UBS launched its first global brand campaign since 2009 today, reflecting the firm’s strategic transformation and future direction. Featuring a distinctive brand film as well as advertising with images by Annie Leibovitz, the campaign also refreshes the strong UBS brand with a contemporary look and feel. The external launch follows a three-month internal campaign that inspired unprecedented rates of employee engagement.
“The brand campaign is an expression of the successful strategic transformation UBS has undergone over the past four years,” said Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer. “Reflecting the strategic transformation through our branding gives us additional momentum.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612551-ubs-launches-global-brand-campaign/
Jive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: JIVE), today announced an evolution of its interactive solution that combines the collaborative capabilities of the enterprise social network with its new suite of purpose-built mobile apps. By fully integrating Jive-w mobile apps, including Jive Chime, Jive Daily and Jive Circle with the industry-leading Jive-n internal solution, Jive liberates employees to work wherever and however they want through the power of a truly mobile, interactive intranet. Additionally, the latest release of Jive-n accelerates time-to-deployment with out-of-the-box, best-practice templates for HR, sales and corporate communications functions that deliver immediate value for all lines of business.
“Jive is on a mission to help people work better together,” said Elisa Steele, chief executive officer at Jive Software. “To remain competitive, companies are looking for connected, modern digital solutions with everything needed to get their jobs done. This next-generation intranet solution is tailored, managed and expanded with little or no burden on IT, which delivers immediate business value and clear ROI. It's totally mobile, with smart, elegant apps that keep everyone connected to their company and colleagues.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7447051-jive-software-interactive-internet/
Top Hybrids and Electric Cars Must Buy 2016 [ Buying Guide ]
Top Recommended Hybrids and Electric Cars
List Car you need to buy:
====== 2016 Tesla Model S ========
We owned a 2013 Tesla Model S for 18 months and despite numerous dealer visits and maintenance issues, we were ultimately sad to see it go. It's quick, comfortable, quiet, spacious, and can tote as much cargo as some crossover SUVs. The "85" version can go 265 miles on a charge, so range anxiety is a nonissue. We even drove ours from L.A. to New York in less than three days using Tesla's free Supercharger quick-charge network. We definitely have gripes, including some underwhelming interior trim pieces and a lack of small item storage. There's also the below-average reliability, although our dealer experiences were exceptional. So even though it's not perfect, the Model S remains our favorite electric car.
============2016 Kia Soul EV============
Kia's first real foray into the electric vehicle world is a success. In fact, the funky Soul is arguably more appealing when it swaps out its internal combustion engine for an electric motor. In our testing, the Soul EV went farther on a charge than its similarly sized and priced competitors, and then recharged quickly thereafter. It also doesn't suffer a reduction in cargo space versus the non-EV Soul, meaning it provides the utility of a small SUV rather than that of a small hatchback like its rivals. A long warranty and generous features are other benefits.
===============2015 BMW i3=============
BMW's i3 is a remarkable vehicle. Its main structure is made of light yet strong carbon fiber instead of the usual steel or aluminum. This helps reduce the i3's weight, which pays dividends for both electric range and performance. With its electric motor in back and the battery under the floor, the i3 boasts sporty acceleration and handling.
======= 2015 BMW i8 ===========
You want your plug-in hybrid to be a head-turning sports car? Look no further than the BMW i8, the two-door supercar for the environmentally conscious. Like the more attainable BMW i3, the i8 is built around a carbon-fiber passenger cell. But in the i8 an electric motor drives the front wheels and a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine pushes from behind.
===== Luxury Hybrid 2016 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid =====
Porsche's flagship sedan is the Panamera, a low-slung four-door with a hatchback trunk. The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid version, and it offers 16 miles of pure electric driving before the supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 engine takes over. Acceleration, handling and braking are pure Porsche, which is something of a trick for a car this large. It's perfect for those shoppers
======= Hybrid SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid =========
No other automaker bothers to offer a hybrid version of its three-row SUV. But Toyota's Highlander Hybrid doesn't earn a spot in our Buying Guide purely by default. It continues to show just how well the hybrid formula can be applied to a big, family-friendly crossover SUV. The hybrid version earns a 28 mpg combined estimate, or 7-8 mpg better than the V6-powered Highlander. In addition to that, the Highlander Hybrid offers solid build quality, respectable acceleration, a sophisticated and quiet ride quality and plenty of standard and available features.
====== 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2016 Toyota Prius =====
Substantial changes last year vaulted the Toyota Camry Hybrid onto our top-recommended list. Although it doesn't quite match the fuel economy of some competitors, the real-world cost of that difference is negligible. Plus, dismissing the Camry simply because of an mpg or two would mean missing out on an otherwise compelling sedan. Comfort remains a Camry priority, but this latest Camry Hybrid also handles pretty well.
====== Hybrid Cars 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Energi =====
The 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great choice for car shoppers who are new to hybrids. It's quiet, comfortable and feels very much like a normal family sedan, while delivering the fuel economy you expect from a hybrid. It's also a Ford Fusion, which means you also get impressive refinement, good road manners and plenty of standard and available high-tech features.
======= 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf =====
Among entry-level EVs, the Volkswagen e-Golf is our favorite. It handles well, has a handsome interior, delivers class-competitive range and has the optimal equipment for quick battery recharging. What's even better, cargo space is unchanged from the non-EV Golf because the batteries are located under the floor.
In 2011, PetSafe® brand launched its nationwide Bark for Your Park program to help communities build their own off-leash dog parks. In order to help even more communities this year, PetSafe brand is restructuring the contest into a grant-giving program and increasing the number of awards from five to 25.
“In the past five years, we’ve given away over $850,000 to communities to build dog parks of their own, but now we want to help communities during every stage of development,” said Tracy Mulder, marketing manager, PetSafe brand. “Our new Bark for Your Park program is expanding to not only help break ground on new parks, but also help fund maintenance and improvements for existing parks.”
Communities can submit a grant application now through June 30, 2016 on www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. The applications will be reviewed by an internal committee and PetSafe brand will award five new park grants valuing $25,000 each, 10 park makeover grants valuing $10,000 each, and 10 park maintenance grants valuing $5,000 each. This year’s award recipients will receive a combination of funds and commercial-grade dog park equipment from UltraSite, a PlayCore Company. The winning communities will be announced over a 5-week period during August through September.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827752-petsafe-dogs-bark-for-your-park/
Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, has implemented an internal customer satisfaction scoring system aimed at measuring the overall experience of its home loan origination process.
The internal customer satisfaction score that Vanderbilt has created is a metric calculated from surveyed responses by customers within two weeks of funding their loan. The customers are asked to give a score ranging from zero to 10 on how likely they are to recommend Vanderbilt Mortgage to family and friends based on their home loan origination experience.
“We want to be transparent about the feedback we receive from our customers,” said Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. “Continuously listening to customers’ needs in order to improve is our top priority. This scored system gives us a structured way to measure how we are doing and determine in which areas we can do better. It’s important for us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7716456-vanderbilt-mortgage-customer-survey/
Clayton, one of the largest American builders of manufactured and modular homes, utilizes an internal supply chain management system, known as Clayton Supply, that allows the company to lower costs and pass those savings on to home buyers.
Through its network of facilities that both manufacture and distribute building materials, Clayton is able to offer quick inventory turnaround at reduced costs to its own home building facilities, thereby offering homes at affordable prices to families across America.
Clayton Supply facilities are located across the country and include operations that manufacture vinyl, insulated windows, gypsum wallboard, trusses, cabinets, moldings and much more. In addition to manufacturing its own materials, Clayton Supply also purchases building materials in bulk, moving those materials through a network of regional distribution centers that are strategically located to support its own home building facilities.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7716457-clayton-supply-affordable-home-prices
Research from CEB (NYSE: CEB), a best practice insight and technology company and the creators of the Challenger™ Selling model, shows that 51 percent of customers who might be willing to buy from a supplier are not willing to advocate for them and help them get deals over the finish line. This is a direct result of the difficult, internal buying process. Unfortunately, sales organizations lack a true understanding of their customers and are unable to simplify the complexities of buying for them.
“Willingness to buy is not the same as willingness to advocate; suppliers need customers to advocate and fight for them to get deals done today,” said Brent Adamson, principal executive advisor at CEB and co-author of The Challenger Sale and The Challenger Customer. “In order to move past ‘good enough’ and ‘status quo,’ suppliers need to go beyond just understanding how customers interact with them, to gaining a thorough understanding of how they work, what is important to them and how they interact with each other.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7427254-ceb-challenge-align-prescribe-b2b-sales-strategy/
Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and eCornell have launched new on-demand training in service excellence targeting front-line employees. The training consists of eight online lessons, all of which are available 24/7, and is complemented by a Workshop Guide to promote onsite, face-to-face discussion and application of the online lesson concepts. The training explores the foundations of service delivery and empowers employees through practical tools that can be applied to any situation involving internal or external customers.
Service Excellence On-Demand Training provides groups and organizations with a straightforward framework to increase effectiveness for all customer interactions. It provides employees with the skills needed to connect service excellence concepts to the execution of their daily duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Individuals who successfully complete all eight lessons will receive a recognition of their achievement from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7975651-cornell-university-service-excellence-training/
While January 1 is the traditional day millions announce their New Year’s Resolutions, research shows only 8% of Americans achieve success. For the fifth year, Life Time, is aiming to help people rethink resolutions and instead make a true, internal commitment to themselves to living a healthy way of life by participating in the Commitment Day 5K Fun Run and Walk. Held at more than 40 Life Time destinations across the U.S. and Canada, Commitment Day empowers individuals, families and communities to start the year on the right foot by marking their pledge with action toward a year of better health. New for 2017, a Virtual 5K is available for anyone in North America to join in. All participants will receive a race bib and commemorative Commitment Day tee shirt. Registration, locations and pricing details are available at www.CommitmentDay.com.
Commitment Weekend kicks off on Friday, Dec. 30 and continues through Monday, Jan. 2, when Life Time will open its doors to everyone – whether a member or not. During each of the four days, Life Time’s 122 destinations will feature a variety of health and fitness experiences and activities for all ages. In addition to the 5K Fun Run and Walk on Jan. 1, people can take part in unique-to-Life Time group fitness, indoor cycle and yoga classes such as Strike, Amp Cycle and Warrior Sculpt, as well as Alpha Training. Life Time’s indoor aquatic centers, basketball courts, rock walls and tennis, racquetball and squash courts will all be open with club-specific programming to help men, women and kids make their commitment even easier by doing activities they love or trying new things that will inspire them in the coming year.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7991951-life-time-commitment-day-virtual-5k-fun-run-walk/
In today’s always-on world, people are more digitally-connected than ever before – yet less connected to one another in meaningful ways. That’s why Murad®, the pioneering clinical skincare brand, is launching the EyesUp Campaign, a new initiative designed to educate people about the danger of digital-only relationships and the power of real-world human connection. Through the campaign, Murad is encouraging people around the world to go “EyesUp” and connect with one another in real life.
Renowned as the “Father of Internal Skincare,” Dr. Murad’s groundbreaking work and research over the past decade has centered on helping people cope with Cultural Stress™, or the stress of modern living. The hallmarks of Cultural Stress include digital dependency, the inability to disconnect from work, and lowered self-esteem due to increased social expectations.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7833456-murad-skincare-eyesup-campaign/
In the U.S., Americans’ perception of Mexico has reached a 10-year high, according to a recent Gallup, Inc. poll. The statistic further highlights the country’s record-breaking 2016 tourism year that saw more than 35 million international visitors - up 9% from the year prior - enjoying its world-class beaches and cultural offerings, according to the Mexico Tourism Board.
Credit for the country’s recent successes in tourism is largely due to the Mexican people - widely recognized as some of the friendliest and most welcoming in the world, and their centuries-old spirit of hospitality. Mexico Tourism Board’s internal consumer tracking studies showed more than 94 percent of visitors reported an experience that “exceeded their expectations” and 86 percent said they would “like to come back again” in the next six months– some of the highest scores in the industry, attesting to the popular Mexican adage, ‘mi casa es su casa’ (my home is your home).
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8086151-mexico-tourism-gallup-poll/
2017 Renault Zoe
Renault has introduced a new Z.E. 40 battery for ZOE. At the same, ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades. Order books for the new ZOE line-up are open. The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault's Flins plant in France and will be available for delivery before the end of 2016.
Double the range for even longer journeys
As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe's number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Zero Emissions strategy.
Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 400km, which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.
The new Z.E. 40 battery has a real-world range of 300 kilometres in urban or suburban areas, for example.
The range permitted today by the ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now.
The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion-engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE's capabilities.
The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging. This makes weekend trips a real possibility.
The Z.E. 40 battery's charging rate is similar to that of the standard battery, so 'topping up' doesn't take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes are required on average to charge the battery for an extra 80 kilometres of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe. The ZOE continues to be equipped with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.
An innovation that doubles battery capacity with no increase in size
The ZOE's new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE's standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).
Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.
Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.
This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery's reliability or safety.
The battery's large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE's energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE's battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.
