text:
“The only thing that Steve cared about was creating great products. The company, the employees were only there to facilitate that goal,” said a former Apple employee. “Tim is much more worried about everything at the company.”
Four years after the iPad – the most recent of Jobs’s great trilogy of mobile products that began with the iPod in 2001, followed by the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010 – Apple’s product lineup has changed little. But meanwhile, the competition is much more challenging. Time goes by and the growth in smartphone sales is slowing, the iPhone is losing market share to competitors running Google’s Android operating system, and a new product category was initiated by Nike (btw, Tim wears a Nike fuelband), Google and others, the wearables. The iPad remains the dominant brand of tablet computers, but the overall surge in tablet sales is a waning moon in the Milky Way of mobile technology.
The arrival …
After graduating from Auburn University, Cook spent 12 years in IBM’s personal computer business, ultimately serving as the director of North American Fulfillment. Later, he served as chief operating officer (COO) of the computer reseller division of Intelligent Electronics and was Vice President (VP) for Corporate Materials at Compaq for six months.
Cook was asked by Steve Jobs to join Apple in 1998. In a commencement speech at his alma mater Auburn University, Cook said he decided to join Apple after meeting Jobs for the first time:
Any purely rational consideration of cost and benefits lined up in Compaq’s favor, and the people who knew me best advised me to stay at Compaq…
On that day in early 1998 I listened to my intuition, not the left side of my brain or for that matter even the people who knew me best… no more than five minutes into my initial interview with Steve, I wanted to throw caution and logic to the wind and join Apple. My intuition already knew that joining Apple was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for the creative genius, and to be on the executive team that could resurrect a great American company.
His first assignment was Senior Vice President (SVP) for worldwide operations. Cook closed factories and warehouses, replacing them with contract manufacturers, causing the company’s inventory to fall from months to days, following the ‘Just in time’ philosophy.
This was the key to Apple’s recovery.
Predicting demand and delivering product on time is crucial in the technology industry where new products could cannibalize existing offerings, yet Apple “routinely pulls off the miraculous: unveiling revolutionary products that have been kept completely secret until they magically appear on stage and in stores all over the world.”
Cook was credited with keeping costs under control, and combined with the company’s design and marketing savvy that allows them to charge premiums generating huge profits.
In January 2011, Apple’s Board of Directors approved a third medical leave of absence requested by Jobs. During that time, Cook was responsible for most of Apple’s day-to-day operations while Jobs still made the major decisions.
After Jobs resigned as CEO and became chairman of the board, Cook was named CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011. On October 5, 2011 Steve Jobs died, one day after Apple’s Keynote on October 4. On that keynote iOS 5, iPhone 4S, Siri, and iCloud were announced.
Apple’s DNA …
People on stage are always seen as the one who impersonate Apple’s DNA, Steve Jobs, Sir Jonathan Ive, Craig Federighi, and others. But since 1998 another top influencer and friend of Steve built his career as a behind-the-scenes expert of operations. Subtle changes were stringently required and Tim now is pushing Apple to be more collaborative as it faces new challenges, particularly from Google and its Android mobile operating system. At the same time, he appears to be broadening the company’s legendary laser-like focus.
In a fascinating interview with Calcalist radio, the largest economic newspaper in Israel, Horace Dediu gives us a scintillating insight into how Apple works. Horace Dediu is a well-respected analyst who knows a thing or two about Apple.
“I studied their DNA,” Dediu explains. “But Apple cannot possibly be perceived as normal or average, but is analyzed as such. This is a company that breaks all categories, as based on the growth front and on the value or dynamic versus static. It just works differently. ”
Dediu posits that Apple uses the same strategy as an army. ”You have to look at Apple as adopted by the pattern of military activity,” said Dediu. ”The army has no obligation to produce profits, but it has a deep commitment to achieving goals. Everyone focused and training for a specific task, and then another mission.”
Apple is no longer the underdog that Jobs rescued from the brink of bankruptcy. The company is the most valuable brand in the world, and the most profitable in the technology industry. Its profit for the fiscal year ended September 28 2013 was triple Google’s 2013 earnings and $9 billion more than its nearest competitor, Samsung Electronics. Disruptive technology initiated by a genius is just one side of a coin, the other side is an optimized worldwide operating infrastructure. So the credit belongs to both, the visionary and the businessman.
Tim Cook plays an essential role when looking at the company’s DNA. Here are his essential beliefs fully consistent with those of Steve Jobs and with an overall impact on the development of products and their advertisment.
Let Tim Cook talk …
Some people see innovation as change, but we have never really seen it like that. It’s making things better. iOS 7 is a great example of that. It’s significantly better than 6 or any of those that came before it, and obviously significantly better than the other OS out there.
For smartphones, I think it’s even more a two-operating-system world today than it was before. Maybe that changes. Maybe it doesn’t, but that is the state of things today. I think that Android is more fragmented than ever and, as a result, when you look at things like customer satisfaction and usage, you see the gap between Android and iOS being huge.
There is a huge difference between market share of units and usage share. And it shouldn’t surprise anybody that it’s like that. Anybody that’s used both should not be surprised that that is the natural result. And that’s really important to us because we have never been about selling the most. We’re about selling the best and having the best experience and having the happiest customers.
Android’s market share
I don’t think of Android as one thing. Most people do. I mean, from a consumer point of view, if you look at what Amazon does with Android, forget the name Android for a minute. If you’re coming down from a different planet and you were going to name it, you wouldn’t name it the same thing as what another company does. If you compared that to what Samsung does, I’m not sure you would name that the same thing either.
It’s a growing problem. It’s a compounding problem. And think about all these people that they’re leaving behind from a customer point of view. People do hold on. Most people hold on to their phones a couple of years. They enter a contract and honor that contract and then upgrade after that two-year period. So in essence, by the time they buy the phone, many of these operating systems are old. They’re not the latest ones by the time people buy. And so by the time they exit, they’re using an operating system that’s three or four years old. That would be like me right now having in my pocket iOS 3. I can’t imagine it.
Software and Hardware
We’re not looking for external validation of our strategy, but I think it does suggest that there’s a lot of copying, kind of, on the strategy, and that people have recognized that importance.
Now, we’re well beyond just the surface level of design of hardware and software. We’re deep in the guts. This week you saw the A7. You saw our new M chip. Well, these are only possible because many years ago we elected to start building our own silicon team, and now we have many, many people designing silicon.
And you saw us go to 64-bit. Well, why are we able to do that first? It’s because we’re at that level of being vertical. Does anybody—do these other three companies have silicon expertise? You can answer that. Maybe they have something that I’m not aware of, but in terms of the depth of it ….
You look at innovation like the iPhone’s camera and the detail that went into the camera. Most people hear the word camera, and they think of hardware. And hardware is really important to it, you know? With the stuff we did with the flash on this. But it’s software, and it’s the silicon—I mean, it’s everything.
So the way I think about Apple is that the magic of this place really comes up at its best when hardware, software, and services come together.
And it’s sort of the intersection of those things is where things get incredibly magical. So facilitating that to happen and getting the collaboration level for that to happen is the magic here.
And one of my proudest moments is when other people see that. They don’t know that they’re seeing that, and that’s also the beauty. They don’t have to do it. But look at these (gesturing to iPhones). These are perfect examples where the hardware and the software and the service begin to blend.
Excerpts (Businessweek, 2013-08-20)
See this mind map summarizing some essentials of Tim’s beliefs revealing Apple’s DNA.
Steve and Tim …
Tim Cook says he doesn’t ask What Would Jobs Do. He says that Steve told him before he died to never ask this question. Can there be more evidence that Steve totally trusted in Tim and his beliefs?
As time goes by …
Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook spent a lot of time answering questions about how Apple would be different from what it was under Steve Jobs, and just how he would continue Jobs’s incredible legacy.
There are a lot of questions to answer. The Apple CEO finds himself defending the company’s tax policy, fighting a declining stock price, dealing with a number of antitrust issues and facing questions about just how Apple will stay ahead of always-intense competition.
And, of course, one thing hasn’t changed. Tech watchers still hang on Cook’s every word, and scrounge for any tidbits that might indicate just what phone, computer, TV or watch might be coming next from Cupertino.
The changes are larger than the numbers. For more than a decade, the company revolved around Jobs’s unique and mercurial talents. Cook, who is as measured and accessible as Jobs was volatile and intimidating, is more a manager than a visionary, and won’t be forgiven in the same way for ignoring shareholders or belittling subordinates. In short, he runs Apple more like most other companies.
One challenge facing Tim Cook is what Wall Street calls the law of large numbers: even a successful new product may barely move the needle for Apple, which generated $171 billion in revenue in the fiscal year ended last September. A flop could underscore that Apple’s product heydays are tied to the late Steve Jobs.
It was Steve’s job to say no. In many ways Tim is not as comfortable doing that.
I think Steve would have been saying yes to more things if he were still running the company. Steve was an intuitive decision maker, knowing what he liked and didn’t like immediately, his snap decisions sometimes led to errors in judgment.
Tim Cook seems to be more thoughtful and will take extra time to minimize mistakes.
Tim is also more willing to delegate to deputies. He has given greater control over product development to Jonathan Ive, Apple’s design chief. Sir Jonathan Ive, who oversaw Apple’s hardware designs under Steve Jobs, also is responsible for the look and feel of its software. Other executives gaining authority include Craig Federighi, the software engineering boss; Phil Schiller, the company’s marketing head; and Eddy Cue, its Internet services lead, current and former employees said. He has turned over Apple’s executive leadership team. Five of the nine members were promoted or hired by Tim Cook.
While Steve Jobs dominated the spotlight, Tim Cook has shown a willingness to let others share the attention.
At the developer conference, for example, Craig Federighi dominated the stage. Cook also hasn’t shied away from bringing in high-profile outsiders, such as Angela Ahrendts and Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.
We’re not going to go out and buy something for the purposes of just being big. Something that makes more fantastic products, something that’s very strategic, all these things are of interest and we’re always looking regardless of size.
Tim about innovation …
Some people see innovation as change, but we have never really seen it like that. It’s making things better.
Ken Segall, author of the bestselling book – Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success, suggests that Apple and Samsung have differing philosophies when it comes to innovation.
“Innovation comes in many flavors,” Ken Segall said. “Sometimes it’s about creating revolutions, other times it’s about adding features. Sometimes it’s about creating things that people fall in love with, other times it’s simply about creating things.”
According to Segall, Samsung’s approach to innovation is more about adding features and in most cases, at the expense of customers’ satisfaction:
Less than six months after launching the Galaxy Gear watch, Samsung replaced that device in February 2014 with two models, the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo. These aren’t just upgrades — they’re new watches, running a completely different OS. Android has been replaced by Samsung’s home-grown Tizen OS.
So what happens to the people who just months ago bought into Samsung’s last “next big thing”? Well, they get stuck with a Galaxy Gear, which will be quickly forgotten. They also become living proof that Samsung values innovation over customers.
On the other hand, Segall posits that
“Apple’s innovation philosophy is quite different. Its highest priority is creating a product that people can fall in love with – a product that will improve customers’ lives without frustrating them in the process.”
“Of course, Apple loves features too.. The difference is, when Apple innovates, it’s innovating in the most user-centric way. That’s consistent with one thing I heard Steve Jobs say often: Apple’s highest priority is earning the love of its customers,” he explains.
In concluding, Ken Segall emphasizes that it is impossible to judge who’s leading in innovation by tallying products and features.
Meaningful innovation will forever be about quality, not quantity.
Publishing/Punishing media all over the world call for innovation and unsurprisingly it’s always Apple standing in the focus and criticized for not being innovative since Jobs trilogy of disruptive technology. Innovation takes time and to be fair some newspapers and websites should take a close look at the innovative power of Apple’s competitors.
Tim Cook’s message …
In August 2014 Tim Cook published a letter picturing his basic beliefs about Apple’s future philosophy.
A Message from Tim Cook.
At Apple, our 98,000 employees share a passion for products that change people’s lives, and from the very earliest days we have known that diversity is critical to our success. We believe deeply that inclusion inspires innovation.
Our definition of diversity goes far beyond the traditional categories of race, gender, and ethnicity. It includes personal qualities that usually go unmeasured, like sexual orientation, veteran status, and disabilities. Who we are, where we come from, and what we’ve experienced influence the way we perceive issues and solve problems. We believe in celebrating that diversity and investing in it.
Apple is committed to transparency, which is why we are publishing statistics about the race and gender makeup of our company. Let me say up front:
As CEO, I’m not satisfied with the numbers on this page. They’re not new to us, and we’ve been working hard for quite some time to improve them. We are making progress, and we’re committed to being as innovative in advancing diversity as we are in developing our products.
Inclusion and diversity have been a focus for me throughout my time at Apple, and they’re among my top priorities as CEO.
I’m proud to work alongside the many senior executives we’ve hired and promoted in the past few years, including Eddy Cue and Angela Ahrendts, Lisa Jackson and Denise Young-Smith. The talented leaders on my staff come from around the world, and they each bring a unique point of view based on their experience and heritage. And our board of directors is stronger than ever with the addition of Sue Wagner, who was elected in July.
I receive emails from customers around the world, and a name that comes up often is Kim Paulk. She’s a Specialist at the Apple Store on West 14th Street in Manhattan. Kim has a medical condition that has impaired her vision and hearing since she was a child. Our customers rave about Kim’s service, and they say she embodies the best characteristics of Apple. Her guide dog, Gemma, is affectionately known around the store as the “seeing iDog.”
When we think of diversity, we think of individuals like Kim. She inspires her coworkers and her customers as well.
We also think of Walter Freeman, who leads a procurement team here in Cupertino and was recently recognized by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Last year, Walter’s team provided over $3 billion in business opportunities with Apple to more than 7,000 small businesses in the western United States.
Both Walter and Kim exemplify what we value in diversity. Not only do they enrich the experience of their coworkers and make our business stronger, but they extend the benefits of Apple’s diversity to our customers, into our supply chain and the broader economy. And there are many more people at Apple doing the same.
Above all, when we think of the diversity of our team, we think of the values and ideas they bring with them as individuals. Ideas drive the innovation that makes Apple unique, and they deliver the level of excellence our customers have come to expect.
Beyond the work we do creating innovative tools for our customers, improving education is one of the best ways in which Apple can have a meaningful impact on society. We recently pledged $100 million to President Obama’s ConnectED initiative to bring cutting-edge technologies to economically disadvantaged schools. Eighty percent of the student population in the schools we will equip and support are from groups currently underrepresented in our industry.
Apple is also a sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBT rights organization, as well as the National Center for Women + Information Technology, which is encouraging young women to get involved in technology and the sciences. The work we do with these groups is meaningful and inspiring. We know we can do more, and we will.
This summer marks the anniversary of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 — an opportunity to reflect on the progress of the past half-century and acknowledge the work that remains to be done. When he introduced the bill in June 1963, President Kennedy urged Congress to pass it “for the one plain, proud and priceless quality that unites us all as Americans: a sense of justice.”
All around the world, our team at Apple is united in the belief that being different makes us better. We know that each generation has a responsibility to build upon the gains of the past, expanding the rights and freedoms we enjoy to the many who are still striving for justice.
Together, we are committed to diversity within our company and the advancement of equality and human rights everywhere.
(Source Apple on Diversity)
Apple’s strong efforts regarding environment, supplier responsibility and inclusion simply can be summarized by a maxim published on the company’s website
We want to leave the world better than we found it.
This reminds me of a newspaper advertisement where Apple indirectly mocks its rival Samsung. It was published after launching a website and video detailing the environmental efforts.
At the top of the page, the company has placed a huge headline that reads:
There are some ideas we want every company to copy.
Sad to say that there are vanishingly low chances that Asian companies will start their photocopiers.
Tim Cook is opening Apple, optimizing the infrastructure, forcing internal and external collaboration, and trying to develop the responsibilities of the company regarding fair labor, environment, and inclusion.
So there is one question left.
Is Tim the better CEO?
In some way we must say YES although it remains untold which way Steve would have gone in times of massive changes in the mobile market which is still the most important market and area of innovation and disruptive technology for Apple.
Related links …
Thanks for surfing by.


text:
Mazda Motorsports pull covers off the Mazda3 TCR
Mazda Motorsports has pulled the cover off the Mazda3 TCR race car, a car constructed for the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge but also eligible for regional and domestic TCR series around the world.
“TCR represents a great opportunity for us to showcase the new Mazda3 and provide our customers another avenue to race Mazda vehicles,” said Masahiro Moro, chairman and CEO of Mazda North American Operations.
“Some of our most important successes in IMSA and TC America have been thanks to dedicated customers who chose to race with Mazda, and we hope the next generation of Mazda racers see the same potential in the Mazda3 TCR.”
The car has been developed by Long Road Racing, the team responsible for the Mazda MX-5 Cup race car.
“The Mazda3 features the outstanding design and engineering that Mazda is known for, and because of that, it is a fantastic foundation for our new Mazda3 TCR,” said John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports.
“We have looked forward to returning to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for several seasons, and everyone at Mazda is very excited that we will do just that in 2020. We are eagerly anticipating success for the Mazda3 TCR in IMSA, TC America and in TCR championships around the world.”
Engine and transmission
Engine: i4 Mazda3 TCR, single turbo
Power: 350 HP, Torque: 490 Nm,
RPM limit: 7,000, Top Speed: 150 mph
Gearbox: SADEV 6-speed sequential w/paddle shifters
(optional: XTRAC sequential gearbox)
Engine management: Magneti Marelli
Data system and dash: Motec L180
Chassis, suspension & interior
Body: Mazda Design
Suspension: Custom four-corner strut with A-arm
Dampers: Bilstein coil-overs
(optional – Öhlins coil-overs)
Wheels: Rays 10″ x 18″
Tires: Michelin Pilot
Pedal box: Tilton adjustable
Steering wheel: MPi

domain: news


text:
With Austin Fashion Week beginning Thursday, the city will be brimming with innovative new clothes, and, with the introduction of new looks, the dress of the past seems even more antiquated.
Today, UT students boast a wide range of personal styles — varying from oversized T-shirts and Nike running shorts for women to the more expressive attire that one might see on the runway this week. Rarely will a student sacrifice overall comfort for style, and, if he does, it tends to be the exception to the norm rather than the trend.
Such a relaxed clothing paradigm, however, was uncommon 50 years ago. In the Aug. 16, 1963, edition of The Daily Texan, an article titled “Fashions Reveal the Collegian” surveyed a variety of clothing trends on campus. The article, part of a special edition welcoming incoming freshmen, reported that students were taking a more formal approach toward outfits in academia.
“Dress at the University can be described as casual for women and more formal for men, a reversal of the usual state of things,” the article said.
Some students, embracing their newfound freedom, chose to physically alter their appearance as an expression of liberation from parental subjection. The first section of the article, titled “Blondes have more fun,” said: “College life is likely to go to the head of the newly entering girl. With Mama far away in Pflugerville, the forbidden wares of the dye merchants cause many a coed to succumb, and it is the rare maiden’s tresses which aren’t at least tipped or frosted.”
Women’s clothing tended to be much more modest at the time of the article’s publication.
“Wear a raincoat over your shorts if heading to the Women’s Gym,” the article said. “Otherwise save them for picnics and retreats. And though short shorts may be coming back in vogue nationally, they have never been in vogue with housemothers at women’s residence halls.”
For men, the dichotomy between now and then in terms of fashion is even more pronounced.
“Campus dress for males is usually very ivy: if jeans are worn at all, wheat jeans are preferred to blue jeans by most,” the article said. “Both solid colors and conservative prints
Today, one might view the fashion trends of 1963 as old-fashioned. However, at the time, they seemed innovative and freeing.
“Coeds have become for footloose of late, breaking the bonds of black suede loafers and white crew socks,” the article said. “These are still very popular, and the wise coed should have at least seven pairs of white socks — tops turned UP.”
Perhaps the most different aspect of clothing between 1963 and today doesn’t even relate to fashion trends.
“The most important part of the wardrobe, considering Austin weather, is rainwear,” the article said.
With only 83 rainy days per year, the “trenchcoats and black umbrellas” UT men carried in 1963 seem out of place.


text:
Today’s Featured Interview:
How to start planning your digital marketing strategy for 2021 – Brian Pasch
Despite the pandemic, experts we’ve talked to say the retail auto industry is booming. On today’s show we’re talking to Brian Pasch, Founder and CEO of PCG Companies and the host of CBT’s monthly series, Auto Marketing Now, about the latest in the world of digital marketing and about his upcoming Automotive Analytics & Attribution Summit. Watch the full segment here.
Auto retailers continue showing resiliency as third-quarter results roll out. Sonic Automotive reported an all-time record in the third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. The auto retailer reported an earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $1.35 for Q3, an increase of 105% compared to $0.66 in the third-quarter of 2019. Sonic’s EchoPark revenues also hit a record high, reporting quarterly revenues of $2.5 billion and gross profits of $376.6 million. Another Fortune 500 auto retailer, Group 1 Automotive, reported record earnings for the quarter as well. Group 1 reported a Q3 net income of $126.4 million and a total revenue of $3.0 billion.
With uncertainty surrounding rising COVID-19 cases and the upcoming election, the S&P 500 had its biggest drop since June on Wednesday. The index fell 3.5% while energy shares and oil prices dropped as well. The drop comes shortly after American lawmakers failed to agree on an economic aid package. It’s likely the index will continue to underperform as the presidential candidates make their final pitches before the November 3rd election, and citizens anxiously await a vaccine for the Coronavirus.
Tesla is launching plans to open 52 new service centers next year. Electrek reported on Thursday that the EV maker planned to expand its network of service centers and superchargers in 2021. The expansion coincides with the rapid growth of Tesla, as the company looks to expand outside of its core market. CEO Elon Musk has said multiple times that Tesla needs to expand its service center locations, as the company currently operates only 466 locations across the world.
As the home delivery market continues to grow amid the pandemic, Ford is preparing to launch an all-electric transit van. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced that the zero-emissions e-transit would be unveiled on November 12. Farley called the e-transit a milestone in the company’s $11.5 billion commitment to investing in EVs.
News Stories & Opinion:
Trump vs. Biden on the future of the American automotive industry
The current 2020 presidential candidates diverge on many issues, and the US auto industry is no exception. For undecided voters, it can be challenging to sort out who takes which position. Here are some points to consider as we head into the final days of the election. While both Trump and Biden desire to increase car manufacturing jobs, they disagree on how to create them. Biden appears to see green reform and technological advancement as the route to take; Trump favors reshoring and trade deals. Read More
Five factors that drive innovation in auto retail
Dealership gross profits have declined from 3.3% to 2.4% between 2015 and 2018. Over that same time frame, an average dealership’s operating profits saw an even more drastic decline – from 8.9% to just 1.7%. The decline in profitability coincides with a growing dissatisfaction among consumers regarding the traditional vehicle purchasing method. Read More
Did you enjoy today’s automotive newscast? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic with host Jim Fitzpatrick at firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
POPwater is the newest beverage to make a splash in the drink industry as it launches the “FIRST TASTE 4-pack” today. The company was started by a group of strange but endearing individuals from the POP culture community who wanted a healthier beverage that tasted great and wasn’t filled with artificial ingredients.
The POPwater team includes Troy Carter (Atom Factory CEO and manager to artists including Lady Gaga & John Legend), Terry Richardson (world-famous fashion/music/photographer), Atom Factory artists, mad scientists and many more. Their creation is a fruit flavored sparkling beverage with only 30 calories, 7 grams of sugar and just the right amount of POP.
Starting today, you can preorder a limited edition 4-pack of POPwater’s signature flavors (orange, pineapple, apple and grape) plus a POPwater t-shirt and a bonus first taste download – including free shipping to any US address. Watch POPwater Creative Director Terry Richardson try his first taste in this new video below.
The official POPwater release is slated for April 16th. Product will be hitting shelves in Los Angeles this month as well, with a national rollout to follow.


text:
In the Know: Mercola spends $1.3 million on solar power roof in Cape Coral
A national company with a Cape Coral corporate headquarters will achieve 100% solar power for its 45,000-square-foot building by the end of the year.
Mercola, founded by Dr. Joseph Mercola in 1997 in Illinois, relocated to 125 SW Third Place off Pine Island Road in 2018. Mercola produces and distributes health-related products such as vitamins and other supplements, serving about 10 million customers a month through its website, mercola.com.
The company bought a 17-acre lot, which included the 15,000-square foot, three-story building, for $3.7 million in 2016 before renovating and expanding to the current size. Mercola employs about 230 people, including about 120 who work in Cape Coral.
By early 2021, a 15,000-square-foot retail store will open on the ground floor. Until then, the products can be purchased as usual online or at some area health food stores.
Mercola spent $1.3 million more this year, hiring Advanced Green Technologies to install a new roof with solar panels. By the end of the year, an 80-space parking lot will be built on the property, with more solar panels on the top of the carport.
There are 530 panels on the roof of the building that produce 210 kilowatts of electricity. There will be 490 panels on the top of the carport. Those will produce about 190 kilowatts of electricity, said Steve Rye, the CEO of Mercola.
“It’s kind of at the point where you pay eight years of electricity up front, and then you get the next 16 years free,” Rye said. “It’s pretty foolish not to do it. We’re looking at a triple return on investment.”
Mercola had about seven years of life expectancy left on the existing roof, Rye said, but decided to act this year on the solar panels because the federal tax credits were expiring.
Mercola will receive a 30% tax credit this year. Those tax credits fall to 26% next year and 22% in 2022 before expiring.
Mercola has joined beverage distributor J.J. Taylor in building a solar roof by Advanced Green Technologies, which is based in Fort Lauderdale.
“I think the future is bright,” said Clinton Sockman, the vice president of the solar and roof company that began in 1993 as a one-man roofing company. It since has grown to seven locations and 600 employees across Florida, having added the installation of solar panels to its business model in 2007.
“We had a vision,” Sockman said. “If it happened on a rooftop, we wanted to control it.
“We’re seeing a massive decrease in the cost since we started the business. It’s becoming way more available to the mainstream from an investment standpoint. Leading the charge is the corporate world with some of the energy mandates. Some of them are setting target dates for 100% renewables by 2025 or 2030. They’re putting out these goals, and then they are going after them. That filters down to the small business owners as well. It shows you be a good corporate citizen.”
Sockman said going solar is starting to transcend politics as well. There are those who doubt climate change is caused by burning fossil fuels, but there are fewer doubters when it comes to solar saving money.
“Solar has kind of moved beyond the conversation of I’m doing this to support climate change and clean energy,” Sockman said. “Producing your own energy is an investment venture for most commercial businesses. Regardless of which side of the line you stand on, it’s financially viable. You might have an opinion one way or another. We can extract that.”
Getaway Marina gets new owner
Getaway Marina, at 18400 San Carlos Blvd., just north of Fort Myers Beach, sold for $2.4 million.
Bob Leisure, who owns Storage Unlimited, purchased the property and plans to boost the quality of the marina.
Leisure said he will get the building repainted and partially remodeled.
“You’d hate to tear down an old building that you don’t need to,” Leisure said. “I’m more of a Key West type person. We want to bring it back to what it was 30, 40 years ago.”
Leisure expects to close on the adjacent property at 18450 San Carlos Blvd. early next month. That last sold for $350,000 in 2015, property records show, and Leisure plans to buy it for $750,000 and combine it with the land he just bought. This will allow him and his customers access to the full dock/boardwalk.
“This one has been kind of rundown,” Leisure said. “I said, ‘Well, I’ll try to buy that and make it look nicer.’ Especially during COVID time, people have been wanting to go out on a boat. They’ve been wanting to get out in nature. We want to bring it back to the way it was. We’re going to open up the boardwalk. I’m hoping it will look nice.”
Taco Bell in Bonita sells
The Taco Bell restaurant at 28370 Trails Edge Blvd. in Bonita Springs, sold for $1.8 million.
The 2,191-square-foot property has five years remaining on the lease, which was included in the sale.
"We drove five offers for the property, creating a high level of competition which allowed us to ensure an all cash buyer, compress the timelines for the due diligence period and lock in the most favorable terms for the seller,” said Jim Shiebler of Marcus & Millichap.
Where the cattle will roam
A $8.5 million land deal for about 2,236 acres along the Caloosahatchee River closed recently. Bexley Sumter Inc., purchased the eight parcels at 18265 Marshall Field Road in LaBelle.
Lane Boy of Cushman & Wakefield, brokered the transaction. The land, zoned for agriculture, will be used as a cattle ranch.


text:
It’s the perfect time of year to warm up those taste buds at the Penticton Art Gallery’s ‘Loving Mugs Chili Cook-Off’ event, returning in person on Thursday evening, Feb. 23.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample delicious chili made by some of Penticton’s top chefs. The chili will be dished into a handmade mug, which can be taken home as a souvenir. The event will feature a variety of chili dishes from restaurants like Gratify, Highway 97 Brewery, The Pasta Factory, and Honey Toast with Penticton Art Gallery’s Kristine Lee also competing. More restaurants to be announced soon.
Bread, dessert, and drinks will also be provided.
The event will also feature live music by Daryl O’Neill. And you’ll get your chance to vote on your favorite chili dishes, with custom trophies presented for first, second and third place.There will also be winners in categories such as ‘beaniest’, ‘spiciest,’ and ‘most creative.’
Loving Mugs are traditional drinking vessels with two handles, one on either side, which are commonly used to symbolize friendship, unity, and love. The use of loving mugs at this event is a nod to the historical significance of the cups, and a celebration of community and togetherness.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting this unique and fun event for its 6th iteration, and we can’t wait for everyone to come out and enjoy some delicious chili while getting to take home a beautiful handmade mug,” said Penticton Art Gallery staff member Rebecca Stocker.
A similar format to PAG’s most popular event, ‘Soup Bowls’ which is held in November, this time the art gallery is challenging restaurateurs, caterers and organizations to add some heat to life in February. Tickets include a handcrafted mug, all chili tastings, and a secret recipe book.
Tickets are on sale now. Members can purchase tickets for $40, non-members are $45.
For tickets, visit pentictonartgallery.com/loving-mugs-and-soup-bowls.
To report a typo, email: firstname.lastname@example.org.<>
Don’t miss a single story and get them delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up today for the Penticton Western News Newsletter.<>


text:
GM Brought its One Millionth Corvette Back from the Grave
In 1992 when the one millionth Corvette rolled off the GM production line, its place in Chevrolet history was securely established, though none could have expected how noteworthy it would become. On Feb. 12, 2014, it was one of eight celebrated Corvettes that plunged into a sinkhole within the National Corvette Museum. It was extracted – battered and bruised – yet in all its hardship, it still manages to look stunningly gorgeous. And those appearances will only improve, as Chevrolet has begun the process of restoring it to original condition. RELATED: Take a Closer Look at the Sinkhole-Damaged 'One Millionth' Corvette
The restoration process is being handled at the General Motors Design Center by members of GM’s own Mechanical Assembly group, who normally spend their time building prototypes and concept cars. Rather than construct an all-new car, GM says the workers will make every attempt to preserve its original appearance. It’s safe to say the ‘Vette is in good hands.
In historic fashion, this 1992 convertible celebrated the one millionth Corvette production milestone by featuring the same color combinations as the very first production 1953 Corvette: white exterior, black convertible top, red interior. One other sinkhole-damaged Corvette – a 2009 ZR1 prototype nicknamed ‘Blue Devil’ – has already been restored, and the museum will soon oversee restoration of a damaged 1962 Corvette.
RELATED: Check Out the Road-Legal 2016 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R Edition
To purists, this highlights an interesting rub – should these cars even be restored at all? Despite all its damage, this ’92 is still an achingly gorgeous shape, if not – to some eyes – even prettier given its distinctive history. It tells a story that few classics ever will and stands apart from the throngs of pristine examples you'll find at car shows across the country.
In an answer to those fans, GM and the National Corvette Museum have decided to leave five of the other Corvettes in their as-recovered state, set to become a part of a sinkhole-themed display at the museum.
RELATED: If the 2017 Corvette ZR1 Gets Mid-Engined, It Could Look Like This
Click Here to Read the Original Article on BoldRide


text:
Greater Madison is the Intersection of Innovation
The Madison Region’s wealth of resources stimulates entrepreneurial growth.
Brand ambassador, game designer and data scientist might not have been jobs available to your grandparents, but today, these in-demand careers require innovative and skilled talent – and the Madison Region is the right place to look.
From grant-funded fabrication laboratories (Fab Labs) for school systems to community workspaces that support entrepreneurs, the region is bursting with new technology initiatives. In addition, assets such as the University of Wisconsin (UW) – Madison contribute to the region’s innovation ecosystem with developments such as a new 19-credit game design certificate, which teaches students the skills they need to design and produce games as well as a new Master of Science in Design + Innovation program.
In This Article
Between 2016 and 2020, Wisconsin’s governor and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) awarded grants to the Madison Region to create or expand nine Fab Labs.
To be prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow, students need access to hands-on experience and training that allows them to put into practice concepts they have learned in STEAM-related courses, says Vincent Rice, WEDC’s senior director of sector strategy.
“Increasingly, this type of learning requires equipment such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers and plasma cutters,â€ Rice says.
Through the Fab Labs Grant Program, the WEDC is helping to outfit public schools across the state with this type of equipment, which helps students master skills that are in high demand in the job market. Collaboration is a key feature of these labs, with schools throughout Wisconsin and around the world communicating to share ideas. Because the Fab Labs are required to be accessible to the community, they contribute more broadly to economic development by sparking innovation among Wisconsin entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses.
In the Madison Region, efforts such as The Bodgery, Sector67 and UW Makerspace all provide the region’s entrepreneurs with access to workspace, technology and tools.
Sector67 is a 19,320-square-foot community workspace providing an environment to learn, teach, work on, build and create next generation technology, including software, hardware, electronics, art, sewing, metalwork, apps, games and more.
UW Makerspace is part of the UW-Madison College of Engineering. Its facilities include shop and flex space with a wide range of rapid prototyping equipment.
The Bodgery provides businesses, entrepreneurs, artists and crafters with access to electronics, 3D printing, a metal shop, a woodshop and more. In 2019, The Bodgery moved into new space in what had been the machine shop in a former Oscar Mayer plant. Currently in 14,000 square feet, The Bodgery expects to add another 8,000 square feet in 2020.
“We rent about 20 studio spaces, and the expansion will probably double that,â€ says John Eich, co-founder of The Bodgery. “We also serve about 30 to 40 guests each week who can use most of our tools for free on the twice-weekly Open Shop Nights.
“The key value that we offer the people is the opportunity to access tools and technology that previously had been behind very expensive pay walls,â€ he says. “People can come in and have access to 10 different workshops rolled into one space. They can use high-priced machinery to create prototypes or initial products, and you can rent a studio more cheaply than renting an office somewhere else.”
The Bodgery also offers the opportunity to build relationships with other entrepreneurs who can learn from and support one another’s goals.
Several entrepreneurs have been successful in putting this concept into practice. For example, one member who runs his business from The Bodgery makes custom lake maps with an innovative 3D quality, and he is turning that side hustle into a full-time career. The space is also home to artists who use the laser cutter to make jewelry, sign painters and muralists.
UW-Madison’s recently launched accelerated Master of Science in Design + Innovation gives new meaning to collaboration. Combining expertise from five schools and colleges with team-based interaction, the program promises to offer students a breadth of highly desired skills.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the program promotes creative thinking and an ability to solve complex problems,â€ says Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “The program will draw upon top-notch faculty from five disciplines and use our state-of- the-art facilities.”
Students will experience a dynamic course of study to include plenty of time in the UW Makerspace.
“Students can come in and dabble in all five areas of study – engineering, business, design, data and art – but they can also dig deeper in any one of those areas to complement experience they already have,â€ says Michelle Kwasny, academic director of the Master of Science in Design + Innovation program. “We’re looking forward to showing students all the amazing design resources available to them through this program.”
“The emergence of design as a cross-disciplinary tool is relatively new and rapidly evolving,â€ says John Zeratsky, bestselling author and entrepreneur. “By creating a completely new program around this emergent need and opportunity, UW-Madison is poised to offer the latest and best thinking on how design can benefit industry and the public sector.”
Investing in Innovation
Innovative companies with game-changing products sometimes only need access to space and technology to get those products to market – a result that creates economic impact and spurs additional opportunities for their customers.
The University of Wisconsin (UW) Makerspace offers the space and technology, and Zero Barrier is one such company.
Founded by UW-Madison engineering students operating out of the UW Makerspace, Zero Barrier is building a 3D printer that is supposed to be 60 times faster and 17 times cheaper than existing 3D printers.
The key to the company’s innovation is the use of its patent-pending technology called Light Assisted Metallurgy in 3D printing, rather than a laser-based system.
“Today, metal 3D printing is so expensive it is limited to prototyping and very niche applications,â€ says Zero Barrier co-founder Evan Wolfenden. “By drastically decreasing costs, Light Assisted Metallurgy enables the benefits of metal 3D printing to be shared by mass produced parts and a vast number of industries. Lighter parts will increase fuel efficiency. Assemblies will be simplified. Tooling costs will be eliminated. Supply chains will be shortened. Customized parts will proliferate.”
He says UW Makerspace has been key to his company’s success by providing a workshop for a year after the team graduated from UW-Madison’s College of Engineering.
“We had storage and access to all of the shops’ resources, which greatly accelerated development,â€ he says. “We 3D printed, laser cut and water jetted our prototype into existence. And we relied heavily on the built-in store to rent and buy essential tools. The Makerspace is a tremendous source of innovation for students and faculty, and we hope we are the first of many companies that start there.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Madison Region, check out the latest edition of the Madison Region Economic Development magazine.


text:
Elizabeth Brooks, 73; Owner of Westwood’s Butterfly Bakery
Elizabeth Androyan Brooks, 73, who rose at 3:30 a.m. six days a week for more than 30 years to bake goods for her Butterfly Bakery and Deli in Westwood, died Friday at UCLA Medical Center of complications from a stroke three days earlier.
Brooks, a professionally trained baker, and her late husband, Ted, opened the business in 1973. The establishment became a regular morning coffee and pastry stop for Westsiders, from ordinary folks to such celebrities as Barbra Streisand, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Madonna and Aaron Spelling.
For the record:
12:00 AM, Apr. 04, 2004 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday April 04, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 31 words Type of Material: Correction
Brooks obituary -- The obituary in Wednesday’s California section of Elizabeth Brooks, owner of Westwood’s Butterfly Bakery and Deli, incorrectly stated that she was a professionally trained baker. She was self-taught.
The rich and famous were as welcome behind the counter as in front of it. Golf’s U.S. Open champion Amy Alcott put on an apron and chef’s hat and made sandwiches. She even designed one for Brooks, the Alcott Hole in One -- a fried egg in a croissant with Swiss cheese, tomato, Dijon mustard and alfalfa sprouts.
When new owners sharply increased Brooks’ rent a year or so ago, customers rallied to help. Billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad even wrote a letter, calling the bakery a “Westwood institution” and insisting that “our neighborhood just wouldn’t be the same without it.” Nevertheless, Brooks was forced to close shop in January.


text:
China’s Luxury Market Can Thank Generation Z for Recovery
China's Generation Z has become a driving force for the luxury goods sector, as many save on rent by living with their parents and are more interested in enjoying life rather than saving for big-ticket items like a home, a new report showed Tuesday.
An online survey of over 5,000 Chinese luxury goods buyers found that half of the Generation Z shoppers — those born after 1995 — spent more than 50,000 yuan ($7,200) on luxury goods in the 12 months through June, according to the report released by London-headquartered international consulting firm OC&C Strategy Consultants.
In comparison, only 32% of millennial shoppers (those who were born between 1980 and 1995) and 34% of Generation X (those who were born between 1960 and 1980) spent a similar amount on luxury products during the same period, it said.
Generation Z respondents appeared to be the least price-sensitive group of luxury shoppers, the report indicated. About 66% of them agreed with the statement that “price is not my main consideration, and finding items I like is most important,” whereas 48% of the millennial and Generation X respondents shared the same opinion.
Veronica Wang, associate partner at OC&C, said that most Generation Z youngsters live with their parents and therefore spend less on housing expenses. Generation Z members generally tends not to have a strong incentive to save money, and are more willing to pay for leisure and enjoyment, she said.
The consultancy said in the report that compared to older generations, Generation Z attach greater value to “character,” “personality” and “unique design,” as evidenced by their enthusiasm for independent designer brands such as Off-White, Vetements, and Supreme. Instead of getting what everybody else already has, they are keen on the latest in-season products so they can showcase their personalities, the report said.
Younger people are also more internet-savvy. About 59% of the Generation Z respondents have purchased luxury items online, while the percentage of the millennials and Generation X were 37% and 26% respectively, according to the report.
Many labels have jumped on the digital wave to reach out to young Chinese consumers as the sector showed signs earlier this year of a slow recovery from setbacks like the government’s anti-corruption campaign and weakening economic growth. Brands including Britain’s Burberry, French jewelry company Cartier, and Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer have partnered with China’s e-commerce platforms such as JD.com and Tmall.com to open online stores, besides running Chinese-language internet shops on their own official websites.
Nonetheless, the penetration rate of online luxury goods shopping has remained low in China due to concerns over counterfeiting. Last year China saw a mere 9% penetration rate in online luxury goods sales, while the U.K. and the U.S. saw a 16% and 15% penetration rate, respectively, according to the report.
“The main challenge of e-commerce platforms in China is consumers’ trust. There are still 60% of luxury goods shoppers who have never purchased such items online,” said Wang. Some luxury brands were also hesitant about expanding on the internet given uncertainties such as the quality of the online shopping experience and whether the image of the e-commerce platforms really fit the labels’ branding, she said.
Sun Yafei, founder and CEO of luxury e-commerce platform 5lux.com, said that her clientele has a significant under-35 contingent.
“They’ve shown strong purchasing power, and they tend to favor entry lux items priced at around 1,000 to 2,000 yuan,” she said, adding that the company will target young customers for the upcoming Double 11 shopping spree in November.
Contact reporter Timmy Shen (email@example.com)
- 1In Depth: Bailouts Multiply as Pressure Mounts to Stabilize China’s Housing Market
- 2China’s Youth Unemployment Rate Rises to Another Record
- 3U.S. Restrictions on Chip Software Exports Could Bite in the Long Term, Analysts Say
- 4Cover Story: The Challenges Ahead for China’s Digital Yuan
- 5Weekend Long Read: What Challenges Await Singapore’s New Leadership
- 1Power To The People: Pintec Serves A Booming Consumer Class
- 2Largest hotel group in Europe accepts UnionPay
- 3UnionPay mobile QuickPass debuts in Hong Kong
- 4UnionPay International launches premium catering privilege U Dining Collection
- 5UnionPay International’s U Plan has covered over 1600 stores overseas


text:
Challenging the throwaway society – ocean plastics highlight wasteful consumption habits
After years of campaigning by NGOs (Non-governmental organisations), it took a seminal wildlife documentary – Blue Planet II – to get politicians to pay attention to the devastation being wrought by the disposal of plastics. More than eight million tonnes of plastic are discarded into the oceans every year, equivalent to 16 full shopping bags for every metre of the world’s coastline.
Policy experiments have proven remarkably effective. The UK’s plastic bag charge cut usage by 85% and we expect to see similar policy initiatives developed in 2018. Single-use plastic bottles are a likely target, given that a million plastic bottles are sold every minute, but only a small percentage of which are made from recycled materials. There is a potential cost here for companies which have to change their production processes – but it also opens up opportunities for those developing innovative new packaging solutions.
If Socially Responsible Investing is something that interests you and you would like to find out more about it, give us a call. We would be happy to meet and have a chat with you


text:
Here below you find the most read articles on CompetitionFeed over the last week.
The Justice Department is moving closer to approving T-Mobile’s $26 billion merger with Sprint, but only if the companies sell multiple assets to create a new wireless competitor, according to three people familiar with the plan. Read More.
Mexican officials blocked Walmart Inc’s deal to buy delivery app Cornershop because Walmart could not guarantee a level playing field for rival retailers, whose customers use the app to order groceries and other goods, according to an official document and an interview with the top competition regulator this week. Read More.
GlaxoSmithKline has offered concessions to address EU antitrust concerns over its planned joint venture with Pfizer’s consumer health business, the European Commission said on Thursday. Read More.
The CMA has provisionally found that 4 pharmaceutical companies broke competition law in relation to the supply of an anti-depressant drug. Read More.
This research report evaluates 18 merger remedies put in place by the CC, OFT and the CMA .Read More.
Thomas Wollmann has a new paper — “Stealth Consolidation: Evidence from an Amendment to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act” — in American Economic Review: Insights this month. Read More.
This ACER Quarterly includes Hogan Lovells articles, alerts and blogs published between 1 March and 31 May 2019. The content was produced around the time of the developments in question. Matters covered may therefore have been subject to further developments since initial publication. Read More.
The CMA announced on 11 June 2019 that it had unconditionally cleared PayPal’s acquisition of iZettle, the innovative Swedish FinTech company that offers mobile point-of-sale services, following an in-depth six month Phase II investigation. Read More.
Joan de Solà-Morales
In 2018, Commissioner Vestager highlighted how internal documents have shaped the Commission’s assessment in recent cases, and announced her intention to publish a set of best practices on requests for internal documents in merger investigations. Read More.
The Future of Competition Policy in Europe – Some Reflections on the Interaction Between Industrial Policy and Competition Law
The paper explores the interaction between industrial policy and competition law, in particular merger control in Europe. Read More.
By aggregating material from over 300 sources and using human and artificial intelligence to pick out the most important articles, CompetitionFeed manages to sort out the most important articles every week directly to your inbox.
Join the newsletter to receive the latest updates in your inbox.


text:
To kick start the slowing engine of economic growth, the government is planning to dole out incentives to revive the sluggish demand.
To kick start the slowing engine of economic growth, the government is planning to dole out incentives to revive the sluggish demand. With the auto industry in distress due to lack of demand, in order to make people enthusiastic about buying vehicles, the rate of Goods and Services Tax (GST) may be brought down from existing 28 per cent to 18 per cent during the upcoming 37th GST Council meeting scheduled on September 20, 2019.
“The auto industry is demanding a GST rate cut from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. The concerns related to the automobile industry will be taken up in the upcoming council meeting,” said Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director, Alankit Limited.
So, on a vehicle costing Rs 10 lakh, a car buyer would have to pay GST of Rs 1,80,000, instead of Rs 2,80,000, if the GST rate is lowered from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, thus giving a bonanza of Rs 1 lakh. The benefit will be Rs 50,000 on a car costing Rs 5 lakh if the GST rate is lowered as expected.
Lowering of GST on auto sector would not only revive the demands for cars, but would also generate demands for steel and other components needed to manufacture cars and in the process creating more jobs or preventing more job cuts. Higher job creation or lower joblessness on the other hand would generate a higher demand pull to lift the economy.
Another matter of concern is sluggish demand for otherwise evergreen Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) that includes items of day-to-day use like soap, tooth paste, etc and food items like bread, biscuits, etc. There is dip in demands for such goods this time even in rural segments, where sales usually remain steady even during times of economic slowdown.
“The GST Council could also lower levies on sectors such as biscuits and other FMCG products,” said Agarwal.
Apart from car and FMCG products, people, who like to travel, may have to pay lower hotel bills during their tours on Dussehra/Diwali holidays, as states like Goa and Rajasthan that generate substantial revenue from tourism have been pushing for relief on this front.
“GST council in its upcoming meeting could consider relief for the hotel sector, a proposal that is likely to be backed by states,” said Agarwal, adding, “States are amenable for GST cut on hotel tariffs of Rs 7,500 and more from 28 per cent to 18 per cent or to raise threshold for the higher tax rate.”


text:
HP Chromebook “May Melt”
New Chromebook recalled over fears the Charger “may overheat or melt”, and has a potential fire risk, ACCC warned in a product recall notice.
Google has issued a formal recall for the power charger of the new HP Chromebook 11 computer in Australia (model no. MU15-N1052-A00S, Branding: LEI F4). Only two of the affected PCs were sold in OZ.
“The risk has potential dermal injury and damage to materials from contact with an overheated charger”, according to the recall notice.
“Consumers should stop using the HP Chromebook 11 Charger.
“Google will directly contact consumers who purchased a HP Chromebook 11 computer to arrange a free replacement power charger. Consumers can use other micro-USB chargers to charge their HP Chromebook 11 computer in the meantime.”
There may also be a potential fire risk, although no fire has been reported, according to the ACCC notice.
The Chromebook went on sale in September. The affected product was sold in New South Wales only at JB Hi-Fi.
“This recall is part of a bigger global campaign and it was caught very early here, only 2 units had been sold,” an ACCC spokesperson told Smarthouse.
The issue was first raised by Google, who said that they were suspending sales of the laptop in Australia, earlier this month.
The ACCC were not aware of how many consumers are affected by the recall, when contacted by CN.


text:
Before the rise of e-commerce, this would be the time of year when parents fought through the school supply aisle, list in hand, trying to ensure their child will have everything they need to be successful during the school year. Recently, however, consumers seem to be ditching the bustling, often unorganized school supply section at their local brick-and-mortar retailer in favor of shopping online from the comfort of their own homes.
This time of year marks the beginning of the busiest season for retailers. Fox Business calls this “make or break time,” as back-to-school shopping is only the beginning. With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, retailers must ensure that they are prepared for the increase in customer traffic that is sure to come as students return to class through the holiday season.
Spending more, spending smarter
According to Independent Retailer contributor John Gregory, although back-to-school sales fell by several billion dollars last year, these figures are expected to increase again this season largely thanks to online platforms. These sales are forecasted to rise 16 percent this year, with the average online shopper spending an estimated $50.17 on his or her classroom items.
The source noted that these variations in back-to-school sales year over year signal the impact that online mobile shopping is having on the retail industry. Nowadays, even if customers do visit a physical retailer with their school supply list, they will likely check other vendors’ prices via their smartphone.
“It is widely believed that fluctuations in back-to-school spending are attributed to consumers shopping smarter with mobile, looking for the best deals, sometimes ‘showrooming’ in-store and limiting purchases to necessities,” Gregory wrote.
In addition to leveraging their smartphones while in physical retailer locations, research also shows that the vendors with the highest back-to-school sales are the ones boasting both an online and real-world presence. A rising number of consumers are favoring websites that allow them to choose their items from the online platform and pick them up at their local branch store. Gregory noted that the vendors that will do the best this back-to-school season are the ones that provide a seamless experience across their physical and online stores.
An overall push toward e-commerce
While some parents are still opting for traditional avenues for their back-to-school shopping, more are leveraging e-commerce retailers for specific items. An independent AOL study found that nearly half of all electronics purchases now take place online. And with the increased focus on connected devices in schools – including smartphones, laptops and tablets – this figure is sure to increase in the near future.
Overall, the majority of consumers – 68 percent – are planning to spend more online for back-to-school items this year. The shift toward e-commerce platforms for school supply needs is similar to the change occurring with holiday shopping: Customers are finding that online shopping provides more benefits.
“Consumers will shop online as long as it is convenient and offers competitive pricing, better service and a wider product selection,” Gregory wrote.
Online retailers: Be ready for the rush
However, if consumers do not receive the level of service they expect from an online vendor, there are plenty of other options for them to ensure that their child has every classroom item they need for the school year. To maintain a competitive edge during this all-important season, retailers have to be ready for the rush.
One of the best ways e-commerce vendors can prepare themselves for the uptick in consumer traffic is with performance testing. This critical resource will show retailers just how well their online platform will function as parents and students flood the site to purchase their back-to-school items.
Solutions like SOASTA’s mPulse can demonstrate just how much traffic a website is able to handle through analysis of the real-time gestures of consumers and the platform’s performance. By analyzing information gathered from actual users’ browsers, this system can provide invaluable insights for retailers, including page load times and conversion rates. Armed with this data, e-commerce vendors can ensure that their online stores are ready for the back-to-school rush and any necessary adjustments are made before the seasonal uptick in traffic.
SOASTA also provides a best-in-class mobile application testing system so that vendors can guarantee that every piece of their service footprint is prepared. The CloudTest solution offers real-time analytics and complex testing environments not available with any other solution.
About the Author


text:
Diana Marszalek 22 Oct 2018 // 9:06PM GMT
WASHINGTON — PR firms can play a pivotal role in helping companies identify and communicate larger purpose, but those efforts will be for naught if the people in the C-suite aren’t committed to those ideas, according to industry leaders.
“Purpose really does have to be embraced at the most senior level. They have to believe in it hell or high water,” said Suzanne Shelton, whose communications agency, Shelton Group, focuses on energy and the environment. “It can’t be just a marketing campaign.”
Shelton’s comments were part of a panel discussion on the topic of corporate values and purpose that kicked off the Independent PR Firm Forum at the Holmes Report’s PRovoke18 Global PR Summit Monday afternoon in Washington. The discussion explored the range of issues related to the topic — defining corporate purpose, why and how companies are embracing the idea and what marketing professionals can do to help them in embracing and communicating purpose among them.
Panelists, all of whom work in purpose-driven marketing, said brands that rally around purpose are in prime position to foster change and promote their values, if, in fact, they do so in a way that is authentic, transparent and in line with what the company actually is and does.
“There is an opportunity for brands to take a higher ground and offer individuals to be part of something bigger,” said Girish Balachandran, whose New Delhi firm On Purpose Comms is focused on working with brands to drive social change in India.
Companies with purpose also have a greater chance of creating long-lasting relationships with consumers that share their values, speakers said. “It’s easy to get repeat purchases, but that doesn’t mean you have any loyalty,” said Victoria Page, whose eponymous agency specializes in purpose sustainability strategy and communications.
Panelists, however, said companies have to think long and hard before declaring and communicating a stated purpose, because if it’s not authentic — truly inherent to the company — there are risks.
“Purpose is what you stand for above all else — you’re willing to lose money over it and get into a fight over it; 86% of us want companies to stand for something beyond just making money,” Shelton said.
For Sandrine Raffin, president and founder of Link-Up Factory, that starts with the very nature of whatever it is companies are selling, and whether it benefits the range of stakeholders, from consumers to the environment. A soap company, for instance, that doesn’t research its ingredients, for instance, can’t have a credible purpose when, in reality, it could be hurting consumers, she said.
“Purpose starts really with the way you are producing your product .. and its impact on people upstream and downstream and on the planet,” she said.
And having purpose and values also is something companies across-the-board need to take seriously, as consumers of all kinds are increasingly calling for corporate responsibility and accountability.
“We’re in the middle of a social shift, and it’s not just being driven by millennials,” Shelton said, adding that consumers are starting to feel increasingly culpable for some of the world’s greater problems and want companies to do the same.
“If you see video of plastics in the ocean or plastics inside birds, you are culpable,” she said. “It’s become impossible for many of us to say, ‘That’s not my problem.’”


text:
Koan Goedman, one of the top-notch baristas at Crema Coffee House, has always wanted to own his own coffee shop. But after a trip to Coffee Fest in Seattle last year, he began pondering the idea of a roastery, too. "I started talking to the Diedrich's roasters, who were there with a bunch of samples," he explains. "The idea of becoming a roastery started popping up in my head a little more."
Not long after, Goedman joined forces with Mark Mann, a freelance web developer he'd met working at the original Aviano, and Derek Penny, who came up through a Dazbog franchise and currently works at Denver Bicycle Cafe, and the trio established Huckleberry Roasters last spring. "We decided to go for the roasting thing, and through a friend of a friend, we found a roaster," Goedman explains. "We took a trip to L.A.: We left on a Friday, came back on a Monday, and three days later we were roasting."
They were doing the roasting in Goedman's garage, and the packaging at Mann's house. Still, they started to get some traction, selling beans to Crema and, occasionally, Two Rivers Coffee in Arvada. And this summer, they finally started looking for a real home. "We spent spring and summer trying to find a proper retail space where we'd have both a roastery and a traditional cafe," Goedman says. "We couldn't find a space that appealed to us."
They lucked out, though, when the owner of the warehouse at 28th and Larimer streets approached them, asking if they'd like to take one of the smaller addresses for their business. The partners jumped on it, setting up their roasting facility in a room that Goedman says is about 11 feet by 17 feet. "It seemed like a nice, manageable, intermediate next step," he says. "The space is dedicated to the roasting, cupping and development of the coffee."
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
SHOW ME HOW
You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!
Now they're developing buzz and trying to figure out the next step, be it a retail space or wholesaling to restaurants and other shops. In the meantime, though, they've opened up their facility to the public, to engage coffee drinkers and educate them about the art of roasting. "Even for people who are specialty coffee drinkers, the idea of roasting is not something that they're super familiar with," Goedman explains. "We want to generate conversation about it. It's good for Denver's coffee culture."
Huckleberry Roasters offer tours of their facilities from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and you can also stop by to pick up Huckleberry beans -- or have a cup of coffee brewed by one of many methods. "Yesterday we did aeropress, today we're doing pourover and tomorrow we'll probably do a siphon pot," says Goedman. "We're more than happy to make people coffee. Hopefully, it encourages them to buy some."
Out and about, you can find Huckleberry brewing at Crema -- which also retails bags of beans -- and Two Rivers still features it frequently, too. Soon the Denver Bicycle Cafe will add it to the lineup, and the partners hope to be in many more spots in the near future.


text:
Good news for enthusiasts looking to alleviate storage bottleneck on their Intel-based mobos, MSI has announced support NVM Express storage for their X99, Z97 and H97 mainboards. This feature is available via BIOS update and MSI has released a list of the motherboards that supports the feature and the BIOS version needed in the official press release below:
MSI First to Support NVM Express Storage on all X99/Z97/H97 Motherboards
MSI, world leading in motherboards, is the world’s first motherboard brand to fully support the next generation in storage control, NVM Express. All MSI motherboards sporting Intel 9 series chipsets including X99, Z97 and H97 are now supported. MSI has prepared BIOS updates which are now available for download. NVM Express is the next generation PCI Express storage standard introducing lower latency and lower power consumption but increased transfer speeds compared to the legacy AHCI controller.
MSI’s R&D fine-tuned the BIOS to fully unleash all the power NVMe has to offer while supporting the majority of devices available on the market without any hassle. With the latest BIOS, MSI X99/Z97/H97 motherboards can support NVMe devices as primary storage under Windows7 64bit and Windows8.1 64bit and fully support NVMe booting. The BIOS updates can now be downloaded from msi.com. The table below describes all supported models and BIOS version.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Seeing growth by digging deep for its clients
Altman Vilandrie & Co.:
Send this story to a friend
- Mary Moore, firstname.lastname@example.org
Aiming to figure out if that was true and to market that information to prospective new clients, YP hired consulting firm Altman Vilandrie & Co. to study YP’s effectiveness. “(Altman Vilandrie) went through A to Z, proving that data point for us,” said Chuck Lee, a marketing vice president for YP who is based in Georgia.
In a competitive world of strategic consulting that is largely dominated by two heavyweights — Bain & Co. and McKinsey & Co. — Altman Vilandrie is growing and gaining traction by helping firms like YP. Ten years into its business, the Boston-based consultancy specializes in problem-solving for telecommunications, media and technology companies.
Altman Vilandrie, which declined to provide specific revenue figures, said its employee count has more than doubled — from 40 to 90 individuals — in the last three years and it has opened two offices in other states during that time.
Co-founders Rory Altman and Ed Vilandrie initially brought expertise in telecommunications when they started the firm. As they have hired more staff, the firm has branched out into other fields. In media, Altman Vilandrie tends to consult with companies working in digital media and, in technology, with clients in the business of selling products such as wireless handsets and consumer software.
Altman Vilandrie also works with private equity clients that are considering investments in companies in these industries. For Charlesbank Capital Partners, for example, Altman Vilandrie helped reposition the strategy of a telecom company in the private equity firm’s portfolio. Michael Choe, managing director, said that private equity investing “is an imprecise art at best” but that Charlesbank has made investment decisions based on Altman Vilandrie’s advice and expertise.
Clients say that focused industry knowledge and a quantitative approach that digs deep into a company’s business operations are what makes Altman Vilandrie different than other strategic consulting firms.
For its part, Altman Vilandrie works with clients in several main areas, Altman said, and among the most basic questions the firm helps answer are, “What business should I be in? Where is my growth? Should I acquire my way in or build those capacities?”
Altman Vilandrie also helps companies understand which products will sell, as well as helping to develop pricing and marketing strategies. And it works with clients on improving performance to reduce customer churn. After opening a New York office a couple of years ago, Altman Vilandrie opened a San Francisco office this year. Looking ahead, Altman said, the company’s focus will be on building its West Coast operation and client base.
The firm currently has 12 employees working in San Francisco, Altman said. Another dozen employees work in New York and the rest are in Boston, he said.
“We had happily served (the West Coast clients) out of Boston for years,” Altman said. “But it’s easier to maintain those relationships when we’ve got staff in the region.”
As for YP, Altman Vilandrie was able to quantify that the company was providing a better return on investment for customer and issued a press release with the findings. Although Lee does not have data yet to prove that marketing the study to prospective clients resulted in new business, he has no doubt that it did.
“I had immediate feedback from our sales channel,” Lee said. “Clients who were going to churn or leave, stayed with us.”
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
- Most popular
- Project Tiger update: It's Baxter
- Former FDA head says biotech model 'is basically falling apart
- Arthur T. Demoulas is back at the helm of Market Basket
- Here are over 2,000 restaurant violations in Cambridge since Jan. 1
- Suffolk University announces abrupt departure of President James
- Market Basket deal seems more likely, but not until late today
- ALS biotech says ice bucket challenge will pay for a clinical trial
- Eleven people who left HubSpot to pursue other ventures (slide show)
- Partners HealthCare to contribute annual payment to Somerville
- Harvard and MIT are tops, as always, but SAT data is revealing about
Audience Development Sales Professional Boston Business Journal | Boston, MA
Sales Representative ChannelAdvisor | Morrisville, NC
Work For: ChannelAdvisor ChannelAdvisor | Morrisville, NC
Marketing Manager, Merchandise Visibility Checkpoint Systems | Waltham, MA
Risk and Compliance Manager MassHousing | Boston, MA


text:
Naturland farmers and processors have been ground-breaking global pioneers for over 30 years. The world’s first ever conversion to organic agriculture of tea gardens in Sri Lanka and India in the 1980s was the prelude to our successful work on an international scale. Currently 38,000 farmers in 44 countries manage an area of some 320,000 hectares according to the Naturland standards. To Naturland, organic agriculture means combining tradition with modern practices and experience with the courage to adopt new approaches.
›learn more about Naturland
Outstanding leader in the realm of organic agriculture
Organic agriculture was both his career and his calling. Hans Hohenester started out as an organic farmer 26 years ago, when he became a member of Naturland, culminating in his work as chairman of the board, a role in which he made an indelible impression on the association and in countless further offices. However, he also was key to promoting the development of organic agriculture in general, especially in Bavaria. After a serious illness, Hans Hohenester passed away on Sunday at the age of 59, surrounded by his family.
Dr. Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein, Chairman of BÖLW (German Federation of the Organic Food Industry), who was also a member of Naturland’s board of directors for 16 years concurrently with Hans Hohenester, commended the deceased as an outstanding leader in the realm of organic agriculture. “As a practising farmer, he was a perfect representative of the authenticity and credibility of our movement,“ said Löwenstein.
Naturland welcomes that EU Commission, Council and Parliament have not succeeded in reaching a political agreement on the proposal for a new organic regulation. In a joint declaration signed in Munich, Germany, on 2nd December, a total of 18 organic associations from 15 European countries had shown Brussels the red card. The organic associations were calling for the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers to cancel the impending trialogue negotiations and to overturn the revision, because the proposals under consideration in Brussels would make no improvements to the regulation. They would instead pose a threat to the economic existence of many organic farms throughout Europe as well as of smallholders in developing countries, because the import rules are not in favour of small organic farmers in developing countries.
Kenyan representatives of the Trilateral Tilapia Cooperation project paid a visit to the Naturland head offices in Gräfelfing, Germany, on the first stage of their one-week tour of Germany, for a professional exchange of ideas on sustainable fishing and organic aquaculture.
At the invitation of Dr. Gerd Müller, German Federal Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development, the delegation visited various ports of call in Germany between 26th November and 4th December, accompanied by several members of staff of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a company providing services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development, to compare notes with experts on the various aquaculture systems and on commercial fishing in general.
On 2nd December, 2016, Forum Fairer Handel, the network of fair trade organisations in Germany, and Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development, held their annual “Fair-Trade Breakfast” in the German Bundestag. Parliamentarians availed themselves of the opportunity to acquire first-hand information about fair trade.
Steffen Reese, the general manager of Naturland, reminded his listeners of the essentially global validity of fair trade, saying, “Farmers producing cocoa in South America are entitled to the same fair treatment as, for example, German dairy farmers. The dumping of growers’ prices needs to be curtailed by encouraging organic, fair trade agriculture, both at home and abroad.”


text:
Circle, a Boston, Massachusetts-based open crypto technologies platform that facilitates trading, investing, and capital raising, as per recent reports last week, has announced its decision to discontinue the Circle Pay mobile and web apps including the apps support, for all worldwide customers on Monday, Jul. 8th 2019.
The decision to discontinue the Circle Pay app will not, in any way, impact other Circle products, the company assured. Post the announced end date, the only option the Circle Pay app will provide customers is, to withdraw any remaining funds from their Circle Pay account to their respective card or bank account.
“Circle believes that the future of finance will be built on open blockchain technology and that global payments will become reality through fiat tokens and stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC),” states the company.
Clarifying on this vision over its successful five-year lifespan, the company says that it also is heavily relied on interfacing with the traditional financial system and untokenized fiat currencies.
The statement in general stipulates: “we believe it is appropriate to discontinue Circle Pay at this time, and we will continue to work toward connecting every person on the planet through an open financial system built on crypto assets and blockchain technology through center and USDC, and in other Circle products such as Poloniex and SeedInvest”.
Although the Circle Pay shut down won’t affect the Circle Invest, Poloniex, and SeedInvest customers, it’ll have a huge blow on to the customers that solely rely on the Circle Pay app to send, receive or hold dollars, British pounds or euros.


text:
Wall Street brokerages expect that Funko Inc (NASDAQ:FNKO) will post $213.84 million in sales for the current quarter, according to Zacks Investment Research. Five analysts have provided estimates for Funko’s earnings. The highest sales estimate is $214.00 million and the lowest is $213.60 million. Funko reported sales of $233.22 million in the same quarter last year, which suggests a negative year-over-year growth rate of 8.3%. The firm is expected to report its next earnings results after the market closes on Thursday, March 5th.
On average, analysts expect that Funko will report full-year sales of $795.31 million for the current year, with estimates ranging from $794.90 million to $795.60 million. For the next fiscal year, analysts anticipate that the company will report sales of $853.17 million, with estimates ranging from $846.10 million to $857.00 million. Zacks’ sales calculations are a mean average based on a survey of research firms that that provide coverage for Funko.
Several analysts have weighed in on the company. ValuEngine cut Funko from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Friday, December 20th. TheStreet cut Funko from a “c-” rating to a “d+” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Funko from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $27.00 to $11.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Funko from an “overweight” rating to an “underweight” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $29.00 to $9.50 in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, BidaskClub cut Funko from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $13.45.
In other Funko news, Director Charles D. Denson bought 36,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $13.84 per share, for a total transaction of $498,240.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 94,900 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,313,416. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new position in shares of Funko during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. US Bancorp DE purchased a new position in Funko in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in Funko by 76.3% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,762 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,195 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada purchased a new position in Funko in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in Funko by 172.8% in the 4th quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 4,452 shares of the company’s stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 2,820 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.16% of the company’s stock.
Funko stock opened at $9.71 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $14.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.72. The stock has a market cap of $479.83 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.49, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.89. Funko has a fifty-two week low of $8.29 and a fifty-two week high of $27.89.
Funko, Inc, a pop culture consumer products company, designs, sources, and distributes licensed pop culture products in the United States, China, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom. The company offers vinyl, blind-packed miniature, and action figures; and plush products, accessories, apparels, and homewares, as well as bags, purses, and wallets.
Recommended Story: What is the S&P/ASX 200 Index?
For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com
Receive News & Ratings for Funko Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Funko and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.


text:
'For When You Forget Your Jungle Formula' – Perrigo Launches UK Bite & Sting Range
Perrigo UK & Ireland offers relief for UK consumers on holiday without their Jungle Formula.
You may also be interested in...
Perrigo launches new XLS-Medical Ultra 5 slimming aid just in time for the UK government's new weight-loss drive in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perrigo is investing to grow its reinvigorated International consumer health business by acquiring three OTC skin-care brands from Sanofi.
Perrigo’s clinical trials on CBD likely will take years before resulting products help bring order to the market. During earnings presentation, CEO Murray Kessler says the trials aren’t intended to establish claims for CBD but are more a long-term effort to provide data to FDA.


text:
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF)- Many options along the Grand Strand attract visitors every year. The one percent tourism tax of goods and services goes toward outside advertising and promotions. Equations research is showing Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce how effective outside advertising is in other cities.
Part of the money that is spent on advertising comes from the accommodations tax, state and county governments and some private industry. All together the chamber spends about 25 million dollars in advertising. A portion of the money goes toward TV commercials that run in big cities like Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; and Atlanta, GA.
Brad Dean at the Myrtle Beach Chamber says advertising is a win-win for everyone along the Grand Strand. Dean says, "Tourism marketing is absolutely essential to grow the tourism industry. We can hope that repeat visitors will continue to come back but the only way to grow your market and bring first time visitors to the area is to advertise, show them all they have to offer and once they come to the Grand Strand and enjoy our hospitality and all that the area offers they are more than likely to come back."
The Chamber hopes to find out how effective advertising dollars were in 2010 and to see what trends we're seeing in 2011 to know exactly how to market the area.
CCU professor Taylor Demonte about how the tourism season has kicked off here so far. He said that right now it is reasonably strong.
Since January 1. 2011, we have had a three percent increase in revenue per available hotel room. Compared to last year, more people are spending a higher cost to stay in a hotel. Reta Berman says outside marketing has paid off, "They hear Myrtle Beach commercials all winter long when the snow is like four feet deep. Anytime I mention we moved to North Carolina everybody says Oh, you are near Myrtle Beach. They even equate both of the Carolinas to Myrtle Beach."
One of the marketing strategies that appeals to many people is the variety of activities offered here at the beach and the short drive time. The chamber also hopes to encourage first time visitors to become real estate buyers.


text:
Transsion Holdings collaborates with DHL Global for distribution and warehousing
Mobile phone manufacturer Transsion Holdings has collaborated with DHL Global to get airfreight services from Transsion’s manufacturing base in South China to 28 countries around the world, including markets across Asia (including India), the Middle East and Africa.
DHL will provide sea freight for Transsion products, along with warehousing services, in order to support brand itel’s recent foray into the Indian market.
“Our partnership with a global brand like DHL is another step that underlines our commitment to deliver quality services. We are confident that this development will augment our extant network of distributors and suppliers, and will support us in our aim to make our high-quality, value-added products available to buyers in all corners of the country,” said Sudhir Kumar, CEO, itel Mobile India.
DHL’s airfreight service will complement Transsion’s existing sales, supply chain, and manufacturing network by transporting the company’s mobile devices and spare parts from Hong Kong into both India and Africa.
“We are happy that our top handset brands including Tecno, itel and Infinix are well-received by customers all over the world, especially in emerging markets like Africa and India,” said Jason Liu, CMO ,Transsion Holdings.
Transsion Holdings is a customer under DHL's Fast Growing Enterprises initiative and has access to logistics solutions across all DHL business units.


text:
The so-called “stock market bloodbath” has continued on Friday with major indices falling down to the lows of the last October. What's going on?
American equities decrease
On Tuesday, American equities were set to start lower because gloomy earnings from industrial bellwethers Caterpillar as well as 3M backed worries over Italy's finances, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation as well as trade conflict fears.
The equities of Caterpillar went down by 7.7% in premarket trade after the heavy-duty equipment maker scraped past quarterly revenue forecasts because levies increased material costs. As a result, the company decided not to have 2018 earnings forecast raised.
3M Company headed south by 6.8% because its third-quarter sales missed forecasts and the company downgraded its full-year revenue forecast because of currency headwinds.
The gloomy estimates from the two Dow Jones Industrial Average components contributed to worries over the influence of soaring borrowing costs as well as wages and also levies on corporate gains.
In the third quarter, revenue of S&P 500 companies is anticipated to have soared by almost 22%, which is slower compared to the previous two quarters. What’s more, it’s anticipated to speed down further in the fourth quarter.
A deceleration in China, Italy's spending plans as well as the stalemate over Brexit, not to mention the pressure on Saudi Arabia over the facts about the murder of a reporter affected risk appetite worldwide.
The Dow e-minis slumped by 1.55%. Additionally, S&P 500 e-minis decreased by 1.38%, while Nasdaq 100 e-minis tumbled by 1.67%.
Besides this, the heavyweight technology equities, which backed the Nasdaq on Monday buckled too, with chip manufacturers facing the most impressive losses.
Micron, Intel and AMD headed south 1.8%-4.4%.
The high-flying FAANG group of equities wasn’t insulated from the broad-based dips. Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Facebook and Netflix declined 1.5%-2.8%. Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Intel are anticipated to post outcomes later this week.
McDonald's ascended by 2.3% after it surpassed forecasts for quarterly same-store sales.
Verizon rallied by 0.5%.
Besides coronavirus, other news has been driving the stocks of Apple, Wallmart and General Motors to the lower levels.
Will coronavirus continue keeping the markets in fear? What releases should we wait for? Find out in the news!
WTI oil prices jumped up after Donald Trump’s 2 tweets
Today the US nonfarm payroll data will be reported that could cause fluctuations of the market.
WTI was at $20 per barrel just in the beginning of the day. Currently - above 25$.


text:
In today’s tech news, Apple could produce a smart dock to turn your iPhone into a Siri smart speaker. Microsoft announces a Cortana-powered thermostat and a Russian man is jailed for developing Citadel Malware.
Eyesight Technologies, a startup developing in-car driver and occupancy monitoring systems, today announced that its
Scientists have mapped the genome of the German shepherd, one of the world’s most
It started off as an ad-libbed joke for some friends in a football banter group
With Tonya Riley Note to readers: The Technology 202 will run on a limited schedule