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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Nintendo is a return to profit

 

The Japanese video game just accused its first loss since its IPO. Nintendo has been hit by a sharp decline in sales of its game console Wii aging room, to 9.8 million units, against 15.1 million for the previous fiscal year, ended March 31, 2011. In addition, sales of handheld 3DS are slightly below expectations at 13.5 million copies. Especially to reach this level of sales, a net reduction in price has been paid on this handheld that broadcasts stereoscopic images without needing to wear glasses. The free 3D has not generated the expected benefits. Instead, it was the source of problems.

In total, sales fell 36% to € 6.4 billion for fiscal year 2011-2012, which just ended. And the operating loss of 37.3 billion yen (370 million) over the period.

Recover the revenue, and return to profitability

Nevertheless, Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's CEO, is betting on a recovery in activity. Performance should not regain their 2010 level, however: the turnover is expected to rise by 26%. In addition, the group is betting on a return to profitability.

The key to the recipe for recovery is called "Wii U", the new generation of console gaming lounge, which combines a touch screen console. It should be presented in its final version in June, at the show E3 video games in Los Angeles. Combined with the lower prices of 3DS allegedly curbed by lower production costs, the group should reach nearly 200 million net profit for the fiscal year that just started.

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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.

The skirmish continued between Sarkozy and Lauvergeon

 

Nicolas Sarkozy retorted tit for tat. Questioned Tuesday by Anne Lauvergeon in an interview published by L'Express, the Head of State, on Friday invited to iTV, has applied to meet about the former president of Areva. "All this is of politicking," he judged. "What makes it less credible that Lauvergeon said was that she waited to be put out to challenge a system that she wanted to continue to participate in the first place as president of Areva," Nicolas Sarkozy has argued low fee payday loans.

He also underlined the political commitment of the former CEO, also old Sherpa Mitterrand: "It is now the president of Liberation, with a known commitment to the left". Lauvergeon has headed the supervisory board of the newspaper in July 2011.

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Accor: 45 hotels in India by 2015

 

At the entrance, the staff welcomes you with a "hello-namaste." In the room, remind you of Paris macarons, but the decor is no doubt: you are in India. At the table, it offers a good curry and burgundy … Welcome to the Sofitel Mumbai KBC, the first hotel brand in India since its move upmarket, which began in 2007. The first stone was laid that year in the new business district of Bombay, near the largest stock of diamonds. The hotel was inaugurated this week. "The biggest challenge in India, the construction time. There are a lot of bureaucracy. We had to ask more than one hundred licenses, "said Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO Sofitel Worldwide.

The 5-star luxury 302 rooms (first prize $ 250 a night) employing 520 people is to compete with the chains located in Bombay: Indian Taj and the Oberoi, but Four Seasons, Hyatt, Westin and Shangri-Here which opened its first facility in mid-June "There is not enough supply, so there is market share to take," said Denis Hennequin, CEO of Accor, decided to accelerate in India. The group has 15 hotels today and will end the year at 23. We stay away from the expansion in China, where Accor has more than 120 addresses. "There are high barriers to entry into India. Everything takes time. We must find the right partners, "explains Denis Hennequin. Eleven openings are planned this year, with five this month, the first Pullman and Formule 1.

Goal of becoming the first hotel outside India

By 2015, Denis Hennequin is 90 hotels open or under construction and the place of the first international hotel group in India. "This represents a sixty hotels open," says Christian Karaoglanian, managing director of hotel development, which indicates that 30 to 40 million euros are invested annually in India, where the group is developing with local partners. The Sofitel Mumbai represented an investment of about fifteen million euros for Accor, which owns some of the walls. All operations undertaken in India is so far a total of 223 million euros worth of assets of 1.15 billion.

The leading position covered by Denis Hennequin is occupied by Carlson, with 52 hotels. The battle promises to be tight. "We have a very privileged position in India that is the envy said Hubert Joly, CEO of Carlson. We will try to keep it. "The group plans to build 48 hotels and has signed a partnership agreement with the Indian Bestech Hospitalities to open fifty Park Inn by 2024.

But places are to be taken. "There are 150,000 hotel rooms across India, as well as in the city of Shanghai," said Christian Karaoglanian. Accor, the openings will be especially Formula 1, Ibis and Novotel. Sofitel two are scheduled to Bombay with a "So Sofitel" contemporary design. Outside of Bombay, Robert Gaymer-Jones looks as opportunities in Delhi, Bangalore and Goa.

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Warning against inflation in Germany

 

Full marks for ver.di. The first major wage negotiations this year in Germany was crowned the success of service trade union leader and his mustache, Frank Bsirske. Negotiators side employees were claiming 6.5% increase to two million civil servants and local authorities. The increase will be 6.3%. This historic increase will be gradual (+ 3.5% of salary plus retroactive to March 1) and spread until August 2013. Four negotiation sessions and forty hours of discussion for the last round resulted in spectacular agreement. The only intransigence Bsirske, who has earned his stripes as a figure of unionism on the occasion, does not explain everything.

The strong protests by the workers during the strikes of March preventive in hospitals, public transport and airports as well as the fear of employers to see the movement repetition employees placed in a strong position. Up to press the government to "pain threshold", in the words of Interior Minister, Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU), government negotiator.

Election and purchasing power

The union knew they could rely on the benevolence of power: Ursula von der Leyen, Minister of Labour, close to Angela Merkel, had incurred the wrath of employers claiming earlier this year substantial increases in salary . At stake, the advantage for the government to support domestic demand. Chancellor, his eyes fixed on his re-election next year, wants to position itself as the candidate of purchasing power, in a campaign that will address the general issue of minimum wage business cards. This agreement sets the tone in a Germany whose optimism is reflected now on pay slips. Even the liberal FDP, punctilious in the use of public funds, welcomed the outcome of negotiations (amounted to 5 billion euros) for civil servants, it is "fair" they also benefit from growth.

In general euphoria, a blast of cold air came down in Copenhagen. The Danish capital where he was attending the meeting of the Eurogroup, Jens Weidmann, the Bundesbank president, fears that "this increase, combined with the expected rise in energy prices, fueling inflation." He hopes that "this result is not used as a benchmark for other industries." Since 2012 is described here for years "Megatarif". The pay slip 4 million German employees will be the challenge of negotiations in the sectors of metallurgy, power industry, chemical and telecoms. The 33,000 ground employees of the airline Lufthansa have already obtained an increase of 3.5% and 130,000 Deutsche Post up 4%.

And like a vicious cycle, inflation eats the magnitude of the claims. Officially increased by an average of 2.3% last year, German workers have received only an increase of 1.1%, after deducting price increases. One more argument in the quiver of the unions.

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Air: Corsair goes upmarket without spending too

 

Corsairfly becomes … Corsair International. "A change but not revolution," agrees Pascal de Izaguirre, CEO of the airline of TUI. The leaders of the giant European Tourism chose a facelift to revive the company acquired by Nouvelles Frontieres in 1990 when Jacques Maillot was at the controls. At the time it was called Corse Air International

.

Everything has changed since: the German TUI shareholder meeting in France Marmara Tourinter, New Frontiers and renamed the airline Corsairfly stripped a quarter of its workforce … He has invested hundreds of millions of euros to transform the old a charter company whose regular cabs devices have been fully refurbished mid-2013 with a budget of 36 million euros.

Financially, the subsidiary of TUI could not afford a complete change of name: "Rather than spend a fortune to switch brands, it is better to devote resources to what the customer appreciates the ground or on board" , says Pascal de Izaguirre CEO of Corsair International.  

Erase the image and low-cost charter

A budget of 2.5 million euros will be spent on change of visual identity (logo creation, uniforms, aircraft painting). The first plane scratched white and blue logo of the retro graphics will be delivered in July. The other six, including two new A 330 will follow until mid-April 2013.

But another reason is given by the CEO of Corsairfly to explain the lack of boldness in the choice of name: "The Corsair brand is extremely well known. Hostesses and stewards are known to be friendly and smiling. "The old company Nouvelles Frontieres is certainly an image associated with cheap, but also a Spartan comfort.

"Corsair will celebrate its 31 anniversary this year, little known company such longevity, defends Pascal de Izaguirre. Many have disappeared, new arrivals are. We remove the "fly" but also the name of "smiley" logo TUI, not to hide our group membership, but to erase anything that might suggest the charter or low cost. "…. ….

The team of TUI wants to play the card of elegance, high quality services, while remaining competitive on price. The number of seats "open sea" (comparable to a business class) increases from 24 to 36 in the Boeing 747 and 18 to 26 in the A 330. "We have invested heavily in-flight services, airport lounges to Orly, Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort de France, and soon the meeting …"

New destinations

The relaunch of the company scheduled two years ago falls to one of the worst periods through which the world of air: the rates are low while the cost of jet fuel has stabilized at a very high level that weakens companies.

"This does not undermine our vision and direction, says the CEO of TUI France. We are currently addressing the structural problems of the company and it is not challenged by economic factors. TUI, our shareholder, has powerful resources. He made a choice that takes the long term. "

Corsair International will also review its destinations in September, the company will cease to serve Miami. Instead it will open a line to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, a destination that has grown 15% since the beginning of the year.

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Nicolas Sarkozy wants to tax tax exiles

 

• Nicolas Sarkozy wants to pay the tax exiles

Incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out at tax exiles Monday night on TF1, the Word of candidate issue, by proposing the creation of "a tax related to nationality," a system "used by the Americans." "Anyone who left France for not paying taxes will make known to the administration the amount of taxes it pays abroad. If it is lower than it would have paid in France, he will pay the difference, "he explained, saying" particularly outrageous "the" category "French people who practice the tax exile.

"The tax exile, is the one who wants to remain French nationality but who do not want to stay in France for taxation. I have all the advantages but no problem! "He insisted. Before warning: "Well, they'll get a surprise."

The spokesman of the president candidate, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, told AFP he would not make "the deprivation of nationality." "If he does not pay, he is pursued by the taxman. (…) However, if he wants to escape measurement, it is of course free to take another nationality, "she added.

However, Nicolas Sarkozy does not want to "touch the expatriate tax status" for professional reasons. "There are two million French people living abroad who are fighting, which conquer markets", he chained, also referring to officials posted abroad. "These French, I do not want anyone to touch anything in their fiscal and legal status. In anything, "he proclaimed.

• a sytème sponsorship by citizens

Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that he would introduce a system of sponsorship by citizens during the next presidential election if re-elected in May. He had recently discussed a figure of about 3% of the electorate.

On the National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, he wished she managed to collect 500 of sponsorships elected him to run for president, adding that if she had not, it would be "a problem ". "Clearly, I want it to have its sponsorship," said the outgoing president.

"I have long thought that people who vote for the National Front vote for this party, not because they believe in their solutions – they have none – but because it is a cry of anger, c ' is suffering, it is an anxiety, "he said paydayloans. He said that "we do not begrudge people their anguish and suffering, I am simply saying to voters that voting for the National Front is a complete impasse. By voting for the National Front, they encourage one thing, as always, the victory of the socialist candidate. "

• Sarkozy sweeps rumors of funding by Gaddafi in 2007

Asked about the website Mediapart whereby Muammar Gaddafi would have funded his 2007 campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy said that "if he had funded I would not have been very grateful," adding sarcastically that the son of former Libyan leader was probably a "moral compass". In March 2011, at the beginning of military intervention led by France and the United Kingdom in Libya, Seif al-Islam had challenged Nicolas Sarkozy in an interview with Euronews.

"Mr. Gaddafi, who is known to say anything, had even said that there were checks, and although his son's place. When quoting Gaddafi who died and his son who has blood on his hands, and that associated himself with the questions he asked, frankly I think it is fairly low in the political debate, " Nicolas Sarkozy deplored.

• "No load without revenue" for artisans

Artisans will no longer pay payroll taxes as they will not realize revenue, announced on TF1 President Nicolas Sarkozy. "The artisans will be treated exactly like the auto-entrepreneur: you only pay charges that the minute you get a turnover," said the presidential candidate, in response to a question from a craftsman.  

• Lifting of military secrecy in the matter Karachi

Nicolas Sarkozy said he was ready to lift the secrecy-defense in the case of Karachi, while his rival Socialists, Francois Hollande, pledged on Monday to lift it during a meeting at his campaign headquarters with relatives victims of the attack. "I have nothing to hide or even remotely. I am for transparency, "assured the president candidate.

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