InvestorNet

Hypnotherapist Helps Compulsive Hoarder Let Go

Computer: Apple

Red Herring 2012 Winners – Analytics SEO awarded place in Top 100…

London (PRWEB UK) 28 April 2012

Analytics SEO, a leading SaaS SEO software agency based in the UK, is pleased to announce that it has been named a winner in the 2012 Red Herring Top 100 Award; a prestigious award honouring the most innovative and promising technology companies throughout Europe.

Red Herring’s Top 100 Europe list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising new companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognise that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work.

Laurence O’Toole, CEO and Founder of Analytics SEO commenting on the award said, “We are delighted to be recognised amongst such a fine group of companies and contenders. It’s this kind of recognition which drives the team on to settle for nothing less than building a world-class SEO software solution.”
“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across Europe to the Top 100 Winners. We believe Analytics SEO embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. Analytics SEO should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was the strongest it has ever been.”

Red Herring’s editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of start-ups relative to their peers; allowing Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models in Europe.

To celebrate the award, for a limited period the company has released a fully featured free version of the SEO tool.

For more information on Analytics SEO, please visit our website.

About Analytics SEO
Analytics SEO is a cloud-based Search Engine Optimization platform designed for both SEO agencies and internal marketing teams, operating from the UK. Its USPs include effortless SEO campaign management across large volumes of websites, fully automated customisable reporting, multi-lingual support, re-brandable lead generation tools, white labelling and a set of APIs for partnering with yellow pages, media owners and website platform publishers to re-sell simple SEO solutions to SMEs.

Technology

Appointment-Plus Online Appointment Book Software Adds Location Lookup…

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) April 28, 2012

Appointment-Plus, the worldwide expert in online appointment book software and creator of the scheduling industry’s most flexible and feature-rich application, today announced the release of the Location Lookup, a new feature that allows multi-location small and medium-sized businesses to instantly show the address, distance and map location of all of its sites when a customer schedules an appointment or reservation with them online. This makes it easy for a scheduling customer to book an appointment or reservation at a location that’s closest or most convenient.

The Location Lookup provides scheduling two options for searching locations: they can select a location from a drop-down list or enter a ZIP/postal code or address. The online appointment book will then list up to five of the closest locations (including address and distance in miles from the customer) and pinpoint them on a map. Once a preferred location is determined, the customer simply clicks on a “Select” button to schedule his or her appointment or reservation.

The new feature is available to Appointment-Plus clients on mid-tier or platinum accounts.

The Location Lookup is the latest feature designed by Appointment-Plus online appointment book software to enhance the customer experience of businesses and create the perfect scheduling solution that results in growing customer loyalty, increased conversions and greater profitability.

“Appointment-Plus has always made the appointment-scheduling process simple and efficient for our multi-location clients,” says Bob La Loggia, CEO of Appointment-Plus. “Now, the process is even simpler for their customers, as they can quickly see what location is closest to them.

“The new Location Lookup is another valuable benefit in making the scheduling process easy for both business and customer alike.”

Since 2001, Appointment-Plus has been the premier online appointment software solution for automating, streamlining and improving the booking process through functionality such as: online customer scheduling, whereby individuals book their own appointments conveniently 24 hours a day; automated e-mail and text message reminders sent prior to a scheduled appointment time; and robust record-keeping and reporting capabilities.

Additionally, the Appointment-Plus Marketplace houses the scheduling industry’s most extensive and growing collection of syncs, plug-ins, modules and integrations to improve business processes. Currently featured in the Marketplace are a new WordPress schedule widget and syncs with QuickBooks and e-marketing service providers Constant Contact, iContact, MailChimp and Vertical Response. Future releases include a Microsoft Outlook Calendar sync and mobile web apps.

To learn more about the new Location Lookup and Appointment-Plus online appointment book software, click here.

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About Appointment-Plus: Appointment-Plus is the worldwide leader in online scheduling solutions for growing businesses, enterprises, higher education, government and logistics. With over 15 million end-users and 80 million appointments booked since its inception in 2001, Appointment-Plus is one of the fastest growing cloud-based services in the world. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., organizations ranging in size from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses use Appointment-Plus to book an average of 3 million appointments monthly.

Business: e-Commerce

Plymouth breaks 5 year record high for new businesses

Business: Investment

Samsung overtakes Nokia in phones

Samsung Electronics has overtaken Nokia to become the world’s largest maker of mobile phones, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

Nokia took the top spot in 1998 from Motorola, but in the first quarter of 2012 Samsung shipped 93m phones compared to almost 83m by Nokia.

Samsung also reported its highest quarterly profit since 2008.

Net profit was 5.05tn won ($ 4.5bn; £2.8bn) in the quarter ending 31 March, up 81% from 2.78tn won last year.

Samsung is also the world’s biggest TV and flat screen maker.

“We cautiously expect our earnings momentum to continue going forward, as competitiveness in our major businesses is enhanced,” said Robert Yi, head of investor relations at Samsung.

Bright future

The firm said its IT and mobile communications division, which manufactures the smartphones, made an operating profit of 4.27tn won during the period, as revenues in the division surged 86% from a year earlier.

Samsung will unveil the latest version of its Galaxy range of phones on 3 May.

The Galaxy range has been very popular and helped Samsung overtake Apple to become the world’s biggest seller of smartphones.

“The smartphone market has almost only two players, Samsung and Apple,” said Lee Sei-Cheol of Meritz Securities.

“Since its Galaxy3 phone is being unveiled in May, Samsung will keep enjoying sales growth in its mobile phone division.”

Profit call

Global demand for smartphones is expected to increase further in coming years, with research firm IDC forecasting that global smart phone shipments will rise by a third to 659.8 million units in 2012.

Analysts said that given its robust growth and dominance in the sector, Samsung was well placed to benefit from this growth and boost its market share.

However, given the robust growth in the sector, other smartphone makers are also keen to introduce new products and tap into the fast-growing market.

Samsung is facing stiff competition from rivals such as US-based Apple, Finland’s Nokia, and Taiwan’s HTC.

Apple, which said earlier this week that it sold 35 million of its iPhones in the first quarter, is expected to launch a new version of its handset later this year.

Analysts said that as more models are launched, manufacturers may have to the cut price of their handsets in a bid to attract consumers, a move that may see profit margins shrink.

“Samsung’s handset earnings may weaken in the latter half of this year, with the possible launch of Apple’s iPhone 5,” said Brian Park of Tong Yang Securities.

Chip troubles

Another area of concern for Samsung is likely to be its chip manufacturing unit, which has been hurt by slowing global demand for personal computers.

The firm is one of the world’s biggest makers of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips, which are widely used in personal computers.

However, demand for these chips has been declining as consumers turn to tablet PCs, which mostly use flash memory chips.

At the same time, falling prices have also hurt profitability in the sector.

Samsung’s memory-chip division saw its profits slide by 54% during the first quarter when compared with the same period a year earlier.

The company said it expected the demand for DRAM chips to rebound in the coming months, but warned that growing competition in the sector “will lead to a price decline”.

BBC News – Technology

BearingPoint Institute 2012: Three Original Perspectives Tackling…

London & Frankfurt (PRWEB UK) 26 April 2012

BearingPoint, the management and technology consultancy, today released its annual 2012 BearingPoint Institute Report. Constructed as a thought leadership vehicle, that capitalizes on the consultants’ experience acquired with clients, the publication aims to provide a deep and incisive opinion on business realities. It acts as both a reference and stimulus for debate among business leaders and supports them in making strategic decisions.

“The BearingPoint Institute’s ambition goes beyond traditional ‘thought leadership’”, says Eric Falque, Partner at BearingPoint and in charge of the BearingPoint Institute.

“With the report we want to contribute to the science of business management by putting forward original thoughts while at the same time equipping decision makers with practical advice on burning business topics – across industries, service lines and countries.”

BearingPoint Institute Report 2012 themes

The 2012 report presents three themes across industries, all of them to stimulate opinion and propose new points of view.

Strategies to deal with customer paradoxes in the digital space:
The majority of companies is aware of the digital consumer and knows that their customer relationship management strategy needs continuous adjustment. But five unsolved contradictions which drive consumer behaviour online challenge companies on a whole new level. Paradoxes such as the users’ aim to use GPS for locating the nearest store without allowing companies to track their location (empowerment vs. privacy) ask for new approaches in management. The research discussed in the paper gives attention to these ‘customer paradoxes’ including thoughts on how to anticipate these contradictions.

Trends in Green Supply Chain Management:
According to the BearingPoint Supply Chain Monitor, a survey among European organisations, most companies know about the importance of developing products with a low environmental impact.

With 70 per cent the majority of European companies also believes in the economic value of a green supply chain. But many business leaders are insecure on how to improve processes efficiently and sustainably. The paper helps solving these questions and takes a close look at sustainable production and transportation processes, the current regulation framework, established methods and best practices across industries in Europe.

Opinions on open government initiatives around the world:
Open government is a modern concept that offers many advantages for society such as more transparency and even more democracy, while also providing value for administrative and political authorities. Administrative bodies across Europe are already active in the open government movement, but not nearly active enough. BearingPoint articulates its manifesto for Open Government, outlining specific initiatives for greater transparency and calls upon administrations in Europe to draw on existing successful programs.

The BearingPoint Institute

The BearingPoint Institute has been set-up to be a meeting point between on one hand the practical knowledge and current realities BearingPoint consultants encounter whilst advising clients ‘in the field’ and on the other hand academic perspectives and research. This combination of different perspectives helps leaders to understand the evolution of global economy at a deeper level. To support this ambition, the BearingPoint Institute itself is architected around three pillars: the experts and authors of the studies, a global and experienced leadership team of BearingPoint Senior Partners and an independent Advisory Board of respected business leaders and academics from elite management schools and universities worldwide.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.bearingpoint.com/en-other/7-5205/bearingpoint-institute

The full BearingPoint Institute Report 2012 can be ordered via institute@bearingpoint.com

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint delivers business consulting with management and technology capabilities. As an independent firm with European roots and global reach BearingPoint serves leading companies and public sector organisations world-wide to align and optimise processes, IT and operating models with business strategy. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial mindset and desire to create long-term partnerships, BearingPoint’s consultants are committed to delivering excellence and value to their clients. The firm’s approach to working with clients is highly collaborative and designed to improve business performance, from strategy through to execution. BearingPoint currently employs 3,200 people in 15 countries.

For more information, please visit: http://www.bearingpoint.com.

Press contact

Alexander Bock
Manager Communications
Tel. +49 89 540338029
Mailto:alexander(dot)bock(at)bearingpoint(dot)com

Technology

Duport Associates find Portsmouth breaking records

UK (PRWEB UK) 26 April 2012

Bristol: The boom in formations saw 128 new companies set up in March 2012 with registered offices in Portsmouth, a total that is nearly 20% higher than the previous record of 107, set in March 2007.

The data, compiled by Duport Associates was gathered from the official Register of Companies from Companies House.

Duport Associates’ Managing Director, Peter Valaitis stated: “Portsmouth’s new record for company formations is a considerable increase on its previous highest total, which has been unmatched for 5 years.”

“This remarkable new surge in formations shows that Portsmouth is full of opportunities for entrepreneurs, and this 5 year high for new companies is very positive news for the city and its business community.”

Developments around Portsmouth’s North End shopping district could be contributing to the new surge in start-up companies in the area.

£400,000 has been set aside by the local council for the project, which involves making the area more suitable for pedestrians by widening pavements as well as better signage and directions to car parks.

Voluntary groups in the area are also getting a new boost with business support from new body Community Action in Portsmouth, which will provide practical advice, support and co-ordination for the city’s voluntary organisations.

“With most of the local headlines concerning the woes of Portsmouth FC’s return to administration and subsequent relegation, I think the people of Portsmouth will be glad for some positive news!” added Peter Valaitis.

Portsmouth’s new record for company formations shows a dramatic rise from their previous record total, and could be a sign of new growth and expansion for new companies in the city.

Duport Associates Ltd is a leading UK company formation agent, operating in the UK for around 15 years. Duport registers around 10,000 new companies each year using its Companies House approved software. The Company Register which is maintained by Companies House contains public information about Limited companies and directors.

Business: Investment

Leadership Practise Makes Perfect – INSEAD Business School Reveal…

(PRWEB UK) 26 April 2012

Time is never on the side of senior leaders aiming to achieve sustainable change. Leaders who have developed new ideas and new perspectives need to build confidence in their own ability to apply these in the real world. They need to practice these ideas before they have the confidence to take the decisions that will put them into action successfully.

To address this need for practise, INSEAD has made the bold move to develop a senior executive program that requires its participants to attend campus for one month, spread over three modules across the better part of half a year.

Prof Jean-Francois Manzoni has been directing senior leadership programs at top business schools for the last 12 years and has seen the limitations that even the best programs encounter. “We can develop excellent, impactful interventions [for senior executives] where people leave full of energy and new ideas – but these often get lost quickly afterwards – there is a real sustainability issue. Knowledge is not as easy to implement as it looks!” says Manzoni.

Changing behaviours is what leadership programs are about – and realistically that cannot be done in a few days. So while participants at the best programs almost always get their ‘a-ha!’ moment, when they gain a new perspective on how to deal with intransigent issues, implementing that change when back in the work-environment can be extremely challenging, and “often ends in frustration and failure”, explains Manzoni. He has explored, over the years, many different ways to improve this ‘learning-doing gap’ and is convinced that, as with learning at all levels, in order to achieve lasting change even the most senior executives need to practise what they learn.

“Senior executives are intelligent, and they get the conceptual level of the ideas – but what they need to do is then experience it. The decisions they take have wide impact on their companies, and this brings a level of risk that can prevent them from experimenting with new methodologies and processes when back at work. By practising the new concepts in the modules on campus in a safe environment, and then being encouraged to repeat and reinforce those actions between the modules in, at first, small ways is a self-improving process. When they have practised these ideas they are more likely to give them a try – and be more thoughtful about it. Having thought about it makes them clearer about what they need to do, and this, in itself, makes the process less of a risk. They will also be less anxious and that makes for better execution too.”

Notes to Editors

1) About Professor Jean-Francois Manzoni
Jean-Francois Manzoni, Professor of Management Practice, The Shell Chaired Professor of Human Resources and Organisational Development and Academic Director,INSEAD Global Leadership Centre

Professor Manzoni’s research, teaching and consulting activities are focused on leadership and the management of change at the individual and organizational levels. A citizen of Canada and France, Professor Manzoni worked with Ernst and Young in Montreal before receiving an M.B.A. from McGill University and his Doctorate from Harvard Business School. Prior to (re)joining INSEAD in 2011, he spent six years at IMD (Lausanne), where he served as Professor of Leadership and Organisational Development.

2. About IEDP
IEDP is an independent publisher of specialist information for leaders and leadership development professionals in large organizations, focusing on the latest developments, ideas and best practice being delivered by the world’s premier business schools and consultancy firmss. Its free to access database helps companies select open courses, custom programs and top providers of executive development solutions. IEDP experts also advise companies on appropriate executive development options and strategies. In its ‘Developing Leaders’ magazine and through its blog posts IEDP publishes insightful articles from the thought leaders of the executive and leadership development world. Learn more at http://www.iedp.com

Read more: http://www.iedp.com/Blog/Practise_Makes_Perfect

Technology

AtoZdatabases Releases Mobile App for iPhone

Business: e-Commerce

UK’s data breach fines dissected

The UK’s private sector accounted for more than a third of all reported data breaches over 11 months, but less than 1% of the resulting fines, according to a Freedom of Information request.

The data was issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office after a request by satellite system-maker Viasat.

It shows five fines totalling £790,000 were imposed on the public sector and one £1,000 penalty on a private firm.

The ICO said that it could only impose fines if strict criteria had been met.

Expensive accidents

The release covered self-reported personal data security breaches between 22 March 2011 and 17 February 2012.

Over this period the ICO said 730 events had been flagged up as being potentially liable to a penalty or other action.

The private sector reported 263 cases, while 467 were reported by government and other public sector bodies.

These included:

• 281 incidents when information had been mistakenly sent via email, documents had been sent to the wrong address, or other similar accidents
• 170 incidents caused by the theft of data or hardware
• 108 events involving the loss of data or hardware, of which the NHS was responsible for just over a third of cases.
• 17 instances in which materials had not been disposed of properly

Of the 433 breaches resolved over the period, six resulted in local councils being fined. The biggest penalty was a £140,000 charge imposed on Midlothian Council after it repeatedly disclosed personal data about children and their carers to the wrong recipients.

The private sector company singled out was ACS: Law. Its data controller was fined £1,000 after failing to prevent a hack attack which resulted in sensitive details about 6,000 people being published on a third-party website.

Some of the emails stolen included references to people’s sex lives, health and financial status.

The ICO said at the time that it would have imposed a larger £200,000 fine had the firm not ceased trading and its owner not been of limited means.

Unknown breaches

The chief executive of Viasat’s UK division praised the ICO’s efforts to police the public sector, but claimed the private sector “still has a relatively free rein”.

“While the ICO offers free training and auditing to organisations to help address these issues, so far the private sector in particular has been slow to take them up meaning that further incidents may be waiting to be discovered,” said Chris McIntosh.

Public sector organisations might be more be more susceptible to the ICO’s toughest penalties because they handle sensitive data on a day-to-day basis.

But commisioner’s office told the BBC it would impose financial penalties whenever its criteria were met “regardless of the sector the organisation falls into”.

“The course we choose will always depend on the circumstances of the individual case,” an ICO spokesman added.

Since the period detailed in the release, data breaches have continued to occur.

Recent examples include the accidental publication of the home and email addresses of 38,000 people who applied to run the London Marathon; loans company Student Finance England sending an email to 8,000 customers which included other recipients’ email addresses; and Scotland Yard sharing email addresses of more than 1,000 victims of crime with other victims.

BBC News – Technology