U.S. taxpayers are still owed $132.9 billion by companies that benefited from the financial bailout and haven’t fully repaid. Some of that money will never be recovered, a government watchdog said.

Big companies like General Motors and AIG, which benefited from the bailout, still owe U.S. taxpayers $132.9 billion. Some of that money will never be recovered, a government watchdog said.

Christy Romero, the acting special inspector general for the $700 billion bailout, has said the bailout that began in September of 2008, could actually last for several more years. Romero told The Associated Press that some bailout programs such as the effort to reduce home foreclosures will last up to 2017 and such programs could cost an additional $50 billion or more.
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American International Group Inc., which is among the largest of the reported 458 bailed-out companies, owes approximately $50 billion. Other big names such as General Motors Co. and Ally Financial Inc. owe $25 billion and about $12 billion respectively.

Unemployment line in SpainSpain Unemployment: Jobless Numbers Pass 5-Million Mark

Cargo containers are seen at the Port of Long Beach, CaliforniaU.S. 4Q GDP Grew 2.8%, Fastest Pace in 2011 — Weaker Q1?

Following the 2008 financial crisis, Congress had authorized $700 billion for the bailout of financial companies and automakers. This is called Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, and about $413 billion was lent out. The government has recovered approximately $318 billion, or about 77 percent of it so far, according to reports. The Treasury bailed out companies in the form of loans and converted its loans to some of the recipients into common shares in those companies.

Reports are that those shares are now trading below Treasury’s break-even prices.

“TARP is not over,” Romero noted in a statement to The AP.

A break down of some of what’s owed

Romero said 371 banks still owe money. Some of those banks are:

- Regions Financial Corp.: $3.5 billion;

- Zions Bancorporation: $1.4 billion;

- Synovus Financial Corp.: $967.9 million;

- Popular Inc.: $935 million;

- First Bancorp of San Juan, Puerto Rico: $400 million; and

- M&T Bank Corp.: $381.5 million.

The Star Tribune reported that Treasury spokesman Matt Anderson said that the department “has made substantial progress winding down TARP and has already recovered more than 77 percent of the funds disbursed for the program, through repayments and other income.”

He added that the department will “continue to balance the important goals of exiting our investments as soon as practicable and maximizing value for taxpayers.”

A company’s reputation is based on the satisfaction level of its customer, its financial performance, and its ability to tackle problems. Here is a list of the worst companies in U.S.
Charter Communications

Charter Communications has been ranked as the worst Internet Service Providers and its services as the worst among all the major national carriers. Charter redirected the error pages and the Windows Live Search results to the Charter’s page, without informing the customers. If any customer wanted to opt out of the option to be redirected, they had to click a link on Charter’s search page. The main problem was that while opting out, the link would install a cookie on the customer’s computers, and in order to delete the cookie, they would be required to opt out again.

In 2008, Charter reportedly deleted the email accounts of 14,000 customers during a routine sweep of the inactive accounts, which made the removed data irretrievable. Though it refused to pay any compensation to the customers, it finally decided to give a $50 account credit to each of the affected user. Its customers generally filed complaints regarding the improper billing practices and the poor customer service.

Four former Charter executives were framed for accounting frauds in 2005. In 2008, Charter announced its plans to monitor the websites visited by its high-speed Internet users via a partnership with NebuAd, but had to change its plan after many customers voiced their concerns. The company has been under financial pressure and filed for bankruptcy in March 2009, but emerged out of it in November 2009.

United Airlines

United Airlines has faced a lot of customer complaints regarding to extremely long delays of the flights, and the exorbitant baggage fees. In 2002, United Airways filed for bankruptcy, as it failed to keep its costs under control, which along with the rising oil prices made United loss $2.14 billion. It tried to cut down costs with its employees, suppliers and contractors. In 2005, it cancelled its pension plans, which was the largest such default in the U.S. corporate history. After implementing a restructuring in 2006, United finally returned to normal operations.

The merger with Continental Airlines had negative impacts on customer services. The Air Line Pilots Associations sued the company saying that the revised operating procedures were inadequate to maintain the levels of safety. The merger led to the check-in kiosks being inoperative, flight delays, and loss of baggage.

Comcast

The company has been in the loop of a lot of criticism for its stance on net neutrality, and poor levels of customer satis
faction. The common complaints included poor communication with the customers when it came to updates and changes in the billing systems, making the channels unavailable for customers who didn’t update to digital cable, long waiting time for technicians, and a very steep increase in prices. Comcast is also stated to having spent millions of dollars on lobbying relations with the government. Though Comcast is a largest cable company on the basis of its revenues, it is equally big when it came to providing the worst customer services.

Time Warner Cable

The company has been into a lot of controversies with regards to bandwidth metering, agreement to local stations, and cable and on-demand channels. The common complaints were centered around fraudulent business acts and bad services, capping the usage by customers, limited support for public access television, and a steep increase in the prices. In 2008, the company started capping the customer’s broadband usage. In 2010, Time Warner Cable’s transmission on the kids channels was interrupted by a programming by Playboy TV for around two hours.

Time Warner enjoyed a long period of monopoly, which enabled it to rule its customers with its own policies, but the increasing competition from the satellite companies, forced Time Warner to provide better services.

Delta Airlines

Delta has been ranked the worst U.S. airline for a long period and the usual complaints revolved around flight delays, exorbitant baggage fees, and service cutbacks. The other controversies the company has been involved related to its free upgrades and lining the pockets of policymakers, a lousy service, and their refusal to let people use their frequent flier miles. In 2005, Delta filed for bankruptcy, owing to increasing fuel prices, lot of competition and a declining inflow of cash. The sacrifices made by all, from the employees to the management, pulled Delta out of bankruptcy in 2007.

Delta acquired Northwest Airlines in 2008, to form the world’s largest airline in terms of schedules passengers carried, after which the level of customer satisfaction dropped further.

Source

Corporations are notorious for being formal and stuffy, but not all big businesses are created equal. Over the last decade, more big-name companies are ditching the standard suit and tie and allowing their employees to wear khakis, jeans, and even (gasp!) flip-flops. These trend-setting companies have gone above and beyond the business norms to provide a comfortable and fun working environment for their employees, while providing awesome amenities like free gym memberships, complimentary dry cleaning, and on-site chefs to meet their daily needs. Check out these 10 big businesses with incredibly casual offices.

1. Google. Google was one of the first companies to adopt the laid-back corporate culture that emphasized creativity and achievements on an individual basis that add to the team’s overall success. One of the company’s 10 principle philosophies is “you can be serious without a suit.” This philosophy speaks volumes for the casual culture of Google. Not only is the dress code casual, but the overall look and feel of the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., is also laid back and fun. Google employees can enjoy ping pong, snacks in the break rooms, video games, and “huddle” rooms for everyone to take a break. Some additional office amenities include massage chairs, foosball and ping pong tables, an onsite gym, haircuts, and complimentary car washes.
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2. Zappos. Zappos has put a lot of emphasis on its company culture and takes pride in being a casual yet successful business. Even though it was acquired by Amazon in 2009, Zappos has managed to hold on to the same values and company missions that it was founded on. Zappos’ casual work environment takes after the Internet marketing and e-commerce industries, which emphasize comfort over formality to help employees produce their very best work.

3.Facebook. Facebook also adopted a Google-like office culture that consists of casually-dressed, but hardworking youngsters. Facebook has offices in more than 15 countries, some of which have bean bag lounges, kegs, on-site chefs, and plenty of places to kick up your feet and relax. At the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., employees have several unique amenities that fit the laid-back online culture. Workers can break a sweat on the outdoor skate park, play some tunes on the office turn tables, and take care of their laundry or leather repairs without leaving work.

4.Electronic Arts. EA is one of the biggest companies in the video game industry, with an estimated 8,000 employees worldwide. Although most of the EA studios and subsidiaries have embraced a informal office culture, the EA campus in Vancouver is one of the most casual and decked-out facilities within the company. The campus has a state-of-the-art building featuring a theater, restaurants, coffee bars, a complete fitness room, and a full-size soccer field. EA Canada is also the company’s largest and oldest studio, so, naturally, it houses the world’s largest video game test operation and many employees take advantage of this cool feature.

5. Twitter. Twitter is an online social networking service that knows how to have fun. The Twitter offices are located in San Francisco, San Antonio, Boston and New York City, and are chock-full of awesome amenities to keep their employees relaxed and satisfied. Twitter employees get to enjoy everything from free gym memberships, complimentary yoga/Pilates and rock climbing classes, as well as on-site laundry and dry cleaning services.

6. Linkedin. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site and its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters has one of the most laid-back offices in the country. LinkedIn employees have many benefits and amenities in the office, such as a 24/7 gym with morning boot camp and afternoon yoga/pilates classes, chair massage,s and weekly lectures from entrepreneurs.

7. Quicken Loans. Quicken Loans’ corporate culture is uniquely different from other big-name companies. According to Quicken Loans, the keys to maintaining its competitiveness and great rapport with customers are the so-called ISMs that make up the company philosophy. The online mortgage lender puts more emphasis on the character and attitude of their employees rather than what they do. To enhance the company culture and give back to its employees, Quicken Loans offers some generous benefits and perks. Employees can enjoy 11 paid holidays per calendar year, free cappuccinos and slushies, concert giveaways, and ATM and dry-cleaning services.

8. AOL. AOL has also taken a casual approach to office culture and design. The Internet services and media company has adapted to changes in online culture by revamping their offices and turning them into inspiring and collaborative workspaces. To make this idea happen, AOL moved its West Coast headquarters to a new space in Palo Alto, Calif. Here, the company did away with private offices and designed open workstations and shared spaces, including a game room, an open kitchen and cafeteria, break rooms, and much more.

9. Genentech. Genentech has been regarded as one of the best and most desirable places to work, thanks to its unbeatable company culture. The biotech firm has garnered a lot of attention for its legendary perks, including doggie day care, weekly Friday night parties, an on-site farmers’ market, and rich stock options. But it’s not just the great perks that keep employees working for Genentech – they’re also attracted to the company’s emphasis on learning and having the freedom to experiment as they like.

10. Apple. Apple is no stranger to the casual corporate culture, so many companies have adopted over the past few years. Since its inception, Apple has fostered innovation and freedom of expression to make great things happen as a team. Apple’s casual corporate atmosphere started from the beginning when Steve Jobs reportedly walked around the office barefoot. Apple employees have some stellar benefits, including excellent health insurance and satisfactory military-leave pay, as well as awesome amenities like Apple product gifts and meals at Caffe Macs, where you might run into Apple’s top executives.

The true enemy is not necessarily Wall Street and its counterparts, it is the Federal Reserve. Wall Street’s greed created the housing bubble and subsequent collapse but it was saved by both the US Treasury and FR. The FR secretly loaned $1.2 trillion in public money to Wall Street firms before the Treasury even stepped in. The FR is the safety net for the criminals of Wall Street and until that source is cut, Wall Street will remain backed by the most powerful corporation in the United States.

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Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give you the future and old age and security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie. They do not fulfil their promise, they never will. Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Let us all unite!”- Charlie Chaplin.

What will the new decade bring for employment and career prospects? An interesting set of statistics posted by the Bureau of Labour offers some insight into trends and provides information on where career and business opportunities might lie.
1) Management and consulting services

Leading the list of five industries with the largest wage and salary employment growth potential in the ten years from 2008 to 2018 is the category of management, scientific and technical consulting services.

The sector falls under professional and business and could see an increase of 82% in employment figures. It will certainly prove to be the decade for consultants and professional advisors.

2) Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities

There is no prize for reckognising this as a growth area for employment. This field, falling under health care and social assistance, is considered to grow by 73% in providing employment and business opportunities.

With the ageing population in almost all parts of the world, it is not difficult to see that providing care for elderly people will be a substantial growth industry. Furthermore, as civilisations become more aware of the rights of disabled people, this in turn will lead to more inclusive care facilities for disabled people.

Besides the trend towards mainstreaming disabled people in schooling and the work environment there is a further push to allow disabled people to live independent lives. This particular trend will lead to a growth in the category described in number three.

3) Home health care services

Another winner in the health care and social assistance sector is the home health care service industry. This is considered to have growth potential of 46% for wage and salary employment.

Allowing the elderly to remain at home and providing assistance with care will become a more humane way of dealing with frail people. Add to this the care of disabled people at home rather than at institutions and one can see this sector could be in for a growth in employment opportunities.

4) Computer system designs

Systems design and related services falling under professional and business sector is considered a growth area in terms of wage and employment and is said to be growing by up to 45% in the period under discussion.

Technological innovation will provide for a large scale requirement for computer systems. Every gadget has a computer chip and operating system. Designing these will allow for more employment. Could it mean that computer science should become a compulsory subject in schools?

5) Retail trade

The retail trade may be growing and showing an increase in wage and employment opportunities of 40% during the term under discussion. Some of this growth could be diversified though in that the retail sector is showing particular growth in the online environment.

Some parts of retail will migrate more towards the computer system design skills set and move away from stacking shelves and ringing up goods on a cash register. Either way, retail will employ more people.

These are some interesting trends and it might be advisable for young people and members of the older generation finding themselves without traditional jobs to focus on acquiring skills in any of the above industry sectors.

Maybe it’s the holiday season, or maybe it’s just the rare sense of appreciation I felt when I noticed the missing number on the monthly invoice. An epiphany even! This company actually wanted, appreciated, and knew how to retain my business.

Moments earlier, after wrestling with a 300 pound Sumo telephone menu system, and after too many wasted minutes waiting to speak to a “representative”, my final conclusion was that I really needed to find a more responsive insurance company.

Consumers waste millions of hours annually punching numbers into keypads, just hoping for the opportunity to scream “representative” at the top of their lungs out of terminal frustration. Yes Virginia, the last thing most companies want you to do is actually speak to a person.
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If I were really cynical, I might even theorize that the larger companies purposely place their dullest, rudest, and most aggravating employees in their service departments. Companies that once had golden reputations now resort to nickel-and-dime service fees that they hide fraudulently on their statements, unfair late-charge practices, and exorbitant credit card interest rates.

Someday I hope to call a major company and speak to a real live person with the ability to get me to the person I need to speak with, without ever listening to a menu.

So let’s all take a minute to show our appreciation to those businesses and professionals out there who don’t torture us with telephone menus and rude employees. Let’s give a firm pat-on-the-back, a written standing ovation, even, to those we have done business with lately who remember what fair, and personalized service is all about.

Please, limit your praise to those you deal with infrequently, where you are not the big customer. And, if you can use services provided by the two companies I mention below, please do so. If we all take the time to find the merchants, professionals, service providers, and general good guys in business out there— well maybe, we’ll convince some of the others to get their heads back on straight.

Vision Payroll is located in Leominster, MA and I forgive their employees for being Red Sox fans. I have no clue how big or small they are, but a friendly and helpful human being answers the phone whenever I call.

Yesterday I realized that my payroll package had not arrived on time (maybe the first time in the four or five years of our relationship). I called; they investigated. They called, took the blame for what was probably a misunderstanding from a conversation a week earlier, and overnight packages to three locations for an on time, no problem, payday.

I am perhaps their smallest client, but they charged me not for anything— not even the normal monthly fee. Not a lot of money, but a wealth of business character.

ImprovementsCatalogue is an Internet Marketing Company located in West Chester, Ohio. Yes, they have a telephone menu, but in the height of the Holiday Season, when our brand new “pop-up” lighted Christmas tree was flawed out-of-the-box, they were mounted on their white horse, ready to save the day for the grandchildren.

One section of lights wasn’t working, and we certainly could have dealt with it.

With a wink of an eye and one little phone call, the real live elf at the end of the line arranged for pick up and delivery (still at the sale price of yore). Our living room was seasonally aglow again in three business days— shipping and handling included.

Let’s all try to spread the idea that smart business practices and true personal service are valuable. Businesses like these deserve recognition— and our patronage. Think about it. Most of the companies you deal with really tick you off— don’t they.

Steve Selengut
sanserve (at) aol.com

My survey produced an interesting anomaly— several respondents felt that excessive consumer spending was the primary cause of the economic problems we face today, and that spending is not to be encouraged.

But the root problem they were correctly speaking to is the source of the spending money, not the spending itself. Spending is essential for demand creation, and increasing demand is what produces jobs.

So why we ask, does government remove the dollars from the economy before they accomplish the demand stimulus “thingie” (highly technical economics jargon)? Nearly half the survey responses observed that consumption taxes (The Fair Tax) are far more productive/creative than income taxes.

The other half wants to replace the IRC (Internal Revenue Code) with a Flat Tax on all forms of income. Both suggestions are simple, and quantum leaps better than anything being seriously considered by congress— “seriously” being the operative word.

A combination of the two— priceless, but later!
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The single, easiest, fastest, biggest, consumer-spending instant winner bonanza is not even a twinkle in an old politician’s eye— there are far too few new politicians. Replace the Social Security Retirement Program with a plain vanilla pension plan, pre-funded by smaller, mandated employee contributions.

The current methodology is simple: it takes money out of our pockets (and our employers) puts it though governmental blenders, and spits out IOUs for a meager benefit at retirement. Why not let the private sector provide pension benefits to all employees under the direction of a trimmed down Social Security bureaucracy?

How? By purchasing Social Security Retirement Income Annuities (SSRIAs). Google “A Capitalist’s Social Security Reform” for the nitty-gritty details, but here’s what we accomplish:

We stimulate spending immediately by only withdrawing 3% of income from 300 million pockets and pocketbooks, and nothing from employer treasuries. We provide demand-push spending money and reduce demand for consumer credit.

And, looking forward an article or two, we collect a tax on every dollar spent in the economy— except those for food, healthcare, and higher education; even from our friends and neighbors in the Underground and Internet economies.

Some SSRIA details include: (1) No sales commission, no more than 10% in an approved list of equities, no multilevel derivatives or open end Mutual Funds, and no speculations; (2) Limited voluntary contributions and unemployed dependent eligibility; (3) Phased in transfer of existing Social Security and government employee pensions (including congress).

Using life annuities + a 50% of cash value, pre-retirement, term-life insurance benefit could prepay retiree Medicare benefits as well!

There are several other ideas on the more-spending-money-in-consumer-pockets agenda, and some thoughts about consumer confidence. It’s tough to be confident, for example, when you click the links between congress and business lobbyists.

It’s tough to be confident when we see Wall Street control its regulators, constantly produce the same speculative garbage, and reward its senior employees and sales persons from the carcasses of mutilated shareholder-owners and “hostaged” taxpayers.

These confidence destroyers can be dealt with, but first the rest of the story, on increasing consumer spending without credit abuse:

One: Reduce the interest rate on all mortgages at least twenty-five basis points, and adjust monthly payments accordingly. The banks owe us, and will make-up the difference from increased business activity.

Two: Bring the credit card mafia to its knees by enforcing reasonable usury laws (a 15% APR cap, for example) and include all fees, late charges and other debris in the calculation. Make minimum payments include a percentage of principal, and treat credit abuse like drug abuse.

Three: Eliminate all nuisance fees, taxes, surcharges, etc, forced on businesses and passed through to consumer statements. A $65 motel room should be a $65 motel room.

Four: Reduce state and local property taxes 10% per year for all persons over age 65, and devise a way to prorate this into rents paid by seniors— i.e., require landlords to pass through their savings.

Five: Eliminate all toll collections on highways, bridges, tunnels, subways etc.— everyone benefits from our transportation resources, the green impact is obvious, and demand for gasoline would be reduced significantly.

Six: Establish a combined federal/state/local $1,000 per month tax-free program for all workers. (The first $12,000 of each person’s income is untaxed). Workers earning less than $12K annually receive the difference in bank account debit cards. Usage could be restricted to essentials (no alcohol, gambling, tobacco, guns, jet skis, etc.)

Seven: Establish a $750 per month workfare program for the unemployed actually seeking work, but requiring no less than twenty hours of community service per week. Offset would be reduced numbers of government workers, shorter unemployment lines, and lower employer overhead expenses.

Thank you again for participating. I hope you all appreciate how important it is for you to help get simple ideas like these into the legislative arena. Find the time to address some of them aggressively in blogs, networks, and communications with elected officials.

Wall Street’s “Emperors New Clothes” game plan has infiltrated the federal government. The financial community has no interest in protecting investors from speculation and our elected representatives seem interested only in expanding their power by catering to the most generous special interests.

Do I hear congressional term limits as a “write-in” candidate for number eight?

Author
Steve Selengut
sanserve (at) aol (dot) com
Author of: “The Brainwashing of the American Investor: The Book that Wall Street Does Not Want YOU to Read”, and “A Millionaire’s Secret Investment Strategy”

Golf is one of those games where business nearly equals pleasure. It’s the sport of choice for corporate czars and tycoons: Bill Gates has shanked and scuffed his way to billion-dollar deals on the golf course.

“Golf is a powerful networking tool when used properly. Top executives in many parts of the world know that once you get a potential client on to the golf course, you can learn all about them. Inevitably it leads to a business relationship. It’s a bond based on competition and rivalry… and friendship,” says Jamie Cunningham, founder of the Corporate Masters tournament and managing director of Professional Sports Group.

It’s easy to see why: top executives would be loath to clear their schedules for a five-hour meeting, but more than willing to play a game of golf. Business need not even be mentioned, until one is at the clubhouse – the 19th hole – which is when most deals are closed.

Cunningham recalls the time he worked with Mark McCormack, IMG founder and the man who invented sports marketing as we know it today. McCormack set up a golf game between top Ryder Cup golfer Bernhard Langer who was brand ambassador for Mercedes Benz and the then Japanese ambassador to Germany. That game directly resulted in upping the quota of imported Mercedes cars in Japan.

Cunningham’s own Middle East Corporate Masters tournament held in the UK is a corporate networking event par excellence. The British telecom company O2 used it as a platform to introduce their services to business leaders, with its corporate sales director closing £5 million worth of business during the event. Closer home, Leisurecorp sold significant amounts of real estate on the back of the Middle East Corporate Masters as its title sponsor.

Donald Trump once declared that some of his biggest business decisions were made on a golf course. The real estate mogul simply uses his playing companion’s on-course behaviour to decide whether he would be a worthwhile business associate.
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“After 18 holes of golf and spending time on the 19th hole, doing actual business is like playing the 20th hole,” he says. Cunningham agrees. “There’s no question that you know more about the person when you play golf together – it’s a very individual game, you discover how they handle success and failure, and whether they are the people that you would want to do business with.”

As for the etiquettes to be followed while doing business on the course, Cunningham is a great believer in being who you are. “Stick to the rules of the game. I don’t believe in letting the opponent win – it’s a bit condescending. A competitive round of golf is enjoyable irrespective of whether you win or lose. If a client relationship hinges on the fact that you let the client win, it perhaps does not augur well for the long- term prospects.”

One of the most fruitful ways of expanding your network is participating in corporate events. Generally, each sponsor and organiser invites their top clients from within the local business community.

While corporate golf is mostly about relaxing and closing deals, what makes it special for professional golfers is the opportunity to find corporate sponsors at the Pro-Am. All one needs to do is pop the question to your multi-millionaire playing partner at the right time… preferably after he has made his first birdie on the 17th hole.

Golf could even be a perfect metaphor for business. After all, it takes pretty much the same skills to succeed at either: stick to the rules while taking risks, show integrity and honesty, establish personal trust to develop long-term relationships, and look the part. In these tough times, golf’s other big life lesson is the importance of planning ahead. You don’t simply play one shot at a time but anticipate and strategise for the course, a sure-shot method to definitely lower your handicap.

So why is golf the sport of international business? In a word, relationships. No other sport, participative or spectator, lends itself to developing lasting professional bonds like golf does. Not all deals are closed on the greens or even at the clubhouse. A round of golf can just be that, a good game with a fellow enthusiast. You win some, you lose some.

There are multimillionaires who don’t take the game seriously at all – golfers like Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan, who, if rumours are to be believed, makes more money betting on golf courses during Pro-Ams than Nike pays him as product endorsement fee. There are other champs like Lance Armstrong who gave up on golf, because it wasn’t helping his self-esteem. But he is vastly outnumbered by the legions of masochists – including Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Jack Welch and Warren Buffet – who will battle the elements for half a day, humiliated by a little dimpled ball and yet come back for more.

Cunningham captures it in a nutshell, “Golf is the perfect combination and the equal playing field for the business world today.” These businesses love golf

The now weakening automobile sector has sponsored a majority of tournaments on various professional Tours and corporate circuits in the past. Mercedes has taken a pride of place on the US PGA Tour by taking the title rights of this winners-only tournament; they also have the Mercedes Championship on the European Tour. Buick (Tiger Woods’ personal sponsor), Chrysler and Ford were all major sponsors on the US PGA Tour. BMW have a presence on both sides of the pond. Volvo has strong connections with the European and Asian PGA Tours.

Banks and consulting firms are two other big sponsors of golf, worldwide. Deustche Bank was a big sponsor on the US PGA Tour. American Express is associated with the $8 million World Golf Championship event, while HSBC hosts the HSBC Champions, one of the biggest events in Asia.

Golf makes sense to electronics and telecom giants as well: Sony, Nokia, AT&T, luxury watchmakers Rolex and Omega are all big supporters of golf. Airlines derive a lot of marketing benefits tying up with the game: Emirates is one of the biggest sponsors in the category, and while it may not sponsor an event, it is widely present in various events as the official airlines.

The tourism authorities of various states and countries like Scotland, Ireland, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, China and several others have joined hands with leading international tournaments in their countries. They not only back up the tournaments financially, but also do several promotional activities around the event.

Apparently appropriate brand names for these TOP BRANDS





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1. 10% market share for Google Chrome.

2. Google’s search engine will lose a significant amount of market share as Live Search’s position will consolidate.

3. Google’s Q&A service, used to implement Google help forums, will become a part of Google Apps.

4. GrandCentral will be publicly available in the US and the interface will integrate with Gmail.

5. Google will launch a mobile browser for feature phones and non-Android smart phones.

6. The popular Google Bookmarks service will improve the way you manage bookmarks, by adding hierarchical labels, sharing options and more intuitive visualizations.

7. Google will bring some of the Chrome features to other browsers.

8. Google Translate will be seamlessly integrated with many Google services and applications.

9. Google Reader will list popular posts shared by the community and you’ll be able to subscribe to OPML files dynamically (the changes will reflect in your subscription list).

10. Google Maps Live – Google’s service will showcase webcams that stream from all around the world, it will include a tab for Google Earth and the most recent custom maps, reviews and map edits from your contacts.

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11. Google Contacts will become a separate application, it will offer advanced search and an option to synchronize contacts data.

12. Google’s efforts to promote Chrome will change people’s perception about Google, which will be increasingly associated with Microsoft.

13. Many high-profile Google employees, including Marissa Mayer, will leave the company.

14. Google Apps will start to be attractive again once the App Engine will be fully released.

15. Personalized search ads for users that are logged in.

16. OneGoogle – a new interface that merges all Google applications so you can quickly switch between Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs without opening a new tab or losing your work.

Source – Googlesystem