Global Business

News focusing on the business as it affects industries on a global scale.   
Bringing news from key business sectors that impact the future as well as present day operations.

[8.2.11]
President Clinton Visits Vegas to Deliver Resounding Keynote

Stability. Equality. Sustainability. The three words that were echoed throughout the speech made by the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, who was the keynote speaker at the International Market Center in Las Vegas.  Citing facts and figures that proved an accomplished administration while Clinton was in office, his keynote primarily focused on how the future of the nation could be upturned by correcting the issues of the present by learning from successes and failures of the past.

As the only Democrat to be elected to two consecutive terms in the past six decades, Clinton was forthright in pointing out how the nation certainly doesn't have any issues that it can't solve. He attributes the nation's current state of instability to have a detrimental effect on the minds of Americans. "Instability is good to a certain degree because it gives us incentive to work hard," said Clinton. "We need enough instability to promote creativity and hard work, but too much instability, as we have now, shuts down a nation."

The numbers don't lie. From a global perspective, Clinton quickly rattles off the current state of the world, "Half the world lives on less than two dollars a day. One hundred and thirty million kids never get to go to school.  A quarter of all people who die in the world die from tuberculosis, malaria, AIDS, and dysentery. These are all symptoms of poverty."

With the advancements of research and developments for finding ways to discover and to cure once terminal illnesses, Clinton says that it's truly "an exciting time to be alive." Yet, with so many Americans suffering from the financial and housing crisis that it may be asking too much for them to be excited about the positives. To this, Clinton, once again, relishes in the fact that the American public can be uplifted by believing in the promise of a better tomorrow only when financial institutions aren't clouded with mixed incentives on dealing with the consumers and the marketplace. In all areas of the public and the private sector, Clinton says that there is "too much inequality to create a fair consumer market."

In order to sustain a healthy economy, systems must be created and enforced. Since 1981, the United States has not been a self-sustaining country. Depending on debt issued by nations like China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, Clinton feels that the country needs to get back to a balanced state. "We are in debt to China for over $1 trillion and we are in debt to Japan for nearly $1 trillion," said Clinton. In the world of fair trade practices, Clinton raises the point of how difficult it is for a nation to dictate and enforce the terms of trade agreements and contracts with countries that the nation is currently indebted to.

If Clinton raised many questionable actions of the administrations that assumed power after his term in office, he nonetheless provided well thought out solutions based on his experiences and observations. "It's not the ‘what' but it's the ‘how'," said Clinton. How a solution is accomplished is even more important than simply achieving the goal. If one action is taken to solve an issue while creating a multitude of other issues, then the achievement can't be deemed a success. "We have to ask ourselves, ‘Will this course of action build up the positive forces and reduce the negative forces?'" said Clinton. Regardless of ideology, he is adamant that the most paramount action in creating and executing solutions is to have an organized way of thinking about the situation as a whole.

To have a brighter outlook for the future, he once again revisits his core terms for the revitalization of the United States as his keynote draws to a conclusion: Stability, equality, and sustainability. Clinton said, "We have to change how we live. Reuse. Renew. We have to think about how we produce and consume products."

After delivering a message that put the nation's current state in logical perspective, President Clinton's parting words provided solace with shining hope, "We don't have any problems that we can't deal with. We have more entrepreneurial people in this country. We are the most innovative. Throughout history, people have been betting against us, even before we became an independent nation, and every time, they have lost."

[7.04.11]
Miss BC Pageant Opens its Doors to Married Contestants

This past Canada Day weekend was also the culmination of months of hard work put together by 41 young women of British Columbia. The Miss BC pageant is an annual competition that celebrates young women, community, and charity. It takes place each year at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley, British Columbia.  With girls from all different backgrounds, the diversity of the contestants was a perfect showcase of what makes up the multicultural country of Canada.

Each of the contestants are encouraged to hold a fundraiser before the competition weekend in an effort to raise money for the Cops For Cancer / Canadian Cancer Society charities. This year, the total amount raised was $21, 205!

A few years back, the pageant courted controversy when it allowed single mothers into the program. Most pageants would not have permitted this, but leave it to Miss BC to change up the world of pageants yet again proving that this is not your typical beauty pageant! This year, the show introduced two new categories: Mrs BC and Mrs Lower Mainland – to be more inclusive of contestants who are married! Again, this gave an opportunity to women who may not have been able to participate in other pageants to have an experience of a lifetime!

“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you are not," says Cheryl Dietrich of North Vancouver, winner of the overall Miss BC 2011 title.  She hopes to help other young woman out there feel like they are “amazing, worthy, and enough.”  

The Miss BC Pageant is a developmental program for young women. Each contestant received professional training in areas such as modeling, stage presence, manners and etiquette, self-esteem, interview skills, public speaking, self-defense, and assertiveness.

Other winners of the evening included:
Miss Northern BC – Amanjit Minhas
Miss BC Interior – Cindy Duerst
Miss Vancouver Island – Sabiha Zafar
Miss Fraser Valley -  Nadine Mross
Miss Lower Mainland – Melissa Muirhead
Miss Charity BC – Alyssia Tang
People's Choice Award – Mina Khtaria
Miss Okanagan Valley – Natalie Rivard
Mrs. Lower Mainland – Tara Nakano
Mrs. BC – Carla Wayes
Miss Congeniality – Karly Keshavarz

[2.17.11]
Napa Technology Announces Universal Design Module For WineStation Unit; Enhanced Product Provides 'Try Before You Buy' Access To All

Napa Technology, designer and manufacturer of the WineStation, an intelligent wine dispensing and preservation solution, today announced the launch of its new product, The Accuserve Smartcard Universal Design Module.

"We strive to provide our customers and partners with the solutions that will enhance their business and achieve their goals," states Morris Taradalsky, Vice President of Engineering and Support. "This design advancement creates lap-level access to all the features of the WineStation, including easy to read LCD screens and the AccuServe Smartcard reader."

The AccuServe Smartcard Universal Design Module is adaptable to any WineStation model currently on the market and most recently installed at the Marriott Hanover in Whippany, New Jersey, The Hotel Minneapolis in Minneapolis, and Harris Teeter Grocery Stores in Reston, Virginia.

By installing the WineStation, Harris Teeter is at the leading edge of one of the key grocery store trends. Increasingly, grocery and other retail environments are providing consumers with a 'try before buy' wine experience.

The recent installs of the cutting edge and customized WineStation preservation and pouring system will allow customers to sample some of the world's finest wines by the glass but also permit Harris Teeter to stay a step ahead in customer service by tailoring the varietals, price points and labels to the anticipated needs of their customers.

"We see the WineStation as an opportunity to enhance the guest experience, said Jennifer Thompson, Director of Communications for Harris Teeter. "We feature over 2,200 varieties of wine and will now be able to offer our guests the ability to sample 12 different types of wine and choose the item that best suits their needs."

Napa Technology clients across the country are experiencing a 30 percent increase in wine bottle sales by offering customers a small sample pour of a wine. Most packaged food products and luxury goods, have been sampling consumers for decades, but the preservation and digital reporting technology is now allowing the wine industry to use this tactic as well.

Increasingly, grocery and other retail environments are adapting a try-before-buy wine experience for their consumers. Cutting edge technology and wine preservation allow grocers to provide wine bar and fine dining restaurant-quality wine tasting experiences to their aisles.

The AccuServe Smartcard Universal Design Module measures 21" w x 3.24" d x 5.76"h and weighs approximately five pounds. This product enhancement is adaptable to any WineStation model currently on the market. The AccuSever Smartcard Universal Design Module assures that this amenity is applicable to all wine lovers able or disabled.

The WineStation is the world's first automated temperature-controlled, wine dispensing and preservation system. The WineStation provides business operators with a serving solution that guarantees customers the freshest wines every time without the fear of product spoilage or over-pouring, and 60 day product preservation.

Utilizing the vast intelligence of the Accuserve Smartcard technology, the WineStation provides product sales trends in addition to a full suite of staff, management and consumer insights. The system, designed to provide enterprise software solutions for companies large and small, also supports a wealth of product, staff and customer reporting that all can be controlled from a single, remote source.

Standard features for each WineStation include:
- Patented Clean-Pour technology assuring fresh taste, bouquet and aroma for 60 days.
- AccuServe Management Suite software allowing the operator to track customer sampling preferences and identify appropriate merchandising and pricing strategies to increase revenues.
- Programmable and easy-to-read LCD screens displaying the wine being served and price for a tasting, half-glass and full-glass servings.
- State-of-the-art Thermo Electric cooling, providing dual zone temperature.
- Nitrogen or argon gas preservation system.
- 24 various colors and finishes.

Thousands of locations now utilize WineStation by Napa Technology in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The WineStation has been placed nationwide in premier retail and hospitality establishments and is rapidly expanding into the grocery, airport and arena channels.

[2.17.11]
Macmillan Cancer Support Announces Charity Football Match

Macmillan Cancer Support has announced that a host of popular Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars are heading for the football pitch on Saturday 19th February for an all-star match which aims to raise over GBP20,000 for the UK's leading cancer care charity. Kicking off at 1pm at Manchester Regional Arena, the match will see the stars compete for The Gavin Blyth Memorial Cup in memory of their colleague, TV producer Gavin Blyth who died of cancer in November, aged 41.

Gavin spent eight years working on the two soaps, starting at Emmerdale in 2002 as the shows senior publicist before moving to Coronation Street in 2005 where he was Assistant Producer. Gavin returned to Emmerdale in 2009 as series producer, creating exciting new characters and storylines that resulted in a massive upsurge in viewers.

The Emmerdale team captain and event organiser Danny Miller, who plays troubled teen Aaron Livesy, said: "Gavin Blyth was an inspirational and passionate producer. But not only that, he was a fantastic man, father, mentor, and friend who was like a brother to me and so many others. He's left a giant hole at Emmerdale so we want to remember Gavin by having a match against the lads from Coronation Street which should be a great day celebrating his life, and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The ground can hold 3,000 people and we want every seat filled to cheer us on, and to help a fantastic charity that does so much to help people affected by cancer. Naturally, Emmerdale is going to win."

Jamie Strachan, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Leeds, added: "Emmerdale have been fantastic Macmillan supporters for a number of years, but Danny has done a superb job organising this match in memory of Gavin. He meant so much to so many and it's a way for cast and crews of Emmerdale and Coronation Street to honour his memory whilst raising money for Macmillan to ensure we can help more people living with or affected by cancer."

[2.17.11]
CLEAR Institute Donates $1,000s to National Scoliosis Foundation Fundraiser

Dr. Clayton Stitzel, former co-director of the CLEAR Institute (a non-profit scoliosis research think tank), was a primary speaker at the "Sound for Scoliosis" National Scoliosis Foundation fund raiser on November 7, 2010 at the Vintage Theatre at 222 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The fund raiser is in its second year and coordinators report the event has already doubled in size.

Sound for Scoliosis is a yearly multi-venue festival of food, drink, music and silent auction held the weekend of November 5 through 7 in Scranton, Pennsylvania spanning nine venues. Tickets to each venue are $5.00 or a hopper pass is available for $10.00. Sound for Scoliosis is endorsed by the National Scoliosis Foundation which received all of the donations. Other speakers at the event are Joe O'Brien, President and CEO National Scoliosis Foundation; Dr. Dan Golazewski, chiropractor and owner of Power Chiropractic; and Lucia Peregrim, Owner and Founder of Sound for Scoliosis.

Scoliosis occurs when the spine of the back forms a C or an S shaped curve. Scoliosis affects 2 to 3 percent of the population (an estimated 6 million people worldwide) and there is no cure. Scoliosis impacts infants, adolescents, and adults worldwide. The primary age of onset for scoliosis is 10 to 15 years old, and the condition affects more females than males. Females are more likely to progress to a curve magnitude that requires treatment. Scoliosis can impact the quality of life with limited activity, pain, reduced respiratory function or diminished self-esteem.

Dr. Stitzel spoke on both the importance of treating scoliosis early in the course of the disease and on a new genetic prognostic test. Dr. Stitzel elaborates, "My primary message was in regards to the role early stage scoliosis intervention needs to play in the current treatment of scoliosis protocol and how the advent of genetic testing in scoliosis will change the future of scoliosis treatment entirely. Obviously it is a great honor to speak at Sounds for Scoliosis and I'm thrilled to be able to give back to an organization that has given so much to so many before me."

A donation of over $4,000.00 has already came in to the Sounds for Scoliosis from doctors associated with the CLEAR Institute, a non-profit group headquartered in Minnesota that has developed a non-surgical alternative to scoliosis treatment. "The National Scoliosis Foundation runs many worthy programs for scoliosis patients and we know the money will be used wisely," remarks Dr. Stitzel, a Director at the CLEAR Institute.

Dr. Clayton Stitzel is a Lancaster County Native. He is a graduate of Manheim Central High School. He received his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology (the advanced study of biomechanics) from Penn State University. Dr. Stitzel earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. While attending Palmer College of Chiropractic, he received research honors and was inducted into Palmer's research fraternity. He is one of nine health care professionals within the U.S. that have received the CLEAR Institute's most prestigious certification in scoliosis treatment- scoliosis intensive care certified. Dr. Stitzel is a nationally and internationally recognized lecturer within the scoliosis field, speaking recently in Singapore and England. He is the co-developer of the scoliosis traction chair.