| Multi-Level Marketing, a Hidden Peril in China
HONG KONGMulti-level marketing (MLM) 1 , also know as pyramid schemes ( chuanxiao ), has become prevalent again in China in the past two years 2 . Millions of people, including students and farmers, are involved in this sector, drawing 50 billion yuan (US$6.66 billion) into the scheme. Chinese authorities continue, however, to be wary of direct sales on a number of grounds, among them pyramid scheme frauds, strong networking capabilities and loss of social stability. With such a large and well-organized sales force, MLM has caused panic on the authorities. In July and August of this year, the authorities significantly strengthened the co-operation with related departments in fighting illegal pyramid selling. According to Oriental Daily News in Hong Kong, MLM salespeople, dissatisfied with the authority's bans, often gather a crowd to attack governmental agencies.
January 2008 - Posts
Today's Democratic Florida primary is a political inkblot test. Given that no delegates are being awarded (for now), you can pretty much interpret the “beauty contest" results however you want. As a result, the propaganda battle between the Clinton and Read More... .
Friendster deploys developer program, launches 180 applications
(Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) San Francisco (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Friendster, Inc. (http://www.friendster.com) today launched a directory of over 180 applications, enabling its more than 56 million global users to easily discover, add and use applications on and off the Friendster.com website. These applications, called "widgets" throughout the industry, have been integrated into the Friendster user experience by developers leveraging Friendster's Developer Program, released as a pilot program on October 25, 2007 and now fully deployed at http://www.friendster.com/developer. Friendster, the #1 social network in Asia and the third largest branded social network in the world, is among the first major global social networks to launch a developer platform and rich directory of applications for its users within a production environment.
DISD's big men play big, dream bigger
The list of the DISD's great big men is remarkable, ranging from Madison's Dave Stallworth in the 1950s and '60s to South Oak Cliff senior J'mison Morgan, who has signed with LSU. "You can go back 20, 30 years," said Pat Washington, a 1985 Adamson graduate now in his seventh year coaching Woodrow Wilson. "Dallas has always had good big men." Woodrow Wilson's Jones, a 6-9 sophomore forward, has the ball-handling ability of a point guard. Carter's Shaw, a 6-11 junior, is a shot-blocker benefiting from the tutelage of Robert Allen, who coached Aldridge at Seagoville. Nash plays larger than his 6-7 frame and, Lincoln coach Leonard Bishop said, is mentally tougher than the average freshman. At North Dallas, Bradley, a 6-6 junior, leads all area public school athletes in rebounding.
Thinking of spring training, Francoeur’s future
I wouldn't say I'm entirely ready to pack up and head to Dark Star (Disney) for six weeks of spring training, but I'm at least starting to think about it. Still got plenty of movies and college hoops to watch between now and Feb. 14, reporting day for pitchers & catchers — and ink-stained members of the Fourth Estate. By the way, for those wondering about who's gonna be at FanFest next weekend (Jan. 12-13) at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta: Almost every current Braves player is scheduled to sign autographs at some point during the two-day event, including John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Mark Teixeira, Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Kelly Johnson and, yes, non-roster invitee Javy Lopez. Even rehabbing reliever Mike Gonzalez is on the list the Braves sent me.
Schultz shakes up Starbucks management ranks
Just days after re-assuming the title of chief executive at Starbucks, Howard Schultz is shaking things up. Two top executives are leaving the Seattle company and several others are taking on new roles. The moves are taking place one level beneath the company's most senior executives, who remain in place. Starbucks said the two executives leaving are Brian Crynes, chief information officer, and Sandra Taylor, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility. Several new positions were created: - Senior vice president of global strategy will be Michelle Gass. Formerly head of global products, which included marketing, she will report to Schultz and be responsible for implementing a transformation plan that has yet to be revealed.
Victories for Clinton and McCain reshape race
Both have worked across party lines and proven their ability to unite for achieving a greater good. They also understand that it is our nation first, and political party last, when reaching an accomodation on differences between party dogma may be compromised, votes lost in future elections. They know well the national and international situations, and have made difficult choices in their voting histories. I believe the founders of America would applaud my belief that government takes place every day in the actions of it's citizens. We are the government. .
Pizza Inn CEO promises brighter future in letter to shareholders
THE COLONY, TexasDespite current struggles, the future of Pizza Inn looks bright, said CEO Ronnie Parker in a letter to shareholders issued June 8. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Parker wrote that the chains comparable-store sales in 2004 have moved into positive territory, and that for its most recent six weeks, comp-sales are up 2 percent. "We believe these improvements can be attributed in large part to the brand positioning and subsequent advertising campaign first initiated in July 2003," Parker wrote. "There is, however, more to accomplish in the area of marketing." That includes, Parker added, new TV, radio and print campaigns to be unveiled this month, plus a heightened focus on community marketing efforts.
RCN Launches New Starpower Internet Phone Service, Expanding Telecom ...
HERNDON, Va. & NEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), a leading provider of video, data, and voice services to residential, business, and commercial/carrier customers, announced today the launch of its new Starpower Internet Phone Service. RCN's Starpower Internet Phone Service is powered by the Hosted Consumer VoIP Solution of deltathree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DDDC), a leading provider of SIP-based VoIP solutions for service providers and consumers worldwide.
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