Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

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New Brandes Global Opportunities Fund Just Launched in Canada: No Geographic or Cap Limits on Seeking Investment Value

TORONTO , July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The Brandes Global Opportunities Fund has just opened for business to Canadian investors with a simple, yet powerful, premise: Any Country. Any Size. Always Value.

It is the first fund managed by Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. (Brandes LP) to be launched in the last five years in Canada . Brandes Investment Partners & Co. (Brandes Canada ) recognized there was an unmet need for an unconstrained equity fund that empowers investors to take advantage of worldwide equity market valuations.

The Brandes Global Opportunities Fund enables investors, with one purchase, to buy what Brandes LP identifies as undervalued businesses from around the world, regardless of market capitalization or location. It provides access to fast-growing emerging markets and well-developed, mature markets, while leveraging Brandes' stock picking ability to unleash maximum long-term growth potential."The Brandes Global Opportunities Fund provides exposure to company-specific opportunities in a flexible mandate," states Brandes Canada President, Carol Lynde .

Brandes LP's Founder and Chair, Charles Brandes , notes: "We have been investing in companies of all sizes and in all regions of the world for nearly 40 years, so we can offer a depth of judgment based on cumulative experience. I am certain the Global Opportunities Fund will leverage our capabilities and serve investors well over the long term."

The investment committee overseeing the Brandes Global Opportunities Fund includes Brandes LP's Charles Brandes , CFA; Ralph Birchmeier, CFA, Director, Investments; Ken Little , CFA, Research Director, Investments; Brent Woods , CFA, Managing Director, Investments and Gerardo Zamorano , CFA, Director, Investments. The Global Opportunities Investment Committee members have an average of nearly 22 years of experience and are supported by 29 research analysts and 12 research associates.

The Brandes Global Opportunities Fund is being launched at a time when the contraction in global markets, over the past five years, has depressed the stock prices of many profitable companies, creating a window of opportunity. Average price ratios (for large- and small-cap stocks alike) around the world are lower than their historical average, while dividend yields are higher.

The Brandes Global Opportunities Fund is eligible for all plan types and may be purchased with a minimum investment of $1,000 ( $100 through a pre-authorized debit plan); subsequent investments may be made for a minimum of $500 .

About Brandes Investment Partners & Co.

Brandes Investment Partners & Co. (Brandes Canada ) is the Toronto-based manager of the Brandes Funds and affiliate of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., of San Diego , California, (Brandes LP) which is a portfolio sub-advisor to the Brandes Funds. Brandes LP is a leading global investment advisory firm, managing assets for institutional and private clients worldwide.  Brandes Canada provides Canadian investors with access to Brandes LP's investment management services in separate accounts for institutional, wrap, private client investors and through the Brandes Funds.

Brandes LP applies a value-oriented approach to security selection pioneered by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd to identify investment opportunities within a long-term context, in all market conditions. Among the first investment firms to emphasize a global perspective to value investing, Brandes offers a variety of global, international, U.S. and Canadian equity portfolios.

For more on Brandes Canada , visit: www.brandesinvestments.ca

Disclaimer

Brandes Investment Partners & Co. is the manager of the Brandes Funds. Units of the Brandes Funds are available through registered dealers only and not available through Brandes Investment Partners & Co. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. 

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Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

China Import Business Startups Website "Import Export Empire" Launched By Shoestring Publishing To Cover Product Customization Opportunities - PRWeb

(PRWEB) April 11, 2012

Shoestring Publishing has launched a new website this week called "Import Export Empire" as a follow-up to the Shoestring course "China Import Secrets." According to Justin Douglas of Shoestring, "Chinese importing into the USA is absolutely a great opportunity, and now with our new website we are teaching how we can get completely original products made in China that have never existed before, customizing products and giving your business something that is unique. Why sell the same widget that everyone else sells, when you can make a unique product and then have it created in China and imported in the USA to sell online or in stores. The teachers of the original China Import Secrets course and this new website are doing this on a regular basis and they have made millions of dollars doing this type of importing from China."

Mr. Douglas says the website videos and tutorials are taught by experts who are already importing from China, so those who buy the course and become students can be confident that the teachers are "for real" in what they are saying: "One of the main teachers, for example, is expert marketer and investor Perry Belcher, who has earned hundreds of millions of dollars. For the price of the course you can learn from this absolutely amazing and successful teacher who is making millions in the Import Export Business."

The original course "China Import Secrets" is still recommended by Shoestring Publishing as a great place to start learning about the Chinese import export business, and can be purchased for only $7.

For more information on the new website, visit http://www.theimportexportbusiness.com.

About Shoestring Publishing

Shoestring Publishing brings the very best in business startup courses to the public. The recession has increased the number of people wanting to start their own businesses and Shoestring Publishing provides the books and courses to help people setup their own startup business, and to explain how to start a startup. Shoestring has many courses that are easy for most people to implement.

View the original article here

Myanmar, Malaysia business matching to be launched in Yangon

YANGON: A Myanmar-Malaysia business matching will be launched here end March to explore more business opportunities for collaboration between the two countries, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) said Saturday.

The business matching, organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in cooperation with the UMFCCI and Malaysian embassy, will be held on March 29, Xinhua news agency reported.

The event will be attended by a Malaysian business delegation comprising over 40 Malaysian exporters, investors and project owners, to seek collaboration with Myanmar companies.

In November last year, a similar Myanmar-Malaysia business matching related to oil and gas sector, was held here. According to Malaysia's Department of Statistics Myanmar- Malaysia bilateral trade amounted to US$593.9mil in 2010.

Myanmar's exports to Malaysia consist of textiles and clothing, wood products, crude rubber and vegetables while its imports from Malaysia are iron and steel products, processed food, electronic products, transport equipment, optical and scientific equipment.

Malaysia's investment in Myanmar hit US$977.46 mil as of January, 2012 in 39 projects since Myanmar opened its doors to foreign investment in late 1988, according to official statistics. - Bernama

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Youth business group launched - New Zimbabwe.com

A NEW business organisation was launched Friday to help young entrepreneurs take advantage of emerging opportunities as the country steps-up implementation of its indigenisation and economic empowerment programme.

Promoters of the Zimbabwe Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZYCCI) said they were looking to facilitate youth participation in the indigenisation of the country’s economy as well as provide a platform for youths to influence policy making.

“Over the past three years, the Zimbabwean economic architecture has changed immensely, with increased recognition of youths as key to both the present and future economic development processes,” ZYCCI inaugural chair, Brian Sedze said in a statement.

“The Zimbabwe Youth Chamber of Industry and Commerce is tailored to provide a networking platform for the economic and social well being of the youth, anchored on best standards of governance.”

Zimbabwe is pushing a controversial indigenisation programme under which foreign companies are now required by law to ensure locals control at least 50 percent of their operations.

Critics say the policy would scare-away foreign investment desperately needed in an economy battling to recover from a decade-long recession.

However, the government insists the programme will help economically empower the country’s historically marginalised black majority.

In his New Year message, Empowerment Minister Savior Kasukuwere said the programme was also aimed at opening up new opportunities for young and emerging entrepreneurs as well as ensure they form “the foundation of our indigenised economy”.

“2012 shall see us prioritize the capacity building of our youths, ensuring that they are endowed with the necessary entrepreneurial and business management skills to guarantee their successful economic empowerment,” Kasukuwere said.

“In this regard a Youth Development Fund has to date made no less than US$40 million available to young entrepreneurs, which funds have been placed under transparent co-management between the Ministry and reputable financial institutions such as Stanbic
Bank, CBZ and CABS.”

Sedze said ZYCCI would provide a platform for youths to take advantage of such government facilities and others made available by private companies as well as influence policy making.

“We have recognized that there is need to champion sustainable economic participation and empowerment of the youth, including increasing advocacy for the inclusion of the youth agenda in the formulation of government policy- specifically related to enabling full participation in industry and commerce,” he said.

ZYCCI would also push the representation of the youth in boards, trusts and policy organs, Sedze added.

“ZYCCI will soon forge alliances and partnerships with other chambers confederations to advocate for policies & practices that encourage full employment of both the human capital and other resources within the country for the benefit of the indigenous Zimbabweans,” he said.

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