Archivio per la categoria 'technology'

Few women on boards of directors

 

Only one company, Publicis, shows a perfect parity between men and women. "The Lady-boom run out of steam already?" Asks Caroline to Marnierre, president of Capitalcom by identifying the number of women who will be entering this year in these boards. A total of 17 women will be appointed at general meetings of shareholders, which is twice less than in 2011 (33 women), according Capitalcom. "The 2012 vintage is characterized by a marked weakening of the dynamics observed in 2011," the study said. "Increasing diversity is mainly due to the increased number of women holding more money."

Slow progress

The law provides that Cope-Zimmerman boards must include 20% women by 2014 and 40% in 2017. She timidly begins to bear fruit: the board will count 23.4% women on average this year, against 20.8% in 2011 and only 8.5% in 2007! And 27 major groups on the French side have already fulfilled their obligations for 2014.

In a quarter of them, the rate of mixing is even greater than 30% (BNP Paribas, Bouygues, Credit Agricole, Publicis, PPR, Safran, Societe Generale, Total, Vallourec and Vivendi). Although still scarce, women are increasingly involved in the boards, the study notes, which is "evolution in the number of women who chair a committee (33%)."

Who are they? They averaged 55 years and are mostly French (63.64%). The CAC 40 also account for 7.3% and 6.4% American administrators of the British.

Despite little progress this year, the mix of boards should gain ground in the future. Especially since the European Commission intends to introduce quotas for women on boards of directors and supervisory boards.

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Paris is more committed to the survival of the euro as Berlin

 

Angela Merkel to hold the said it is preparing to receive the head of state in Europe who feel most attached to the euro. If it should remain a single country in the single currency – strange paradox – it would be France. While London bookmakers have stopped betting on an output of Greece, both in their likelihood seems strong (4 against 1), France is the country where the probability of abandonment of the single currency seems most low, with a score of 20 against 1. Our risk of secession is smaller than that of Germany (14/1) and a fortiori of Spain (12/1).

Without being scientific opinion of the bookmakers perfectly expresses the historical reality. It was François Mitterrand, who had pressured Kohl to waive its Deutsche Mark, symbol of German success, and not vice versa. And now the fear of Germany going it alone is not negligible.

The Judgment of Solomon

This is certainly not an asset but to enter a negotiation being as attached to the object of bargaining. In the judgment of Solomon, the true mother would rather give up her child rather than see it cut in half as we offered him. Lionel Jospin had experienced to his cost in June 1997, when he requested a trustee appoint a growth component in the Stability Pact. This was done in terms of the Treaty of Amsterdam – the city from the top – where you added "and growth", a mere rhetorical flourish. And a few months later, when a new record for employment in Luxembourg, the "socialist left" vain declare that "social Europe deserves a euro crisis," the threat was empty guaranteed cash advance.

This time the chances of reaching a "compromise" in the words of Pierre Moscovici, the campaign manager Francois Hollande, are much greater. Unlike the summer of 1997 where she had already begun a recovery, the European economy is in recession. Face a fundamental problem that it does not deny, Angela Merkel has also taken the lead. Of the six points it offers (see above) are the "projects bonds" financing investment projects. The kinship is more than semantics with the "Eurobonds", aimed at pooling, in part, public debts … and that excludes Berlin.

In the French camp, Michel Sapin, a bright future ministry, just recognized the dangers of renewed worsening deficits and debt. This concession to the Chancellor will she meet up at any price schedule of deficit reduction, or do we give to the freeze?

At stake is the reputation of a "Holland, Roosevelt again for Europe", the socialist economist Thomas Piketty, apostle of tax benefits, strives to accredit Urbi et Orbi. But do not forget that New Deal also includes structural reforms. This component is part of the negotiation that engages in Europe, as evidenced by the fact-finding mission that has just visited Brussels to Paris, as well as in eleven other European economies face obvious problems of competitiveness. Its findings will be formally presented on May 30

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Greece: EU calls for "accountability"

 

Greece goes into its paradox. Historic cradle of democracy, she is passionate as always in politics, as evidenced by the good turnout in the general election on May 6 (65% of registered voters turned out to vote). But this passion produces no power capable of meeting the challenges of the country.

Alexis Tsipras, the local Mélenchon, which has tripled its electoral score compared to 2009, refused to support a national unity government with Evangelos Venizelos, the leader of PASOK (Socialist), respecting the commitments signed fiscal discipline there are three months. The country has not always of prime minister, while the urgency has never been greater.  

Who will represent Greece at meetings of the Eurogroup and Ecofin Monday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 15? He would need a strong personality to defend with the granting of European partners in June of a $ 8 billion of loans. Who sit behind the flag to cross and blue stripes at the NATO summit in Chicago on May 20? An eloquent negotiator would be welcome if Greece wants to avoid that Westerners endorse the requirement of the Skopje government to appoint his country "Macedonia", to which the Greeks are opposed to historical reasons.

Patronage system

"I am very concerned (…) I appeal to the sense of national responsibility of all political leaders to reach agreement respecting the commitments of the country," said Friday the EU president, Herman Van Rompuy. But, late afternoon, the Greek political class had still not given a name.

Lucas Papademos, the technocrat in charge of the country for three months, went to see the President Karolos Papoulias to ask him to speed up the process of appointing a new prime minister. The former vice president of the European Central Bank is very concerned about the possibility of excluding Greece from the euro area, corroborated by the statements in the press of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble.

Oddly enough, the Greek population, which according to all polls are still mostly gained against the euro, does not include the requirements of its creditors, or their impatience at the slow pace of structural reforms opaque. "I did not vote for PASOK, this time launching Michalis, independent taxi driver, because it does nothing for my daughter when she has an engineering degree!" ….. …

In the patronage system prevailing since the arrival of the Socialists to power in 1981, there was a right of activists to put their children in the administration. PASOK has fallen from 43% to 13% of the vote between elections of October 2009 and May 6.

"In a country where youth unemployment exceeds 50%, the little people have no sense or do not vote more rationally! Says a Greek financier. The Greeks have lost confidence. Only the Chinese are constantly telling us they believe in long-term potential of the country! "

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Health: better access to care by region

A unified regional contact

There are 26 Regional Health Agencies (ARS), the cutting may not be superimposed on that of the regions. Indeed, the distribution is developed based on specific characteristics and needs of each territory.

Each ARS multi-agency previously responsible form of dispersed health policy in the regions and departments:

– DRASS (Regional Directorate of Health and Social Affairs)

– DDASS (Departmental Directorate of Health and Social Affairs)

– The Regional Agency for Hospitalisation,

– The Regional Union of Health Insurance, which includes the main plans: general system, agricultural system and RSI.

Prevention missions, organization and management

The Regional Health Agency operates both in missions to regional dimension that the most local level. These missions are twofold:

– Management of public health in the region. This control is based on safety and health monitoring (environmental monitoring, epidemics …), in coordination with the prefect.

– The organization of health care provision. The ARS is involved both with local doctors and health facilities (hospitals, clinics) or medical social (retirement homes, homes for the disabled).

Improving healthcare services

The ARS has four main objectives:

– Reduce territorial inequalities in health,

– Better access to care,

– Improve coordination between health professionals and health institutions and medical social,

– Ensure greater efficiency in health spending.

The ARS are preferred partners of health professionals and local authorities, who endeavor to promote and coordinate actions.

Controlling health expenditures in all their aspects

The mission of ARS is ultimately optimize the allocation and use of health resources. That is to make the most of every dollar of budget committed to a regional health policy.

ARS also did they have programs priority risk management (GDR). For the period 2010-2011, we find among them including transporting patients, chronic renal failure, the hospital prescriptions drugs performed in the city, medical imaging or efficiency of nursing homes (residential homes for the Elderly dependent). The diversity of these measures reflects the breadth and depth of intervention of ARS.

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The insolent French energy market chocolate bars

 

The French may well have low morale and closely monitor their spending, not about to give up one of their tasty treats: chocolate bars. This is one of the fastest growing segments (7%) on the market for chocolate confectionery, dominated by three heavyweights: Ferrero (Kinder Bueno, Country), Mars (Mars, Twix, Snickers) and Nestlé (KitKat, Lion). "In times of crisis, the French do not want to agree to give up small pleasures available, explains Christophe Bordin, Ferrero France. They arbitrate on other expenses. "Higher prices, less than 2%, due to soaring raw material, nothing changed.

Better growth potential remains high. The French consume on average only three chocolate bars a year, half that of tablets. However, public health campaigns against obesity, especially among children, they have seriously been shadowed. The bars have all but disappeared and fronts of boxes hypermarkets.

Nutrition a key priority

So, most actors, who have given up advertising per hour of after school, have made improving the nutritional profile of their bar one of their warhorses. This is one of the sinews of war fought in this market extremely dominated by Kinder Bueno (Ferrero), the youngest, born just twenty years ago. March, who has made improving his recipe one of the keys of his reconquest of the French market, has pioneered five years ago. There was urgency: mothers had diverted from his bar, which was the first in the French market in 1951, finding it too greasy and disgusting.

After declining the use of saturated fatty acids and fats, March flatly reduces the size of its bar (- 7%). And to inject a little "dream" in his communication, he revived his pub in 1995 and the American imagination of the Wild West, while reviving its historic slogan ("A March, and it goes again") creditreport. Mission accomplished in two years, he won a million new consumers. "Our goal is to become a leader in the segment of chocolate bars," says Thierry Gaillard, president of Mars Chocolat France, whose cult brand is celebrating his eighty years.

Quest for respectability

Even fighting for KitKat (Nestle), one of the most bars sold in the world (17.6 billion in 2010), which in 2008 launched a light version for women ("Senses", 165 calories). Before going out early 2012 "Singles", a single bar to 80 calories.

The battle is fierce. "As this product pulse that are not on the shopping list, the key remains visible in stores and media, based on strong brands," said Thierry Gaillard. Even more than innovation, the "classic" generate most sales. Face Ferrero, who has the largest sales force in the market (400 sales), March 85 vendors hired last year to push its promos. In the agribusiness sector, Ferrero France – who recruited the tennis champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to the pub Kinder Bueno – advertising remains the largest investor with 215 million euros (+8%) in 2011.

In this quest for respectability, chocolate bars have an asset in France: the famous "taste" of children, sacred pause in the Hexagon. On this particular field that Kinder Bueno has succeeded in widening the gap with its competitors. Because it is perceived to be lighter, moms do not hesitate to give their children for their "four hours" instead of biscuits and pastries.

Auto Insurance: What to do in case of dispute

Fostering dialogue

The first rule in litigation is always trying to find an amicable solution by promoting dialogue. Also, after a finding, it is important to make contact quickly with the adviser or broker in charge of your case. This is an opportunity to obtain justifications and make your point of view.

This is unfortunately not the most common. However it is often popular with insurance companies and after clarification of the parties it is common to reach an amicable agreement.

Associate with other insured

If dialogue is not possible to reach an amicable resolution of the dispute, it may be worthwhile to use associations insured or consumers. This helps to make contact with others who are insured in the same situation vis-à-vis an insurance company. Often, litigation, unity is strength and it can exert more pressure on companies.

Think about the contradictory expert

Often, litigation auto insurance regarding the amount of compensation offered by the insurer. To the extent this amount is mostly determined by an expert, do not hesitate to ask an expert opinion. To do this, simply to mandate an automotive expert at your expense. If the contradictory expert reveals large differences with the report which the insurance company, a third independent expert will arbitrate the dispute.

Namely: the cost of third-party expertise are shared between your insurance company and you.

Hiring a mediator

Completely independent, the mediator of insurance and free intervenes as a last resort. Also, other remedies must be exhausted amicable and should not be any legal proceeding.

To take advantage of his speech, just submit the matter to the mediator of insurance by registered letter with acknowledgment. This folder should contain all parts necessary for the proper understanding of the dispute as well as information regarding the insurance company.

Note: the decision of insurance ombudsman does not require the insurance company but is a strong case if a prosecution should be initiated.

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Burger King renewed the offensive

 

Burger King goes on the offensive to win back customers less and less convinced. Director North America of fast food chain, Steve Wiborg, detailed this weekend at USA Today's battle plan. It comes in three areas: promoting healthier recipes to the menu (chicken, fruit smoothies …), new decoration of restaurants and extensive advertising campaign. 2500 U.S. restaurants and should be renovated in the next three years, while celebrities such as footballer David Beckham will be mobilized for the campaign.

Miami-based chain, bought in 2010 for $ 3.9 billion by the fund 3G Capital, had to react. Last year, it lost its traditional position as the second largest seller of hamburgers in the U.S., restaurant owners and franchisees alike. According to research firm Technomic, Wendy's has topped the pole with $ 8.5 billion hamburgers sold, 100 million more than Burger King, but still far behind the 34.2 billion King McDonald's.

The growing strength of Wendy's has been attributed to its new range of sandwiches more upscale and upgrade its stores, operated in 2011.

The snub did not extend to the international market, where Burger King is an undisputed number two easy payday loans. The chain is present in 81 countries through 12,500 of which only 1,300 are restaurants owned.

By expanding the franchise

Both franchises expected to widen again over its international expansion. In late 2011, Burger King realized indeed still two thirds of its revenue – $ 2.3 billion versus 2.5 billion for fiscal year 2010-2011 – North America.

The new shareholder intends to continue its growth in emerging countries and Europe, where Germany, Spain and Great Britain predominate. An upcoming opening in France, which would pass through a franchise with Autogrill's partner Burger King in Italy, is expected.

The choice of an expansion franchise by offering the chain, heavily in debt since it was bought by leveraged capital 3G, greater financial flexibility. Negative, it restricts its ability to control the implementation of its campaigns, often very expensive renovation in restaurants. In the U.S., the owner of a fast food must put on the table between $ 300,000 and $ 1.5 million, as merely a lick of paint or he rebuilt his building for s adapt to new standards group.

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PSG will issue a record deficit

 

PSG collects records! The Parisian club has made the biggest transfer in buying Argentine Javier Pastore 42 million and the club was the biggest spender of all Ligue 1 last summer by investing over $ 80 million. This winter, PSG has hired three months ago the highest paid coach in France in the person of Carlo Ancelotti paid over $ 6 million per year then the club has spent the most money in Ligue 1 last winter (more than 18 million). Accordingly, in June, the capital club could show, according to Le Parisien, the highest deficit of all clubs of the elite of French football: € 100 million! For the 2011-2012 season, the direction of the PSG is expected to generate 100 million euros in revenue while its expenses are expected to reach 200 million. Half of which are transfers.  

The Parisian club had ancipité mid-season losses of 40 million-which, incidentally is also a record for the Ligue 1. But meanwhile, PSG sacked coach Antoine Kombouare to 4 million, hired a new coach and his staff of half a dozen people, recruited three new players and paid premiums of collective and individual matches.

Germany as a model

Anyway, it would be very bad news if it was confirmed that UEFA will then point at the end of the 2012-2013 season on the accounts of European football clubs. "Clubs must present a cumulative deficit of 45 million euros, said Andrea Traverso, director of financial fair play in UEFA." If this is not the case, the offending clubs face penalties ranging from simple financial penalties up to exclusion from European competitions.  

This perspective does not seem to scare the president of PSG, Nasser al-Kelaïfi, who plans to spend on transfers 100 million euros a year for "five or six years" in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "I expect a restless summer transfer window next to PSG to do well in the European Cup, but for the transfer markets following the Parisian club will not need to spend much money, says Vincent Chaudel, sports specialist at Kurt Salmon. PSG also must have some stability also sports ". So why is this statement? "The club has an obligation imposed by the results of Qatari shareholders, given the amounts invested in moves, he says. Through this declaration, the President shows other European teams and players who could join him next summer he has the means of its ambitions. "

To offset these significant costs, the Qatari leader expects that the club improves "its revenue marketing, TV rights and ticket sales including" and thus make a profit "within five years." That only the German club Bayern Munich was able to achieve in 2010-2011 with a profit of 1.3 million. In football too, Germany is a model.

Halal labeling of Sarkozy, an almost impossible task

 

Halal or not halal. Since the controversy launched by Marine Le Pen, before the cuts of meat, the question arises. In response, Nicolas Sarkozy wants a clear distinction between the classical deduction, that is to say, after stunning the animal, and depression according to Muslim ritual or Jewish, is very funny. "We recognize everyone's right to know what he eats, halal or not. I therefore wish the labeling of meat according to the method of slaughter, "said the head of state on Saturday during his meeting in Bordeaux.

An announcement of the president candidate is a surprise: there is only one week, the government has withdrawn a bill (with a leader Françoise Hostalier, MP North UMP) up very precisely in this sense. Recently, also, the Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire recalled that it was not "stigmatize" the affected communities, bolstering the positions-very-powerful clerics and the food industry, which fears that such labels do disrupt the meat market. In 2010, another member Nicolas Dhuicq, the UMP too, suffered the same setbacks, still under government pressure.

Labeling unlikely

Today, the labeling of halal products is not mandatory. The "Halal" appears prominently on thousands of products, and proves to be an excellent marketing strategy. Nevertheless, it is nothing regulatory. In other words, you can eat a product marked "halal" is really without his. And you can also consume a product that is not stamped "halal", but he is yet.

Label products to better distinguish them, the solution seems simple. But only in theory because in practice the regulatory framework does not allow it. This would, in the same way as for the AB logo affixed to the products of organic farming, that Europe gives the green light. For labeling becomes mandatory, the proposal would have "obtain a qualified majority of the European Commission and Parliament," assures us there at the Ministry of Agriculture.

But Europe has already said no: in 2009, the debate on the conditions of slaughter was then opened, and in 2011, consumer information, "but this has not been retained, while several states EU did not see the need, "says one cabinet ministry, even if the pressure of industrialists and representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities is also denounced. If Spain and Lithuania have defended such a project, others are turned. Sweden and Austria, for example, the ritual slaughter as it is even forbidden, these important country all their halal or kosher.

A risk of rising prices

Thus, if the labeling became mandatory method of slaughter, an ox killed without stunning is cataloged "halal" or "kosher" from head to toe. Or for example, according to Jewish tradition, only the "top" of the beast can be consumed. The rest – the back – going on in the conventional circuit. Thus, a tab or a bib, that Jews do not eat, labeled "very funny" could remain on the shelves. The butchers are concerned about having to sell off the pieces. And these losses through higher prices elsewhere.

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For a time, Athens can blow. After a meeting in Brussels, the seventeen ministers of finance in the euro area have given their approval for the payment of the sixth tranche of aid to Greece. At a cost of 8 billion euros, it should help support the country, public debt has recently passed the threshold of 160% of GDP. Initially, Greece will receive 5.8 billion from the euro area, yet the remainder dependent on the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Eagerly awaited the release of the envelope is part of the plan of 110 billion euros agreed in May 2010.This decision allows especially on track to the second rescue plan prepared in late October, to be finalized between the Greek Government and private creditors in early 2012 best payday advance.

A sign of confidence

For the new Greek government, this decision is also similar to a pledge of confidence in the euro area for the implementation of austerity measures which the aid was conditional. Athens has also worked hard ahead of the meeting date. In a statement released this afternoon, Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Minister of Finance, has assured that "all the necessary conditions" for the new aid program had been met.

It must be said that the release of the tranche was delayed several times.