Category Archives: Business

Business

Bancafe Panama of the Davivienda Banking Group, Implements AuraPortal Process Management (BPM) Software to Automate and Control its Banking Operations

Leave a comment

The implementation of AuraPortal will allow Bancafe to automate and optimize the performance of the operational areas and the customer service.

Boca Raton, Florida, September 20, 2012 – AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) Software has announced the immediate implementation of the AuraPortal (*) Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) at the prestigious Panamanian bank, Bancafe. Bancafe is a subsidiary of Colombian Davivienda and has operated in Panama since 1966.

(*)The AuraPortal Process Management Platform has recently been distinguished by the independent market analyst firm Ovum in the Decision Matrix 2011 report as the most advanced BPM in the market.

Bancafe decided to implement a flexible solution that would allow them to manage and optimize the performance of the strategic areas of Operations and Customer Service, adapting them to the increasingly demanding needs of the market. After an exhaustive selection process, Bancafe decided for AuraPortal.

This represents a great technological breakthrough for the bank, as the implementation project foresees the expansion of the platform to other branches.

Among the many benefits that Bancafe will gain through the use of AuraPortal, is the flexibility to quickly re-configure the processes, significantly reducing the time it takes to approve and respond to banking service requests from all customers in the Panamanian market. Likewise, there will be a considerable improvement in the control of document flows, execution time reductions through the automation of processes and a reduction in the learning curve because of AuraPortal’s user friendliness and usability.

The project implementation will be performed by Innova Consult, AuraPortal’s Technology Partner in Panama.

About Bancafe:
Bancafé was first established in Panama in 1966 in the northern city of Colon in order to facilitate customer transactions in foreign trade, especially supporting the coffee industry. In 1972 it relocated its headquarters to Panama City. Today, Bancafé operates both the offices to provide the best geographical coverage.

About Aura (http://www.auraportal.com):
AURA is a global BPMS (Business Process Management Suite) provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AURA has a presence in 50 countries with more than 400 customers including, among others: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Toyota, Yamaha, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), ArcelorMittal, Eletrobras, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sodexo, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries.

AURA Headquarters are located in North America (Florida) and Europe (Holland) whereas the software development facilities are located in Spain and India.

Contact:
Scott Rich
Auraportal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
978-808-6340
diana.farrington@auraportal.com
http://www.auraportal.com

Business

High-Speed Trading in the Spotlight at Golden Networking’s The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 New York City

Leave a comment

Edgar Perez, Author, The Speed Traders, Speaker at The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 New York (www.thespeedtradersworkshop.com), How Algorithmic and High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX, September 25.

New York City, NY, USA (September 20, 2012) — The Wall Street Journal’ Scott Patterson reports that an insider of the secretive world of high-frequency trading is set to attack that industry on Capitol Hill, giving lawmakers a potential road map to address practices that critics say can put ordinary investors at a disadvantage and the financial system at risk. Just north in New York City, Edgar Perez will present The Speed Traders Workshop 2012, How High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX (http://www.thespeedtradersworkshop.com), on September 25.

Since rapid-fire trading firms now provide many of the buy and sell orders that support the market, investors are at the mercy of automated systems that can run amok during volatile times.

Regulators are looking into whether exchanges, in a rush to gain the business of high-frequency firms, have provided advantages to some sophisticated trading firms that allow them to trade profitably at the expense of other investors, according to people familiar with the continuing probes. High-frequency trading accounts for some two-thirds of all trading volume, experts say.

The SEC is conducting an inquiry into whether high-frequency firms use those order types to jump in front of other investors. In a page-one article Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Haim Bodek, who helped run a high-frequency trading firm, told SEC enforcement officials last year that he believed exchanges were giving certain sophisticated trading firms special advantages that helped them beat out other investors.

The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 New York promises to reveal how high-frequency trading players are succeeding in the global markets and driving the development of algorithmic trading at breakneck speeds from the U.S. and Europe to India, Singapore and Brazil. The Flash Crash, the suspended BATS IPO, the botched Facebook IPO and Knight Capital’s trading malfunction are just a few of the events in the history of high-frequency trading that will be dissected at The Speed Traders Workshop 2012.

Who should attend? Anybody involved with Algorithmic Trading, Automated Trading, Commodities, Commodities Trading, Credit Derivatives, Dark Pools Trading, Data Monitoring / Analysis, DMA Analysts, Derivatives Trading, Electronic Execution, Electronic Trading, Equity Trading, Exchange-Traded Instruments, Family Offices, Financial Engineering, Fixed Income / Currencies Trading, Futures, Hedge Funds Traders and Managers, High-Frequency Trading, Information Technology, Institutional Investors, Investment Banking, Market Makers, Operations, Options, Over-the-counter Derivatives, Portfolio Management, Proprietary Trading, Quantitative Trading, Regulatory Entities, Risk Management, Analysis and Control, Statistical Arbitrage, Structured Products Hedging and Trading Technology.

Perez is widely regarded as the preeminent global expert in the specialized area of high-frequency trading. He is author of The Speed Traders, An Insider’s Look at the New High-Frequency Trading Phenomenon That is Transforming the Investing World, published in English by McGraw-Hill Inc. (2011), in Mandarin by China Financial Publishing House (2012) and currently being translated into Bahasa Indonesia. He is course director of The Speed Traders Workshop 2012, How High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX (Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Warsaw, Kiev, New York, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Ho Chi Minh, New York, Dubai and Chicago), and was Adjunct Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, where he taught Algorithmic Trading and High-Frequency Finance. He contributes regularly to The New York Times and China’s International Finance News.

Perez has been interviewed on CNBC Cash Flow, CNBC Squawk Box, BNN Business Day, CCTV China, Bankier.pl, TheStreet.com, Leaderonomics, GPW Media, Channel NewsAsia Business Tonight and Cents & Sensibilities. In addition, Perez has been featured on Sohu, News.Sina.com, Yicai, eastmoney, Caijing, ETF88.com, 360doc, AH Radio, CNFOL.com, CITICS Futures, Tongxin Securities, ZhiCheng.com, CBNweek.com, Caixin, Futures Daily, Xinhua, CBN Newswire, Chinese Financial News, ifeng.com, International Finance News, hexun.com, Finance.QQ.com, Finance.Sina.com, The Korea Times, The Korea Herald, The Star, The Malaysian Insider, BMF 89.9, iMoney Hong Kong, CNBC, Bloomberg Hedge Fund Brief, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Valor Econômico, FIXGlobal Trading, TODAY Online, Oriental Daily News and Business Times.

Perez has been engaged to present to the CME Group’s Global Financial Leadership Conference 2012, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington DC), CFA Singapore, Hong Kong Securities Institute, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, University of International Business and Economics (Beijing), Hult International Business School (Shanghai) and Pace University (New York), among other public and private institutions. In addition, Perez has spoken at a number of global conferences, including Harvard Business School’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Conference (Boston), High-Frequency Trading Leaders Forum (New York, Chicago), MIT Sloan Investment Management Conference (Cambridge), Institutional Investor’s Global Growth Markets Forum (London), Technical Analysis Society (Singapore), TradeTech Asia (Singapore), FIXGlobal Face2Face (Seoul) and Private Equity Convention Russia, CIS & Eurasia (London).

Perez was a vice president at Citigroup, a senior consultant at IBM, and a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Co. in New York City. Perez has an undergraduate degree from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima, Peru (1994), a Master of Administration from Universidad ESAN, Lima, Peru (1997) and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, New York, with a dual major in Finance and Management (2002). He belongs to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Perez resides in the New York City area.

The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 is produced by Golden Networking (http://www.goldennetworking.net), the premier networking community for business executives, entrepreneurs and investors. Panelists, speakers and sponsors are invited to contact Golden Networking by sending an email to info@goldennetworking.net.

Media Contact:
Julia Petrova
Media Relations Coordinator
The Speed Traders
516-761-4712
jpetrova@thespeedtraders.com
http://www.thespeedtraders.com

Business, Energy, Environment

Florida Power & Light Energizes Classrooms with Zany, New Educational School Show

Leave a comment

“We know that many teachers reach into their own pockets to supplement their teaching and to help bring lessons to life,” said FPL’s Education Program Manager, Maureen Wilt.

Juno Beach, FL, USA (September 13, 2012) — The fast-paced educational school show, “Men in Plaid: The Kilowatt Connection,” is energizing classrooms throughout Florida Power & Light Company‘s service territory. The program, featuring an incredible cast of characters, is available free of charge to teachers who are looking to enrich their science curricula for the 2012-13 school year.

“Men in Plaid: The Kilowatt Connection” delivers important energy conservation messages through an engaging cast of characters including Moldy and Skuller, The Boss, Ooot Blatuu, and The Slug. The foursome travels the planet finding ways electricity is being used unsafely and unwisely. The cast teaches students how energy is made, used and wasted and why it’s important to conserve it.

“We know that many teachers reach into their own pockets to supplement their teaching and to help bring lessons to life,” said FPL’s Education Program Manager, Maureen Wilt. “It’s our hope that programs like this will inspire students to be energy conservation advocates in their homes and ease the educational load on Florida teachers.”

The show is performed by professional actors from The National Theatre for Children based in Minneapolis, Minn. This organization specializes in writing and performing educational programs for children nationwide using simple sets and audience participation.

The 25-minute live theatre performance is offered to kindergarten through fifth-grade students in FPL’s service territory. The show can be performed at individual schools in the gym, cafeteria or any large assembly area where students can be seated on the floor. Each show includes grade-appropriate workbooks for each student, and comprehensive online teacher guides.

To learn more about arranging a performance or to see the tour schedule, visit http://www.fpl.com/community/learning/show.shtml.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
For photos visit: http://www.fpl.com/newsroom

Business

FrenchRiviera.com Media Group, LLC and CitiesPlanet.com Announce Marketing Agreement with the GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat

Leave a comment

FrenchRiviera.com Media Group has entered into a marketing alliance with one of the most luxurious and prestigious resorts overlooking the Mediterranean, the GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat.

Scottsdale, AZ, September 12, 2012 – FrenchRiviera.com Media Group has entered into a marketing alliance with one of the most luxurious and prestigious resorts overlooking the Mediterranean, the GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat. In 2012, the elite hotel earned the distinguished title of “Best Palace in the World,” awarded by Hotel & Lodge Magazine, and also received the Villégiature Award for, “Best Spa in Europe.”

The strategic partnership ensures GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat will be showcased throughout www.FrenchRiviera.com, featured prominently in their popular “Itineraries” section, which suggests preferred venues and attractions for visitors planning a trip to this stunning region.

“We are very proud to enter into this partnership with such a magnificent property,” said FrenchRiviera.com Media Group CEO and Co-Founder Toby Hardy. “During our most recent visit to the region this past April, we spent some quality time touring the star-studded GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat. It is without a doubt one of the most spectacular properties we have ever seen. The staff offered expert, courteous service, and we felt pampered at every turn. We look forward to promoting this exceptional property to our FrenchRiviera.com clients searching for a one-of-a-kind experience.”

The website, FrenchRiviera.com was developed by CitiesPlanet.com, the largest network of City.com brands in the industry. Fred Mercaldo, Managing Partner of CitiesPlanet, joined Mr. Hardy during a recent visit to the French Riviera, and was equally impressed with GRAND-HÔTEL du Cap-Ferrat.

“This property is nothing short of stunning. The refined accommodations are perfectly appointed, spacious, and include magnificent views of the gardens. The hotel has three truly superb restaurants to serve guests and features “Le Cap,” with its elegant but uncomplicated cuisine created under the careful direction of Michelin-starred Chef Didier Anies, nominated Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2000. We look forward to further enhancing this relationship!”

French Riviera.com Media Group, LLC holds a strategic portfolio of more than 200 domain names within the Southern European region, many of which are presently under development. These names, including SpanishRiviera.com, BarcelonaRiviera.com and GreekRiviera.com, will significantly expand the company’s digital online media platform and marketing leverage throughout the entire Mediterranean region.

CitiesPlanet.com represents more than 65 pure City.com brands in the USA and internationally. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, CitiesPlanet recently opened a state of the art call center to fully support and market their brands.

Contact: Toby Hardy toby.hardy@frenchriviera.com Direct Line: 205-873-9800
Contact: Fred Mercaldo fred@citiesplanet.com Direct Line: 602-859-3786

Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe, AZ 85284
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Business

NSW Wealth Creation Firm Opens Queensland Office

Leave a comment

NSW based wealth creation firm Chase Edwards has opened a Gold Coast office to service its growing Queensland market.

Nerang, Qld, September 11, 2012 – NSW based wealth creation firm Chase Edwards has opened a Gold Coast office to service its growing Queensland market.

The company has taken the majority of level 10 in the Bundall Corporate Centre to accommodate its professional service team and telemarketing company.

Chase Edwards’ Queensland state sales manager Glenn Mayes says the move to open an office in Queensland was necessary given the company’s ever-increasing client base in the state.

“Chase Edwards has been providing wealth creation strategies for clients in NSW for over seven years now, and over the past few years we have experienced a substantial growth in Queensland,” Mr Mayes says.

“Some of this growth is no doubt as a result of the state’s strong economic base, particularly through the mining industry, however our strategies are applicable to anyone wanting a better financial future.

“Opening an office here will provide us with an on the ground presence and enable us to better service clients from Cairns down to the NSW border.”

The new office will accommodates 20 professional consultants including wealth planners, finance managers, in-home consultants and administration staff.

The Call Centre accommodates a team of 30 telemarketers, call centre manager quality control officers, confirmation managers and supervisors.

Chase Edwards provide services to pay off home loans quicker, reduce tax and create wealth for retirement.

Chase Edwards Finance holds an Australian Credit License that enables their experienced finance managers to source the products that best suit a client’s needs.

The company works closely with a number of alliance partners in areas such as finance, property management, accounting, law and financial planning.

Its strategies include home loan analysis and repayment acceleration, cash flow and debt reduction, asset building, self-managed superannuation funds and financial planning.

Chase Edwards established its first office in Newcastle, which employs 25 people.

The company maintains an authorised representative status for an Australian Financial Services License.

For all media enquiries contact Bruce Nelson on 0423 403 449.

Contact:
Bruce Nelson
Zakazukha Marketing Communications
3 Eden Court
Nerang, Qld 4211
07 5596 6634
bruce@zakazukha.com
http://www.zakazukha.com

Business

Black Dog Promotions CEO Scott Kelly’s PR & Marketing Syndicated Column to CitiesPlanet.com’s 1 Million Readers Delivers Tips and Tirades

Leave a comment

The Intersection of Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing & SALES, Kelly’s signature style is on full display – edgy, authentic, and always provocative.

Scottsdale, AZ, September 11, 2012 – He’s been called bombastic. Black Dog Promotions CEO, veteran media relations & digital marketing expert Scott Kelly has signed an international syndication deal with CitiesPlanet.com and its scores of local market driven websites. His weekly column, PR to PRofits: The Intersection of Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing & SALES, Kelly’s signature style is on full display – edgy, authentic, and always provocative.

Kelly, a proven multi-media marketing and public relations expert – will serve as a PR & Marketing contributor for 65 websites, giving CitiesPlanet’s growing network of 1+ million readers a forum for discussion and debate, offering tips and tricks to get marketing messages into overdrive, cutting through the noise and traffic of the digital age.

But his real “secret sauce” distills the integration of tried and true sales techniques into the mix.

“I read all the PR blogs out there and quite frankly, I think we need an “old dog” to teach some new tricks. Yes – social media’s making waves, but is anyone really translating their efforts into dollar signs? I do it every day – and my partnership with CitiesPlanet.com is the perfect vehicle to bash the misinformation out there and offer up some tips people can really use. Plus, I’ll get to serve up some tirades along the way – just for fun,” said Kelly.

Kelly’s Black Dog Promotions (www.BlackDogPromotions.com ), the Arizona-based public relations, social media and digital marketing agency boasts high profile clients including the International Sportsman’s Expo, LuckyKatTV.com, NFL legend Nick Lowery and Nadine on the Scene, to name a few. Their winning strategy leverages the exacting combination of sales, advertising, multi-media exposure and good old-fashioned blood, sweat and tears, designed to deliver results.

Fred Mercaldo, Managing Partner of Cities Planet, stated, “Our team is thrilled to add Scott Kelly’s bold, brash voice and common-sense advice to our line-up. This provides great content for our readers, but also exciting marketing opportunities for our advertisers. We know Kelly’s tenured experience will speak to a range of people working to navigate marketing efforts in the ‘Wild West’ days of the digital age.”

Cities Planet (www.CitiesPlanet.com) is an online advertising media and marketing venture representing over 100 city-related websites worldwide. CitiesPlanet manages the sales, marketing, and advertising functions for every site, and spearheads all international and local partnerships.

The Cities Planet Network represents 20 states and scores of thriving international cities, including Scottsdale.com and LongBeach.com, ranging in size from quaint upscale communities to large metropolitan areas.

Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe, AZ 85284
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Business

Incite Creative Builds Brands for Two Innovators of the Year Recipients

Leave a comment

The 2012 “Innovator of the Year” award winners were recently announced and include two of Incite Creative’s clients: 1sqbox™ and Healthplan Headquarters™.

Baltimore, MD, September 11, 2012 – Each year The Daily Record recognizes Maryland’s individuals and companies that have created a product, service or process that has had a positive effect on their business, industry or community. Incite Creative is honored that two of this year’s 20 award recipients benefited from the firm’s marketing and brand building services.

1sqbox is an intuitive management system that allows teachers, students, principals and parents to communicate in real time via its state-of-the-art tablet centric application. Everything that is needed for classroom management, student learning, administrative tools and parental monitoring is housed in one central application — its all-inclusive square box. Incite Creative capitalized on the name and product concept and created a logo and an innovative business development packaging system that reinforces the company’s desired brand message.

HealthPlan Headquarters is the first of its kind in Maryland, offering insurance in a retail location where consumers can walk in and shop for their insurance coverage. Created to help individuals and employers navigate the complex world of insurance, Healthplan Headquarters offers self-service kiosks and one-on-one consultations with experienced and knowledgeable insurance specialists, as well as health and wellness resources for the community. Incite Creative helped strategically position and brand the new entity by creating its name, tagline, logo, website and targeted sales kit materials.

“Starting a new company is always overwhelming, even for those of us who’ve been down that road before”, states Suzanne Thompson, president and founder of Healthplan Headquarters. “Determining how you want your business to be perceived and coming up with a brand identity that fits that desired perception is critical to its success. As a retail insurance company, the name “Healthplan Headquarters” and the innovative logo, marketing materials and website that Incite Creative developed for us has been huge in terms of creating brand awareness. After only two years in business, we now have three stores and have plans to open up additional stores throughout Maryland.”

The Innovator of the Year awards ceremony will take place on October 24, 2012 at the American Visionary Art Museum.

About Incite Creative (www.incitecreativeinc.com):
Now in its twelfth year in business, Incite Creative is a marketing and graphic design firm that specializes in strategic positioning, brand development and creative implementation services for Mid-Atlantic, small-to-mid-sized companies and organizations that have regional, national and international reach. For more information, log onto http://www.incitecreativeinc.com or contact Dina Wasmer at 410-366-9479 ext. 101 or dina@incitecreativeinc.com.

Contact:
Dina Wasmer
Incite Creative, Inc
1501 St. Paul Street, Suite 113
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-366-9479
dina@incitecreativeinc.com
http://www.incitecreativeinc.com

Advertising, Apparel & Fashion, Business, Consumer Services, Electronics, Internet & Online, Marketing, Retail, Small Business

Latest Leighmans.com Research Shows Companies Spending More on Corporate Gifts

Leave a comment

A new poll conducted by Leighmans.com – one of the UK’s leading suppliers of corporate gift and incentive products – has revealed that companies are now spending more than ever on corporate and personalised gifts. The company’s poll found that 75 percent of UK businesses are – even in the difficult financial climate – investing more in hospitality and gifts.

The Leighmans.com survey polled in excess of 1,000 people and discovered that six in ten companies currently spend more on incentives and gifts for clients and staff. Of this group 40 percent said that their expenditure has recently increased by over one fifth.

The poll found that personalised gifts are more popular than ever too, with 45 percent of respondents saying that they prefer customised gifts to standard ones. Leighmans.com reports that items like their printed Shanghai pen range and personalised custom 15mmlanyards are proving particularly popular.

Dr Ashley Weinberg, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Salford, commented: “In sales ‘we buy from people we like’ and so, at a very basic level, some potential consumers may well feel a little emotional boost from an organisation offering them something without charge.”

“Even for those who decline the offer of a gift or hospitality, there is some perception that the organisation who offered it is one that we’re likely to be more open to in future.”

“In this case, we have created our own unwritten understanding – or psychological contract – that raises our expectations of the organisation and means we may be more positively disposed to them.”

The Leighmans.com poll sought to established buying patterns and psychologies in the corporate gifts sector at present. Leighmans.com offers customers a wide range of goods such as sponsored Rainham conference bags with logos on the inside. The survey also found that UK companies spent more money on gifts and incentives in 2012 than in all of 2011.

Leighmans.com founder, Darren Leigh, commented: “Far from the pre-conceived notion that marketing and entertainment are the first things to be cut when the going gets tough, it actually appears businesses are investing more into the development and maintenance of relationships through entertainment and effective promotions.”

“Building business relationships is vital. It can be done through meetings and entertaining and also through carefully selected gifts to existing or potential new business leads. It’s appreciated because it not only represents a financial investment, but also shows empathy and the fact you have invested time into trying to get into the other person’s head to give them something they want. That helps to create and build relationships, which are vital for ongoing business.”

Speaking of human behaviour, Dr Weinberg said: “Perhaps somewhere in between feeling really positive and just as negative, is the vague notion that we might feel indebted, as this organisation has already given us something which is of value. It is not quite an obligation, but it can certainly affect that psychological contract when we come to deciding where to buy from.”

Bury-based Leighmans.com helps customers to choose from a huge range of high-quality, promotional gifts and its customer base includes major blue-chip companies such as Deutsche Bank.

For further information, please visit www.leighmans.com.
-Ends-

Media contact:
Lucy Wray or Ellie O’Connell at Peppermint PR
T: 0161 941 4252
E: lucy@peppermintpr.com or ellie@peppermintpr.com

Notes to editors:
• Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Leighmans.com was established by Darren Leigh, a serial entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in business.
• Leighmans has worked with a range of clients, from major blue-chip companies including Deutsche Bank, to household names.
• Product lines include wireless laptop mice, 3D paperweights, clothing, speakers, headphones, portable chargers and many more.

Contact Details: Darren Leigh
sales@leighmans.com
Leighmans.com
http://www.leighmans.com
0161 763 2690

Business

Upcoming Meeting at Northwestern University/Kellogg School helps Baby Boomers Learn about Later-Life Entrepreneurship

Leave a comment

Third in Series of Meetings to Learn About the Benefits and Opportunities of Creating a New Business

Boulder, CO, September 10, 2012 – The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), which serves as the bridge between older people and opportunities for them to continue in productive activities, is hosting its third meeting in the “Spotlight on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Baby Boomers” series on Thursday, October 11. The meeting will be held in Wieboldt Hall on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University/Kellogg School. To register and view the agenda, visit http://www.ctrpl.org/october-11-2012. Participants must be 50 and older.

The meetings are designed to facilitate a national momentum for new-business creation, which will help Baby Boomers remain productively engaged while contributing to national economic growth. AARP, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and CPL are sponsors of the meeting, along with other organizations.

The day will include presentations from successful entrepreneurs over the age of 50 and two rounds of interactive breakout sessions on topics relating to new-business creation and how to become an entrepreneur.

The featured speakers include:

Dr. Paul Magelli is senior director of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has held a number of positions at the University of Illinois, including assistant dean of the MBA program and assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

James Shein is professor of entrepreneurship at Kellogg School’s Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice and an academic director of the Successful Corporate Renewal executive program. He previously spent four years as president and CEO of R.C. Manufacturing, and ten years as president and chief executive officer of Northbrook Corporation.

Nancy Rodriguez is founder and president of Food Marketing Support Services (FMSS), which she started in 1985. FMSS is a contractual research and development company that services both the retail (supermarkets) and food service (restaurant) industries.

Larry Levy is founder and chairman of Levy Restaurants and chairman and CEO of The Levy Organization. He co-founded Levy Restaurants in 1978 and served as CEO until December 2003. Levy Restaurants’ diverse portfolio includes a network of acclaimed restaurants throughout the country and they pioneered the concept of catering in sports and entertainment facilities, including stadiums and convention centers, in every major U.S. market. Levy has also served as a chairperson and board member for a wide variety of organizations and received numerous awards.

Carol Levy is co-owner of Material Possessions, a home décor store that has proven to be successful for nearly 30 years. In 1983, she became co-owner of Material Possessions. With her combination of entrepreneurial spirit and imaginative thinking, Carol helped expand the store to a downtown Chicago location. In 2004, she and her husband, Larry, founded the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. They took the venture a step further in 2007 by establishing the Carol and Larry Social Entrepreneurial Lab.

The “Spotlight on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Baby Boomers” meeting is limited to 125 participants on a first-come basis. The charge of $35 per person covers a spouse, if desired, and a post-meeting workshop on the “how-tos” of creating a new business. Registrations must be made by October 1 at http://www.ctrpl.org/october-11-2012.

A block of hotel rooms for this meeting is reserved at the MileNorth Hotel, one block away, at a discounted rate of $175.

This is one in a series of four meetings, organized by CPL. The first was held at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO on March 27, and the second is being held at Babson College in Wellesley, MA on September 14; the fourth meeting will be held at the University of Denver on November 15.

For more information on CPL and the senior entrepreneurship meetings, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

About the Center for Productive Longevity;
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Universal Companies Continues to Make Progress with Renaissance Schools

Leave a comment

In Two Years Universal Bluford & Universal Daroff Achieve Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP)

Philadelphia, PA, September 09, 2012 – Universal Companies, one of the nation’s largest, community and housing development organizations which also manages a number of public schools, recently achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) with two of its Renaissance Schools: Universal Bluford and Universal Daroff. Both of these schools were a part of the School District of Philadelphia’s (District) Renaissance Initiative, a program to transform chronically poor performing schools. The District converted these schools to charters under private management with the goal of eliminating the opportunity and achievement gaps that these schools have created for their communities and thousands of young people.

Working with the District, the community, and the parents, Universal began the transformation of Universal Bluford and Daroff only two years ago and have consistently increased academic performance; student attendance; and has significantly reduced disruptive behavioral incidents. Universal Bluford saw a significant increase in grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8 in proficiency levels in math and reading and a record student attendance of 91.4%. Universal Daroff saw the same increases in grade level with a record student attendance of 93.4%.

In addition to Universal Bluford and Daroff, many of Universal’s goals were also achieved for its other renaissance schools, both under Universal management for the past school year: Universal Audenried High School and Universal Vare Middle School. Universal has begun the transformation process at these schools by improving academic performance and standardized test scores; increasing student attendance; significantly reducing disruptive behavior; and attaining an 84% graduation rate for nearly 140 seniors. Moreover, Universal Audenried was removed from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s “Persistently Dangerous Schools” list in accordance with the Federal “Unsafe School Choice Option”. In addition to Universal’s Renaissance schools, Universal Institute Charter School continues to make annual academic progress with its seventh straight AYP designation with another graduating class of students going to the elite high schools in the City.

“While we celebrate these reports, we have so much work to do to change and ultimately eradicate the “opportunity and academic” gaps that these children, families, and communities have endured for way too long. Universal remains optimistic about the progress of these schools and remain committed to the holistic approach in rebuilding our schools, students and communities,” stated Rahim Islam, President/CEO.

Universal’s education vision is to prepare each child for meaningful participation in a 21st century society as productive global citizens. There are many factors that Universal incorporates into its Education Model, which include: highly qualified administrators and teachers who implement research based curriculum and best practices in instruction; a high attention and respect for the school culture and climate; a true partnership with the School Advisory Council (SAC), parents, and community; and the full implementation of the Universal Family and Student Resource Center (FSRC) at each school, which focuses on addressing all students at- risk and families in crisis. The FSRC also provides enrichment services to families and neighboring community residents. The FSRC empowers parents and neighbors with the tools to support their family as well as their children’s pursuit of education.

To learn more about Universal Companies, feel free to visit the official website at www.universalcompanies.org or call (215) 732-6518.

About Universal:
Universal Companies is a not-for-profit community and housing development and education management corporation formed under the direction of one of Philadelphia’s greatest talents, world-renowned lyricist, composer, producer, and philanthropist, Mr. Kenneth Gamble – who continues to serve as its Chairman. Since 1993, under the leadership of its President and CEO Rahim Islam, Universal has been building the organizational capacity to challenge and reverse the effects of urban decline and has become one of the largest and most successful community revitalization movements in the history of the city of Philadelphia.

Working in several Philadelphia neighborhoods and neighborhood in other cities, Universal has built more than 1,500 units of affordable and market rate housing and currently manages six K-12 charter schools, with nearly 4,000 students enrolled. Universal operates five school based Family and Student Resource Centers and has begun its launch of a “comprehensive” wellness initiative that will not only deliver quality health services, but also addresses the inferior health infrastructure (i.e. proper health education, access to healthy foods, etc.) that exists in our community. Since its inception, Universal has been a conduit for over $1.3 billion of urban investment and employs nearly 500 professionals with expertise in education, real estate, urban planning, finance, social services and preventative health.

Contact:
Devon M Allen
Universal Companies
800 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-732-6518
Devon.Allen@verizon.net

Home