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Seafast Holdings Uganda was proud to be one of several sponsors of The Uganda Investment Forum, held in Kampala on 11-12 April 2013, organised by the Government of Uganda and the Commonwealth Business Council.
The Forum focused on Uganda as one of Africa’s leading business and investment destinations, while taking the theme ‘Driving Growth in Africa’. Uganda is ideally situated to be your gateway to the 150 million consumers in East African Community and the 1 billion across the African Continent. Uganda’s business opportunities are attracting high levels of international interest and the reform of the country’s economy to make it more private sector friendly is already paying dividends.
Seafast has invested in developing a strong local logistics presence in Uganda and the East African region as a whole in order to assist your business in reaching these markets. For further information as to how Seafast can support your business in East Africa please contact Seafast’s East Africa Regional Manager, Mr Micheal Majeed.


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Improve, the sector skills council for food and drink, has started consultation with employers on plans for a new framework for apprenticeship programmes.
"This will be a crucial reform," said Jack Matthews, Improve’s chief executive, who added that completed apprenticeships in food and drink manufacturing subjects at Level 2 have more than doubled in the last two years from 332 to 668.
But the numbers remain disappointingly small compared to other industries, where people complete apprenticeships in their thousands every year.
At present, apprenticeships are available only in bakery, general food and drink manufacturing, and meat and poultry processing. The new proposals are to introduce one flexible framework, which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of any of the 10 sub-sectors within food and drink manufacturing, from dairy to brewing.
Development work on the new apprenticeship framework will continue until September. .

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- Over 10 million Web surfers possibly exposed to malvertising
- Big-data tools empowering security analytics – but don't forget business context
- NSA will lose access to 'historical' phone surveillence data Nov. 29
- Security firm ‘guarantees’ to pay more than Google does for Chrome exploits
- HP: 100 per cent of smartwatches have security flaws
Trend Micro Endpoint Comparative Report Performed by AV-Test.org
Traditionally, endpoint testing has been done by updating each product’s signatures, removing the device from the network, and then copying a test set of malicious files onto the device to determine how many can be caught. That was fine when only a small number of malicious files were being introduced to the world, but today, according to the latest statistics from AV-Test.org, we’re seeing over 1.5 million unique samples every month.
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- NAB CMO: Customer experience economy requires corporate culture rethink
- Getting your board to support marketing
- Brand redesign, customer data and product story top priority list for Salmat's new CMO
- Report shows businesses still struggle with innovation
- How voice analytics helps iiNet hear customer problems on its network


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TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.
Rumor mill: While the impact of Covid meant that Apple's iPhone 12 lineup launched later than usual, a prominent analyst claims that Apple's next-generation smartphone - the iPhone 13 - should revert back to the company's typical release schedule. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S21 smartphone which is set to be unveiled as soon as next month has been apparently leaked on video, showed next to an iPhone 12 Pro.
Although mass production of Apple's new iPhone handsets typically begins in the summer, this year, production of the iPhone 12 - including the iPhone 12 Pro, Pro Max, and mini - didn't begin until September. From here, Apple's annual iPhone-unveiling event was postponed from September to October and the release of the handsets was also delayed. While the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models launched on Oct. 23, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 12 mini didn't launch until Nov. 13.
However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who's typically accurate with his Apple predictions, claims that in 2021, the iPhone's release cycle should revert back to a more familiar timeframe. In a research note shared by MacRumors, he also stated that reduced Apple orders for TSMC's 5 nm production isn't due to low iPhone 12 demand.
Apple's A14 chip production will be running at 80% of TSMC's 5 nm capacity in the first quarter of 2021, compared with 100% utilization in Q4 2020. However, Kuo claims that the change in production is due to seasonality, and expects TSMC's production to shift towards Apple's A15 chip, which will power the iPhone 13 lineup, in due course.
He also added that demand for the iPhone 12 Pro devices has been better than expected in 2020, despite the impact of the pandemic. The Pro-level iPhones include an enhanced camera system, LiDAR scanner, and are made from more durable materials; the iPhone 12 Pro Max ships with a larger 6.7-inch display, too.


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They push out updates for these smartphones each from time to time. While some manufacture slack on pushing major Android updates to their smartphones, Vivo is not one among them. The chipset and the RAM capacity of the Vivo sharp Y20G present that it will permit the individual to execute issues with the upcoming smartphone in seconds. Buyers can look forward to buying the Y20G through the official website of Vivo India surgery from the websites of e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. Vivo X70 Pro, V21e, V20 2021, V20, Y21, Y51A, and Y31 are slated to get Android twelve beta next year in January 2022. In March 2022, older devices resembling Vivo X50 Pro, X50, V20 Professional, V20 SE, Y33s, Y20G, Y53s, and Y12s will obtain the beta update.
In these 12 months, Vivo has additionally joined the Android 12 beta program. The vivo y20g is powered by an octa-core Mediatek Helio G80 chipset that is, besides being a robust gaming chipset, an extremely good integration. Vivo Y20G Expected Price in Pakistan is Rs. Every year they launch several smartphones in numerous price classes. Later final yr several Vivo smartphones acquired the Android eleven stable replace. X60 Professional, X60, V21, and Y72 5G customers will get the replacement. October 21: Vivo has announced the Android 12 Beta replacement timeline for India. 128GB variant. The machine might be available in two attractive colors, obsidian black and purist blue, on the Vivo India E-store, Amazon, Flipkart, Paytm, Tatacliq, and all accomplice retail stores.
It looks very thin when you choose it up, and with a weight of 192.3g, you will haven’t any bother carrying this telephone. Also, this cellphone uses an enormous 5000mAh battery, which can provide greater than 7 hours of the display screen on time. Google has already launched the beta build of Android 12 to provide builders ample time to work on their purposes, to make them appropriate with the upcoming construct of Android. Following the developer preview build, Google has launched the beta construct of Android 12 for the Pixel lineup. September 16: Vivo has silently launched Funtouch OS 12. Nevertheless, complete information is but to reveal by the corporate. Nonetheless, the company may bring Android 12 based OriginOSan alternative to Funtouch OS in select markets.


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J.L. French CEO: Ownership change will have positive impact on Sheboygan operation
The CEO of Sheboygan-based J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., said Friday that the pending sale of the company to a Mexican automotive components supplier should bring long-term stability and growth to the company’s Sheboygan operations. The sale to Tenedora Nemak S.A. de C. V., a subsidiary of ALFA S.A.B. de C.V., was announced Thursday and is expected to close by mid-August, pending regulatory approval. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.


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1 min read.Updated: 08 Jun 2021, 11:14 AM ISTLivemint
Dealers channel checks by various brokerages show that cement prices were raised in most markets in India in May. Cement dealers expect another round of price hikes in June
MUMBAI: Foreign brokerage house Credit Suisse expects profitability for the cement sector to improve as prices of key input material petroleum coke (petcoke) has declined, along with those of other commodities.
Akin to many other sectors, margins of cement makers were under pressure due to commodity cost inflation. Prices of petcoke and coal had started rising in recent months after having remained soft for most part of 2020. Freight cost for cement makers also inched up on dearer diesel.
In the March quarter of fiscal 2021, many cement manufacturers managed to contain operating margin erosion with cost control measures and use of cheaper alternatives to petcoke. However, the managements of key cement producers did caution of an impact on margins in a scenario of elevated input costs.
Apart from rationalising expenses, cement companies have also passed on some burden of increased costs to consumers. Dealers channel checks by various brokerages show that cement prices were raised in most markets in India in May. Cement dealers expect another round of price hikes in June. However, given the seasonal weakness in demand due to monsoon, sustainability of price hikes remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, among the pan-India focused cement makers, Credit Suisse is positive on UltraTech Cement Ltd and Ambuja Cement Ltd. The foreign resarch house feels that these companies are better placed than peers on volumes growth, capacity addition and balance sheet management.


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The new Shed 12 was built inside just six months and represents an investment of € 1.5 million. Managing Director of the Port of Kiel, Dr Dirk Claus said: “We are investing in our trade relations with Russia and want to further cement our co-operative partnership with Jacob Jürgensen Wood GmbH.” The Hamburg-based trading company has signed a long-term rental contract for Shed 12 with the port. “We have already been working with the Port of Kiel for several decades and we are looking forward to this further deepening of our co-operation”, said Rolf von Loßberg, Managing Director of Jacob Jürgensen Wood GmbH. “We value highly the service which the port of Kiel is able to offer us. Smooth processing and flexible support are just two reasons why, at present, we strongly favour Kiel as a Baltic port”, he added.
The location of the new warehouse - directly next to the berth for Russia ferries in the Ostuferhafen – is also ideal when weather-sensitive forestry products need to be brought under cover quickly and stored in dry conditions. The timber business at Jacob Jürgensen has shown very strong growth in the last few years and a large part of that growth has been generated by Russian timber products. The firm is one of the biggest importers of Siberian larch in Europe and its expanded co-operation now with the port of Kiel contributes to the stable and reliable supply of timber raw materials to European industrial and commercial clients. Dirk Claus said: “With Shed 12 we are meeting a growing need, boosting productivity and further increasing quality”. The new facility boasts 5,000 m² of ground area. It is 100 m long and 50 m wide and has a ridge height of 10m. Last year well over 82,000 m³ of sawn timber products were imported from Russia via Kiel and stored in the Ostuferhafen. That was an increase of 38% over the previous year.
“Growth in the Ostuferhafen is directly related to our investment in the expansion of warehouse space”, said Dirk Claus. Inside just three years available shed area has just about been tripled and today 85,000 m² are available. Some 20,000 m² of warehousing space alone is available for Russian forestry products. Incoming sawn timber is stored for many months in Kiel before being gradually moved on for finishing in German and west European concerns. Some of the products travel from Kiel to Italy, Spain or Portugal and some overseas containers are occasionally also packed in the Ostuferhafen for destinations in Australia, New Zealand or South America. Widely diverse products are created from the processed timber – from planks to garden sheds and fencing.


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According to the press release by Ford, scientists from both companies are exploring the opportunity of using dried up tomato skin to develop a more sustainable bio-plastic material, which the carmaker intends to use for manufacturing various auto parts.
“We are exploring whether this food processing by-product makes sense for an automotive application. Our goal is to develop a strong, lightweight material that meets our vehicle requirements, while at the same time reducing our overall environmental impact,” said Ellen Lee, Plastics Research Technical Specialist for Ford.
Heinz scientists have been searching for innovative ways to recycle and repurpose peels, stems and seeds from the more than two million tomatoes the company uses every year to produce its flagship Heinz Ketchup.
“We are delighted that the technology has been validated. Although we are in the very early stages of research, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce for both Heinz and Ford, and the advancement of sustainable 100% plant-based plastics,” said Vidhu Nagpal, Associate Director — Packaging R&D for Heinz.
The partnership between Ford and Heinz was first established in 2012, when both companies collaborated with the Coca-Cola Company, Nike Inc. and Procter & Gamble to accelerate development of a 100% plant-based plastic to be used to make everything from fabric to packaging and with a lower environmental impact than petroleum-based packaging materials currently in use.
Ford’s collaboration with Heinz further highlights the company’s commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as part of its global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint and speed up development of fuel-efficient vehicle technology around the globe. Recent years saw Ford increase its use of recycled non-metal and bio-based materials, with cellulose fibre-reinforced console components and rice hull-filled electrical cowl brackets introduced in the last year.


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Commentary. While the country discusses the effect that either candidate might have on the economy, at DRONELIFE we’re focused on the drone industry. Making a few projections based on the direction that the party and Mr. Trump have taken, here’s our take on the what a Trump presidency might mean for the drone industry; both the good and bad. We’re neutral parties: stay tuned next week for what Hilary may have in store for drones.
If there’s one thing that Mr. Trump has been clear about, it’s the need to secure the nation’s borders. Trump has discussed the various ways that he plans to support the border patrol – and running mate Mike Pence told Fox News that “Building the wall, establishing border security, has to be job one,” on the first day of his announced candidacy.
While the right way to accomplish Trump’s goal is a subject of hot debate, there is no doubt that more resources and support for the border patrol means a big opportunity for commercial drones. In fact, drones offer so much potential for border security that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already announced that they will hold an “industry day” in Silicon Valley at the end of this month. The day will be an effort to connect DHS with drone startups, and encourage them to develop technology that can help Customs and Border Protection use drones for surveillance, monitoring and tracking. DHS will award eligible companies with funding of $50,000 to $200,000 over a three- to six-month period. With a Trump presidency, that funding could certainly increase; and greater government opportunities for the drone industry could appear.
“When Donald J. Trump is president, China will be on notice that America is back in the global leadership business and that their days of currency manipulation and cheating are over,” says Trump’s website, in the section explaining his proposals for U.S.-China Trade Reform. “We will cut a better deal with China that helps American businesses and workers compete.”
As part of his proposal, Trump plans to adjust the corporate tax structure and tariff agreements in an effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and to level the playing field for U.S. products. If elected and successful in all or a portion of his China plan, the effect on the drone industry could well be dramatic. Currently, most of the top drone manufacturers selling in the U.S. are based in China, and U.S.-based companies like 3DR have moved their manufacturing there in order to compete.
While some of Trump’s proposals may prove a boon to the drone industry, a Trump presidency could have some downside: should drone regulations become more focused on privacy issues or a “small government” platform give more power to individual states the drone industry could suffer as a result.
Privacy and Security
When asked – in a discussion relating to the Common Core and the availability of student data – about privacy, Trump was crystal clear: all loopholes that allow personal data to be mined must be closed. “I would close all of it,” Trump stated emphatically. “You have to have privacy. You have to have privacy.”
But how far might Mr. Trump’s focus on privacy concerns go? The drone industry has recently seen a spate of politicians discuss privacy as they plan drone regulations – and the focus on the potential (if unlikely) risks can sometimes outweigh the focus on the potential economic benefit that the drone industry has to offer. If privacy concerns lead to regulations that limit commercial drone applications, the industry could be negatively affected.
Trump has garnered the support of “small-government” groups, and his running mate, Mike Pence, is a vocal proponent of states’ rights. But how far could that go? If a Trump presidency were to back individual states who want to create their own drone laws, the impact on the drone industry could be extreme.
States’ rights for drone regulation seems to be a bi-partisan issue. It was Democrat Dianne Feinstein from CA who argued forcefully against the “Preemption” clause – a clause establishing the authority of the FAA to regulate airspace – in the Senate’s version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill. But as the FAA and industry stakeholders point out, a “patchwork quilt” of drone regulations that differ across all 50 states will make it difficult for national drone businesses to flourish.
While we can only speculate on the results of the election – and the results on drone businesses – the stated positions of both candidates indicate a mixed impact on the industry. Next week we’ll look at the Clinton platform’s potential effect.


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Is exercising to lose weight or get into shape among one of your New Year’s resolutions? If so, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 90 percent of Americans make a resolution to change some aspects of their behavior, such as to lose weight, exercise, save more money or make other lifestyle changes.
The International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reports that more than 12 percent of gym memberships are activated in January, compared to an average of 8.3 percent per month during the rest of the year.
Wise shoppers look for specials such as no initiation fee or termination fee, low monthly payments, or some free personal training. Experts suggest you take a walk around the gym to check out the equipment to make sure it is in good working order and kept clean and also look at the overall cleanliness of the facility and locker rooms before making a decision.
These points are well-grounded, but there’s a glaring omission. What about indoor air quality?
Before You Take a Deep Breath
Many gyms have a policy that members should wipe down the equipment after using it to clean it for the next person. It’s natural to first think about the sweaty surfaces potentially spreading germs, but airborne bacteria are more pervasive.
In several of the Simply Better Living blog posts surrounding the topic of indoor air quality (IAQ), we have emphasized the fact that according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the indoor air quality of homes and other buildings can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. “For many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors rather than outdoors,” the report warns.
Add large groups of people in a room with equipment designed to induce vigorous inhaling and exhaling, and you’ve got a more significant air quality problem than similar-sized rooms not used for fitness.
A report from the Mayo Clinic points out that when you exercise, and your muscles work harder, your body uses more oxygen and produces more carbon dioxide. To cope with this extra demand, your breathing has to increase from about 15 times a minute (12 liters of air) when you are resting, up to about 40–60 times a minute (100 liters of air) during exercise. Mayo Clinic’s Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. says, “because you’re more likely to breathe deeply through your mouth during exercise, the air you breathe in generally bypasses your nasal passages, which normally filter airborne pollution particles.”
A 2014 study of fitness centers in Lisbon, Portugal, reports that gyms experience heightened carbon dioxide concentration, and higher occupancy correlates with the concentration of particulate matter in the air.
All that heavy breathing helps move around airborne viruses and bacteria, pollen, mold, dust, and particulates from carpeting and building materials.
While there still is not a standard for indoor air quality in fitness facilities, there is a growing awareness of the importance of filtrated air by gym-goers. Ask the facility director what is done to help ensure a healthier indoor air quality of the gym you are looking to become a member.
And in your own home, an air purifier with True HEPA filtration — like the Sharp FPF50UW air purifier — can help reduce pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, germs, bacteria, viruses, odors, mold, and fungus in your living space. This can help limit your exposure to air pollution indoors.


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Lucknow, Sep 18 (UNI) Utilising the facility extended by the Rs 20 lakh crore ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ package announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May, Uttar Pradesh government has roped in the banks to extend the credit of Rs 15,000 crore to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the short term to overcome the working capital woes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
UP government was aiming to help a large pool of MSME under the ‘Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme’, which was a part of the Rs 20 lakh crore package.
While 80 per cent of the state’s MSME have already started working at 80-100 per cent of their capacities after the lifting of the lockdown, efforts are being made to help the remaining units resume operations quickly.
“We are targeting to disburse loans worth Rs 15,000 crore to the MSMEs, for which the role of the commercial banks would be imperative,” UP Additional Chief Secretary, MSME and Export Promotion, Navneet Sehgal said here on Friday.
In this regard, he had a virtual interaction, organised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday, with bankers regarding the loans to MSMEs, post the Covid-19 challenges, and the steps needed to provide credit to the sector. The state government sought the co-operation of commercial banks even the overall growth of MSME in UP was better compared to other states.
“We have also identified industrial clusters under the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme across the 75 districts of the state,” Sehgal said, adding the banks should select ODOP products and handicrafts for providing the entrepreneurs with easy credit. The ODOP scheme was launched in 2018 to promote indigenous industries, and handicrafts by facilitating state support in terms of setting up of new enterprises, bank credit and marketing.
He lamented MSME units were still deprived of funding under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ package. The state has now decided to collate the details of MSMEs to resolve their grievances and provide them the credit line. Of the total 9,30,348 industrial units, according to the database of the UP MSME department, about 8,18,000 units are now functional. More than 70 per cent or 583,000 operational units are working at 80-100 per cent plant load factor (PLF), thus indicating a robust revival of their supply chains.
Similarly, 182,951 units and 34,515 units are working at the PLF of 50-80 per cent and 30-50 per cent, respectively. These operational industrial plants spanning different categories employ more than 5 million workers. Most of these units are located in the known industrial hubs of the state, including Moradabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Lucknow, Bhadohi etc. The state government is looking to double MSME exports in three years to Rs 2.40 Lakh crore. During 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years, the MSME exports from UP stood at Rs 1.14 Lakh crore.


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Best Buy has dropped a huge bombshell for many of its employees amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which is already killing a lot of businesses as well as the economy is also in a dire situation. Because the company has said that they will be furloughing around 51,000 of their employees starting April 19 because of the huge decrease in demand. It was seen that the COVID-19 situation forced everyone to do panic buying which meant that demand was huge for a time being. However, it is now seen that there is almost no demand and people are being let go by their employers.
Also, the unemployment rate in the US has gone at an all-time high right now meaning that more people are being laid off then you think. Since the demand increased in March for Best Buy, they hired a lot of people. But they are now furloughed since the demand is even lower than in regular months. As per Best Buy, people bought freezers, computer monitors and other items to use for their stays at home during the pandemic. Now that the pandemic situation and lockdown is here to stay, people are avoiding to go out of their homes. Therefore, Best Buy is taking the same decision as others to furlough their employees and adopt other cost-cutting measures.
They added that their “decision will impact nearly all of its part-time store employees and some of its full-time store employees in the U.S.” The company added that about 82% of its full-time employees who work in stores or in the field, such as the Geek Squad employees, will continue to be paid. Also, those employees who are being furloughed will also be able to take benefits of health care being offered to their full-time employees. This decision from Best Buy is definitely a sign of things to come for sure.


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Getzler Henrich said Mark Samson has returned to the firm as managing director.
“Mark’s reputation as a seasoned restructuring professional, both inside and outside of bankruptcy is widely respected,” commented co-chairman Bill Henrich. “We have enjoyed a long relationship with Mark, most recently as a special advisor to the firm. His experience as the founder of a specialty retailer that became the largest in its industry enriched his insights as a consultant.”
Samson also served as chairman of the audit committee and lead independent board director for an NYSE public company, the largest vertical clothing manufacturer in the United States, with 280 retail stores in 19 different countries. He has significant composition (out of court), Chapter 11 and 363 experience.
Co-chairman Joel Getzler noted, “Mark has served as interim CEO, CRO, president or financial advisor for more than 80 companies in the United States over the last 15 years, and his experience helping businesses with balance-sheet restructurings, operational and profit improvement programs, liquidations, debt replacements and sell-side transactions is a great fit with Getzler Henrich.” His industry experience includes hospitality, restaurants, food processing and manufacturing, distribution, apparel and textile, printing and retail.
Previously, Samson served on the board of a joint venture between an emerging market government, private enterprise, and the World Bank, and most recently, was operating partner at Praesidian Capital, a private investment firm focused on providing senior and subordinated debt along with growth capital to lower middle-market companies.


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Executives of Jio Platforms Ltd and Reliance Jio Infocomm deposed before a parliamentary panel on the issue of data safety on Wednesday and were asked if there is any data-sharing mechanism between the company and its investors Facebook and Google.
The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Personal Data Protection Bill, chaired by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, questioned Reliance Jio executives about privacy of data of its subscribers and users of Jio platforms.
"It was asked to Jio executives that does the company have any data-sharing mechanism with Google and Facebook and its users, to which the representatives of the telecom firm declined and informed that both tech players are its financial investors," Lekhi said after the meeting.
She said the company executives were in favour of data protection and its localisation in India.
Representatives of Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and Paytm have already deposed before the panel. While those of Ola, Uber and Airtel have also been called to appear before the panel.
Last week, Paytm was questioned about the quantum of Chinese investment in the company and was told that it should store customer data within India.
Prior to that Google was questioned over neutrality and was also asked whether or not it was violating fundamental rights of users by "controlling" their choices.
The Personal Data Protection Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on December 11, 2019. The bill seeks to provide for protection of personal data of individuals and establishment of a data protection authority for the same.
The proposed law seeks bar on storing and processing of personal data by entities without the explicit consent of an individual.
The bill was later referred to a joint select committee of both Houses of Parliament. The proposed law seeks bar on storing and processing of personal data by entities without the explicit consent of an individual.


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Protect Your Right To Take Supplements
Your right to take safe and natural supplements is coming under attack – and it’s time to fight back.
Led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, attorneys general from 14 states are calling on the feds to put tighter controls and restrictions on herbal remedies.
This comes after Schneiderman used bogus tests to have herbal extracts pulled from stores – tests so poorly conducted they were criticized by mainstream experts from respected institutions such as Harvard University.
After independent tests proved the supplements contained exactly what they were supposed to, Schneiderman quietly struck a deal with one of the stores he attacked, GNC, to allow the supplements back on shelves with no changes to their ingredients or how they’re made. (It’s a safe bet he’ll be cutting deals with the other stores, too.)
But being publicly proven wrong hasn’t stopped his baseless attacks. If anything, he’s only getting bolder – and if he gets his way, the herbal remedies you rely on could soon be pulled from stores across the country.
It’s time to take action to stop this before it goes too far. Write to your lawmakers and demand they look at the evidence, not Schneiderman’s fear-mongering, and urge them to stand up for your right to use safe and proven natural remedies.
The Alliance for Natural Health has a letter on its website that it will send on your behalf, which you can sign right here.


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Even during normal times Maretzke has to pull many strings. Together with ten colleagues from Group Logistics, he is responsible for ensuring that Volkswagen’s European transport network functions smoothly. This means that thousands of suppliers have to get their goods on the road so that they reach one of 26 plants at the right time. Often across several national borders. Maretzke is the link that shares information, solves problems and keeps the system running. “We are the hub between suppliers, haulage companies, brands and plants,” he says.
Since the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, nothing has been the same: factories are closing, borders are closed, suppliers are on a forced break. “When the shutdown came, we had many drivers on the road from Morocco, England and Portugal. They had long been on the road and were in danger of being stranded,” reports Maretzke. Answers had to be found quickly: what freight can still be brought to its destination? Which haulage company is capable of temporarily storing goods? Which routes can be used? “As one of the first crossings, the Brenner was closed. Within hours we had to find out whether the drivers could bypass Italy and come to us via the Balkans instead,” Maretzke explains.
“It’s a give and take. We help the transport companies, the transport companies help us. This has worked great in the crisis so far, because we can rely on each other”
For weeks, the logistics specialist has been in contact with transport companies, brands and plants in constant Skype conferences. “It’s a give and take. We help the transport companies, the transport companies help us. This has worked great in the crisis so far, because we can rely on each other,” says Maretzke. In particularly difficult phases, logistics experts from several departments support him so that none of the many threads are lost.
There is one situation in particular that Maretzke remembers: Four truck drivers from Slovenia headed for Salzgitter – but there is only enough unloading capacity for one truck. “Together with the haulage companies and the plant logistics specialists, we changed the program so that the trucks reached the plant at intervals of two hours and could be unloaded immediately.” This saves the haulage companies downtime and the drivers can make their way back. “I used to work in a haulage company myself and I know the worries of the dispatchers,” says Maretzke.
“When we head for Volkswagen, comparable regulations on infection protection apply at all locations. This is not a given and makes life easier for us as a freight company.”
Jörg Witt, Managing Director of the logistics company Duvenbeck, also praises the exchange of information: “We always knew what Volkswagen was up to and were able to adapt to it.” This applies to the freight volume – but also to security requirements for urgent deliveries. “When we head for Volkswagen, comparable regulations on infection protection apply at all locations. This is not a given and makes life easier for us as a freight company.”
The practical hygiene regulations at Volkswagen are also a good basis for the new start. “These regulations have emerged from close, joint coordination and are also the basis for our Group-wide hygiene guidelines.” As an example, Witt mentions the equipment of the driving personnel with masks, gloves and disinfectants. In recent weeks, Duvenbeck has used many vehicles in other sectors. These capacities can now be flexibly returned to the core business of the automotive industry.
“If everything goes according to plan, we’ll increase the freight volume from week to week.”
“The cooperation was intensive – and that was important for us,” says Cristina Corna, Managing Director Arcese Germany, about the difficult first weeks of the crisis. In daily updates, the employees of the transport company learnt what Volkswagen was planning. Arcese had a particular problem when many drivers saw the dramatic pictures from Italy – and no longer wanted to head for the country. “Our capacities were running low.” Volkswagen assisted by giving Arcese delivery priority for unloading. “This way we could use the trucks quickly for the next assignment.”
Corna’s team is also in close contact with Volkswagen for the restart. “If everything goes according to plan, we’ll increase the freight volume from week to week.” Disinfectants and masks are available to protect against infection.
Last week, Volkswagen’s first vehicle plant in Germany went back into operation in Zwickau – slowly and gradually. Further locations will follow this week, including the main plant in Wolfsburg. Once again, logisticians and transport companies are facing challenges together: Many companies are only allowed to work to a limited extent, others are affected by curfews. It is also difficult to plan the demand of the plants – nevertheless the appropriate number of drivers must be available. “We inform the haulage companies as early and as well as possible so that they can get their people back at the right time,” says Maretzke. Whereas in March the focus was on decelerating quickly, detailed planning is now required. The passionate logistics expert has no illusions that the next few weeks could become more relaxing. Maretzke: “The restart will be at least as demanding as the shutdown. But we’ll manage it.”


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- 8 February 2021
- Transport / Logistics Services
In a white paper called ‘Small business sustainability in a COVID-19 world’, Australia Post has shown how almost half of small businesses in the country consider sustainability to be very important to their future success.
Small businesses in Australia employ almost half the national workforce, and the postal operator says that it has never been more important for them to consider the role that sustainability plays in their future growth.
The white paper, published by Australia Post and the Banksia Foundation, examines the key drivers and sustainability issues faced by small businesses. It provides a ten step roadmap to help them prioritise sustainability and achieve their goals that include committing to sustainable packaging, assessing their existing practices and adopting a principles based approach to doing business.
Australia Post Executive General Manager, Business, Government and International, Gary Starr said sustainability for businesses now extends beyond reputation and trust, and is critical to long-term survival, security and competitive advantage.
“It’s a new year, and there has never been a more important time for small businesses to be directing their focus towards sustainability and improving their overall resilience,” said Mr Starr.
“Research consistently finds that consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that are sustainable, and many are willing to pay more for products and services that protect the environment or don’t infringe on human rights, and this trend has only been accelerated by the pandemic.
“As many small to medium businesses are often occupied with the immediate concerns of running a business, sustainability isn’t always top of mind, but developing more sustainable products and operations is becoming increasingly important, and it’s easier to get started than many businesses realise.
“Small businesses are the engine room of our economy and one of Australia Post’s largest customer groups, we hope this research will be helpful to businesses embarking on a journey towards sustainability so they can take advantage of new opportunities and grow their business in a sustainable way,” Mr Starr concluded.
Banksia Foundation Chief Executive Officer Graz Van Egmond said unlike large businesses, resources are limited to assist small businesses to be more sustainable, and she hopes this report will guide them to have a positive impact by incorporating sustainability into the core of their business strategies.
“Now more than ever Australia needs small businesses, and we have a real opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy than the one we left behind prior to COVID-19.
“I hope this report stimulates thought and action in small businesses across Australia,” Ms Van Egmond said.


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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-06-16 Origin: Site
Indian manufacturers of corrugated boxes say raw material shortage in the domestic market due to increased exports of paper pulp to China is crippling operations. The price of kraft paper, the main raw material for the industry, has risen over the last few months. Manufacturers attribute it to increased exports of the commodity to China, which has switched to using pure paper fibre from this year. On Wednesday, the South India Corrugated Box Manufacturers’ Association (SICBMA) urged the Centre to impose an immediate ban on the export of kraft paper in any form as "its supply has shrunk by over 50% in the local market in the recent months, hitting production and threatening to send hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry packing". Export of recycled kraft pulp rolls (RCP) to China has pushed up the price of kraft paper by almost 70% since August 2020, the association said. Corrugated boxes, also known as carton boxes, are extensively used by companies in the pharma, FMCG, foods, automobiles and electrical appliances sectors for packaging. Although the demand for such boxes has steadily grown during the Covid-19 pandemic, their manufacturers have not been able to ensure steady supply owing to the shortage of raw material. This, coupled with an unprecedented price rise, has pushed some manufacturers to the brink of closure. Manufacturers said the crisis can be attributed to the gap in the supply chain of domestic waste due to exports, and the gap in capacity utilisation of kraft production units, as almost 25% of domestic kraft manufacturing capacity is currently being used for exports. "We have been struggling because there is a severe shortage of paper," said a member of the Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers’ Association (ICCMA), on the condition of anonymity. "The main reason is the ban by the Chinese government on import of waste because it was polluting. India was never exporting paper to anyone in the world, because the paper quality and technology was not at par with the rest of the world. But because of this ban, China has become so hungry that it is ready to import anything." The industry executive said that India is now exporting paper pulp to China. According to the executive, owing to the ban in China, India is importing waste paper, converting it into what is called 'purified waste', or what is technically called a 'roll', which is then exported to the Chinese paper mills. "India has become like a laundry," another member of the ICCMA said. "Owing to mounting domestic and international pressure, the Chinese government had announced in 2018 that from January 1, 2021 they would completely ban import of waste, which is what led to the large-scale recycling of kraft paper that we see in India today. The junk is leftover in India and pure paper fibre is going to China. That is causing a huge shortage in our country for paper and the prices have skyrocketed..." Kraft paper mills say the reduced availability is mainly on account of rising prices of imported and domestic waste paper on the supply side as a result of Covid-19-induced slowdown and disruptions. According to ICCMA, Indian kraft paper mills exported 10.61 lakh tonnes in 2020 compared with 4.96 lakhs tonnes in 2019. This export has triggered the outflow of domestic waste cuttings from the Indian market to manufacture pulp rolls for China which leaves behind a trail of pollution problems in the country. It has also disrupted the domestic supply chain, creating a scarcity situation and pushing up prices of local waste to Rs 23/kg from Rs 10/kg in just a year. "On the demand side, they are taking advantage of the lucrative opportunity to export kraft paper and recycled roll pulp to China to fill the supply gap, as mills there face the impact of an import ban of all solid waste, including waste paper, with effect from January 1, 2021 onwards," members of the ICCMA said. The demand gap and attractive pricing in China is displacing the output of Indian kraft paper from the domestic market and driving up the prices of finished paper and recycled fibre. Export of recycled pulp rolls by Indian kraft mills is expected to touch about 2 million tonnes this year, roughly 20% of the total domestic kraft paper production in India. This development, on the base of zero export prior to 2018, is a game-changer in supply-side dynamics, going forward, the ICCMA said. The corrugated box industry employs over 600,000 people and is mainly concentrated in the MSME space. It consumes about 7.5 million MT per year of recycled kraft paper and produces 100% recyclable corrugated boxes with a turnover of Rs 27,000 crore.
Hubei Langyou International Trading Co., Ltd is a renowned pharmaceutical manufacturer. We can offer high quality products at competitive price in quick delivery with 100% custom pass guaranteed.


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British inflation hit its highest level since September 2013 last month, building on its sharp rise since the vote to leave the European Union and tightening the squeeze on living costs for households ahead of a national election on June 8.
Consumer prices rose in April by an annual 2.7 percent, the Office for National Statistics said on Tuesday, and economists said inflation would climb further as the fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote pushes up the cost of imports.
Economists taking part in a Reuters poll had predicted a rise of 2.6 percent.
Much of the rise in April was due to the late timing of the Easter holiday which pushed up air fares. But the combination of sterling’s fall and higher oil prices are pushing up inflation across the board for consumers and businesses.
Last week Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned this year would be challenging for consumers, saying that wages are about to fall in real, inflation-adjusted terms.
The head of Britain’s biggest trade union group said Tuesday’s inflation data meant living standards should be front and center of the election campaign.
“The last thing Britain needs is another real wage slump. But rising prices are hammering pay packets,” Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O’Grady said.
“Working people are still 20 pounds a week worse off, on average, than they were before the (financial) crash. That’s why living standards must be a key battleground at this election.”
Prime Minister Theresa May is widely expected to defeat the opposition Labour Party which is calling for an end to strict limits on public sector pay growth and higher minimum wage.
Despite the inflation rise, however, the economy is far from overheating — meaning that all but one of the BoE’s eight policymakers voted last week to keep interest rates on hold.
AIRFARES SWING IN EASTER
The latest inflation figures were boosted most of all by rising airfares during the Easter holidays which last year took place in March. Rising clothing prices, higher car tax and electricity also pushed up consumer prices.
One-off effects aside, some see more inflation ahead.
“We remain convinced that the market is underestimating the further upside for inflation from here,” Scotiabank analyst Alan Clarke said, adding that he expected utility bills, food costs and the weak pound to put more pressure on prices in future.
Sterling briefly spiked to its highest in almost a week against the dollar before falling back.
Many economists say the impact of the fall in sterling on consumer prices will be felt more strongly in the coming months, and the central bank expects inflation to peak at nearly 3 percent by the end of this year
Capital Economics said it expected inflation to exceed 3 percent before the end of the year but saw little sign of domestic inflation pressures becoming entrenched.
Excluding oil prices and other volatile components such as food, core consumer price inflation rose to 2.4 percent, the strongest rate since March 2013 and above economists’ expectations for it to rise to 2.2 percent.
Services prices – which the BoE uses as a guide to domestic inflation pressures – rose by 3.0 percent, the biggest jump since September 2013, pushed up by the higher air fares.
Factory output prices – a guide to future consumer price pressures – increased 3.6 percent, unchanged from the previous month and above forecasts of a 3.4 percent annual increase in the Reuters poll.
Prices paid by factories for materials and energy rose at the weakest annual pace since November, up 16.6 percent.
The ONS said house prices in March rose at their weakest rate since October 2013, up 4.1 percent on the year. Prices in London alone grew 1.5 percent, the weakest since March 2012.
(Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)


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First and foremost, we want to thank our customers for an amazing season thus far. We are thrilled to have been able to open this year and serve you. Many of you have asked, and we are excited to announce...
Black Friday is on! Pending changing regulations from our state and government, we plan to *safely* hold Black Friday this year, with a couple of changes. The safety of our employees and customers is at the forefront of our sale this year. We will be limiting store capacity to hold 25 customers at once. During the sale, we will be doing our part by wearing masks, sanitizing frequently, and providing hand sanitizer for public use. We ask our customers to do their part by wearing masks, maintaining a 6ft distance from other guests when possible, and limiting contact with items throughout the store. This will be a big change for us this year, so we ask for your patience and understanding throughout this busy holiday season in advance. We promise to do our best to ensure a fun and safe shopping experience.
Black Friday at Hatteras Island Boardsports will begin on Saturday, November 21st at 10 am and will end on Sunday, November 29th at 6 pm. The big sale applies to in store purchases only. Our online site will have a 30% discount applied to items at checkout from Nov. 21st - Dec. 24. Our regular off season store hours of 10-6 will remain during the duration of the sale.
Beginning on November 30th, we are excited to announce a new way to save here at Hatteras Island Boardsports. This year will be our first annual "25 Days of Savings". Each day will represent a category or a special sale! All categories are discounted 30% off that day ONLY. On the 23rd, Surfboards will be $50 off, and on the 24th, the store will be 40% off storewide, which will only exclude surfboards. Please see the calendar on our social media outlets for more details.
Another new and exciting thing you will see at Hatteras Island Boardsports this year is a drop box for Toys for Tots. We encourage our customers to help us support this cause that supports Dare County children in need of presents this holiday season. The donation opportunity will run from the first week of November until December 13th. Every person that donates will be put into a raffle for a drawing of a $50 HIB gift certificate! The gift certificate winner will be announced on December 15th.
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to seeing you this holiday season!


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‘Disappointing’, pretty much sums up how I would describe the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s price talks with the major energy retailers yesterday.
‘Wasted opportunity’ might be other words I’d use. Because I fail to see how introducing added layers of compliance such as those proposed by the PM and the big retailers, is going to actually solve the fact that in NSW alone more than 100,000 residential customers can’t pay their bills and have an average electricity debt of more than $500.
Energy must be accessible and affordable for everyone. And in my view, solving that particular problem starts with the way we currently generate energy in this country.
The ‘4 commitments’ by the big retailers will place an unnecessary administration burden and compliance cost on smaller retailers, many of whom are already doing the right thing by their customers, on shoestring operating budgets and with limited manpower.
The ‘4 Commitments’ don’t address the systemic problems faced by the industry which stem from a lack of rigorous control over the way generators operate – which is widely acknowledged as directly affecting energy prices.
Nor do they go anyway towards facilitating innovation and competition.
Ingenuity is what Australia was built upon. It’s the Government’s role to champion an efficient industry that thrives on healthy competition, by actively encouraging small companies, like Enova Energy, rather than hindering them. These smaller start-ups have nimble, responsive, business models and clever ideas about how energy supply and energy distribution can be done differently, at a community level.
Australia needs a robust energy marketplace that’s not dominated by one or two players. Because such a market would deliver greater transparency for customers and more choice.
The game is changing, but the current playing field is far from level and consumers are suffering. Yesterday’s talks do nothing to change that fact.
The Government needs to stop procrastinating and start to nurture Australia’s transition to renewables too … because it’s happening anyway.
We’re already seeing a groundswell of smaller energy companies harnessing renewables like solar, wind and biofuels, and creating customer-centric supply and distribution channels.
It would be a disaster to see these companies fail over mandated administration and compliance that will do little to actually curb rising prices.


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Leading into this year's Lotusphere conference, Constellation Research Group principal analyst and former IBM employee Alan Lepofsky said IBM will have to approach its new venture in social business by emphasising the most important factor - the benefits.
Now, two days into Lotusphere and the inaugural launch of the coinciding Connect conference, IBM can check that off its list.
At this year's Lotusphere conference, IBM made some major fundamental changes in order to get people talking about the tools they use to talk to each other. Alongside Lotusphere, IBM launched its Connect conference this year to instill a line-of-business voice into the traditionally IT-focused Lotusphere conference, specifically with the aim of pushing its next-generation social business products and services. IBM sees social business, which integrates social media tools like microblogging, wikis and instant messaging into enterprise communications tools, as the future of corporate collaboration. With IBM Connect running alongside Lotusphere, the company aimed not only to teach technologists how to implement social business tools, but also to demonstrate to high-level executives why they should be interested in them.
According to Sandy Carter, vice president of Social Business and Collaboration Solutions Sales and Evangelism at IBM, the blending of IT managers and business executives will set this year's gathering at Walt Disney World in Orlando apart from those of the past.
"The thing that I think is very unique about these two events being housed together is the fact that you have business and IT," Carter says. "The Connect event has chief marketing officers, chief HR officers, chief innovation officers. Not IT, but the line of business speaking on what they did, why they did it and how it impacted their business. And then housed right there is the technologist speaking on 'how do I leverage and use this to drive it together for success.'"
R "Ray" Wang, principal analyst and CEO of Constellation Research Group, believes IBM has united the technology and business communities quite successfully at this year's event. With the objective of pushing collaboration within the enterprise, IBM has succeeded in facilitating collaboration among attendees across its two conferences, Wang says.
"The business leader track at IBM Connect is packed and buzzing," Wang says. "There's good crossover with the core Lotusphere attendees who are looking for innovation."
The result, according to Wang, has been exactly what his Constellation Research Group colleague Lepofsky prescribed -- widespread recognition of the advantages of social business among IBM customers. Citing success stories from such large organizations as CEMEX, Electrolux and Children's Hospital of Boston, each of which were presented during the event, Wang says IBM is putting the impetus on attending companies to follow suit.
"The big impact is that customers can see that the early adopters may get ahead of them, creating a corporate digital divide," Wang says.
With Lotusphere, and the launch of its first coinciding business-oriented IBM Connect conference, the company has leveraged growing consumer social media use at the right time, directing employees' naturally developed skills in this field toward a more productive outlet in the enterprise, Wang says.
"The big difference [at this year's event] is that consumerization of IT is in full effect," Wang says. "Customers have seen social in their personal lives and can relate to how this can apply to business. Last year, IBM was forward marketing. This year the products are catching up to the marketing and customers are more receptive."
If IBM can keep the momentum going from its strong first step into the social business field, it may find itself competing in a fast-growing and potentially lucrative market. According to Forrester Research, the social business market is expected to reach $6.4 billion by 2016, up from $600 million in 2011.
Colin Neagle covers Microsoft security and network management for Network World. Keep up with his blog: Rated Critical, follow him on Twitter: @ntwrkwrldneagle. Colin's email is email@example.com.
Read more about lans and routers in Network World's LANs & Routers section.


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Eurochem, Russia's largest producer of nitrogen fertilizers, is in the final stages of bidding for BASF assets, and the successful suitor may be announced this week, three people familiar with the sale said.
Eurochem is also considering the purchase of a K+S operation that has a contract to distribute BASF's nitrogen fertilizer, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the sale process is private.
BASF is selling a nitrogen site in Antwerp, Belgium, and a share of a venture in France. The assets are profitable and generate annual sales of about 500 million euros ($684 million). The chemical maker put the bulk of its fertilizer operations up for sale in February.


text: Over 1000+ customers asking ‘where is my CookieSkin?’ The Founder of CookieSkin, a skincare brand popular amongst Nigerian women worldwide recently reached out to worried customers using social media. In the video, Leslie Okoye, the CEO of L’Okoye, apologizes to affected customers who pre-ordered months ago. A post shared by CookieSkin® (@cookieskin) on Oct 4, 2017 at 6:52am PDT Here is an interview with the founder of CookieSkin Leslie Okoye. Q: Leslie, how has your year been so far? L: My year has been wonderful and I am very grateful to God for all the blessings and lessons Q: How is the company so far? Anything new? The biggest thing we are up to currently is expanding into the United Kingdom and United States officially. We previously have been serving customers in those countries already but we now have created.


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PHENOMENON of Storms Sandy that hit the United States and around to make many people cringe and increasingly wary of the increasingly erratic weather. Natural conditions also makes a number of flooded social networking posts related to storm sandy.
The latest report from future games console from Microsoft, Xbox 720, likely will have features similar to Siri.
Yes, this means that the Xbox 720 can be controlled via voice commands.
Excerpted from The Verge, Friday (2/8), this information comes from [...]
Everyone wants to prepare for Cisco certification exams the right way because the right way is what is going to earn a passing score. But what is this elusive right way? Hold on to your exam registration. You’re about to find out exactly what you [...]
New milestone in historical research.
Rover U.S. space agency (NASA) who was conducting research on the surface of Mars have scooped soil samples on the Red Planet for analysis. Lab science runs that find colored object which experts believed to be man-made [...]
BBC Weather Twitter account today hijacked by a hacker group called the Syrian Electronic Army.
This hacker group is a group that supports the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, as reported by cnet.com (21/03).
Through Reuters, BBC ensure that their [...]
Many people who do not want to buy a ring tone as their smartphone. But not a few who complained about the use of the song into ringtone is quite disturbing.
The most easy and free way to make ringtone for your iPhone is using iTunes as reported from [...]
Promoting tourism and economic development to the outside world with more easily.
Google began to introduce the features of Google Street View in Indonesia after Friday afternoon (11/23) symbolically release two special cars that will record the roads [...]
AMD (03/13) announced the first time the presence of AMD Elite A-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), which was given the code name of “Richland”.
AMD A-Series APUs will present the latest innovation for users, such as log-in using [...]
It has been rumored for a long time by a number of observers.
Smartpone manufacturer from South Korea, starting today officially launched the Galaxy Note II version dual Sim Card.
In the official website of Samsung’s China, some observers expressed [...]
Here are a few smartphones that fit when used by women. Here’s the short list.
1. Sony Xperia U (Pink / Yellow)
Xperia U is not reserved for women. But the bottom cap colors yellow and pink can make a choice. About the specs, the smartphone is [...]
Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 astronaut, plans to sell graffiti sheets contains instructions and guidelines that he uses when for the first time landing on the Moon.
Sheets of paper that contains guidelines used Aldrin when Neil Armstrong was driving the Lunar [...]


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Despite its low price, the Hisense Sero 7 LT tablet doesn’t seem terrible on paper.
Remember Star Trek‘s tricorder? Someone’s making the early 21st century version of one.
The mobile platform wars are a fascinating topic. Why dumb them down by obsessively trying to pick a winner?
Here are the most useful keyboard shortcuts in Mountain Lion (and all OS X versions, starting with OS X 10.2 Jaguar), plus a selection of trackpad swipes, flicks, taps and pinches.
A company called Amprius is getting closer to delivering salvation from so-so smartphone batteries.
If you recently purchased a new phone, whether it’s a smartphones or feature phone, it may receive emergency alerts.
The e-mail app that practically caused riots among iPhone users arrives on Apple’s tablet — no wait required.
While the Xbox One is all-new from a technology standpoint, it also feels like a continuance of the ideas that Microsoft has been adding to the Xbox 360 since 2005.
With Xbox One, Microsoft’s moving to secure its place as your living room’s de facto media hub — with or without games.
Forget Yahoo the web portal, forget Yahoo the e-mail service, forget Yahoo the company that just bought Tumblr: Back in 2005, there was a Yahoo DVD player.
During a “fireside chat” about Glass at Google’s I/O conference, Google employees opened up.
When Google announced its new Hangouts app on Wednesday, it didn’t mention an exception for AT&T customers: the app’s free video calling won’t work on AT&T’s network.


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Microsoft acquires Activision, the troubled publisher of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo. The deal will value Activision at $ 68.7 billion, well above the $ 26 billion Microsoft paid to buy LinkedIn in 2016. It is Microsoft's biggest push for gaming, and the company says it will be the "third largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony "when the agreement is closed.
Microsoft plans to add many of Activision's games to the Xbox Game Pass when the deal closes. With the acquisition of Activision, Microsoft will soon release franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty and Candy destruction. "When we're done, we'll be offering as many Activision Blizzard games as we can in Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard's incredible catalog," said Microsoft's CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer.
Xbox Game Pass now has 25 million subscribers as Microsoft continues to acquire studios to boost the subscription service.
Microsoft's deal comes after months of allegations of sexual harassment against Activision Blizzard. Last July, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) sued Activision Blizzard for promoting a culture of "constant sexual harassment." Several employees have come forward with several allegations of sexual misconduct ever since, and the company reached a $ 18 million settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September. That settlement is being appealed, and reports suggest that nearly 40 Activision Blizzard employees have reportedly "left" the company since July last year.
Microsoft does not describe exactly how it will approach the resolution of these issues, and the company says Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard until further notice. However, it appears that Kotick will not remain when the agreement is completely closed and after the transition period to Microsoft. Phil Spencer, former head of gaming at Microsoft, is now CEO of Microsoft Gaming, and the company says the Activision Blizzard business will report directly to Spencer.
"As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey of inclusion in all aspects of gaming, among both employees and gamers," said Microsoft CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer. "We deeply appreciate individual study cultures. We also believe that creative success and independence go hand in hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams and all leaders to this commitment. We look forward to expanding our culture. for proactive inclusion for the amazing teams across Activision Blizzard. "
Microsoft's huge Activision Blizzard deal comes almost a year after the company bought Bethesda (ZeniMax Media) for 7.5 billion. At the time, this acquisition strengthened the company's first-party Xbox game studios to a total of 23, and it was seen as a huge boost for the Xbox Game Pass.


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When it comes to music streaming apps, Spotify is one of the top choices to many users around the globe. A wide music library and personalized playlist is what makes the app very popular.
And in order to improve user experience, Spotify is currently testing out a number of new features on the Android platform. Now, users of the said platform can rejoice as these new features may soon debut on the app.
Spotify Testing Out Google Maps Integration On Android Platform
Spotify manages to attract more and more listeners year on year in both iOS and Android. In 2018, Spotify held 36.2% of the market share, which evidently increased from the 35.8% from 2017.
Jane Manchun Wong, discovered that new features are being tested out by Spotify. She is the same person who also discovered that Facebook is working on a new dating feature.
One of features Spotify is working on is the integration of Google Maps in the app. This new integration will show “smart commute updates” which will allow users to manage Spotify controls while inside the navigational app.
This aimed for a safer skipping, shuffling, repeating and selecting songs while driving. This would also help drivers concentrate more on the road than shuffling on their devices.
Initially, we have already seen Waze support on the Spotify app. With this new integration, it would be a big deal for users who prefer Google Maps over Waze.
Spotify For Android May Also Add More Features
Another exciting feature that may be coming to Spotify app for Android is the Sleep Timer. This is particularly useful for users who listen to music while going to sleep.
The Sleep Timer, will allow users to set a specific amount of time until the Spotify app stops playing. Once Spotify will make this feature available, you can find it in the app Settings.
The third feature that Spotify is testing out is “Connect with friends” which will be seen in the “Connect to a device” interface of the app.
This feature allows your friends to add tracks on your playlist and you to your friends as well by just scanning a code. And it would be another great way to connect with your friends and loved ones.
However, since these features are just being tested out, there is no guarantee whether Spotify will make it available to the public.
We will have to wait for Spotify’s announcement on the debut of these features in the Android devices.


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(July 17): Asia generated over US$900 billion ($1.252 trillion) in payments revenues in 2019, nearly half of the worldwide total. Asia’s payments revenues also outpaced other regions, averaging over 9% annually over the past decade. The importance of payments to banking in Asia has increased as well, representing 44% of aggregate banking revenues in the region.
Covid-19 has accelerated several ongoing trends in Asia payments, most notably driving an unprecedented rise in contactless payments, with the digital user base growing by up to 20% in select Asian markets over the last three months and with 50% to 80% of new adopters expected to continue usage.
However, it has also resulted in reduced discretionary spending, lower trade volumes and declining interest rates. Consequently, Asia payments are likely to witness a revenue decline of approximately 10% in 2020.
As a response to the state of flux in which the industry finds itself, McKinsey launched its proprietary Asia Payments Practitioner Survey, covering 56 leading payments leaders from 13 Asian markets to seek perspectives on the key shifts expected in Asia payments over the coming five years. With the help of this input, we have identified seven trends likely to shape Asia payments going forward.
Digital wallets and QR are the next normal: Despite recent migration to digital payment methods, Asia remains the world’s most cash-reliant region (about 65% of transactions in 2019). The recent momentum achieved by e-wallet providers and QR-enabled solutions is likely to accelerate moves away from cash, particularly in developing markets, with contactless cards serving as a driver in developed Asia.
The battle between banks and platforms will intensify: Banks, leveraging their incumbent positions and established customer trust advantage, are seen as the most logical payment providers in emerging markets. As realtime payments become the norm, banks will have an advantage over non-bank providers. In developed markets, experts view digital ecosystems and Big Tech players (eg, Google and Facebook) as better positioned to win, given the superior user experience and ubiquitous reach of “super apps” offered by these players and increasingly connected to funding sources like bank accounts or credit cards.
Current account relationships will unbundle: Historically, Asian customers have maintained sufficient current account liquidity to enable timely transactions. This has led to many banks investing in payments despite declining fee revenues. A majority of respondents (57%) anticipate a decoupling of current accounts and payments. As real-time payments and digital wallets reduce friction and time to transfer, account holders may embrace a wallet for payments while cherry-picking a bank for current accounts. This will force banks in the region to rethink current account propositions.
Acquiring will see a resurgence, with new business models: Acquiring is expected to undergo a significant shift, given rapid growth in e-commerce and a likely decline in merchant discount rates (87% of our respondents estimate MDR declines of 20% or more). This will induce a scale-up from mere payments processing to monetise adjacent value-added services (such as reconciliation, loyalty, lending and deposits). These adjacent services could account for over 50% of acquirer revenues by 2025. Lower MDR and faster settlements will drive smaller merchant adoption. Competition between global specialist acquirers and local legacy champions will likely heat up as the specialists seek new growth markets in Asia and have proven expertise in building out what is increasingly becoming a “software” business.
A shrinking reliance on physical infrastructure: The current environment gives Asia an unprecedented opportunity to reduce reliance on cash. Increased digitisation will also spur a shakeout in physical infrastructure, with reductions of more than 20% in branch and ATM networks expected. Select digital currencies such as Libra and the China CBDC could gain traction in select markets. As demand for cash declines, banks can consider a utility model, outsourcing or sharing ATMs. In parallel, banks could play a service provider role to digital currencies by providing local clearing and settlements.
Bilateral cross-border partnerships will accelerate: Cross-border payments in Asia have been plagued by the twin challenges of long settlement times and high costs. While over 70% of experts believe a pan-European regional infrastructure like SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) would be beneficial in Asean, they are sceptical of the execution. The more likely scenario is a series of bilateral agreements (eg, Nets with NPCI). In addition, regional ecosystem players could disrupt this space
Consolidation could drive ‘horizontalisation’: Rationalisation in a fragmented payments market is likely. Nearly two-thirds of experts expect further consolidation — whether across the value chain (eg, networks combining with merchant acquirers) or within a specific category (eg, e-wallets). Given reductions in venture capital funding to FinTech players, we expect to see larger banks and tech firms make acquisitions to build out their product portfolios.
Covid-19 has further fuelled profound changes already underway in Asia payments. However, it has brightened the long-term outlook and could propel future growth in Asia payments via increased cash displacement and digitisation. Winning in the new normal will require players to reimagine their value proposition with a digital-first business model, potentially mirroring traits of a technology company.
Jacob Dahl is a Senior Partner and leads McKinsey’s Financial Services Practice in Asia and emerging markets. Bharath Sattanathan is a Partner and Leader in Asia Banking and Payments Practice. Reet Chaudhuri is a Junior Partner and leads McKinsey’s Payments Practice in Asia.


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The Germany-based firm is seeing signs of turnaround at Reebok as well as sales gains in North American markets.
Karl Lagerfeld’s resort ’16 show in Seoul featured subtle updates on the house’s classic footwear styles.
Blake, Pete and Erik Nordstrom will retain their current roles and responsibilities at the department store and continue to serve on the board of directors.
“The Light Ups are iconic, so that’s what we wanted to continue the launch with,” said Tyga, the brand’s creative consultant.
Check out the best celebrity shoe Instagrams and Tweets from behind-the-scenes at the 2015 Met Gala.
Explore our gallery of red carpet arrivals to see how celebrities, models and designers interpreted this year’s theme.
Audrey Hepburn’s birthday today is marked by her sense of style and passion for ballet flats.
The actress has just revealed the shoes she’ll be wearing for the event.


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Location, location, location
An employee relying on a lone worker device in a threatening situation needs to know their system will work fast.
One key speed performance indicator is the time it takes to get a location fix on the device, known as the time to first fix, or the TTFF. This time differs depending on various factors, including the technology.
While most lone worker devices use GPS alone, SoloProtect ID is the first, and currently the only, dedicated lone worker device that utilizes GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology.
The makers, UK-based SoloProtect, will be exhibiting the SoloProtect ID at the Retail Risk – Los Angeles conference on February 22nd. To register for the conference, free to all retailers, go to http://www.retailrisk.com/los-angeles/.
GNSS uses nearly three times as many satellites as GPS, including those available to GPS, making the TTFF both quicker and more accurate—critical for the call to action.
Without a fast TTFF in a genuine emergency situation, opportunities to record and react to what happens in the early stages of an incident may be lost.
With pre-loaded “maps” of multiple satellite networks via A-GNSS (Assisted-GNSS), it is often possible to get a location fix within seconds.
Calls from the device in the US are connected to the SoloProtect Monitoring Center where a team of Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (AEMD), Cross CPR, and HIPAA-certified operators, will support you in the event of an emergency.
Having a reliable alarm system is vital to employees and to employers, and can result in fewer days off work and less attrition. Additionally, using the device reduces the need for the deployment of pairs on a buddy system.
SoloProtect says it will continue exploring new technology to help lower the risk of those working alone, and employing GNSS and A-GNSS marks momentous headway in reducing the time it takes to assist a lone worker in their emergency.
SoloProtect’s solutions have been adopted by leading brands including HH Hunt, Penn Engineering, Sky, Hilti, The Body Shop, John Lewis, Holiday Inn, L’Oreal and Albany International, to name a few.
Source: Loss and Prevention News


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The company is putting on the first promotional event for drones.
From 6th May to 19th June 2016, piloting a drone will be more accessible than ever with Parrot offering £20 to £80 off its consumer drone products
As a pioneer in the leisure drones market, Parrot is set to launch the first seasonal event dedicated to drones, “It’s Flying Season”
From the Minidrones which are for the next generation of pilots, to the Bebop, the ultra-compact and lightweight leisure drone equipped with a full HD camera that can be carried anywhere, the entire range of Parrot consumer drones will be sold with discounts from £20 to £80.
“To pilot a leisure drone is not and should not be reserved for the elite nor to expert pilots. It is with this conviction that Parrot developed a range of compact, lightweight and robust drones which are all easy to control with a smartphone, “ said François Ruault, sales and marketing director at Parrot. “With ‘Flying Season’ we wish to blow a wind of ingenuity before summer. Our ambition is to create a yearly moment in which people can add a new dimension to their play, to their time with others and to their memories.”


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The latest from Snapsheet for you;
Snapsheet, the pioneer of virtual appraisals and an emerging leader in cloud-native claims management software, recently announced that NYCM Insurance, a leading personal lines insurance carrier serving customers in New York State, is tapping Snapsheet Payments software to enable digital payments for customers alongside its existing check option.
In addition to digitizing payments, Snapsheet will also facilitate faster communication methods during the payments process, power automated workflows, and offer increased transparency into payment statuses. Further, Snapsheet is providing NYCM Insurance with access to a vendor network, enabling the carrier to electronically pay vendors, including third-party administrators, law firms, property contractors, and others.
“An established and trusted insurance carrier for more than 120 years, it’s clear that NYCM Insurance values customer service and satisfaction,” said Brad Weisberg, CEO and founder of Snapsheet. “Today, as customers have grown increasingly accustomed to the convenience and efficiency that comes with digital experiences, electronic payment options are a must-have. We are proud to pioneer the digital payments transformation for our clients across the globe, helping them better meet, and exceed, modern customer expectations.”


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Retail chain Co-op has confirmed it will open a new store in Lady Bay, creating 15 new jobs.
The shop is expected to open at 111 Trent Boulevard in November following a £500,000 investment.
The Co-op says the new store will be good for the area and they have already set up plans to work with the local community.
Alistair Smith, speaking for the Co-Op, said: “The new store will bring a funding boost for community groups through the recently launched Membership scheme.
“Members will receive a five percent reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further one percent going directly to local causes to make a difference in the community.”
Causes that are being supported by this scheme include 3rd West Bridgford (Friary) Scouts and local charities Moo Haven and Renew37.
The confirmation of the new store opening was met with a mixed response from local residents.
Teacher James Arthur, 43, who lives on Trent Boulevard, said: “I think it’s a good news that there’s investment coming to the area, and it’s quite a long way to go to a supermarket at the minute.
"It is a busy road though, but I think most people who use it will be coming from nearby so they won’t be driving. Also the co-op does a lot of good for the community, unlike some of the other big supermarkets.”
Lucy Smith, 39, a charity shop manager, said: “A lot of people are very upset about this, we’ve been asking for a long time to have something done about how busy the road is, and how quickly people are driving along it, and then they turn round and do something like this. It feels like they’re not listening to us at all.
Student George Riley, 28, of Trent Boulevard, said: “It’s definitely a good thing. There’s only smaller shops around here at the moment so it will help people save some money, at a time when people really need that.”


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If you're traveling alone, this guide will show you what to look for in your credit cards, how to keep your finances safe and more.All credit card stories
For the second year in a row, identity fraud has surged to a new high, with identity thieves targeting many more account types than credit and debit cards.
Javelin Research & Strategy reports that in 2017, 16.7 million Americans, or 6.6 percent of the population, were the victims of some kind of identity fraud. That's up from 15.4 million in 2016, when the share was 6.2 percent.
While the share of credit card fraud dropped, nine other types of accounts saw notable increases in fraud rates.
In many states, the answer is yes. As a business owner, give customers options to avoid surcharges. See Expert Q&AAsk a question.
Chase Freedom cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back on grocery, PayPal and Chase Pay purchases from April 1 through June 30. Freedom cardholders can now activate the second-quarter bonus.
American Express is running a special promotion from March 1 until April 11, 2018, that doubles the sign-up bonuses for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles and Gold Delta SkyMiles cards.
John Egan | 3/19/2018
Many trees were chopped down to make all the debt consolidation offers I've recently received. But I'm hesitant to leap at any of them because they're not all in my best interest. See more
More than a third of Americans who have lent credit cards to other people ended up getting stiffed, according to a new CreditCards.com poll. The key finding: Lending out your credit card is an easy way to help someone – and hurt yourself.
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Priority Pass expands perks to restaurants, hotels: You can eat free at airport restaurants such as Bobby Van's Steakhouse in New York or Miami's Corona Beach House. Or, you could just take a nap in a small, private room.


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US attorney-general Merrick Garland has asked a judge to unseal the search warrant for Trump’s home
The latest heatwave will probably prolong the UK’s spending surge
They hope the magic mushroom sector can avoid the mistakes made when marijuana became legal
The world’s first lie-flat pods are coming to an economy class plane section near you.
Air New Zealand has had its SkyNest concept in development for the past five years and announced on June 28 it’s ready for prime time — in 2024. The seats are fully flat, made up with real mattresses plus cooling pillows and bedding, and located in the back of the plane. But like everything to do with flying today, there’s loads of fine print on this announcement.
First, the seats won’t be included in the price of an economy ticket. SkyNests are a separate product, bunk beds stacked three high and bookable only in four-hour increments — the amount of time the airline has determined it takes to allow guests two sleep cycles (which are typically about 90 minutes), with additional time to wind down and wake up.
Each aircraft being fitted with them will have six of these pods, and cabin attendants will replace the linen and sanitise between each four-hour session.
It’s been 170,000 hours of design, constant evolutions of small and large design developments, tweaks and engineering feats to get to where we are.
The additional cost of the SkyNest lie-flat seat has yet to be determined, but it will be available to anyone in economy or premium economy. Pricing will be the same regardless of class of ticket, though Air New Zealand hasn’t yet decided whether it will be fixed or dynamic based on demand or timing within the flight.
“It’s been 170,000 hours of design, constant evolutions of small and large design developments, tweaks and engineering feats to get to where we are,” says Leanne Geraghty, the airline’s chief customer and sales officer, who says that the final product reflected plenty of customer feedback.
“They weren’t shy to tell us what the pain points were, what worked well and where we could improve,” she explains. The next phase of customer research, she adds, will revolve around what people are willing to pay for it.
Air New Zealand already has a lie-flat option in economy, called the SkyCouch. It allows flyers to extend specially designed footrests from all three seats in an economy row, to effectively widen those seats and turn the section into a makeshift bed. It’s extremely popular with families, who can lay horizontally across a row they’ve booked together.
The option can be booked for a single traveller, too; booking three economy seats from either New York or Chicago to Auckland costs about $3,000, compared with about $5,000 for a seat in business class.
In contrast to the SkyCouch, the SkyNest won’t have pesky gaps and raised armrests between seats — plus the mattress will be thicker, because it’s purpose-built to serve as a bed.
The airline hasn’t decided yet whether you can book multiple sessions back to back, but chances are that demand won’t allow for it. On current configurations of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9s, there are 248 seats in the premium economy and economy cabins, so nearly that many passengers would be vying for the 18 available slots. (Based on the dimensions — the beds are 2m long — it’s likely the six bunks would replace 12 or so seats.)
Whereas travellers who happen to have a row to themselves are welcome to use the SkyCouch at no extra cost, Geraghty says SkyNests won’t be made available on a complimentary basis if they’re otherwise going unused. Each bed is made for just one person with no weight limit, and unlike a SkyCouch, a parent won’t be able to share a bed with their child.
SkyNests will go into service in 2024 on aircraft serving Air New Zealand’s ultralong-haul nonstop routes, such as Chicago or New York to Auckland. The direct New York routes, starting in September, will be among the world’s longest flights, taking 17 hours, 30 minutes. The 15-hour flights from Chicago will begin in October.
It’s all part of a bid to stoke interest in New Zealand as a destination. The country held out on opening its international borders for longer than almost any other and is targeting more affluent and conscientious consumers as it rethinks its reliance on mass tourism. Restoring convenient and reliable access to flights is one of the country’s largest challenges in making that happen.
Bloomberg News. For more articles like this please visit Bloomberg.com.
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Last month, in a gala ceremony in downtown Montreal, Mahrzad Lari was feted as one of Quebec’s most exciting new fashion talents.
Lari, a co-founder of plus-sized men’s label Wide the Brand, was humbled by the prize, which came with a $105,000 grant. It was awarded by fashion development non-profit Metropolitan Fashion Cluster to recognize his work in the realm of diversity and inclusion.
“It’s validating,” says Lari, who co-founded the label in 2021 after raising $50,000 on Kickstarter. “As an entrepreneur, [but also] as a plus-sized person of colour.”
He adds: “When an industry that can be so harsh decides to give voices to people who don’t fit the norm of the standards of beauty that we’re used to, it’s very validating.”
To understand why Wide is such a ground-breaking brand, consider the experience of many of their customers.
“Our guys have never shopped,” Lari says. “They mostly wore jeans and t-shirts from places like Walmart, because that’s what they could find.” As a plus-sized man, “you don’t buy what you like, you buy what’s available.”
In fact, having fashion-forward options as a man living in a bigger body is so new to many of Wide’s customers that it’s almost overwhelming, Lari says. “When you throw options at them, it’s almost like they don’t know what to do with them,” he adds.
Stylish solutions to address daily frustrations
Since their launch, Wide has rolled out a line of carefully curated, meticulously considered pieces designed to fill a gaping hole in the market.
“We focus on [recognizing] a frustration and finding a high fashion solution to it,” Lari says. For example, their dress shirts are designed to slip on over the head, with only three buttons down the front.
“For me, one of my biggest insecurities was having buttons pop or gape. When you’re sitting and you realize one of your buttons are open, it’s just embarrassing,” explains Lari, who worked in fashion for over a decade before co-founding the brand. The Wide solution? Cutting a pattern that didn’t need buttons and choosing a fabric with the right amount of stretch.
Similarly, their pants are cut with a higher rise and made in a stretch fabric that allows movement, to avoid what he calls, “exposing the plumber’s crack.”
While style matters, function is also key, often informed by Lari’s own day-to-day experiences. “The inside of our puffer jacket is completely designed in jersey, because I know that as a plus-sized man, I tend to get hotter in the winter, so I didn’t want nylon that didn’t breathe,” he says.
Deep down, there is still this notion that for a man to be considered attractive, he has to be muscular and strong.— Mahrzad Lari
Lari says it’s still “surreal” to be able to open his closet and see it filled with things he actually likes. “It’s a very weird feeling, because yes, it’s our brand and we made them, but I’m also wearing clothes that I only wished I could wear a few years ago.”
As the label has grown, they’ve built a roster of returning customers.
“The beauty of this brand is it’s such a community,” Lari says. “We’re able to design things and say, ‘That is so Luke, that is so Mathieu,’ because we’re very close to our customers now.”
That community aspect – which Wide plans to grow into a larger lifestyle platform this year – is at the heart of why Lari and his team do what they do, despite the endless struggles of being a startup that also manufactures everything locally.
“It’s a very emotional thing for guys to find pieces they love,” explains Lari, referencing an e-mail from a client he’d just received, accompanied by some images of him wearing Wide. “He went to a Christmas party, and he said it was the first time in his life that he’d felt attractive.”
Tackling the stigma of being a man in a larger body
The goal of Wide is to create a space for people just like him to access the transformative power of clothing, Lari says.
“There are so many elements in the world to ruin your day and make you feel insecure, and if you can have one piece of armour that can help you take on any challenge, it’s your clothing.” That “piece of confidence,” should be available to everyone, every day, he adds.
To get to that place, however, Lari believes it’s imperative that society tackles the stigma around being a man in a larger body.
“For the last 10 to 15 years, we’ve been seeing a huge evolution with women and the body positivity movement, but the same hasn’t followed for men,” he says. “Deep down, there is still this notion that for a man to be considered attractive, he has to be muscular and strong.”
To prove his point, he references the standard terminology that gets applied to the section of a store that caters to men above an XL: big and tall.
“When we introduced ‘plus-sized’ menswear, there was this uncertainty, because people are used to ‘big and tall,’ and all of a sudden to call a man plus-sized, it’s insulting to them. It hurts their ego,” Lari says. “At the end of the day, it’s just a label, but [men have a] very twisted relationship [with] being fat. They’re constantly being reminded that if you’re fat, you’re the funny friend, not the hot friend.” When you’re fat, he says, “you’re secondary.”
Lari hopes that, just as plus-sized women have been able to fight for equal treatment in society – a battle that is ongoing – plus-sized men will also find greater inclusion and an end to the grinding, relentless judgment people in larger bodies face.
“It’ll take time, but I’m happy we’re starting to have these conversations, and we’re fortunate enough to be at the forefront of it.”


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Back in July 2014, James Proud, CEO of data science company Hello, launched a campaign for his product on Kickstarter. His sleep monitoring device called “Sense” quickly drew tens of thousands of backers and raised more than $2.4 million dollars in the first month. Today, just over a year later, Sense debuted on Amazon, allowing the sleep optimization tech to be available to the masses.
A year after announcing his device to a community of backers and now presenting it to a worldwide audience in record time, Proud shared what he learned from the experience.
Natalie Sportelli: Why choose Kickstarter to debut your product?
James Proud: I think that Kickstarter is the best place to take a new product and find an engaged audience of people who want to support it and be involved in an early stage and actually bring the product to market. It’s a really interesting thing to have a community of people who want to hedge their money up front and try to help a product become a reality.
Sportelli: How did your relationship with backers shape your R&D?
Proud: We spent the last year building, testing, and shipping to backers and learning and iterating Sense software. It’s hard to go out publically on something like Kickstarter and tell the world that this is something we want to do. We took a lot of feedback and we delivered. The backers suggested we include a replaceable battery in a piece of our hardware so we added that. We have people very engaged and that continued after the campaign.
Sportelli: What lessons did you learn from scaling up to meet your backers’ demand?
Proud: We learned about how people actually use product. We went from a few basic testers of people we know to tens of thousands of people in a short amount of time. It puts to test a lot of assumptions you made about your own product.
Sportelli: How did Sense make the jump from Kickstarter to Amazon?
Proud: They were monitoring the product and its success on Kickstarter and they started a conversation and reached out to get us onboard. It was about timing, as to when we wanted to go out and make it happen. It’sa natural next step and we were going to continue growing the company in any way we could.
Sportelli: Did anything surprise you about your past year?
Proud: I think that everything that’s happening now is a natural progression from building a product that people like and, in most cases, love. If you build something that people love and actually use people will want to buy it and distribute it.