"When we look at we are sorry but when you compare it to console," says the adage. A new proof of this is given with the release today of two studies on corporate social responsibility made by the social rating agency Vigeo.
This company, founded ten years ago by the former secretary general of the CFDT, Nicole Notat, analyzed the performance of 539 European companies listed on non-discrimination in employment.She also compared how these 363 companies had managed the restructuring that had taken during the crisis.
In both cases, France takes the lead of countries that best meet the basic standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) concerning freedom of association, prohibition of forced labor and child employment seniors … "This does not mean that French companies have no way to go, but just that they behave better than others," Nicole Notat nuance.
Danone number one
To note the management of corporate restructuring and practice of non-discrimination, the bloodhounds of Vigeo analyzed their managerial systems based on three items: the relevance of political behavior, the consistency of their deployment and effective results.Finally, French firms are better informed and consulted, where social, employee representatives "before and during the restructuring process."
No fewer than four of them are in the top 10 most responsible companies: Danone (ranking first), PSA Peugeot Citroën, Bonduelle and Total. French companies are also those who have best implemented "effective measures to prevent and limit layoffs" and made "steps to mitigate the negative effects of layoffs on employees, including measures to return to work" . Better than their German or Dutch, who monopolize the second and third places on the podium, and Austrian firms, Irish and Greek … that close to the bench.
Issue non-discrimination (access and job retention of the most vulnerable, improving working conditions, training, career …), French companies are doing just as well with no fewer than four of them also in the top 10: PSA Peugeot Citroën again, Rhodia, EDF and TF1. By country, France is ahead of Belgium and the Netherlands, far ahead of Ireland, the UK and Denmark … that appear at the end of ranking. "We knew that the behavior of firms are influenced by national legislation and sectoral affiliations, note Benseddik Fouad, director of Vigeo methods. But this study shows that social responsibility is the leadership position and ability to dialogue that make the difference. "In short, the involvement of the entrepreneur.
Serious competition from Google's Android, Apple gave Monday a facelift to the iPhone. Surrounded by a cohort of leaders, CEO Steve Jobs introduced from San Francisco, California, the new version of IOS, the operating system behind the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. This software, including a 5 iOS draft was made available to developers on Monday, will be available for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, iPad iPad 2, and the latest iPod touch here in the fall short term personal loans. Here's what we can learn from this presentation.
Devices iOS archive their data on Wi-Fi and 3G. Photo credits: Kimihiro HOSHINO / AFP
Sad record. In France, more than a third of all software installed on PCs in 2010 was pirated, according to the latest study by Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international group of software publishers. This represents a market value of 1.9 billion euros, on a global market estimated at 9.5 billion euros. "The retail market is worse than that of businesses, but it is more difficult to control," said Eric Beaurepaire, a member of BSA.
Worldwide, software piracy generates a shortfall of 44 billion and ten billion for Europe alone. The United States is the country where the loss in value is most important, accounting for 7.1 billion euros. But in some "small" European countries, legislation and a little flexible when the market is still underdeveloped, the piracy rate is approaching 70%, as in Bulgaria or Romania.More generally, emerging markets are at a peak, with a piracy rate 2.5 higher than in mature markets, with a total value estimated at 21.7 billion euros.
At the head office and messaging
Pirated software the most concern the office and mail systems. What makes Microsoft the publisher the most penalized. Exposure correlated with its market share. The case of misuse is the most common deployment abusive (a company buys a license for 100 PCs and installs it on 200). "Cases of pure piracy, with the use of unlicensed software, are more rare," says Eric Beaurepaire.
This does not prevent users or even entire departments of large private companies fraudulently install software on their devices, possibly bypassing the procedures established by IT departments."Such practices can have dramatic consequences for societies. Pirated software can be corrupted with viruses … "insists Eric Beaurepaire. Not to mention the risk of financial penalties for the company.
Departments also
In France, where industry, technical fields and those related to the creation on the Internet appear to be less virtuous, no area is spared, not even the utility or ministries! Moreover, there is no real correlation between the rate of software piracy and its price. The most expensive are not necessarily the most coveted.Thus, security software, which does not always worth a score of euros, are not copied less than for professionals, which can be worth several thousand euros.
Paradoxically, the French might be followers of illegal copying, they say they are also very sensitive to the respect of intellectual property. A poll conducted by Ipsos for the BSA found that 68% of French people support the remuneration of inventors the world average is 71%. Aware of the risks of "software purchased on the street or" borrowed "between friends", the French, however, not hesitate to perform multiple installations, they do not perceive a real fraud.The advantages of software legally acquired access to technical assistance, protection against intruders … not enough to convince either the French users, less sensitive than the rest of the world to these arguments.
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"The site of the Business Software Alliance
Latest offs were made. The bill establishing the principles of the premium that Nicolas Sarkozy wants to force companies with more than 50 employees – which distribute profits up – to pay their employees is written. It should be sent next week to the State Council for approval.
The clarifications concern the concept of exact dividend taken into account. It will not be the total amount of dividends paid, but the dividend per share. The scope of company concerned has also been refined: in a group, it will be the parent. Thus, if the dividend paid by the parent increases relative to the average of the previous two years, all the subsidiaries and dependent must pay the premium. They display or not benefits rise.For groups present in France but whose head office is abroad, the measure will apply to employees in France so the "highest parent situated on French territory" has increased its dividend.
Another clarification: it is possible, by collective agreement, to offer employees something other than cash free credit report and score. The "premium" for example, could give the appearance of a surplus or profit participation, an assumption of a mutual or a bonus share issue. Only principles: the benefit must be made public (that is to say, to benefit all employees and not to certain categories), pecuniary (it must be equivalent to a sum of money) and new (it should not have been granted previously).
For the rest, nothing changes.The amount and terms of the premium must be negotiated within the company, under the same conditions as the participation or incentive. And failing agreement with the organizations representing the staff, for setting out is only for company management. No company with over 50 employees will benefit from exemptions. The premium will be exempt from normal social security contributions – but subject to 8% of CSG-CRDS and 6% social package – up to a ceiling of 1,200 euros. As at the date of entry into force: this year.
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"This will change the premium for employees
Oprah Winfrey is far from having won his wager. Launched in early January, its new cable channel: Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN has not yet been proven. After initial success due to the curiosity of millions of Americans who admire Oprah, the chain is always looking its audience. Over the last three months, attracting 149,000 viewers on average than at any time of day. Only 6% better than Discovery Health, chain it replaced in bouquets of U.S. cable operators.
In prime time, the programming feature designed by the world's richest television, attracts 291,000 viewers on average, only 17% more than the emissions that Discovery has dropped to make room for this joint venture to 50 % with Oprah Winfrey.It is the first attempt to climb a chain around the aura of a personality.
Oprah Winfrey and Discovery remain optimistic. Provided their goal of break-even point in the first year of operation of the channel seems increasingly elusive.
Discovery has agreed in any case to inject 50 million dollars in the project this year. An amount in addition to the 189 million already invested during the preparatory phase to launch OWN, which lasted nearly three years.
Wrath of the "queen"
According to the press in the gossip of the media world, "the queen of talk show" was angry after a series of meetings with colleagues, alarmed by the poor viewing figures cash advance. "I built this system with my own hands, I expect all those who are employed here work hard for the next two years.If the audience rating does not take off soon, heads will fall, "shouted the imposing Oprah Winfrey.
First decision to boost its ratings, OWN announces six new series of programs. These documentaries or reality television productions. "Confronting …" for example, presents the efforts of crime victims to face their attackers.Both parties try to experience each other overcome their trauma.
Another program "Unfaithful: Stories of Betrayal" (Infidel: Stories of treason) shows how couples torn by adultery manage to save their relationship with the help of a therapist.
These original programs are supposed to support the public's attention before the "queen" in no more come in September consistently lead the interviews and documentaries on its own channel.
Indeed, paradoxically, the great "talk show" Oprah's syndicated on hundreds of different channels are not broadcast on OWN. Its latest edition, scheduled on May 25, looks spectacular. Oprah calls on advertisers not less than one million dollars for an advertisement of thirty seconds.
Cesare Geronzi in 2007 in Rome. Photo credits: TIZIANA FABI / AFP
The financial community expected that the European Central Bank (ECB) to get tough. But to consider a rate rise was "possible" in April! Investors, who already played the euro rising against the backdrop of the prospect of European monetary tightening before the Fed (U.S. central bank), have supported stronger click "purchase" of the euro / dollar.
For a rate increase is indeed positive for the relevant currency, as it increases its return to investors. Here is the euro, which makes colors against the dollar would be shunned as relatively less profitable than the euro.
So this Friday morning, the euro is calm there on the foreign exchange market after the storm yesterday. Before the meeting of the ECB meeting yesterday, the euro settled on a strong technical resistance at 1.3860 dollar.Thus, whether the tone of Jean-Claude Trichet was less pronounced than expected, while the euro fell back quickly, he stated his goal is to arm themselves as soon against inflation which puts pressure on the Old Continent and the euro climbed.
The second scenario had taken place, the euro soared, almost touching the psychological barrier of $ 1.40. According to technical analysis, this upward trend should continue, to the point of joining the new resistance at $ 1.43. A level reached in November 2010.
Jean-Claude Trichet has panicked markets. His message was clear: at the first sign, the ECB will react even if the economy of the euro area must suffer. The ECB has no mandate to support growth or to assist countries in difficulty, it must ensure moderate inflation for all inhabitants of the area.
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It is not on any official agenda, but a meeting to organize the French nuclear industry will go ahead on Monday at the Elysee. The Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, has indeed confirmed this morning on France 2 reports in the press, announcing today that Nicolas Sarkozy would chair the Council of nuclear policy, which he founded in 2008. "The only thing I can tell you is (this meeting) concerns the organization of the French nuclear industry, what has been called France's nuclear team," said Eric Besson on France 2.
According to La Tribune, a preparatory meeting was already held last Friday, bringing together around one table Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, Henri Proglio, head of EDF, Gerard Mestrallet, head of GDF Suez Patrick Kron, CEO of Alstom, and Eric Besson Dipuo Elizabeth Peters, Minister of Energy of South Africa.The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma will indeed soon be visiting Paris to talk about nuclear. The challenge for France is to develop a coherent strategy to deal foreign clients especially not to not repeat the failure of Abu Dhabi in December 2009 when the French had lost a huge contract for nuclear centarles, at least 20 billion deal to Koreans.
The TTY in focus
On Monday, participants should discuss in particular the strategic partnership between EDF and Areva. The decision to bring the two French energy giants was taken at the last council of nuclear policy in late July 2010.According to unidentified sources quoted by La Tribune, the two companies involved do not share the same vision of the progress of the project: Areva, it says that "the agreement is ready in its broad lines" then for EDF, "there are still points of disagreement."
According to Les Echos, the discussion should revolve around one central question: "whether the combination of EDF reactor project at medium power, TDD, developed by Areva and its partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Capacity reaches 1100 megawatts Atmea, against 1600 for the EPR.EDF could decide to take part in the cooperation on the TDD, or work on its own medium-power reactor with its Chinese partner CGNPC, or both at once.
Both companies should also discuss their mining strategy, including a possible investment from EDF in the mining division of Areva, whose valuation problem. As for GDF Suez, which wants to grow in importance in the French nuclear industry, the group should also focus on getting its game in the middle of negotiations.
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The figure is historic. The hole public finances widened to 148.8 billion euros in 2010 against 138 billion a year earlier, said the Budget Ministry on Tuesday. This is not unexpected, as the minister has already spoken Baroin mid-January a similar amount during the presentation of its balance sheet in 2010. The deficit is well below one billion euros from estimates in September and should be a little less than 7.7% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The French budget was the victim of a margin squeeze due to memories of the crisis: spending and increased revenue has not covered their level before 2009. On the one hand, income taxes and related taxes, whatever the rise, have remained low and amounted to 274.9 billion euros (against 237.2 billion in 2009).In detail, tax revenues, the lowest in 2009, jumped 17% last year. Particularly affected during the crisis, the corporate tax has regained some lost ground (57.2%). The VAT revenue rose 7.5% and income taxes of 1.7%.
Expenditures, particularly related to the "great debt" and welfare systems, for their part, increased by 15.9%, reaching 452.7 billion euros in 2010 against 367.1 billion the year before . Involved, social protection expenditure, linked to rising unemployment, but also the Grand borrowing and "investment for the future".This last item of expenditure will still not taken into account when calculating the budget deficit following the European rules payday loan.
Objective 2011 "achievable"
In 2011, tax revenues of the state should continue to increase, and the effect of the "great debt" on public finances will disappear, "said Dominique Barbet, in essence, BNP Paribas. "As a result, the deficit of 148.8 billion euros to 92 billion euros, as the government wants, is feasible," said he."Similarly, the deficit target of 6% GDP could be achieved, especially if growth is close to 2% as required by the government." One hypothesis considered optimistic by economists until the publication by Banque de France on Tuesday morning for a first estimate of economic activity increased in the first quarter of 2011.
The government intends to reduce the public deficit to 4.6% of GDP next year, then to 3% in 2013, the limit set by EU rules. Nicolas Sarkozy intends to introduce a second "golden rule" constitutional deficit.Clearly it is, as already done in Germany, set a limit to the deficit in the constitution.
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