E-mail the office: the perverse

16th July

The business use of email is now widespread. Number of employees plébiscitent this tool, finding that 70% provides increased productivity, if we are to believe a study commissioned by the Australian company Dimension Data. Snapshot to contact several people at once and keep a written record, the mail seems to have installed as a means of communication in the company unbeatable.

And yet it does not benefit. Virtual, the massive use of electronic mail in particular has a tendency to dehumanize the management staff. "Some managers think they can coordinate and manage their teams from their messaging, notes Chevallet Romain, researcher at the National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions (Anact). But the mail does the illusion of coordination.The quality of the email exchange is no comparison with that which was in a meeting or simply between colleagues, "he says. Eric Albert, president of the French Institute for Action on stress (IFAS), reported a striking example of this dwindling trade. "You go account, it reports does one, two assistants who work in the same office send each other e-mails!". A phenomenon that is a real loss to the company. For dialogue face to face brought an emotional dimension that allows more adjustment to the other, to find compromises or to generate ideas …

A loss of 10 IQ points

The immediacy of the mall also has its downside."This permanent stress distracts the employee," Roman Chevallet analysis shows, supporting evidence, that the quality of work it is impacted, "A study of the London Institute of Psychiatry shows that go well with perpetually one task to another induces a loss of 10 IQ points, the equivalent of a sleepless night! "he says. Not to mention the stress caused by the influx of applications to which the employee is not always cope. A stress that tends to increase with the increasing demands of stakeholders, often owners of smartphones, which anticipate the responses of more and faster.

What, therefore, to use its smart messaging?

1. Introducing a hierarchy where the chronological order prevails. "It should restore priorities, stop confusing urgent and important," says Romain Chevallet.To do this, mails received may be classified according to their interest. By clicking on the flag that symbolizes a high importance, or creating files, theme, folder, or by importance. From this point of view, the mall has a definite asset. Although classified and easy to find, it can be a real list, and a database.

2. Cleaning up as and so as not to overload his mailbox and duty in the emergency delete messages surplus "with a machete. To save time, you can introduce filters that automatically redirect such unwelcome emails to the trash. Or select the messages by keyword to classify them in a folder. But be careful in this case not to lose sight of your overall messaging.Remove or archive emails as and also allows you to more easily find an important message.

3. Do not plug your mail to you, if your work permits. "The manager should set as a rule not to seek a collaborator with him," said Romain Chevallet. Especially since many employees, under pressure from management or a strong competition among colleagues, are needed to respond as quickly as possible, even to jeopardize their privacy.

4. Log out regularly. "In England, some companies have introduced a day without e-mail Wednesday," notes Roman Chevallet. Without going that far, it may be useful in order not to lose concentration, to force himself not to look at his mail every five minutes.Periods of disconnection from 1 to 2 hours can boost your productivity, provided that your manager is willing to wait this time to receive a response.

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Carmat listed on the Paris Bourse

13th July

D-Day for Marcello Convite the boss of the small company that wants tricolor Carmat conquer the world with its first total artificial heart biocompatible. This Tuesday, in fact, that the start-up takes its first steps on the Paris Stock Exchange, having packed the heart of investors. In difficult market conditions, the SME accompanied by Truffle Capital, its largest shareholder (30%) and EADS, has done better than expected, raising 14.5 million euros at a price of 18.50 euros per share enhancing from the outset the company 75 million. A great appreciation for its Director General who has taken brilliantly in the year, new to him, the financial road show.

This Italian 57 years, trained in computer technology and speaks five languages, has not missed any arguments to "sell" the young company and its innovative and promising.His prosthesis, implantable total artificial heart developed by Professor Carpentier of the Georges Pompidou Hospital, from 2013 should help save tens of thousands of cardiac patients. A challenge that fascinates Marcello Convite former IBM and Fiat, paid for thirty years in the life sciences. He held until last September to senior posts in the American International Edwards Lifesciences, who had just bought to Professor Carpentier's revolutionary concept of cardiac valves. For Dr. Philippe Pouletty, CEO of Truffle Capital, with the artificial heart (which will remain French …), Carmat has "all the ingredients to become a global technology company beautiful. "A great adventure of entrepreneurs, leading the veteran of the biotechnology industry has also brought public in April and companies Neovacs Deinove.

Carmat is, in fact, primarily a story of men.An R & D secrets first, initiated in EADS by Jean-Luc Lagardere and Professor Carpentier and developed for 15 years by a team of engineers led by former "Mr. International" of EADS, Jean-Claude Cadudal, president of Carmat.

Beside him, the engineer, former head of EADS big projects, and "very good teacher," Patrick Coulombier, also played a key role. It is today, with Marcello Convite DGA society. It was created in 2008 under the leadership of Philippe Pouletty because, after the release of préprototype, "he had to go to the next level." By convincing the engineers of the European giant switch in the start-up and live the adventure.

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Total is strengthening in the oil sand

7th July

A little over five months after launching a takeover bid (OPA) on UTS, Total, through its Canadian subsidiary, Total E & P Canada has finally acquired the developer of oil sands in Canada, including its core asset, With the project mininier Hilles (Alberta). Total: 1.15 billion Canadian dollars, or 866 million euros. "The asset quality will enable us to consolidate and realign our portfolio of assets in Canada's oil sands," said Yves-Louis Darricarrère, president of Exploration & Production, said in a statement.

"The exploitation of tar sands – a mixture of sand and bitumen – is more expensive than crude oil but is very profitable when oil prices rise.This makes sense if you think that oil prices rise again, "said one analyst.

When Total launched its takeover bid for UTS, his spokesman said: "To acquire interest in UTS Fort Hills project fits with the strategy by enabling us to acquire at fair prices and a relatively strong position with attractive an oil sands project and a significant shareholder competent operational, "says Floren.

This asset will strengthen Total's existing portfolio in the region that includes the Joslyn Project and Northern Lights located near the Fort Hills project and which Total holds 74% and 60%.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley, this approach shows that Total is interested in trading in relatively small segment of the oil sands rather than the purchase of large groups, even if the rumor has expressed interest in the Canadian Nexen whose capitalization approach eight billion dollars.

Through this transaction, shareholders will receive 3.08 SWU Canadian dollars per share and a stake in the merged entity to exploration and development after the acquisition, SilverBirch Energy Corp., said in a statement UTS. "This transaction allows shareholders to realize immediate UTS bonus cash on the current course of action while participating in the SWU significant growth potential of SilverBirch," said John Watson, president of UTS.

At the Paris Bourse, Total shares lost 1.76% to 35.99 euros in a market that declined by 1.62%, to 12 hours.

VAT recovery: Baroin backtracked

30th June

The one that Sunday was a "very very big niche tax" that deserved a helping hand plane finally spared. Baroin, Budget Minister returned to his whims and confirmed on Wednesday in an interview to Le Parisien / Today in France that the government would not reverse the reduced VAT rates for restaurants given a year ago.

"This measure is maintained" said the mayor of Troyes. "If it must be questioned, the debate will take place during the next presidential election," he added.

10 billion savings

It must be said that the budget minister no longer had much choice. Tuesday morning, his minister, Christine Lagarde, had hammered on RMC and BFM-TV that the reduction in tax loopholes would not affect the VAT at 5.5% of restaurant owners.Baroin will have to find other niches planing to recover 10 billion euros economy expected by 2013. The minister on Wednesday gave few tracks a bit fuzzy.

Besides the movement of the plane 10% on tax loopholes previously announced, it confirms the non-replacement of 100,000 civil service posts (3 billion savings), reduced operating costs (2000000000), the reduction of lifestyle State … Baroin explains that this is the second round of general revision of public policies.The first, launched in late 2007 as it would have to generate 7 billion euros.

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Delay EPR: Standard & Poor's Areva sanctions

28th June

Standard & Poor's finally penalized AREVA, judging the profitability of the group "depressed" for two years. The notes of French nuclear group, which was under surveillance by the rating agency since April 14 last, was finally degraded Monday by two notches to 'BBB +, cons A.

The first reason advanced by the agency for "the provision of 400 million euros related to the recently announced construction of the Olkiluoto 3 reactor in Finland. The further delay of the Finnish EPR, one of four currently under construction by Areva (with Flamanville in the Channel and two other Chinese), forcing the group to a new provision which would involve a negative operating result for the first half 2010. In total, the group has been provisioned 2.7 billion euros for this site should be completed in late 2012 with four years late.

S & P added that the profitability of Areva would also be affected by a "conflict" is contrasted with EDF about the Georges Besse enrichment plant, in the Drome. Both groups fail to reach an agreement to renew the contract which ensures the Areva uranium enrichment EDF.

The rating agency does have a stable outlook on the debt rating of Areva, convinced that the group should be able to implement successfully the remainder of the disposal plan and its plan to increase capital , strengthening its balance sheet.

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Germany: Luxury cars leave

22nd June

Welcoming their blitz-boom, leaders BMW, Mercedes and Audi display confident smiles. Driven by China's growth, the three automakers upscale German came out of the crisis in record time. A year ago, they still increased the pace of layoffs for part of thousands of their employees to cope with the collapse of global demand. In recent weeks, they continue to advance the pace of production to meet the boom in exports.

"Never before has such a situation had been improving at a rate cutting your breath so brutally," enthuses a member of the supervisory board of Daimler, maker of Mercedes, quoted by the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).The very expensive "scrappage" introduced by the German federal state, which had boosted sales of Renault-Dacia in Germany, had not benefited the high-end manufacturers. But the system Kurzarbeit, unemployment part financed by the German state, allowed them to retain their skilled workforce and avoid the waves of layoffs. And come back even stronger.

Success of "Made in Germany"

The FAZ, which displays an unusual enthusiasm, believes that "German car manufacturers are experiencing a tale was unexpected." The factories are at full speed. "Mercedes has almost regained its level before the crisis," said a member of the supervisory board of Daimler.

The resumption of exports to the United States but especially in China explains this success.The models are the most luxurious locomotive production pay day loans. Thus, Mercedes increased its production of S-Class 41% in May, while BMW has experienced a surge in sales of 34% of its 7-series.

In factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen Untertürkheim, which produces luxury Mercedes models, the assembly lines now run on Saturday. Just as in Neckarsulm, where the A8 is constructed, the limousine flagship Audi. Several factories are planning to shorten from three to two weeks summer holidays. Daimler plans to hire 2,100 temporary workers to maintain production rates during the holidays. Daimler already employs 1,800 temporary workers. At BMW, they are 5000.The Bavarian company is seeking to recruit hundreds of graduates and plans to train some 1,000 additional workers.

Health insolent the German luxury car industry should result in a significant increase in stock price for the businesses concerned. More broadly, the entire German economy should benefit from the recovery in exports in 2010. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) expects "a growth of 8% of exports," for the current year. "The international demand for" Made in Germany "can pull Germany out of the crisis," said Werner Schnappauf, head of the BDI. The chemical and electrical industries are the sectors that benefit most from the recovery.Result: analysts predict a continuing decline in unemployment in Germany.

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Pernod Ricard, the results are the party

30th April

Pernod Ricard is pleased to announce on Thursday morning, up 14% of its turnover in the third quarter of fiscal shifted to 1.54 billion euros. And rise at the same time, prospects for the entire year.

"The title should respond by increasing", predicted the analytes Natixis SecuTire this morning before the opening of the Bourse de Paris, describing the rehabilitation objectives of the company as "clearly good news." Indeed, the Pernod Ricard shares climbed 3.7%, to 65.3 euros in early trade on the CAC 40.

"The strong performance was boosted in part by favorable comparison bases and technical effects. However, this publication shows significant signs of recovery, "entrust strategists.

In home counseling Aurel, who published a note on Thursday on the group, expectations are "substantially" exceeded.The revenue expected by the consensus of 1.4 billion euros. Aurel immediately raised its target price on the value of 52-58 euros (recommendation to "hold"). Wednesday evening, the Pernod Ricard are already mounted by 2.7%, and quoted at around 65 euros. A true performance against the Wednesday meeting.

Current operating profit seen up 3%

According to the explanation of the group, good sales were due to a "strong consumption growth in emerging economies, improved conditions in some key markets like the United States and Russia, and the effects of destocking and shifts of Easter and Chinese New Year.

Pernod Ricard has therefore decided to revise upward its outlook for its fiscal year 2009/2010 with organic growth of around 3% of operating profit, at the top of the previously announced target range of 1% growth in 3%.

Debt restructuring

Last March, the company headed by Pierre Pringuet announced its successful bond issue for $ 1.2 billion. The group's debt of wines and spirits reached 10.3 billion euros at December 31, 2009.

The world number two, whose brands Chivas Regal whiskey and Havana Club rum – among others – make its fame, has set a goal to balance "progressively" 50/50 funding between bank loans and bond debt, d by 2013.The division is currently 25/75.

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Goldman Sachs accused of deceiving customers

28th April

From our Washington correspondent

Goldman Sachs has managed to earn 3.7 billion dollars in betting, starting in 2007, the collapse of the mortgage-market. In doing so, the giant Wall Street acted against the interest of some of its customers, which it sold securities that he knew "toxic". This is the conclusion, after months of investigation, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the U.S. Senate.

Tuesday, during public hearings stretched on Capitol Hill, Lloyd Blankfein, the head of the giant Wall Street, has categorically denied these allegations."We do not speculate massively downward in the housing market and we certainly do not bet against our clients," he was forbidden under the spotlight, saying that even on the mortgage-market, Goldman Sachs has lost about $ 1.2 billion in 2007-2008.

"Nobody in the management of Goldman Sachs has never asked me to bet on a decline in the subprime market," added before skeptical senators, Joshua Birnbaum, the former head of structured products of the bank, also on the bench defendants.

Convinced otherwise, armed with emails and internal documents seized in the bank, the debonair Senator Carl Levin, glasses pavement at the end of his nose, led a determined assault Tuesday. But the chairman of the committee was confronted with a wall.He vainly tried to tell the past and present officials of Goldman Sachs called before him (including one French employee), how could they believe in the quality of debt issued by mortgage lenders whose reputation was terrible. Receivables classified as "business of shit" in an email exchange between two bank officials. "How many of these" affairs of shit "did you sell to your customers? asked, exasperated, Senator Levin fast cash advance. You've sold hundreds of millions. "

Bankers Daniel Sparks and Michael Swenson, impassive without being arrogant, but obviously confident of the merits of their point of view, seemed not to understand or what they asked or what they were charged.They also questioned the methods of calculating profits of Goldman Sachs selected by the committee.

Battle of Senate proceedings

According to Senator Levin, the investment bank has yet actually decided in late 2006 to a major cleanup of its accumulated risk on securities backed by the real estate markets whose collapse loomed. By discipline, to limit its risks and if possible in the hope of profiting from the trend, the bank had sold to investors and deliberately chosen for their credulity his titles too "toxic"."We have not been systematically and significantly" net short position "on derivatives of residential mortgages in 2007 and 2008," replied Lloyd Blankfein.

Meanwhile in the Senate floor, Democratic leaders and Republicans arguing over procedural votes before engaging in substantive debate on the reform of Wall Street. The Conservatives want by all means restrict the scope of Democrat Bill before it is submitted to a plenary debate in the room. A compromise is always likely, because both parties want to correct the excesses that precipitated the financial crisis.But the Republican minority wants to take his time, while Democrats want to take this case Goldman Sachs to prohibit such banks that have access to the discount window the Fed to speculate on their own account.

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Brokerage: Credit Agricole joins forces with a Chinese giant

19th April

It is an alliance that giant Credit Agricole is poised to build in the business of brokering, with China's Citic. Corroborating sources, the two groups, whose discussions began a year ago, will announce in the next few days their entry into exclusive negotiations.

Before yesterday, the Bloomberg spoke of the creation of a joint venture in Asia. The project is actually much broader. Cr?dit Agricole and Citic were preparing to share all of their brokerage activities, with the ambition to offer a comprehensive worldwide.For the Green Bank, this means that it will bring in the trash marriage the two flagships, CA Cheuvreux in Europe but also CLSA Asia inherited his nugget of the former Credit Lyonnais and the ex-Indosuez, which strike force in Asia is comprised of over 1 300 employees.

"An entry by the front door"

The negotiations will refine the assembly operation. It seems, however, have articulated a pattern in stages. Globally, the respective contributions show an economic weight of about 70% for Credit Agricole, 30% for its Chinese partner. In Asia alone, the ratio is 50-50.

In China, finally, market still very restrictive with regard to foreign players, the Green Bank would of course be a minority, but Citic would offer "an entry by the front door," said a source familiar with the matter.Both groups have the ambition to create a unique platform for implementation to the world. A strategy that sticks to the explosion of capital flows to and from the Asian region, particularly China. She also accompany the rise, very fast, of IPOs on the Asian markets for new local giants, but also of foreign cash advance payday loan. Western companies are increasingly likely to be tempted by either a dual listing-West Asia, either through public offerings in part of their activities in emerging markets.

In 2007, Citic had wanted to attempt the adventure of large-scale partnership in market activities.But the Chinese had backed the wrong horse by selecting Bear Stearns, number five on Wall Street, which was the first major victim of the financial crisis in March 2008. The company was swallowed by a weekend, for a pittance and under pressure from the Fed, JPMorgan.

By marrying his "brokerage" than CITIC, Cr?dit Agricole replicates the strategy already implemented in the field of asset management and derivatives: Green Bank has established two joint ventures with Societe Generale, Amund and Newedge . In both cases, there is access to the critical size. The problem applies to the brokerage, a business in which the challenge is to offset the costs of research teams and infrastructures, galloping amid technological revolution on the market.

Finally, the operation comes at a strategic refocusing of the Cr?dit Agricole group.The Green Bank in 2008 has imposed a severe weight loss at its investment banking subsidiary, which came early and suddenly in crisis. Now, CA IPC (Credit Agricole's Corporate and Investment Banking) is focused on three areas: structured finance, capital markets and brokerage. The planned offensive alliance with CITIC confirms this last job.

Why the Government prefers the track of raising the legal age

14th April

New figures from the Council Guidance pensions are only confirm if the government goes to the end of his intentions – to save both the PAYG and straighten the public accounts – it is unclear how the French could avoid working longer. This does not mean that other levers should not be operated. A review of parameters.

Reduce the level of pensions

Nicolas Sarkozy was the first to dismiss the idea in January. Unions do not want anyway, to hear about it. The employers itself displays its reserves, even though Laurence Parisot asked to "boost capital" in addition to the PAYG.If pension levels, in absolute terms, increases over the years – especially for women whose careers are becoming more comprehensive and low wages that benefit from the introduction of minimum social benefits – the replacement rate (pension on final salary) back. This particular effect Balladur reform, which increased the load on the best 25 years instead of 10, and the slow erosion of returns supplemental Agirc-Arrco, which allowed them to avoid deficits until very recently.

All stakeholders agree that going further would risk provoking a crisis of confidence: the active young will eventually refuse to contribute if they are not guaranteed to receive in turn, once retired, are of decent.The CFE-CGC requires such registration in the law of a minimum pension, as a percentage of final salary.

Increase contributions

This is the easy way: one more point here and instantly additional 4 to 5 billion per year for CNAV (basic scheme of private). Companies do not want this additional burden, on behalf of their competitiveness. If it is the employees that support the increase, they lose purchasing power. Some unions are ready, subject to obtaining compensation and guarantees. But their primary focus new resources: FOR, for example, claims to find 20 billion by taxing more stock options, participation, incentives – the risk of killing these devices – or profits not reinvested enterprise.

CGPME and UPA are open to charges "bearing not only on labor income, as the CSG, which is already funding some of the pension. Labour Minister, Eric Woerth, closed the door Monday at any general increase in premiums or the CSG, while claiming to open "a few additional contributions here and there" should involve some capital income payday loan.

From later

It is the only lever capable of creating community wealth, "says Bercy. So far, the route chosen was to extend the contribution period required for a full rate of contribution: currently set at 40.5 years for those born after 1950 will reach age 41 in 2012 (those born after 1952 ). The effects are slow on the effective age of retirement.It has just begun to rise in 2009 (61.6 years for private sector employees). Explanation: because they started working young, or through "bonus" (two years of contributions per child for mothers), three quarters of people reaching age 60 have already contributed enough to achieve the full rate. 52% of private sector employees who have liquidated their retirement last year to 60 years had the same eight quarters longer than necessary to get a full rate. In other words, even lengthening the contribution period of two years, they would probably still 60 years left to "pile"!

That's why raising the legal age – a taboo Supreme unions, except CFE-CGC – relates more to the pension funds in the short and medium term, which was made the contribution period.Skip gradual retirement at age 60 to retire at 61.5 years would reduce from 4.4 billion euro deficit in the general scheme in 2020, had calculated the ROC in 2008. Push too far this track would be "extravagant," felt a week ago, Jean-Christophe Le Duigou (CGT), given the low employment of older workers. For the government and MEDEF, is precisely by delaying age that companies will take the habit of betting on older rather than dispose of it.

The relocation of another terminal is planned, which would probably be very effective but very difficult financially symbolically see the age at which an employee receives a full rate pension, regardless of length of contribution. It is currently 65 years.This is the age of 13% of new retirees last year, and 21% of new retirees (the women likely to have interrupted their careers to raise their children, often need to reach this terminal to take advantage of full rate).

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