World Business Review with Alexander Haig Interviews Foreign-Trade Zone Corporation.

FT Lauderdale, FL August, 2003 -- The FTZ Corporation, a leading provider of Foreign-Trade Zone consulting services, today announced that two partners and a senior consultant will appear on the award-winning television show World Business Review, hosted by Alexander Haig, to be aired on PBS and The Business and Technology Channel Sunday, August 24 through Saturday August 30, and on all United Airlines domestic and international flights in October and November. The program focuses on leading trends in business and technology and is hosted by General Alexander Haig, Chairman of Worldwide Associates Inc., former President and Chief Operating Officer of United Technologies, and former Secretary of State, White House Chief of Staff, and Senior Military Advisor.FTZ Corporation principals, Craig Pool and Greg Jones, and Senior Consultant Trudy Huguet, were selected to appear on the program to discuss the Foreign-Trade Zones program, which provides U.S. companies with tariff and duty savings, making them more competitive with overseas competitors. As noted on the show, FTZs offer many advantages to companies in both the manufacturing and distribution sectors, including:-Relief from Inverted Tariffs-Duty Exemption on Re-exports-Streamlined LogisticsAbout the FTZ Corporation:The Foreign-Trade Zone Corporation is a service provider offering FTZ cost-benefit analyses, applications, boundary modifications, assistance in designing and creating Zone projects, training, and Customs compliant Foreign-Trade Zone software.About World Business Review:The show's format is a newsmagazine style and provides education about the latest topics, trends and issues in a variety of industries. WBR features On-Location field footage illustrating business strategies and technology, along with commentary from leading corporate executives and industry experts.World Business Review is distributed worldwide via US Public Television in major markets including New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, Tech TV, and independent carriers. The series airs internationally in Canada and on Asia Television. The World Business Review tape series has been developed into a full curriculum for college and university level courses. The educational institutions below currently use the World Business Review tape series with curriculum in a variety of business and technology courses or within their school of business libraries or on-campus TV networks.Broadcast dates and times in your market are located here: http://www.ftzcorp.com/World_Business_FTZ_Broadcast_Schedule.pdf.You may obtain more information about Foreign-Trade Zones and the FTZ Corporation by visiting the FTZ Corporation website, located at http://www.ftzcorp.com.

Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets Protects Your Invention!

Patent numbers are issued sequentially, beginning with the number one. Patent number one was issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1790. It took 75 years for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to issue patent number 1,000,000. Patent number 7,000,000 was issued February 14, 2006. It took only seven years for the USPTO to move from issuance of patent number 6,000,000 to 7,000,000. What does this mean? Simply, there is more creativity now that at any time in history. The old saw that there is nothing new is completely wrong. There has never been so many people and entities creating novel, unique products, technology and services, and so driven to commercialize these inventions. More patents and entrepreneurs attempting to market their products is indicative that there is more competition for successful placement. It is essential that entrepreneurs protect their inventions. This is a form of insurance. To attempt to market an invention without covering the work with the shield of patent, trademark, copyright or trade secret protection indicates a frivolous approach that will not succeed. Investors, licensees, and investors demand the protection that these intellectual property products afford. Even if the entrepreneur is going to self-market the invention, protection is essential in order to fend off competition. A pharmacist in Atlanta, at the beginning of the 20th century, created a formula for syrup that he sold at the soda fountain in his pharmacy. John Pemberton mixed the syrup with soda water and sold drinks of the concoction as a wellness beverage to cure aches and pains. Mr. Pemberton had created Coca-Cola. He never anticipated that Coke would become an international comfort product, the soft drink. The smartest thing John Pemberton ever did, besides inventing Coca-Cola, was to handle the secret formula for the syrup as a Trade Secret. To this day, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company zealously protects the ingredients and chemistry involved in producing the base syrup that is the essence of classic Coca-Cola. Big Boy Restaurants protects the recipe for the tartar sauce that goes on their sandwiches, and that many customers buy by the bottle and take home. McDonalds doggedly protects the process their restaurants utilize to cut, cook and season their French-fries. William Wrigley was just as manic in keeping secret his technique for delivering powerfully flavored, long lasting, chewing gum. Trade Secrets typically are not able to secure patent protections. The novelty of the Trade Secret is in the blending, chemistry or chronology utilized to deliver the finished product. If you have such a recipe you will want to keep this knowledge very near, as it can become very dear. If the public knew the formula for Coca-Cola, quite possibly there would be a lot of consumers keen to blend their own drink at home. Coke would not like that! If your product has the potential and necessity to become a Trade Secret you will want to follow several very basic steps. First, write down every event related to the development of the formula. Keep a logbook with the data, dates and details of your work. As you finalize your development work memorialize all of the steps essential to delivering the finished product you wish to keep secret in a recipe or summary document. Then store in a very secure place (a safety deposit box, or safe) all of the work product and the recipe or formula. The Trade Secret gains incredible asset value when your product becomes a market success. Selling a business built around a fully protected Trade Secret exponentially increases the value of the company. Coca-Cola, Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, Oil of Olay, Schlitz, Dom Perignon, Ben and Jerrys and Estee Lauders Youth Dew are only a few examples of famous brands built around a Trade Secret. A Trademark is important in developing brand awareness for a product. Use a Patent Attorney when approaching the highly specialized area of seeking Trademark protection. I have never seen an entrepreneur successfully navigate the very complex workings of the USPTO. I HAVE seen many attempts to handle the process, all resulting in complete failure. The content of a Trademark can include a customized, identifying icon, stylized brand name and a branding statement. Nike uses the famous slash (icon) the Companys name (recognizable stylized font) and Just Do It! (branding statement). Include all of the elements that the public will recognize in your Trademark application. Look around at local, regional, national and international companies and brands that you see every day. Pats Cheese Steaks in Philadelphia is a local business that has gained great fame and brand recognition and protects their brand with a trademark. It is a destination for visitors to Philly. Chanel, the French haute couture brand, is internationally revered and the classic C that adorns every unit of Chanel product is one of the most recognized brand icons in the world. Truly Nolen, the national pest removal service, trademarks the mouse ears seen on every piece of sales collateral, advertisement and service vehicle the Company uses. Owning a Trademark confers an obligation to police and protect the assigned mark. The inclusion of on every unit of product is essential. Again, consult an attorney. Trademarks can inadvertently become vacated and lost. Copyrights are utilized to protect intellectual property. Movie content, poetry, music, books and plays are copyrighted. We have worked with clients on a number of video and board games. We always copyright the rules and/or the play features of the game. Recently, Dan Brown, the writer of the wildly successful book the The Da Vinci Code, was suited for plagiarism by the British authors of a book about the search for the Holy Grail. The search for the Holy Grail is central to the plot of the The Da Vinci Code. There are full library shelves devoted to the search for the mystical Holy Grail. And yet, during the run-up to the movie release of The Da Vinci Code a legal action involving this intellectual property was commenced. Brown and his publisher vigorously defended their rights under their Copyright protection. They won full vindication from the court. Producers of intellectual content properties (movie studios, record labels, book publishers) are very hesitant to accept unsolicited proposals for review. The Da Vinci Code saga is the reason. Legal action is rife in the area of intellectual property. We all remember things that we saw, heard or experienced from the distant, but dim past. Regurgitating a variation of that experience may find its way to the written page. Voila, was this material plagiarized? Mattel and Hasbro will not review ANY outside toy submissions. Is it not coincidental that there has not been a breakthrough toy introduction in years from Hasbro or Mattel? This is one of the unfortunate byproducts of a litigious society, the limits placed on needed innovations. Protect your intellectual property with a Copyright. I recommend to my clients, before spending a dime on a patent attorney, that they perform a cursory search at the USPTO.Gov web-site by providing all obvious key words applicable to their invention. If a number of patented products come up, and they are spot-on their idea, the item might not be a candidate for a filing. If the field seems open and clean, then I advise hiring the patent attorney to conduct a professional, thorough search. The in-depth search will confirm the potential for successfully obtaining patent protection. Patents are the preferred style of protection for most inventors and entrepreneurs. Patents (utility) are very powerful agents of defense against predators, thieves and knock off artists. Not to be a boor, but, again, utilize the services of a patent attorney. I am always amazed and amused at how many people think they can successfully write, provide highly specific 3-D CAD art, file, handle USPTO objections and move the patent through the labyrinth of a Federal Government bureaucracy. Go Figure! They waste time and money, and usually negate any opportunity to have a re-filed patent successfully obtain a patent number. The Provisional Patent filing is basically a letter that is placed on file with the USPTO. The Provisional filing advises the USPTO of the description of the product you are attempting to develop. The letter has a one-year life cycle and must be extended with a formal patent filing (Utility or Design) or the product is vacated forever. We utilize the Provisional Patent as a fully legal way to state that a product in early stage development is Patent Pending. This filing is also very inexpensive relative to a design or utility patent. A Provisional Patent filing also enables the entrepreneur to have a one year time window to test and gauge market response to the invention. If reaction is positive, then it reinforces the necessity of continuing to devote assets to further development of the opportunity. The Design Patent simply covers art features noted in the application. This is the weakest form of patent protection. A competitor only needs to change a design element, cosmetic feature or add an artisan variant to overcome a Design Patent. However, for products that have real commercial potential, but cannot overcome prior, existing product art to obtain a Utility Patent, the Design Patent offers one potentially important benefit: the option to keep a product suspended in ongoing Patent Pending status. We have done this on a number of occasions. A simple amendment to the initial filing means that a bureaucrat at the USPTO must find the file, pick it up, insert the amended filing detail and re-log the filing. As a result the filing goes to the back of the line and we gain months more Patent Pending protection. Why go through all of this? When a product is in Patent pending mode it has ultimate protection. When a patent number is issued the clock starts ticking on the effective life of protection and details of the novelty of the patented product become public knowledge. Your product is obviated. It can be amazingly simple for the less than scrupulous knock off artist to engineer around your inventions unique features and benefits. By keeping a product in Patent pending limbo we keep the features shrouded from any public awareness. This often leads to a first to market advantage and competition is only aware that there is a Patent pending. The added time that the product obtains, to build and extend sales traction, and begin the branding process is exponentially more valuable than the legal fees required to keep adding elementary addenda to the Design filing. You want to be first to market, and have as much time as possible to stand-alone in a market. The Utility Patent is exceedingly valuable, both as a protective shield against competition and as a business asset. The invention that receives a Utility Patent number from the USPTO is potentially of interest to licensees, partners, investors and venture capital. Most patented products (Utility), however, never make it to market. We often see inventions that are novel, and thus patent possible, but not commercial, or needed, or beneficial. We all know a mad scientist or two, with endless designs, inventions and patents, none of which are ever going to be a market success. The Utility Patent protects the novel features and benefits that the application describes in great detail. The patent attorney will narrate the unique aspects of your invention. They will also mention other patents near your space but painstakingly note the differences inherent to your invention. In addition, a great deal of effort will be devoted to creating 3-D Computer Assisted Design art that portrays your product from every possible angle and graphically depicts the uniqueness of your product. Utility Patent filings rarely sail though the USPTO without being challenged. A competent patent attorney often anticipates the weakness in a filing and has a sheath of retorts ready to address the examiners concerns and questions. This re-directs the file back into the bureaucracy at USPTO. I tell my clients that they can expect up to an 18-month wait before receiving notice of the USPTO decision. However, on several complex filings, I have seen the process take up to six years. Believe me, it is worth the work, the wait and the investment if a successful outcome from the USPTO is achieved. A Utility Patent conveys gravitas. The invention has stood up to the most stringent scrutiny and been accorded the most highly desired verdict: this invention has import.

Geoff Ficke has been a serial entrepreneur for almost 50 years. As a small boy, earning his spending money doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, he learned the value of selling himself, offering service and value for money.After putting himself through the University of Kentucky (B.A. Broadcast Journalism, 1969) and serving in the United States Marine Corp, Mr. Ficke commenced a career in the cosmetic industry. After rising to National Sales Manager for Vidal Sassoon Hair Care at age 28, he then launched a number of ventures, including Rubigo Cosmetics, Parfums Pierre Wulff Paris, Le Bain Couture and Fashion Fragrance. Geoff Ficke and his consulting firm, Duquesa Marketing, Inc. (www.duquesamarketing.com) has assisted businesses large and small, domestic and international, entrepreneurs, inventors and students in new product development, capital formation, licensing, marketing, sales and business plans and successful implementation of his customized strategies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Page Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Business School, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Courses Coming to America: Oil Trading and Price Risk Management Training from The Oxford Princeton Programme

Princeton, NJ July, 2003 - The Oxford Princeton Programme announces the courses Principles of International Oil Trading and Advanced International Oil Trading and Price Risk Management are to be presented in America this fall. Presented in Houston this September 2003, both instructor-led courses delve into the policies and procedures surrounding international oil trading and price risk management.Just added to the public schedule, Principles of International Oil Trading, September 24-26, 2003, covers the basic principles of international oil trading, and the allied fields of supply, transportation and refining. Through the medium of a case study, delegates will address day-to-day problems, and will understand the relevant commercial driving forces in this area. Advanced International Oil Trading and Price Risk Management, September 29-October 1, 2003, is being introduced to North America for the first time. The course covers the advanced trading techniques applicable to the management of price risk in international oil trading. Through a variety of case studies, delegates will learn the techniques involved in trading and how to address the day-to-day problems of managing the price risk associated with the role of producer, refinery, or consumer with an integrated trading position.Both courses are lead by instructor Mr. Robin Burley. Mr. Burley is principal consultant with Kennet Oil Logistics, a company established in 1990 providing expertise in the international supply, trading and transportation sector. Principles of International Oil Trading and Advanced International Oil Trading and Price Risk Management are both three-day intensive courses that are available through The Oxford Princeton Programme's schedule of courses found at www.oxfordprinceton.com. Alternatively, the courses are also available for on-site presentations at any organization. Both courses are part of the Gold Level of The Oxford Princeton Programme, presented by The College of Petroleum and Energy Studies.About The Oxford Princeton Programme:Formed in July 2000 through the merger of The College of Petroleum and Energy Studies and Princeton Energy Programme, The Oxford Princeton Programme is now the world's leading provider of training solutions to the energy, commodity and derivatives industries. In addition to PrincetonLive.com, the energy and commodity web-based training site, The Oxford Princeton Programme offers over 70 instructor-led classroom-training courses, including interactive workshops and in-depth views of specific industry topics. For more information, visit: www.oxfordprinceton.com. The Oxford Princeton Programme is a division of FAME Information Services, Inc.About FAME Information Services, Inc.:FAME Information Services Inc, www.fame.com, is a leader in time-series-based, decision-support solutions for the world's financial and energy markets, delivering enterprise information integration, managed data services and Internet-enabled analytical components and products. FAME also provides complete custom solutions for the management and analysis of historical and reference data through its professional services group. Headquartered in New York City, FAME has over 600 customers in 40 countries and employs over 350 professionals at 16 office locations.

Determining Your Trade Show Objectives

Millions of individuals attend and thousands of companies participate, but relatively few who are involved in trade shows fully understand the exhibit medium. Many exhibitors at the average trade or industrial show make gross errors in their exhibits because they do not know what the medium is or how to use it wisely.There are many reasons why a company enters a trade show, and it is important that a company spell out its objectives before making this decision. These objectives can include: to make sales; to maintain an image and continuing contact with customers; to initiate contact with new customers; to introduce a new product or service; to demonstrate equipment; to offer an opportunity for customers to bring their technical problems and obtain solutions; to obtain feedback from booth visitors; to relate to the competition; etcThe most common objective, of course, is the first one: to make sales and the trade show can play a unique role in leading a prospective buyer from mild interest to the decisive act of placing an order. While making sales and sales contacts is the most common objective of an exhibit, it is certainly not the only one. Participation in a trade show is a good way to sharpen one's sensitivity to the conditions of the marketplace. At a trade show, you can sense the general attitude of people more rapidly than any other way.Pinpoint your objective:In order to utilise the special characteristics of the trade show exhibit to their maximum, you must make it an integral part of the marketing program. You must define exactly what you want your exhibit to accomplish, and then see that all decisions about design, copy, scheduling, and so on, are based on these decisions. It all starts with the company's marketing goals, which are broken down into goals for each division or perhaps for each product or product line.When you set an objective, be sure it is meaningful and measurable. Objectives are written statements of measurable goals, prepared before participation in a trade show. Putting these objectives in writing not only helps you, the exhibitor, clarify your planning, but provides specific guidelines to everyone else involved: design; implementation, participation and evaluation.These objectives have two components:(a) Target audience (to whom, specifically are you communicating?) and(b) Quantifiable objectives: It is not adequate to say 'My objective is to display our new product'. This is not measurable.These statements are measurable: To attract 15% of the total attendees to our booth to see a demonstration of our new product. To communicate Benefit 1 and Benefit 2 about our product to attendees and to obtain 1,200 literature requests and 750 requests for demonstrations of our product.With proper research these can be measured and the data will pinpoint a contribution of the show, will help justify the cost and, will be a benchmark of accomplishment against which future participation can be compared.Plan your objectives:The first groups of question to ask are basic:"What shows shall we enter?" "How much space do we need in each?" " What do we want to say?" " Whom do we want to reach?" "What do we want to accomplish?" "What kind of an exhibit design do we need to achieve our objectives?" "How do we tell our story?"Once these are answered you need to ask: "How much will this cost us?"However, the most important questions to ask and really the place to start, because they get to the essentials of your marketing plan are: "what is the real reason for going into this show at all? "What end do we wish to reach?" and "What are our goals?"Ken MacKenzie's web site "The Marketing Update" is at: http://www.themarketingupdate.com He has had some 30 years experience in small business marketing and public relations and, prior to establishing Ken MacKenzie Communications in 1993, he was a Senior Consultant for over five years with International Public Relations Pty Ltd. He has also consulted to the United States Foreign Commercial Service, based in Sydney Australia. As a Consultant, Ken managed many accounts including Monier Roofing Limited, NUS International Pty Ltd, MasterFoods of Australia, the Jakarta Promotion Board, the Australian Made Campaign, Boral Roofing, Boral Bricks, Boral Plasterboard, Frontline Business Services and Sydney Point of Sale. In his consulting to the United States Department of Commerce in Sydney, Ken served as Principal Advisor to the United States Trade Centre Director on major U.S. trade event planning and implementation of numerous U.S. Government sponsored trade shows covering many different industry groups.

Participating in an Overseas Trade Show

Select a market with care: Study the market before you decide to enter an overseas trade show. You will find that most government agencies have publications and statistics that are helpful. Trade associations, chambers of commerce, foreign consulates also can assist you.Decide your objectives: Why do you want to exhibit? Are you looking for on-the-spot sales or new customers? Do you want to introduce a new product or service? Do you want to find representatives or distributors? Are you interested in a joint venture or licensing arrangements? Perhaps you want to exhibit in order to gain exposure or study the market. Whether you will be represented by one of your own sales people, a representative, or distributor, it is essential that you clearly establish and communicate to this individual your reasons for exhibiting and the results you expect during and after the trade show.Learn all you can about the exhibition: If it is a trade fair, ask the organisers of the event for a catalogue of the previous event. Get the opinions of past exhibitors. Attendance figures are important and can indicate whether a trade show attracts local, national, or international business people. Make certain that no other fair is scheduled that may be better known or more appropriate for your products.Establish a Budget: Make sure you budget includes total costs, not just space and design expenses. Keeping track of expenses will help you budget better next time and facilitate your evaluation of the show's worth.Decide who will staff your exhibit: Your representative should be a decisionmaker, authorised to transact business. If your product is highly technical, think about sending along an engineer. Even if your overseas representative will be at your stand, consider sending someone over to add prestige, lend a hand, evaluate and train your representative, and observe the competition.If you are seeking an overseas representative, invite several candidates to your exhibit for interviews, and then visit the more promising ones before making a final decision. No matter who represents you, make sure you clearly explain the objectives of your participation.Request a good location: The earlier you apply for space the better. Make certain you know all the trade show's rules, exhibiting hours, shipping regulations, design guidelines, and the utilities, services, and facilities available to you. Don't wait until you get to the exhibition to read important literature.Consult early with exhibit designer: Your budget, objectives, and desired impression will be important influences on what your exhibit looks like. Will you be showing one or two new products or your entireline ? Do you want visitors to move through quickly or linger and talk ? If you want to distribute literature or have visitors register, make certain these activities are considered in your exhibit design. For a more effective exhibit, highlight some new product. Remember, an outstanding exhibit cannot be put together overnight.Plan your trip: Decide what other markets you might visit before or after the exhibition, often at no increase in the air fare. Obtain confirmed hotel reservations as soon as your travel plans are firm. Be sure you have a valid passport with current visas and your immunisation record is up to date.Select a freight forwarder: Trade shows often designate "official" frieght forwarders, caterers, maintenance and other service companies. Contact these organisations early to determine their charges and services, make arrangements with them and, get their advice as required. Check on import duties, trade restrictions, required documentation.Initiate promotional activities well in advance: The first step should be to apply for a listing and to consider an advertisement in the official trade show catalogue. Many visitors to a trade show base their schedule of visits to exhibitors on the official show directory. Other ways of attracting prospects to your stand are direct mail invitations, personal contact, and advertising in trade magazines.Ken MacKenzie's web site "The Marketing Update" is at: http://www.themarketingupdate.com He has had some 30 years experience in small business marketing and public relations and, prior to establishing Ken MacKenzie Communications in 1993, he was a Senior Consultant for over five years with International Public Relations Pty Ltd. He has also consulted to the United States Foreign Commercial Service, based in Sydney Australia.As a Consultant, Ken has managed many accounts including Monier Roofing Limited, NUS International Pty Ltd, MasterFoods of Australia, the Jakarta Promotion Board, the Australian Made Campaign, Boral Roofing, Boral Bricks, Boral Plasterboard, Frontline Business Services and Sydney Point of Sale. In his consulting to the United States Department of Commerce in Sydney, Ken served as Principal Advisor to the United States Trade Centre Director on major U.S. trade event planning and implementation of numerous U.S. Government sponsored trade shows covering many different industry groups.

Robert Heuermann, Jr. Named Executive Director of World Trade Center Saint Louis

St. Louis, MO June 25, 2004 -- Robert R. Heuermann, Jr. who is executive director of the St. Louis Center for International Relations, has been named executive director of World Trade Center St. Louis, with responsibility to expand international economic development initiatives and merge administrative functions of the two organizations.As executive director of World Trade Center Saint Louis (WTC-STL), Heuermann will work to strengthen relations with local and international businesses while developing new WTC-STL programs to help local companies enter and conduct business in new global markets, including those in Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, Africa and the Middle East.Heuermann, age 38, also will lead initiatives to intensify promotions and pro-business outreach for both organizations to help generate new overseas trade, reciprocal investment and economic development for enterprises in metro St. Louis. St. Louis Center for International Relations (SLCIR) and World Trade Center Saint Louis will maintain separate identities, yet each will realize additional benefits from the pooling of resources, said Heuermann, who will continue as SLCIR executive director. Both organizations are located at the World Trade Center Building at 121 South Meramec Avenue.Heuermann has been executive director of SLCIR since 1999 and a member of the WTC-STL Board of Directors since 2000. Previously, he was an international marketing consultant for Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Early in his career, he was an independent producer for TV and movies, including National Geographic Television; Paramount Pictures; The A&E Television Network; The History Channel; BBC in London; RTL Television in Berlin; and for Japanese TV in Osaka.World Trade Center Saint Louis is a regional entity serving metropolitan St. Louis, the state of Missouri and Southern Illinois. It offers customized global market research and business intelligence services; conducts more than 30 trade-specific events annually; renders access to global business contacts and resources; and provides international business education programs and seminars. Its license is granted by the World Trade Centers Association in New York City. The St. Louis Center for International Relations is a non-profit entity administered jointly by St. Louis City and St. Louis County governments. Its primary mission is to promote the St. Louis region's international profile and develop socio-economic exchanges with other cities to attract more business investment and to expand educational and cultural opportunities locally. It is the development arm of St. Louis' thirteen sister city relationships and their committees.For more information, contact Robert Heuermann, Jr. at 314.863.6777 or Jeff Dunlap at Powerline Public Relations, LLC in St. Louis at 314.721 5505, or visit the websites www.worldtradecenter-stl.com or www.slcir.org.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

IMF was created to faster economic growth and to decrease the unemployment level in different countries. IMF's purpose is to provide the financial assistance to developing countries that seek it. There are economic policies that enable this initiative. IMF was created in 1944 along with World Bank and it provides aid to countries to pay back the already outstanding debts that the country has. However, countries often can't pay back the debt to IMF itself and are forced to borrowing more money from the Fund.As the indebted countries got into even more debt, the IMF's 'right' was to intervene into their economies, making structural adjustments with the purpose of actually helping to repay debts. Tragically, very often the effects on the economies have been devastating. Generally, the countries are required to: Reduce inflation; Reduction of Imports; Increase of Exports; Restrict flows of capital and goods; Liberalise Trade; Privatise government enterprises; Reduce public spendingThese are part of technical assistance policies, which were used in Poland during post-communism crisis and actually brought about healing to the economy. 'Shock Therapy' is said to have helped the Polish economy. But Poland already had a market price mechanism unlike the other post-communist countries. So whether IMF actually helped Poland still remains a highly controversial issue. But does the fact that policies were successful once mean that they are always successful? As we shall see with the examples of South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia this is not so. We shall now discuss the possible reasons of these policies' failure.Firstly, as said before, IMF encourages countries to increase exports and reduce imports. Generally this is achieved by devaluing their currencies. As might be expected, inflation occurs and the economy as a whole suffers - for example, businesses become under pressure and at risk of collapse. To decrease aggregate demand (which increased after devaluation and resulted in inflation) banks increase interest rates (also, adjusting to an increase in inflation by trying to balance out interest rates and the rate of inflation). Increase in inflation means increase in living costs. Therefore, wages should be adjusted, now that the purchasing power has decreased - i.e. an increase in poverty and inequality. Thus, taxes are cut in an attempt to increase salaries. Businesses collapse. Government runs a budget deficit, since it spends more that it receives through taxation. It might solve the problem by increasing taxation - but this would only get rid of firms and increase cheaper imports. In any case the economy suffers.Trade liberalisation involves the reduction of government control on the labour market and regressive taxation. This, again, aims to increase exports by promoting international trade. However, multinational corporations enter the economy and in the long run completely overtake them.This dark scenario may seem rather theoretical, but in actual fact, this is what is happening today.For example, in Korea, the IMF caused the government to reduce the money supply in order to reduce inflation. However, the interest rates have been greatly increased as well. Speculation of uncertainty surrounding the subject has created instability and panic among the national Korean banks and economy as a whole. IMF, like a medieval doctor, failed to recognise the true needs of the economy and treated it with its usual policies. Critics recognise the failure of IMF as of ignoring Korea's depreciation and fiscal tightening.In Thailand, the situation is little different. IMF's only aim seems to concern balance of payments. This is, again, cured by increasing interest rates, and other fiscal/monetary policies. The main finacial crisis has, as in Korea, been ignored. Investment has decreased and as a result, economy suffers even more. Also, while the baht might have got stronger as a result of increase in interest rates, national corporations and financial structures have been affected since less capital is available.IMF's cure for Indonesia, was again, to increase interest rates. This created instability in financial markets. In response, IMF recommended to close 16 banks. As a result, a lot of capital left Indonesia. Businesses suffered as a result of high interest rates and now weakened currency.The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com. Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at term papers. Get some useful tips for thesis and term paper writing .

How to Prepare For an International Exhibit

Planning to take your exhibition stand overseas? If so, you'll need to know what you're getting into. International trade shows can be a huge investment in money and time-but they can also provide a worthwhile payoff. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most benefit possible from your international exhibit.Pick the right show. Picking the right place to set up your exhibition stand is essential in international exhibiting because your commitment is greater. International exhibition requires a greater investment of time and money than you'll need if you're attending an exhibit closer to home. Do some research to identify your target market in that country, assess need, and understand the culture.Tailor your marketing. How do you appeal to the demographic you're targeting in this country? Chances are, bilingual marketing collateral is just the beginning. You'll also need to know the hot buttons, cultural quirks, and values of this country in order to market to its citizens effectively. Some turns of phrase simply don't translate-pay special attention to this issue with your company name and tagline. And some colours mean different things to different cultures-so the graphics on your exhibition stand will need to take that into account. You may need to hire a consultant, copywriter or designer from the country in order to ensure you don't make any mistakes.Know local product regulations. Do your products meet health and safety regulations overseas, and if not, are there exceptions for international trade? Do you have to fill out certain paperwork or achieve licensure to sell in that country? Make sure you know all the applicable laws that apply to international sale of your product before going in. If you're attending an exhibit that usually sees a lot of international exhibitors, they may be able to help you find this information or point you toward a professional who can.Understand the workers. Every exhibitor relies on the floor workers who help them set up, make sure they have the right technology available, and keep things running smoothly on the floor. Know the cultural expectations-are you supposed to tip? Are there unions involved? Sometimes a cultural misunderstanding could make the workers irate, and this could cause problems for you during the exhibit. Know the rules and cultural expectations, and you should be able to interact smoothly with the workers on the exhibit floor.Be aware of different electronics. Are all your lights, media, and other electronics wired to work in the country? Do you have the right types of plugs to fit in the outlets you'll find there? There can be significant electrical differences between countries, and failing to prepare for them can leave your booth dark on exhibition day.Work with someone who speaks the language. You may need an interpreter during your interactions with customers and exhibit personnel. Even if most of the people in the country speak English, hiring a translator shows goodwill and a desire to meet them on their own cultural footing. When you hire one, it's vital to choose someone who is both a fluent speaker of the language and knowledgeable about your industry. Not all translators are created equally, and even a fluent speaker may not be familiar with your industry jargon or know how to translate it into the other language.Consider hiring native booth attendees. If your booth attendees are native to the country, you'll get a lot of goodwill-especially if you're one of the few foreign companies to take this step. While you can train your own people, having a sales force that understands not just the language but the business culture and sales process in this country will be invaluable.Be aware of cultural differences. How are women treated in a business environment in this culture? Are there any important social rituals you'll need to know in order to negotiate or discuss sales? What do attendees at exhibits in this country expect in terms of behavior and sales process?A lot more goes into preparation for an international exhibit than you'd need for a show in your native country. But if you have the time to prepare, you could open up key international markets for your company. With the proper research and preparation, you're sure to see success.

Mr G. Green works for the exhibition supplies company Just Displays. For more info visit the company website at http://www.justdisplays.co.uk

Book Series Protects Millions of International Travelers from Cultural and Social Embarrassments.

Baltimore, MD July 13, 2004 -- With the continued easing of international travel restrictions and growing interest in international trade and culture, more and more travelers have resumed traveling abroad. Unfortunately, while many of them are making their travel plans, they neglect to anticipate the very real problems and embarrassments they can encounter once their feet touch foreign soil."Do's and Don'ts Around the World: A Country Guide to Cultural and Social Taboos and Etiquette," by Gladson I. Nwanna takes the guesswork out of journeying abroad."Do's and Don'ts Around the World" contains hundreds of country-specific cultural and social do's, don'ts and taboos. Each regional volume contains a separate listing for almost every country in the region. The book addresses such diverse topical areas and concerns as greeting protocols, business etiquette, table manners, tipping guidelines, gift giving, body and sign languages. Readers will find in this book important social and cultural beliefs and practices ranging from the types of gifts to avoid, best types of gifts to give and best time to present gifts to such details as colors, shapes and numbers with culture-specific connotations and much more.In addition, "Do's and Don'ts Around the World" contains basic country information that should be useful to international travelers. Included is information on currency, electricity requirements, emergency telephone codes, shopping, national holidays, banking and business hours. Information conveyed in this book should help relieve some anxiety among foreign travelers and ensure a safe, enjoyable, rewarding and hitch-free trip for millions of overseas-bound travelers by increasing travelers awareness to issues, practices and behavior in other countries."Do's and Don'ts Around The World" will also be useful to every international traveler irrespective of the country of origin or country of destination. Both the business traveler and tourist will benefit from the variety of topics addressed in this book. "The Do's and Don'ts Around the World" covers virtually every country in the world, including every region and continent in the world. The nine books in the series include volumes covering countries in: (1) Europe (2) Asia (3) Oceania and Japan (4) South America (5) Russia and the Independent States (6) Africa (7) USA-Canada-Australia (8) the Caribbean and (9) the Middle East. Individual country reports are also available. Country Reports can be purchased by visiting www.frontlinepublishers.com .Gladson I. Nwanna, Ph.D., is also the author of the bestseller international travel book "Americans Traveling Abroad: What You Should Know Before You Go"; "Americans Living Abroad: What You Should Know While You are There," "American Businesses Abroad: How to Protect Your Assets and Personnel," and "Traveling Abroad 'Post 9-11' and in the Wake of Terrorism: A Practical Guide for Americans & Other International Travelers." Dr. Nwanna is a university professor, a former consultant to the World Bank and a veteran traveler. The Do's and Don'ts Around the World book series is published by Frontline Publishers. Europe 1-890605-00-X, 400 pages; $39.99; South America 1-890605-03-4; 230 pages, $24.99; Africa1-890605- 04-2, 450 pages; $39.99; The Caribbean 1-890605-02-6, 230 pages; $24.99; Asia 1-890605-01-8, 260 pages; $24.99; Russia & The Independent States 1-890605-06-9, 120 pages; $15.99; U.S.A, Canada & Austaralia 1-890605-08-5, 75 pages; $15.99; Oceania & Japan 1-890605-07-7, 200 pages; $19.99; The Middle East1-890605-05-0, 120 pages; $15.99. These books are available at Amazon.com, through major bookstores nationwide or directly from the publisher at 410-922-4903.A copy of your review or any mentions will be appreciated. Editors: Review Copy available upon request. To view a sample Country entry or listing please visit http://www.frontlinepublishers.com/sample.htm

English Courses For International Students

The education system of English courses was developed due to the great demand to learn English because thousands of foreign young people would prefer to get their education in Britain. This demand appeared about fifty years ago when international trade and globalization had grown up to the whole world scale, and more and more young people would like to make a good career and get good jobs at international market arena.Thus, British colleges started offering numerous English courses which were specially designed for international students and could be recognized by educational institutions throughout the world. Most British colleges have provided English courses for international students for over a few decades and, therefore can offer well qualified and experienced teachers who use modern teaching methods in order to give international students maximum opportunity to actually use English in class and help students to learn quickly. Many colleges have Education Advisers who can help English classes students with their practice and choice of English level. Most colleges which are specialized in English courses for international students are recognized as members of British Association of State English Language Teaching. The British Council inspects the English for International Students courses regularly. Many colleges have been accredited by The British Council as part of the English in Britain Accreditation Scheme to insure that their courses reflect students needs and interests. Colleges administrations have developed consultation process at the start of English courses and during the study.English courses curriculum is adopted to international students needs and demands and may vary from very intensive lessons to just a few hours a week. Usually English classes are divided according to the students future career, however most of them are career related.