive financial advisor and Citigroup as lead financial advisor to Sealy. Perella Weinberg Partners acted as the financial advisor and Blank Rome LLP as the legal advisor to an independent committee of Sealy’s Board. Bingham McCutchen LLP is acting as legal advisor to Tempur-Pedic and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP as legal advisor to Sealy.

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Illinois, U.S.A. — Manufacturing employment in West Virginia dropped 1.3% over the past twelve months according to the 2013 West Virginia Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI). MNI reports West Virginia lost 1,113 industrial jobs or 1.3% between July 2011 and July 2012, a greater decline than the half percent loss reported over the 2010-2011 survey period.

Manufacturers’ News reports West Virginia is now home to 1,947 manufacturers employing 83,225 workers.

“West Virginia still struggles with decreased demand and high business costs,” says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. “When choosing a location for a new plant, manufacturers look at labor and energy costs, as well as the tax and regulatory burdens. West Virginia often has not been competitive with other states in these areas.”

MNI reports employment in coal mining was one of the few bright spots for the state with employment up 7.5% over the year, and currently accounts for the most industrial job in the state, employing 13,661. The chemicals sector employs the second most with 8,220 jobs, down 6.4% over the year. Third-ranked industrial equipment and machinery accounts for 7,064 manufacturing jobs, down 8.8% over the past twelve months.

Employment losses were also seen in textiles/apparel, down 19.6%; lumber/wood, down 7.1%; transportation equipment, down 5.5%; furniture/fixtures, down 5.3%; and stone/clay/glass, down 2.1%. Employment remained steady in paper products and printing/publishing, while gains were seen in electronics, up 4.8%; instruments/related products, up 2%; primary metals, up 1.6% and food products, up 1%.

Additional bright spots for the state included Nippon Thermostat’s plans to expand its plant in Putnam County; Hino Motors’ planned expansion of its facility in Williamstown; the opening of Spanish auto parts supplier Gestamp’s new location in South Charleston; and the expansion of Rubberlite’s factory in Huntington.

Manufacturers’ News reports the Northern region of the state accounts for 39,005 industrial jobs, down 3.1%. The Southwest region is home to 30,279 manufacturing jobs, up 1%, while Central West Virginia is home to 7,684, down 1.6%. The Southeast accounts for 6,257 industrial jobs, with no change reported over the past twelve months.

MNI’s city data shows Huntington is West Virginia’s top city for manufacturing employment, home to 6,035 jobs, down 1.9% over the year. Second-ranked Charleston accounts for 4,398 jobs, up 2.9%.Morgantown is now home to 4,288 industrial jobs, down 15.3% over the year after Shaft Drillers International moved its headquarters to Pennsylvania. Industrial employment in Moorefield increased 4.7%, with the 4th-ranked city accounting for 3,333 of the state’s jobs. Fifth-ranked Martinsburgaccounts for 2,739 jobs, with no significant change reported over the past twelve months.

Detailed profiles of West Virginia’s 1,947 manufacturers and 320 distributors can be found in the 2013 West Virginia Manufacturers Register, available in print for $87, or available online through MNI’s subscription-based service at www.ezselect.com. Users may generate custom profiles of manufacturers using a variety of criteria, including area or zip code, county, SIC, sales volume, number of employees, and more. Each profile provides up to 30 facts, including vital contact information (phone, web, e-mail), 7,543 executives by name and title, product(s) manufactured, annual sales, and number of employees. MNI also maintains IndustryNet.com, an industrial search engine designed specifically for locating manufacturers and suppliers nationwide, and has recently launched an expansion and relocation guide for manufacturers.

Manufacturers’ News, Inc. is the nation’s oldest and largest publisher of state manufacturers directories. For 100 years the company has identified, researched and profiled manufacturing establishments. MNI employs an 85-person editorial staff to scour state business registrations, trade journals, financial reports, and many other sources to pinpoint every manufacturing establishment in the U.S. Each manufacturer is contacted throughout the year to update their profiles, including their employee counts. For more information, visit www.manufacturersnews.com.

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Troy, U.S.A. — ReMaTecNews, an international news magazine and website for remanufacturing based in Amsterdam, has named Meritor the 2012 Remanufacturer of the Year.

The award recognizes an organization that has served the automotive or heavy-duty truck remanufacturing sectors with distinction in fields such as innovation, technical excellence, customer service and commitment to the promotion of the qualities of remanufacturing.

“Meritor is a global company that has set very high standards for everything it does in remanufacturing,” said William Schwarck, ReMaTecNews editor-in-chief and chairman of the panel of judges. “We are proud that this year’s winner is of such high caliber and advanced skills and is taking remanufacturing to a new level.”

Meritor’s remanufacturing operations encompass eight sites in five countries producing a substantial portfolio of drivetrain and wheel-end components. More than 30,000 tons of metal are recycled annually in Meritor’s remanufacturing operations worldwide, and the company recycles 90 percent of all waste from its operations. More than 40,000 tons of cores, or original components, are processed at Meritor remanufacturing facilities annually.

“This award is a direct reflection of our companywide commitment to sustainability and, more important, our employees who drive for excellence in remanufacturing operations,” said Doug Wolma, general manager, Global Aftermarket Operations, who accepted the award at the World Reman Summit in Bayreuth, Germany on Sept. 3. “Meritor firmly believes in the value remanufacturing brings to our company and our industry.”

The honor is Meritor’s second remanufacturing-focused award. The company won the 2010 HDRG Heavy Duty Remanufacturer of the Year. Meritor has invested more than $8 million in process upgrades to its global operations in the last five years, including $2.7 million earlier this year in new equipment for its Plainfield, Ind. facility which remanufactures commercial truck components while preserving raw materials.

About Meritor

Meritor, is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 100-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers in more than 70 countries. Meritor is based in Troy, Michigan, United States, and is made up of approximately 10,000 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 19 countries.

About ReMaTecNews

ReMaTecNews, the only international news magazine and website dedicated to automotive and heavy duty remanufacturing worldwide, is an independent channel for news, views and developments within the remanufacturing industry. Published by RAI Langfords B.V., the magazine is circulated throughout Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Asia.

Image Courtesy of  Walmart Stores

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Las Vegas, U.S.A. — Google Adsense, a program that pays third parties for displaying Google ads on their Web sites, is open to all comers.

“That is, unless Google makes an arbitrary decision that an applicant’s online content violates its terms,” said Nadine Gary, president of U.S.-based GoTopless. She said GoTopless is fighting for women’s rights to go publicly topless wherever men have the right to do so, on the basis of gender equality as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

“We tried to set up Adsense for our organization’s Web site GoTopless.org, but Google rejected us,” Gary said. “Their representative said we’re displaying adult content, and that a Web site with illustrations or text unsuitable for young children is generally banned from participating in the Adsense program.”

But GoTopless’s Web site content is no more unsuitable for young children than the images and words they already see elsewhere in our society, according to Gary.

“Google is discriminating against us for displaying things children already see in places where female public toplessness is legal,” she explained. “Since 1992, women can legally go topless in New York State, as just one example. That means children already see women’s breasts in New York City streets and in many other places. Shame on Google for being behind the times and hindering an important women’s rights cause, which is also a civil rights cause!”

Gary said that although many GoTopless demonstrations are already scheduled in a number of U.S. cities for this coming Sunday, August 26, her organization may opt to add another location to protest Google’s decision.

“We picked August 26 so that our events will coincide with Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates August 26, 1920, the day American women obtained the right to vote,” she explained. “But rigid Puritanism is clearly so pervasive in our society that it seems to have affected even companies that were once considered cutting-edge for their liberal orientation.

Accordingly, although it’s short notice, we may add a GoTopless protest outside Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, to protest their discriminatory exclusion of our organization from Adsense.”

Image Courtesy of   aminorjourney

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Milwaukee, U.S.A. — Harley-Davidson rolls into its 110th model year with a line of authentic American motorcycles that includes 110th Anniversary Editions of select Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and a restyled Dyna Street Bob model.

Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) offers two new limited-production, premium custom motorcycles, the CVO Breakout, a high-performance Softail model with exciting new finish options, and the CVO Road King, fitted with an innovative vented windshield and high-output audio system.

The Street Bobgets a tougher profile for 2013 with new blacked-out triple clamps and a chopped rear fender with side-mount license plate and stop/turn/tail lights. This rowdy Dyna bobber features a solo seat and mini-ape handlebars mounted on new risers that make it easier to customize the Street Bob. New finish options include Hard Candy Custom metal flake paint.

Ten Harley-Davidson models are offered as a 110th Anniversary Editions, each serialized and featuring exclusive paint and commemorative solid bronze fuel tank badges. Production will vary by model and will be strictly limited to ensure exclusivity. These models come with all available factory-installed options as standard equipment.

Also new for 2013, Harley-Davidson launches Hard Candy Custom, a styling movement rooted in themes first seen in the chopper era of the late 1960s that embraces dazzling metal flake paint, brilliant chrome, and styling details in accessories, gear and apparel.

Hard Candy Custom elements include “big flake” paint finishes, three of which will be selectively offered as a solid-color option on five Harley-Davidson production motorcycles for 2013.

H-D1 Factory Customization expands with the Street Bob joining the 1200 Custom as Harley-Davidson models in the web-based Bike Builder on Harley-Davidson.com that allows customers to select factory-installed options in more than 2,000 combinations, build a bike on the screen, and then order it through an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s website at www.harley-davidson.com.

Image Courtesy of   SandiMako / Shutterstock.com

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Miami, U.S.A. — The largest 500 Latin American companies increased their revenues by 8.3 percent in 2011, the digital news service Latin Business Chronicle reports on its annual regional ranking. At the same time, profits for these companies tumbled 8.9 percent.

The reason behind these results? The positive figures were induced by sustained domestic demand growth, the publication states. The lackluster profit figures seem to be the result of the first landing of the developed world crisis in Latin shores, in this case, through lower commodity prices. This performance is also in line with the softening of regional economic growth which reached 4.5 percent in 2011, down from 6.2 in 2010.

The year was determined by the performance of companies in the energy industry. Ten out of the 20 largest by revenue were in the energy and most of them in the hydrocarbons industry. In fact the top three in the region were, by a wide lead, Petrobras, PDVSA and Pemex. Petrobras posted $130 billion revenues, PDVSA, a debutant in this ranking, $125 billion, and state-run Pemex $112 billion.

There are three retailers on the list of the 20 largest firms by revenues – Wal-Mart Mexico, Brazilian CBD and French Carrefour; two telecoms, Mexican America Movil and Spanish Telefonica; and an automobile manufacturer, German VW. The rest are Brazilians: miner Vale, steelmaker Gerdau, food company JBS, chemical Braskem and holding company Odebrecht.

Four companies rose to stardom in revenue growth in 2011. They more than doubled their sales income. Colombian gasoline retailer Biomax increased its revenue by 239 percent — US-based UAL, 193 percent; Brazilian retail Viavarejo, 117 percent; and Canadian-Colombian oil Exploration and Production Pacific Rubiales, 104 percent.

As far as profits, Brazilian companies were regional leaders, the Latin Business Chronicle report said.  Vale, Petrobras and AmBev were ranked among the 10 largest profit generating companies. Again, four oil companies were on the 2011 top ten by profit list.

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Rockville, U.S. — Goodwill Industries International and FLW, the world’s leading tournament fishing organization, presented the inaugural Forrest L. Wood Sportsmanship and Community Leadership Award at the Forrest Wood Cup in Duluth, GA, this past weekend. The cup was sponsored by Walmart, and the award celebrates the five-year partnership between Goodwill and FLW.

Mark Rose of Marion, AR — one of the anglers competing in the tournament — received the award for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and community service during 2012 as well as his role as an upstanding member of his community. The award recognizes Rose’s character and his commitment to ethical behavior, selflessness, kindness, conservation efforts and much more, both on and off the water.

“Goodwill is pleased to once again work with FLW during this tournament, and to join in presenting this award celebrating the sportsmanship and community strengthening that Mark Rose has exhibited in his personal and professional life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We are hopeful that this award will encourage community members to volunteer their time and resources to influence positive change in their local communities.”

The same values that brought Goodwill and FLW together as partners inspire the high standards of this award. By recognizing Rose as an outstanding athlete and individual who set a high standard with his approach on and off the water, both Goodwill and FLW hope to set the tone for tournament fishing and to pass those values on to its anglers, sponsors, fans, and host communities.

“FLW is honored to have Goodwill as a partner, and to be able to facilitate this award,” said Kathy Fennel, president, FLW Operations Division. “We are proud that the anglers who fish in our tournaments uphold the high standards that this award seeks to recognize, and we hope this acknowledgment will serve as an inspiration for our anglers, sponsors, fans, and host communities to promote the high standards of sportsmanship and community service.”

Applicants for the award had to be registered FLW Tour pro anglers; exhibit profound respect and civility for all competitors, fisheries and staff; demonstrate an ability to accept victory and defeat with dignity and grace; uphold the highest level of humility and integrity; prove a commitment to conservation; and show dedication to community service work and volunteerism.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com.

Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. To find a Goodwill location near you use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT FLW FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup.

FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and the world’s richest fantasy sports game – FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.

Image Courtesy of  FLW Outdoors

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Dallas, U.S.A. — Social Media Club of Dallas, a premier networking and education organization dedicated to marketing and new media, along with platinum sponsor, Sprint, has announced that its August 16 meeting will feature a panel of social customer care experts moderated by Bryan Person, Director of Social Insights for Social Dynamx. Bryan and panelists Tony Turnage of FedEx, Sean Valderas of Nokia and Mike Cearley of Fleishman-Hillard will discuss the challenges that businesses and brands face in building a successful customer service operation in a social world, including:

• Customers’ impatience and expectation of instant responses
• Confusion associated with tracking posts across multiple channels
• Using social tools that weren’t designed to support customer service
• Tracking the elusive ROI of customer service
• Communicating with customers in a public forum

The panel will educate the audience on how to overcome these challenges and deliver exceptional social customer service to customers and fans.

“More than ever, customers are reaching out to companies on social media when they have customer service issues and questions,” said Bryan Person. “And when they do, they *expect* a response — and fast. I look forward to discussing how businesses and brands are adapting to this new reality during our panel.”

The meeting will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at the Angelika Film Center Dallas in Mockingbird Station. Guests are invited for more networking at a post meeting Tweet-Up at Trinity Hall. Early registration tickets cost $35 and are available through August 15, 2012. Tickets on the day of the event are $45, if available.

Please register here for the event on Eventbrite.

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Washington, U.S.A. — New analysis released by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) of employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that, while men have seen faster job growth than in the recovery, women’s job growth sped up in the third year. Within each industry, however, women have either lost proportionately more jobs or gained proportionately fewer jobs than men over the course of the last three years.

June 2012 marks the end of three years of recovery since the Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, a period that saw job gains for both women and men of more than 500,000 in several industries (Education and Health Services for women, Professional and Business Services for men and women, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities for men).

In year three of the recovery (July 2011 – June 2012), men gained 19,000 fewer jobs than they did in year two (July 2010 – June 2011). In contrast, women gained 500,000 more jobs in year three than they did in year two.

Still, men are slightly ahead overall in terms of job growth, but women are finally beginning to catch up. As of June 2012, women have regained 38.7 percent of the jobs they lost in the recession, while men have regained 45.2 percent of the jobs they lost in the recession.

Women have either lost proportionately more jobs or gained proportionately fewer jobs than men in every industry over the course of the last three years. Even in the female-dominated Education and Health Services industry, men’s employment increased by 9.1 percent between June 2009 and June 2012, while women’s employment increased by just 4.8 percent. Still growth in this sector helped women pick up 713,000 jobs in the last three years and 64.5 percent of the 1.1 million jobs added to payrolls in the industry since June 2009.

“The recovery is finally reaching women,” said Dr. Heidi Hartmann, president of IWPR and a labor economist. “Women got more than one-third of the job gains in the third year of the recovery, much better than their share the previous year, despite the fact that women are bearing the brunt of state and local government cuts,” she said. “Economists don’t know why men seem to have a hiring or layoff advantage in every industry, but the start of a catch-up in year three is good news for women.”

For men and women considered together, over the last three years of the recovery, the largest growths in payroll numbers were seen in “Professional and Business Services” (1.4 million jobs) and “Education and Health Services” (1.1 million jobs). Men and women both lost the largest number of jobs in “Government” (a combined loss of 633,000 jobs across all three levels of government). Job loss in the public sector disproportionately affected women who lost 64.1 percent of the 633,000 jobs eliminated.

The industries with the greatest gender difference in job change were “Mining and Logging,” where men’s employment grew by 23.6 percent while women’s employment grew by 17.5 percent, and “Manufacturing,” where men’s employment increased by 4.0 percent and women’s employment actually decreased by 2.7 percent. The “Leisure and Hospitality” industry, where men’s employment grew by 4.3 percent and women’s employment grew by 3.5 percent, had the smallest gender difference in job gains.

In the three years of the recovery, women gained just over half a million jobs and men nearly a million jobs in “Business and Professional Services” (504,000 for women and 937,000 for men). While women gained more than half a million jobs in “Education and Health Services” (713,000), men gained more than a half million jobs in “Trade, Transportation, and Utilities” (613,000).

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Wisconsin, U.S.A. — Connecture, the leading provider of Web-based information systems used to create health insurance marketplaces and exchanges, today announced Tim Allaway has been hired as vice president, client services. Allaway joined Connecture from McKesson Corporation where he served as vice president, payer services for the company’s RelayHealth division – a role that placed him in charge of a new business: selling software services to health insurance carriers. As vice president, operations, he also led McKesson’s electronic transaction services for the provider market.

“Leaders in the health insurance industry are facing significant changes that must be implemented in a very short period of time,” said Kevin McClain, senior vice president of operations at Connecture. “Tim’s experience is well-suited to give health plans the confidence they need to prepare for and implement the changes defined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. His background in customer service with multi-billion dollar corporations and his focus on innovation and change management will also help Connecture to succeed in this exciting period of growth associated with healthcare reform.”

In addition to McKesson, Allaway worked for other Fortune 500 companies, serving as vice president, global customer support for S1 Corporation; vice president, operations for Equifax; and director, customer service for IBM; all in Atlanta. In his new role, he is responsible for managing Connecture’s client relationships from point-of-sale through implementation of Connecture’s InsureAdvantage – the leading platform for health insurance distribution. Allaway is based out of Connecture’s Atlanta office and reports directly to McClain.

“As health plans rush to comply with the deadlines associated with healthcare reform, I feel my experience with automated sales and distribution to small individual and group markets can help clients through the process,” said Allaway. “Because I’ve worked at much larger companies, I can serve our customers at a different level, looking beyond the sale and ongoing product maintenance to the role we can play in their long-term business strategy.”

Allaway earned his undergraduate degree in business management from Jacksonville State University and his Master of Business Administration from Auburn University, both in Alabama.

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Sacramento, U.S.A. — Tribal government gaming generates important benefits across California’s economy, according to a new study conducted by Beacon Economics, a leading independent economic research firm.

The study, commissioned by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), surveyed gaming and non-gaming tribes across the state, including a cross section of large and small casinos in urban and rural markets with a range of amenities including hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and entertainment venues. The study finds that Indian gaming operations provide significant benefits throughout California’s economy.

“California tribes made a promise to California voters: we promised we would provide for our people and land as governments, we would provide jobs for our people and our neighbors, we would be good neighbors sharing responsibility for services like fire and police and environmental protection, as well as supporting non-profits and public entities that contribute to the quality of life in our regions,” said Daniel J. Tucker, Chairman of CNIGA.

“This is our first report card, and I am proud of it. We have done well for our people, our neighbors, local and state governments and California taxpayers, as well as providing financial assistance for 71 other tribes to assist them in building a foundation for economic independence.”

“Our analysis shows that California tribal government gaming has a $7.5 billion annual impact and supports more than fifty-two thousand jobs for state residents,” said Chris Thornberg,

Founding Partner of Beacon Economics. “The benefits are broad-based and state-wide: including tribes and tribal members, non-tribal members, local economies and state and local government budgets. As today’s economy improves and discretionary spending rises, the magnitude of these effects can be expected to grow.”

Among the study’s key findings:

Tribal gaming generates $7.5 billion for California’s Economy: In 2010 alone, $7.5 billion in economic activity was supported by Indian gaming operations. Of that amount, more than half ($3.9 billion) was generated outside of direct spending from the gaming operations. That means that businesses throughout California’s economy — the vast majority of which are non-tribal — are being buoyed by Tribal gaming.

California tribal gaming creates more than fifty-two thousand jobs and $2.7 billion in income for Californians: The Beacon analysis concludes that tribal government gaming is an increasingly important pillar of job creation in California, supporting more than 52,000 good-paying jobs across the state and generating over $2.7 billion in income. The study estimates that upwards of 80% of casino employees are non-tribal members, and finds that many tribal gaming jobs are filled by lower-skilled workers, those hurt most by the economic downturn.

Tribal gaming generates $467 million in revenues supporting essential local and state services: According to the study, tribal government gaming operations generate $467 million in state and local revenues, and non-gaming operations provide an additional $47 million in state and local revenues.

Tribal government gaming has provided $818 million in critical support to non-gaming tribes: Revenue generated by tribal gaming provides essential support to non-gaming tribes, funding a range of services including education, health care, and housing. Non-gaming tribes receive up to $1.1 million annually from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. To date, the analysis shows that $818 million has been distributed to help reduce the reliance of non-gaming tribes on state and local governments.

California gaming tribes foster safe and healthy communities, active philanthropic giving: Many California gaming tribes sponsor police and fire departments to relieve strained county officials and protect tribal and non-tribal community members, according to the report. Tribal gaming revenues also support local health and dental clinics for tribal and non-tribal residents in critical areas where these services are not readily available. The study also reports that gaming tribes often serve as the most important sources of philanthropic giving in their surrounding communities.

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Chicago, U.S.A. — Scheduled flight operations within North America will be at their lowest August level for 10 years, according to the latest statistics from flight schedule data market leader OAG, a UBM Aviation brand.

The OAG FACTS (Frequency and Capacity Trend Statistics) for August 2012 reveals that this month there will be 953,083 fewer air seats offered within North America compared with August 2011, with 21,401 fewer flights. For the year to date, decreases of two per cent in flights and one per cent in seat capacity have been experienced compared with the first eight months of 2011.

“Against the backdrop of a slowing economy the North American region is experiencing general consolidation of its internal scheduled air services,” said Rob Shaw, Director Analytics.

“This is partly the natural consequence of the well-publicised airline mergers of recent years, but it also reflects the strategy of individual carriers in a tough trading environment: reducing capacity to maintain fares at a profitable level.”

Only three of North America’s top 10 hubs (San Francisco at 7%, Charlotte at 5% and Toronto at 4%) will show significant growth in seat capacity this month, while capacity at Chicago O’Hare will drop by three per cent.

Middle East shows fastest long-haul growth with Dubai the key hub  

North America’s flights and seats to and from other worldwide regions will both show a two per cent increase in August, offering some better news, but the biggest growth in long-haul traffic is seen in the Middle East – driven largely by the United Arab Emirates and Dubai in particular.

This month will see flight operations to and from the Middle East grow by seven per cent to 64,252, while seat capacity will increase by eight per cent to reach 14,219,564 – nearly 4,000 more flights and more than a million more seats offered than in August 2011. Traffic within the Middle East region is also expected to grow by four per cent (flights) and three per cent (seats).

The Middle East region’s key hubs are all experiencing strong year-on-year growth in August, with Abu Dhabi seeing seats increasing by 248,896 (up 17%), Doha by 244,470 (11%) and Bahrain by 114,560 (11%).  By far the strongest performer in the region however is Dubai, with 782,544 additional seats and 2,694 additional flight operations compared with August 2011.

“Strategically, the Middle East is growing in importance all the time, particularly in terms of its links with Western Europe,” said Rob Shaw, Director Analytics.

“While capacity reductions are continuing on several key routes between Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, more than 400,000 extra seats are now offered between Western Europe and the Middle East. Of these, more than 70 per cent are on services to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, largely reflecting the continued expansion plans of the premier Gulf-based airlines.”

Global flights up by 1% and seats by 3%  

Dubai, with its 12 per cent increase in flight operations and 14 per cent increase in seat capacity, is also showing the fastest growth among the major global air hubs.

Seat capacity at eight of the world’s top 10 airports will grow this month. Beijing’s year-on-year increase of eight per cent brings it ever closer to Atlanta as the world’s largest hub in terms of seats offered, while Tokyo’s offering increased by nearly 375,000 seats, up five per cent on August 2011, securing its status as the world’s fourth-largest hub after London-Heathrow.

Worldwide, airlines have increased flights by 16,948 and seats by 9,608,208, taking the total scheduled flight operations for August 2012 to 2,789,437 and the total of seats offered to 361,193,356. This represents growth of one per cent in flights but three per cent in seats, which is explained by the increased use of larger aircraft. Average aircraft seat capacity is 129 this month compared with 127 in August 2011.

For the year to date, scheduled flights show a growth of two per cent and seat capacity an increase of three per cent compared with the January-August period last year.

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Los Angeles, U.S.A. — California egg producers, through the Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF), are filing a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit which challenges the legal validity of Proposition 2 – a law regulating egg-laying hen enclosures. The suit was filed by William Cramer, a Riverside County egg farmer who is not a member of ACEF.

While Cramer sets forth several grounds for his dispute with the law, ACEF’s challenge to Proposition 2 is focused on the claim that it is unconstitutionally vague and does not inform egg farmers how to confine their hens so as to avoid the criminal penalties that are part of the law.

The decision to enter this lawsuit was not made lightly but time has become a major issue for California egg farmers who need to know now the requirements for the enclosures they must build prior to the law taking effect on January 1, 2015 when compliance with Proposition 2 becomes mandatory. The lack of clarity regarding hen enclosure standards has become dire because it will require an investment of $400 million from the state’s egg farmers and three years to construct new facilities in California.

While California egg farmers struggle to deal with Proposition 2, the recent passage of the “King Amendment” to the 2012 Farm Bill by the House Agriculture Committee has only made matters worse. The King Amendment would exempt out-of-state egg farmers selling eggs into California from complying with Proposition 2, something which would threaten the interests of California consumers as well as place California egg farmers at a severe economic and competitive disadvantage.

“Passage of the King Amendment will devastate California’s fresh egg industry by removing all quality and safety standards and enable out-of-state egg producers to avoid having to comply with Proposition 2,” said Arnie Riebli, President of ACEF. He added, “Consumers need to realize that the availability of safe, fresh California eggs they have come to expect may no longer exist. Given the risk of criminal prosecution for violating Proposition 2 and the risks created by the King Amendment, we have no choice but file this motion to enable our industry to survive.”

In 2010, California enacted Assembly Bill 1437 to protect California consumers by requiring all eggs sold in California, including those from out of state, to meet the requirements of Proposition 2. California imports approximately 40% of the eggs consumed in the state.

While the meaning of Proposition 2 is unclear in most respects, it is clear that it would ban the sort of battery cages currently used in California and most other states. California consumers have the right to expect that all eggs bought in California are produced under the same conditions as eggs produced within the state. And, California producers have the right to expect that their out of state competitors must meet the same production requirements. The King Amendment seeks to remove these protections.

ACEF supports the goal of providing appropriate space to egg laying hens. ACEF has joined with the Humane Society of United States (HSUS) and the United Egg Producers (UEP) to support Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Egg Products Inspection Act amendments which would establish preemptive national standards on egg laying hen enclosures, including dimensions and other key elements that are not found in Proposition 2.

ACEF also joined HSUS and UEP in supporting the House counterpart, HR 3798, which is co-sponsored by California Representatives Jeff Denham (R), Elton Gallegly (R), and Sam Farr (D). Unfortunately, while the Senate Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing on this legislation, it failed to include it in the Farm Bill and it is unclear whether the bills will be taken up this year. ACEF will continue to work toward a national standard for egg laying hen enclosures, but this may take years to achieve.  California egg farmers are between “a rock and a hard place” and have no option but to now seek to invalidate Proposition 2.

“We simply cannot wait until ACEF members are criminally prosecuted to find out what Proposition 2 means and we cannot live with the King Amendment which would effectively put California egg farmers out of business,” said Debbie Murdock, executive director of ACEF.

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