Lexmark performed well in 2011 in the midst of a challenging economic environment around the world. The company continued solid execution of its strategic initiatives throughout the year, focusing intently on bringing greater productivity to business customers through innovative technology and a rapidly growing software and managed print services (MPS) business. Lexmark was recently positioned a leader in MPS by leading IT market research and advisory firm IDC.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/48230-lexmark-perceptive-software-quarterly-business-roundup
The relative strength of the global hotel sector can be seen as an indicator of a potential turnaround in the economic outlook with the average price of a room around the world rising 4% in 2011, according to the latest Hotels.com® Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®). The continuing strength in corporate travel, in particular, helped to push up demand and room rates, although prices were still generally lower than in 2005.
The HPI looks at prices that people actually paid for their hotel room around the world. Last year, prices fell 2% in Asia year-on-year but rose in all other areas: 8% in the Pacific, 5% in North America, 4% in Latin America, 3% in the Caribbean and 2% in Europe and the Middle East. The overall increase reflected a continuing trend of steady recovery after a 13% tumble in 2009.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53785-hotels
CEOs remain optimistic about prospects for the economy as well as the outlook for their own firm’s performance in the midst of persistent economic and political uncertainties. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.1 in the 1st quarter 2012 survey, up from 98.8 in Q4 and 83.5 in Q3 of last year. Confidence is at its highest level since 105.2 was recorded at the start of 2011. Expected economic gains have prompted CEOs to continue to slowly expand employment in anticipation of higher sales; nonetheless, 84% of the CEOs surveyed said they’ve learned to be more productive with fewer employees. The Q1 2012 results reflect the sentiments of 1,854 small business CEOs surveyed from March 5-16, 2012.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/51157/
As the United States and Europe grapple with economic uncertainty, the Canton Fair has become an even more essential platform for foreign businesses seeking trade opportunity and new territory for business.
The Canton Fair is the largest trade fair in China, drawing the best of Chinese manufacturers and more than 2,000 foreign companies from over 50 countries every year, including the US, Japan, Germany, Italy and the UK. In response to the global economic crisis, the fair had adapted in recent years to present new opportunities for foreign and Chinese businesses, as well as buyers.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55419-tap-into-the-china-opportunity-at-the-canton-fair
Based on its recent analysis of the retail carrier Ethernet services market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes tw telecom with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth Leadership. Each year, this award is presented to the company that demonstrates excellence in capturing the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the last three years. tw telecom’s Ethernet services revenue grew at a CAGR of 28 percent from 2008 to 2010, which is commendable considering the relatively weak economic situation during that period.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/frostsullivan/54703
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) officially opens its new manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Tenn., for production of premium cooking products. The $200 million project includes a state-of-the-art production facility and distribution center and will be the largest premium cooking plant in the world. Whirlpool expects the project will add about 130 new jobs to its existing Cleveland workforce. Each year Whirlpool Corporation spends more than $7.4 billion to operate its nine U.S. plants and keep its approximately 15,000 manufacturing employees at work.
Whirlpool Corporation Chairman and CEO, Jeff M. Fettig, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, John Bryson, were key speakers at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony which began at 11:30 a.m. EDT. Federal, state and local officials, including Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, also attended.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54880-whirlpool-corporation-opens-new-state-of-the-art-manufacturing-facility
Flashback to 1937 during the economic upheaval of the Great Depression in the United States. Prohibition had recently ended and BACARDI became very popular. During this struggling economic environment, some unscrupulous bars and restaurants in New York City tried to take advantage of consumers by substituting BACARDI for lesser quality rums when they asked for BACARDI cocktails.
Standing up for the consumer’s right to get what was ordered and to protect the quality of cocktails, family-owned Bacardi took legal action against some New York bars and restaurants.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53406-bacardi-150-anniversary-celebrates-75th-anniv-cocktail-case-consumer-right
Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, believes a reasonably positive economic momentum barring a geopolitical crisis is likely during Q2 2012. The eventual return of QE seems inevitable as central banks try to keep the crisis at bay and the compounding of policy errors failing to address the solvency problem and growing social and geo-political friction will potentially lead to an explosive outcome.
According to the Bank’s analysts, Europe will continue on the path of flat growth despite the Eurozone having entered recession at the tail-end of last year. However the rebound in economic growth in the US will eventually spill over into Europe, and Asia will continue to aid its growth through imports. If the recovery in the US fails to provide enough jobs momentum a return of QE some time in Q3 may be a possibility. In Asia, the critical question is China, as losses on investments continue to accumulate and eventually need to be realised.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/saxobank/53812/
The debate, hosted by Building magazine and Countryside Properties in memory of the late Countryside founder Alan Cherry, focused on homes design and whether it is possible to satisfy demand for quantity without sacrificing quality.
Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a place to call home. Staying safe, warm and dry is one of the most basic of modern human requirements. But the bare minimum isn’t, and shouldn’t be, enough in the future according to some of the industry’s leading design, housing and planning experts – no matter how tough the economic climate.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53824-countryside-properties-building
Nine West, the go-to destination for fashionistas, has teamed up with Kelly Cutrone, newly appointed brand Ambassador of Culture and Noise, CEO and Founder of public relations firm People’s Revolution, New York Times Best Selling author, judge on America’s Next Top Model and widely recognized TV personality, and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa to support young women through the power of transformation.
Taking into consideration the current economic environment and using the formidable social media platform of Facebook, Nine West created the You’ve Been Prom’d program as a way to give back to the community and offer one lucky high school a prom experience of a lifetime. Contestants entered to win a full prom makeover from Kelly Cutrone with some surprises along the way.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56326-nine-west-kelly-cutrone-elizabeth-arden-red-door-spa-prom-makeover-hs-girl
The expert editors from Kelley Blue Book’s www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today name the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 (http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-2012/). In this annual list published by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, the editors ranked their top choices and named the 2013 Dodge Dart as this year’s No. 1 affordable new ‘Cool Car.’
The economy is at a near-standstill and gas prices are through the roof, but regardless of financial constraints or economic hardships, the simple fact remains that car shoppers want their new ride to be cool. That is why now, more than ever, kbb.com’s annual list of the 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000 is in tune with the times, providing a great selection of cars that are not only affordable, but also fun.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56270-kelly-blue-book-kbb-com-10-coolest-new-cars-under-18000-2012
As global organizations grapple with a more technologically intensive and complex agenda, fissures in traditional approaches to talent management and leadership development are increasingly visible. This was a key theme that emerged at ON Talent, an invitation-only discussion hosted at Deloitte University where leading names in talent argued that the prevailing models of talent development no longer hold. New models like the corporate lattice that are better attuned to the times must be adopted or the risk of HR becoming less relevant is high.
“The system is broken,” said Annmarie Neal, founder of the Center for Leadership Innovation. “If the economic models of the last era of business won’t translate to today’s environment, why would our organizational and talent models translate? In fact, the way we have traditionally approached talent can be an impediment in the 21st century.
