World Archives - GUJRAT INDIA

Unsecured Business Loans to Gain Success in the World of Business

The word “success” is defined differently by different people. Success for some means money while for others it could be the name and fame factor. For an entrepreneur, success would mean maximization of profits and gaining recognition. An entrepreneur must be creative and confident; must have the passion, vision and mission to achieve set objectives. You may possess all these qualities, but do you have the necessary capital needed to start up or expand the business. If not, then unsecured loans can work as a significant source of finance for you.

Unsecured business loans do not require a borrower to put collateral against the loan. An unsecured business loan is an ideal source of funds for tenants who do not have a property to put against the loan. Homeowners who do not want to put their property at risk can also apply for an unsecured business loan.

Business is filled with uncertainty; you may earn huge profits one year or big losses the other month. In such circumstances, when returns are uncertain, an unsecured business loan is the best alternative. Unsecured business loan can be used to purchase fixed assets which involve huge investment for starting up a new venture or to expand the existing business. Unsecured business loan can also be used to meet the working capital requirement of a business.

Amount that borrowers can borrow with an unsecured business loan depends on their credit history and the lender they choose to borrow from. Usually, loan providers offer an unsecured business loan within a range of £30,000 to £250,000.

Unsecured business loan does not involve the lengthy process of verifying the value of collateral as it does not engage one. Thus, it makes the money available sooner as compared to secured business loan.

Unsecured business loans are offered at a high rate of interest as the loan is not secured by any collateral. Lenders try to cover the risk of lending by charging a high interest rate.

If you are starting up a new business then you need to make a little more effort as you don’t have business financial statement which can pose to be a proof of your capability to repay the loan. You need to design a business plan to prove that there is no risk involved in lending money to you and you will be paying the monthly installment and the loan amount in full and on time. A well organized business plan makes it easier to borrow money from lenders.

Entrepreneurs who are running established business and need funds for expansion can borrow unsecured business loans. Entrepreneurs can continue using the property or the equipment against which the loan is borrowed.

Credit score is an important factor considered by loan providers while lending unsecured business loan. Higher the credit score, higher is the possibility of getting a large amount of loan quickly and that too at comparative low interest rate. A borrower can get his credit score evaluated from any of the credit rating agencies namely Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Credit score is popularly known as a FICO score. It gives complete picture of an individual’s payment history, amounts owed by him, length of the credit history, types of credit used and new credit. A FICO score of 650 and above is considered to be a good score.

Unsecured business loan can be borrowed from banks or financial institutions. But, in case you are looking for a fast and hassle free loan, you can borrow it from online lenders. With internet, you can access number of online lenders. It is very easy to apply for an online unsecured business loan; a borrower has to fill a simple online application form with some personal details such as name, loan amount and period for which you need the loan. Loan quotes are offered free or for nominal charges by most of the lenders. Collect loan quotes from several lenders and compare them to find the most appropriate unsecured business loan.

Success of any business in term of management involves proper planning, organizing, team work and coordination among the various tasks in an organization. Adequate capital with a well defined business strategy gives birth to big business tycoons.

Globalization Shakes the World

The increasing economic integration of the world is having profound effects on rich and poor countries alike. BBC News has initiated a major examination of the subject. For some, their business is at brisk but for some, their business is not booming well. Globalization is condemned for many of the ills of the modern world, but it is also acclaimed for bringing unprecedented prosperity.

Many economists have opinion, that globalization may be the explanation for the key trends in the world economy such as:

Lower wages for workers, and higher profits, in Western economies.
The flood of migrants to cities in poor countries.
Low inflation and low interest rates despite strong growth.

Trade has been the engine of globalization, Since 1960, increased trade has been made easier by international agreements to lower tariff and non-tariff obstacles on the export of manufactured goods, particularly to rich countries. Countries which have managed to increase their role in the world trading system have seen substantial increase in their standard of living.

It is not only the Western manufacturing industry which is under the threat of globalization. Many service sector jobs are now under the threat from outsourcing and offshoring, as global companies attempt to save money by shifting many functions that were once done internally.

The dizzying pace of change in the new world of globalization is unprecedented, and can be an awful risk. A recent poll by Deloitte in November 2006 showed a sharp increase in worries about outsourcing of white collar jobs in the UK.

Meanwhile in the US, the Democratic victory in the November Congressional elections had a lot to do with worries about the effect of globalization on wages and jobs.

The speed and scale of economic change has made it increasingly intricate for governments to keep their economic destiny in their own hands. And what is most dismaying for many people is that no-one seems to be in charge, or be able to agree with fair rules for the new global economic order.

The international institutions meant to deal with the globalizing world which is all in trouble. For example, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is now under the fire for failing to take into account labor standards or the environmental impact of trade. And its efforts to break down global trade barriers are faltering. And the IMF has found it increasingly difficult to influence the world’s capital market to correct the huge global imbalances that arise from trade. It has come under criticism for not giving a bigger role to emerging market countries like India and China.

The moot question is whether the growing globalization of the world economy will lead to a parallel increase in global regulation or not; and whether it would be good or bad for world economic growth and equality.

World Oil Deals – Are Fortunes Made As Intermediary in Oil and Petroleum Trade Deals?

A. THE GET-RICH-QUICK ETHIC IN THE BUSINESS

We call this the ‘get rich quick’ or ‘get rich overnight’ ethic or mentality. That is, the notion and thinking that just the mere involvement of one in the petroleum trading business, whether as a dealer or a broker, agent or other intermediary role, will almost automatically guarantee one a millionaire, in deed, a multimillionaire, station in life, and almost in no time at all! That is an ethic and mentality that has pervaded the common mindset and psychic of the average intermediary involved, or contemplating involvement, in the business today, and has been even particularly more heightened since the modern era of the Internet trading. In a word, it is a mentality that says that world oil deals and the petroleum trading are a business that is awash in wealth and fortunes and easily guarantees the intermediary who gets involved in it in any capacity at all, but in particular as an agent or intermediary of some sort, that, as one analyst put it, “you are going to be super rich next week or next month” by doing so.

Historically, in the past, over a period of several decades (and beyond), there has almost always been a sizable number of what could be called “professional middlemen” who operated in the oil and other commodity “secondary market” trading industries who are primarily but genuinely driven by the belief or inner conviction that working as an intermediary in the industry is a reasonable path to honest living which, if not leading one to an instant wealth, then at least to a reasonable means of livelihood and steady economic progress and well-being.

In more recent times, however, since the advent of the Internet and its increasing role as the dominant and preferred tool for conducting business among intermediaries, there has gradually shifted and developed, in stead, over the years, a “new breed” of intermediaries and middlemen (brokers, agents, etc) in the trade. Often given to far less education, training or apprenticeship in the trade than the previous pre-Internet generation of intermediaries, and usually having vastly less knowledge and experience in the art of international trading because of the greater ease of entry into the business afforded them by the Internet, as a group this “new breed” of post-Internet intermediaries and middlemen are generally less shackled by the normal moral code or ethics and decorum, and are more greedy and in a greater hurry to “strike it big and fast” by merely working as an intermediary. And, just as importantly, they’re in a greater hurry to clinch that elusive, dubious get-rich-quick ambition by any means whatsoever, including the scamming of unsuspecting or gullible international crude buyers, as such scheme is aided and made easier for them by the Internet and the easier cover of anonymity that it provides them.

In deed, as many knowledgeable observers and respected analysts of the industry have noted, the get-rich-quick greed and mentality have, in these hard global economic times of today (mid 2012), reached an even new, particularly frenzied high, as many crooks, scammers and fraudsters with actually no real crude oil to sell, have now trooped into the international crude oil selling business in unprecedented numbers, seeing that arena as a fertile ground for them in attaining their dubious ambition of “striking it big and fast.”

Robert McAngus (among many others), the Managing Partner/CEO for the Robert McAngus Group, has noted, with great lamentation, that phenomenon. In a 2004 article, McAngus voiced a rather ringing alarm at the escalated, often grossly unrealistic, divorced-from-reality kind of the commission fees being demanded, or expected, in recent times by brokers and intermediaries in the petroleum trading.

According to McAngus:

“Over the past few years, I have seen the fees charged to a possible transaction spiral upward in some cases reaching the astronomic heights of $30 USD per metric ton to be divided 50/50 between the buy side and the sell side. For God sake! Get a life! Or at least do the mathematics, on a simple 100,000 metric ton transaction using the figures I have quoted, that’s $30,000,000.”

McAngus continues, asking: “Please explain how we, as the buyers, are supposed to justify that amount of money to the bank at which we have our lines of credit, and perhaps if I have a reader at this point they can explain what the broker did to earn this amazing sum of money… I have no idea where the idea that fees of this magnitude are paid to brokers in an oil transaction [came from], or for that matter who in the transaction is going to pay them, certainly not me as the buyer!.”

A salient aspect of this common notion and thinking is that to attain this high financial status of instant wealth in the business, you need not necessarily have to work hard or to be trained or particularly experienced in and knowledgeable about, it, but can attain it by this doing basically nothing – other than, perhaps, just shoving around a few copied or bogus false oil trade deals documents on the Internet usually passed down to the particular intermediary from other fellow equally uninformed brokers and intermediaries.

B. BUT HOW TRUE OR REAL IS THIS THINKING?

The principal question, of course, is: How true or real or not is this general thinking, if any? Are fortunes made as intermediary in petroleum and oil trade deals? We shall address this issue pretty soon. But, first of all, let us address the general nature of this thinking, and its general genesis or origins.

C. A MAJOR INFLUENCE and FACTOR IN THE CREATION OF THIS MINDSET OF GREED & GET-RICH-QUICK MYTHOLOGY

There might, of course, have been some other significant relevant factors and influences to which the origins and genesis of this present-day phenomenon of get-rich-quick mentality in oil deals could be attributable. But, for our purposes here, suffice it simply to say that, based upon this writer’s own extensive research on the subject, there seems to be one dominant intellectual factor, above all, which has significantly influenced and aided a great many among the current breed of Internet brokers and intermediaries in formulating this conception of the nature of the oil trading business, and of the above-described current mentality of greed and get-rich-quick mythology that is widely prevalent among these players about the oil business.

And what is that factor?

Somewhat incredibly, that factor seems to be one rather obscure e-book rather appropriately titled “How to Earn $Millions in Oil Deal.” Its author is Mr. Sam Igwe, who goes by the alias Sam Nelson, said to be an operator of an oil consulting service since 2003. Credible research shows that an early, cheap, but powerful and influential Internet promoter and preacher of the gospel of the quickie-and-easy-wealth-from-service-as-a-petroleum-deal-agent, is this simple publication by Mr. Sam Igwe, alias Sam Nelson – titled “How to Earn $Millions in Oil Deal.”

D. The Basic Doctrine of “get rich-quick-with-no-work-or-effort” of the Nelson Publication

In point of fact, Sam Nelson’s “How to Earn $Millions in Oil Deal” publication lives absolutely up to the billing of its title as an ardent gospel that fervently preaches what the title denotes!

Though nominally stating at the outset that the book is “not a ‘Get Rich Quick’ book,” the book promptly asserts that “If you are searching for a sure, fast and genuine way to earn fast, steady, honest living and how to become a millionaire, I bet, this is the right book [for you].” The publication proclaims itself to be “the clear path to financial freedom,” it declares its prime mission as being to teach the reader “the long-held secrets of how to work smart and become a big-time Agent, millionaire within few months,” and asserts that it “is intended to open the eyes and minds of the readers to join the team of the big players in crude oil business.”

Regarding the amount of money the average intermediary agent or “facilitator” is to expect, Nelson asserts,

“• Do you know you can become an Oil Deal Facilitator and EARN Millions of dollars within few months? • Do you know you can become a Buyer’s or Seller’s Agent? • Do you know you can EARN $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 just for successfully closing one Oil deal within few months?” He adds that you can “induct yourself into the Millionaires Club!,” that you “can change your life forever by becoming an Oil Deal Facilitator and earn up to ($2,000,000) two million dollars within few months… [with only] a phone and an Internet access, your only investment is just this step-by-step (Manual).”

Nelson sums up his “attain super wealth overnight” doctrine this way:

“There are millions of barrels of Crude Oil being sold daily around the world. You can close a deal in any part of the world. Just a click of your mouse and few phone calls plus extra smart work… you can earn Millions of dollars in just few months by successfully closing one Oil Deal working in the comfort of your home as a facilitator. These secrets have not been made public because the participants do not want the public to learn their game. These oil deal giants have been very privileged to learn the game and have constantly made people feel that one has to be a millionaire before he/she can participate. This is not true.”

E. No Work, No Education or Skills Required!

And is there any amount of work or efforts that it will take for the agent to master this business and make a success of it, or to earn all that money? Is there any education, skills, knowledge, investment and experience that this will take or require? Nelson’s answer to these questions is, basically, practically little to none of that. According to Nelson, “This is Easy and Simple! Just from your dinning table you will work at your own pace and make millions of dollar within few months. There is no hidden cost. No huge investment. No upfront fees. (WE MEAN ‘NO FEES UPFRONT’).”

F. BUT HOW TRUE OR REAL IS THIS THINKING?

And now we get back to this central but critical question: How true or real is this general thinking, if any at all? Basically, the question is, are fortunes made as intermediary in petroleum trade deals, in fact?

In point of fact, if we were to put it simply in a word, probably the most fundamental and truest thing that could be said about the above-sketched doctrine of “get rich quick with no work or efforts” for the oil trader or intermediary, is simply that that doctrine is completely and patently false and misleading, and is at variance with, and directly contradictory to, the whole TRUTH and actual REALITY about the business! It is that the above-prescribed thinking is patently contradicted by the well-established, tried-and-proven trading doctrine and thinking that has long been preached, practiced and successfully used by mainstream traders and the most respected and most successful experts and practitioners of trading for generations in the industry!

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Sure, decent money, or, in deed, even high incomes could still be made, and continue to be made, by many persons working as an intermediary in the business today, and a good number of intermediaries still close oil trade deals that are lucrative. But that’s ONLY by someone, however, who shall have already “paid his dues” in the industry before hand, before he (she) can possibly attain such success and such income working in the business – in terms of having acquired the requisite education and training, of being skilled and knowledgeable in the fundamentals of the trade and the appropriate rules and procedures of the trade, and, above all, of having acquired the hands-on practical experience and apprenticeship and long years (some 2-3 years or more) of painstaking, patient, diligent hard work in the business.

Clearly, that is a far, far, cry from the Nelson doctrine outlined above which essentially says and spreads the thinking that, as a broker or agent working in world oil deals and trading, you’re almost automatically “guaranteed” to close oil trade deals and to attain incredibly humongous and high “millionaire” financial status of instant wealth within months in the business just by the mere trying of your hands at it; and that you need not necessarily have to work hard at it or to be trained or particularly experienced in and knowledgeable about it, but can attain such great wealth overnight, any way, by doing basically nothing — other than, perhaps, just shoving around a few copied or false oil deal documents on the Internet usually passed down to the particular intermediary from other fellow brokers and intermediaries.

Clearly, anyone who really knows anything about the true realities of the business, would immediately tell you that nothing could be more ‘Joker Broker’ like type of philosophy than the above-described Nelson doctrine. An attitude and mindset that immediately reminds one of this characterization made by one analyst about the core nature of the joker broker, “Some of them [the “Internet” brokers or joker brokers] are quite entertaining [in the notions about the workings of business they typically exhibit], and remind us of the Nigerian scam artists. The world simply [just] does not work like that.”

G. THE PERVASIVENESS OF SUCH THINKING AMONG THE INTERMEDIARIES

Yet, such attitude and thinking fundamentally represents the kind of underlying mindset and mentality which typically pervades and controls the thinking of most persons who are attracted by and enticed into dabbling into the role of an agent or intermediary in petroleum dealings today – a mindset and mentality which essentially views the petroleum trading business as the ‘cash cow’ path to instant financial riches, and one which requires no deep learning or knowledge set to attain it, no long experience, and no hard work, but could simply be accomplished merely by passing around a few copied or even forged but never verified “documents” on the Internet! An underlying mindset and mentality of get-rich-quick-through-the-intermediary-work-without-work-or-study, which, though grossly misguided and totally erroneous and misinformed, pervades the broker network on the Internet – and bespeaks of the kind of unbelievable unrealism, unreal mentality and difficult-to-comprehend attitude often witnessed among a good many Internet brokers and agents operating in the international petroleum trading market today in terms of the frequent presentation one sees on their part of offers of business propositions or demands that are often impracticable, totally unreal and unrealistic, seemingly mere day-dreaming than serious, clearly divorced from simple reality, and completely contrary to all time-honored, well-established norms of the trade and the normal ways of doing business!

H. How Pure Greed Blinds & Hoodwinks People into this Doctrine

It is a mindset and mentality that, though rooted in the Sam Nelson doctrine, have their most primary and powerful impetus in one fundamental factor – sheer human GREED and FANTASY or MYTHOLOGY! Many times, mainly consumed by the false thought of becoming “super rich” overnight out of the blues from an oil deal, many of such brokers are found to be innocently and naively trying to close a deal for someone who they believe, or merely hope, to be real, but who is, in fact really not. But oftentimes, they are too blinded and overcome by the false belief in their pipe dream of becoming “super rich next week or next month” overnight by virtually doing nothing, or too proud or conceited, to simply accept or concede that such beliefs and procedures that they present are simply incorrect or impracticable, and so they refuse to change their ways and continue along the same futile path of wasting their time and the precious time of others, for months and years still trying to push plainly unworkable deals – until, perhaps, it finally begins to dawn on them that for so long no deals have been closed, or are likely to be closed, and not a dime of income has been, or is likely to be, earned!

These words of cautionary alarm and distress by a vastly experienced and successful 35-year veteran of the business, Robert McAngus, the Managing Partner/CEO of the international conglomerate, Robert McAngus Group, concerning the escalating greed and demands for unrealistic levels of commission fees he had observed from Internet agents and brokers, seem to hit the nail squarely on the head:

“Having been in the oil business since 1976, many years prior to the birth of the internet and Skype, I feel I have the practical experience and the hands-on management knowledge and skills required to try and set some of the misunderstandings [held by brokers and intermediaries about what they should be paid] right,” as he strongly advices the brokers and agents that, having come from the old school, he would strongly ask that they always “THINK THE DEAL THROUGH. If you as a fresh-faced young broker or a grizzled seasoned veteran, take the time to think about the process, I am sure that you will realize that this industry requires a lot of hard work and effort, so rather than just pass the deal from your friend Joe, along to the next broker friend, do some dam work and find out if the deals [are] real or not, and try to earn your commissions.”

I. Don’t Even Try Your Hands at It Until You’ve Had the Requisite Education, Training, and Experience

Divide Papa, the noted expert in modern international trading procedures, somewhat debunking the Nelson doctrine of get-rich-quick-without work-or-study, elaborates:

“[If] you want to become a Doctor or Accountant or Engineer,” he notes, reminding us of the way things have always worked in the real world, “you must [first] study and go to school for may years. Then obtain experience. You want to become a professional intermediary Buyer/seller, the same ideal applies – 2/3 years is the learning, obtaining the experience cycle, and after studying, many will give up trying. That’s how difficult this business is. But in return – if you close even just ONE single large deal – you will make a small fortune. You will make a life time of earnings on one deal. If you learn and study well your chances to close one deal is an even 50/50. [However], if you trade without study, your chances of closing a deal is ZERO. There is no 100% study applications in this business.”

Papa adds that any persons who are acting as import/export intermediaries in world petroleum deals, but have NOT first done the requisite studies, or fail to apply the appropriate doctrine of trading that’s followed by credible practitioners and experts, are virtually doomed to failure, guaranteed to close no deals or to make even a dime in income. And such persons, he asserts, should just rest assured that at least 99% of them “have no idea on what they are doing and will never close one deal even in 50 year of trading with silly procedures like LOI, ICPO, BCL, POP, etc. The net is full of silly ill-informed intermediaries who think they are trading when, in fact, all they’re doing is trading in nothing – just wasting time.”

SUMMARY

To summarize, the central point of this essay is that – whatever may have actually been, or is, the causal source for or genesis of it, whether it is traceable to Mr. Nelson’s book, or to the new ethic of the Internet and the Internet generation, or some other unidentifiable corrupting or misguiding influence, or whatever else – literally nothing could be more wrong-headed, more misleading, misguided or unfortunate for the international petroleum marketing business today, or any Internet broker and agent who operates or want to operate in it, than adopting or buying into the above-described doctrine of fortune being made as intermediary in petroleum trade deals overnight, without work or efforts or education, which is widely admitted to be the underlying prevailing mindset operating among many of today’s Internet brokers and agents. In fact, to put it even more starkly, the central point that is made here is that nothing could be more cruelly ‘Joker Broker’ like – i.e., more negative or despicable, more unreal and unrealistic, more damaging or destructive, and counterproductive – to the average broker’s very own best interests and to his best chances of ever finding success in the business or ever landing any sales, closing any deals or making any income – than for a broker to operate under this kind of thinking and mindset – a mindset that is completely false and wrong, totally mistaken and misleading, unrealistic, unattainable, and absolutely contrary to and devoid of any realities and all norms of doing business..

Put simply, in terms of world oil deals, it is this innate belief in the above-described doctrine and mistaken thinking concerning the actual nature and realities of international trading and what ought to be the proper role of the commission intermediary in it that is generally held by the modern Internet intermediary, consciously or unconsciously, deliberately or otherwise, that is fundamentally the single most critical element which account for why most commission intermediaries fail as agents and generally do not close any deals or earn much income, for months, even for years of involvement in the business. And, what is more, it is this unfortunate innate erroneous belief that is held by them, that has been the most fundamental critical element which account for the terrible image of the modern Internet commission intermediary in today’s petroleum marketing business, and the horrible image and notoriety with which they are generally viewed.

And this is so for very good and readily understandable, and, in large part, justifiable reason!

Why so? Simply, because to operate in the business based on such a wrong-headed doctrine or mindset, or such misguided thinking, by any one at all, directly leads one, as it has with the intermediaries involved in the oil business, astray, leading them to the wrong approach and wrong mindset and procedures for the business, and therefore to undesired results and to failure and not being able to close oil trade deals, or to earn commission income from their involvement in the business.

An apt and excellent word of knowledge by which to conclude this essay is perhaps this one offered by one noted expert and author on the international trade intermediary, “There are no short cuts in this business [of trying to work as a trader or an intermediary].”

Or, to put it perhaps even more lucidly still, I might myself add this: “Either trade with the correct philosophy and approach, or fail woefully if you try to trade otherwise!” As an intermediary (or trader), those are your ONLY two stark options and certain results, and none else!

FOR A FOLLOW UP

WISH TO FOLLOW UP ON GETTING A CRUDE OIL OR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS SELLER OR BROKER WITH WORKABLE, REALISTIC PROCEDURES THAT A CREDIBLE BUYER CAN READILY ACCEPT? Please see the instructional information in the author’s resource box below

Creating a Borderless World through Social Networking

Over the years, Internet is continuously evolving and inciting endless creative ideas that leverage novel online marketing strategies such as social networking sites to achieve a greater share of on line business networking.

The rise of social networking sites has created a borderless world by reaching out to people around the globe regardless of race or nationality, profession, affiliation, education, and aspirations.

The concept of “bringing the gap of technology, business and friendship…” is ConBuzz’s

(http://www.conbuzz.com) primary objective of connecting to the world, leading professionals who desire for career advancements to a higher level of endless opportunities as well as achieving job satisfaction and stability their hearts so desire.

ConBuzz, established in November 2006, holds its corporate office in Florida, U.S.A. The company prides itself with its innovative and comprehensive business and acquaintance needs. It keeps its millions of members from around the seven continents updated on daily news, current events, and business events all over the globe. Its global network assists all its members to work its way to grab unlimited possibilities of being connected to the whole world through its state of the art technology.

ConBuzz offers a variety of services covering the field of law, finance, management, marketing, IT and Internet, architecture and construction, arts, creative, media, and employment.

Its legal services team is composed of top-notch lawyers who are adept in business and corporate law, intellectual property/patents, labor and employment law, mediation and arbitration and real estate law.

Its financial group is a team whose expertise evolves around accounting, financial planning, insurance and real estate, while its management team excels toward business processes/operations, change management, organizational development, outsourcing, and strategy consulting.

If you are looking for comprehensive marketing advice, ConBuzz has a group of professionals who are experts in the field of advertising, branding, direct marketing, events and tradeshows, market research, public relations and communications, search and online marketing.

In keeping abreast with global demands and competitions has a team of IT and Internet experts who are well trained in interface design and usability, networking and security, technical support, translation and localization, web design and development, and technical writing.

ConBuzz likewise gives assistance to employment related matters like recruitment and placement,

executive search, technical recruitment, career coaching and resumes, and executive coaching.

In the field of art and media, ConBuzz employs its cutting edge technology in audio, video, multi media production, graphic design, photography, printing, writing, and editing.

ConBuzz is designed to heighten social networking for business networking to its maximum level and create virtual communities of people into global proportions with the ultimate objective of utilizing technology in reaching out to the whole world.

Business Agility in a World of Artificial Intelligence

Business Agility, AI and Remaining Human

“The automation of factories has already decimated jobs in traditional manufacturing, and the rise of artificial intelligence is likely to extend this destruction deep into the middle classes, with only the most intelligent, caring and supervisory roles remaining.” Stephen Hawking.

It doesn’t take one of the world’s greatest living astrophysicists to understand there is a major shift going on in not only our workplaces, but in our society as a whole. The difference between what humans can do and what machines and computers are capable of is shifting, and at an accelerating rate. This reality becomes truly scary to those who currently earn a living by doing repetitive tasks or thinking in repeatable patterns; in other words, most of us.

If you are not able to distinguish what you do from that of a machine or a computer, then how can you really call yourself much more than a human doing? To remain a human being requires more!

The difference between a human doing and a human being?

Your ability to feel and relate.

Going forward, this will be most obvious in those roles that as Professor Hawking reminds us require feelings, leadership and creativity combined with intelligence. For the foreseeable future, this means that your economy will increasingly be influenced by your ability to listen, understand, empathize, create and lead. In short, the more you cultivate your ability to consciously feel, powerfully communicate and relate, the better chance you will have of getting paid. Transacting can be left to our increasingly sophisticated creations.

Even if increasing your ability to use your senses to relate is reduced down to the economics of being employed or not, just that is a positive start! Most of us are now being forced to learn that trying to compete with computers and machines only leads to increased stress and ultimately dis-ease.

“Life in a Spreadsheet”

A good friend, Tim Finucane, came up with this appropriate metaphor over ten years ago, and it rings truer today than when he first coined it. Since the advent of Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel, 30 plus years ago, we have been able to measure job performance with increasing accuracy as well as more intrusiveness. Whereas, spreadsheets were first used to help us perform better, they have now morphed into being used to dictate and monitor increasingly challenging performance metrics. Is it any wonder that each little box in a spreadsheet is called a “cell”? Just like prison, these cells keep getting smaller and just like government budgets, each metric usually increases over time.

Spreadsheet technology gave way to the idea of Key Performance Indicators or KPIs. For your company, these are metrics based almost entirely upon historical performance, yet are prone to increase or tighten every time they are reviewed. This is fine for a machine that you can tweak and improve with newer technology, but when the key components are you and your co-worker, constant increases can stifle your creativity and crush your ability to care. The machine literally drains you of your humanity and what are human beings without that?

Powerful forces, problem or Agile Opportunity?

Thus we have two powerful forces working against us. Firstly, constantly increasing performance metrics keep limiting our ability to be human. Secondly, increasingly efficient computers and machines make obsolete more of our opportunities to earn. The good news is that those who understand these powerful forces and the change they are bringing can begin directly to increase their creativity, as well as hone their ability to sense, relate and lead.

What if this measurement trend also is forcing us to take more personal responsibility to relearn and improve the skills necessary for not just emotional, but social competence? Don’t think this is important? One of the seminars held at this year’s Davos World Economic Forum was titled, “Maintaining Your Humanity“. Even the Elites now get it.

Competing with an increasingly sophisticated computer or machine for jobs that technology can do better is not a winning strategy! Especially if you wish to remain healthy and prosperous. The one area that for the foreseeable future will remain the domain of humans is where feelings and relationships come into play. These areas include but are not limited to:

Customer Service
Healthcare
Sales
Leadership
Music and arts

Each one of these areas of human endeavor requires feeling and sensitivity to succeed. Computers and machines cannot do that. Machines can measure and they can perform without rest, but they cannot not feel anything while performing or when they objectively measure and communicate the results. This job is left for us to interpret and enjoy, or not.

Conclusion: Remain Human, Get Agile, or Be Swallowed by the Technology

If you want to insure your ability to earn a living going forward, you need to begin now to optimize your use of computer and machine skills, while simultaneously rediscovering and mastering your ability to be vibrant human being. Missing this opportunity may not affect you tomorrow, but sooner or later the Technologically Weighted Future we are all tumbling into will catch up to even you!

World Trade News Summary

During this week several significant events transpired particularly in the industrial world. These changes have influenced directly or indirectly not only the growing global trade, but likewise the developing economy of countries worldwide. On one hand, some events have positively contributed to the various sectors of international or local economy and they serve as harbingers of more future developments. On the other hand, there were also events that have negatively impacted and in fact continue to threaten the various sectors of both international and local trade and economy.

Oil Price Continues to Improve in the Global Market

This week has been full of good news for oil traders. Last Monday, oil rate plummeted by $2. As such, U.S crude oil dipped down to $1.6 thus settling to a rate of $62.41 per barrel at the Merchantile Exchange (New York). The decrease also calmed down a 4-day protest prompted by the oil price, which previously raised up to $63.92 per barrel. Meanwhile, the rate of oil in Nigeria continued to increase. This was due to the recent discovery of an oil pipe leak and the militant protests, which forced Nigeria to cut a large percentage of its oil production and supply. Although the situation of Nigeria affected the international oil trade, it did not keep the rate of oil from improving. The significant decrease has been attributed to current negotiations with Iran regarding its plans for nuclear production.

Last Tuesday, the oil rate slipped further by 2% ($1.26). Hence, U.S crude oil settled to a price of $61.58 per barrel. Meanwhile in London, brent crude decreased by 1.32 cents and remained at $61.02. The same trend was followed by the rest of the oil market worldwide. Oil value further improved due to Nigeria’s statement to restore a large part of its production and supply and to OPEC’s decision to maintain out near the maximum level. Nigeria would increase its output by 75% in the coming weeks. The OPEC officials, too, said that they would keep oil production and supply close to the limit in order to avoid gaps and prevent the oil price from increasing.

After the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its report that crude oil inventories rose beyond the expected rates during the past 7 years, the oil rate slipped further last Wednesday by 2.5%. Based on the report, the inventories rose as high as 6.8M barrels during the past week. The results exceeded the expected rate of 1.6M barrels. Analysts added that the decision of OPEC to maintain the oil output close to the limit also contributed to this improvement. Another factor considered was Iran’s statement to maintain an adequate oil production and supply amidst the negotiations regarding its nuclear plans.

Several Partnerships Yield More Improvements in the World Trade

AT&T Inc. disclosed last Sunday its decision to acquire BellSouth Corp. for around $67B. This move was part of AT&T’s plan for further expansion especially in the southeastern region of the U.S. The agreement between the two companies would then bring Cingular Wireless, the leading wireless phone company in the U.S, under the sole ownership of AT&T. The deal would be completed within the span of one year. Although the transaction would need the approval of the anti-trust administrators including the Federal Communications Commission, analysts commented that the process would probably not encounter any opposition.

Upon the release of the news regarding AT&T’s acquisition of BellSouth, the stocks at the European telecom market significantly improved. The European division of DJ Stoxx telecoms rose by 2.2% thus ensuring more stability for 2006. BT earned as high as 4.3% up to a 7-month pence. Both the French and the Dutch telecom improved by 2%. Vodafone increased as high as 4.7% to a close 2 month 127.20 British pounds. The news of the acquisition excited several international telecom companies thus leaving positive results in this particular sector of trade.

Meanwhile in the gas industry, Linde AG, a leading supplier of medical and industrial gases and producer of warehouse machinery, agreed to pay 8.2B pounds ($14.$B) in order to acquire its rival, the British BOC Group. According to analysts, a counter-bid to buy BOC was least expected due to the pressure in the entire gas trade and the competitive amount proposed by Linde. The acquisition further boosted the assets and profits of the German company and placed it to the top place along with French Air Liquide as a leading gas industry worldwide.

Amidst the planned agreement of partnership with Arcelor, the Mittal family was rumored to lower its voting rights from 10-2 down to 2-1. This step would enable the Mittal clan to earn the support of many large investors and to still maintain a large percentage of voting stake. The leading steel company though denied those reports and stated that it would not precede the possible result of its negotiations with Arcelor, which is based in Luxembourg. The partnership though encountered several disapprovals thus causing the stocks of both companies to decrease.

A month ago, Whirlpool Corp. also disclosed its negotiations in order to buy Maytag Corp. Although both companies have not yet arrived at a decision, the proposed agreement has been opposed by the anti-trust division of the Justice Department. Recently, the sector has begun focusing its attention to the laundry appliance industry. Lawyers from the anti-trust department have initiated the process by gathering the testimonies of various rival companies regarding the possible impact of the merging to the entire appliance market. The deal would amount to $1.7B thus giving birth to the largest appliance manufacturer in the global market. Due to the opposition, the shares of both companies decreased.

Nike Inc. which is the number one athletic shoe producer worldwide, was rumored to buy Puma. The company denied the reports though and further supported its statement by saying that it expects more developments and expansion in its own products particularly with goods related to soccer sports. Nike, which would be sponsoring the 2006 World Cup in Germany, said that it would launch a wider advertising campaign compared to its efforts during the World Cup in Asia in 2002.

Automobile Companies Seek Ways to Stabilize and Improve Their Market

Although a decline is expected in the car industry next year, automakers are moving to stabilize and improve their sales and profits. Particularly, DaimlerChrysler, the 5th largest car industry worldwide, expressed its positive outlook regarding its business. Earlier this year, the automaker released its latest goods and empowered its competitiveness in certain areas. The company is expecting its sales to increase in 2007 and 2008.

Meanwhile, General Motors stated last Monday that it would sell back 17.4% of its share to Suzuki Motor Corp. This decision was made by the large U.S car industry to boost its balance and improve its shared in the market. Moreover, GM has also been planning to sell a significant percentage of its shares from General Motors Acceptance Corp, its financial department. Among the rumored bidders is the Norinchukin Bank. Currently, Norinchukin is one of the leading financial companies in Japan. Other companies that expressed their desire to bid were Citigroup and Cerberus Capital Management. Citigroup is, currently, the biggest bank in the United States.

Global Trade Witness Some of the Most Important Trials

Finally, the four former administrators of Ahold faced the court on charges of fraud. Ahold was considered as the biggest supermarket and retailer in the world. Moreover, it served as an icon of success and stability in the business world. Yet this reputation was tainted when its former directors admitted to have falsified documents thus misleading several investors including the company’s own accountants.

Microsoft Corporation also sought last Friday the aid of the U.S federal courts in order to pressure IBM, Novell Inc., Oracle Corp., and Sun Microsystems Inc. in order to hand certain documents necessary in its dispute against the European Commission. In 2004, EC fined the giant company after discovering that Microsoft used its position to damage the other developers of softwares, which are vital for printers, pass log-ins, and file access. The company, which did not yet fulfill its sanctions according to the EC, asked the case to be tried in Luxembourg. It was found out though that the other evidences asked by Microsoft pertained to the internal archives of the EC subject to its own rules and norms.

Netac Technology, based in mainland China, also made historical headlines last month after charging U.S company PNY Technologies for infringement. Although the news came as a surprise for many Americans, some analysts consider it as a harbinger of future possibilities in the technological industry. Many U.S and other foreign companies were also expecting that China would finally intensify its fight against piracy after experiencing the need to protect its own products and trademarks. Recently, China has received foreign complaints particularly a warning from the Washington regarding the widespread piracy in the Asian country.

U.S. Encounter Recommendations and Feedbacks in Trade and Investment

Recently, trademark experts strongly emphasized the responsibility of American Business to register their names immediately in China. This was necessary in order to avoid falling as preys of brand squatters. Stephen Baker, who works at Baker & Rannells as a trademark lawyer, stated the increase of brand squatting cases. Alarmingly, some of these brand squatters even successfully obtained a huge amount of cash from individuals or big time companies that sought to maintain and fully own their web domain name. He commented that regardless whether U.S firms have future plans to expand in China, enlisting their trademark was necessary.

The interference of the U.S Republic Senators against the Dubai Ports World also roused concerns that it would affect an $8B investment of UAE into the U.S regarding an early-warning system. Although the deal was already approved previously, the protest from the senators pushed the government to make another review period. But businessmen and analysts particularly the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi (ABG) based in UAE stated that stopping the agreement could affect the decision of Arabs in investing their money into the country. As such, the organization would be sending its representatives to talk with some 120 Republican Senators.

China Faces Several Issues Significant to its Economy and Position in the World Trade

According to reports, several trading partners of China might raise their complaints against the country at the World Trade Organization. The move would be part of the traders’ objective of pushing Beijing in order to effectively implement the international rules of trade. According to a U.S senior official, several trading partners of China may raise their complaints against the country at the World Trade Organization. The move would be part of the traders’ objective of pushing Beijing in order to effectively implement the international rules of trade. James Mendenhall, the general adviser for the office of the United Sates Trade Representative commented that the efforts of China to fight piracy was not yet enough since the problem has continued to spread and affect other foreign industries.

Meanwhile, John Snow, the Treasury Secretary, also said that China needed to initiate more changes in its currency. He added that the need for more flexibility in its currency was necessary since its role in the international trade was expanding due to its growing economy. Snow commented that promoting equal trade in the international market was a common responsibility of all nations involved.

Cuban Tobacco and Spirits Industry to Expand in Russia

Exporters of Cuba rum and cigarette announced their plan to establish a Floridita bar in Moscow, Russia. The chain of restaurants has earned its fame through the years by accommodating many Hollywood celebrities and other personalities especially in 1940’s and 1950’s. The said bar would be a blend of a fine restaurant, a cigarette shop, and great Cuban music. The opening of the bar was hoped to improve the trade of Cuban tobacco and spirits in Russia.

New Vaccine May Prevent Ear Infection among Children

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has recently discovered a powerful vaccine that could aid in the prevention of acute otitis media. The ear infection is among the common health problems that arise during the childhood phase and has led to the loss of the hearing capacity of many kids worldwide. Yet, the new treatment developed by the pharmaceutical company brings plenty of promises to many children who are at risk of ear infection. The medicine called Streptorix is still subject to the approval of both the European and the U.S regulatory board.

Importance Of Data Mining In Today’s Business World

What is Data Mining? Well, it can be defined as the process of getting hidden information from the piles of databases for analysis purposes. Data Mining is also known as Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD). It is nothing but extraction of data from large databases for some specialized work.

Data Mining is largely used in several applications such as understanding consumer research marketing, product analysis, demand and supply analysis, e-commerce, investment trend in stocks & real estates, telecommunications and so on. Data Mining is based on mathematical algorithm and analytical skills to drive the desired results from the huge database collection.

Data Mining has great importance in today’s highly competitive business environment. A new concept of Business Intelligence data mining has evolved now, which is widely used by leading corporate houses to stay ahead of their competitors. Business Intelligence (BI) can help in providing latest information and used for competition analysis, market research, economical trends, consume behavior, industry research, geographical information analysis and so on. Business Intelligence Data Mining helps in decision-making.

Data Mining applications are widely used in direct marketing, health industry, e-commerce, customer relationship management (CRM), FMCG industry, telecommunication industry and financial sector. Data mining is available in various forms like text mining, web mining, audio & video data mining, pictorial data mining, relational databases, and social networks data mining.

Data mining, however, is a crucial process and requires lots of time and patience in collecting desired data due to complexity and of the databases. This could also be possible that you need to look for help from outsourcing companies. These outsourcing companies are specialized in extracting or mining the data, filtering it and then keeping them in order for analysis. Data Mining has been used in different context but is being commonly used for business and organizational needs for analytical purposes

Usually data mining requires lots of manual job such as collecting information, assessing data, using internet to look for more details etc. The second option is to make software that will scan the internet to find relevant details and information. Software option could be the best for data mining as this will save tremendous amount of time and labor. Some of the popular data mining software programs available are Connexor Machines, Free Text Software Technologies, Megaputer Text Analyst, SAS Text Miner, LexiQuest, WordStat, Lextek Profiling Engine.

However, this could be possible that you won’t get appropriate software which will be suitable for your work or finding the suitable programmer would also be difficult or they may charge hefty amount for their services. Even if you are using the best software, you will still need human help in completion of projects. In that case, outsourcing data mining job will be advisable.

Breaking News From the World of Entertainment

Want in on the latest gossip from the world of entertainment? Want to know what your favorite stars are up to? Or perhaps you want to find out which silver screen flick is making a big bang in the market? Irrespective of the scoop you are looking for from the entertainment world you can be sure to find all the breaking news from the world of entertainment on the internet.

The internet has become a hub for movie fans and entertainment seekers. Today you will be able to find all the latest entertainment news on various online news blogs that are focused on provide their readers with the latest gossip circulating around the lives of their favorite stars. The entertainment section on the news blogs is one of the most popular niches according to latest statistics. This is because everyone wants to know what their favorite stars are up to and what to watch out for on the television and new film releases.

The entertainment section is well complemented by the fashion section on these news blogs. As it is, the celebrities and starts from the entertainment world are either responsible or used for promoting certain fashion trends. Hence you can always check out the fashion section of these news blogs to see which shades are currently being promoted by your favorite celebrity and what clothes you should be sporting this summer season.

If you are looking for tips and tricks that will help to enhance your lifestyle then you can also read up on the lifestyle section on these news blogs. This section will update you with the latest happenings around the world on things that will help you enhance your life. This includes everything from the latest exercises for your abs to the top rated beauty treatment and interesting interior decoration tips to expert nutrition advice.

The entertainment, fashion and lifestyle sections of online news blogs will fill you up with all the information you need to know about your favorite stars, the fashion they are sporting and a bunch of other valuable tips to improve your lifestyle. The good thing is that these news blogs do not only deliver the breaking news in the form of text, rather you will also be able to find a variety of images, videos and other interactive media that enriches the user experience on these websites. Last but not least you can easily subscribe to their RSS feed and get the latest breaking news in your email. The leading blogs will also offer you the latest on politics, business, technology and sports making them the ideal one stop source of high quality information on current global news.

The Importance of Technology in a Changing World

These days, businesses are more reliant than ever before on technology, to help improve communications and to maximise efficiency in the workplace. The increased use of the internet, email and mobile technology has revolutionised the way companies operate and made IT a critical factor in building and maintaining a successful company. Yet still even today too many companies think of technology as a necessary evil rather than truly embracing all the opportunities it can bring to make organisations more efficient.

In the past companies may have been able to get away with paying lip service to IT but in the fast changing modern world this will no longer be possible. Now, with the convergence of voice and data and the much greater reliance of mobile communications, it is crucial for all businesses to urgently develop a coordinated IT Strategy.

Of course historically, companies tend to regard telecoms and data networking as being from separate budgets, but because of converging networks and the opportunities that VoIP can offer (Voice over Internet Protocol), it is no longer possible to look at them in isolation. In fact given the increased importance of remote working and the need to make sure all staff work as effectively as possible, these days companies really have no choice. The simple truth is if you don’t embrace change now, your competitors will.

The changes in business working we have seen over the last 10 years are very much only the beginning of what will happen over the next decade. At every level, faster and more accessible communication will be key. It is anticipated that in only a few years time approximately 75% of all phone calls will be made over an IP network. The converged network is here to stay and the only real choice is not if, but when you are going to embrace it. With globalisation, the increased use of home workers and the more flexible working environment; access to information needs to be seamless and instant.

Whilst the notion of the “paperless” office may not be a reality in the true sense, the need for electronic document systems (EDM) that can allow staff to access a wide range of documents wherever they may be in the world will only increase in the future. In an ever more competitive world, customers will be drawn to businesses that make communication with them (including buying and selling) as easy as possible. Good technology used properly will reflect well on your business and can help motivate your staff by taking some of the drudgery out of their day to day tasks.

Increasingly websites that used to be used merely as a “shop window” will now be more integrated with other back office systems. In the airline industry you don’t just book your flight online but also choose your seat, order your meal and even “check in”. In less than 5 years, airline tickets have become redundant and administrative processes have been radically streamlined to maximise efficiency.

This integration of the internet with other business processes will only become a lot more important as web use increases. Clients will want to have full visibility of every part of their interaction with your company. Once again easy access to information and the sharing of knowledge will be the key.

Of course with increased compliance legislation and the need for Business Continuity Planning, technology can also provide a crucial back up in the event of an unforeseen disaster. With the proper storage of electronic data and the rerouting of voice and data over the internet, many companies can in effect be lifted from one location and taken to another with minimal disruption. In the recent flooding in 2007, Disaster Recovery became not just an intellectual exercise but an unfortunate reality for hundreds of local businesses.

Technology therefore must be embraced by all of the decision makers in a company and their views properly coordinated to enjoy all the benefits it can offer. Don’t think of IT simply as a cost but more as a real opportunity to drive efficiency into your business. Currently many organisations are still too reactive and fail to think strategically enough about how the world is changing and how their business is changing with it. We are now ten years into the 21st century and the rate of change is only going to increase not slow down.

Maybe now you can see why getting a Strategic IT Road Map for your business is not a “nice to have” but in the modern day and age is simply a necessity. I suggest you review your company’s existing IT Support and maybe consider Outsourcing your IT as a cost saving exercise. There are many companies out there who offer a full Managed Service Provision who could potentially improve your business efficiency enormously. These days your systems can be monitored 24×7, 365 days a year with a much more proactive approach to IT management.

As a final example, think of the mobile phone you have today and compare it to the one you had 5 years ago. The functionality of that device will have changed enormously and emphasises again just how fast technology is moving. And by the way if your current “phone” still doesn’t allow you access to the internet and can’t push your emails to you automatically, you are now already several years behind the game!

Why a Common Man Like Me Wants the World Expo 2020 in Dubai

The alliteration of Dubai with Dreams is not accidental. Dubai is very much the stuff fantasies are made of. More importantly – it is in Dubai that dreams melt into reality with a seemingly effortless grace. The first time I came to this Wonderland, it simply took my breath away. What majesty! What magnificence! What magic! I was besotted, utterly and completely. Dubai, to me, became not a city but a phenomenon. All the dreams that I had dreamt about my future came to fruit in this Eden on Earth and newer, bigger dreams now fill my mind.

It is true that I can count the number of years I spent on Dubai soil on my fingers – but when I attempt to enumerate the gifts this magical city gave to me in these two years, I find myself wishing for many more fingers. The multi-ethnic work culture here gave me inspiring insights into several cultures across the globe, even as I made friends galore from the Diasporas of so many nations breathing the Dubai air.

Working in the employer-friendly ambience of the Dubai workplace, my professional experience grew manifold. The reliability of the city’s sophisticated, state-of-the-art infrastructure gave me the wonderful opportunity to hone my work-skills without petty troubles to distract me. The vibrant, pink-with-health economy of Dubai allayed even the worst of my trepidations regarding my finances… Really I can go on and on… Above all, such was the warmth and tenderness with which Dubai welcomed me that I am ashamed to say I hardly felt homesick at all.

So what makes this city tick? I’d think there are three mainstays of the Dubai phenomenon – the warm, mellow hospitality that welcomes citizens across the world with open arms, the super-efficient and well oiled infrastructure, and the respect for law and discipline that contains all the diverse elements of this international city with order and method.

Dubai is like the globe condensed into one city as nearly 200 nations of the world reside here and work in unison. It is like a beautiful rug, the fabric of which contains the threads and colours of nations round the world. It is that neutral ground where millions of international relations are made every day. It is the cauldron where global ideas meet, churn and fuse to evolve newer and better ones each day. Science, technology, culture – it is the hub of all that matters.

Wait a minute, am I describing Dubai, or am I describing the World Expo? You see – what better place than Dubai to host the World Expo 2020 when the city is exactly like an ongoing World Expo itself?

Especially when the World Expo 2020 theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ as this is what Dubai has been doing since so long – connecting minds and creating the future!