Looking to Join a Portfolio Company? Experts Connection Explains the Risks and Rewards of Working for Private Equity

Do You Have What It Takes to Work with a Start-Up or Turnaround? Recruiter Mary Kier Describes What You Need and How to Interview to Get Hired by a Private Equity Firm.

NOVATO, Calif. (April 10, 2013) — Even in a down economy, start-ups are thriving as private equity firms continue to invest looking for returns on new ideas and new technologies. If you are aggressive and have a taste for risk working for a portfolio company may be a perfect career choice. To see if you have what it takes, Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search, will explain what it takes to get hired by a portfolio firm and how to navigate the interview process in the next Experts Connection (http://www.experts-connection.com) webinar entitled, “Spotlight on Private Equity: How Do You Get Hired.” The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. ET, (1:00 – 2:30 p.m. PT), and is sponsored by NETSHARE® (http://www.netshare.com).

Drawing from almost three decades of recruiting executives for private equity companies, Mary will provide an insider’s look at the world of private equity hiring, providing first-hand insight into what resonates when they are seeking executives to run their portfolio companies. Private equity firms are looking for specific qualifications in their executive candidates to ensure a fast return on their investments. They also use a different interview process, looking for special characteristics that demonstrate that the candidate is well-suited for the fast-paced world of private equity. Mary will explain what private equity wants, how to match their criteria to your skillset, how they use retained search recruiters, and share real life stories about candidates who succeeded, and those who didn’t and why.

During this 90-minute session, Mary will explain what it takes to work with a privately equity firms managing portfolio company and the qualifications you will need to be considered. Topics of discussion will include:

– Today’s portfolio environment and what private equity companies look for in executive candidates;
– Conducting a self-assessment analysis to determine if the world of private equity is for you;
– Sharpening your interview skills before you meet with a portfolio firm; and
– Asking the right and appropriate interview questions.

“Equity in a successful start-up company is the brass ring for any executive, but not all executives are well suited to manage portfolio companies,” said Katherine Simmons, CEO of NETSHARE and host of the Experts Connection teleseminars. “Mary has been working with private equity companies for some time and has a firm understanding of what they are looking for, and what a candidate needs to do to be successfully considered for a role in a portfolio company. If you have any interest at all in working with start-ups, this is the perfect session to help you plan your next career move.”

The cost of the Experts Connection seminar is $60, $50 for NETSHARE members. Access is provided via web and telephone and a web archive also is available for registrants. For more information, visit the Experts Connection online at http://www.experts-connection.com.

About Mary Kier
Mary Kier has been with Cook Associates Executive Search since 1984 and now serves as the firm’s CEO and a leader in the firm’s Private Equity Practice. She is respected for her ability to ascertain the underlying themes in the portfolio company and identify with the executive leadership team in order to quickly assess new talent. Her search work encompasses CEO’s, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, Divisional Presidents as well as functional heads of Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR and Operations. Mary earned her BS degree in Management and Industrial Relations, graduating with honors.

About NETSHARE
NETSHARE (http://www.netshare.com) is a confidential, membership based organization dedicated to providing executives across all disciplines and industries with quality $100K plus job lists. NETSHARE also offers networking opportunities and a community of peers for the exchange of strategic information related to job search, professional development and best practices. NETSHARE has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes magazines as the best online destination for executive positions.

Contact:
Annette DiSano
NETSHARE, Inc.
(415) 883-1700
annette@netshare.com

New York Entrepreneur Redefines the Term Sugar Daddy

NY entrepreneur and gentleman about town Alan “Action” Schneider unashamedly embraces the term Sugar Daddy.

San Francisco, CA, USA (April 10, 2013) — Contact: Tom Andrews, 415/507-9962

NY entrepreneur and gentleman about town Alan “Action” Schneider unashamedly embraces the term Sugar Daddy. “With the economy in the condition it is in, women are gravitating to the traditional relationship where the man is the provider,” says Mr. Schneider. “Many women appreciate men who extend to them mentorship, chivalry, attention, and financial and emotional assistance. Throughout history and up to the current day, these relationships simply work. Despite the dim view that some may have of sugar daddy/sugar baby relationships, their numbers are increasing rapidly and are resulting in a new generation of non-traditional as well as traditional relationships.”

Mr. Schneider has thrown more and larger Sugar Daddy parties than anyone on the planet. The 49 year old single parent passionately defends Sugar Daddy parties, “Where the Gorgeous Meet the Generous.”

To those who define Sugar Daddy relationships as prostitution, Mr. Schneider responds that “Sugar Daddy relationships are ongoing relationships, not one night stands, and they are as monogamous as other relationships, often more so. Many Sugar Daddy relationships evolve into marriage or long term committed relationships. They are based on mutual spoiling and pampering… and what’s wrong with that?” They are no different than a marriage between a successful man and his wife who he takes care of financially and who takes care of him in every way she can. Partners in the sugar lifestyle believe that in this modern era there is no reason you can’t live that same kind of supportive relationship without getting married.”

Mr. Schneider’s next Sugar Daddy party, Make-up, Models and Mayhem, will be on Wednesday, April 25, 2013, 7pm to 12:30am, at New York’s most famous nightclub, Copacabana, 268 W 47th St, NYC. A huge crowd is expected, including 200 models. The party features both a Live Salsa Band and a Disco Band, Gourmet Food & Dessert Bar, and much more. The cost is $40/door for women and $80/door for gentlemen. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.alanactionmodels.eventbrite.com. Promo discount codes are available at 1-855-AlanAction, x5.

The parties are co-sponsored by SugarDaddyFor Me.com, the world’s largest dating website for sugar daddies and sugar babies (four million members); and Alan Action Events. Adults of all ages are welcome. Media interviews with Alan “Action” Schneider can be scheduled by calling 415-507-9962.

LinkedIn Is Your Best Social CRM Resource to Drive Revenue – Next Experts Connection for Business Explains How

Social Media Expert Jim Durbin Provides Step-by-Step Approach to Show You How to Mine LinkedIn for New Sales Leads and How to Connect with Decision-Makers.

NOVATO, Calif. (April 10, 2013) — Connecting with your prospects before you even make a sales call is having a terrific impact on business, and LinkedIn is the first source of social selling for most sales, marketing, and business development professionals. LinkedIn provides a social CRM database that is being continually updated by users so the information is always current. In the next session of Experts Connection for Business, “LinkedIn for Sales: Driving New Revenue” (http://www.experts-connection.com/business.aspx), social media specialist Jim Durbin will show how to use LinkedIn to find new clients, understand their company, and engage with them in a way that turns connections into revenue. The webinar is scheduled for 4:00 to 5:30 ET (1:00 to 2:30 PT) on Tuesday, April 24 and is archived online for registrants to access after the presentation. The Experts Connection webinar series is sponsored by NETSHARE® (http://www.netshare.com).

Social media gives sales and marketing executives – anyone who is really connected -new ways to increase the top line. LinkedIn escalates social selling by providing a central forum where you can identify new company and new prospects, assess their needs, and build a meaningful dialogue that will allow you to present your solution to their problem. Using LinkedIn as a social CRM platform, you can quickly gather intelligence, uncovering hidden knowledge about your prospects and their business activities. LinkedIn can turn good salespeople into great salespeople.

In this 90-minute webinar, Durbin will show you how to:

– Use social CRM to track decision-makers and executives through their social connections;
– Use LinkedIn profiles to find direct phone numbers and contact information;
– Connect with prospects, including how to use simple messages that generate responses from connections;
– Identify revenue opportunities from former employees and competitors;
– Develop “before and after” strategies for the sales presentation; and
– Optimize search and profile techniques to boost your personal profile.

“LinkedIn now has 200 million members in 200 countries making it the biggest directory of professional contacts around. And all these contacts are self-selecting, offering up any number of details about themselves and their business for those who know how to mine for it,” said Katherine Simmons, CEO of NETSHARE and host of the Experts Connection webinar series. “When used properly, LinkedIn can be any sales professional’s most powerful tool, and Jim will give you a detailed approach to show you now to use LinkedIn to build your client database.”

The Experts Connection webinar series allows business professionals to connect with experts in a wide range of areas, gathering information about business-critical topics presented with an eye toward the practical, not just the theoretical. Experts Connections recruits the most knowledgeable specialists to address problems facing small companies, multi-national corporations, B2B, B2C; businesses of any size serving any market. The cost of the seminar is $100, and access is provided via web and telephone. A web archive also is available for registrants. For more information, visit the Experts Connection online at http://www.experts-connection.com/business.aspx.

About James Durbin:
Jim Durbin is vice president of social media for Brandstorming Interactive, a B2B marketing firm. As well as being a blogger and business owner, Jim shares his expertise as a frequent speaker on topics such as CRM, online marketing, and harnessing the social enterprise. Before he started one of the first social media companies in 2006, Jim was a top performer as a sales executive for a national staffing firm. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and lives in Dallas.

About NETSHARE
NETSHARE (http://www.netshare.com) is a confidential, membership based organization dedicated to providing executives across all disciplines and industries with quality $100K plus job lists. NETSHARE also offers networking opportunities and a community of peers for the exchange of strategic information related to job search, professional development and best practices. NETSHARE has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes magazines as the best online destination for executive positions.

Contact:
Annette DiSano
NETSHARE, Inc.
(415) 883-1700
annette@netshare.com

Joint Effort with Uruguay Tour Operator to Promote Luxury Vietnam Tourism Products in Brazil

Luxury Travel Ltd. (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) Begins Joint Effort with Uruguay Tour Operator To Promote High End Vietnam Tourism Products In Brazil.

Hanoi, Vietnam, April 08, 2013 – Vietnam is a new holiday destination for Latin America holidaymakers. Now, Asia’s most innovative luxury travel and tour company brings Vietnam high-end tourism products closer to travel agents in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Hanoi–based Luxury Travel Ltd. (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) has announced joint efforts with a Uruguayan premium tour operator, Lameco Viajes, in order to promote luxury travel products at WTM Latin America (http://www.wtmlatinamerica.com/) in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 23 to 25 April 2013. Luxury Travel Ltd. and Lameco Viajes booth is located at stand M13.

World Travel Market Latin America, the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry, is a three day must-attend business-to-business (B2B) event which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world.

To be staged annually in the economic powerhouse of São Paulo, World Travel Market Latin America is the event where Latin American travel companies will negotiate and conclude major deals, highlighting the area’s importance in the global travel and tourism industry.

Vietnam has launched a new campaign to attract tourists from all over the world under the slogan of ‘Timeless charm.’ Tourists wish to experience Vietnam’s defining characteristics: thrills, nature, heritage, festivals, pristine beauty, enjoyment, scenery and essence.

Vietnam now has world class hotels and resorts, beaches and cuisine, in addition to its natural beauty, rich history and traditional culture. Travelers from Latin America travelling to Vietnam are looking for a more authentic experience and seek to have a deeper understanding of the country’s culture, food, history and everyday life. The country receives 6.8 million international arrivals in 2012 and the number of travelers from Latin American increases annually last 3 years.

While India and Thailand are geared more toward mass market tourism, Vietnam is a destination that is attractive to a more selective class of travelers. Vietnam is becoming more and more recognized as a safe and favored destination for high end tourists from long haul destinations.

Latin America is in a strong financial position at the moment and Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd., stressed the importance of diversifying markets by participating in the Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets, which provide an ideal platform for the latest contemporary trends and the ability to communicate and establish business partnerships with experts and tourism companies.

“With our marketing efforts and commitments with our local representative and tour operator Lameco in Uruguay (http://www.lameco.com.uy/), we will attract more long haul travelers who wish to experience Vietnam in style and luxury. We are amongst the pionners in Latin America. We select our top ten once-in-a-life-time trips in Vietnam and Indochina, highlighting 4 and 5 star hotels to sell wholesale to travel agents across Latin America.” said Pham Ha.

About Luxury Travel Ltd.
Vietnam’s first luxury tour operator/DMC (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) based in Hanoi with offices throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, Luxury Travel is exceptional in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences. Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company Limited has its own offices, luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors, and representative offices in California, London, Paris, Montevideo and Sydney. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent Guide Award 2012. www.facebook.com/luxurytravelcompany

Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Toddler’s Imagination Makes Delightful Story for Families to Share

Recently released by Halo Publishing International, Lai-Lai Meets Chub-Chub is a book about a preschool-age girl who struggles to find the “perfect” name for her new puppy.

Houston, TX (USA), April 08, 2013 — The naming of a family pet is the theme of Dr. Aaron Chokan’s delightful new children’s book, Lai-Lai Meets Chub-Chub. Recently released by Halo Publishing International, Lai-Lai Meets Chub-Chub is a book about a preschool-age girl who struggles to find the “perfect” name for her new puppy.

Chokan said he mirrored the story of his 3-year-old daughter Calais’ naming of the family’s new mini golden doodle puppy. “It’s a story told through a toddler’s imagination,” explained the author.

“Lai-Lai spends her day outside learning how nature can truly give her ideas for a name,” he said. “She also asks for listener participation by asking the reading audience for some help.” “And the little girl in the story is completely delighted when she finally comes up with the name Chub-Chub.”

“Families will enjoy reading this sweet story together,” said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina. “We know how important it is for parents to read with their children and Lai Lai Meets Chub Chub is a wonderful book for them to share.”

Chokan said he has a second book in the works featuring Lai-Lai and her adventures with her new pet. Other members of his large family will be story characters as well. “I’m bringing the whole family in,” he said.

The author is a Northeast Ohio foot and ankle specialist who has been practicing since 2004. The son of a builder, Chokan grew up with his two sisters in Westlake, Ohio, and is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the College of Wooster and then studied at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. Now the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, Chokan is chairman of the school’s alumni association. The author is owner and founder of Ohio Foot and Ankle Center with 4 locations in Northeast Ohio.

Chokan met his wife, Michelle, while they were both working at Hillcrest Hospital, part of the Cleveland Clinic medical system. They now have five children, Hunter, Reece, Finlay, Calais and Lucia, ranging in age from six weeks to seven years old; and a dog, Paisley. The family lives in Hudson, Ohio.

To order copies of Lai Lai Meets Chub Chub, visit http://www.halopublishing.com. To reach the author, e-mail him at lailaichubchub@gmail.com or call 216-256-4096.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326 – USA
877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com