Daily Archives: September 27, 2012

Advertising, Business, Internet & Online, Marketing, Media, Small Business, Social Media

SearchCatalyst Highlights Why Duplicate Web Content is Bad for Small Businesses

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Duplicate web page content is bad for any website because it greatly affects SEO, but SearchCatalyst, an SEO agency dealing exclusively in small business Internet marketing, says it is particularly bad news for small businesses.

Aside from negatively impacting on a user’s online experience, duplicate content is particularly disastrous for SEO. It affects the site’s credibility, which is one of the most important ways a site can rank highly, organically, on search engines like Google. Google ranks sites based on several criteria, each of which is built into its complicated search algorithm. Relevancy is the most important – does the site list content relevant to the search query? – but credibility is a close second.

However, this issue affects all businesses, big and small. An issue that is more likely to affect small businesses, or expanding ones in the processes of upgrading their websites and online presence comes down to duplicate content on developer sites. Quite often web developer domains – where developers work on websites – are indexed by Google. Developers can be completely unaware they have created duplicate content but as websites take a few months to develop they can sit on developer domains for a while and the duplicate pages will negatively affect search rankings on Google.

This generally impacts small businesses to a greater extent than larger companies because they don’t have the scope and finances to implement new pages quickly.

Google’s algorithms are highly sophisticated and can filter out sites that have duplicate content. Some may be labelled as spam as a result, whilst others will just be listed much lower down on the SERPs. Google has become much better at detecting duplicate content since the Panda algorithm update, which all small businesses and developers should be aware of.

SearchCatalyst offers affordable SEO services to small businesses looking to boost organic search rankings and gain greater online exposure at minimal cost.

-ENDS-

SearchCatalyst contact details:
Brendon Johnson
Level 14, The Broadgate Tower,
Primrose St,
London, EC2A 2EW
www.searchcatalyst.co.uk
contact@searchcatalyst.co.uk
+44 (0)20 3326 1800

Consumer Services, Human Resources, Law, Society

Employment Law Reforms Announced to Shake Up the Work Place and Encourage Businesses to Hire Again, reports Thomas Mansfield

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Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced reforms to the UK’s employment laws that make it easier for employers to dismiss under-performing employees. The amended laws include settlement agreements which will give employers the opportunity to pay-off under-performing staff to prevent future claims of unfair dismissal. Although workers are not obliged to accept a pay-off, if they do so it will be legally protected and as such cannot be brought up as evidence in a future court case or tribunal.

At the same time, the maximum limit for a pay out for unfair dismissal is being reduced. It currently stands at £72,300, but MPs want this reduced to a maximum of 12 months’ salary. The aim is to encourage employers, particularly small and medium sized firms, to employ more people.

Critics say the proposals only benefit employers and remove rights from workers, but many employers, particularly smaller firms, should find some benefits, including savings of time and resources, and greater security.

Thomas Mansfield, employment solicitors London based, points out these new settlement agreements are pretty much the same as the existing compromise agreement system. Currently employees and employers can come to a specific agreement over a financial pay out from the employer in return for the employee bringing no claims against the employer in the future. Free legal representation is offered as part of this package, and Thomas Mansfield predicts it will be included in the new settlement agreements too.

The UK’s legal system is a confusing one and often beyond the reach of the ordinary worker. Thomas Mansfield is well placed to provide advice, support and representation on matters relating to employment law, including unfair dismissal and employment tribunals. It predicts the new rules are bound to cause further confusion among both employers and employees and advises anyone confused by the new laws to seek out legal advice when necessary.

– Ends –

Thomas Mansfield contact details:
Neill Thomas
35 Artillery Lane,
London
E1 7LP
http://www.thomasmansfield.com/
info@thomasmansfield.com
020 7377 2829

Business

FRA Welcomes New of Major Russia-China Forestry Investment

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FRA has welcomed news that a fund jointly run in Russia and China is to invest some $200 million in a Russian forestry company.

Bainbridge Island, WA, September 27, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has welcomed news that a fund jointly run in Russia and China is to invest some $200 million in a Russian forestry company.

The deal has been struck off the back of an initiative launched at a summit intended to promote Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, from an economic perspective.

The deal involves an investment in Russia’s second-largest forestry products business, called Russia Forest Products, while the Chinese/Russian fund is simply called the Russia-China Investment Fund. The investment means that Russia Forest Products will now be able to produce forestry products with higher values and of better quality.

The forestry business is allowed to fell some 4.5 million cubic metres of timber each year and controlled some 6.4 million hectares of forests under a long-term lease deal.

The news that the investment has taken place was welcomed by FRA, which advocates investment in forestry management projects – particularly sustainable ones, such as the Greenwood Management plantations in Brazil and Canada. “Investing in sustainable forestry schemes is one of very best ways to ensure that you not only see a great return on your alternative investment, but that you can help to reduce deforestation in some of the most vulnerable regions of the world,” commented Peter Collins, the analysis partner at FRA.

The returns seen by forestry investors over the past decade or so are often better than the average returns for those investing in stocks and bonds. In addition, the plantation projects run by Greenwood Management can help to produce charcoal for the steel industry in Brazil, which helps steel firms avoid using charcoal produced by burning native timbers.

“Sustainability is the key to forestry investments and anyone considering investing in forestry should look for plantation schemes that are run on a cycle system, so that older trees are cut down when new trees are being planted,” added Mr Collins.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Entertainment

Travel Lightly on Your Next Literary Journey. Brandon Wilson’s Award-Winning Adventure

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Lowell Thomas Gold Award-winning author/explorer Brandon Wilson’s four travel adventure books are now also available from BarnesandNoble.com as NOOK editions.

Paia, HI, September 26, 2012 – Pilgrim’s Tales, a travel publisher based in Hawaii, is proud to announce that author/explorer Brandon Wilson’s four travel adventure books are now also available from BarnesandNoble.com as NOOK editions.

A constant theme in all of Wilson’s books is that ordinary people can conquer seemingly extraordinary challenges—and his latest award-winning book is a prime example. Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps chronicles the ups and downs of an intrepid midlife couple who dig deep to hike across eight countries on the daunting Via Alpina. Besides promising total immersion into Alpine life, it means climbing the equivalent of 12 Mt. Everests while facing their greatest fears. Whether you dream of making this journey—or are just a fan of schadenfreude—you’ll savor this empowering, humorous, wildly subversive tale. Includes illustrations by Ken Plumb and color photos/maps by the author. Recipient of the 2010 Book of the Year Bronze Award from ForeWord Reviews.

Other NOOK books in Wilson’s true-adventure travel series include Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace, winner of the coveted Lowell Thomas Gold Award, and named 2009 Best Travel Book by the Society of American Travel Writers. Two modern-day pilgrims discover timeless truths when they embark upon the ultimate challenge—to hike the Templar Trail across 11 countries to Jerusalem. Throwing themselves out into the universe with bad maps, blisters, and plenty of optimism, they face age-old challenges in search of adventure, life’s meaning and lasting peace. They also discover that even today, there’s nothing like a little war to shake your strongest resolve. Includes 44 color photos and maps by the author.

Wilson is also the author of Dead Men Don’t Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa. After their overland dream safari from London to Cape Town turns into a nightmare, a honeymooning couple set off alone to discover Africa’s heart and soul. Misadventure is their constant companion as they cross the Sahara, climb Kilimanjaro, whitewater raft the Zambezi, hunt dik-dik with Pygmies, stalk mountain gorillas, and hop a gun-run through war-torn Mozambique. This darkly humorous travel adventure offers sage advice about traveling with partners—while providing an “un-sanitized for your protection” look at a journey into Africa’s wildest unknown. Includes color photos by the author.

Yak Butter Blues is Wilson’s debut book and an IPPY Award winner. Join him, his wife and their Tibetan horse, as they become the first Western couple to hike an ancient path from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu on a journey once called “impossible”. Walk alongside them as they face lung-searing altitudes, slow starvation, blizzards, bureaucracy and bullets. But it’s not all pain and peril. Discover the kindness of strangers. Then witness a culture teetering on the edge of extinction. Little could prepare them for this ultimate test of resolve, faith… and very survival. Includes color photos by the author.

Brandon Wilson is a member of the prestigious Explorers Club.

Pilgrim’s Tales, Inc. publishes true stories of adventure, discovery and enlightenment. Their books are available worldwide in digital formats (NOOK, Kindle and Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android-based devices, and Windows Phone 7) and in hardcover and paperback editions from your favorite bookstore. Visit pilgrimstales.com or “Brandon Wilson, Adventure Travel Author” on Facebook for videos, photos, reviews, excerpts, interviews and more.

Contact:
Tony Roberts
PR Director
Pilgrim’s Tales, Inc.
P.O. Box 791613
Paia, HI 96779
+1.7604947537
info@pilgrimstales.com
http://www.pilgrimstales.com

Technology

Innova Biosciences signs out-licensing deal with StressMarq Biosciences

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Innova Biosciences , inventor of the world’s easiest to use bioconjugation kits, is pleased to announce that the company has entered into a licensing agreement with StressMarq Biosciences (British Columbia, Canada).

Cambridge, UK, September 26, 2012 – Innova Biosciences (Cambridge, UK), inventor of the world’s easiest to use bioconjugation kits, is pleased to announce that the company has entered into a licensing agreement with StressMarq Biosciences (British Columbia, Canada).

The non-exclusive license will allow StressMarq to use Innova’s unique Lightning-Link® technology for commercial purposes. Through the commercialisation deal, StressMarq will create a novel collection of antibody conjugate research tools for the scientific community, with the ultimate objective being the advancement of pioneering science and to elucidate the molecular abnormalities behind disease states such as cancer or diabetes.

Dr Andy Lane, Licensing Manager at Innova Biosciences, said, “This agreement underlines the attractiveness of the Lightning-Link® technology to specialist antibody companies, who can take advantage of the simplicity of the method combined with 100% yields to rapidly increase their catalogue portfolios. We look forward to working with StressMarq, who have an excellent reputation in the research antibody sector.”

Commenting on the agreement StressMarq’s President, Dr Ariel Louwrier, said, “The unique aspects of the Lightning-Link® technology coupled with the core expertise of StressMarq Biosciences in the heat shock protein, cellular stress, ion channels and transporter areas will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers, covering a whole new host of applications. The demonstrated and proven Lightning-Link® technology is an excellent counterpart to our antibody portfolio.”

About Innova Biosciences Limited;
Innova Biosciences is a growing, dynamic business based in Cambridge, UK. At the core of Innova’s business are the Lightning-Link® and InnovaCoat™ technologies, which simplify the production of antibody-based reagents. The expanding Lightning-Link® and InnovaCoat™ portfolio is sold to research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and diagnostic companies worldwide. For more information, please see www.innovabiosciences.com.

About StressMarq Biosciences;
StressMarq Biosciences Inc. is a company based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and encompasses what is probably the most experienced combined commercial and scientific heat shock and cellular stress community worldwide. StressMarq Biosciences provide a range of monoclonal and polyclonal antisera, for various research areas including cellular stress, cell signaling, ion channels and apoptosis. For more information, please see www.stressmarq.com.

Contact:
Mathew Taylor
Director
Algorythm Solutions Ltd
10 Torkington St
Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2UY
+44 (0)773 403 2112
mtaylor@algorythmsolutions.com
http://www.algorythmsolutions.com