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Education

EducationDynamics Releases 2011-12 eLearning Index; Reveals Compelling Trends in Online Education

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Annual Report Provides Unmatched Insights into Prospective Student Demand for Online Degrees and Opportunities for Growth in Sector

Hoboken, New Jersey, January 25, 2012 – EducationDynamics, higher education’s leading marketing information and technology services company, today released its 2011-12 eLearning Index, complete with five-year trends and analysis. The annual report delivers the most comprehensive review of the online education market currently available, providing unparalleled intelligence to help colleges and universities as they consider entering the market or expanding their catalog of online programs. The index evaluates data from more than 3,400 degree programs offered by more than 200 accredited institutions, and not only reveals the most popular online degrees, but also highlights growth opportunities related to areas of study where prospective student demand is not yet met.

“For more than five years, the eLearning Index has been required reading for colleges and universities as they develop their online program and course offerings,” said Carol Aslanian, Senior Vice President of Aslanian Market Research at EducationDynamics. “This incredible resource takes the guess work out of the online education market, enabling institutions to better determine what program levels, fields of study and majors will serve students best, while also providing ROI.”

EducationDynamics first published the eLearning Index in 2007; since then, several interesting trends have emerged regarding the shape of demand for online programs. Among the findings:

Associate’s level Health Programs have risen from number three to being number one, replacing Business, which has fallen to number two.

Bachelor’s level demand has remained relatively unchanged with Business degrees maintaining the largest percentage of market demand, followed by Humanities, Social Sciences and Health Professions.

MBA and other Business masters degrees have seen the most precipitous decline in demand as a percentage of market-share, dropping from number one to number four.

Education degrees have seen the greatest demand growth, relative to percent of market share, moving from number three in the 2007 report, to number one in 2011.

Doctoral degrees in the field of Education have remained the largest field of study demanded by prospective students. In the same period, degrees in the Health Professions dropped from number two to number four, with Social Science jumping from number four to number two.

The 2011-12 eLearning Index analyzes data collected in 2010 from eLearners.com, an EducationDynamics web resources that connects prospective students with online degree programs. During each quarter of 2010, EducationDynamics examined prospective student interest in more than 3,400 degrees listed on eLearners.com offered by more than 200 colleges and universities of all institutional types and categorized into one of four degree levels (e.g., associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate), across eight fields of study (e.g., education, engineering and science, visual and performing arts, etc.) and 96 majors (e.g., business administration, design, music, etc.).

Three core indices drive the analyses and resulting identification of degrees with high student interest and opportunity for growth: the eLearning Demand Index, eLearning Supply Index and eLearning Growth Index. Each index score provides an evaluation of degree level, field of study and major as it relates to demand, supply and growth in the online education marketplace.

Below are the top-line results of the 2011-12 eLearning Demand Index by degree level:

Rank Associate’s Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate
1 Health Professions Business Education Education
2 Business Humanities
& Social Sciences Health Professions Humanities
& Social Sciences
3 Humanities Health Professions Humanities
& Social Sciences Business
4 Education Education Business Health Professions
5 Criminal Justice Computer & Criminal Justice Criminal Justice
& Law Information Sciences & Law & Law

EducationDynamics has made an executive summary of the 2011-12 eLearning Index available online; however, to order a complete copy of the report, colleges and universities should contact Carol Aslanian at 201.377.3321 or caslanian@educationdynamics.com.

About EducationDynamics
EducationDynamics is higher education’s leading marketing information and technology services company dedicated to helping institutions find, enroll and retain students. Its content-rich and highly visible education websites, including EarnMyDegree.com, EducationConnection.com, eLearners.com, GradSchools.com, StudyAbroad.com, TestDriveCollege.com, TestDriveGradSchool.com and its special interest microsites, make EducationDynamics the premier provider of qualified prospective students for colleges and universities. In addition, the company offers a full suite of Web-delivered services proven to drive enrollment growth and reduce student attrition, as well as other innovative solutions including LeadWatchLive, its Web-based inquiry management system. Through Aslanian Market Research, the company brings decades of proprietary research, unparalleled market and student intelligence and best practice insights to clients. For more information, visit http://www.educationdynamics.com/.

Contact:
Lindsey Mikal
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
lmikal@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Insurance King Celebrates 10 Years in Business

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Insurance King celebrates 10 years in business. Insurance King is a low cost car insurance leader in IL that was established in 2002.

Rockford, IL, January 25, 2012 – Insurance King celebrates 10 years in business. Insurance King is a low cost car insurance leader in IL that was established in 2002. “With over 40,000 cars insured and millions of dollars in claims paid in the Rockford, IL area, Insurance King has had a pretty good first 10 years,” said Dan Block co-founder of Insurance King. Insurance King started in 2002, in Loves Park IL, and has grown to 3 locations in Rockford, IL, with the main office at 123 N. Alpine Rd. Rockford, IL 61107, 815-639-0149, serving the West side of Rockford at 3814 Auburn St. Rockford, IL 61103 815-968-(KING)5464, conveniently located next to the DMV, IL Secretary of State License facility, and serving the Midtown district at 319 7th St. Rockford IL 61104 815-316-9522. The office hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm at the Auburn and 7th St locations and the main office on Alpine Rd. is 9am-5:30pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 12pm-4pm. Insurance King is also open most holidays simply call for holiday hours.

Co-founder Dan Block says;” the motivation for Insurance King came from personal experiences with finding low cost auto insurance. Dan was involved in an auto accident at the age of 18 which led to him being dropped from his parents policy and forcing him to find his own insurance. Dan was driving a brand new 1995 Ford Mustang GT, and the cheapest policy he found was $480 per month, which was $50 more than the actual payment for his car. In 2000, Dan became a licensed Insurance Agent and worked for a competing Insurance Agency and learned of much lower rates being offered through many different insurance carriers. Dan excelled selling hundreds of auto insurance policies per month when he ran into Scot Nyman, who had just started his own insurance agency. Dan had lunch with Scot and decided to leave where he was and helped create Insurance King, which was originally Nyman Advisors. Dan became very passionate in helping people save on their car insurance and helping people understand what a SR-22 was, that he became a SR-22 expert. Dan began driving to Chicago every Wednesday helping 20 or more get their licenses re-instated the same day with SR-22 filings. The State of IL recognized that Dan was the only Agent doing this and invited Dan to be a part of a mandatory insurance task force. With the help of Dan, the State put measures in place to help prevent fraudulent SR-22 filings and filing SR-22’s electronically. It took 3 years for the task force to get the SR-22’s filed electronically so IL citizens are now able to report their SR-22’s within 24-48 hrs.”

In 2003, Dan Block purchased the Agency from Scot Nyman, and began airing TV and Radio commercials, which have had a cult following. People actually call the Agency to let them know they love certain commercials that they saw or heard. This led Dan to run even more commercials, such as creating a jingle and even purchasing a Lion Mascot costume that dances outside of the locations and appears at social events and in TV commercials.

Today, Insurance King is expanding all over the State of IL and looking to grow into Indiana and Wisconsin. Insurance King is also developing an online rater for people to purchase insurance right from the comfort of their own homes.

To get your free quote for car insurance, contact any Insurance King location in Rockford IL and speak to an agent. Insurance King on Alpine Rd office 815-639-0149, Insurance King on Auburn St office 815-968-(KING)5464 , Insurance King on 7th St. office 815-316-9522, or visit www.insurancekingquote.com to have an agent call you.

Contact:
Dan Block
Insurance King
123 N. Alpine Rd
Rockford, IL 61107
815-639-0149
danblock317@gmail.com
http://www.insurancekingquote.com

Business

Kasasa Changes the Face of Local Banking in Anniston Alabama

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NobleBank and Trust Introduces Kasasa, a Striking Alternative to the Megabank Rollercoaster

Anniston, AL, January 24, 2012 – NobleBank and Trust asks consumers, “Do you Kasasa?” as it becomes the first financial institution in Anniston to launch the country’s most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that pays consumers to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, automatic savings, or digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com®. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option than the megabank experience.

“Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of megabank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be one of two financial institutions in Alabama to offer these unique products,” said Anthony Humphries, president & CEO at NobleBank and Trust. “Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can’t have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution.”

NobleBank and Trust is offering three Kasasa financial products, including Kasasa Cash®, Kasasa Saver®, and Kasasa Tunes®. All Kasasa products are free, reward-based accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly service fees, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

Kasasa Cash – A free checking account that pays high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.

Kasasa Saver – A free, high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account when the account holder qualifies. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

Kasasa Tunes – A checking account that rewards consumers with digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com® when they qualify.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, each monthly qualification cycle account holders are asked to do a few simple things like, receive an eStatement, access online banking, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction (such as direct deposit) post and clear their account. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, NobleBank and Trust will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

“Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products,” continued Humphries.

“Kasasa is opening people’s eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It’s a win-win because account holders get innovative products and personalized service.”

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical megabank’s high-budget programs. The ads feature America’s top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of “Do you Kasasa?”

Kasasa is distributed to NobleBank and Trust from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit www.noblebank.com or www.kasasa.com/noblebanktrust.

Do you Kasasa?
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® or Amazon.com® downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.

About NobleBank and Trust
NobleBank and Trust, a community bank serving Calhoun County and the surrounding areas, was founded in October 2005 on the principles of personal relationships, trust, service and integrity. The bank has grown to over $165 million in assets by offering quality banking products complemented by the latest technology available. NobleBank and Trust has four locations – 1509 Quintard Avenue in Anniston, 646 Valley Cub Drive in Alexandria, 1868 Highway 78 East in Oxford and 100 South Main Street in Piedmont. For more information please visit www.noblebank.com or call 256-741-1800.

Contact:
Katie Weathers
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(404) 791-8245
kweathers@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

AAA champions US real estate as alternative investment option

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A growing number of European investors could be turning to US real estate as an alternative investment this year, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, January 25, 2012 – A growing number of European investors could be turning to US real estate as an alternative investment this year, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The assertion comes in response to a report in the US about the popularity of US real estate among European investors who are growing less and less trusting of European assets. AAA, an alternative investment advocacy group, said that it is easy to see why US real estate could be more attractive than European real estate at the moment, in light of the ongoing Eurozone crisis.

“Quite simply, Europeans are finding it difficult to hold any confidence in their joint currency and its value,” stated Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner. He added “if the worst should happen and the Euro collapses, so could several property markets, and the value of the currency itself of course.”

Economists in the US claim that Las Vegas is proving a particularly attractive option due to its ‘brand’. Jed Kolko, a property analyst working for Discovery Bay in California, told the Las Vegas Review Journal: “The United States in general looks like a safer investment bet than Europe.”

He added that property prices in Las Vegas have also dropped to very appealing levels in the past few years, with some having fallen by 60 per cent from their peak before the recession took hold.

Kolko added, “There are great deals in Las Vegas. San Francisco is also a global destination, but there aren’t great real estate deals like you have in Las Vegas. So it’s a combination of global destination and affordability,”

AAA supports all kinds of alternative investments, with emphasis on ethical schemes in developing countries. An example is the forestry plantation investment scheme run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, which gives investors the chance to buy up small sections of plantations, on which non-native managed forests are grown under a sustainable model.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Colorado Real Estate Brokers to Benefit from New Metrolist Partnership

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Denver’s Largest MLS Teaming With Hillside Software To Provide Full Suite Of Real Estate Tools

Denver, CO, January 24, 2012 – Metrolist®, the largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serving Colorado, announced it has entered into a partnership with Hillside Software®, a provider of Real Estate Technology Software Systems, to deliver a variety of technology tools to Front Range real estate professionals.

Metrolist will provide Virtual Office, Hillside’s flagship product, along with other online tools–available to its 14,000 members as of January 4.

“Hillside Software has been a market leader in Denver for over 15 years,” said James T. Wanzeck, Metrolist Board Chairman and President of RE/MAX Masters, “and this arrangement allows us to make the firm’s top products available to all of our members. The partnership will enable real estate brokers to better serve the needs of today’s home buyers and sellers.”

Greenwood Village-based Hillside Software has developed a full suite of real estate software ranging from MLS productivity tools to online marketing services for real estate brokers.

“We’re excited to be able to bring Virtual Office to real estate brokers with Metrolist,” said Alex Levy, Hillside Software President. “With the economic recession and slower housing market, our customers are looking for ways to maximize their budgets while still delivering top-notch services for buyers and sellers. Our partnership with Metrolist will allow this to happen in 2012.”

As part of the agreement, Metrolist will augment its services with a set of MLS tools from Hillside Software that includes Virtual Office, a comparative market analysis (CMA) package, a client e-mail alert system, and statistical analysis software. These products, combined with the most accurate housing data available from the MLS, will make Front Range real estate brokers better able to manage the complexities of today’s market.

“Many of our 14,000 members are already familiar with Virtual Office,” said Mr. Wanzeck. “Now they’ll get the professional level package as well as Hillside’s market statistics tool with their Metrolist membership. We’ll be able to deliver more value in 2012 to real estate professionals and give them powerful tools.”

Other Hillside Software products like online marketing and website packages will be made available from the Metrolist Marketplace for purchase.

“When combining the MLS productivity tools with the other ancillary products we offer, Colorado brokers will have very powerful options to grow their businesses,” said Mr. Levy. “This is a very exciting time for us and we’re proud to have been able to put together this important partnership with Metrolist.”

Contact Information:
Melissa Olson
Sr. Manager, Marketing and Sales
molson@metrolist.com
303.850.9576

About Metrolist
Metrolist is the largest MLS in the state of Colorado, supporting the largest network of Realtors with the most comprehensive database of real property listings throughout the Front Range. Realtor-owned since 1984, Metrolist provides leading technology solutions to real estate agents and brokers to better serve buyers and sellers. More information about Metrolist is available at www.metrolist.com.

Contact:
Dan Mahoney
CSG-PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
970-405-8060
dmahoney@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Entertainment

Lucky Kat TV Website Earns the Coveted Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval

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Lucky Kats, Inc. proudly announces its website, luckykattv.com, has been awarded the PTPA Winner’s Seal of Approval.

Tempe, AZ, January 24, 2012 – Lucky Kats, Inc. proudly announces its website, luckykattv.com, has been awarded the PTPA Winner’s Seal of Approval. PTPA Media enjoys North America’s largest volunteer parent testing community, with more than 40,000 parents.

Consumers looking for high-quality products and services can rest assured when they see the PTPA Winner’s Seal; it is evidence of product excellence as evaluated by unbiased parent consumers.

Lucky Kat TV was among many entries from across North America competing to earn the PTPA Seal. Because independent parent volunteers evaluate these products in their own homes, PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and consumer experience – not on commercial considerations. As a result, the PTPA Media™ Seal has quickly gained recognition as an international leader in certifying consumer products for quality, effectiveness and value. Their CEO, Sharon Vinderine has appeared on more than 40 morning shows as a reliable source for the latest and greatest in family products. The media and parents alike trust the collective opinion that PTPA Media represents.

Being honored with the influential Seal of Approval from PTPA Media Inc. is an exciting achievement for a product or service geared to families, children or parents. “Lucky Kat TV is thrilled to accept this important affirmation of the work we do to provide a safe and fun online environment for kids,” said Tammy Schroeder, President of Lucky Kat TV.

“At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative products that families can trust,” says Sharon Vinderine, CEO and founder of PTPA Media Inc. “When consumers search for our Seal of Approval on product packaging and web sites, they are essentially searching for validation from their peers. Their peers will have objectively tested and approved these products based on their performance in a real life environment. That type of resource for families is priceless.”

About Lucky Kat TV:
Lucky Kat TV is an edutainment gaming and video website designed to entertain children in a safe and creative environment. Kids are encouraged to use their imaginations and develop their ideas no matter how big or how small.  In additional to reinforcing fundamental academics through Standards based games and activities, Lucky Kat TV also teaches children critical thinking skills through “Lucky Kat’s 4 Steps to Success”. Visit Lucky Kat TV online at http://www.luckykattv.com

About PTPA Media Inc.
PTPA Media provides an objective framework for appraising and promoting new products designed to enrich family living. The company’s mission is to marry innovative companies with discerning consumers, to improve consumer access to quality products and services for their families and homes.

Lucky Kat TV Media Contact Information: Scott Kelly, Black Dog Promotions, scott@blackdogpromotions.com or 480.206.3435

PTPA Media Contact Information: Janine Streiter, Tel: (905)738-1447 x240. For more information visit www.ptpamedia.com.

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

Ultra Exclusive Offering from Security Benefit Promises Consumer Benefits

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Security Benefit® Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced that four independent marketing organizations (IMOs) have been selected to participate in a unique product manufacturing and distribution model for its subsidiary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL)

Topeka, KS, January 23, 2012 – Security Benefit® Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced that four independent marketing organizations (IMOs) have been selected to participate in a unique product manufacturing and distribution model for its subsidiary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL).

SBL, marking its 120th year of helping people build retirement savings, also announced plans to launch a fixed index annuity (FIA) product early in the second quarter, specifically designed for exclusive distribution through four select IMOs. The organization became one of the fastest growing fixed index annuity providers in the industry last year with the introduction of its Secure Income Annuity (SIA)*.

“The limited distribution model, implemented with SIA, revealed incredible efficiencies while diversifying the revenue stream. Bringing that success together with elite IMOs who have highly efficient marketing and sales models, allows us to build more benefits into the product that may make it more advantageous for the client,” says Michael Kiley, Security Benefit’s Chief Executive Officer.

Criteria, such as the ability to meet the high demands of top U.S. agent producers and the IMOs’ overall agent service models, were part of the firm selection process. Furthermore, each IMO is limited to an initial 500 agent participants in keeping with the exclusive offering.

As evidenced in the sales results, consumers have been extremely receptive to the Secure Income Annuity. This provided an opportunity for SBL to leverage that success and apply those components to this unique effort. SBL recognized that establishing exclusive partnerships with prestigious marketing groups was a critical part of the equation. Further educating consumers on the advantages of fixed index annuities is important to the organization; an effort they hope further emphasizes their commitment to the FIA marketplace.

A Guggenheim Partners Company
In 2010, Security Benefit was purchased by a group of investors led by Guggenheim Partners, a privately-held, diversified financial services firm with more than $125 billion in assets under supervision. As a Guggenheim Partners company, Security Benefit has moved to capitalize on Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities to provide more consumers with better retirement income solutions.

With focus on retirement income for our clients, Security Benefit built on its long history of product development to become one of the fastest growing retirement product providers in the industry. With the launch of the firm’s first fixed index annuity last year, Security Benefit has garnered much attention with their growth and has quickly become one of the leading issuers of FIAs in the U.S.

About Security Benefit
Security Benefit, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of retirement plan services throughout the nation, and offers a variety of compelling and customized annuity products. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more, go to www.securitybenefit.com.

About Guggenheim Partners
Guggenheim Partners, LLC is a privately held global financial services firm. The firm provides investment management, investment banking and capital markets services as well as insurance and investment advisory solutions for institutions, corporations, governments and agencies, investment advisors, family offices and individuals. Guggenheim Partners is headquartered in New York and Chicago and serves clients from more than 25 offices in nine countries.

The Security Benefit Secure Income Annuity (Form 5800 (11-10) and ICC10 5800 (11-10)), a flexible premium deferred fixed index annuity contract, is issued by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Product features, limitations and availability may vary by state. Not available in all states. Not a deposit. Not insured by any federal agency. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. May go down in value.

*According to a ranking from AnnuitySpecs.com’s Indexed Sales & Market Report, 3Q2011, of all the Indexed Annuity products sold, Security Benefit went from unranked on 1/1/2011 to number 13 in Indexed Annuity Sales as of 9/30/2011.
99-00462-45 2012/01/19

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Bill Ringle to Lead Seminar on How to Quickly Find New Business and Improve Teamwork

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On February 7, learn how to achieve more sales, more growth, and better teamwork in “Recalibrating Your Business GPS: Finding a Productive Direction – Fast!” with business growth strategist Bill Ringle.

Philadelphia, PA, January 21, 2012 – Like a ship without a rudder, businesses without a well-tuned, accurate, and powerful GPS get lost or sink. Bill Ringle will lead a half-day seminar on “Recalibrating Your Business GPS: Finding a Productive Direction – Fast!” on February 7, 2012 at the Laurence A. Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship at Drexel University’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, PA.

A strong economy masks inefficient systems for profitable business growth; to a large degree, start-ups and established small businesses can get by with “networking” and “referrals” when deal flow is strong. Even multimillion-dollar businesses may employ only a small fraction of the means available for acquiring new business and achieving growth. However, in a turbulent economy like we’ve experienced in the United States since 2008, it takes more to grow effectively. You’ve got to tune in to what your customers want and need, establish multiple methods of being strategically visible, and be faster than your competition to respond to requests and fulfill promises. That’s where understanding how your Business GPS works comes into play.

This seminar is designed to equip participants with three powerful tools to recalibrate your Business GPS: one to find and engage qualified buyers faster, one to align your team around building stronger relationships with prospects and clients, and one to support stronger communications among your team.

“Small business is still the engine for economic growth in this country, hiring about 65% of the new jobs in the last 5 years, while corporations have largely been reducing the size of their workforces. With the simple tools and distinctions covered in this program, small businesses can stand out in their fields, attract more business, and sustain that growth over time. Because the rocky economy has conditioned most people to pull back on spending, it creates big opportunities for growth without spending a lot of money on marketing,” says business growth strategist and seminar leader Bill Ringle. “The foundation of business is the strength of your relationships, both inside and outside the organization. By knowing the specific elements of your Business GPS, you will be in a better position to lead your company to growth in the weeks and months ahead.”

Bill Ringle is a nationally known business expert who presents keynotes and seminars on the proven practices of sustainable business growth to associations and business groups. Over 425 of his articles have been published in eNewsletters, web sites, and professional journals, and he has contributed to or authored four published books. He is the former Internet Program Manager for Worldwide Training with Apple, Inc. Ringle serves on privately held company and not-for-profit association boards. He is the former chair of Mid-Atlantic Diamond Venture (MADV), where he prepared and connected hundreds of emerging growth, high tech entrepreneurs to angel investors, and facilitated over $200 MM in early stage investments. Ringle is an alumnus of both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Drexel University.

Visit http://www.AskBillRingle.com/GPS-seminar for more details.

Contact:
Meredith Hegg
LearnWell
491 Baltimore Pike, Suite 209
Springfield, PA 19064
610-626-0175
pr@learnwell.com
http://www.askbillringle.com

Business

The Women’s Institute of Negotiation Presents One-Day Boot Camp at USC, UCLA and UC Irvine

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The Women’S Institute of Negotiation Presents how to Negotiate in a Man’s World Without Compromising your Values One-Day Boot Camp

Los Angeles, CA, January 19, 2011 – The Women’s Institute of Negotiation presents how to Negotiate in a Man’s World Without Compromising your Values One-Day Boot Camp–a one-day intensive training, which goes beyond exploration of potential barriers that may hold women back and teaches women how to reframe their interactions and accurately evaluate their opportunities. Created and taught by Dr. Yasmin Davidds, women learn how to ask for what they want in a manner congruent with their values, taking into account the social forces that may impact their working relationships. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of essential negotiating and leadership skills. During this highly interactive program, women will learn to negotiate in accordance with internationally recognized best practice techniques, and discover their own negotiation style. They will discover how to use their natural strengths and will gain confidence in those areas where they are least confident now. The program prepares women to negotiate in a professional manner, improving their bottom line results and relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.

The Institute will host the one-day How to Negotiate in a Man’s World without Compromising Your Values One-Day Boot Camp at three convenient university locations:

February 10, 2012 (USC) University of Southern California

April 13, 2012 (UCLA) University of California – Los Angeles

May 11, 2012 (UC IRVINE) University of California – Irvine

Registration begins at 8:30 am with the program concluding at 5:30 pm. Seating is limited, pre-registration is advised.

Registration is only $99 for the first 60 participants, thanks to funding from BIC International, a corporate sponsor of The Women’s Institute of Negotiation, is the world leader in stationary, lighters and shavers and one of the most recognized brands in the world.

For more information or to register visit www.womennegotiationinstitute.com

About the Women Negotiation Institute’s Training

The mission of The Women’s Institute of Negotiation is to empower women with the skills, strategies and techniques to negotiate effectively.

The Women’s Institute of Negotiation utilizes simulations, case studies, discussion and individualized coaching that provides women with experiential negotiation training that will enable them to build the psychological strength to not only ask for what they want, but feel great doing so. The Institute’s two-part program is embedded in the belief that negotiation is 80% Psychology and 20% mechanics. The Institute’s main objectives are to empower women to ask for what they want and to help women develop the skills, strategies and techniques to negotiate for what they want effectively. www.womennegotiationinstitute.com.

About Dr. Yasmin Davidds:
Dr. Yasmin Davidds is an international bestselling author, women’s empowerment and negotiation specialist and an expert in the world-renowned KARRASS negotiation program. As one of the top leading female negotiation experts in the U.S. and Latin America, Dr. Davidds has trained and consulted thousands of corporate leaders in over 200 blue chip companies throughout 22 countries in the art and skill of negotiation. To learn more about the work of Dr. Davidds, please visit www.yasmindavidds.com.

Contact:
Loreena Garcia
Program Assistant
Women’s Institute of Negotiation
5042 Wilshire Blvd #17102
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(866) 857-9879
lgarcia@womensinstituteofnegotiation.com
http://www.womennegotiationinstitute.com

Entertainment

My Shadow And I Set to Release New Cd “Summer Cycle” on January 24 2012

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Philadelphia Based Musician Brad Podray Explores the Many Moods of the ‘Summer Cycle’ on his Latest Electronic New Age Recording

Hollywood, CA, January 20, 2012 – Summertime and the musical living is easy—well, most of the time on Summer Cycle, the dynamic full length follow-up to Winter Cycle, the 2010 solo piano EP by My Shadow and I, an electronic new age project created by multi-talented Philadelphia based musician Brad Podray.

Melodic, richly textured and film score lush, Summer Cycle is an eclectic ten track chronicle of the powerful transitions and emotional breakthroughs that come months after the heartbreaking but necessary end of a relationship. A natural extension of “Bliss (End of the Winter Cycle),” the final track of the otherwise stark earlier album, the new album is released on Podray’s independent label Nonexistent Recordings.

Summer Cycle’s overriding theme of emergence matches that of Podray’s increasing presence as a force in contemporary instrumental music after years of eclectic performing and recording experiences in numerous other genres—among them, industrial metal, “Pirate rap,” alt rock and down tempo trip hop. While the Florida born musician’s rock influences range from Meat Loaf to Nine Inch Nails, his chief inspirations for his solo piano and electronic/symphonic works are Brian Eno, Danny Elfman and famed new age pianist David Lanz, whose encouraging words about the Eno-influenced self titled My Shadow and I debut led Podray to further develop his vision in this genre.

Podray had his hands full academically and creatively when sat down at his keyboard in 2009 to create the first My Shadow and I project. Having just graduated from dental school at the University of Pennsylvania, his days were consumed with his orthodontic residency at Temple University in his adopted home town of Philadelphia. At night, he let loose in two very unique bands, the pirate rap group Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew and the downtempo trip-hop ensemble Echo Slightly—both with his best friend from high school and longtime musical collaborator Daniel Dolan. Podray had recorded numerous albums with those and other groups over the past few years (18 in all!), and even released three projects by the indie band Finding Jupiter on his label. But looking ahead, he spent his rare down time creating music he could one day use to soothe patients when he launched his own practice as an orthodontist—which he did in late 2010.

By that time, he had independently released Winter Cycle, most of whose pieces were composed about the impending end and then the aftermath of a relationship. Its piano-heavy focus reflects what he calls a sad time in his life. While the piano is still a dominant melodic voice of Summer Cycle, the project’s deeper, more evolved production textures are one of the ways Podray creates a healing, optimistic counterpoint to the stark heartbreak of winter.

Even as Summer Cycle begins rolling out, Podray is working on another ambitious project under the name Maximalism—a concept he calls the more aggressive version of My Shadow and I, with high energy distorted guitars and even more synthesizers. His is a constantly flowing creative musical mind that has no boundaries or simple genres to get entangled in for long. “My Shadow and I and Maximalism are solo projects that show a different side of my personality,” he says. “One is calm yoga-type music while the other finds me going as crazy as I can get. With both projects, I love being able to fill a sonic space without having to figure out where to fit the words in.”

Official Website: http://www.myshadowandi.com

For more information on My Shadow and I, please contact Chip Schutzman at Miles High Productions: chip@mileshighproductions.com or 323-806-0400.

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
P.O. Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com/