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Those brands that are riding the presidential

Candidates with strong personalities, verbal jousting, a dose of suspense, … presidential election, the highlight of French political life, provides a golden opportunity for brands to stand out for their creativity. For some of them, it is even the opportunity to make themselves known. Among them, the Paris Chocolate brand, created last year, did speak of her with boxes of chocolates bearing the image of candidates. Popilz society, which wants to start selling humorous figurines inspired by celebrities, moved, for his part, since its April 23 first characters in the image of Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande. MarionDem, young designer who launched last December the lingerie brand Panty Me, launched panties printed with the colors of the candidates. Best known and oldest brand Reunion sorry! commercialized a reversible shirt if we hesitate to support the UMP candidate or PS free instant credit score.

In these operations, profitability is not often visit. "We know that this is not a shirt to wear every day. We especially want to build brand awareness, "said Peter Marten, founder of the brand sorry! that focuses on products related to humorous news. Even at the risk a fine for infringement of image rights, as in 2008. At Popilz also, "the goal is not to make profits but to come forward and test the market," says Bastien Rochard, manager of the company. "The presidential election is the best time to create awareness around a brand. Citizens and the media only talk about it for a month. This is an opportunity to talk with humor. "

The figurine "Zarkface", inspired by Nicolas Sarkozy and sold by Popilz. DR

Taxation, standards: business leaders calling for stability

"The change is now!" The slogan is that of Francois Hollande, business leaders have clearly in mind. For good reason: the change, it is not their cup of tea. Standards changed according to the news, a tax system that grows with the economy, laws that impose new overnight … "If Francois Hollande is elected, tell us once and for all that it will do to businesses but especially then he takes it for five years, 'says almost begging a boss in the industrial sector. "From small to large group of local CAC 40, the stability is claimed hue and cry for years," says an official of Bercy.

Take five years the same policy is still not easy. Nicolas Sarkozy has learned to its cost, which had to come back, as and as Europe plunged into crisis, and unemployment and deteriorating public finances, on key measures of the beginning of his mandate: tax shield, tax credit on real estate loan interest, windfall tax on bank bonuses …

Windfall

Meanwhile the second round of presidential elections, so businesses take their troubles patiently. Is wait-business show – "they have especially put aside their investments," the economists note. Delay the initiation of social plans, according to unions. Wonder about their future boss, their compensation strategy or dividends, when they state as shareholder. And express their concerns about topics that they feel the winds, without really feeling the direction cheap business cards. The research tax credit (CIR) is one of them.

If Francois Hollande said he does not challenge this device "because it is necessary to support research" in France, the employers have understood that his team was working on a shift. "There is a windfall for big business, where we will end so that the CIR has more to SMEs", explained last week Alain Rousset, in charge of the "pact productive" in the PS candidate's campaign, speaking to redirect up … one billion euros. Enough to significantly modify the decisions of entrepreneurs!

Large and small companies also expect to know how they will be affected by "modulation" of the scheduled corporate tax that must be done "for the benefit of SMEs and companies that reinvest their profits."

Banks, they, stomp whether the Socialist candidate will carry out its threat to introduce what he calls his bill consolidation of banking which provides for "the separation of deposit and speculative activities." They should be fixed quickly, the project is provided, if any, for next summer.

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MBA: INSEAD advocate for Entrepreneurship

A thousand people attend the Insead MBA each year. The program comes in sixth position in the world rankings from the Financial Times, and is ranked 2nd among European MBA full time. There is no exception to the rule of international with over 80 different nationalities on its campuses in Fontainebleau and Singapore, none of which exceeds 10% of the workforce. Indispensable factor in the passport to success at world level, participants have the opportunity to study on three continents, in its schools and via exchanges with partner universities in America.

Over the years, MBA has developed many general elective courses – 70 to this day, to deepen the core courses. 5 years since the dimension of entrepreneurship has risen sharply among students. "80% choose at least one of the courses in the department and they are increasingly likely to start their own business," says Caroline Diarte Edwards, Director of Admissions, Marketing and Financial Aid.

In 20 years, the MBA has grown from a course on entrepreneurship at about twenty. "The students understand that a lifetime career in business is interesting, but if they want to express themselves and increase their earnings, it is better to be a shareholder, and in this case, create or buy a company is a excellent solution, "says Timothy Bovard, Professor of the program.

Priority scenarios

The highlight of course, the emphasis on the scenarios. "Our students have 3-6 years of professional experience, they come to test their ability to undertake, discover new opportunities. Beyond the academic part, their question is: what can I draw from my knowledge? "Says Timothy Bovard.

Some modules are the stars and a magnet for future graduates. The "bootcamps" (training camps) launched five years ago, were first paired in courses on business creation. The principle: in 48 hours, this is for a team of 2 to 3 people, to find an idea which will create a company and construct a business plan and develop arguments for presentation to real investors at the end of the weekend. The methodology has been applied to subjects on the buyout, technology deployment

.

Courses on the first 100 days as President of a company placed in groups of 4 persons in leadership positions. They live for 15 days recovery period, meet journalists, trade unionists, bankers, customers, etc.. "We can do more real by being outside the company," said Timothy Bovard. Co-creator of the module, it is preparing a course on the first 500 days in the world of startups.

Can we go further and break down the barriers of the classroom? The department has launched a web platform that allows participants to "buyout" to evaluate the companies that submit their MBA Alumni wishing to acquire a business.

In total at least two students make a bid for their MBA and 20 to 25 new businesses are created by graduates each year. Witness this former student who started a year after its release from Insead a drug discovery company today listed on the London Stock Exchange, or the graduate who took over in 1996 a small company in southern France. It releases more than 600 million euros in turnover and is called L'Occitane

.

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The route of the TGV Bordeaux-Toulouse validated

The TGV will happen one day at Toulouse to Bilbao? The Pink City will she finally to 3 h 15 from Paris by train, against more than five hours today? The decision to build the new high speed lines (HSL) from Bordeaux will not be taken before long. But last Friday, a necessary step to making this project possible was reached: the Ministry of Transport has validated their route. By setting three new TGV stations at Agen (Lot-et-Garonne), Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne) and Mont-de-Marsan (Landes).

If governments dither before launching the operation is that it will be very expensive. "At least 12 billion euros," said one expert. A huge sum when the coffers of the State and local governments are desperately empty because of the debt crisis. In February, the General Council of Lot-et-Garonne has already said he would not pay his bill for the Pharaonic site.

The hesitation is all the more palpable than funding another LGV, that between Tours and Bordeaux, was problematic. But this was "only" from one site to 7.8 billion. It was expected that 57 local authorities provide nearly $ 1.5 billion for this mega project won by Vinci in public-private partnership.

Finally, about twenty of these entities have defaulted. Foremost of these, the Regional Council of Poitou-Charentes led by Ségolène Royal, who refused to pay its contribution, fixed at 103 million euros. For this LGV can be built, the state decided to take the money for its support.

330 million accrued

It also will replace the General Council of Gers, who a month ago, is back on his promise to pay eight million for this line, as with other local authorities who have given up to get their hands in their pockets for this work. Of nudges that will not be pledged the state budget. The explanation? "Nearly 330 million had been provided by the State in 2011 to address a potential rise in interest rates which Vinci was exposed because the group had used bank loans to complete the operation, says an expert on the issue. But this rise in interest rates has not occurred. These sums have been used in part to address the failure of several local communities. "

Result, despite all these upheavals, the financing of the LGV Bordeaux-Tours is provided. And Lisea group, led by Vinci, can concentrate on the subject regardless of his income. Fortunately, as Europe's leading construction and concessions has not time to lose if he wants to meet the deadlines: the first trains will travel on this line as of July 2017 and will Bordeaux 2 hours from Paris against three today.

For now, Lisea, which was selected in March 2010 to complete this operation is on schedule. In February, the group obtained the approvals related to the protection of wildlife and waterways necessary to begin work. It also acquired 71% of the land where will this new line of 340 km. And if some owners may appeal to the justice of the decision on the expropriation, these procedures will not prevent the commencement of work. In addition, Vinci has completed all archaeological excavations on the route at the end of the year. Already, he started out small tasks related to land clearing or the connection of the new and the existing line.

But the real kickoff of the site will be given in a few weeks. "We will attack the earthworks in June, Tricot explains Hervé, President of Lisea. Four or five thousand people are at work in fifteen different places. This work will take three years, maybe less if the weather is good. "

How the American Crocs picked up

Since it was set afloat, ten years ago by three friends in Colorado, Crocs has sold more than 150 million pairs of shoes in 90 countries. Right in her funny shoes, this American company shows $ 1 billion in revenue in 2011, up 27%. 112.8 million and net income, against 67 million in 2010. The hilarious crocodile brand has regained its bite.

At the NYSE, the action hovers around $ 20. It was not worth even at a low point in 2009. In 2007, she had already sold 100 million pairs. She posted $ 168.2 million profit. After a flash of sales growth between 2005 and 2008, its accounts have fired that year in the red: it lost 185.1 million in 2008 and 42 million in 2009, before returning in 2010 to profits.

Crocs has been the victim of the crisis on its first market, the United States, which now represent less than half of its sales. Victim, too, its single-product strategy and the strength of his shoe aesthetics controversial. Crocs lost momentum, if not renewed by their fans. "The Crocs shoes are indeed a life of ten years on average," says Mustafa Sadik, head of the brand in France.

But the restructuring, fought on all fronts, product development management through logistics and supply sources, has borne fruit. The Canadian plant closed. Manufacturing has been focused on China.

The Croslite: a lightweight resin

This is taking the offensive on diversification, international and opening stores as she now has more than 169 – that picked up Crocs. Without abandoning his favorite material: colored and perforated, the shoe – called "Clog" – was forged in a patented material, the "Croslite", lightweight resin, antibacterial, waterproof and flexible. Hooves, dominated by the model "Cayman", weigh only 50% in sales volume, but also offers Crocs shoes to more traditional sole "Croslite". Fabric or leather dress patterns for women, men and children, from sneakers to high heels compensated, covered with cork, to sandals, ballet slippers and boots for the whole family. The colors are often flashy, but the forms were assagies. The brand, which also sells shoes filled, at the same time has reduced its dependence on seasonality: the items were accounted for only 65% ​​of sales. Ready-to-wear this summer, with shells and sleeves for smartphones tablets, scheduled for 2013 in France, a slew of new products will accelerate diversification.

If the shoe of Colorado is still nearly half of its sales in the U.S., sales there rose by 19% in 2011, but have surged 34% in Europe and Asia. In Europe, where Crocs aligns 34 stores and 92 franchises, an offensive was launched in France, where the brand has opened two stores, after closing at all its difficulties. Its third store will open its own in France in Nice on March 22. This will be his first major "Crocs Store" in Europe. A new store concept, where 250 models will unfold in both healthy, shelves and large digital displays.

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The inexorable exodus of Greek youth

Run for your lives! This is the response of the Greek youth graduated from the crisis and the stacking of austerity since early 2010. Examples abound. The Goethe Institute in Athens is facing a 70% increase in enrollment in German courses. A recruiting office in Northern Ireland offers young Greek, says Athens News, collect mushrooms or work in aquatic farms. A conference on migration to Australia by invitation only-recently gathered 1000 graduates (even though only 100 Greeks settled in the island-continent in 2010).

The Greeks want to leave their countries in crisis, but it is not seen in official statistics."Based on preliminary figures available, we observe no increase in emigration in Greece in 2010," notes Jonathan Chaloff, migration expert at the OECD, based on information provided by the U.S., Australian, Canadian or Swedish. "There is indeed a great desire to emigrate, but the obstacles are real: the language barrier, recognition of qualifications, etc..," Said he.

More border, more control

This is not the only reason why migration flows are difficult to perceive. "Young Greeks are mainly the countries of the European Union," Lois Labrianidis point, Professor of Economics at the University of Thessaloniki."But as there is no boundary or control, you can not count these departures." The researcher is a hint: the Greeks entered in the European Internet portal EURES CV exploded in 2011, reaching 15,500, two times the total recorded since its inception in 1993.

Young people fleeing a country they consider no future. "The dynamics of the labor market is worrying. The unemployment rate reached 16%, up 50% from 2010. And for young people is twice (30%), "notes Manon Domingues Dos Santos, migration specialist at the University Paris-Est Marne-La-Vallée. "In this context, the most qualified are the most mobile: they speak foreign languages ​​and better meet the needs of labor in host countries."

The crisis accelerates a phenomenon of brain drain that affects Greece for at least 10 years.At the edge of recession, in 2007, already 12.2% of the most educated Greeks living abroad, or at least 876,000 people. This figure is just swell: already during this period, more than 4.5% of graduates were leaving Greece every year, according to figures compiled by Frédéric Docquier, a professor at the University of Louvain. This is much less than Portugal (over 12%) but almost twice as Spain, also in crisis countries. In comparison, only 1.31% of French graduates leave the country.

Herding phenomenon

View from the best-trained its elites to broader horizons, such is the fate of small countries like Ireland or Lithuania. "Greece, however, could prove to be a special case, said Frédéric Docquier. It is in near-bankruptcy.They may therefore develops a herd phenomenon: if the elites and the most qualified anticipate the crisis and with rigor, everyone will leave the country when you leave you too. "

Problem: well-trained elites are among the taxpayers most likely to pay high taxes. Leaving their country, they will not settle the affairs of the state. In the longer term, "the departure of more skilled threatens growth by detracting from the production of research and innovation," Manon Domingues Dos Santos is concerned.

Greece, which was over twenty years, between 50 and 70 years, a land of emigration, however, tries to take advantage of its diaspora. The government has proposed this year to Greeks abroad to finance its debt to the tune of 3 billion euros.

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Greece reassured markets bounce

Since the beginning of the week, investors in Europe and the United States, is won over by a wave of optimism about the outcome of the crisis of sovereign debt. The CAC 40 jumped 5.74% on Tuesday to finish the session at 3023.38 points, aligning a third straight session rebound. Another encouraging sign is the trading volumes are recovering. Yesterday more than 4 billion changed hands on the great values ​​of the Paris stock exchange.

Other major European markets rose in unison. The Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange gained 5.29% and 4.02% London FTSE. And the European indices, the Eurostoxx 50 was up 5.06%. "The anguish of Greece, who were greatly exaggerated, have finally subsided a bit," said one operator.A Wall Street as investors watch with great attention the developments of the rise of public finances in Europe, the relief was also needed. Sitting in the Dow Jones advanced 2.27% and the Nasdaq 2.18%.

"Investors have decided to give credit to European and international policy makers in their efforts to find ways to resolve the crisis of sovereign debt," explained economists broker Aurel BGC. There are "high hopes that one is engaged in the right direction towards resolving the debt crisis in Europe," agreed analysts at LBBW in Frankfurt. Other analysts, however, want to caution, as the strategists of the Crédit Mutuel-CIC who believe that the upturn may not last and that the rumors that stir the markets are certainly still "exaggerated."For them, the hypothesis of the expansion means the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF), which propels the securities of banks for several days, "does not solve the structural problems in Europe."

According to the spokesperson of European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, Europe is considering strengthening the capacity of the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF). Rumors press also reported a proposed quadrupling of the Fund's lending capacity to 2000 billion euros. In turn, an official of the ECB, the Austrian Ewald Nowotny, did not rule out declines in interest rates in the euro area.But soon, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble assured that Europeans had "no intention of bailing out" the EFSF and called the hypothesis of totally "stupid."

Absent for several weeks, the good news poured in yesterday from Europe and the United States.

On the Old Continent, first. Jean-Claude Juncker, the leader of the finance ministers of the euro area has confirmed the return of the troika, bringing the European Union, the ECB and the IMF, major donors of Greece, by Thursday Athens, which could allow the release of a new tranche of EUR 8 billion, which is vital for the country. At the same time discontent rises and Athens was again paralyzed Tuesday by a wave of strikes in public transport.

Good news also in the United States, in the still under close surveillance of the property.House prices in the twenty largest U.S. cities have stabilized in July, according to Case-Shiller survey.

In Paris, banking stocks, on the front line since the beginning of the sovereign debt crisis, have literally flown the hope of a breakthrough in the situation in Greece.

Societe Generale, had a spectacular end of the session, jumping nearly 17%. For its part, BNP Paribas was awarded 14.15% and Credit Agricole was up 13.10%.

Oil opened up in New York

The euro was weakening on Tuesday to below $ 1.35. In session, the euro stood at 1.3496 dollars, against 1.3523 dollars late Monday.He had fallen in session Monday to 1.3363 dollars, its lowest level since mid-January, prior to recover.

As for commodities, gold has recovered slightly this morning at 1640 dollars an ounce after declining over the last three sessions. Oil evolved soaring Tuesday at the opening in New York, driven by renewed optimism for the determination of the Europeans to resolve the debt crisis in the eurozone. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery traded at 82.64 dollars, up by $ 2.40 at the close on Monday night.

"The economic project of the PS is in the garbage"

Greece:

In the aftermath of yet another meeting "for nothing" between the finance ministers of the euro area, said Baroin continue to trust in Greece. And, while 68% of the French disapprove of the increase in French contribution to the rescue of Greece, according to a poll Ifop. "Greece knows what she has to us, insists Baroin, invited the Grand Rendez-vous Europe 1-i> Tele-Le Parisien. We have said it, she has commitments, duties vis-à-vis its creditors, it has the requirement to provide answers. "

While Europe still can not agree to release the 158 billion pledged to Greece on July 21, Baroin announced that the European Stability Fund would be active in mid-October . "The agreement of July 21, expands the interventions of European fund, says he. It enables him to act in advance.This tool is good, just it is not yet implemented. We need the European Parliaments vote, and all Parliaments have given a date. " For him, this fund is not intended to please the Greeks but to save the euro.

Banks:

Former colleagues in government Fillon and Christine Lagarde Baroin do not seem to take the same position on the banks, now that the former Minister of Economy and Finance has been leading the International Monetary Fund. Three weeks ago, Christine Lagarde, sounded the alarm and called for "urgent recapitalization" of banks.

Europe 1, Baroin, sought reassurance, noting that "central banks assured liquidity to ensure any problems.This means that the question 'Are there any cash flow problems?', The answer is no and the question 'Is there a solvency problem?', The answer is no. We are not worried. " And to the question: 'Should we recapitalize European banks? "The finance minister said," They already recapitalize since 2008. They increased their capital by 50 billion euros, "said he.

Growth:

While the European Commission Thursday lowered its forecast for French growth to 1.6% in 2011, Baroin assured that the growth target of 1.75% this year was achievable. "We were on a line at 2%. It was fixed at 1.75% and we have reasonable grounds for regarding it's achievable. There will not exceed one euro in terms of deficit compared to what we have taken as a commitment. "

Budget 2012:

"Demanding".That's how Baroin defined the 2012 budget to be presented Sept. 28. While the opposition calls for a recovery plan, the finance minister was adamant. "I am convinced that a recovery would have an adverse effect in the current financial situation. In a long-term strategy, which should take us in 2013 to 3% deficit, we can not afford us the luxury to satisfy such demand, such as department or lobby, "he said.

Economic project of the Socialist Party:

Finally, the finance minister has been very critical of the socialist project. "The project of the Socialist Party fell.They need to throw in the trash, they must forget their plan to create jobs and increase public more than 50 billion taxes, "he said, saying the government side," It is not about one second of a general increase in taxes. "

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The luxury cars in great shape

Car manufacturers ultra-luxurious living on another planet. The downside risks, of concern to general groups, do not seem to disturb them. Concessions in the Ferrari, "consumers are not worried about a recession. The last I saw did not look desperate, "said Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat, at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Prancing Horse brand also provides for a new record this year by selling 7,000 cars, against 6,570 last year. Ferrari is also counting on a profit before tax "significant", following an increase of 23% in 2010 to 302 million euros. "I'm not worried because we have quality, exclusivity, a strong brand and innovative technology," said its president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

It is the only one to be extremely confident.Rolls-Royce (BMW Group), whose boss, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, said he was "optimistic" about prospects for its niche, also wants to exceed its historical performance of last year (2711 cars). The luxury brand will invest 11.4 million euros to expand its plant in Goodwood English and plans to increase its network from 85 to 100 outlets.

Buyers richer

Sales of the major European luxury brands (Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin) are expected to jump 19% this year to 28,100 vehicles, and increase by 13% in 2012, according to a study by IHS Automotive no checking account payday advance. "The rich are becoming richer, and the number of millionaires in emerging and growing. It is a very positive trend "for specialists in this niche, says Erich Hauser, an analyst at Credit Suisse agency quoted Bloomberg.For him, "should things go really bad" for the champions of this market find themselves in difficulty.

The ultra-premium segment should be able to pass through an economic downturn better than in the previous crisis, which saw sales of certain brands to collapse, says the CEO of Rolls-Royce. "This market is growing steadily since its low point in 2009" but "we are aware that there are risks," acknowledges, however, Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini's boss. But for now, the Italian brand of the Volkswagen group does not seem to fear a decline in the purchasing power of its wealthy clients. It will produce 20 Sesto Elemento for early 2013. Their price: 1.6 million euro.