Category Archives: Business Consulting

SmartDesign? Infrastructure from Emerson Network Power: An Intelligent, Integrated Design Approach to Optimize Data Center Infrastructure for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond

Posted on by

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) February 07, 2012

Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson and a global leader in optimizing efficiency, availability, capacity of critical infrastructure, today introduced the SmartDesign? infrastructure, an intelligent, integrated design approach that leverages industry best practices for improving data center infrastructure performance throughout the lifecycle of the data center.

The SmartDesign approach simplifies the complex environment of data centers by bringing together the most comprehensive power, precision cooling, monitoring and infrastructure management technologies. It also extends the Emerson Smart Solutions benefits into data centers requiring room-scale power and cooling configurations. Each data center configuration utilizes intelligent, integrated infrastructure systems that are efficient, economical, simplified and controllable?not only today, but in an ever-changing IT future as well.

SmartDesign Approach Leverages Industry Best Practices

Every SmartDesign recommendation leverages several or all of the following best practices:

1.

Big4.com Analysis Finds Advisory Service Line 2011 of the Big Four Accounting Firms Continues Strong Revenue Growth in 2011

Posted on by

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 01, 2012

Big4.com’s recent insightful analysis of the distribution of revenues across the three key service lines ? Audit, Tax and Advisory – for the Big Four accounting firms shows variation both in terms of structure and growth from 2004 to 2011. This analysis critically examines the reported revenues on a global basis to determine annual growth rates and contributions to worldwide member firm revenues on a common basis across the firms.

REVENUE BY SERVICE LINE

The Big Four firms offer a wide variety of professional and financial services, with newer Advisory services adding to their more traditional and deep-rooted Audit (Assurance) and Tax Services. Firms vary in their structure and definition of these broad service lines, typically though about half the revenues are sourced from Audit, and the balance is shared between Tax and Advisory Services.

Advisory

[The Advisory service line, forms the last quarter of the Big Four firm revenue and includes the broader non-Audit and non-Tax services such as Transaction Advisory, Risk Management, and Business Consulting services; and demarcations generally vary across the firms. Owing to this catch-all nature of this category, there are many drivers of top line results, merger and acquisition activity and general business growth being principal factors.

Advisory services have been one of the fastest growers in the Big Four firms as the firms extend their services beyond assurance and taxation through penetration into current clients or through referrals from other firms who may be conflicted out at their clients. Advisory services have generally increased their share of revenues. In 2004, they had 22% of total revenues and this had sharply increased to 31% in 2011, at the expense of declines in Audit and Tax.

Despite this sharp growth, Advisory services had the sharpest decline of 9% from 2008 to 2009, as clients slowed down transaction and restructuring activities all over the world. But Advisory had the sharpest bounce back among service lines, with revenues up 6% from 2009 to 2010, as equity markets roared back, M&A increased and client demand for consulting grew proportionately. Deloitte?s Advisory revenues grew a remarkable 12%, KPMG was up 8% and E&Y and PwC also grew but at more modest rates.

In 2011, the growth story became even stronger. Combined Advisory revenues of $ 27.8 billion in 2010 jumped 15.9% to $ 32.2 billion in 2011, the first time ever to cross the $ 30 billion threshold. PwC Advisory grew the strongest at 20.2%, while Ernst & Young grew the slowest at a very respectable 14.2%.

This analysis may be reproduced or distributed in parts or whole, but prominent and full attribution should be given at all times to ?The 2011 Big Four Firms Performance Analysis by Big4.com”.

About Big4.com

Big4.com is the accounting, tax, consulting and IT professions? premier resource, and has been exclusively focused on Big Four firm professionals and alumni for 10 years, providing high quality content, connectivity and commerce. The Big Four Job Board offers fresh job opportunities ? clients include the world?s leading companies. Big Four News covers key news, developments, events, survey results, press releases and appointments. The Big Four Blog provides opinion and insight on recent and key developments, news, happenings, management changes, regulations, acquisitions and capital market activities. Big4 Video is a professionally produced news covering key global developments in this space.

###





Microsoft?s Chris Pirie Named Chair of the ASTD Board of Directors

Posted on by

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) January 26, 2012

Chris Pirie, General Manager within Microsoft?s Sales, Marketing, and Services Group Readiness (SMGSR) organization, will serve as the 2012 chair on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Training & Development(ASTD). Pirie joined the board in 2010 as a director and served in 2011 as the chair-elect.

As General Manager in Microsoft?s SMGSR organization, Mr. Pirie leads the training and readiness for all Microsoft?s sales, marketing, and technical field employees worldwide. Mr. Pirie joined Microsoft in September 2004 as Senior Director of Learning Product Development, and subsequently he held global sales and marketing responsibility for Microsoft Learning, the organization?s customer training business.

Prior to joining Microsoft Mr. Pirie worked for Oracle spearheading online learning using Oracle?s Learning Management System.

A native of England, Mr. Pirie moved to the United States in 1991. He has a degree in Literature and Philosophy from the University of Essex in England.

About ASTD

ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world?s largest professional association dedicated to the training and development field. In more than 100 countries, ASTD?s members work in organizations of all sizes, in the private and public sectors, as independent consultants, and as suppliers. Members connect locally in 125 U.S. chapters and with 20 international partners. ASTD started in 1943 and in recent years has widened the profession?s focus to align learning and performance to organizational results, and is a sought?after voice on critical public policy issues. For more information, visit http://www.astd.org.

###





More Business Consulting Press Releases

Soul’y Raw Pet Food, a 100% Handmade Raw Food Diet for Healthier and Happier Pets

Posted on by

San Marcos, CA (PRWEB) January 20, 2012

Soul?y Raw in San Marcos, Calif., provides its clients with food that has no additives, preservatives, chemicals or fillers ? just raw meat ground up fresh daily, complete with marrow and bones, and sold in various sized sealed packages. The business offers beef, chicken, duck, turkey, lamb and custom blends at prices ranging from $ 5.50 to $ 7 per pound. Soul?y Raw?s founder, Lisa Ayotte, started feeding one of her dogs raw food six years ago when he developed severe allergies. The results inspired her to launch her business over a year ago.

Redtail Advisors Presents 12 Steps To Improving Business Value

Posted on by

Temecula, California (PRWEB) January 18, 2012

Sometimes it’s not the plan that fails, but the execution of the plan. That is the key premise behind a white paper released today by Redtail Advisors, an exit planning and business consulting firm in Southern California.

“We see it time and again – business owners and managers prepare a detailed and well thought plan, but fail to execute,” said Mr. Oliver. “In every aspect of business, execution is key to building value. But unless you can measure your performance against milestones and benchmarks and get your whole team to buy in, you are going to have a real challenge.”

Twelve critical keys to executing against a business or exit plan are detailed in the paper entitled “Business Execution – Making the Plan Happen,” which is available here or on the company’s website. Following these steps can help build company morale and value.

“It’s not enough to plan,” explains Oliver. “You have to commit to the plan and focus on execution. We have created a special tool, Value Creation Insights, that dives deeply into the company and analyzes all of the business value drivers. We look at where you are, where you need to be, and create an execution roadmap that will get you there. Then we meet with management on a regular basis to review against the plan and make corrections as needed.”

About Redtail Advisors

Redtail Advisors is a business consulting and exit planning advisory that helps private companies build value and prepare for ownership transitions. The company utilizes a proprietary technology, Value Creation Insights, to provide deep insight into the business operations and processes of their clients, and works with management to produce an execution roadmap that improves business value and paves the way to a smooth transition. More information can be found at http://www.redtailadvisors.com.

###





More Business Consulting Press Releases

Contractor Mortgages Made Easy ? ?Another Outstanding Year?

Posted on by

(PRWEB UK) 16 January 2012

Whilst many mortgage brokers struggled again in 2011, contractor mortgage specialists Contractor Mortgages Made Easy continued to go from strength-to-strength.

In a recent interview with a high profile mortgage publication ? Managing Director: Sat Singh and Operations Director: Taj Kang announced ?Another Outstanding Year? for the Contractor Specialist Division.

Prior to end of year figures becoming available Contractor Mortgages Made Easy has been confirmed by ?Halifax for Intermediaries? as a Top Ten UK Broker.

Associate Director Taj Kang confirmed: “Significant investment will be made in the IT Infrastructure to further enhance the growing reputation of a smooth transaction process for the Contractor population.

?We will continue to negotiate at a senior level with Lenders and Underwriters alike for bespoke, tailored solutions that give contractors access to ?Competitive High Street Rates and Schemes? usually only available for those in employed roles.?

Sat said: ?High quality, experienced staff are key to the service offering and the success of the Contractor Division and to this end we have recruited two further Senior Consultants ? Steve Clements and Ben Goble who have more than 20 years industry experience between them.

?Further recruitment is planned for 2012 to cope with the ever increasing business volumes?

Contractor Mortgages Made Easy is a whole of market mortgage broker specialising in the Contractor space.

###





Learn About Retiring and Living in Nicaragua – Tune in to ?Mike?s Gringo Life? on the ORN

Posted on by

(PRWEB) January 10, 2012

As the CEO and Chairman for ECI Development , Mike Cobb knows firsthand about the benefits of expat living. He and his family moved to Latin America in 2002 and have been living in Nicaragua ever since.

His most recent venture is a partnership with the Overseas radio network where he hosts a weekly online radio program titled ?Mike?s Gringo Life.? Based on his blog about the adventures of living in Nicaragua , Cobb interviews a variety of people such as expats who are retired, those who moved overseas to start a business, and those with kids who share information about the school system and activities for children. The program also highlights cultural events in the area and discusses hot topics such as government, investments, and tourism.

?The format of the show is to generally help people who are interested in retiring, moving or opening up a business overseas. I want to talk about a wide range of topics and provide valuable information on the show, but I also want people to see the fun side of living overseas, so we?ll cover a different topic every week to give people an inside look at life abroad,? said Cobb.

To hear the weekly broadcast, tune in to the Overseas Radio Network on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm . The Overseas Radio Network is a subscription-based radio station played through the Internet. After a 14-day free trial period, subscribers will be charged a nominal fee of $ 7.95 per month. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. Shows are also available as podcasts to download and listen to at your convenience.

About Mike Cobb, CEO and Chairman for ECI Development

At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region . As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products.

Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master planned community hosts world class infrastructure, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Additionally, Mike Cobb has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to The Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America . Since 2002, Mike, his wife Carol, and 2 daughters, Amanda and Emily make their home in Managua, Nicaragua.

###





Chicago Boot Camp Gives Participants A Head Start On 2012 New Year?s Resolutions

Posted on by

(PRWEB) January 07, 2012

Chicago Personal trainer helps local residents put fitness first, even when they feel like they?ve ?tried it all.? For ten years, Tobi Davidson had given her body over to producing four amazing children. Deep down, she knew she had been so busy taking care of everyone else that she never made time to care for herself. ?After countless diets and purchasing several workout videos from infomercials, I knew it was time to get my body back in shape,? she said, adding that Chicago boot camp was just the right combination of support and services she needed to do just that.

Chicago boot camp is hard work, make no mistake, but it is also fun. Several times a week, participants gather to spend an hour focusing on sculpting their bodies and burning calories. The stalwarts meet at 5 AM before work, while others choose to meet after work at 5 PM. No two classes are ever exactly alike, but they all involve a combination of cardio, resistance training, and core conditioning. Some classes may involve squats, lunges, jumping jacks and push-ups, while other classes may include tire flipping, skipping rope, running through obstacle courses, or balancing on Bosu balls.

?I?m essentially looking for people who are ready to give 100 percent commitment,? explains Chicago boot camp owner Craig Kastning. ?I?m inspired by people who have really tried it all, are at their wit?s end, and are ready to work their rears off to reach their goals. These are people who understand that they need to make broad-sweeping changes to get in shape, but they just need the system to get them there.? He adds that his Chicago boot camp gives participants everything they need to succeed, from customized nutrition plans and tools to track their progress, to a consistent workout schedule and body of supportive peers.

?We?re seeing amazing results at our Chicago boot camp from our dedicated tribe,? Craig adds. ?Grace Sebert lost 27 pounds, Denise Van Cleve got down to just 14 percent body fat, Jennifer Widger went down six dress sizes, and John Forrest gained 10 pounds of lean muscle mass.? He explains that different people have different measurements for success, but he helps people decide what they want out of the program in their initial consultation. ?We sit down and discuss health history, nutrition, goals and dreams,? he says. ?The personal attention you get with my boot camp is second-to-none.?