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Bercy measure the quality of public services

Monday Jul 5, 2010

Being supported to emergencies at the hospital, attend university, to renew his passport, family allowance … so many steps synonymous obstacle course, that the Government wants to simplify and facilitate.

While the government has launched a hundred administrative simplification over three years (on average, one per department per semester) Baroin, Budget Minister, this Monday morning the first survey on the quality of public services.Focused on the quality of reception, processing applications and claims, the barometer will be published regularly to report progress.

It reveals that only 52% of e users receive a response within fifteen working days, only 69% of them are facing the good service and supported, or that 78% of users benefit from a courteous welcome from the staff.

Even efforts to

The barometer, which is very concrete, also focuses on ten main concerns of the French. It appears that on the 13.4 million patients who visit emergency rooms each year, less than half (45%) are supported in less than two hours. Monitoring this indicator will be generalized to all emergency services by 2011.

During an attack, the average response time of police is thirteen minutes.The average period of repayment of a sheet of electronic care is 3.3 days. Taxes, 9 out of 10 requests for corrections are processed in less than a month. At the employment center, 9 out of 10 entries made within five days after the first contact. And for identity papers, 82.5% of applicants had their passports within two weeks. The goal is to reach 90% in 2011.

Side claims, the administration still has work to do. Only three service offers dedicated support and explicit claims, and when this device exists, it remains difficult to access once two.

With this in mind, the government will open an online e-claims accessible via mon.service-public.fr.This fall, the customs administration will be the first to open the service.

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The ad, a "content industry"

Friday Jun 25, 2010

At the 57th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, the technology giants like Microsoft, Yahoo and other Facebook invaded not only the Palais des Festivals, but also the Croisette. Advertisers would they more "masters of the world" of communication? "We have never been masters of communication," says David Jones, CEO of Worldwide and Havas chairman of Euro RSCG network in the world. "The most important actors in the communication, it is consumers. It is true that today we live in a digital revolution. Consumers never change and as new opportunities are created with social networks, mobile platforms … The presence of Microsoft or Yahoo! Reflects this revolution. But consumers are more important than software, technology or communication agencies.

Defending an agency model "integrated" by placing the "digital" in the heart of its agencies, Havas Group is concentrating its investments in digital broadcasting and production, particularly through the newly-Productions Havas. "These investments are essential. We're not a film industry of 30 seconds, we are now an industry of content. If we are sufficiently intelligent content, the audience will interact with the brand and, with a depth that we could not hope, fifteen years ago. Content is our future, "says David Jones emphasizes the trade is already a source of income for Havas and its subsidiary Euro RSCG. For nearly two years, the group has also put one foot in music with the creation of label The Hours."These are new business models and exciting content, we also operate with BETC Music," he says.

The test of 2nd quarter

"The winning of the budget digital IBM, being now the digital agency of Unilever in the world and with the Heineken and EDF contracts, we will exceed 20% of revenue from digital Havas Worldwide from this years, says its CEO. Here we record the strongest growth.

Despite a slight recovery in the advertising market in the first quarter, the boss of Havas Worldwide undertakes no obligation on optimistic forecasts for the rest of the year. "It's like asking me if England will win the World Cup! For now, we qualified and is progressing well … It's about the same thing with the economy and major advertisers.The real test is the 2nd quarter, "says the ad originally, in February, the Young One World, the first" Davos of youth. " After London, next event be held in Zurich until September 2011.


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Pensions: a majority of French opposed the reform

Friday Jun 18, 2010

The French will they give a hard time in government? After the presentation of the draft pension reform by Labour Minister Eric Woerth, a survey of Le Parisien in France * Now provides an overview of their state of mind. In disagreement with the reform, of course, but with few illusions about a possible return back. The government has hinted it is true for several months that a reform of the pension system was inevitable, like the steps already taken in neighboring countries.

According to the poll published in the Thursday edition of Le Parisien, 60% of respondents said they in fact disagree with the proposed pension reform. A higher proportion of no surprise among supporters of the left (73%) than among supporters of right (24%).Traders, businessmen and artisans are also those who most support the reform, while workers and employees are the most heavily opposed.

Mobilization June 24

In total, 52% of respondents who consider the reform "unfair" and "not effective". Another aspect of the survey that could worry the government: they are 78% believed that the reform could generate important social movement. A concerted effort is already scheduled for June 24. It will "definitely strong, we do not fear," warned Eric Woerth Thursday morning on RTL. The unions, however, until Friday, when the project should be tabled several boards including the notice is required to reverse the project.

The government could include concessions on long careers and arduous.However, it should give way on the legal age of retirement, increased to 62 in 2018. Eric Woerth, Wednesday night on TF1, was very firm on this point: "We will not return to age-related measures because they are serious and socially acceptable," he warned. A delay on which the French did not have no illusions: they are 52% believed that the Socialist Party does not reintroduce the retirement at age 60, despite recent statements of Martine Aubry in this direction.

* Survey conducted by telephone, on a representative sample of 940 persons aged 18 and over, by the quota method.

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The creation of tax measure dedicated to the Finance Act

Friday Jun 11, 2010

The government wants more than ever, give pledges of seriousness on the issue of deficits. On 20 May the Head of State had announced its intention to amend the constitution so that every elected Government embarks on a path of structural balance is imperative, as well as on the date on which the balance of government finances public must be reached.

Without waiting for the amendment of the constitution, Francois Fillon took the lead. In a letter that the Prime Minister has just sent to members of government, he asks them to "stop inserting provisions that affect tax revenues or social security in ordinary legislation.A real revolution!

For material already deposited and bills that have not yet been examined, the head of government asked its ministers "to submit amendments for the deletion of such provisions and to oppose a negative opinion of the Government any amendment which would tend to introduce. Members of the government "shall not in any way rely on the wisdom of Parliament," wrote François Fillon.

François Fillon finally asks ministers to screening assessments for all tax provisions that they want to introduce in the Finance Bill or draft law on financing social security. All this will lead ultimately to limit the creation of new tax loopholes


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Suspected fraud at SeaFrance

Tuesday May 11, 2010

SeaFrance to court to denounce "numerous errors, deviations, differences in the accounts established in late 2009 by the auditor, appointed to audit the accounts of the company." The ferry company suspected fraud, particularly related to sales on board ships between Calais and Dover, for two years.

The prosecutor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, has opened a criminal investigation for "breach of trust", while the direction of the Company filed a complaint against X in March.

According to the spokesman SeaFrance differences accounts were "significant". According to Le Parisien, they concern "hundreds of thousands of euros".A significant shortfall for a company that has placed the supervision of the Commercial Court of Paris in mid-April to avoid bankruptcy.

This backup procedure had been launched a few days after a strike that lasted throughout the Easter weekend, and who literally "poured" the company: Blocking boats will "cost 1.25 million euros SeaFrance and can cause death of the company and all its jobs, "then had warned management of this 100% subsidiary of SNCF flexcheck cash advance.

Items returned at any cost

According to information from Parisian-Today in France, the auditor was particularly interested in returning items sold in 2008, "whose amount was 610,000 pounds, or 720,000 euros."

"It seems surprising that cigarettes, perfume or whiskey are subject to systematic customer feedback, and especially for these volumes," Le Parisien reported the briefing note written by the expert. Another oddity: there is no inventory of returned products, so it is impossible to know what these products have become.

In addition, differences in body are disturbing: the first four months of 2009, differences between the turnover and amounts in cases concerned 60% of trading volume.

Finally, discovering one of the ships of the fleet has the equivalent of a stock of thirty months of a brand of champagne, it is clear that there is something fishy.

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"Conforama has passed its turnaround"

Thursday Apr 29, 2010

"Conforama woke up," says Le Figaro Thierry Guibert, head of Conforama, a subsidiary of PPR, whose CEO Francois-Henri Pinault announced the proposed sale. In the first quarter, sales rose 2.6%. "Taking into account closures, the rally reached 4%, our best performance for two and a half years," said Thierry Guibert, who said "satisfied" while relativizing. "The basis of comparison is favorable activity had decreased by 10% in early 2009. But our performance is strong since January. It is the result of the strategy put in place for eighteen months to address a deteriorating situation constantly. "

Conforama cons Ikea

Better yet, "the last six months, Conforama has regained market share in furniture.This is the first time in seven years, "says Thierry Guibert, who thinks she recovered some of its behind Ikea.

Since 2002, the distributor of household goods lost a point of market share per year. His image has deteriorated, customers have turned away from the sign. Ikea also pleased to Conforama its leading position in France in early 2009.

"I was worried about the economic health of Conforama, its level of supply and its attractiveness," admits Thierry Guibert, who took the reins in 2008. Engaged in a modernization plan, Conforama renovated its stores (181 to date in France) and launched a new concept that gives more space to the world of cooking and decorating. During deployment, it is already present in 12 stores and should be applied to 15 more this year. A design space will be in place this summer in 40 other outlets."From 1 July we will be increasing our offering around the tableware and cooking utensils," says Thierry Guibert, who hopes to have 15% of sales in the decorative end of 2013, against 10% now . However, Conforama could "reduce by-case its offer in small furniture, lounge and bathroom.

Location cleaned

Conforama is also preparing to launch a new brand called Confo Deco, with shops 500-700 m2 quick cash. Located in downtown or mall, they offer a wide range of products – including a significant part in its own brand – in six worlds (night, kitchen, bathroom …). The first store will open its doors in October in the shopping center La Part-Dieu in Lyon. A second is scheduled for early 2011 at the heart of Lille."We want a real concept that will strengthen both the proximity to our customers and our legitimacy in the decoration, hopes Thierry Guibert, who plans to open 3-5 Confo Home each year.

"The goal is to boost activity in an extremely volatile," said Thierry Guibert. In 2009, the decline in sales has not stopped Conforama improve its profitability, with operating income up 6%, with 77 million euros in savings and international relief. "This year, our goal is to significantly improve our profitability," said the chief executive Conforama. Owing mainly to sales growth. "We are in running order to beat the market without watering customers tariff discounts," says Thierry Guibert, who is without mention other signs, such as Goal, which break the price.

Especially as the activity outside France (27% of sales) should not negatively influence the results. After the closure of seven stores in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, the situation has been cleaned and sales depart.

"Conforama has passed its turnaround," says Thierry Guibert, while acknowledging that "it is frustrating to hear some suggest that we make the bride more beautiful for better sell. Instead, I explain to my team that, regardless of the shareholder, Conforama should be pretty solid for redeployment and create value. "

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Wall Street is concerned about the European Debt

Wednesday Apr 28, 2010

Wall Street in the red. The U.S. stock market reacted badly to the degradation of the sovereign rating of the debt of Portugal. Standard & Poor's said Tuesday it has lowered the rating two levels of long-term sovereign issuer of Portugal, A-A + cons.

The rating agency also lowered by three notches note of Greece, from "BBB +" to "BB +", relegating to the category of "junk", speculative investments.

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean Claude Trichet immediately to reassure the markets by indicating that it was "no question" that Greece or any other country in the eurozone could default on its obligations. But this ad is not enough.

Around 5:40 p.m., the Dow Jones coward 1.07% to 11.1085 points, the Nasdaq was down 1.41% at 2,488 points while the S & P lost 1.49% to 1195 points.The European financial markets have tumbled at the close.

In this new addition to the opening of the hearing officers of Goldman Sachs by the Subcommittee of the Senate. Goldman Sachs (2.46% to 155.48 dollars) will continue to attract the attention of investors. CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Chief Financial Officer David Viniar and Fabrice Tourre are heard in Washington before the Subcommittee of the Senate. While the financial sector following the case closely, so the reform of financial regulation was postponed by the Senate. It remains feared by the banking sector. Concerns focus on the reform activities in derivatives that could affect the performance of the investment bank.

The bank responded in different ways. Bank of America lost 0.22%, Citigroup slumps to -2.27%, while JP Morgan Chase is 0.23%.

Confidence off again

U.S. consumer confidence improved considerably in April, reaching its highest level since September 2008 thanks to greater optimism about the job market, according to the index of employers' organization the Conference Board released Tuesday. The index stood at 57.9 in April against 52.3 in March. He had reached that level since September 2008 which corresponds to the bankruptcy of U.S. bank Lehman Brothers. Analysts polled by Reuters expected at 53.5.

For their part, the prices of residential property in the United States still slightly in February but they registered their first increase in annual rate over three years, at +0.6%.

Herz sanctioned

As for values to follow, investors will have the matter: this is indeed the highlight this week, publication of quarterly results.165 companies to sacrifice performance.

After the close of yesterday evening, several, including Texas Instruments (0.26% to 27.22 dollars), have already published. The semiconductor group has unveiled strong results. The Texan also reassured to 56-64 cents per share on a turnover of at least 3.31 billion dollars in the quarter, against respectively 53 cents and $ 3.23 billion for Bloomberg's consensus.

3M (1.96% to 88.74 dollars) announced Tuesday it posted a net profit of 930 million dollars in the first quarter, up 80%. Revenues climbed 19% in one year, 6.348 billion dollars.

U.S. Airways (1.39%) has reduced its losses in the first quarter. In the first three months of 2010, net loss was $ 82 million against a loss of 382 million a year earlier.The turnover increased by about 15% to $ 4.24 billion, above analysts' forecasts (4.18 billion).

DuPont (-0.84%) reported a net profit of 1.13 billion dollars (850 million euros) against 489 million during the corresponding period a year earlier. Its turnover rose 23.5% to 8.48 billion, against 8.06 billion expected by analysts. The chemist has also raised its forecast for 2010.

Ford (-5.81%) reached a first quarter net profit of 2.1 billion dollars (1.6 billion euros) against a net loss of $ 1.4 billion over the same period last year. Its turnover rose to 28.1 billion dollars against 24.4 billion in the first three months of 2009.

Note that the number one car rental Hertz (-2.72% 14.25 dollars) bought its competitor Dollar Thrifty (-1.07% to 42.61 dollars).It will pay 1.27 billion dollars and 1550 points will earn additional rental. A crucial task for Hertz, which remained in the red in the first quarter with a net loss of 150 million dollars.


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Wall Street dampened by case Goldman Sachs

Saturday Apr 17, 2010

The U.S. stock market lost ground on Friday, all won during the week, and highs from session to session were badly broken. The announcement, shortly after the opening of Wall Street, the SEC, Goldman Sachs, which continues to fraud "Subprime" has dampened global finance.The bank securities were unscrewed from 12.8% to 160.7 million.

The U.S. stock market watchdog, the SEC announced Friday it was suing the U.S. investment bank "fraud" on the sale of investment securities linked to subprime mortgages.

Goldman Sachs and one of its leaders, Fabrice Tourre, are accused of defrauding investors face while making "misleading statements and omitting material facts on certain financial products linked to subprime loans when the market U.S. housing prices began to collapse. "

In the end, the Dow Jones lost 1.13% at 11,019 points, after fielding a sixth straight session Thursday to increase, the Nasdaq drops 1.37% at 2481 points and the S & P 500 1.61% loose in 1192 points.The thresholds symbolic of the 11,000, 2,500 and 1,200 points respectively have been taken down.

Trust settles

Another bad news on the front of the statistics: the U.S. consumer confidence index calculated by the University of Michigan came out in strong decline, to 69.5 in April, the lowest since November last. Economists had forecast about 75, after the index registered 73.6 in March.

Moreover, housing starts in March hit their highest level since November 2008, to 626,000 units annually. The economists had expected 610,000.

Google view

Later publications of the day, Bank America ok fell more than 6% to U.S. $ 18.31 No fax pay day loan. The bank recorded a net profit of 2.83 billion dollars in the first quarter, or 28 cents per share.It is far better than had been expected by analysts.

General Electric has folded, he of 2.62%, to 18.99 dollars while the conglomerate reported net earnings were down 32% to $ 1.87 billion, or 21 cents per share. Again, it's better than expected.

Google announced Thursday after the close of U.S. markets have performed over the first three months of the year a net profit of 1.96 billion dollars, 6.06 dollars per share, against $ 1.42 billion (U.S. $ 4.49 per share) over the same period last year. In the first three months of the year its sales climbed 23%. The securities have stalled, however, of 7.59%, to 551.76 dollars.

A cons-sense, Mattel manages to rise from 0.38% to 23.84 dollars.The world's leading toy has unveiled a profit of 7 cents per share, or 25 million over the first three months of the year.

In addition, the Financial Times, real estate investment fund Whitehall Street International managed by U.S. bank Goldman Sachs has lost almost all its value, or 1.8 billion dollars (1.3 billion euros) .

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal revealed that another major U.S. bank Morgan Stanley had lost 5.4 billion dollars (3.95 billion euros) in investment properties, including the headquarters of the European Central Bank Germany.

Always on the side of values, yesterday, UPS, considered a good barometer of economic activity in the United States, announced a sharp rise in profits.


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Cacophony union on pension reform

Tuesday Apr 13, 2010

Eric Woerth, Minister of Labour in charge of pension reform on Monday received the representatives of unions and employers. Feedback gathered at the exit interviews showed deep antagonisms and augur of delicate negotiations to achieve a reform of the system.

• Daniele Karniewicz (CFE-CGC): President of the National Fund for Pension Insurance (CNAV), also charged with negotiating on behalf of the union executive (CFE-CGC) pleaded for a shield retreat "that would ensure a minimum level, that is to say a percentage of final salary for each activity that affect. "It is imperative that we find a consensus together, not to say on what lever we will play for pensions, but to say what level of pension is to be preserved for all private sector employees," she said on BFM Radio .The CFE-CGC is the only union to push for a postponement of the legal retirement age and wish to conduct a "reflection on the duration of activity."

• J ean-Claude Mailly (FOR): Secretary General of Pensions work force has already warned it was "not negotiable" for the union to reach the legal age of retirement set 60 years or the duration of contribution. "If the government really wants to push (…) the right to leave at age 60, or extend the term (contribution Ed), discussions began, it will be the beginning of the confrontation," he warned on France 2, before being received by the Minister of Labour.There is "no question of having to accept one way or another to have to work longer," even "because life expectancy is increasing," the emphasis has hammered the track of increased contributions and the tax issue for example by deleting "some exemptions which have been made in recent years, like the one on capital gains from subsidiaries, representing" 20 billion (euros) in three years, "he said.

• Laurence Parisot (MEDEF): President of the employers' movement said Monday that it was not "continue to resolve the pension issue by a steady increase in contributions" to employers or employees. She however refused to specify what tracks were preferred by the MEDEF before the Board of Retirement Guidance (NRC) does not publish financial simulations expected Wednesday.

• Fran?ois Ch?r?que (CFDT) national secretary of the CFDT has criticized the agenda provided by the government on pensions, considered "too short" for a thorough reform, and reiterated his commitment to retire at age 60. Play on the traditional parameters of risk "to accentuate the existing inequalities in our pension systems," he said, citing "those who started working young, those with heavy work, inequality between men and women and those in precarious paths.The CFDT had hoped "everything on the table and study the various pension systems division that exists in Europe to see that, or those that are most suited" to the French situation.

• FSU: the first union of the state civil service, said in a statement that it would oppose "to further cuts" on pensions. The union, which will be received by April 22 the Minister said that the pension system should allow to "maintain the standard of living" by guaranteeing a pension from 60 years earlier for jobs considered particularly difficult. "Since 2003, reforms have led to severe deterioration and decline of pensions, particularly penalizing women employees who have experienced unemployment, job insecurity, part-time," insists the FSU.According to the union, the Public Service, "the staff had to delay their retirement for six months on average and have seen them at the same time reduce repo rate by 1.5%.

• Jean-Francois Roubaud (CGPME): President of the General Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CGPME) said that "it will increase the length of working time" to resolve the pension issue in France and has said hostile to any additional taxation. "I proposed to index on life expectancy, there will be 41 in 2012 and I think that setting 42 years in 2020 seems a measure that could be reasonable.""We know we can not remain in the state where we are and we back into the wall if you do not change anything," he said after a meeting with the Minister.

• Jacques Voisin (CFTC): The chairman of the CFTC has expressed concern over the lack of a government proposal on the issue of new funds for pension schemes, following his meeting with Eric Woerth. "There is nothing, nothing on the issue of funding, nothing on the enlargement of the plate," he said. "We feel that the minister is on its two parameters: age and duration of contributions, and no other parameters in perspective," he said reiterating the CFTC's refusal to touch retirement 60.He called for "broadening the base of funding to capital income" and stock-option.

• Jean-Michel Baylet, president of the Radical Left (PRG) Francois Fillon has asked to "quickly check political parties represented in Parliament to associate them to work" on pensions. "They want reform in particular that allow everyone to have, at the age of retirement, a disposable income at least equivalent to the minimum wage." "As necessary, the guaranteed minimum income will be financed by taxes," he says.

• Beno?t Hamon: The spokesperson of the Socialist Party (PS) has denounced the "taboo of funding" of pensions, calling for a tax on financial income. "Today, there is no single way possible.And the only taboo that exists in that area, it is taboo (…) funding the government refuses broader base of employer contributions, "regretted Mr. Hamon on Europe 1. "If you extend the contribution period and it is very difficult to obtain adequate employment period for a full pension, the immediate consequence is the decline of pensions," he says.


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Agreement on harassment and violence at work

Friday Mar 26, 2010

After eight rounds of negotiations, the social partners reached Friday to a draft agreement – which must be initialed by the unions – the harassment and workplace violence.

Long opposed to acknowledge that "some forms of work organizations and personnel management cause themselves from violence and harassment, as required by labor, management has finally made a gesture which made available the situation. The employers have admitted that "certain elements of the work environment, including the" management methods "or" mode of operation of the business, could lead to harassment or violence. "The final text is balanced," acknowledged Bernard Salengro, the CFE-CGC, at the exit. "It has evolved in the right direction", agreed Christine Guinand, the CGT, without commenting on the decision of its Central."It is rather positive," said Jean-Louis Malys, the CFDT.

If it took the wave of suicides in France Telecom for the setting, this negotiation was inevitable anyway, since it aims at transposing a European framework agreement adopted in late 2006. It pursues two objectives. Primo, "improve awareness and understanding of employers and employees against harassment and violence at work to better prevent this behavior, reduce and if possible eliminate them." And deuzio their "provide a concrete framework for the identification, prevention and management problems fast cash advance

A charter Reference

The draft agreement stipulates that certain employees are more affected than others' because of their gender, sexual orientation, disability or frequency of their relationship with the public. "But all can be victims "of abuse, threats and humiliation, repeated and deliberate" from "lack of respect for the will to harm, destroy". To prevent these abuses, companies should "take a clear position, stating that harassment and violence are not allowed" and the decline "as a charter of Reference describing the procedure in cases of proven facts – the Authors will be punished or even dismissed. They must also "identify the phenomena of harassment or violence at work in order to measure the magnitude (…) and search for preventive measures.

Branches professional requirements are to "develop tools adapted to the situation in their area." Committees of hygiene, safety and working conditions (CHSCT) and occupational physicians are also involved. Managers will be trained.The practical implementation of these provisions in the lives of businesses and their employees may therefore take more time.

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