May 2




 

It is a paradox. Michel Combes, the current CEO of Vodafone Europe will become CEO of SFR and board member of Vivendi from August 1, 2012. Jean-Bernard Lévy, Vivendi's chief executive who assumed the interim of Frank Esser arrived in late March, has finally chosen the man who best knows the file. And for good reason! It is precisely Michel Combes, who just last year, sold at high prices to the 44% Vivendi Vodafone's shareholding in SFR. Since 2008 and became head of European operations of British mobile giant, Michel Combes was also a director of SFR. He proceeded to examine every angle SFR.

Shortly after the departure of Frank Esser, Vivendi launched a search to find a replacement. And soon the name of Michel Combes has surfaced. It is a great French telecom specialist for the financial director of France Telecom in 2003 before becoming the right arm of Didier Lombard until 2006. But it is also a leader who has acquired an international dimension to the head of Vodafone Europe since 2008 low fee pay day loans. Meanwhile, the X Telecom 50 years, known for his enthusiasm and hyperactivity, led TDF, the technical broadcaster of television and radio and wireless mobile telecom. His brief tenure as head of TDF was marked by the construction of an ambitious business model that attracted the new shareholders of TDF, the TPG, Axa Private Equity and the CDC.

At the head of SFR, Michel Combes will have to implement the plan to win back customers attracted by offers Free Mobile. It will also improve profitability of the mobile operator heavily affected by the general decline in package prices. In 2012 and 2013, the EBITDA of SFR should decline by 15%. A challenge for Vivendi, who paid € 8 billion to acquire the entire share capital of SFR few months before the arrival of Free Mobile market. The destruction of value for Vivendi would be valued at nearly $ 2 billion.

Apr 20




 

Nothing works for Nokia and its new boss Stephen Elop. A week after reducing its forecasts for mobile phones in the first half of this fiscal year, the Finnish group said the extent of damage. The group, which is losing its world of telephony in favor of South Korea's Samsung, has declined by 29% of its turnover in the first quarter, to 7.35 billion euros. Nokia says it has shipped 82 million mobile phones in the first quarter, with a decline in sales in this activity by 40%.

The result remains in the red, as in the last quarter of 2011. But the operating loss increased to EUR 1.3 billion. Now the two core businesses of Nokia show losses. In mobile phones, the operating loss represents 3% of sales against 10% more profit for the same period of 2011 free credit score. In equipment for telecommunications networks, Nokia Siemens Networks' book including the mobile network of Free, the operating loss reached 5% of revenues.

Especially in the short term, the outlook remains bleak. The loss in mobile phones should be of similar magnitude in the second trimestre.Les sales of Nokia mobile also collapse in North America and Chine.La only glimmer of hope rests on smartphones equipped with a Operating from Microsoft, including the aircraft from the Lumia provided the U.S. with T-Mobile and AT & T.

Apr 19




 

Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook have better watch out. The French presidential candidates are determined to stop tax evasion which these American giants of the Internet are guilty by repatriating their revenues in France to countries like Ireland or Luxembourg, where tax companies is softer.

In their profession of faith addressed to the Digital Collective of digital players, Nicolas Sarkozy as Francois Hollande promised to introduce fiscal measures to impose American groups as their French competitors in the Hexagon. "We will favor the European way (…) but we also work with a national solution," said the Socialist candidate as well. Specifically, it is to negotiate the "establishment virtual stable" at European level even with the OECD and to use the short term, to "complete business cycle" that can be considered as localized in France transactions of a company headquarters abroad. Both solutions also contained in the program menu of digital Nicolas Sarkozy, who wants "a fair taxation system in France and Europe." These tools would produce more revenue than the proposed "Google tax" championed by Senator Philippe Marini UMP, limited him to online advertising revenues.

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Apr 1




 

February was without much panache to the French national dailies. Sales of five of the eight titles of general information and sports have registered a decrease, France paid for a mailing of 1.6 million copies in total daily average, according to OJD, the supervisory body the press.

Among GPs, Le Figaro has kept its position as the leading national daily, to 330,725 copies, a slight increase (0.66%), followed by Le Monde, down 5.22%, to 279,455 copies. Sports daily Amaury Group, The Équipechute 8.8%, to 253,766 copies. Desechos sales, now only business daily since the demise of the print edition of The Tribune, have scraped 0.6%. After a strong month in January (5.7%), those of Libérationont declined 2%.  

Louis Dreyfus, chief executive of Le Monde, explains its poor performance against the election campaign, he said "less than the previous carrier," and the establishment of a retirement plan at Printing World which resulted work stoppages, "which made us miss sales in Paris and the provinces." But, conversely, the new format of the weekend's evening paper, enriched with three supplements and renovated a magazine, launched in September, is bearing fruit, with a circulation up 5% year on year , "despite an increase in the sale price low interest rate personal loans."

A new journal for tablets

Maintaining a price of 0.90 euro for weeks in Francea Today, however, allowed the national edition of Le Parisien, also in the Amaury group, earn 6.3%, to 167,890 copies, after a 14.6% jump in January, mainly due to a favorable base effect, the weather in January 2011 having lost many sales quotidien.Aujourd 'hui in Franceest focused by the judgment of the paper edition of France Soirdepuis mid-December 2011. 

For its part, says his Team in February by a slippage rate of migration to digital readership faster than in the general press, by an unfavorable base effect linked to the victory of the France team handball to World Championships in February 2011, and the cancellation of the match France-Ireland Six Nations on 12 February.

"The sports news has been sparse," said Francois Morinière, Group Chief Executive Team, which gives priority to develop its digital sales. His group will launch in May, just before the tournament at Roland Garros, a new 100% digital newspaper for reading on tablet.

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Mar 27




 

Vivendi confirmed Monday, after market, the departure of Frank Esser, CEO of SFR, revealed by Le Figaro. This departure will be effective from the end of the week. Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, this function takes live indefinitely. No other redesign teams SFR is expected. The announcement of a smooth transition reassured the 10,000 employees of SFR, where the announcement of the departure of Frank Esser, who presided over the destiny of the group for twelve years, has been a bombshell.

Vivendi wants to take the time to find a new boss for its subsidiary SFR, a pivotal moment in its history. Greatly shaken by the arrival of Free in the mobile sector, Vodafone is obliged to rethink its economic model. And why the research group "rare bird". Several names of potential candidates circulate: Bertrand Meheut (current CEO of Canal +), Thierry Breton (CEO of Atos), Didier Quillot (former CEO of Lagardère Active), Michel Combes (CEO Vodafone Europe), Gilles Pelisson (ex- Accor CEO) and Jacques Veyrat (Direct Energy) … But none is needed.

One thing is certain, the chosen one will have a profile of "cost killer" while SFR expects a decrease of 12% to 15% of its EBITDA margin in 2012 and Jean-Bernard Levy said at the Vivendi earnings presentation in early March, the need to "tighten the bolts." The future head of SFR should be able to reassure financial markets, while the declining profitability of SFR weighs on Vivendi. The stock has lost 17% since the beginning of the year.

The departure of Frank Esser was decided Friday afternoon during a supervisory board of Vivendi, and presented Monday at 5:00 p.m. in the Board of SFR. It does not seem to be a coup as often in the wars of succession, but a decision by mutual agreement. Friday, same day that his fate was sealed, Frank Esser was attending a lunch with the entire executive of Vivendi, in which Jean-Rene Fourtou, director of Vivendi, and Jean-Bernard Levy have sent him some very complimentary. Frank Esser, Mannesmann's German came (acquired by Vodafone), is indeed recognized and appreciated by both teams by his peers.

Free to adjust the face

But, before the onslaught of Free Mobile, it was essential to give new impetus to SFR, which lost 200,000 customers between 10 January and late February. "Jean-Bernard Levy knows SFR. We are confident in its ability to revitalize all appear the beginnings of a stabilization of the situation. After the initial excitement, Free began to experience a certain loss, "said a spokesman for Vivendi.

The task does not look easy. We'll have to cut some expenses without burdening the future. "In the hundreds of service developments underway at SFR, it will have to choose between those that are essential for the future and those who can be stopped, says an inside source. Always painful choices that force teams to redeploy réinternalisant projects that were previously outsourced to external service providers. "The suppliers and providers of SFR should be the first affected by this clampdown.

Add paid features

It will also have to rethink the positioning packaging opportunities. Free Mobile face, all operators have launched entry-level offerings, sold only on the Web at very aggressive prices. But where Bouygues Telecom, the first chopping last July, has managed to impose "B & You", followed by Orange with "Sosh" SFR has not really enticing with its brand "Red" launched in late September.

But offers low-cost, direct response to Free, are not the only priorities. The operators were able over time to all-inclusive packages (visual voicemail, MMS, mobile Internet …). We must now all unravel for a basic package comparable to that of Free, which you must add a number of services at extra cost. A vast perspective.

Mar 23




 

At the initiative of the head of the DGB, the all-powerful central labor Angela Merkel received Thursday, union officials from ten European countries, including François Chérèque, the secretary general of the CFDT. Before the unionists Italian, Spanish, Greek, came to speak of the harmful effects of excessive rigor in Europe … Chancellor pleaded the necessity of fiscal consolidation and structural reforms in the countries in difficulty.

"We came to tell him that the tax agreement, alone, alone will not solve Europe's problems," says the boss of the German DGB. Like the European social democratic parties, trade union representatives are calling for initiatives to boost growth and employment on the continent. "I told him I was going to be jealous of the political class in France, where they are likely to want to meet her!" Welcomed Francois Chereque, who claims to have provoked a smile with his reference to Merkel visit you failed to François Hollande. Before taking his own way in the electoral debate Merkel French: "This is all the more symbolic of being received by the Chancellor, the intermediate bodies are treated fairly contemptuous by the French president." …. ….

On the merits, the chancellor has remained true to its principles. The Greeks, she explained that including the minimum wage in their country is still too high compared to that of the Portuguese. However, it also recognized the need to implement investment programs to support employment in Europe.

"Merkel is the head of the most powerful country in Europe and it imposes its austerity," Judge Chérèque denouncing the "wage dumping" across the Rhine, where wages are "of 5 euros per hour against 10 euros in Alsace in the food industry ", resulting in his relocation to Germany French in this branch. And explain that "the European trade unions have agreed to the adoption of a social pact" based on a convergence in this area including the adoption of a "minimum wage" that would be European "60% the average wage of each country "of the Union.

Merkel told them that Germany could not afford a general minimum wage of € 8 per hour.

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Mar 19




 

The marketing of the new iPad Friday has generated less than tails on the sidewalks, but probably more sales than at the launch of the iPad2 a year ago. Apple stores of the largest cities in the world have often opened their doors earlier to satisfy customers eager to see, touch and hold the new object is critically acclaimed. In April 2010, the first iPad has sold 300,000 copies the first day. Estimated Friday night, over a million buyers have fallen for this model faster, with a screen resolution of unprecedented and consistent with the fourth-generation telephone networks. Among them, ironically, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, who stood in line Friday in Los Angeles as an ordinary customer.

Reducing queues at Apple Stores in the U.S. is explained by the supply of new iPad by many other retailers, like Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and by telephone companies and AT & T Verizon payday loans lenders. Sold in Wi-Fi setup to 499 American dollars, 489 euros in Paris, 42,800 yen in Japan, the new iPad promises to consolidate for now ahead of Apple on the niche of digital tablets against rivals such as Samsung and Amazon. Gartner estimates that by 2015 this market will be as important as that of PC with 368 million units will be sold this year. The guts of the new iPad show including a screen made by Samsung and electronic components from Qualcomm, Broadcom, ARM Holdings, Toshiba and Avago Technologies. This information will drive some to buy the shares of these companies to take advantage of the popularity of the iPad Apple has already made the company the world's most expensive with a capitalization of $ 546 billion, twice that of Microsoft.

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Mar 17




 

1040 new aircraft worth $ 145 billion. This, according to the latest Airbus market research, the need for airlines in India in the next twenty years. Of these, the vast majority of planes (860) will be ordered to meet the growth in air traffic – to + 7.2% per year, it is already growing faster than the average in Asia (5.9%) . In total, the current fleet will more than triple to 1080 devices.

According to Airbus, the airline purchases will be predominantly (646 copies) on medium-haul aircraft type A320 and A320 Neo (version remotorisée). It to meet soaring domestic traffic should move quickly on a rate of 10% per year, which will make India one of the strongest markets in the world. The European manufacturer estimates that the market for 308 long-haul A350-type and 66 copies of the ultra-high capacity aircraft type A380.

Two giant orders

Airbus hopes to win a beautiful place in this promising market. Already, the European manufacturer claims "70% market share of new orders," his "ambition is to retain its leadership in the Indian market." To support its strategy to win business, Airbus has established local partnerships for forty years. It is manufactured locally A320 passenger doors, his best-seller. It is also recruiting Indian engineers in its Engineering Center opened in 2006 in Bangalore. The manufacturer employs 270 in total and has to hire another 180 by 2014 payday loan lenders.

Airbus' strategy has paid off. In 2011, the manufacturer has scored a major coup by winning two giant commands from Indigo (180 A 320 150 of Neo) and Go Air have ordered that, between them, 252 units.

Two threats

But the clouds on the horizon. On the one hand by the poor health of major customers such as local Kingfisher.Depuis his birth in 2005, the company has never made any money – it lost $ 90 million in the third quarter of fiscal year – and has accumulated a debt of $ 1.3 billion. Kingfisher international flights still canceled Wednesday, postponed delivery in 2014 of A 380 and ordered it does not exclude cancellations. In total, current orders are of 32 A320s, 20 A330 long-haul, long haul lonq five A350s and five A380 super-jumbo. The company promises tonight released a recovery plan within two to three days.  

Moreover, the implementation of the carbon tax by the European Union in January, also poses a threat to aircraft orders. Just as Beijing has frozen the purchase of 45 Airbus A 380, including 10 of its airlines, New Delhi is opposed to this tax. India may decide to retaliate. It threatens to bar its airlines to fly to Europe.

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Mar 7




What is the liability insurance?

The liability is defined as the obligation to repair the damage or injury caused to others. In case of accident, then it is the insurance that replaces the insured to compensate the victim.

Any land motor vehicle must necessarily be covered by liability insurance. Automobile, and this formula is the minimum requirement of any insurance contract. It is known in the insurance practice "in person".

The liability insurance for the vehicle even if it does not circulate. It therefore covers the damage caused to others by their drivers as well as by its passengers or guardian

Fact: Even the unauthorized driver (that is to say, not specified in the contract) is covered by this insurance. But the insurer can then turn against him to pay

Passengers also have a special status with regard to liability insurance. Indeed, she covers them for damage they may cause, but also those they personally may suffer.

May be compensated by the liability insurance?

The driver of the insured vehicle is not covered for injuries or damage it causes to himself. Thus, the damage to the insured vehicle are paradoxically not insured. This applies even damage to other property belonging to the driver.

This exception aside, the insurance covers almost everything else. Thus, it may indemnify such:

– The passengers,

– Drivers and passengers of other vehicles,

– Pedestrians, cyclists … ,

– Owners of damaged property (windows, walls …)

What are the legal requirements of liability insurance?

The absence of liability insurance of a vehicle is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of € 3,750, which may be added to any other penalties provided in s. L 324-2 of the Highway Code. These penalties can range from the cancellation of driver's license and sentenced to community service and forfeiture of the vehicle.

Note: the insured also has the obligation to submit any request the insurance certificate of the vehicle, ie his green card.

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Mar 3




 

The French are increasingly choosing to sustainable consumption. With the crisis, their new creed is "eat less but eat better." The year 2012 starts elsewhere in the gloom on the front of the consumer. The French have reduced their spending by 0.4% in January, INSEE announced Tuesday. This is despite the sales. A recent survey * Ifop, higher wages and purchasing power is a priority concern for 58% of French people (+ 7 points from August 2011) in the context of the presidential election. In addition to these concerns, the ideals of consumption in ecological hints are an echo in these times of crisis. A brief overview of the latest trends in cutting waste.

• Donations from individuals, to stop throwing

"Donation after donation, we change the world." Is the slogan of Freecycle.org, a global network of gifts between individuals born in the United States in 2003, which now has 7 million members in 95 countries. In France, it boasts just over 44,000 members. The principle is simple: users register for free on the site to enter into relationships with other individuals and to make donations and recovery of objects. With over 345,000 members, the site Donnons.org created in 2006 has never experienced the crisis. In February, over 9,000 people registered on the site, after more than 11,000 new members in January. "With the decline in purchasing power, our members are looking for an alternative way to consume, and want to give new life to objects instead of flooding the waste dumps," said Isabella Geist, moderating Donnons.org. For the poorest, this site allows free access to certain equipment. "Unlike associations, we function as a social network. Some people stay in touch after making a donation. "

The "comeback" the most spectacular remains of the knitting. Photo credits: Karine Image / Flickr

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