The charity Remembering Srebrenica is looking to sign up young players for their biggest ever memorial football tournament in July.

The 8-3-7-2 tournament is named in honour of the 8,372 men and boys who were killed due to their Muslim faith in the genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995. Thousands of boys and girls across the UK have taken part in this tournament in memory of the victims over the past two years and this year the charity wants to reach even more people.

Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, Chairman of Remembering Srebrenica, says:

“What more powerful way is there than football to unite our young people and inspire them to help kick racism, hatred and intolerance out of our society?

“The schools who sign up to play in this tournament on July 12 stand united with us in remembering Srebrenica through football and learning the lessons from the past to create a better, safer future.”

The tournament is supported by the FA, English schools FA and Kick it Out, as well as a number of high-profile footballers, including Chelsea and Bosnia goalkeeper, Asmir Begović and former England Women’s football captain Casey Stoney MBE, who explains why she supports the tournament:

“We don’t just play football, we are ambassadors and we have the power to make change. I think we should celebrate difference. We should celebrate the fact that we’re all very individual and that should never be something to be held against you. Srebrenica teaches us that it is really important that those issues are raised, we are aware of them and don’t ever forget them.”

Asmir Begović was forced to leave Bosnia as a child and adds:

“I'm proud to support Remembering Srebrenica's 8-3-7-2 Tournament which brings young people together through football to remember the victims and survivors. It's a really powerful way to help the next generation to learn about the importance of tackling hatred and intolerance and help us to build a stronger society."

Full information on how schools or other teams can get their free resources and sign up for the 8-3-7-2 Tournament can be found at www.srebrenica.org.uk/8372-srebrenica-memorial-football-tournament/ or teachers and coaches can e-mail tournament@srebrenica.org.uk

The Ethics Institute, South Africa (TEI) in partnership with the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) in the United Kingdom, launched its latest publication, entitled The Ethics and Compliance Handbook, today at its seventh Annual Conference .

The need for such a publication arose from a global discussion about whether ethics and compliance were the same thing and could be combined in one function in an organisation, or whether they were different and should be separated, and which of the two would be more effective.

The authors of the handbook, Liezl Groenewald from TEI and Guendalina Dondé from the IBE, believe that while ethics and compliance may be two sides of the same coin, there are differences. These differences may end up defining the choices organisations make regarding their ethics and compliance functions.

They say that while ethics implies that people will behave in accordance with a system of common values that are agreed and shared, compliance means that people must do what they are told to do, either by law or by their superiors.

“Ethics indicates that individuals need to rely on their own personal judgement to discern right and wrong, often questioning why they are encouraged to behave in a certain way. Such considerations are far less prominent in the definition of compliance” according to the authors.

According to the authors, organisations need to move beyond a culture characterised by an approach of “everything that is not explicitly forbidden by laws or regulations, is allowed” (compliance). Employees should be encouraged and assisted to use their own judgement and to raise questions and concerns when they are unsure about something. The latter is the role of an ethics practitioner, whereas compliance with the law falls in the remit of a compliance practitioner.

While ethical aspects seem to gain prominence over compliance issues in many US corporations, some multinationals with subsidiaries or offices in South Africa tend to merge ethics and compliance within the same function. Ethics and compliance practitioners represent a relatively young, but rapidly maturing profession that has become increasingly important in many organisations, as companies all over the world have realised that addressing ethics risks, in addition to compliance risks, is crucial to promote long-term sustainability.

Professor Deon Rossouw, CEO of TEI said: “Both unethical and illegal conduct can cause organisations great harm, and jeopardise their sustainability. Consequently, responsible organisations have been implementing measures to protect themselves against illegal and unethical conduct. However, addressing ethics issues often requires a very different approach from addressing compliance issues.”

Philippa Foster Back CBE, Director of the Institute of Business Ethics said: “The international perspective this handbook gives on ethics and compliance and the management of the two functions is a timely insight. Many organisations have come to recognise that to build a positive corporate culture it is important to establish the right mindset. That mindset, which should be based on an ethical framework of corporate values to guide decisions and behaviours, will be encouraged by the creation of a separate ethics function and will lead to better compliance as a result.”

The publication was funded by SNC Lavalin.

For further information:

The Ethics Institute

The Ethics Institute is a non-profit, public benefit organisation, incorporated in September 1999.Our vision of "Building an ethically responsible society" is achieved by forming partnerships with the public and private sectors, and the professions.

We serve as a resource through our thought leadership, research, training, support, assessment and certification activities. Visit our website www.tei.org.za to find out more.

Institute of Business Ethics

The Institute of Business Ethics was established by business people in 1986 to encourage and support high standards of business behaviour based on ethical values.

We raise public awareness of the importance of doing business ethically. We help organisations strengthen their ethics culture through the sharing of knowledge and good practice. We assist in the development, implementation and embedding of effective and relevant corporate ethics and responsibility policies and programmes.

The IBE is a registered charity, funded by corporate and individual subscriptions. Subscriber support, both financial and intellectual, helps us research, publish, provide training and tools to assist in the development of ethical business practice. www.ibe.org.uk @IBEUK

SNC Lavalin

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices in over 50 countries, SNC-Lavalin's employees are proud to build what matters. Our teams provide engineering, procurement construction, completions and commissioning services together with a range of sustaining capital services to clients in our four industry sectors, oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure and power. SNC-Lavalin can also combine these services with its financing and operations and maintenance capabilities to provide complete end-to-end project solutions.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here

An antiques valuation day held in Wilmslow to raise funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice has turned up some rare finds.

The event saw more than thirty members of the public through the doors at the Cheshire pub and restaurant the Coach and Four.

Fine arts expert Adrian Rathbone from Derbyshire based Hansons auctioneers, was delighted to uncover a rare piece of early pottery.

A Staffordshire slipware charger, one of the earliest types of primitive pottery before porcelain, was brought in by a local resident who had inherited it.

Adrian said: “It’s very rare to find a piece like this outside of a museum. The charger dates from around 1720 and will no doubt appeal to connoisseurs as an academic piece of historical importance.”

The charger could fetch between £1,500 and £2,000 and will go into a fine arts auction on June 30.

Anyone keen to know the value of their prized heirlooms can come along for a free valuation in return for a donation to Francis House.

Also of interest were a number of antique silver pieces including a large entrée dish from the early 19thcentury.

“It is very rare to find an entrée dish in solid silver, they are normally plated. I’ve only seen a few in my career. The owner felt it was time for the items to find a new home and was curious about their value,” said Adrian

The dish was valued at around £1,500.

The next valuation day is being held at The Coach & Four, 69/71 Alderley Road, Wilmslow SK9 1PA on Thursday May 18 between 11 am and 2pm.

To celebrate their launch earlier this week, sales and marketing firm Blu-Collab travelled to Sheffield to network with some of the leading figures in the industry.

About Blu-Collab: http://www.blucollab.com/

Last week, the Cardiff-based marketing and sales experts Blu-Collab travelled to Sheffield to network with some of the sector’s leading figureheads. This networking trip was an opportunity for the firm to celebrate the launch of their new office and learn the steps that need to be taken to grow a successful business.

In a recent statement, the firm expressed the importance of building a network of experienced industry professionals and why they think ongoing learning and development is the key to success.

During the networking session, the firm was taught the importance of exercising patience and perseverance to achieve a long term goal. The contractors were also encouraged to surround themselves with strong examples as it will force them to think bigger and aim to achieve more challenging goals.

Discussing the highlights of the trip, Blu Collab’s Managing Director Ryan Caramba-Coker said “This session taught us to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and to take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone. We also learnt the differences between making the right choice and the easy choice and that you will never know your full potential until you fully commit to the goal or task at hand.”

While in Sheffield, Mr Caramba-Cocker was given the opportunity to develop his leadership skills. He met with a leading industry expert who coached him through the final stages of opening up the new office to ensure the launch gets off to a flying start.

Mr Caramba-Cocker said “Meeting with such a great mentor was crucial. He really helped me take my leadership skills to the next level, and we discussed the importance of having high standards and how the first six weeks determine how the next six months will go. I’m now really excited to implement everything I’ve learnt during this trip and I’m feeling extremely optimistic about the future of Blu-Collab.”

Blu-Collab is a sales and marketing firm that specialise in helping their clients increase their brand awareness and customer base by delivering tailor-made marketing campaigns.

You can follow Blu-Collab on Twitter for more information on the firm.

On Saturday April 29th, Nottingham-based outsourced sales and marketing firm, Goldstream Incorporated celebrated the development of one of their contractors, as Conor Dines-Booth completed stage three of the firm’s prestigious business development program.

About Goldstream Incorporated: http://www.goldstreamincorporated.co.uk/

Goldstream Incorporated is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Nottingham. As direct marketing specialists, the company works alongside their clients to create unique marketing campaigns, which will accurately represent their products or services to consumers. Goldstream Incorporated is a young firm with big goals, and they are committed to the development of the people they work with. CEO Dan Coolican is passionate about education and prides himself on his role as a coach and mentor. “One of the things that gives me the most satisfaction is helping assist others on their entrepreneurial journey and watching people achieve their goals and reach their full potential,” said Mr Coolican.

Goldstream Incorporated’s business development program is aimed towards graduates and ambitious career changers looking to learn, grow and develop. Essentially an accelerated learning program, within 6 to 12 months, participants will learn all aspects of the firm’s fundamentals including brand management, client relations, events coordination, marketing and sales strategies, micro-management, and business management. Crucially, the firm offers a stress-free environment for participants to hone their skills and master their art.

Mr Dines-Booth started with Goldstream Incorporated with little experience in sales and marketing, and thanks to the ongoing coaching and guidance, as well as attendance at industry conferences and seminars, he was able to catapult his career to the next level. At Goldstream Incorporated they believe it is important to celebrate business milestones. On Saturday, April 29th, CEO Dan Coolican presented Mr Dines-Booth with a Hugo Boss watch along with a football shirt with the number 23 on the back (Conor’s age) as this has become a company tradition.

After the presentation ceremony, the firm went to Brown’s restaurant for well-earned lunch and drinks, providing a nice setting to relax and converse.

“It’s an exciting time at Goldstream. I am really proud of Conor and the massive strides he has taken in recent months, and I am confident the future is bright,” said Mr Coolican.

One of the primary objectives for Goldstream Incorporated in 2017 is to extend their market reach across the UK. The firm is fortunate to have a client portfolio that supports their ambitions. “The sky is the limit! We have tremendous opportunities to expand our business and establish Goldstream Incorporated as a market leader. We just need to find ambitious and talented individuals to help our business expand, and Conor will be one of those,” said Mr Coolican.

For more information, follow @Gold_StreamInc on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

With the potential for success within the sales industry knowing no bounds, Uproar Vision recently released an exclusive guide to becoming a sales superstar.

About Uproar Vision: http://www.uproarvision.co.uk/

There are endless opportunities in sales; outsourced sales and marketing firm; Uproar Vision offers exclusive opportunities for their sales contractors to take part in optional workshops and networking events, where they can build their knowledge, set personal goals and learn from the best, and gain the skills needed to advance within the industry. However, due to these opportunities, the industry has become incredibly competitive, and without the right mindset, people can fail to reach their potential.

There are a few mindsets that prevent sales success, but as with all challenges, people can overcome these barriers with the correct approach.

Judging potential clients before even speaking to them is a common mindset that prevents success in sales. The judgement is usually based on the thinking of the salesman, which is unfair on the potential client. For a sales professional to close more sales, it is important that they must not pre-judge clients or customers before speaking with them.

Assuming that no one will buy the product or service is another factor standing in the way of making a sale. If an individual goes into a deal thinking that the customer isn't going to buy, they are much less likely to process a sale. Sales professionals must not project their own thoughts on the customer because this will just sabotage their sales success.

A sales professional must believe 100% in the product or service they are selling. The ability to educate the customer about the brand and what is being sold to them will influence how many sales are made.

Uproar Vision creates and manages effective sales and marketing campaigns to help companies increase their consumer base and build stronger long-term relationships with consumers. The company understands the needs of their clients, and supply a marketing service that is tailored to individual requirements. Uproar Vision is tackling these mindsets head on in their workshops and meetings with young sales professionals, to help build a more successful industry.

Source: https://addicted2success.com/success-advice/7-key-mindset-issues-that-are-sabotaging-your-sales-success/

To find out more about Uproar Vision 'like' their Facebook page.

Elite direct marketing agency, Vas Promotions review how brands can bounce back from disaster after highlighting how influential a backlash on social media can be on a brand.

About VAS Promotions: http://www.vaspromotions.com/

The social media era has created a worldwide platform, making it easier than ever for consumer backlash to be heard and causing brands to have to react and deal with PR crisis through compelling brand management.

Last month, US airline United Airlines (with a ‘Fly the friendly skies’ brand value) came massively under fire after video footage of security officers dragging a passenger off a flight (because they overbooked it) in Chicago went viral. According to Brandwatch, between 9th and 11th April, United Airlines was mentioned over 2.5 million times on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with social mentions increasing by 9968% in the first 24 hours after the video was put up. Before the incident, the opinion of the airline on social media was 91% positive which changed to 68.9% negative the day after the footage appeared. Also, the hashtag #Flight3411 collected 547 million social media impressions.

This one example alone demonstrates the power of social media and the impact that it can have on a brand, changing an online perception from positive to negative in a matter of minutes. Social media has been made the easiest and most efficient platform for a severe customer backlash to take place and one that is influential in its nature. PepsiCo was forced to pull its new campaign just three days after the new advert was released, which goes to show just how powerful a customer backlash on social media can be.

Direct marketing agency, Vas Promotions state that during a social media backlash against a brand, it is vital to say sorry and admit wrongdoing. If a brand wants to rebound from a crisis, then they must publicly accept responsibility before moving forward to rebuild the brand's reputation.

The elite direct marketing agency, Vas Promotions specialise in brand promotion and protection. The firm recognises the consequence of brand loyalty in a particularly competitive business world, so work hard alongside their clients and sales contractors to ensure positive brand promotion at all times during the sales and marketing process.

For more information on Vas Promotions follow @Vaspromotions on Twitter and 'like' them on Facebook.

Source: https://www.marketingweek.com/2017/04/24/brands-bounce-back-disaster/

Mother is dying slowly, the wait is unbearable, the pressures insurmountable, the thoughts unbelievable. Surely a gesture towards God's bigger plan is needed? Sisters, Stella and Connie may be different from one another but share a common and profound love for their Mother. Can things really continue as they are?

"If you're going to see one play about the end of life make it this one, as you will laugh far more than you will cry."

Rosemary Branch Theatre 2016

“Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service”. This is what users infected by the WannaCry virus read on their screens after having accidentally let the malware in. Yet despite the ransomware attack affecting a reported 200,000 systems across over 150 countries, and despite the tales of disaster we are reading about in the media, the encouraging news from many organizations is that their business continuity process is preventing a disruption from turning into a crisis.

This is because organizations across the world have been invoking their business continuity procedures, ensuring that their priority activities are carried out, an appropriate level of service is provided to customers and any damage to reputation is limited.

“With a major incident now declared by NHS England, it is evident just how disruptive cyber attacks such as ransomware can be,” said David Thorp, Executive Director of the Business Continuity Institute. “Organizations must have mechanism in place so they are prepared to deal with the consequences of a cyber security incident, or in fact any other type of incident, and can continue as near ‘normal’ operation as possible, while maintaining the confidence of their stakeholders. And Very often the most vulnerable organisations of all are the thousands of SMEs that form the backbone of our economy”

The modern business environment is heavily reliant on IT systems, and although these systems provide many benefits, they also have their pitfalls, which stem from this reliance. Research conducted by the Business Continuity Institute presents the inevitability of an attack with its recent Cyber Resilience Report showing that two-thirds of organizations had experienced an incident during the previous year, and 10% had experienced at least ten.

The dramatic effects of an attack such as last Friday’s should not be underestimated, yet organizations, such as the NHS, have managed to keep operating under attack. This is in large part because NHS trusts are required to have in place an effective business continuity plan and it is testament to the effectiveness of this planning that disruption has not been more severe.

All businesses can develop similar levels of resilience. It is business continuity is that makes an immediate difference during any kind of emergency, crisis or disruption. It is what makes an organization resilient, ready to respond and carry on, even amid difficult circumstances. Yet business continuity cannot be improvised. It requires a knowledge of what to do as well as the support of everyone within the business.

David Thorp added: “The Business Continuity Institute has a range of free resources, via our website, that can be accessed by SMEs who can’t afford to employ BC specialists but who still need to avoid potentially fatal disruptions to their activities. Visit our website to find out more. via our website. If prevention fails it is essential that smooth operations are maintained at all costs… it might be the difference between survival and going out of business.”

Bitcoin Press Release: Cryptocurrency friendly Polybius Project receives support from over 500,000 crypto-community members before the crowdsale launch.

May, 16, 2017, Tallinn, Estonia – Nearing the launch of the crowdfunding campaign for their digital cryptoproject Polybius, the Estonian company Polybius Foundation has declared their starting client base. The 500,000 strong user base of HashFlare cloud mining service, owned by the founders of Polybius Foundation, will help them smash their initial funding goals.

— Co-founder and Chairman of Polybius Foundation, Ivan Turygin

Polybius is the general name for the ecosystem connecting the Digital Pass remote identification service, storage of protected personal data, and financial services through Polybius Bank.

Digital Pass will become the universal all-European counterpart eID, with a wide range of functions, and more versatile than existing electronic identity cards. For example, in EU countries there is to date no single database for people’s health conditions, so with a prescription signed by a doctor in one country, you can’t buy medicine in another country. No educational database exists to record in digital format which courses have been attended, so in order to continue studying in a new place, you often need, as in the old days, documents on paper.

These and other problems will be solved by Digital Pass, developed by Polybius Foundation. Its users will receive a universal digital repository of their personal data in the blockchain, accepted by state and commercial organizations as equivalent to classical ID. For example, when providing urgent medical assistance in a foreign country, medical professionals will have access to their full medical history and insurance information upon a patient’s consent, with no excessive procedures or legal paperwork. A Digital Pass user will be able to decide for themselves which pieces of data to show to whom, while the repository’s security level makes information impossible to access without permission from its owner.

The Digital Pass’ launch will be organized by Polybius Bank, a payment institution under the auspices of Polybius Foundation. In those European countries which do not have their own eID, Polybius, as a banking organization, will be able to issue its own eID, officially recognized by all remaining EU states under the eIDAS directive of July 23rd, 2014.

— Co-founder and Chairman of Polybius Foundation, Ivan Turygin

Polybius’ crowdfunding campaign, in the format of an ICO, starts this May and aims to raise more than $25 million. Everyone taking part in the campaign will be among the first to get a bank account and the first in line for the Digital Pass digital identity. After the project’s launch, everyone is welcome to join it.

Questions from the press and bloggers can be directed to the official Polybius Foundation Spokesperson, Edgar Bers

Learn more about Polybius Project at – http://www.polybius.ioRead the Prospectus at – https://polybius.io/media/prospectus.pdfKnow more about HashCoins at – https://www.hashcoins.comFollow Polybius on Medium at – https://medium.com/@polybiusbankJoin Polybius Telegram group – https://t.me/polybius_enghttps://t.me/polybius_eng

Media Contact

Contact Name: Edgar BersContact Email: edgar.bers@polybius.ioContact Skype: edgar.bersContact Telegram: +37258159212Location: Tallinn, Estonia

Offering self-starter opportunities, Akashic Ventures has recognised that making the move from an employee way of thinking to that of an entrepreneur is incredibly difficult. However, the firm believes it to be a vital step when seeking long-term success.

About Akashic Ventures: http://www.akashicventures.co.uk/

The Leeds-based Event marketing and sales firm, Akashic Ventures work with many young professionals to help them reach their potential and take control of their development. The company has found that many of the professionals they work with are new to the self-starter concept and have never been in a position that requires them to take full control of their own success and progression.

This observation has now led Akashic Ventures to acknowledge the difficulties in moving from an employee outlook to that of an entrepreneur or freelancer who has more control of their responsibilities, actions and success.

The firm has now released a statement that has outlined the differences between entrepreneurs and employees and how people can shift more quickly.

You’re responsible for all decisions - good and bad - Akashic Ventures believe that all aspiring entrepreneurs are gifted with a unique and incredible opportunity to manifest their ideas into fruition in a way that would not be possible if they worked for someone else. However, the firm states that to this, entrepreneurs need to be prepared to make difficult decisions on specific actions that need to be taken. The firm is now advising entrepreneurs to develop a sense of urgency to achieve their goals and understand that some opportunities may not come around often so immediate action must be taken to succeed.

You need to hold both short and long-term visions simultaneously - Akashic Ventures has explained that one of the main differences between being an employee and entrepreneur is that employees are mostly responsible for completing set tasks within a set period. However, entrepreneurs need to be forward-thinking and continually aim to foresee potential opportunities and damaging risks. The firm suggests that individuals become accustomed to the fact that their action or inaction today may have future repercussions on their business.

Feeling uncomfortable is your new ‘comfort zone.’ - Developing a thick skin, remaining focused and tenacious and maintaining positivity after rejections or external doubt are all qualities that Akashic Ventures believe entrepreneurs need to have to separate themselves from the typical employee mentality.

Learning is a continuous journey - All employees have a set job description and are required to have a particular skill set. However, Akashic Ventures believe that successful entrepreneurs need always to aim to develop their skill set and learn from a variety of industries outside of their own, which in turn reduces outsourcing costs.

Love your business, but be objective - Akashic Ventures understand that many employees remain in jobs they are unhappy in or feeling unfulfilled for the sake of a steady salary. However, the firm believes that it is imperative for entrepreneurs to love their business due to the amount of effort and long hours that will be required to make it successful. The firm state that as a result, entrepreneurs should not fall into the trap of acting like an employee within their own business and should always be aiming to work on the business rather than in it.

For more information on Akashic Ventures follow @AkashicVentures or like them on Facebook.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234894

Since opening their doors in 2014, Privilege Promotions have been making waves in the sales and marketing scene, firmly establishing themselves as an innovative company capable of providing unique and personalised services. Managing Director, Will Ross, credits the firm's continued efforts to travel and network with other industry leaders, for their ability to stay ahead of the curve.

About Privilege Promotions: http://www.privilegepromotions.co.uk/about-us/

So far this year, Privilege Promotions has travelled all over the UK, conducting market research and networking in Swansea, Leeds and Manchester. Most recently, CEO Will Ross travelled to Liverpool from the company headquarters in Birmingham, to meet with fellow business owners, in a bid to learn from other sales and marketing specialists and further develop his business leadership skills.

“When visiting our competitors, networking with other CEO's in the industry, I find that we start bouncing ideas off each other,” Will Ross said following his recent visit to Liverpool. “Our meetings typically result in learning more about how to drive sales and better our companies.”

Having already conducted a significant amount of market research in 2017, Mr Ross maintains that travelling for networking purposes is the best thing for Privilege Promotions, as it allows him to find out more about how other markets are performing and how he can improve the firm's approach to business. “Networking provides priceless research; it gives all parties an opportunity to gain an alternative insight into a similar company and how they conduct their business.”

Privilege Promotions is a direct sales and marketing firm which provides clients with a vast and diverse customer base while providing a unique and personalised service to each one of those customers, leaving them feeling valued and respected by the brand. Through providing this service, the firm has managed to expand their clientele 15% since they were established in 2014.

The company will continue their regular business trips, the exposure for their services within new markets has so far generated positive interest in the firm. Their contractors are also confident that they can accelerate their personal development through training in leading small localised campaigns. The company also boasts increased productivity for their clients as a result of their satellite office projects.

New FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens Features Outstanding Sharpness, Fast AF, Compact Design and more

Sony today introduced its furthest reaching E-mount lens, the FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Super Telephoto Zoom (model SEL100400GM).

The new full-frame lens maintains the high standard of resolution that is the hallmark of Sony's flagship lineup of G Master™ lenses, while also offering incredibly fast, precise AF capabilities, a lightweight, portable design and a variety of professional functions and customisability. It's an exceptionally powerful photographic tool for a variety of enthusiast and professional shooters, particularly those that are commonly shooting sports or wildlife.

Uncompromised G Master Design and Performance

A super telephoto zoom that meets the intense build requirements of Sony's acclaimed G Master series lens lineup, the new FE 100-400mm GM model produces outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the lens' zoom and focus ranges and beautiful rendered 'bokeh' or background defocus, ensuring the finest details are brought out in every subject and scene.

The complex design features 22 lens elements configured in 16 different groups, including one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two ED glass elements, all of which are working together to minimise chromatic aberration and ensure the ultimate resolution is captured. The lens also has Sony's original Nano AR coating, which is particularly useful for shooting sports scenes or wildlife, as it reduces unwanted reflections.

Precise, Quick AF Performance

In order to keep up with fast-moving action, the new FE 100-400mm GM super telephoto zoom lens features the combination of a double linear motor and a Direct Drive SSM actuator, which also ensures precise, quiet operation.

The double motor system allows rapid focus lens drive acceleration to capture the sudden motion that is common with sports and wildlife photography, while high precision positioning control and a newly optimised AF algorithm ensure the subject is quickly found and focused on. This ensures that the maximum AF performance of a camera like the new α9 is realised.

Lightweight Design, Extensive Customizability

In order to satisfy the extensive demands of customers craving lighter, smaller and more portable super telephoto lenses, the new FE 100-400mm GM weighs in at a mere 1,395 grams (49.3 ounces), making it among the lightest in its class and an ideal fit for Sony's wide range of compactly designed cameras.

Functionally, the lens has a zoom torque adjustment ring - a first for Sony α - allowing the user to adjust the level of torque in the ring to zoom faster or slower depending on their shooting style. There is also a focus hold button that can also be assigned to variety of functions including focus mode selection, AF area selection or the popular Eye AF lock feature.

The telephoto zoom lens is dust and moisture resistant[i], and has fluorine coating on the front lens that makes it easier to remove dust or grease. There is also a removable tripod mount.

Professional Operation and Reliability

The new FE 100-400mm GM lens features built-in optical image stabilisation, ensuring that sharp images can be captured during handheld shooting. It also offers a minimum focusing range of just 0.98 metres (3.22 feet), which maximises its versatility in the field, and a 9 bladed circular aperture design that produces soft, beautiful bokeh.

The FE 100-400mm GM is compatible with both the 1.4x (model SEL14TC) and 2.0x (model SEL20TC) teleconverters, allowing photographers and videographers to shoot at up to 800mm on full-frame cameras and approximately 1200mm (35mm full-frame equivalent) on APS-C cameras.

A replacement lens hood (model ALC-SH151) for the new lens will also be available.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 100-400mm GMSuper Telephoto Zoom Lens will start to ship in Europe from July 2017 priced at approximately DKK 22,500.

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lensand other Sony α products can be found at http://www.alphauniverse.com, a site built to educate and inspire all fans and customers of the Sony α brand. The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube.

[i] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.

In an industry which relies heavily on the influence of human interaction, Sales and marketing firm, Blue Moose, has decided to dedicate a number of recent meetings on the effects of the Laws of Attraction.

About Blue Moose: http://wearebluemoose.com/

As part of the company’s daily practices, the Manchester-based outsourced sales and marketing specialists Blue Moose, hold daily morning meetings, designed to help develop and grow their contractors understanding of the industry and its practices. This week the firm have been teaching their workforce more about how the laws of attraction influence their particular line of work.

Simply put, the Law of Attraction the belief that everybody possesses the ability to attract or dismiss certain opportunities, based on what they are focusing on. It is believed that everyone is susceptible to the laws which govern the Universe and the fate of everyone.

The general theory is open to interpretation, but the firm's particular approach in the meetings focused on how to implement the Laws of Attraction in a professional capacity. The most important points made during the meetings included discussions on the following:

- "Thinking about something means you invite it in, even if you don't want it."

- "The more you focus on something, the more powerful it becomes."

- "Don't allow yourself to wallow in disappointment or you will only attract negative energy."

The objective of these meetings was to encourage Blue Moose's sales and marketing professionals to make a concerted effort to consider their goals, adapting their mindset accordingly, to achieve success.

Based in Manchester, Blue Moose is an outsourced sales and marketing firm that specialises in personalised marketing services. The company set up and manage their client’s direct marketing needs, which allows them to connect with consumers on a face-to-face basis and encourages sustainable personal business relationships between brand and consumer.

Blue Moose support young entrepreneurs through the firm’s extensive business development opportunity. The company encourages its contractors to have weekly goals, as well as long-term goals as these smaller goals are what helps them and the business stay on track for future success.

Follow Blue Moose on Twitter or like them on Facebook.

Source:

http://www.thelawofattraction.com/what-is-the-law-of-attraction/

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-law-of-attraction-will-improve-your-life-2012-7?IR=T#you-attract-good-or-bad-experiences-based-on-your-thoughts-1

Manchester-based outsourced sales and marketing specialists, Blue Moose, are advocates of entrepreneurship and through their business development program, they support and nurture aspiring entrepreneurs.

About Blue Moose: http://wearebluemoose.com/

By supporting enterprise, Blue Moose are confident they are shaping a brighter future economy. The Manchester-based firm is well known for their free workshops that centre around upskilling and offering alternative perspectives on small business ownership. Keen to boost the local economy Blue Moose reveal what they believe it takes to become an entrepreneurial success:

1. Embrace disruption. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to break the mould, by using initiative, questioning what is already known to become a pioneer is the first step to becoming a success in business. Calculated risk taking demonstrates confidence and ruthless desire to win. Blue Moose encourages their contractors to offer new ideas, and attempt new strategies without the worry that they will be reprimanded if ideas don't go to plan.

2. Become a team player on a diverse team. Individuals who can appreciate the importance of a team effort will achieve more than anyone looking to face future challenges alone. Campaigns and projects require multiple strengths to work seamlessly to produce an overall approach. Blue Moose have a flat hierarchy to promote teamwork.

3. Define your vision of what success looks like. By identifying future goals and creating a vision of how the future should look in 5, 10 and 15 years, it will be easier to set about creating a journey to success.

4. Train every day. It is important to become a master of a chosen trade, by focusing each day on an element which will improve overall functionality will over time create a competitive edge. This action could range from thanking a mentor to touching base with a customer to catch up on how their services are working out and gathering a deeper understanding of their needs.

5. Have fun. Choosing a career path which allows passion and fun to take place daily is much more likely to achieve success. Customers, clients and co-workers will find personal enthusiasm contagious and will lead to trust and confidence within the business and goal attainment is more likely in a positive environment.

Blue Moose is a direct marketing agency that offers ongoing sales solutions for clients in a range of business sectors. Already established in many locations across the UK, Blue Moose is fast becoming one of the country's most successful personalised marketing specialists.

Follow Blue Moose on Twitter or like them on Facebook.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/292076

Thunderobot, the online sales phenomenon for gaming laptops in Asia, is celebrating its arrival in Europe with the introduction of its ST-PLUS laptop, its best-selling international product and favorite among the brand's consumers.

The ST-PLUS offers great game speed thanks to its 7th generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor; it also boasts powerful NVIDIA-GTX 1050Ti graphics, 30% more powerful than the GTX 1050, and comes equipped with a backlit RGB QWERTY keyboard specifically designed for each country.

The laptop design, in elegant grey, offers a sophisticated line with a modern and futuristic touch, plus a weight of just 2.5 kg.

Carlos Patón, product manager in Europe, declares that "our product is designed in detail by gamers for gamers, players who know very well what they need in terms of hardware and accessories. Born for Gaming, Born for Gamers … this is our DNA’”.

From its new European Thunderobot Service Center, based in Barcelona, Thunderobot also offers a remote technical assistance service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, manned by personnel with extensive computer and technological training. The Thunderobot Service Center also has a local stock of spare parts.

Thunderobot is characterized by its development of computers and gaming accessories of maximum performance featuring innovative designs, created in partnership with leading technology companies such as NVIDIA and INTEL.

The Asian manufacturer offers its consumers a unique opportunity during the launch of the ST-PLUS, namely a welcome gift in the form of the Armor Back-Pack, which will be free for the first 300 buyers of the laptop through the web page, www.Thunderobot.eu.

The Armor Back-Pack, featuring interchangeable armor in three colors (black, blue and orange) stands out for its robustness, its huge capacity (up to 17") and its resistance, since it withstands up to 15 kg in weight.

The ST-PLUS model comes onto the market with a retail price of 1,299 euros.

It’s entering the time of year where graduates are starting to consider their future post-education, and Glasgow-based event-marketing specialists Lammas Incrementum are offering graduates a chance to get their future started.

Lammas Incrementum recognise that many graduates find themselves in a catch 22 - they need a job to gain experience, however many firms won't hire those with little to no experience. Lammas Incrementum appreciate the fresh ambition and enthusiasm that graduates can bring to a business, andManaging Director Rory McLeod believes that the firm’s business development program is the perfect fit for graduates looking to get that initial foot in the door.

About Lammas Incrementum: http://www.lammasincrementum.co.uk/about-us/

Lammas Incrementum is an outsourcing solution for brands looking to venture outside of the box. The event marketing experts offer campaigns that deliver an exciting, innovative and eye-catching display to launch a brand to the next level. Their ability to deliver both quality and quantity customer acquisitions has led to client demand for increased representation and market reach. Therefore, they are looking for entrepreneurially-minded individuals who are looking to build experience in a customer focused environment and help take their business to new heights. Mr McLeod believes that ambitious and talented graduates can be the key.

Essentially an accelerated learning program, the firm’s unique business development program teaches participants all aspects of the company’s business fundamentals including; campaign management, client relations, events coordination, marketing and sales strategies, motivational public speaking, recruitment, HR & administration, team leadership and micro-management. Participants receive a personal mentor as well as access to a network of industry professionals. Participants will enjoy the opportunity to hone their skills in a stress-free environment. Completion is projected for eight to twelve months because people learn and retain information at different rates.

Personal development is important at Lammas Incrementum, and they offer on-going coaching and mentoring to help their staff and contractors achieve their goals and reach their full potential. “One of my biggest passions as a business owner is providing others with the opportunity to develop that I was once afforded. If our people are progressing then so are we, it’s a two-way street,” said Mr McLeod.

Managing Director Rory McLeod is passionate about growth and establishing Lammas Incrementum as a market leader in Scotland, and good talent acquisition will play a pivotal role in making that goal become a reality.

Find out more about the firm's unique development opportunities here.

A South Yorkshire firm, Norton Mayfield Architects, have drawn up plans to radically transform The Civic in Barnsley into an exciting new arts building for the community.

Norton Mayfield Architects have contributed their design expertise pro-bono as part of their ongoing commitment to work with local charities.

The Civic, operated by an independent arts charity, is a much loved Grade II listed building that has been part of the town since 1877. After a partial refurbishment, it was given over in Trust to the charity, Barnsley Civic Enterprise Ltd, and reopened in 2009 with a third of the building unfinished and unused. With the recession in full force at the time, the charity had to adapt and make the venue work in its current form.

Now eight years on, The Civic has launched an ambitious £5m fundraising appeal to complete the renovation with the aim of becoming a world-class destination for the arts by 2023. The vision is to open up the whole of The Civic to create a dramatic and inspiring series of spaces including a new theatre, café, and extended gallery; the plans include re-opening The Civic’s historic front doors on Eldon Street.

Alastair Norton, Director of Norton Mayfield Architects said: “We are pleased to support The Civic in achieving their aspirations to restore and renovate this wonderful building. We’ve worked carefully, alongside consultants from Turner and Townsend, to protect the heritage of the existing building and untap its full potential. The Civic promises to be an even greater cultural and civic asset for Barnsley, and we are delighted to be part of its transformation.”

Helen Ball, CEO of The Civic, said: "The Civic represents the heart of Barnsley. With the help of Norton Mayfield Architects, our vision is to reinstate the historic main entrance and re-connect it to the town and its people, returning The Civic to its rightful former glory. We can only do this with the generosity of the business community, philanthropists and individuals, who we are asking to support our £5m campaign.”

The Civic champion, Sir Michael Parkinson is one of many high profile figures backing the campaign.

To find out how to support the appeal go to http://www.barnsleycivic.co.uk/support-us/connect

The
Italian artist Cesare Catania participated as a guest at Lorenzo
Quinn’s gala evening, the Italian-American sculptor, who presented
this year at the 57th
Edition of the Venice Biennial his pharaonic sculpture called
"Support". The artwork, made of composite materials on a
steel frame, represents two white hands coming out of the water and
supporting the 16th-century building on the Grand Canal where the
Hotel Ca' Sagredo stands.

"An
exceptional work of art" said Catania referring to Lorenzo’s
sculpture. "At last something that astonishes.”

Present
at the event, in addition to these artists, even different
authorities, art dealers and guests from around the world.

Press
Office Cesare Catania Art

Contacts:

web:
www.cesarecatania.eu

Social

FB:
https://www.facebook.com/cesarecataniaarte/

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/art_cesarecatania/

Youtube:
https://goo.gl/VYfbZG

Photographer:
www.wladisphoto.com

Blockchain startup Mysterium has released an alpha version of its decentralized VPN offering MYST tokens to early adopters.

Mysterium will provide a secure connection for internet users through its blockchain-based Virtual Private Network (VPN). The platform will use crowdsourced bandwidth to create a network of globally distributed VPN nodes. The alpha version is now live for anyone to join and start contributing their unused bandwidth to the network. Users offering their resources to Mysterium will earn MYST tokens in reward as a form of ’soft mining’, via a proof of contribution system.

Right time right place.

Internet privacy is a growing concern for companies and individuals whose data is often sold on the black market. Cyberattacks have grown to as many as a half million every minute according to MarketResearchFutures. The recent malware attack on the NHS for instance, has brought cybercrime into sharp focus as a major concern for organisations and governments. On Friday the ’WannaCry’ virus took down parts of the NHS IT infrastructure and has since made its way around the globe, corrupting data and threatening privacy. Mysterium’s blockchain-secured VPN can help secure organizations against such threats, many of whom are now rushing to adopt a VPN into their networks and operations.

The Mysterium team is comprised of blockchain experts and IT industry professionals and with its live alpha just launched, Mysterium is in a strong position to scale up. The platform will operate through an integrated trading platform called CORE, providing an online marketplace where both VPN providers and consumers can monetise the give and take of VPN services. The efficiency of combined technologies and network effect is geared towards offering a competitive solution comparing to traditional VPN services, by offering savings that will be passed to the users.

The Mysterium crowdsale starts on the 30th of May. For more information about MYST mining and a guide on how to contribute to the network go here. For more information on the crowdsale visit https://mysterium.network