GM puts Volt engine plant on hold

GM puts Volt engine plant on hold

Posted by: Anthony Lim

General Motors, anxiously conserving cash so it can keep operating into 2009, said on Wed it would halt construction of a plant tied to one of its most important projects while the automaker awaits a Washington bailout.

GM said it is putting the brakes on the construction of a factory in Flint, Michigan, set to make 1.4l engines for the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevy Volt plug-in electric car.

It's just have to Volt a little longer.

It's just one more effort by GM to hold on to every penny possible as it speeds closer to the day when the 100-year-old industrial giant won't be able to pay its bills.

The company has been scaling back just about everywhere - shutting down vehicle production, ending sports sponsorships, turning off escalators and even cutting back on office supplies - to stay afloat.

GM is seeking up to US$18bil in government loans as it tries to survive the worst US auto sales environment in 26 years. It says it needs US$4bil before this year runs out.

GM board member Kent Kresa told The Associated Press last week that the company might make it into the early part of the first quarter, depending on auto sales, yet GM has several billion dollars worth of supplier payments due shortly after the first of the year, and analysts have said the company probably doesn't have the cash to pay them.

GM announced plans in Sept for the new engine plant in Flint, 50 miles northwest of Detroit, and said production would begin in 2010. But the company is delaying the purchase of big-ticket items needed to build the factory, such as structural steel, spokeswoman Sharon Basel said.

The plant's engines will extend the range of the rechargeable Volt, GM's high-profile next-generation vehicle that will be able to travel 40 miles on electricity alone. They will also power the Cruze, GM's new small car that is supposed to get around 40mpg.

Ditto the ability to Cruze around in one of these.

Basel said Volt and Cruze development will continue as scheduled and the company still plans to bring them to showrooms in 2010. The construction delay, she said, may be temporary until the company figures out its cash situation.

"Everything that involves heavy cash outlays obviously is under review," Basel said. "Our intent is to still go forward with a new facility bringing that engine to Flint."

Meanwhile, GM has held off many large expenditures, such as the steel for the Flint plant, Basel said."Those are huge cash outlays, and we don't have the cash," she said.

Basel said there is plenty of time to build the factory, install equipment and get it up and running in time to produce engines for the two new cars. The company already makes the 1.4l engine at a plant in Austria, she said, giving it another option for engines.

"We have lots of options. The construction of the new plant is not going to interrupt our plans for the Volt or Cruze," Basel said.

Work will continue as scheduled on the Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant, which will make the Cruze starting in mid-2010, said GM spokesman Chris Lee. The company has not formally announced where the Volt will be built, although the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant was identified in the 2007 contract with the United Auto Workers. Lee said Volt production remains on schedule for later in 2010.

GM said in Sept it would invest US$370mil in the new factory, which will employ 330 hourly and salaried workers and allow the company to double its global production of smaller engines by 2011. The plant will have 300 flexible work stations that will let GM build different four-cylinder engines without retooling.

The United Auto Workers union agreed that new hires for the plant would be paid US$14 per hour, about half the wages of a current UAW worker. It also agreed to a new flexible pact with GM that lets workers do multiple jobs.

The new factory brings the prospect of more jobs to an industrial city hard hit by auto job losses. GM's nearby Flint Engine North plant closed in Aug. - AP


SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com

EUROCOPTER EC 725 COUGAR

Eurocopter deal suspended
Giam Say Khoon 

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 28, 2008): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced the suspension of the RM1.7 billion Eurocopter helicopter deal with the allocation to be redistributed to projects that directly benefit the people.

"We had decided during the National Economic Council meeting on Oct 13 not to purchase the helicopters at the moment because we need the allocation

for other projects and saving is very important for us now, to face an economic situation caused by the world economic crisis," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya celebration at the Defence Ministry.

"We need to relocate the allocation for certain projects… because we cannot just borrow the money when we need it. The best thing to do is to relocate, we will do the projects that can be implemented now."

Abdullah, who is also Defence Minister, said the government had decided that only projects that will benefit the people will be given the allocation and that all ministries are required to lower their expenditure by deferring some of their projects.

"Suspending the purchase (of the helicopters) does not mean that we will stop buying any helicopters, as we will do it when the financial status allows us to do so. The Nuri (military) helicopters we have now are old and they often involved in accidents that killed not only the soldiers but also civilians. Therefore the old helicopters must be replaced," he said.

Abdullah added that a decision to replace the 28 Nuris must be made by 2011 and the government would want to make the purchase earlier if possible as new helicopters will need three years to be delivered.

He said as a result, the ministry had studied the models of helicopters to be purchased and Eurocopter was chosen in the open tender as it fulfilled the requirements and specifications set by the ministry.

He denied the helicopter deal will cost RM2.3 billion as claimed by the Opposition, saying that the price for 12 Cougar EC725 helicopters from the European firm is only around RM1.67 billion.

Asked when the government will resume the deal, Abdullah said the government will first access its financial situation.

On the scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which will be conducted today (Wednesday), he said since the deputy prime minister had agreed to a scrutiny by the committee, it will go on as it will also give the committee the opportunity to examine the deal with the officers involved in the purchase.

"It is a good thing for them (the PAC) to learn about the procedure used by the ministry and why the deal cost so much.

"The helicopters (are expensive as they) come with high specifications for combat, search and rescue as well as troop lifting purposes," he said.

Abdullah also explained that the Brazilian deal with Eurocopter was cheaper, which involved the purchase of 50 Super Cougar helicopters at a price

consideration of US$1.2 billion, because the helicopters bought by that country were ordinary helicopters and they did not have the same specifications like those Malaysia intended to buy.

On the allegations that the deal lacked transparency, Abdullah said it was done through tender and he did not believe that there were any irregularities.

To a question, he said the government will decide whether Eurocopter will still be given the deal when the situation allows the purchase or whether another open tender will be called. He also said the government has yet to inform Eurocopter formally of the decision to suspend the deal.

SOURCE:  THE SUN ONLINE

HYUNDAI COUPE

Coupe with the looks
by Y.S. Khong

THE Hyundai Coupe is a two-door sporty-looking coupe that seats up to four adults, and is an eye-catcher, especially in red. Priced at RM128k, it is one of the most affordable two-door coupes that you can get in Malaysia, and it comes with airbags, ABS and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme).

Local distributor Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd is importing only the 2.0-litre model although there is a 2.7-litre model available.

A few units of the 2.7-litre model were brought in but it seems the current distributor has decided to focus more on the 2.0 model, which is a more viable value-for-money package for the Malaysian motoring public.

In terms of looks, the Hyundai Coupe is indeed attractive and eye-pleasing.

The 2.0-litre engine is a 16-valve, four-cylinder unit with CVVT, the Hyundai equivalent of variable valve timing. It produces 143PS at 6,000rpm, and has a maximum torque of 186Nm at 4,500rpm.

This is a respectable figure insofar as 2.0-litre engines are concerned, but not one of the higher figures.

Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to the front wheels, the performance is adequate, but not exhilarating.

Of course, if you really like the Hyundai Coupe shape and want something better, you could always ask for the 2.7-litre model, which has 167PS from the V6 engine.

We had one test unit courtesy of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors, and we drove it around Petaling Jaya for a couple of days to get a feel of it.

As far as the power delivery was concerned, the Hyundai Coupe does drive quite well, due to its relatively low final drive ratio of 4.407:1.

The four-speed automatic is, like all current four-speed automatics, a little short in performance, especially when it comes to the gaps in-between gears.

But gear changes are smooth enough, thanks to the excellent electronic controls.

A five-speed gearbox would be better, although it means one would probably have to pay a little more for it.

As it was, we managed a top speed of around 180kph on a short stretch of open highway before traffic conditions made it necessary to slow down.

On the road, the Hyundai Coupe is quiet enough when driven at normal road speeds of between 80kph and 120kph.

After that, the engine has to work a little harder, and under hard acceleration, the gears drop down, sometimes to second, and that is when you will notice the engine noise building up as the revolutions climb.

Due to the low ratios, the revolutions will hold right up to the red line at 6,500rpm before the gears change, unless you lift off and release the pressure in the gearbox.

Overall handling is decent, from the four-wheel independent suspension made up of MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

The suspension is set to be on the firm side of comfortable, and driven in anger, the Hyundai Coupe will be able to give a reasonably good account of itself.

However, once the speed builds up, it cruises easily, and you can keep it at around 160 to 180kph the whole day if you so wish to.

Overall, the Hyundai Coupe does offer a viable option for those who want a sporty-looking yet affordable car, and are not looking for brute performance.

SOURCE: http://www.sun2surf.com

Jaguar XF

Timeless elegance

Jaguar XF is the sedan that has great looks and gives a sporty performance

by Y.S. Khong

SISMA Auto Sdn Bhd, the local importer of the Jaguar brand, have added the Jaguar XF to the range of cars available locally and after a two-day stint with it, I am convinced that this is a model that will become very much sought-after, on account of its great looks and sporty performance.

The XF is a beautiful piece of refined machinery. Sleek and sporty-looking, it is a four-door sedan, but looks like a coupe, and drives like a sports car.

From the front, it looks just awesome – masculine in character and looking elegant at the same time. A large mesh grille, bordered on both sides by handsome combination lights; an integral bumper with a large under-bumper intake also finished with mesh netting and double side pods on each side; together with power bulges in the front hood give a loud hint of performance.

The side profile with smooth curving lines that extend from the front bonnet, over the roofline and tapers downwards towards the rear make it look more like a sports coupe than the sedan it is.

The XF has an overall shape that is timeless, and my hunch is that long after it has gone out of production, enthusiasts and collectors will want to have one in the garage.

The interior, finished in fine, hand-sewn leather, is on par with the best hand-crafted machines in the world. The driver and front passenger get body-hugging bucket seats, while the rear passengers get moulded seats that will hold them firmly at all times.

Seating is really meant for four, although you could squeeze in a fifth, if push comes to shove. Tasteful wood inlays give the XF sophistication and class. And an 8-speaker high quality sound system is standard.

A keyless entry system allows convenience. Interestingly, there is no gear lever, at least not the kind that we are usually accustomed to.

As you start the car using the push button, a short cylindrical gizmo rises up from the spot between the front seats where the gear lever is usually located, and you turn it to engage drive, neutral or reverse gear.

After that you can drive it like an automatic, or shift up and down through the six-speed automatic gearbox using F1-type paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.

The posh interior of the Jaguar XF offers keyless entry system, 8-speaker high quality sound system and a 7-inch touch screen that controls all the major functions.

In the centre dash, a 7-inch touch screen controls most major functions. The handbrake is also electronically controlled.

Driving the Jaguar XF is a real pleasure, especially if you are a car lover. The V6, three–litre engine delivers 238PS at 6,800 RPM, and develops a maximum torque of 293 Nm, good enough to get you from zero to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds – not the fastest car on the road, but respectable enough.

Top speed is claimed at 237 km/h. We didn’t have enough road to get it all the way to the maximum, but it was fun all the way. If you have the money, there is a V8, 4.2 litre petrol engine as an option.

Naturally, the XF just cried out to be taken up the hills to Genting Highlands, and we did exactly that, taking a quick ‘flight’ up, ending up in Starbucks for a coffee before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

All I can say is, it was a great drive. The handling was inch-perfect, due to the many built-in features like traction control, superb chassis and suspension engineering. In the safety department, the Jaguar XF is as good as any of the premium continentals.

I can’t afford the RM550k it takes to get one into my front porch, but I am sure that there are many out there who can.

SOURCE: http://www.sun2surf.com

SONY VAIO

Friday September 5, 2008

Sony recalls some Vaio portables

KUALA LUMPUR : If you are using a Sony Vaio VGN-TZ notebook computer, you will need to check if the model is among the 438,000 portables being recalled worldwide by the Japanese manufacturer.

The voluntary recall of the products is due to a potential hazard that could cause the notebooks to overheat and possibly catch fire.

Sony Malaysia said customers here should go to the company website — http://tinyurl.com/5kb2tr — to check the list of affected Vaios and to find out what they should do if their notebook model is listed.

Affected customers will benefit from free service inspection and repairs at the Sony Service Centre here, the company said.

Reuters has reported that this is one of the biggest computer recalls in the world since 2006 when Dell recalled 4.1 million notebook computer batteries because they could overheat and catch fire.

It also reported that Sony has received 15 reports of overheating, including one of a consumer who suffered a minor burn.

The flaw is found in Sony’s VGN-TZ100, VGN-TZ200, VGN-TZ300 and VGN-TZ2000 series computers.

According to the Reuters report, the problem is related to “irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or dislodged screw inside the hinge” that can cause a short circuit and overheat.

Sony has initiated a voluntary programme to perform a free inspection and, if necessary, a repair to ensure these units meet its high-quality standards.

The Reuters report said Sony has been dogged in recent years by recalls of laptop computer batteries amid concerns they would overheat and catch fire.

In 2006, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and some other PC makers recalled more than eight million Sony batteries, the report said.

Sony, said Reuters, declined to comment on the potential cost it will incur to repair the computers.

SOURCE: http://star-techcentral.com

MITSUBISHI TRITON

Two-in-one vehicle


Mitsubishi Triton Lite’s good looks ARE converting many car owners into truck drivers

by Y S Khong

THE idea of owning a truck is catching on, and the advent of the Mitsubishi Triton series is helping to convert many car owners into truck owners due to its handsome looks.

The thought of driving around in a truck seemed unappealing, but the Triton’s many car-like features, coupled with its not-so-industrial shape, helped to tip the scales.

However, even though the light truck in itself is a bargain to purchase on account of it being free of import duty, the price of between RM80K to RM90+K per unit is still a daunting proposition.

Built on the same platform as the Triton, the Triton Lite is a lower-cost version that sits lower, and comes without the 4WD option but a five-speed manual transmission.

Sold at a little below RM60K, it offers a viable alternative for someone who would otherwise have to settle for a national car or a Korean sub-compact.

Now, for someone living in the countryside, and perhaps has to traverse the not-so-good roads or need to carry some produce to market every once in a while, the Triton Lite can serve as both a family vehicle and a workhorse.

The interior fittings, although a grade or so lower than that of the Triton 4x4, is still decent enough, while the dual cabin seats five adults quite comfortably.

Interior space is generous, and headroom is as good as in a Triton 4x4. At the rear end, a low loading height makes for easy loading and unloading.

Built much tougher than a sedan, and with high ground clearance, the kampung folk can enjoy its benefits for a much longer time, because the Triton Lite is able to withstand much tougher treatment than an ordinary car can.

In the urban areas, small- and medium-size business people can use the Triton Lite as a utility vehicle, as the rear deck is big and can carry up to a ton in payload.

There are also people who buy trucks and never ever venture off the tarmac for the entire duration of ownership.

For these people, the Triton Lite would be ideal. The Triton Lite is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre diesel engine; in fact, a little bird told me that this is the very well-proven and durable engine from the Mitsubishi Pajero, which many of us are familiar with.

Maximum power is 75PS at 4,200rpm, and maximum torque is 149Nm at 2,500rpm. This is not as high as the 136 horses that one can get from the Triton 2.5-litre turbo-charged engine but the saving grace is lower maintenance cost and excellent fuel economy.

The front suspension is made up of a double-wishbone arrangement and coil springs, while the rear is a leaf spring. Brakes are large ventilated discs in the front, while the rear is fitted with drums. Steering is rack and pinion, a set-up that provides excellent driving feel.

On the road, the Triton Lite drives quite decently. It is not as fast as a regular turbo-charged light truck, but it will get you there.

Acceleration is not as brisk, but once you get up to speed, it feels decent enough, and although it will not hit as high a speed as its turbo-charged sibling, it will travel at the highway regulation speed of 110kph and beyond if you wish it to.

Handling is decent and the suspension, although a little stiffer than the turbo-charged Triton, is decent enough for family usage, while being robust enough for heavy duty usage.

In the final analysis, the Triton Lite serves a purpose; it is available for those who require a truck but don’t really need the turbo-charged power.

It also offers a viable package for the buyer who is looking for a dual-purpose vehicle that is no nonsense and functional.

SOURCE: http://www.sun2surf.com

PERSONA SE

Proton launches something special

Posted by: Andy George

There’s certainly something special for car buyers this coming festive season, what with Proton announcing that a new Persona variant is to grace the streets. It’s called the Persona SE (Special Edition), and the car was unveiled on Tuesday night at Cineleisure in Petaling Jaya, exactly a year after the Persona made its debut.

Here's that something special to all of you

The numerous enhancements should have the young and young at heart drooling, because the Special Edition now packs a more premium and sportier outlook, both interior and exterior-wise.

The interior is now dressed in black leather on all seats, extending to the steering wheel, gear knob, arm rest and door panels. The car also gets a newer meter panel, which was first seen in the facelifted GEN2.

An extra-large GPS system is also included in the SE for the driver’s convenience, and is mounted on the windscreen. There’s also cruise control as standard issue on this one.

On the outside, the Persona SE is a head-turner, and the styling of the car has been refined with a matching body kit that not only offers better aerodynamics but lends the car a unique fashion statement as well.

Luxury in leather

The door handles are finished with silver matte paint, and the same hue can be found on the front grille of the car, which is flanked by new stylish head lamps with black bezels.

As with other Persona variants, the car is equipped with a 1.6l Campro IAFM engine, and you get ABS with EBD, as well as dual front airbags.

Two new colours are being offered on the SE, and they’re called Brilliant Red and Blue Haze.

Attention is what you get on this one

The premium treatment on the Persona SE, however, does not come at a premium price – for RM59,800 (on-the-road, with insurance) you get a car equipped with a high level of luxury and enhancements.


Proton is targeting sales of the Persona SE at 500 units monthly. To date, Persona bookings have totaled 52,112 units since its launch in August 2007, and the car recently won the Frost and Sullivan 2008 Best Model of the Year award.

To see more of what's new in the Persona SE, visit our Gallery.

SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com

Curtains for pirated Windows

By STEVEN PATRICK

PETALING JAYA: From today, those with pirated copies of the Windows XP Professional operating system in their computers that are Internet-capable could find their screens going black and the icons vanishing as Microsoft Corp gets tough.

There are 8.6 million users of Windows XP Pro in Malaysia and about three million are expected to suffer the “blackouts”, according to Microsoft Malaysia.

To continue working, users will need to reset the machine’s desktop background. All will return to normal, but only for 60 minutes before another blackout occurs.

The only “cure” is to get a licensed copy of the operating system fro
m a Microsoft reseller or going online at www.microsoft. com/malaysia/genuine. Each licence costs RM580.

The initiative is part of Microsoft’s anti-piracy campaign, dubbed Windows Genuine Advantage, aimed at educating users on the benefits of using genuine software, Microsoft Malaysia client business group director K.T. Ng told The Star yesterday.

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

F1 DRIVER

F1 driver Massa revives title bid with European GP win

---

Felipe Massa revived his world title challenge Sunday when he won the European Grand Prix and erased bad memories of his explosive exit from the last leg of the F1 championship in Hungary three weeks earlier.


The 27-year-old Brazilian had been forced out of the race in Budapest while leading with three laps to go when his Ferrari's engine blew up.
But this time, despite a strong challenge from second-placed Briton Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren-Mercedes, he was able to complete the 57 laps distance and take the chequered flag for the fourth time this season..
"I am so glad, so happy, after such a bad result in Hungary and the way it ended there," said Massa.



"Everyone did a fantastic job for me and it is a great result for the team.

"To take pole, to win the race and to clock the fastest lap, you cannot ask for more than that after such a bad experience in Budapest."



Hamilton, 23, said he felt ill through the weekend and was glad to win eight points for second place and stay in the lead in the title race after a tough race.

He now has 70 points, to Massa's 64, at the top of the championship with six of this year's 18 races remaining.



But Massa was dragged into a retrospective controversy when he was asked about his second pit stop which saw him rejoin the fray following an 'unsafe release' from the pits.

"I don't know anything about it," he said. "As far as I am concerned I did nothing wrong. It is more about Adrian Sutil than me."



In the incident, Sutil was released before Massa who came out alongside him in the pit lane and had to ease off when they approached a wall.

Race stewards held an inquiry into the incident which could have seen Massa have his victory taken away from him but in the end the Ferrari man escaped with a caution and a 10,000 euros.

In a second incident, a Ferrari mechanic was injured during Finn Kimi Raikkonen's bungled second pit stop. This also was announced as being under investigation.



Hamilton said he was glad to collect his eight points and remain on top in the title race.

"We have great reliability and a great package and no worries about any of that," he said, adding that he felt pain from his neck throughout the race.



"I woke up early on Saturday morning and had a spasm in my neck," Hamilton explained.

"At one point, I did not think I would recover and be able to race, but I had injections and I made it.

"I felt it during the race and it was tough for me, but I don't think I lost any time. The team had Pedro (De la Rosa, the reserve driver) waiting to race and of course he wanted to because he is Spanish.



"I felt bad from the start of the weekend, with low energy, fevers every day and the spasms in my neck. Luckily I have a great doctor and trainer and we got through it."



Poland's Robert Kubica who finished third said he had suffered problems as well when a white plastic bag flew across the track and under his car, causing him to lose his steering controls briefly.

"It came back after a little while, but I lost confidence and it affected me," he said.

"We got this third because of our great qualifying performance on Saturday."



The win was the ninth of his career and was achieved in exemplary fashion as he drove from pole position to the chequered flag without a worry apart from a problem at his second pit-stop.

In another incident, his Ferrari team-mate defending champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen was involved in a disastrous pit stop that left a mechanic injured two laps before his engine blew and forced him to retire.



Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen of Finland came home fourth ahead of Italian veteran Jarno Trulli in a Toyota and 21-year-old German Sebastian Vettel who was sixth for Toro Rosso.



Timo Glock of Germany was seventh for Toyota and another German Nico Rosberg eighth for Williams.

SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

NATURAL GAS VEHICLE (NGV)

City Hall to go natural

By Pearl Lee August 14, 2008 Categories: News

AS part of its cost-cutting exercise, City Hall will install natural gas vehicle (NGV) tanks for 150 of its vehicles by the end of this year. The exercise will help City Hall save about RM70,000 a month on fuel.

For starters, Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan’s official vehicle, a Proton Perdana, was fitted with the tank. Ab Hakim said the installation cost ranges between RM5,000 and 7,000 for the 65- and 75-litre tanks.

Among the vehicles slated to be installed with the NGV tanks are 110 units of Nissan X-Trail 2.5L (A), six Nissan X-Trail 2.0 L(A), three Nissan Sentra 1.6L SG-L AT, one Naza Ria and 30 Mitsubishi Pajero V31 VNDERM.

He said City Hall had 1,500 vehicles that ran on petrol and may be converted to NGV eventually.

“We spend RM1.5million a year on fuel — RM370,000 on petrol, RM900,000 on diesel and the remainder on fuel for motorbikes,” Ab Hakim said.

“It will cost us between RM10 to RM14 for a full tank for 110-140km.”

He said City Hall was negotiating with Petronas to build a NGV station in Cheras for City Hall vehicles. This is to avoid the long queues at petrol stations. The cost of building the station, he added, could be recovered within 25 months.

SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

PROTON NEEDS TO GO GLOBAL

Proton needs to go global



KUALA LUMPUR: Proton should consider working with a foreign automobile company as the way forward, and to compete globally.


Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the committee felt this was the best way for Proton to expand its market share.


»There used to be 60 automobile companies in the world 20 years ago, but today there are only 12 left after merger exercises« DATUK SERI AZMI KHALID
He said it would be difficult for Proton to be in the competitive motor industry if it did not have a foreign partner.


Azmi said although Proton’s performance had improved, as reflected in its financial report, the company should consider working with an international carmaker.
“There used to be 60 automobile companies in the world 20 years ago, but today there are only 12 left after merger exercises.


“If Proton wants to compete in the world, PAC advises that it finds a strategic partner to expand in the industry,” he told a press conference after a PAC meeting with Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar at the Parliament here yesterday.


Last year, Proton’s plans to collaborate with Volkswagen AG and General Motors Corp fell through; the Government felt it needed to give the national carmaker more time to turn around.
Meanwhile, Azmi also said that Khazanah should consider selling off some of its companies that were not giving any returns and had become a burden.


He said such companies had become an obstacle to Khazanah’s growth; Khazanah had to bail out four out of its 11 companies.


He added that Khazanah should invest outside the country and not limit its investment domestically as it could be seen as monopolising the domestic market.
Azmi said the PAC had proposed that the company be transparent in its procurement as well as in awarding contracts.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

5 STEPS TO SEMINAR MARKETING

5 Steps to Seminar Marketing


Autor: hseitz



More than likely, you've attended a seminar, workshop or live training event at some point in your life. Whether you've been to a "Tony Robbins-type" event with thousands of people or a much smaller, workshop format with only a handful of people and lots of interaction. But, have you ever thought about marketing your own seminar?


It's actually simpler than you might think to market your own seminar. You just need to know the steps to a successful seminar and, most importantly, how to get people to come to your seminar.


Here are 5 things you must know about seminar marketing before you begin marketing your event.


1. What is your seminar or event going to be about? Your seminar can be about anything on which you are knowledgeable. From health and wellness to real estate to the internet even to dog grooming or gardening! The most important thing is that you have a passion for what you're going to be teaching at your seminar.


2. When/where is your seminar going to be held?Believe it or not, this is one of the most critical components to a successful seminar. There are many things to consider such as time of year, national holidays, weather, specific hotel chains, etc. But, it's important when planning your seminar to pay close attention to this step.


3. What is your seminar format?Will you have 100 people at your seminar or will you hold a seminar suited for 10-12 people? Either way, you can have a great event, but your strategy for one is much different than your strategy for the other.


4. How are you going to market your seminar?Depending on the type of event you are having, you may want to consider local networking activities and local media or you may opt to go on a more global scale with regard to your seminar marketing and utilize the Internet, direct mail, and mass media. Marketing is probably the most critical component to a successful seminar. Without "cheeks in those seats", you have no seminar!



5. What details are important while running your seminar?Getting people in your seats is the first step to a successful seminar, but equally important is the experience attendees have while AT your seminar. You want people to go home and tell their friends they have to attend your seminar, event or workshop. You want killer testimonials FROM your seminar to use in marketing and you want honest feedback to improve with each seminar you run.Follow these strategies and you are well on your way to a successful seminar.


Source: Free Articles

ONE WORLD HOTEL

Saturday August 9, 2008

One World earns five stars

ONE World Hotel Petaling Jaya is now officially a five-star hotel after receiving the certification from the Tourism Ministry in June.

“We are proud to make a big leap forward in achieving our hotel’s vision,” hotel general manager Ho Hoy Sum said.

“We are confident that we will be able to maintain the standards of service and products that are in line with the guidelines set by the ministry. Moreover, we are committed to providing personalised service that exceeds expectations.

“Since the hotel began operations in June 2007, we have received positive feedback from our guests both local and international,” Ho added.

Good job: Ho (front row, third from left) and some of the hotel’s employees with the certificate.

The hotel has also introduced the ONE Service initiative where guests only needed to use the ONE Service button on the room telephones to connect to any department.

“Apart from the hotel’s excellent facilities for conventions and meetings, well-designed and spacious guestrooms and various food and beverage outlets, it was the staff’s commitment to excellence and consistency that earned us the rating,” Ho said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

FASTER STORAGE

Faster storage solution





KINGSTON Technology Company, Inc, has expanded its line of USB Flash drives with the introduction of the DataTraveler HyperX (DT HyperX) model.

Designed for ultra-fast read/write speeds and lower price points, the DT HyperX drive is available in capacities up to 8GB.

"Taking its cue from our HyperX line of industry-setting high-speed memory modules for gamers, enthusiasts and overclockers, the DataTraveler HyperX offers exceptionally fast read and write speeds," said Kingston APAC region Flash memory product manager Nathan Su.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

The DT HyperX has data transfer rates of 30MB per second read and 20MB per second write, offering consumers a powerful, portable Flash storage solution.

Designed to run on any Windows platform but specifically enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost on Vista-based systems, users can expect to quickly and easily transfer photos, videos, music and data to their desktop, notebook or a fellow enthusiast’s system.

The new Data Traveler HyperX is backed by a five-year warranty and free technical support.

INTERNET AND BUSINESS ONLINE

Internet And Business Online – The Act Of Interdependence


by: Scott Lindsay



The best role of business online is that of interdependency. We’ve all heard the old saying, “No man is an island.” When it comes to online business this is especially true. If a business owner who takes their business into the online world determines they will be self reliant and never accept the help of anyone then that individual will not be in business long enough to change their minds. It is accepted fact that the greatest tool for long-term exposure to your website is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO).


Without it potential customers can’t find you. It is unreasonable to expect that you can adequately develop a website without optimizing your website for the best possible search engine ranking. Search engines also place a high value on sites that have links placed on existing sites. These ‘backlinks’ demonstrate to search engines that others trust your site. By placing your link on their website these other businesses indicate a trust and recommendation for your site. In effect the two strategies listed above rely exclusively on what others can do for you when it comes to your online business.


Shirley Temple once proclaimed in her movie Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, “I’m very self-reliant.” American westerns are filled with lines dealing with pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and holding down the fort. Many of us have grown up to believe if we want something done right we have to do it ourselves. This thinking is in opposition to the rules associated with an online business.


The online world can only exist because people share. Individuals share technology, but the also share links, reviews, blogs, forums and a wide range of other marketing strategies that find a commingling of interdependency. In online business you are as dependent on others as they may be on you. Unlike the word ‘dependent’, the term interdependent indicates a mutual dependency.


In other words you are depending on others to help provide links back to your site while they are equally dependent on you (or others) for the success of their business. Have you really taken a proactive approach to networking? It’s possible you are reading this today and you’ve never considered asking someone else to place a link to your site on his or her online business site.


It can feel awkward depending on others to achieve online success especially if you’ve been lead to believe reliance on others is also a sign of imposing on their otherwise brilliant generosity. I suppose it could be a deep-seated sense of pride that makes it hard to consider the need to ask others for help. However, the truth is depending on others is really what has made the Internet possible.


The growth of this online world is comprised of a link of computers, networks and servers that are connected in a way that provides the maximum benefit for all. Building an online business can feel a bit like trying to build a house of cards. Without the ability to rely on the other ‘cards’ around you it is virtually impossible to build. Interdependence. This is the essence of online business.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.articlecity.com

VITAMIN C INJECTIONS

Vitamin C injections slow cancer in mice: study

---

High doses of vitamin C injections reduced the size of tumors and slowed cancerous growths by about 50 percent in laboratory mice, according to US research.
"The researchers traced ascorbate's anti-cancer effect to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular fluid surrounding the tumors. Normal cells were unaffected," it said.


Injections were necessary because the body regulates vitamin C when ingested, so that higher doses cannot be attained.


"When you eat foods containing more than 200 milligrams of vitamin C a day -- for example, two oranges and a serving of broccoli -- your body prevents blood levels of ascorbate from exceeding a narrow range," said Mark Levine, the study's lead author and chief of the Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Scientists "injected ascorbate into the veins or abdominal cavities of rodents with aggressive brain, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors," the report said, delivering "up to four grams per kilogram of body weight daily."

By injecting mice with 43 cancer and five normal cell lines, "the researchers discovered that high concentrations of ascorbate had anticancer effects in 75 percent of cancer cell lines tested, while sparing normal cells."


Scientists involved with the study also pointed to evidence that "these high ascorbate concentrations could be achieved in people."

"In immune-deficient mice with rapidly spreading ovarian, pancreatic, and glioblastoma (brain) tumors ... the ascorbate injections reduced tumor growth and weight by 41 to 53 percent."


The researchers concluded that the findings "provide the first firm basis for advancing pharmacologic ascorbate in cancer treatment in humans."


Vitamin C was considered as a possible treatment for cancer three decades ago, but subsequent studies showed oral doses provided no benefit.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

HONDA JAZZ

Sunday August 3, 2008

Jazz is coming

THE second-generation of the feisty Honda Jazz, which is noted for its spaciousness, fuel efficiency and styling, is set to roll out in Malaysia later this year.

It is expected to be the premium model in the local five-door hatchback segment.

Jazz was first developed based on Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” concept, which calls for maximising the space available for humans and minimising the space occupied by mechanical parts.

Sneak peek: The new Jazz is expected to do well when it launches locally judging by response to the first-generation model.

Its development was aimed at creating an ideal compact car that had customer-driven values, such as fuel efficiency, a roomy interior, is practical and has original styling.

First introduced in Japan in 2001, the Jazz is now sold in 115 countries, and delivered to some 400,000 customers annually.

The first-generation Jazz had cumulative sales of 2.3 million units worldwide, with Japan and eight countries in the Asia and Oceania region accounting for half the units.

The latest Jazz was voted Japan’s Car of the Year 2007/2008.

Honda Malaysia is planning to make a splash at the Jazz’s launch. It is organising a fashion show featuring the works of three local fashion designers, who have been hired to promote the “spirit” of the Jazz through their clothes.

For more information, call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to
www.honda.com.my.

articles source: http://star-motoring.com

MAKE MONEY

Why Websites Fail to Make Money


Author: Marilyn Katz


Many people are attracted to the idea of running an internet business. Start up costs are very low, and almost anybody who can send an email and edit a simple document can get started! And we do hear about big winners, those who get to give up their commutes and bosses, and who get to enjoy running their own business.But the sad truth is that most of the people who attempt to prosper online do not make it that far.



I have my own experiences and opinions about why this is so, but lets explore the current state of the internet.I have been working on the net for about eight years, and I have to admit that the competition is stronger then ever. I base most of my business upon getting good search engine rankings on competitive and profitable search terms.


It certainly takes more research to find gems that are not saturated with thousands of other websites. However, those gems still do exist. And just because a lot of other websites are competing for a search term does not mean that those websites are well optimized, and that I still cannot get my page listed far up in the results of the major search engines.



And now, to make up for the increased number of websites that are competing for surfers on the net, there are also a lot more surfers! Almost everybody, from kids to senior citizens, knows how to surf the net. This was not the case at the beginning of the decade when the internet was much less user friendly and reliable, and access was certainly a lot slower!So many great tools have been published so that a novice can have a pretty good website running in a few minutes, even though I believe that becoming a great webmaster takes years of testing and experience.


And just as it does not take any special high tech skills to build a website these days, it also does not take a bundle of money. In fact, the most popular blogging platforms, are free!It is also easy for webmasters to find website sponsors, Affiliate programs usually have few requirements beyond a website and a quick registration. Thousands of affiliate programs cover almost every topic one could imagine.



And all it takes to start making money is signing up and dropping a snip of code on a website!So this brings us back to the first question. Why do so many internet marketers fail? I lay some of the blame on the hundreds of ebooks and so-called home business opportunities with names like Internet ATM or Easy Web Profits.



While I love working online because it lets me run my own show, succeed according to my efforts, and express my creative side, the last thing I would call this business is easy.I get to choose the projects I will work on, but I always research them before I start. Even so, I have to cut some very interesting websites loose because they did not return the results that I needed in order to keep the lights on around here.



But I always have several projects in the works, and I can concentrate on the 30% of my websites that make me a good return. So, what I am saying here, is that I fail about 70% of the time.I also expect to put in a full day of work.



I do not expect to put up a website and have it magically make money. I spend my time promoting my websites, testing my pages, and then tweaking my results until my efforts either bear fruit or I decide to put them on the shelf for that some day when I have more time. I know lots of other internet marketers too, and the ones that really make their living on the net always laugh at the idea that this job does not require any work.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com

START A BUSINESS

So You Want To Start A Business


Author: Joshua Niemeyer




Talking to people about business related issues almost every day has made me realize one thing, it seems that virtually everyone wishes that they could start their own business, but very few people ever actually do. Starting a business is not easy, I would know, I have started numerous businesses across multiple industries; some have failed miserably while others have been successful. One thing I have found is that there are some basic questions you should be able to answer if you want to launch a successful business venture:



1. Why do you want to start a business?

Do you want to make a lot of money? Then be prepared to commit an equal amount of time an effort into your business - nothing comes easy. Do you want a supplemental income? If so the level of commitment and effort you need to put into your new business is probably a little bit less. Whatever your reasons are, make sure you know them because it will dramatically influences not only what kind of business you should start, but how you should conduct your business as well.




2. What do you have to offer?A great idea? Drive and passion? Experience and expertise to share with the world? A phenomenal education? The basic question here is; what is your value proposition? What do you have to offer that the other guy does not? What will set you apart from the crowd? If would like to start a business sit down and start making a list about all the things that you have to offer, it will get your creative juices going and you might just come up with a phenomenal business idea along the way.



3. Will you be working full time or part time?This seems like a simple question, but you really need to think about it. If you are working full time you will probably have more money to invest in your business, but less time to manage it. On the other hand if you are working part time you will not have as much money to run the business, but you will have a lot more time to put into it. Whether full time or part time you have to find the appropriate mix of time and money to make your business work.



4. What products of services do you plan to offer?You would be surprised the number of people that decide they want to start their own business, but have know idea what kind of business to start. If you are in that situation don't worry about. Think about your skills, what you like, what you don't like. Look at the world around you; what do people need / want. What can you offer? Ultimately just be creative and find something that you can be passionate about, that's the biggest driver for success.



5. What Laws and Regulations do you have to follow?Do you need a business license? A reseller's license? Insurance? Bonding? Are you impacted by zoning laws? What about taxes? If you are looking into international business do not forget to check on any applicable duties and tariffs you may have to pay. Make sure you do research into the legal requirements as soon as possible - many people put vast amounts of time, money and effort into starting a business only to find that they missed an important law or regulation and have to close up shop or spend a small fortune working to fix their mistakes.Believe it or not, after answering these five questions you will be a lot further down the path of starting your own business than you realize. Once you have started down the path stick with it, it will be tough and there will be times you want to give up, but when those first few pay checks from your new business start coming in you will realize it was all worth it.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com

BUSINESS ARTICLES

What You Need To Know About Business Articles?

There are times in business when everything you try seems to go wrong, or you can't find the answer to a particularly tough question. You may find that those that work with you and for you are just as frustrated, and that means you must look for help anywhere you can find it.

Sometimes, business consultants can help, but some businesses simply cannot afford something like this. What is when looking around on line for business articles might net you the information that you need. What is great about finding business articles is that they are normally free (though not all are) and they are often written by people who have been through various situations in their business life.

This means that your problem may not be as unique as it feels, and someone else many have already written business articles about your very problem and they already have the solution that you need.

What could be better than finding the answer to your problems right there in an article that you found through a search engine? Although it is highly recommended that you write your own articles, at least occasionally, many well established on-line publishers use other people's articles within their e-zines or their websites on a regular basis.

For those who find difficulties in writing articles themselves I would recommend training themselves to do that because in the long run it will serve them immensely in controlling the frequency of writing articles and the subjects they want to write about.

You may not need business articles to help you solve a specific problem, but you can find some that will give you information and tips on things that can help you out in many ways. It is always a great idea to keep on the top of game and see what is coming before you are left behind. Things are always changing and evolving, and that means you must change with the times. You can't keep up in a world those changes if you aren't aware of what you should be doing, business articles can give you key bits of information that will help.

Do think about the type of business articles that you find. Some are worded so thickly that you may have a hard time understanding what is really being said. Others are so light they really don't tell you anything new. What you want is something that has been written by someone who has been through the experience, or by someone who has well researched the business articles that they write. Both are helpful as long as they contain information that is current and detailed enough to do your business some good.

ARTICLES SOURE: http://www.easyarticles.com

INTERNET MARKETING

How Does Internet Marketing Work?


by: Tsuyoshi Suzuki


Introduction Internet marketing is a component of electronic commerce. Internet marketing is by far the fastest growing advertising method for all companies in this day and age. Internet marketing is about people knowing each others interests, values and preferences. Internet marketing is becoming one of the highest return-on-the-investment strategies these days.


Engine For the most effective Internet marketing, you'll want to make sure your site is listed in the following search engines and directories:DMOZ. What I can't emphasize enough is that you take the time to find the right search engine submission category, and if your business is regional or local, make sure you submit there instead of the main areas.

Also be sure to read the search engine submission guidelines carefully. If after a few months you find that your site is still not listed in the search engines, go through the search engine submission process again. Effective Internet marketing Effective Internet marketing starts with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and is comprised of optimizing the content, specific keywords, and over all design of your web site in order to ensure that your site attains maximum exposure to search engines.

Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other major search engines use search engine software known as robots. Once a site is submitted to the search engine, the robots, also often known as search engine crawlers or search engine spiders, analyze the content of a site as well as other search engine criteria such as the accuracy of the website coding (ie: clean coding) to establish content relevance and overall website relevance.


Site Internet marketing does not simply mean 'building a website' or 'promoting a website'. Somewhere behind that website is a real organization with real goals. Internet marketing strategy includes all aspects of online advertising products, services, and websites, including search engine marketing, public relations, social media, market research, email marketing, and direct sales.

These include e-commerce, where you sell goods directly to consumers or businesses; publishing, where you sell advertising; and lead-based sites, where an organization generates value by getting sales leads from their site. At one time, Internet marketing consisted mostly of having a Web site or placing banner ads on other Web sites. S

ince most home-based businesses don't have a physical location, a Web site provides an inexpensive means for prospects to get to know what you do or what you sell and can even be a "storefront" for selling goods and services directly.


Conclusion Internet marketing is any legal activity intended to bring traffic from a search portal to another Website. Internet marketing is becoming one of the highest return-on-the-investment strategies these days.


The decision to use Internet marketing as part of a company's overall marketing strategy is strictly up to the company of course, but as a rule, Internet marketing is becoming an increasingly important part of nearly every company's marketing mix. That's why Internet marketing is all about networking and communication.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.articlecity.com

TIPS ADSENSE

Some tips on how to make a profit in Adsense

by Ben Rob

It is easier to put up advertisement into sites and can be viewed by so many customers. Even with an accidental click of every internet user, the advertiser earns a buck for it. Through Adsense, website publisher is allowed to display relevant advertisement that has a good background in their website.


Once a web visitor or an internet user clicks the advertisement, the web publisher automatically gets a percentage of the advertising revenue. Usually web publishers improve their sites by constructing content websites in Google Adsense model.


Website publishers use Google Adsense to make revenue out of it. But in some cases, the intention of the website publisher is to profit from it. Here are some tips on how to make a profit in Adsense.

1. Niche sites. Usually a niche site that contains clear theme generates more revenue in advertising. The reason of this is that it is easier to attain placement for search engine. But be warned, choose a site where there is enough place for advertisements.

2. Aged sites. Eventually websites that are handled by Google, advertisement will increase in relevance. Usually it is the old websites that rank better in search engines.

3. Target Keywords. Always consider the payment of advertisers to pay for every advertisement. With a less obvious market, web publisher use Overture to know how much the pay per keyword is. If you try to search Overture for a keyword you'll see "View Advertisers' Max Bids", click it and it will show the inventory of the Overture and the payment per keyword. It is now difficult to find a rank in search engines because markets had become competitive. Try considering sites and terms that has reasonable price.

4. Tracking Channels. Use sub channels or distinct channels to know how an effective ad placement or website is. In this way you will be able to know what performs best in a website. And by using channels, you'll know advertisements that make money, sites that are money maker and the kind of ad position that gains profits in a certain website. Take into account that running an advertisement for a full week would determine how effective it is. Web traffic varies on different days so it is better to compare a week to another to determine the most accurate of how effective the campaign is.

5. Coding. To minimize the maintenance of the site, place the code of Google Adsense include in a file or in the web template. You can easily try different advertisement ad placements and sizes.

6. Value of Advertisements against Numbers. Only three advertisements can be place on each page. This result to a decrease of value of advertisements served. What publishers do is they add advertisements units and it reduces ad inventory.

7. Hot Spots. Advertisements that appear completely without a need to scroll it will be read regularly. These hot spots are the areas on the web that brings a high percentage on click through. Mostly high paid advertisements are positioned on the hot spots.

8. Integrated Ad Placements. The easiest way to integrate or upload an ad into site is to remove its borders. It is recommended to contrast the link colors with the web color to increase its click through. The highest performing ad sizes comes in 300x250 rectangle , 336x280 rectangle and 160x600 sky scraper.


Just remember that experiments and tracks are the key for each site to maximize the Adsense payout. For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website:- http://www.reprintarticlesite.com http://www.adsense.reprintarticlesite.com


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.goarticles.com

NEWBIE ADSENSE

What is Newbie AdSense?

by poonam

The AdSense secret you are about to learn has the power to change your entire life. And it will definitely change your perception that making money online is a scam or hard to achieve.

Here's why:

You are probably already aware that in today's Internet world, the so-called online marketing Gurus do almost anything to get your attention - they slam their products in your face just to get your hard earned money, and then they leave you empty-handed.

This has got to stop. You might even have muttered this out loud while sitting in front of your computer. I confess that I've done this myself. Believe me, if you have had such feelings, you are not alone.

Way back in 1999 when I started online I was almost in the same position like you probably are now, if not even worse.

I started with nothing, from ground zero. No site, domain name, credit card, paypal, hosting account or autoresponder. And you know how important these tools and services are in building a highly-profitable business.

You might be sitting there wondering how I managed to succeed against all odds? And you might even be asking yourself, "How can I make money online without spending a fortune?"

Let me tell you, it was not that easy in the beginning. I only succeeded because I had sheer determination and perseverance. But this article is not about me, it is about the AdSense secret that gurus are hiding from you.

Like I said in the intro, this secret has the power to change your entire life and business.

Would you agree with me if I say that the Internet is the only place on earth where you can truly market every day with no money - or very little - if you know how?

What is so interesting about the Google secret is that once you find out what it is, you will hit yourself in the head for not discovering it sooner.

To be honest with you, it is not your fault that you have not found out about the AdSense secret sooner. Stay alert because in less than seven seconds the Google profit vault will open and you will understand what this secret is all about and how it can totally change your life and eBusiness.

Does financial freedom ring a bell?

The Google AdSense money-making method which is so powerful that Gurus keep it as their most closely guarded secret is this:

Making money online with AdSense is extremely easy, anybody can do it, and the best part is that you could do it, too, at no cost whatsoever. I'm living proof that this is possible.

What does all this mean to you?

You can start from ZERO, with practically nothing; without any prior experience, without any paid tools or services, and yet make money virtually within days (Google approves new AdSense accounts in 72 hours or less).

And remember the most exciting part of all this: the so-called Gurus will no longer have the advantage, and they will not be happy about this. You will have the ability to crash what had been their private money-making party.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.goarticles.com

E-MAIL MARKETING

How to Make Email Marketing Works for Your Business

by: Mr JH Saw


Topic 1

~ Your Email Subject Lines ~

How To Write A Good E-mail Subject Lines That Works?

Here are the 5 tips:

1. Ask a question. One of the best ways to get a reader's attention is to ask a question. But like a trial lawyer questioning a witness on the stand, make sure it'll get you the response you're looking for. "What's the best way to grow your business?" is a great subject line for business owners. After all, what business owner wouldn't want to grow his or her business? Or let's say you run a health club. An e-mail with the subject line, "How can you lose 5 pounds in one month?" would certainly be compelling. It's important your question be relevant to your audience.

2. Be a tease. A clever subject line can be enticing. When it's done right, reader curiosity is piqued. They want to know more--and they'll open your e-mail. Writing a teaser-style subject line requires some creativity, and your content needs to deliver. A company that sells high-definition TVs could use the subject line, "You're not going to believe your eyes" as a teaser to introduce a new addition to their product line.

3. Tell it like it is. Often, what works best is to say exactly what you want your reader to know. Examples of this straightforward approach are, "Sale on all sweaters this weekend," "Master jazz pianist plays live this Friday" and "The seven secrets of a profitable business." This just-the-facts approach works especially well when you can appeal directly to your audience's interests. It's also the best approach to use when you send a newsletter.

4. Remember "WIIFM". When a person gets your e-mail, the first thing they consider is "what's in it for me?" They have a decision to make. Do they open your e-mail, leave it for later or delete it? If there isn't something about the subject line that lets them know why it's worth their precious time to see what's inside, then the choice will be clear. Keep WIIFM in mind when creating every aspect of your e-mails, including the offer, content, images--and most definitely the subject line. It's all about them. They know that; just make sure you know it, too.

5. Get personal. The more you can make each contact feel you're speaking directly to them, the more effective your communication will be. Whatever style of subject line you use, you can make it personal by using the word "you." Professional copywriters know the secret of using this powerful little word. Just look at the advertisements, mail and e-mail you receive. A few examples are, "Find the right swimsuit for you," "You can save 50 percent on travel," and "You'd look phenomenal in a custom-tailored suit." "You" is ideal, but "your" works too.

articles source: http://www.articlecity.com

INTERNET MARKETING

How Does Internet Marketing Work?


by: Tsuyoshi Suzuki




Introduction

Internet marketing is a component of electronic commerce. Internet marketing is by far the fastest growing advertising method for all companies in this day and age.


Internet marketing is about people knowing each others interests, values and preferences. Internet marketing is becoming one of the highest return-on-the-investment strategies these days.

Engine

For the most effective Internet marketing, you'll want to make sure your site is listed in the following search engines and directories:DMOZ.


What I can't emphasize enough is that you take the time to find the right search engine submission category, and if your business is regional or local, make sure you submit there instead of the main areas. Also be sure to read the search engine submission guidelines carefully.


If after a few months you find that your site is still not listed in the search engines, go through the search engine submission process again. Effective Internet marketing Effective Internet marketing starts with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and is comprised of optimizing the content, specific keywords, and over all design of your web site in order to ensure that your site attains maximum exposure to search engines.


Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other major search engines use search engine software known as robots. Once a site is submitted to the search engine, the robots, also often known as search engine crawlers or search engine spiders, analyze the content of a site as well as other search engine criteria such as the accuracy of the website coding (ie: clean coding) to establish content relevance and overall website relevance.


Site Internet marketing does not simply mean 'building a website' or 'promoting a website'. Somewhere behind that website is a real organization with real goals. Internet marketing strategy includes all aspects of online advertising products, services, and websites, including search engine marketing, public relations, social media, market research, email marketing, and direct sales.


These include e-commerce, where you sell goods directly to consumers or businesses; publishing, where you sell advertising; and lead-based sites, where an organization generates value by getting sales leads from their site. At one time, Internet marketing consisted mostly of having a Web site or placing banner ads on other Web sites.


Since most home-based businesses don't have a physical location, a Web site provides an inexpensive means for prospects to get to know what you do or what you sell and can even be a "storefront" for selling goods and services directly.



Conclusion Internet marketing is any legal activity intended to bring traffic from a search portal to another Website. Internet marketing is becoming one of the highest return-on-the-investment strategies these days.


The decision to use Internet marketing as part of a company's overall marketing strategy is strictly up to the company of course, but as a rule, Internet marketing is becoming an increasingly important part of nearly every company's marketing mix. That's why Internet marketing is all about networking and communication.




articles source: http://www.articlecity.com

HOME BUSINESS

Tips To Start Online Home Business

by Manita PD

Have you ever thought of setting up your own home business, yet you were discouraged because you have next to nothing to use for capital? Do not worry; there are millions of people like you out there. However, you could be one of the few who makes a decision to do something about it today, now. Further, you could be among those few who make it to the top with a successful story of earning a five figure income in less than one year. It is okay if you have little or no money and, no, you do not need to take out a loan to kick start your business. You can become a smart e-entrepreneur with no investment worth mentioning.

The best way to start a small business when you have no money is by finding yourself a great affiliate program and signing up for it. This is an excellent opportunity to start a small business online, without any of the formalities that are usually tied up with the launching of a "brick and mortar" small business, such as looking for bank loans, store front/premises, stocking of product, etc. The internet is an excellent platform for any individual who wants to make it big, but has no capital to pour into setting up a profitable portfolio anywhere else. When you become the partner of a large affiliate program, you literally get spoon-fed the tools for success.

These affiliates have already worked for a few decades and have developed a huge amount of business resources, plans and marketing solutions. They gladly train each new partner and offer them all the tools and resources they need to launch their home business for free. You could add Google Adsense to it and earn a growing residual income from the ads placed on your blog. The best news is that through your blog you could get excellent opt-in lists, which are priceless for any business. You could start you own home business today in this manner and you would not need to take out a bank loan. Make use of the tools the mother affiliate program offers you and you can become a successful entrepreneur almost overnight.

Set up a blog to use for marketing to compensate for the lack of initial cash. For any advice or help to do such a thing you should be able to completely rely upon your affiliate program. Your your success equates to their success. . This is an excellent opportunity to start a small business online, without any of the formalities that are usually tied up with the launching of a "brick and mortar" small business, such as looking for bank loans, store front/premises, stocking of product, etc. The internet is an excellent platform for any individual who wants to make it big, but has no capital to pour into setting up a profitable portfolio anywhere else. When you become the partner of a large affiliate program, you literally get spoon-fed the tools for success.

articles source: http://www.goarticles.com

WRITE E-BOOKS

Write E-Books, it's easier than you think

by Francisco Segura

People love e-books and are willing to pay good money for them and strangely, they are not that hard to write! There is no longer any need for delaying with the simple process detailed below. The process detailed here can be used for a person carrying out the whole project on their own or with one or more additional writers to help them.


The topic for your e-book should come from research carried out in articles you have written, possibly on a subject you have knowledge about. Articles are less intimidating to write than a book, and you can use some of the articles as promotional tools to create demand for your forthcoming book. The articles can then be distributed to the popular article directories which will provide a good indication how successful the book could be by the number of people that read your work.


Once this is complete you can start writing the content of the e-book and work out how you want it to look. Books generally follow a familiar structure of: introduction, main subject content and a conclusion but it is becoming very common to see an additional section on resources. You can also increase the value of the book by adding some bonus material or sections.


As you complete your articles, insert them into your e-Book, the number of articles you require will depend on the overall length. E-Books are shorter than print books with the optimum length being around 50 pages so stick to the topic, and offer good, useful information. If you stay close to the subject it will be easier for readers because computer screens are not the best medium for reading on.


Most e-books provide bonus material so if you can find some include this as it will be welcomed. This is not too difficult if you already have this extra information in the form Although one word of warning; make this content relevant to what the e-book is about.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.goarticles.com