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MAY 18, 2001
Formula One future uncertain
FORMULA ONE faced an uncertain future on Friday night as the Association of European Car manufacturers (ACEA) signed an agreement to go ahead with plans to set up a rival series in 2008.
ACEA, made up of Fiat, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Renault and BMW, signed a deal on Friday to form a company that will introduce a "premier global series" that will come into force "no later than January 1st 2008."
That date is one day after the current Concorde Agreement, a legally binding document concerning the commercial running of the sport, expires.
The ACEA's latest action will come as a shock to Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, who thought he had smoothed over the initial threat to set-up a rival competition.
That threat had been made amid concerns that German media companies Kirch and EM.TV, who recently purchased 75 per cent of Ecclestone's SLEC holding company, would turn the sport onto pay-per-view television.
SLEC is the holding company which owns the commercial and broadcasting rights to the sport, and Kirch recently made assurances that they would keep the sport on free-to-air television.
But the ACEA wanted a share of SLEC and negotiations were thought to be taking place to make that happen.
The ACEA statement, issued through Ferrari owners Fiat, added: "The goal of the manufacturers is to promote the interest of the sport, to make sure that the races are made freely available to the broadest possible public worldwide, and that the income greatly benefits mainly those who invest in order to render the competition possible."
Fiat chief executive officer Paolo Cantarella will become the first chairman of the company but the position will rotate annually and additional manufacturers willing to take part in the new series may join in the future.
|Print News Story|
BRAVE FACE FROM BARRICHELLO
DI MONTEZEMOLO BACKS TEAM ORDERS DECISION
FIORANO RECORD FALLS AGAIN
FORMULA ONE FUTURE UNCERTAIN
NEW PR BLOW FOR BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO AS F1 TEAM STRUGGLES
POLLOCK CALLS FOR JOINT HONDA WORK
RAHAL TARGETS HONDA RUNNERS
VILLENEUVE SAYS FUTURE IS WITH BAR
VILLENEUVE'S VALENCIA DELIGHT


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By Kelly Petty
The South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO has been selected to serve on a regional board to assist owners with compliance issues. The Small Business Administration selected Frank Knapp Jr. to serve on the Region IV Regulatory Fairness Board.
“As a small-business owner for more than 20 years and co-founder of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Knapp understands small business, what is required to grow a business, create jobs and be a strong advocate for other local small business owners,” said Brian Castro, national ombudsman and assistant administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness. “The members of the Regulatory Fairness Board play a critical role in making sure the voice of small business is heard by regulators and help to support regulatory solutions that save small business time and money.”
Knapp will join five other small-business owners to serve as a resource for owners to question or appeal federal regulatory enforcement and compliance actions. The board will contact Castro to report the concerns of owners and start the appeal process.
Region IV includes South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
“I’m very excited about it and it’s a great opportunity for small businesses to know that there are resources out there for small businesses that do find regulatory compliance difficult,” Knapp said.
Larger corporations typically are equipped with the employees necessary to meet regulatory and compliance actions, but smaller businesses lack the resources to do, Knapp said. Knapp hopes to ensure small-business owners are aware of the avenues to deal with federal regulatory guidelines.
“Small businesses have had some very good success and have had fines dramatically reduced,” Knapp said. “ We just have got to get out word.”
Knapp co-founded the 5,000-plus member S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce in 2000. He also serves on the advisory board for the South Carolina Small Business Development Center and was recognized by the Small Business Administration as the 2014 South Carolina Small Business Financing Advocate of the Year.
Knapp is the president of The Knapp Agency, a full service advertising/public relations firm that provides marketing services to locally owned small businesses.

domain: news


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Led by a pair of Peruvian entrepreneurs, Chuwa Plant is a new company aiming to commercialise and manufacture biodegradable, disposable plates made from the by-products of the Peruvian banana harvest.
Aiming to eradicate single-use plastic, Josué Soto and Rolf Torres Lizárraga have found a friend in the banana tree, abundant in their native Peru.
Their company Chuwa Plant’s first products are plates free of plastic, styrene, petroleum and other carcinogenic components, and are made with by-products of the banana harvest. The duo recently launched the plates under the brand name Bio Plant.
Josué Soto and Rolf Torres Lizárraga
While a plastic plate could take up to anywhere between 400 – 1000 years to break down, Soto explained to La Republica that Bio Plant plates take only two months to decompose fully and naturally degrade.
Even when plastic does eventually break down, after centuries, it is not “biodegrading.” It becomes microplastics which ends up plaguing the planet and bodies of generations to come.
The plates are made using only the leaves that break off or fall from the banana trees and the stem of the tree which is left after the harvest. No trees are cut down, interfered with or harmed for production.
Soto explained that the Chuwa Plant team works with banana farmers in the Peruvian Amazon, who are given a fair price and the training needed to get more value from their harvest.
In a Facebook post, Chuwa Plant said: “Our team travels constantly to meet and advise the best organic banana producers in Peru, in order to get great stems to produce biodegradable dishes. In addition, banana cultivation is carried out throughout the year in Peru, therefore, next year we will produce continuously.”
Notably, the plates resemble natural leaves — something that will likely appeal to the anti-plastic sentiments of our current generation. They are also resistant to various temperatures, liquids and can be used to serve any type of food.
Chuwa Plant recently won Bio Challenge, a government programme organised through Innóvate Perú that supports the development of innovative solutions by sustainably using the resources of the country’s biodiversity.
With the co-financing they acquired from winning, they were able to design and manufacture specialised machinery – a presser, a shipper, and a die cutter – for the production of their innovative banana leaf bio-plates.
With the new equipment, they are able to manufacture 50,000 dishes monthly.
Soto and Lizárraga’s plates have already been trialled at numerous events and festivals in Peru and now the pair are planning to commercialise to the eco-hospitality market.
Source: La Republica
Adriana Santanocito & Enrica Arena


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The new One UI for foldable phones as well
At its developer conference in San Francisco (SDC 2018), Samsung has officially announced and unveiled its foldable Infinity Flex Display technology that will eventually end up in the first Samsung foldable smartphones.
Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices
Samsung has just announced the release of its latest mixed reality headset, the Samsung HMD Odyssey+.
Planned obsolescence is an illegal anti-trust antic in Italy
Apple has been fined €10 million and Samsung €5 million for hatching schemes which effectively “planned obsolescence” of their smartphones.
Wants $1.6 million in compensation for using an iPhone
Samsung is suing its Russian brand ambassador for using an iPhone X, and is demanding $1.6 million.
Expect Apple to claim it invented the idea
While everyone in the world knows that Samsung is working on a foldable smartphone, Samsung says it is also working on foldable laptop displays.
Galaxy Book 2 is a Windows ultraportable powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 850
Samsung has been showing off its Galaxy Book 2, a Windows ultraportable powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 850 chip.
Writes a cheque for Spanish network data analysis firm in cloud push
Samsung has bought Barcelona-based network data analysis firm Zhilabs.
Intel has blinked.
AMD may regain 30 percent of global desktop CPU market share in the fourth quarter of 2018 as Intel continues to lose ground.
All is not well in MPEG land
The New York State Court of Appeals on Thursday overturned a $115 million judgment against Samsung over telly patents.


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https://powercastco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Powercast-Logo_med-3-300x72.png 0 0 G4developer https://powercastco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Powercast-Logo_med-3-300x72.png G4developer2016-07-04 15:59:562016-07-04 15:59:56July 2016 – Powercast, Wireless Power For A Wireless World (CES2017)
July 2016 – Powercast, Wireless Power For A Wireless World (CES2017)
Powercast will unveil their new lineup of products slated for release in early 2017 at CES 2017 being held in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 5-8, 2017. Powercast® will exhibit in Booth 41673 at the Sands Expo.
Customers looking to wirelessly recharge or power their products at distance can come meet with both sales and engineers from Powercast to better understand our products and solutions. Our commitment over the past 13 years is to continue to engineer new wireless power solutions for the marketplace while providing the opportunity for our customers to differentiate their products in the marketplace.


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The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, recently released a survey assessing small businesses’ relationships with banks. Conducted via email from April 14-18, 2023, the survey provides insights into small business banking operations and confidence within the banking system and the general economy.
In keeping with Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center, “Small business banking is a critical component of each small business.” She highlighted the importance of a strong, stable small business banking system within the wake of recent bank failures.
The survey found that 67% of small business owners use small or regional banks, while 17% use medium-sized banks (PNC, Fifth-Third, Bank of the West, KeyBank, HSBC, Schwab, etc.), and 14% use large banks (Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, U.S. Bank, etc.).
Customer support emerged as essentially the most crucial factor for small business owners when selecting a bank for business purposes, with 87% considering it very vital. Moreover, 62% of householders reported that low banking fees are crucial when choosing their business bank. Other vital aspects include a convenient location (66%), competitive rates of interest (53%), and online banking capabilities (60%).
The survey also revealed that 74% of small businesses haven’t borrowed money for business purposes within the last three months. Of those that did, 34% were very satisfied with the quantity and terms offered for the financing they received. The predominant reasons for in search of financing were to satisfy operating expenses (37%), expand the business (21%), and replace capital assets or make repairs (24%).
Regarding the health of their banks, 31% of small business owners were under no circumstances concerned, while 19% were very concerned, 23% were moderately concerned, and 28% were barely concerned.
The survey also found that 55% of small business owners use one bank for business purposes, 34% use two banks, and 11% use three or more banks. By way of the present financial state of their businesses, 30% reported excellent, 44% reported good, and 22% reported okay. Only 4% characterised their business’s current financial state as bad.
The findings from the NFIB survey highlight the importance of strong relationships between small businesses and banks, with smaller banks being preferred by the bulk. Small business owners should consider these aspects when choosing a bank to make sure they receive the support and services obligatory for his or her businesses to thrive.
Get the most recent headlines from Small Business Trends. Follow us on Google News.


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Back in 1974 when he borrowed $500 and started selling Corvette items like owner’s manuals and T-shirts out of the trunk of a borrowed car at swap meets and Corvette shows, Mike Yager could never dream 38 years later he’d be the Chief Cheerleader of the wildly successful Mid America Motorworks.
But it’s no dream.
In fact, at the prestigious Bloomington Gold in Champaign, Illinois from June 28-30, 2013, Yager will be inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall, the most prestigious recognition of people and cars in Corvette’s history.
It’s only fitting since Yager has been there to watch the Corvette hobby grow and thrive over the past 38 years. He says he’s just honored to have been along for the ride.
“The Great Hall is a shining example of what the Corvette hobby means to so many people, and it is truly an honor to be listed among the names of so many people who I admire and respect,” Yager said. “I feel blessed every day to be a part of the Corvette community, not just through Mid America Motorworks, but also as an enthusiast, owner and collector.”
From those humble beginnings as a 24-year-old, Yager has used his enthusiastic passion for Corvettes to build a powerhouse company in the Corvette community, but not just in offering parts, books, clothing, and other items pertaining to America’s Sports Car.
Yager definitely lives up to his title as Chief Cheerleader for Mid America.
Each year, thousands of enthusiasts come together at Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus to share their passion at annual Funfest celebrations for Corvettes. 2013 marks the 20th Annual Corvette Funfest as well as celebrations leading up to Mid America Motorworks’ 40th year in business. Mid America Motorworks has become a trusted source for quality autotainment, encompassing all aspects of the Corvette and now Air-Cooled VW hobbies. Regular events and an endless array of new hard parts, accessories and lifestyle items encourage enthusiasts to “pursue their passion” at Mid America Motorworks.
Bloomington Gold, the longest running national Corvette show, established the Great Hall in 2010 to honor 50 of the most influential people and Corvettes over a five year period as chosen by the Great Hall Selection Panel. At the conclusion of 2014, the exclusive list of 50 Pioneers and 50 of the world’s Premier Corvettes will be complete. Yager’s CERV-I, considered one of the most notable Corvette platform vehicles ever developed by legendary Corvette Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, was inducted into the Great Hall at Bloomington Gold in 2012.
Yager will be joined in 2013 by fellow inductees Mike Antonick, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Bloomington Gold, Reeves Callaway, Carlisle Productions, Chip Miller, Bill Mitchell, Jim Perkins, and Dr. Dick Thompson.
Significant cars to be inducted include 1957 Fuel Injection, 1961 Gulf Racer, 1962 327 CID, 1963 Grand Sport, 1965 First Big Block, 1967 L88 Daytona Racer, 1987 Escort Series Racer, Callaway Corvette, C5 Z06, and C6 ZR1.
Mid America Motorworks


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While Australians wait for Apple to release the next generation iPhone locally, at least one organisation has come with a neat little fix for anyone suffering from an antenna problem.
If you do end up with antenna issues on an iPhone 4, American publication “Consumer Reports” has suggested to stick a piece of masking or duct tape over the antenna gap at the bottom of the phone.
This solution comes courtesy of a review done by that publication. While past iPhone models have yielded “Recommended” ratings, the current antenna design flaw found in the iPhone 4 has made this iPhone the first to not be given that recommendation.
Instead, the publication has ruled that the iPhone 3GS is the phone to buy if consumers are looking for an iPhone.


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Nov 11, 2011 (LBO) – BRC Partnership, a consultancy based in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, is to provide management training and coaching for businesses in Sri Lanka, the British high commission said in a statement.
Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director said the joint venture deal was “an important success” for a Northern Ireland company specialising in professional services.
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Post-war Sri Lanka is a market “that is developing rapidly and in which businesses are particularly keen to secure knowledge and expertise, particularly in key areas such as management and leadership. The firm has signed a joint venture deal following an Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) trade mission to India and Sri Lanka in April this year.
BRC will work with a former chairman of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) in Sri Lanka, Anil Wijesinghe, a Sri Lankan businessman interested in developing professional business training in the island.
Alan George, BRC™s Business Development Manager, said their participation in the recent Invest NI trade mission to Sri Lanka enabled them to assess opportunities in the market and to make contact with several potential clients.
“The Invest NI mission helped us to iden


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An upcoming McLaren hypercar – believed to be called the Sabre – has been filmed testing near the manufacturer’s production facility in Woking, England.
Posted to Reddit overnight, the video shows the low-slung coupe travelling slowly with surrounding traffic.
The sound of the high performance engine can be briefly heard, however there is too much background and road noise to definitively substantiate the specific powertrain configuration.
Regardless, earlier reports suggest the vehicle is driven by a hybrid variant of McLaren's 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing somewhere in the realm of 845kW.
A spokesperson for the McLaren was approached by Drive for comment, however was unable to provide further details about the model.
Earlier this year spy shots emerged of what is believed to be the same car (shown above), at a dealership in California.
These were followed by leaked patent drawings, which gave the clearest insight yet into the vehicle’s extreme design and aggressive aerodynamic package (shown above).
According to one report, only 15 examples of the new model will be produced and the car could cost upwards of $6.1 million in Australia.
The vehicle is slated for official launch sometime in 2022.


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To the surprise of many, iPhone 14 phones are already approved in Colombia, so we could see for ourselves.
Since September 13, just a few days after they were presented to the entire world, the iPhone 14s are already approved and could be used in Colombia. This is confirmed by the Homologation Letters that are available on the website of the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC). This would indicate that they could be marketed in the country, but there are some conditions that cast some doubts, rather than answers.
Although we do not know who did it, the truth is that by consulting the CRC page it is possible to access the letters that certify the approval of the iPhone 14 in all its versions. The letter expressly states “it considers it appropriate to HOMOLOGATE the ETM brand APPLE model IPHONE 14 PRO MAX (A2894), based on the provisions of article 220.127.116.11 of Resolution CRC 5050 of 2016”. The same applies to the rest of the models.
It is important to clarify that the approval letter specifies that this process in no case exempts “the corresponding authorizations or licenses that must be granted by the competent national or local authorities”, so that the court ruling could continue to be an impediment to the marketing of the teams.
It may interest you: For now, there will be no sale of iPhone 14 in Colombia
As we know, on July 11, the Civil Court 042 of Bogotá ruled in favor of Ericsson a lawsuit against Apple in which the sale and purchase of cell phones in the country is prohibited. The reason is the use of a 5G technology patent in its iPhone and iPad devices that is still unresolved. Until now, beyond learning about Apple’s appeal process in this regard, no other progress is known in this lawsuit.
Another doubt regarding the use of the iPhone 14 has to do with the appearance of the eSIM in its Pro and Pro Max models. However, we already know that Movistar and Claro have the support to offer this type of connection in Colombia and it is very easy to make the change. So, there was only the question of the homologation of cell phones by the competent authority, which is already done.


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Turkish gold imports increased nearly 40 tonnes last year to 230.796 tonnes, worth $5.7 billion at $700 an ounce. This surge represents a 19.8% increase over 2006 and is the largest recorded annual gain in gold imports to Turkey since the Istanbul Gold Exchange began keeping track of the data in 1995.
The most recent annual import figures from the Istanbul Gold Exchange can be seen below:
Turkish consumers strongly bought gold bullion in 2007 despite the huge rally in gold prices during the year, which moved the metal nearly 32% higher by the end of the year.
Turkey, one of the world’s top five buyers of gold bullion, processes over half of it’s imported gold-mostly into jewelry for exportation. In 2007, the country exported roughly 148 tons of processed gold, worth $3.7 billion.
Turkish Gold Jewelry
Turkey’s gold jewelry sector has grown significantly over the last 20 years. In the early 1990s, the sector employed about 100,000 people. The industry now employs about 350,000 people, with small enterprises leading the industry, and provides significant contributions to the Turkish economy, such as a high added value, jobs, and tax revenue.
Below are some examples of Turkish gold jewelry from designer Yossi Harari:
Turkey’s jewelry sector has an annual processing capacity of 400 tons of gold and 300 tons of silver. The economic value of this capacity is approximately $10 billion.
For 2008, Turkey aims to process 200 tons of gold for export. This will require at least another 22.5% increase in Turkish gold imports. Fortunately for the country, the Turkish lira is doing quite well against the US dollar.
Turkish Lira vs. US Dollar
The Turkish lira rose more than 20% against the US dollar last year and has firmed to its highest level in more than six years. The lira is backed by some of the highest interest rates in emerging markets, and the prospect of lower rates in the United States tends to lure more cash into high-yielding markets.
Turkish consumers are expected to continue to purchase gold bullion despite record highs in part due to the rise in the value of the lira against the US dollar.
Gold in Turkey
Turkey’s first modern gold mine, at Ovacik in eastern Turkey, poured its first gold in May 2001 after more than ten years of exploration, construction, and environmental permitting by Normandy Mining and its predecessors. The operation is now 100%-owned by Newmont Mining and utilizes a 300,000 tonne per year capacity mill and a gold recovery plant.
A number of other international companies are actively exploring the country for gold resources including:
- Aldridge Minerals (TSX-V: AGM)
- Anatolia Minerals Development (TSX: ANO)
- Ariana Resources (AIM: AAU)
- Chesser Resources (ASX: CHZ)
- Cloudbreak Resources (TSX-V: CDB)
- Eldorado Gold (AMEX: EGO, TSX: ELD)
- Eurasian Minerals (TSX-V: EMX)
- Fronteer Development (AMEX: FRG, TSX: FRG)
- Kefi Minerals (AIM: KEFI)
- Mediterranean Resources (TSX: MNR)
- Odyssey Resources (TSX-V: ODX)
- Stratex International (AIM: STI)
Turkey has estimated gold resources of over 500 tonnes, or 17.6 million ounces, identified in nine major deposits.
The rising demand for gold in Turkey means that companies producing in the region will have an domestic market eager to buy their metal. On a global scale, Turkey’s increase in gold imports means a tighter gold supply, a general bullish sentiment for us as investors.
Until next time,
P.S. Of course, Turkey’s economic rise isn’t just about gold and local currency. As business floods into the country, communications are essential, and international stock picker Sam Hopkins got his Orbus Investor subscribers in on a triple-digit rise in Turkcell (NYSE: TKC) in just over a year. There are more opportunities around the world for wise investors, and Sam can tell you all about going global the smart way. To learn more about how you can join, click here: http://www.angelnexus.com/o/op/3653


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Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp (PZA) Declares $0.07 Monthly Dividend
Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp (TSE:PZA) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, December 18th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of 0.071 per share on Monday, January 15th. This represents a $0.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th.
Pizza Pizza Royalty (TSE:PZA) traded up C$0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$16.26. 13,500 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 20,719. The company has a market cap of $398.08, a PE ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.62. Pizza Pizza Royalty has a 52 week low of C$15.30 and a 52 week high of C$18.24.
Separately, TD Securities cut shares of Pizza Pizza Royalty from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price target for the stock from C$18.50 to C$16.50 in a report on Tuesday, November 7th.
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( CNN) America’s inner child had its heart transgressed this past week when Toys ‘R’ Us permanently shut its remaining US stores. But Geoffrey the Giraffe, the retail chain’s mascot, may not be leaving us for long.
In a video posted to its YouTube channel, the zoo says, “We are passionate about securing a future for wildlife, and we’d like to secure a future for Geoffrey.”
In his nearly six decades with Toys ‘R’ US, Geoffrey became a recognizable figure for the brand. He made appearances at company events and in Tv commercials and inspired an entire line of Geoffrey-themed products.


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1. Having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook.
1.1 Spiritually aware.
1.2 Possessing knowledge that brings change or transformation, usually through faculties such as wisdom.
A few months ago I was having coffee with the former CEO of a large and well-known socially responsible company. Our conversation was lively as we shared our mutual enthusiasm for the innovative new frontier of businesses leveraging their power to create a just and sustainable world.
“It’s the end of politics,” he said. I asked him to tell me more. He described a trend where such companies wield more power than lobbyists, leverage more funds than PACs, and work in alignment with the public’s true voice. “Commerce is beginning to challenge democracy as our highest means of expressing public values,” he said.
Take an example with Lyft and Uber. In 2016, Lyft’s competitor, Uber, was set to own the emerging ride-sharing market. But fast forward a few months and Uber found their CEO fired, their market share drop dramatically, while Lyft grew more than 100%.
Though many factors contributed to that scenario, Uber’s fate pivoted around a bad day in January 2017, when the Trump administration issued a ban on Muslim travelers.
Uber made a series of corporate messaging mistakes. Lyft was perceived as protesting against the ban, while Uber seemed to be on the wrong side. More than 200,000 people deleted the Uber app in just a few days and the company has been reeling ever since.
Consumers are assumed to be self interested—willing to buy cheap T-shirts from China, while perpetuating human rights abuses at sweat shops. The word consumer is nearly a four-letter word. Public narrative asserts that humans are selfish, greedy and short sighted. But this logic is myopic, and unhelpful. Instead, given the right conditions, consumers are assisting in changing the political landscape.
“We have long had niche markets for ‘socially responsible’ products, but they were expensive novelties, the snooty preserve of wealthy consumers looking to wear their politics on their recycled handbags,” writes Chris Ladd, former GOP Precinct Committeeman and author of The Politics of Crazy. “Yet capitalism is evolving in ways that could transform corporate behavior and change the meaning of government,” he continues. “We are living through the emergence of social capitalism, a new landscape for economic activity.”
Socially responsible companies, and companies who exert ethical and moral action are proving that—given a chance—humanity chooses consciously. Such corporate influence is abandoning corrupt policy, and creating their own truly democratic responses to the challenges we are facing. Where the ballot is failing, the buck is winning, writes Ladd.
In the wake of the 14th school shooting this year, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Kroger decided to break from the mire of political inertia and create their own policy. Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods took steps to limit their sales of firearms, thrusting themselves into the middle of the polarizing national debate over gun control.
Walmart, the biggest gun seller, no longer sells guns to anyone under 21 years of age, and no longer sells items resembling assault-style rifles, including toys and air guns. Dick’s immediately ended sales of all assault-style rifles, stopped selling high-capacity magazines, and required any gun buyer to be at least 21. In their words, ‘regardless of local laws’.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones,” Dick’s wrote in a letter to customers. “But thoughts and prayers are not enough,” they continued. “We have to help solve the problem that’s in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that’s taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America — our kids.”
L.L. Bean and Kroger, too, banned all sales of guns to anyone under 21. And Delta Airlines sucker punched the NRA by ending group discounts to its members. Delta held their ground, even as the state of Georgia punished them by stripping the airline of a $40 million dollar tax break.
Over the past year corporate influence dampened state efforts to discriminate against LGBT citizens in North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. And it doesn’t stop there. Every day more companies reveal their good corporate citizenship.
It’s important here to differentiate social capitalism from the traditional ‘social responsibility’. Social responsibility relies upon activists to persuade companies to ‘do the right thing’ at the expense of profits. While, social capitalism, by contrast, is an emerging phenomenon in which social consciousness is a core element of profitability.
Now for the first time in human history, consciousness, ethics and morality are not at odds with corporate financial wellbeing. Which is, to me, overwhelmingly exciting.
The reasons behind this new trend are too complex to explore here. However, suffice to say a veritable ‘perfect storm’ of influences including social media, the de-evolution of traditional institutions, and a deepening rift between the public and a vastly mis-attuned government, are major contributors.
There is a curious shift also happening internally within companies. In working with many C-suite executives over the years, I have noticed a sea change in the desires and goals of these professionals. Having stretched themselves and their companies to the very edge of their limits, they are finding themselves on the horns of a dilemma: continue the conventional course and end up another casualty of 21st century life, or transform.
In effect, corporate leaders are seeking—I’m going to use the word deliberately—enlightenment.They are seeking the greater sensibilities that enlightenment affords: a sense of connection to the whole, wisdom, meaning, deep presence and service.
Once the rarified domain of spiritual practitioners, social drop-outs and Buddhists, enlightenment was reserved for those who donned robes, sat cross-legged, and abandoned worldly matters to attain ‘oneness with the Absolute’. But now, those in the trenches of humanity’s progress—on the bridge of the Titanic— are calling for a deeper way of being.
These leaders are seeking a higher consciousness, and an active engagement with the wellspring of wisdom, intuition and attunement. And further, they are not just seeking it for themselves, but endeavoring to actively spread those attributes throughout the culture of their organizations.
Arie de Geus’s seminal book, The Living Company changed my perception of corporations many years ago. According to de Geus, companies are not inanimate objects. Just as a body is made up of living organisms – cells, so too are companies made up of living organisms – people. He reasoned that organizations, like all living things, not only grow, but given the right conditions, have the capacity to evolve, even transform—in a similar trajectory as a human life.
He asserted, then, that if the people within a company are supported to evolve, so too, will the company itself. And the higher its evolution, the more socially aware, and socially conscious it would become.
The ability to evolve and transform is essential to the lifespan of any living thing, including a company. According to Standard & Poors, in 1955, the average lifespan of a company on the Fortune 500 list was 61 years. Today it is 18, and declining. Those rare companies who survive and thrive well beyond the average life expectancy are doing so because they are becoming, yes, enlightened.
“Companies die because their managers focus on the economic activity of producing goods and services, and they forget that their organizations’ true nature is that of a community of humans,” writes de Geus.
Given the economic might of today’s corporations (of the world’s top 100 economies, well over half of them are corporations, not countries), we are sitting at the brink of a truly awesome possibility. The sector that once threatened our very planet’s survival, is now poised to be its salvation.
In a moving discourse that reads more like a sacred text than a business book, author of Conscious Business, and LinkedIn’s Vice President of Executive Development, Fred Kofman writes, “The larger purpose of business is to serve as a theatre for self-knowledge, self-actualization and transcendence.
Self-actualizing work transcends the ego, freeing people from an exclusive preoccupation with themselves, he continues. “Those who work for the sake of a transcendent vision, honoring their values through virtuous conduct, achieve a personal transcendence similar to what is called “enlightenment.'”
The real invitation now for both companies, and their leaders is to create conditions within their organization for enlightenment. Not only does this benefit both parties, and ensure their sustainability and wellbeing, but it will create a natural consequence of good corporate citizenship that will in turn benefit the world.
We just may be witnessing the extinction of politics as we know it, and the dawning of a pure democracy. And in that synergistic space between the young people courageously taking to the streets, and the highly evolved companies creating wisdom-informed policies, we may be part of the birth of a true Age of Enlightenment.


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Weight loss often depends on what works for the individual, and while some find eating few carbohydrates can work, others benefit from integrating them into their diet. This was the case for one woman who lost a massive four stone while still eating carbs as a key staple in her diet. Before and after pictures […]
EVERYONE gets food cravings sometimes, but intense cravings for chocolate, sweets and salty foods could signal deficiencies in your diet. Here’s what the most common cravings really mean.
The amount of foods containing sugars or other carbohydrates that a woman eats has nothing to do with whether she will start experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), researchers say.
A precision nutrition approach to weight loss didn’t hold up in a study testing low fat versus low carb depending on dieters’ DNA profiles.
Scientists think they’ve discovered a fourth type of human fuel beyond carbs, fat, and protein — and it could have key health implications
HVMN Ketones could supercharge the body in a way unlike any other source of fuel. The San Francisco-based startup HVMN launched a ketone ester drink that it says can help people harness those performance-boosting qualities. A new study of the product’s effects on blood sugar — a metric that may be helpful for healthy eating […]
Weight loss takes dedication, but expert tips can always help you along the path to a fitter leaner body. A celebrity personal trainer has revealed to Express.co.uk their top tips for getting a slimmer waist in just one month. Drinking three litres of water a day and eating carbs at only certain times of day […]
Published time: 9 Jan, 2018 18:03 Giving up regular carbs for gluten-free foods may not be as healthy as it seems, a gastroenterologist has claimed. It comes amid reports of some 13 percent of Brits ditching the protein for supposedly healthier lifestyles. Gluten-free diets tend to be followed by people suffering from celiac disease, whereby […]
NEW YEAR will bring with it numerous weight loss diets, but slimming down and fighting obesity could be a matter of increasing carbohydrate intake. Daily Express :: Health Feed
New evidence shows that ketogenic diets protect the brain as mice age. And one day you might be able to buy a pill that does the same thing, without having to kiss carbs goodbye. https://media.wired.com/photos/59a9c17b6b0b3078c86c98eb/master/pass/mouse-FA.jpg Feed: All Latest
MealKitt, who specialise in portion control, explained to Express.co.uk that those trying to lose weight are better off keeping carbs as part of their diet. All dieters should do is make sure they are eating the right type. They explained: “Most of us think that in order to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet […]


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The NBA Exhibition
Calling all ballers – the NBA’s first official global touring exhibition is coming to Brisbane!
The NBA Exhibition will showcase the lifestyle and culture of the NBA, combining its storied history with the current generation of players to create an experience for mega fans of all ages. The two-level, 1000-sqm exhibition will feature 20 themed sections, including 50-plus memorabilia items, virtual and augmented reality experiences, hands-on fun like shooting showcases, and an Infinity Room with surround-sound and footage of some of the league’s most memorable moments.
The exhibition will also feature a section dedicated to the NBA’s Australian players, as well as a display of artworks by Australian and First Nations artists that were originally commissioned for recent pop-up exhibit, NBA Gallery.
The NBA Exhibition is being held at Queens Plaza and will open on Thursday November 9.
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday October 11 at 4:00 pm.


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SBM Kenya Bank will close its five branches across the country next month as it continues to push customers to accept digital banking.
The bank closed five branches nationwide in December last year and said it would close its Lavington, Buru Buru and Kimathi Street branches. This measure will take effect on October 29.
The bank will also close its courier departments along Limuru and Ngong Road in Nairobi.
"At SBM Kenya Bank, we plan to use the country's growing mobile usage to provide digital products, which will make our customers' banking operations more efficient and convenient," SBM Kenya Bank CEO Moezz Mir said in a statement yesterday Express.
He said that the employees of the five affected branches will be redeployed to other branches throughout the county. The bank declined to disclose the number of employees in the five branches.
The bank stated that customers seeking services at the Lavington branch will now go to the Elite branch at ABC Place on Waiyaki Way.
Customers of the Buru Buru branch will receive banking services at the Donholm branch located in the East Gate Shopping Center on Outering Road.
Customers of the Kimathi branch will seek bank services at the Corner House branch in the Corner House building on Kimathi Street.
Customers who used to bank at SBM Xpress Limuru Road will now head to the Diamond Plaza branch in Parklands Diamond Plaza.
However, SBM Xpress Ngong Road customers will seek banking services at Kilimani Adlife in Kilimani Adlife Square in Nairobi.
Customers of affected branches will use services such as checkbook collection, ATMs and Family PesaPap agents in nearby branches.
"Currently, 82% of our customers conduct transactions through alternative channels, including digitally enabled card and mobile transactions. Today, in the pandemic, more and more people are accepting technology and using handheld devices for daily activities," he Say.


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Diamond package from NXP, the world’s smallest logic package
Drone refers us to this short video from NXP on very small pitch parts (0.35mm) and the challenges in mounting them. NXP debuts their new Diamond package which they report is over 25 percent smaller than their XSON package (suffix GN), previously the world’s smallest package. The video point out that this design retains the traditional 0.5mm pad pitch which allows simplified PCB assembly.
Via the contact form.This entry was posted in components, News, Videos and tagged component packaging, Diamond package, NXP.


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PLYMOUTH, MI (09-19-18) — Zalo Products and adult retail chain, Lover’s Lane, have inked a pact where the adult store retail chain will carry the pleasure toys manufacturer’s stimulating products at all their stores.
“We are excited to be in all the locations of Lover’s Lane, ” said Zalo USA owner and CEO Peter Ovsonka. “We feel it really fits our brand. We just got back from visiting their managers training at the Lover’s Lane Headquarters in Michigan and we just really could not be more happy with the feedback from their teams.” said Ovsonka.
Operating 36 brick & mortar Lover’s Lane locations in Indiana and Michigan, Zalo Products has scored a major victory in the adult retail marketplace inking a deal with Lover’s Lane.
The complete Zalo lineup, including the award-winning Queen, is now in stock at the Lover’s Lane adult store retail chain.
Article by: Andy Powell, Staff Writer
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Flybe Confirms New Route From Birmingham To Newquay
09 December 2013
Flybe, Europe’s largest independent regional airline, will operate a brand new daily service between Birmingham and Newquay as part of its Summer 2014 schedule. Flights are available for booking now at www.flybe.com with travel effective from May 16th* to September 9th, 2014. One way fares are from £23.99 including taxes and charges.
|Birmingham (BHX) to Newquay (NQY)|
|Daily May 16th – September 9th, 2014|
|Dep NQY 1120 arr BHX 1230|
|Dep BHX 1255 arr NQY 1405|
*Flights, currently on sale to September 9th , 2014 will be extended for booking from Wednesday December 11th, 2013 to the end of next year’s summer season in October


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“When times are good, people drink. When times are bad, they drink more,” quips Steve Lauth, CEO of Tequila Partida.
Despite the obstacles 2020 brought, sales of tequila have soared. “The category has seen over +46% growth,” says Patron marketing VP Adrian Parker.
“It’s been a banner year for tequila on multiple fronts,” Clare Quinlan, brand manager of Camarena Tequila, corroborates. “Volume growth has outpaced even the robust growth of the spirits category in general, and we anticipate a bigger share of store shelf space and e-commerce business will be dedicated to tequila in the future.”
José Coira, VP of Sales at Casa Maestri (maker of Santera Tequila among other brands) has seen similar demand and notes that “It’s only going up and up. More customers are buying tequila. They are importing products as fast as we can pump the orders out.”
To look at exactly how the industry changed in 2020, I asked a panel of tequila experts to weigh in.
On-premise to online
With on-premise channels shut, producers had grim predictions for the year. But that wasn’t the case. “The overall industry is seeing an increase in agave sales as the consumer demand for tequila has continued to increase at a quick pace,” says Patron’s Parker. “We’ve seen a +52% increase in volume growth since mid-March, following an already strong year.”
Codigo 1530 found it was not just growing with the category, but the brand was outpacing the industry average, with a growth rate of 94% year-over-year.
Pernod Ricard (home to Altos and Avion) declared a 60% growth in tequila sales.
Camarena cited growth "well north" of 30% while Casa Don Ramon noted a 12% in growth compared to last year, with November having the highest sales. Cask and Kettle, maker of pod cocktails for Keurigs, reported a spike in tequila-based cocktail sales.
E-commerce is largely to blame. “While tequila sat at 6.52% from January-July 2020, when looking at the summer specifically, the share of the tequila category increased to 7.13% on Drizly,” notes Liz Paquette, the head of consumer insights at e-commerce booze giant Drizly. “This shift would indicate that people are continuing to move towards tequilas, particularly in the warmer months, as they are making cocktails at home.”
But success was different for every brand. “Right at the beginning,” says multi-brand producer Casa Maestri’s Coira, “Everything stopped for about a week. Then it skyrocketed from there. The super small brands are stable; they are ordering still and maybe a little more. It's the medium and larger size brands that shot up like crazy in volume.”
“We thought 2020 was going to hurt us with the closing at bars and restaurants,” describes Sylvester Palacios Jr., managing partner of Dos Cuernos Tequila. “We actually found it fruitful—it allowed us to focus on mom and pop liquor stores. With everything shutting down, we saw other popular brands dial back on events, marketing and branding. All the while, we continued pushing forward with our marketing. The ease in air waves by other brands allowed us to get more notice.”
The pandemic put 21Seeds in an ideal position. When the brand launched in 2019, co-founder Kat Hantas focused efforts on the digital space. When Covid-19 hit, “We were already online. When other brands were scrambling to get online to connect with their consumer, we were already there. That really helped propel our sales—we have seen 10 times growth year-over-year.”
The digital space was crucial this year, with bars and restaurants shut and consumers shopping online. “But direct-to-consumer is a challenge to navigate,” says Revel Avila founder Micah McFarlane. “This is why we forged a relationship with ReserveBar. This strategic shift helped Revel increase sales by 13%, a number which seemed unattainable months prior.”
“We pivoted to focus on our e-commerce options such as Reserve Bar, Sip Tequila, and Drizly,” says Taylor Steele, founder of Solento Tequila. It was the brand’s first year in the market, but they had to scrap all launch activations and pivot strategies. “We started doing Instagram Live happy hours with guests such as Kelly Slater, Tony Hawk, Taryn Toomey, Rob Machado, and Sheree Commerford.”
Partida’s Lauth noted that Instagram has been king. Without bartenders to guide drinkers, drinkers are following looking to digital influencers. “Last year, we asked our friendly neighborhood bartender, “What tequila do you recommend for my margarita?” Now, we see mixologists stepping up on social media to engage with consumers and recommend brands and provide recipes they can order online and make at home.”
New consumer behavior
Why has tequila found such success? Experts are noting a shift in consumer desires. "The tequila category is going through what the whiskey category went through a decade ago,” says Mike Dolan, the co-founder and CEO of Mijenta Tequila. “Consumers looking for more refined versions with a smoother taste, rooted in authentic stories.”
Much of this is due to new purchasing channels. Says Lauth, “Consumers have shown a different buying pattern when purchasing online. As an example, blanco is traditionally the most popular tequila in the category—a result of the margarita being the number one cocktail sold in the USA. Most drinkers use blanco in a margarita because it is the lowest cost-per-pour. However, we have seen consumers purchasing more reposado, anejo and extra anejo via e-commerce and off-premise transactions.”
“This trade-up is due to how the spirit is enjoyed—neat or over ice—rather than in a margarita. We have seen some of the largest brands run very low on aged tequila inventory this past year because of this trend.”
This shift has led to agave shortages across the country, as brands race to get more liquid resting.
“We are dealing with agave shortages,” says Federico "Fede" Vaughan, the co-founder of Codigo 1530. “It’s just temporary and should be solved in the next few years. But there is a huge shortage: agave prices are at an all time high because there’s no inventory and the agave planting was not well planned.”
He continues, “We have three-to-four year contracts with agave farmers, and we set a price that is fair for them. I had my guy secured for four years but you can imagine what a 5%, 10% price fluctuation means to them.”
“Luckily we own agave fields, about 50% of our consumption and the rest we buy from the open market,” says Coira. “But we have contracts and scenarios put in place for this sort of increase. Anejos were difficult because we have to lay them in our barrels for one year. Many people started to buy more aged spirits (premium/ultra premium) category, and we had to purchase a lot more barrels to have enough for late 2021. But thankfully we always kept a good enough stock so we are riding the wave.”
Tanteo is cooperatively-owned, though CEO and master blender Neil Grosscup notes, “Even as a cooperative of agave farmers, we are not immune to the effects of the agave shortage. High agave prices tempt our members to sell their crops on the open market, and even though our members want to sell their agave to the distillery, we need to make sure the price the distillery pays is somewhat competitive with what others pay. Looking at total plantings from the CRT, their growth over the past few years has outpaced even the rapid growth of tequila. We have started to see a slight price reduction on market rate agave this summer but with Covid-19 there remains a cloud of uncertainty for the future.”
Patron’s Parker has noted that the mega-brand is getting swept off shelves “at record speed.”
But Patron’s laborious process makes it tough to keep up with demand. “There is an ample supply of tequila at our Hacienda currently, but as it takes more than 60 hands to craft a single bottle, we are experiencing a slower cadence for bottling. When Covid-19 hit, our productivity dropped by more than 50%, since the 2,000 people who make Patron had to social distance. When combined with significant volume growth—up 52% across our tequilas—this meant Patron’s commitment to handcraft was a barrier to getting bottles to shelves vs. automated brands. It is causing an inventory shortage across the U.S. that is beginning to be noticeable on shelves.”
Vaughan also notices social distancing is slowing down production. “We’re severe on health measures: nobody is less than six feet apart.”
Overall, these are small problems for a category finding huge success in 2020. “It’s encouraging to see, especially for the growth of the agave spirits category, is a budding connoisseurship among consumers looking to expand their palates,” says Revel’s McFarlane. “As we’ve seen with other categories, consumers are paying closer attention to not just labels, and design, but more importantly the quality of the ingredients in the spirit, where it’s made and the processes involved. This is what’s bringing tequila, avila, mezcal, sotol, racilla and bacanora into the spotlight.”


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Published on Monday, April 23, 2018.
Norwegian Announces New Class of Ship
What a week for Norwegian Cruise Line! The delivery of the new Bliss and CEO Andy Stuart talking about the next ship building opportunities for Norwegian has created a stir in the cruise industry. The Miami-based cruise line is focused on develop a new class of ship that is smaller than the Bliss called the Leonardo Class. The new ships will debut in 2022.
Norwegian has ordered four ships for the Leonardo Class. The vessels will weigh 140,000 tons, which is 17% less than the Escape, Joy, and the new Bliss. The Leonardo Class ship with the reduced size will carry fewer passengers at 3,300 double occupancy. The Bliss can accommodate 4,4004 double occupancy passengers. The new Leonardo Class ships will be delivered in 2022, 2025, 2026, and in 2027. The naming of these new ships will be debuted closer to the launch, to allow Norwegian to develop their marketing material and booking systems.
In an interview with USA Today, Stuart pointed out they like the flexibility of itinerary planing with the Leonardo Class ships. Most of the Norwegian 16 ships operated at 2,000-passenger or 4,000-passenger capacities. The new Leonardo Class is in the middle of the two ship sizes with accommodating 3,000-passengers.
The smaller ships open a lot of itineraries that the mega ships cannot visit. Many port of calls around the world are not equipt to handle the larger ships forcing them to not visit the ports or tendering passengers to shore.
Until the new Leonardo Class ships are released, cruise fans can be excited for the new Norwegian Encore which will set sail in 2019. The Breakaway-Plus Class ship will measure the same size as the Norwegian Bliss.
Vacation Hacker Tip
The Norwegian Bliss will be a great way to see Alaska this summer. Starting June 2nd, the Bliss will sail out of Seattle, Washington on 7-day cruises.


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The 26-year-old reality star was photographed arriving at the Saturday Night Live afterparty on Saturday, November 11, wearing a sleek all-black outfit.
Jenner wore an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder black top and black leggings and black heeled sandals by The Row. She accessorized the look with a black mini Miu Miu purse, a pair of diamond stud earrings and a simple thin bracelet on her left wrist.
The pairing of Jenner’s leggings — which also covered her feet — and her black strappy heels reminded Us of 43-year-old Kardashian’s infamous pantaboots.
What are pantaboots, you ask?
The style is categorized by skintight pants that extend all the way down into a pair of pointed heeled boots. The pant-boot hybrid began trending in 2021 and is favored by celebrities including Julia Fox, Prianka Chopra, Rihanna and Dua Lipa.
The first time pantaboots hit the fashion scene was when Kardashian memorably wore a pair designed by Balenciaga to the 2021 Met Gala. The all-black red carpet look took the pantaboot trend to the extreme, as Kardashian was covered literally from head to toe in black fabric.
Another unforgettable moment when Kardashian sported the fashion phenomenon was when she hosted an episode of SNL in October 2021. On her way to the studios, Kardashian wore an all-black outfit consisting of the infamous pantaboots, long gloves and a long sleeve wrap top with a cinched in waist. During the show itself, she went all out in a pink velvet jumpsuit that extended into a pair of pointy heeled boots.
Despite being around for nearly three years, the trend isn’t showing any signs of dying down. In October, Rihanna was photographed wearing pantaboots not once but twice — first at ASAP Rocky’s 34th birthday party, and again to dinner in New York City.
While Jenner’s outfit on Saturday night didn’t technically incorporate pantaboots, her unique take on the well-established trend has certainly gotten our attention.


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Winners win — and in an oversaturated market, consumers increasingly have become more discerning of brands.
In order to secure and maintain shopper loyalty, the best companies are investing in client and customer services to upgrade shopping experiences. And in the second annual State of Service report just released by Salesforce Research, some of these best practices were revealed.
The report is based on a survey released in September 2016 that accrued responses from more than 2,600 full-time service professionals in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Surprisingly, high-performing service teams only accounted for 14 percent of the surveyed population, marking the opportunity within the market to improve customer service and benefit from a growth in sales and consumer loyalty.
Once a silo’d department, the more successful companies are fully integrating customer service into every aspect of their businesses. “Forward-thinking companies are taking advantage of the changing customer climate to find new points of innovation for customer service,” said researchers of the report. The survey found that 85 percent of executives with service oversight believe customer experience is a key competitive differentiator.
And for good reason. Personalized services — especially those that prove knowledge of the shopper’s preferences — improve loyalty. “Sixty-nine percent of consumers say personalized care influences their loyalty,” the report noted. “Seventy-nine percent of consumers say it’s very important to be immediately routed to the agent most knowledgeable about their issue.”
As consumers shift their spending more to mobile devices, around-the-clock purchases will continue to increase. This poses the need for all-hours customer service. The report said, “Sixty-four percent of customers expect companies to respond in real time.” Retailers should consider the implementation of chatbots and other virtual tools in order to capture and optimize specific shopper data in order to address an issue and record its history for future learnings.
This is echoed by the survey’s findings of shoppers’ high value for consistent customer service, regardless of platforms. “Seventy-three percent of consumers are likely to switch brands if they receive inconsistent levels of service — sixty-five percent of them will switch brands if they receive inconsistent experiences, regardless of the platform,” said the report.
Accessibility and consistency are paramount in releasing successful strategies for customer loyalty and improved revenue generation.


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ScreenShop, available for free on iOS and Android, advised by Kim Kardashian West, instantly converts images to a shoppable catalogue of similar products at a variety of price points.
Students are encouraged to participate in National Promposal Day by sharing their promposal experience and using hashtag #NationalPromposalDay.
Pets truly make every day special for their owners, so it’s no surprise that millennial pet parents are showing love back with their dedication, attention and purchases.
The American Sleep Association (ASA) states that 50-70 million US adults suffer from sleep disorders, 48% report snoring.
Over the last two years, Love on the Ledge has provided adventurous couples looking for a unique way to tie the knot or renew their vows the opportunity to win a romantic ceremony 1,353 feet in the sky.
Personalization has made its way into every aspect of weddings, as couples proudly show their unique personalities and styles throughout the food, entertainment, escort cards and florals.
YOTELPAD translates the essence of luxury serviced apartments into purposefully designed compact homes, known as ‘PADs’, fulfilling the requirements of the global citizen at an affordable price.
The company announced a new line of prosthetic hip pads for 2018. Sculptress hip pads are designed to eliminate “hip dip” and enhance a woman’s hourglass curves.
These designs and patterns focus on comfort and making getting dressed easy while giving baby a sense of style that is fun and vibrant.
With Zeel, customers can order a soothing massage through the Zeel app or on zeel.com – delivered directly to homes, hotels, workplaces, and events in more than 75 U.S. cities.


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3 Chip Stocks to Note Now: ARM and NXP Defy PC Trends, and AMD’s New Weapon
ARM Holdings, Plc. (NASDAQ:ARMH): Shares of ARM Holdings are soaring, following a strong quarterly report indicating that revenue beat estimates by $13.19 million (the company made $263.9 million, a 26 percent year-over-year increase), while earnings came in at $0.17 per share. Operating margins grew 6 percent over the first quarter of 2012, and adjusted pretax profit grew 44 percent, whereas analysts had pegged the growth at 25 percent.
NXP (NASDAQ:NXPI): Sterne Agee is playing it safe, and says that semiconductor shares should be bought after the quarterly results. However, after strong quarterly results from NXP, along with better than expected guidance, the firm thinks the company’s valuation is very attractive.
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD): AMD is launching an embedded system-on-chip aimed at high-growth, embedded markets, the company announced on Tuesday. The new G-Series will feature four Jaguar processors — the same found in Sony’s (NYSE:SNE) impending PlayStation 4 – and also includes a Radeon 8000 GPU and I/O module, all nicely tucked on a single piece of silicon. ”We have built a treasure trove of industry-leading IP in processors, graphics and multimedia along with the infrastructure to combine these building blocks into unsurpassed embedded SOC solutions,” said Arun Iyengar, vice president and general manager, AMD Embedded Solutions. “With a 33 percent smaller footprint(4), low power consumption and exceptional performance, the new AMD Embedded G-Series SOC sets the bar for content-rich multimedia and traditional workload processing that is ideal for a broad variety of embedded applications.”
Investing Insights: Will Phillips 66 See Higher Prices?


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|By PR Newswire||
|February 21, 2013 12:02 AM EST||
ARMONK, N.Y., Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced security software that helps organizations proactively reduce the security risk to iOS enterprise apps. Clients will be able to build security testing into the initial design of mobile apps so that vulnerabilities can be detected early in the development process, before being deployed to customers or employees. Today's announcement further expands the IBM MobileFirst portfolio, which marries deep expertise with a comprehensive set of mobile software and cloud-based services.
According to Gartner, more than 45.6 billion mobile apps were downloaded in 2012. As the rate of app use on mobile devices increases, securing smartphones and other endpoint devices is a top priority for organizations and Chief Information Security Officers. With the proliferation of consumer and enterprise mobile apps, organizations cannot always control or restrict the apps installed on user devices, so they must test how apps send and save data. IBM's new security software can automatically identify where data enters and leaves a mobile app, helping to prevent mobile data leakage.
Improving Security and Reducing Costs of iOS Mobile Apps
The pace of mobile application releases and updates can be overwhelming for organizations trying to maintain strict security guidelines and policies. IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS provides the ability to improve security quality without sacrificing time-to-market of mobile app projects. This allows organizations to better protect each mobile app release in the face of constant updates. IBM previously announced IBM AppScan for apps running on the Android platform.
KiwiTech is a leading mobile technology firm headquartered in Washington DC, and offices in New York and New Delhi. The company has developed more than 750 apps which have generated over three million downloads on iOS and Android platforms. With more than 200 mobile development and related professionals focused on app development, including security is a top priority for the organization.
"Over the last four years, KiwiTech has developed hundreds of iOS and Android mobile apps for organizations around the world. As the risk from mobile malware and data leakage grows, our customers are looking for ways to secure their iOS and Android apps and protect corporate data," said Rakesh Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, KiwiTech. "The new IBM AppScan product will allow us to proactively secure mobile apps and automate security testing to ensure our customers can keep pace with constant updates."
In addition, IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS can help reduce the cost of developing secure apps by building security analysis early into the development cycle. It provides developers with an unmatched view into where vulnerabilities appear in their mobile apps, which improves security quality without sacrificing time to market of mobile app projects.
"This new capability showcases IBM's execution in our strategy to help clients incorporate security into their infrastructure and solutions from the design, development and testing phases rather than leaving security to become an afterthought," said Caleb Barlow, Director of Application, Data and Mobile Security, IBM. "It also aligns with the IBM MobileFirst strategy by empowering organizations with confidence to aggressively evolve and seize the business potential that mobility promises."
New capabilities to IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS include:
- Support for US Federal Government Requirements: Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and use of a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module.
- 40,000 Mobile Security APIs Supported: IBM Security Research conducted a comprehensive analysis on the iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) to include coverage of APIs that might introduce security risks. The API profiles have been added to the IBM AppScan Source Security Knowledgebase and tied to the analysis engine. Combined with the research conducted on the Android SDK, IBM AppScan Source has researched and characterized the security risk of approximately 40,000 mobile APIs.
IBM AppScan Source 8.7 for iOS is planned for release on March 25th.
About IBM Security
AppScan is part of IBM's portfolio that provides the security intelligence to help organizations holistically protect their people, data, applications and infrastructure. IBM offers solutions for identity and access management, security information and event management, database security, application development, risk management, endpoint management, next-generation intrusion protection and more. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research and development, and delivery organizations. This comprises 10 security operations centers, nine IBM Research centers, 11 software security development labs and an Institute for Advanced Security with chapters in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. IBM monitors 15 billion security events per day in more than 130 countries and holds more than 3,000 security patents.
For more information on IBM security, please visit: www.ibm.com/security.
About IBM MobileFirst
As the first new technology platform for business to emerge since the World Wide Web, mobile computing represents one of the greatest opportunities for organizations to expand their business. Based on nearly 1,000 customer engagements, 10 mobile-related acquisitions in the last four years, a team of thousands of mobile experts and 270 patents in wireless innovations, IBM MobileFirst offers an array of solutions that helps businesses connect, secure, manage and develop mobile networks, infrastructures and applications.
To learn more, visit the IBM MobileFirst press kit or http://www.ibm.com/mobilefirst. Follow @ibmmobile, #ibmmobile on Twitter, and see IBM MobileFirst on YouTube, Tumblr and Instagram.
IBM Media Relations
IBM Media Relations
Cloud data governance was previously an avoided function when cloud deployments were relatively small. With the rapid adoption in public cloud – both rogue and sanctioned, it’s not uncommon to find regulated data dumped into public cloud and unprotected. This is why enterprises and cloud providers alike need to embrace a cloud data governance function and map policies, processes and technology controls accordingly. In her session at 15th Cloud Expo, Evelyn de Souza, Data Privacy and Compliance Strategy Leader at Cisco Systems, will focus on how to set up a cloud data governance program and s...
Mar. 4, 2015 04:15 PM EST Reads: 966
Every innovation or invention was originally a daydream. You like to imagine a “what-if” scenario. And with all the attention being paid to the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) you don’t have to stretch the imagination too much to see how this may impact commercial and homeowners insurance. We’re beyond the point of accepting this as a leap of faith. The groundwork is laid. Now it’s just a matter of time. We can thank the inventors of smart thermostats for developing a practical business application that everyone can relate to. Gone are the salad days of smart home apps, the early chalkb...
Mar. 4, 2015 04:15 PM EST Reads: 341
Roberto Medrano, Executive Vice President at SOA Software, had reached 30,000 page views on his home page - http://RobertoMedrano.SYS-CON.com/ - on the SYS-CON family of online magazines, which includes Cloud Computing Journal, Internet of Things Journal, Big Data Journal, and SOA World Magazine. He is a recognized executive in the information technology fields of SOA, internet security, governance, and compliance. He has extensive experience with both start-ups and large companies, having been involved at the beginning of four IT industries: EDA, Open Systems, Computer Security and now SOA.
Mar. 4, 2015 04:00 PM EST Reads: 1,473
The industrial software market has treated data with the mentality of “collect everything now, worry about how to use it later.” We now find ourselves buried in data, with the pervasive connectivity of the (Industrial) Internet of Things only piling on more numbers. There’s too much data and not enough information. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Bob Gates, Global Marketing Director, GE’s Intelligent Platforms business, to discuss how realizing the power of IoT, software developers are now focused on understanding how industrial data can create intelligence for industrial operations. Imagine ...
Mar. 4, 2015 03:15 PM EST Reads: 1,536
We certainly live in interesting technological times. And no more interesting than the current competing IoT standards for connectivity. Various standards bodies, approaches, and ecosystems are vying for mindshare and positioning for a competitive edge. It is clear that when the dust settles, we will have new protocols, evolved protocols, that will change the way we interact with devices and infrastructure. We will also have evolved web protocols, like HTTP/2, that will be changing the very core of our infrastructures. At the same time, we have old approaches made new again like micro-services...
Mar. 4, 2015 02:30 PM EST Reads: 3,054
Operational Hadoop and the Lambda Architecture for Streaming Data Apache Hadoop is emerging as a distributed platform for handling large and fast incoming streams of data. Predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and Internet-of-Things analysis are examples where Hadoop provides the scalable storage, processing, and analytics platform to gain meaningful insights from granular data that is typically only valuable from a large-scale, aggregate view. One architecture useful for capturing and analyzing streaming data is the Lambda Architecture, representing a model of how to analyze rea...
Mar. 4, 2015 02:00 PM EST Reads: 1,511
Today’s enterprise is being driven by disruptive competitive and human capital requirements to provide enterprise application access through not only desktops, but also mobile devices. To retrofit existing programs across all these devices using traditional programming methods is very costly and time consuming – often prohibitively so. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Jesse Shiah, CEO, President, and Co-Founder of AgilePoint Inc., discussed how you can create applications that run on all mobile devices as well as laptops and desktops using a visual drag-and-drop application – and eForms-buildi...
Mar. 4, 2015 01:45 PM EST Reads: 3,310
SYS-CON Events announced today that Vitria Technology, Inc. will exhibit at SYS-CON’s @ThingsExpo, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Vitria will showcase the company’s new IoT Analytics Platform through live demonstrations at booth #330. Vitria’s IoT Analytics Platform, fully integrated and powered by an operational intelligence engine, enables customers to rapidly build and operationalize advanced analytics to deliver timely business outcomes for use cases across the industrial, enterprise, and consumer segments.
Mar. 4, 2015 01:45 PM EST Reads: 1,392
SYS-CON Events announced today that Dyn, the worldwide leader in Internet Performance, will exhibit at SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Dyn is a cloud-based Internet Performance company. Dyn helps companies monitor, control, and optimize online infrastructure for an exceptional end-user experience. Through a world-class network and unrivaled, objective intelligence into Internet conditions, Dyn ensures traffic gets delivered faster, safer, and more reliably than ever.
Mar. 4, 2015 01:00 PM EST Reads: 980
Containers and microservices have become topics of intense interest throughout the cloud developer and enterprise IT communities. Accordingly, attendees at the upcoming 16th Cloud Expo at the Javits Center in New York June 9-11 will find fresh new content in a new track called PaaS | Containers & Microservices Containers are not being considered for the first time by the cloud community, but a current era of re-consideration has pushed them to the top of the cloud agenda. With the launch of Docker's initial release in March of 2013, interest was revved up several notches. Then late last...
Mar. 4, 2015 01:00 PM EST Reads: 1,063
CommVault has announced that top industry technology visionaries have joined its leadership team. The addition of leaders from companies such as Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Cisco, PwC and EMC signals the continuation of CommVault Next, the company's business transformation for sales, go-to-market strategies, pricing and packaging and technology innovation. The company also announced that it had realigned its structure to create business units to more directly match how customers evaluate, deploy, operate, and purchase technology.
Mar. 4, 2015 12:45 PM EST Reads: 597
In their session at @ThingsExpo, Shyam Varan Nath, Principal Architect at GE, and Ibrahim Gokcen, who leads GE's advanced IoT analytics, focused on the Internet of Things / Industrial Internet and how to make it operational for business end-users. Learn about the challenges posed by machine and sensor data and how to marry it with enterprise data. They also discussed the tips and tricks to provide the Industrial Internet as an end-user consumable service using Big Data Analytics and Industrial Cloud.
Mar. 4, 2015 12:30 PM EST Reads: 3,320
Performance is the intersection of power, agility, control, and choice. If you value performance, and more specifically consistent performance, you need to look beyond simple virtualized compute. Many factors need to be considered to create a truly performant environment. In his General Session at 15th Cloud Expo, Harold Hannon, Sr. Software Architect at SoftLayer, discussed how to take advantage of a multitude of compute options and platform features to make cloud the cornerstone of your online presence.
Mar. 4, 2015 12:00 PM EST Reads: 3,604
The explosion of connected devices / sensors is creating an ever-expanding set of new and valuable data. In parallel the emerging capability of Big Data technologies to store, access, analyze, and react to this data is producing changes in business models under the umbrella of the Internet of Things (IoT). In particular within the Insurance industry, IoT appears positioned to enable deep changes by altering relationships between insurers, distributors, and the insured. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Michael Sick, a Senior Manager and Big Data Architect within Ernst and Young's Financial Servi...
Mar. 4, 2015 12:00 PM EST Reads: 1,476
Almost everyone sees the potential of Internet of Things but how can businesses truly unlock that potential. The key will be in the ability to discover business insight in the midst of an ocean of Big Data generated from billions of embedded devices via Systems of Discover. Businesses will also need to ensure that they can sustain that insight by leveraging the cloud for global reach, scale and elasticity.
Mar. 4, 2015 11:45 AM EST Reads: 4,520
IoT is still a vague buzzword for many people. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Mike Kavis, Vice President & Principal Cloud Architect at Cloud Technology Partners, discussed the business value of IoT that goes far beyond the general public's perception that IoT is all about wearables and home consumer services. He also discussed how IoT is perceived by investors and how venture capitalist access this space. Other topics discussed were barriers to success, what is new, what is old, and what the future may hold. Mike Kavis is Vice President & Principal Cloud Architect at Cloud Technology Pa...
Mar. 4, 2015 11:30 AM EST Reads: 4,471
Even as cloud and managed services grow increasingly central to business strategy and performance, challenges remain. The biggest sticking point for companies seeking to capitalize on the cloud is data security. Keeping data safe is an issue in any computing environment, and it has been a focus since the earliest days of the cloud revolution. Understandably so: a lot can go wrong when you allow valuable information to live outside the firewall. Recent revelations about government snooping, along with a steady stream of well-publicized data breaches, only add to the uncertainty
Mar. 4, 2015 11:15 AM EST Reads: 838
Mar. 4, 2015 10:30 AM EST Reads: 2,777
PubNub on Monday has announced that it is partnering with IBM to bring its sophisticated real-time data streaming and messaging capabilities to Bluemix, IBM’s cloud development platform. “Today’s app and connected devices require an always-on connection, but building a secure, scalable solution from the ground up is time consuming, resource intensive, and error-prone,” said Todd Greene, CEO of PubNub. “PubNub enables web, mobile and IoT developers building apps on IBM Bluemix to quickly add scalable realtime functionality with minimal effort and cost.”
Mar. 4, 2015 10:00 AM EST Reads: 4,958
The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly in the process of breaking from its heretofore relatively obscure enterprise applications (such as plant floor control and supply chain management) and going mainstream into the consumer space. More and more creative folks are interconnecting everyday products such as household items, mobile devices, appliances and cars, and unleashing new and imaginative scenarios. We are seeing a lot of excitement around applications in home automation, personal fitness, and in-car entertainment and this excitement will bleed into other areas. On the commercial side, m...
Mar. 4, 2015 09:45 AM EST Reads: 3,455


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When a company is a leader in its brand category, transformation is not always at the top of the agenda. After all, it’s doing more than fine as is, right?
“It’s a big challenge if you have a successful company that’s always done things one way,” said Jim Lyski, CMO at CarMax, the world’s largest retailer of used vehicles. “Success can be a barrier [to transforming].”
But in today’s environment of business disruption, in which a powerful digital competitor can seemingly pop up overnight, vigilance is key. That’s exactly why you’ll find Lyski and CarMax CIO Shamim Mohammad practically connected at the hip these days, trying to stay a step ahead of would-be rivals. Both Mohammad and Lyski are convinced that continued customer experience innovation is critical to staying on top.
Mohammad was promoted to CIO shortly after Lyski joined as CMO in the summer of 2014. “That gave us a pretty unique opportunity to create a new working relationship between our departments,” Mohammad told CMO.com. The company, known for its no-haggle sales process, had always been entrepreneurial in practice. But marketing and IT had a fairly traditional customer-supplier relationship, with neither function contributing at the level that might lead to future growth.
Lyski and Mohammad were determined to more closely align the two functions to foster technology-enabled experimentation and implementation. “We wanted to move faster than we had been and start thinking like a digital company,” Mohammad said.
In the past two years, the two executives have torn down the walls between marketing and IT—metaphorically and literally. They formed multidisciplinary product-centric teams focused not on ticking off tasks but enabling business outcomes. They embraced agile product design and development processes. IT embraced the public cloud to host the development of customer-facing systems. As a result, the two organizations function as a fairly cohesive unit, delivering customer-centric innovation at greater speed than ever before.
Here’s a closer look at how Lyski and Mohammad manage their executive partnership.
Silicon Valley Best Practices
Lyski and Mohammad began by determining how best to reorient their groups. “We wanted to bring a Silicon Valley approach to automotive retail,” Mohammad said.
He and Lyski took members of the senior leadership team on a “digital safari” through Silicon Valley. For three days, they talked to startups and venture capital firms about the power of emerging digital technologies. “That created a lot of energy around the things that we needed to do,” Mohammad said.
Digital technology is “a monstrous piece of the puzzle” for marketers today, Lyski explained. “All companies have to be technology companies,” he told CMO.com. “You don’t have to be on the bleeding edge, but if you’re not leveraging it to your advantage, your competitors certainly will.”
In fact, Mohammad travels to San Francisco quarterly to keep on top of technology developments. “It’s been very helpful to shifting our mindset from that of a retailer that uses technology to that of a technology company focused on delivering a customer experience,” Mohammad said.
Tearing Down Walls
Early on, it was also clear to Lyski and Mohammad that another change was called for: Marketing and IT needed to spend more time together. So the two executives removed the physical barriers separating the disciplines, moving everyone into a shared space with tech and marketing side by side.
They also adopted agile methodologies to address one of the biggest complaints most marketing groups have about their IT counterparts—that they move too slowly. Taking a page from Jeff Gothelf’s book “Lean U/X,” they organized themselves into self-directed product teams made up of seven to nine IT, marketing, and operations employees. “We give them a metric—or they select one for themselves—and figure out how best to achieve it,” Mohammad said.
The approach is a good fit for the company. “Even though you might fail often, you fail fast; the failures don’t cost you much and direct you toward a pace that’s significantly faster and less risky than making big developmental bets,” Lyski said. “In the past, you’d spent months and millions of dollars to roll out some big capabilities and hope like hell they worked. This way, you get feedback every few weeks so that by the time you launch, success is inevitable.”
One team is focused on online finance, creating a seamless and simple experience for customers across channels. They created goals for improving lead generation and sales—metrics they track throughout the team’s life cycle. Last November, they launched a digital finance preapproval product, going from testing to pilot to full rollout in less than six months. “That’s pretty good—going from something to nothing with a product that now represents a significant portion of our leads and sales and is completely integrated into the consumer experience,” Lyski said.
A different team is developing a home-delivery product: customers shop for cars online and then request that CarMax bring a vehicle to their homes to test-drive. The service, which executives hope will help CarMax compete against new digital companies, is being tested in Charlotte, N.C.
Another group is working on a remote-appraisal tool: Customers submit photos and information on their vehicles to CarMax and get a digital offer in return. “Our initial product teams were focused on redesigning our CarMax.com capabilities,” Lyski said, “but the speed and agility of the practice paid so many dividends, we expanded it to our digital consumer-facing products. Now we’re applying it to our consumer-enabling in-store systems and our associate-leveraged technology.”
New Growth Engine
Growth has never been an issue for CarMax, which expanded from one store in Richmond, Va., in 1993 to 175 today. “They did it all on a bootstrapping model,” Lyski said. “I felt that if they could grow as much as they did in their first 21 years without a strong marketing focus, there was a huge opportunity to apply what I bring to the party to accelerate that growth trajectory.”
CarMax’s biggest marketing assets were its customer service focus and an incredible amount of customer data. But little of that customer information was being analyzed for future innovation. That’s where Lyski, a veteran digital marketing leader with a passion for data, came in. But he knew he needed IT’s help. “In my first meeting with Shamim, the one thing I asked for was a marketing technology leader,” Lyski said. “It was integral to leveraging our data and scale and turning those into consumer-benefiting experiences, products, and services.”
In order to support the rapid and incremental approach to marketing innovation, Mohammad also recognized that IT would need to rethink its architecture choices. “We had to make sure we had the technology platforms to allow them to work really fast,” Mohammad said. “So when a product team has a good idea, they can very quickly get it in front of customers.”
IT adopted a public cloud approach for customer-facing systems in early 2016. “We’re no longer constrained by our data center,” Mohammad said. “Our teams can make changes instantaneously [without worrying] about scale or availability.” Systems that used to be deployed in weeks or months—“or never,” joked Mohammad—can now be deployed in a day.
Speaking The Same Language
Even for a company with an entrepreneurial culture, change is hard. “It’s challenging to fundamentally change the way people do their jobs, and there was skepticism,” Mohammad said. It was crucial that employees see the partnership that Lyski and Mohammad were personally forming. “When they saw that Jim and I were aligning around common goals and interacting all the time, they could see that we were serious about getting this done,” Mohammad said.
It also helped to have a CIO with a marketing bent—Mohammad had founded a marketing tech company and studied marketing at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management—and a CMO with a clear appreciation for the power of technology.
“Both the CMO and CIO roles are really evolving; CIOs need to be more business focused, and CMOs need to be more tech focused,” Mohammad said. “And that’s exactly what’s happening here.”
“You’ve got to be able to speak the same language,” Lyski added. “You can’t be a CMO who doesn’t understand the technology stack. And you can’t be a CIO who doesn’t understand consumer data and insight.”
Having marketing and IT physically working together was also a key factor in working through the changes. “Co-location seems simple, but it’s a powerful tool,” Lyski said. “When you’re literally sitting across the table from a marketer or an IT lead or a UX designer, you gravitate toward a common lexicon. You don’t have a choice.”
Most transformative projects are overseen by a steering committee led by Lyski, Mohammad, and CarMax’s head of strategy and operations. “We have different backgrounds and different personalities, but that creates some healthy differences in perspective as long as you can communicate through them,” Lyski said.
“We all hear things at the same time, and it helps us stay on the same page,” Mohommad added.
The product teams also share their work with the rest of the company during “open house” every two weeks. The CarMax CEO will often stop by for these 20-minute sessions during which the product teams share their progress and plans for the weeks ahead. “There are usually 50 people there. It instills a tremendous amount of pride in the teams, knowing that the CMO or the CEO is paying attention,” Mohammad said. It also serves as a marketing tool for the results of the transformation Lyski and Mohammad have spearheaded.
Incremental change has its place, Mohammad said. But “sometimes you need to shock the system.” And to make those kinds of fundamental changes—and have them be successful long-term—requires everyone’s support.
“The beauty is that this has always been a company that believes in the value of ‘test and learn’ and trying new things,” Lyski said. “That’s why we started with small steps, proving the validity of this approach one experiment, one team, one victory at a time. It doesn’t take long to build momentum, and it lasts.”


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Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Android 6.0 Marshmallow Official OTA Update Confirmed
Android 6.0 Marshmallow is confirmed to roll out to Sony M4 Aqua through an official over-the-air (OTA) release. The good news has been revealed by Sony Mobile on its blog post emphasizing that the update will come with new Sony features and functionality and improvements.
Sony Mobile has confirmed that Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is bound for the official OTA update of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In a list posted on Sony Mobile's official blog site, the tech firm outlined its roadmap or plans for Marshmallow and its lucky smartphones and tablet to receive the update.
However, the release date has not been mentioned by the blog post. This sparked speculations that the biggest update in Android history might come before the year ends.
Aside from Xperia M4 Aqua, Android 6.0 is also confirmed to roll out to 13 other devices like Xperia Z4 Tablet, Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2, among others. Meanwhile, there are also Xperia devices that were not mentioned in the list for the update like Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Z Ultra. This prompted rumors that Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is the final journey of the devices for software updates.
In another point of view, tech analysts and Android experts both agreed that the list is only initial and is subject to changes. The mobile department of Sony has expressed that the company is working hard to take along the major Android software update to as many of its devices as possible and as quickly as it can.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow brings in key features, allowing users to work out greater control over app permissions; purchase easily and securely with fingerprint support and Android Pay; experience enhanced battery-life through Doze; and redesigned App Drawer.
Google Now becomes smarter. It recognizes diverse contexts, offers answers and aids users take action.
Apps Permissions provides users better control of the permissions of downloaded apps. Users are given the choice to assent to or reject permissions entirely. It is important to take note that Permissions are required the first time users try to use a feature, not at the point of installation.
App drawer has an all-new design. It now scrolls vertically instead of horizontally against white background. It also shows four most recently used apps across the top of the menu.
Fingerprint support brings device uniform support for fingerprint scanners devices running Marshmallow. Fingerprint functions to check purchases, unlock phones and purchase and shop in real-life or in the Play Store.
Mobile payments like American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are now supported. The update also brings Google Pay.
With Marshmallow, power and charging expands device up to two times longer standby time using Doze. It makes use of motion detectors to control device when not in use. It also diminishes background processes, while begins alarms and informs users of priority notifications even when using Doze.


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The 10 most popular items Ticos buy online
Online shopping is second nature to many in the United States, but it’s a bit of a challenge in Costa Rica, where street addresses read more like a pirate’s treasure map than directions FedEx could follow. But just because you live in Costa Rica doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the shopping benefits of click-and-ship shopping.
Aerocasillas, one of several businesses that operate U.S. P.O. boxes for Costa Rican-based shoppers, released a list of the top 10 items Ticos buy online Monday. It’s not exactly a shocking list, although who knew that video games could be more in demand than cellphones?
- Video games
- Tablet computers
- Vehicle parts
- Accessories for tablets and cellphones (cases, etc.)
The top three items people shipped were electronics, clothing and books or toys.
Aerocasilla’s marketing manager, Claudia Selva, said that the recent volatility in the exchange rate hasn’t affected business yet, noting that buying so far this year has been normal.
Video games were one of the most popular items but presented a thorny import tax situation. According to Aerocasillas, the tax for one video game runs about 13 percent of the cost, but when accompanied by a console accessory it could jump to over 55 percent.
If your entertainment preference is a little more last century, books are one of the cheapest items to import, carrying a mere 1 percent tariff.
Keep an eye out for import taxes to be sure that bargain doesn’t bite when you pick it up.
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With the changing regulatory landscape and introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting standards in accounting, sustainability has become ubiquitous in the careers landscape for graduates in this sector. The University of Bristol Business School is developing ways to make the curriculum in the Business School future-oriented, to prepare students to be impactful leaders and decision-makers in sustainability-related areas in their future careers.
The University of Bristol Business School is delighted to announce that our MSc Business Analytics programme is now accredited by the Institute of Analytics (IoA) and we are now corporate partners. This is a great achievement for the School and is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team! (more…)
Congratulations to Katy Sercombe, this year’s Derek Holder Dissertation Award winner. Here she tells us about her award-winning dissertation ‘Exploring consumers’ attitudes towards virtual fashion as a sustainable alternative to physical fashion’.
The Professional Liaison Network, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol delivered a collaborative workshop on Sustainability Strategies in Organisations. This event, hosted by Burges Salmon looked to promote discussion on the key challenges around developing sustainability strategies in organisations.
Globalisation and the advancements in information and communication technologies have set the pace to the rapid growth of real-time data collected from various sources, such as mobile phones, social media, and sensors, and shared through cloud-powered technologies.
On 8th and 9th September, the University of Bristol Business School hosted two in-person academic events in partnership with the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) and its South-Western Area Group (SWAG). The 9th was the SWAG Annual Conference, preceded by a Doctoral Colloquium on the 8th.
Operations and supply chain management has never been more important than today when global supply chains have been disrupted heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitigating the negative impacts and building a more sustainable, digitally-driven, and resilient supply chain is regarded as a common goal for many companies and leaders. (more…)