Archive for February, 2012
Schindler To Install Intuitive PORT Elevator Technology at Luxury Chicago Apartment Tower
Posted: February 14, 2012 at 11:07 pm
MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Schindler Elevator Corporation has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to install its PORT (Personal Occupant Requirement Terminal) elevator technology by real estate development company Related Midwest in Partnership with AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust at 516 Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. A 45-story, 500-unit luxury rental apartment tower, it is the first building in Chicago to benefit from Schindler’s award-winning destination dispatch elevator technology.
Best understood as the central nervous system of a building, the PORT Technology functions as a two-way communication interface between the occupants and the building’s environment. The system’s visible aspect is a sleek, futuristic device positioned at access points and elevators around the building. Behind the stylish touch screen is a powerful patented access control software system, capable not only of calculating the optimum route to any destination within the building, but also of “learning” how its occupants typically move around. With this information, PORT Technology primes the elevators to direct and transport people quickly and safely to their individual destinations. The system uses card readers or other media using RFID technology to identify passengers and automatically call elevators to take them most efficiently to their desired floors, customizing and personalizing each trip to the specific needs of the individuals.
“The PORT Technology recognizes occupants and responds to their individual needs,” says Michael Landis, vice president, Marketing for Schindler. “What makes the system special is the ease with which the building’s manager can design applications to accommodate a wide range of needs in real time. Whether it’s helping to meet new energy- efficiency goals, updating security, scheduling maintenance or adapting to people with special needs, unprecedented levels of customization can be achieved.”
“Related is excited to be the first to bring this innovative technology to Chicago. We continue to pride ourselves on producing only the most cutting edge Real Estate product,” says Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest. “The convenience and luxury this new system will offer our residents is fundamental to the high standard of living we provide.”
PORT Technology Energy-Saving Features
Each PORT terminal’s proximity sensor tells it when to be active and at all other times puts it into low energy consumption mode. When the terminal screen illuminates, an ambient light sensor determines only the brightness level required, again optimizing energy usage. The PORT Technology helps ensure elevator trips are as efficient as possible. This produces a very resourceful use of energy even during heavy traffic. During light traffic the PORT Energy Control Option places nonessential elevators into an energy-conserving standby mode.
Energy Efficient Elevators
Schindler 7000 custom high-rise elevators will transport apartment residents to their destinations. Using the latest technology in elevator design and highly efficient permanent magnet motors, Schindler 7000 elevators feature Power Factor 1 drives that reduce energy consumption by up to 35% compared to standard drives and regenerate energy back into the building’s electrical system. The recovered energy can be used to power other building demands such as lighting, air conditioning or other equipment. The Power Factor 1 drive generates less heat, providing additional savings through reduced cooling requirements for the machine room.
Scheduled to open for residents in May 2013, the building will be an impressive addition to the Chicago skyline offering signature views of Lake Michigan and access to unrivaled amenities. Designed by architects from Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) and constructed by General Contractor Lend Lease, it will include 500 residential rental apartments, a parking garage, and retail space. The development will incorporate sustainable features to increase energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality, and is anticipating LEED Silver certification.
About Related Companies
Related Companies is the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States. Formed over 39 years ago, Related is a fully-integrated, highly diversified industry leader with experience in virtually every aspect of development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing and sales. Headquartered in New York City, Related has offices and major developments in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and South Florida and boasts a team of approximately 2,000 professionals. For more information on Related Companies, please visit http://www.related.com.
About Schindler Elevator Corporation
Schindler Elevator Corporation is the North American operation of the Switzerland-based Schindler Group, a leading global mobility provider with approximately 43,000 employees operating in more than 100 countries. Schindler supports sustainable urban development with safe, reliable and ecologically sound mobility solutions and its equipment moves one billion people every day all over the world. In 2011, Schindler was named one of Forbes Magazine’s 100 Most Innovative Companies, and two of the company’s products received the 2011 Architectural Products’ Product Innovation Award. For additional information about Schindler Elevator Corporation, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.us.schindler.com.
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Schindler To Install Intuitive PORT Elevator Technology at Luxury Chicago Apartment Tower
PPD Recognized for Outstanding Employee Training and Development
Posted: at 11:07 pm
WILMINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Highlighting its commitment to employees and clients, Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD) today announced that Training magazine has named the global contract research organization to the 2012 Training Top 125 list of businesses excelling in employee development.
“The best learning and development organizations, like PPD, support business initiatives tactically and help drive strategic change,” said Lorri Freifeld, editor-in-chief of Training magazine. PPD was recognized during an awards ceremony at the Training 2012 conference February 13 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
PPD’s strategic approach to employee development is designed to drive employee engagement, enhance expertise and deliver client value. PPD training initiatives leverage the latest thinking in learning methodology through a broad array of programs for employees across the global business, from new hires to veteran staff, from generalists to highly trained specialists.
Key to PPD's success in employee training is an effective partnership between its human resources team and its technology, innovation and performance (TIP) group, which integrates training, process improvement, information technology and business analytics.
“Our integrated structure is unique in the CRO industry in that it provides a holistic and integrated approach to continuous improvement,” said Mike Wilkinson, executive vice president and chief information officer for PPD. “We train and develop staff, measure performance against standards, optimize processes, innovate technology and measure post-improvement performance – then initiate additional cycles of continuous improvement.”
PPD’s innovation in employee development includes:
The clinical foundation program, the flagship training program for clinical research associates (CRAs) that addresses theoretical knowledge and practical application, followed by performance-based assessment. In 2011, CenterWatch cited strong CRA training programs as one reason for PPD’s top ranking among CROs in its global survey of clinical research sites. PPD® 3D, a virtual, collaborative environment featuring user-customized avatars that is designed to improve the cost-effectiveness, speed and quality of clinical trial training. PPD adapted its clinical foundation program for the virtual training world, collaborating with ProtonMedia on its ProtoSphere platform. PPD 3D won a Microsoft 2011 Life Sciences Innovation Award. The global leadership program, which develops the strategic and global skills of rising company leaders over a six-month period, increasing their effectiveness in current roles and honing the skills required of future PPD executives. Focus areas include financial acumen, strategic leadership, negotiating skills and personal development planning.
The Training Top 125 list is determined by assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative factors, including financial investment in employee development, the scope of development programs and how closely such development efforts are linked to business goals and objectives.
Training magazine is a 48-year-old professional development magazine written for training, human resources and business management professionals in all industries who advocate for training and workforce development as a business tool.
About PPD
PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 45 countries and more than 11,500 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help clients and partners accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics and maximize the returns on their R&D investments. For more information, visit http://www.ppdi.com.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions, including statements, expectations and assumptions about the PPD employee training and development initiatives and the Training Top 125 awards, contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although PPD attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based and could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Other important factors which could cause future results to differ materially include the following: competition in the outsourcing industry; the ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel, including a new CEO; risks associated with and dependence on strategic relationships; rapid technological advances that make our services less competitive; overall global economic conditions; economic conditions, research and development spending, and outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and government-sponsored research sectors; consolidation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; PPD’s ability to win new business; loss, delay or modification of large contracts; higher-than-expected cancellation rates; the rate of conversion of backlog into revenue; actual operating performance; risks associated with acquisitions and investments; compliance with drug development regulations; changes in the regulation of the drug development process; and the ability to control SG&A spending. PPD assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing PPD’s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
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PPD Recognized for Outstanding Employee Training and Development
''Attack Bunnies'' is Back with More Outrageous Personal and Professional Development Anecdotes
Posted: at 11:07 pm
In the recently launched "Season Two," Jones's greatest gift continues to be his honest and humorous portrayal of the "workplace" through his understanding of the diverse definitions of "work" as relating to jobs, professional courtesy, personal development, professional development, parenting, relationships, interpersonal communication, community affiliations, friendships and sometimes the work involved in simply getting out of bed each morning.
Naples, FL (PRWEB) February 14, 2012
If today’s parents, professionals, partners, and pundits can’t laugh at their own personal and professional mishaps, then marketing-company entrepreneur, humorist, writer, and Missouri native Randall Kenneth Jones invites them to laugh at his on AttackBunnies.com. In the recently launched "Season Two," Jones's greatest gift continues to be his honest and humorous portrayal of the "workplace" through his understanding of the diverse definitions of "work" as relating to jobs, professional courtesy, personal development, professional development, parenting, relationships, interpersonal communication, community affiliations, friendships and sometimes the work involved in simply getting out of bed each morning.
Jones explains, "As I have been described as the 'love child' of Dale Carnegie and David Sedaris, my goal with everything I write is to add humor, honesty and entertainment to (what can be very dry) personal and professional development themes. With pet chicken dinners, ghost sightings, jury duty, an ongoing 'feud' with ABC's Elizabeth Vargas, and a 'near-death experience' at the hands of a prepubescent Jodie Foster, it all made me who I am today."
Containing equal parts business exposé, parenting handbook, sales training text, personal memoir and how-to-not guide, Attack Bunnies is based on the premise that every person you meet and every situation you navigate influences the one multi-faceted person you ultimately become: at home and at the office.
Having first launched in early 2011, Jones and his metaphorical attacking bunnies are back with a brand new series of (pun intended) tails. “Fright of the Lepus," the Season Two opener, recounts Jones's run-in with an enraged office pet. According to Jones, "I am constantly asked why I named this series, 'Attack Bunnies.' My somewhat veiled answer has always been, 'I was at work, I was naked and I was attacked.' To kick off Season Two, I thought it was time to let the bunny out of the bag."
Let it also be said the Motion Picture Association of America would most likely assign a PG-13 rating to Jones's series of essays.
Jones continues, "We are constantly coached to never lose sight of our dreams, but this sermon invariably comes from someone on the cusp of, or in the throes of, fame and rampant success. In truth, the majority of us won't achieve our dreams exactly as planned. Who teaches us how to evolve without fame, fortune and complete-goal realization? How do we achieve a balance between never giving up and embracing our reality? If sharing my whimsical journey--the good, the bad, the ugly, and the bunny--enables others to more easily recognize those situations that have impacted their personal and professional growth, and start to learn how to celebrate who they have become, then I'm a huge success."
Contacts:
Randall Kenneth Jones
239-304-9611
Virginia Canard
571-439-4709
ABOUT: Randall Kenneth Jones's 25+ year career has been spent in executive management, creative development, marketing and sales positions in the advertising, direct marketing, retail and newspaper publishing industries primarily in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. His marketing communications agency, MindZoo, is now based in Naples, Florida. Founded in 2001, MindZoo strives to deliver unbridled creativity, proven experience, a positive approach and matchless professional courtesy to each and every business relationship. Jones's other editorial page, RediscoverCourtesy.org, launched in late 2011 with the goal of shining a much-needed light on professional courtesy. For more information call 239-304-9611 or visit attackbunnies.com,rediscovercourtesy.org or mindzoo.com.
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Randy Jones
MindZoo
239-304-9611
Email Information
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''Attack Bunnies'' is Back with More Outrageous Personal and Professional Development Anecdotes
Your TRU Story – Video
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Your TRU Story - Video
Faisal Bashir – Business Manager, Bayt.com interviewed on Dubai One – Video
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Faisal Bashir - Business Manager, Bayt.com interviewed on Dubai One - Video
Episode 2 – Tools for Online Learning.mp4 – Video
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Episode 2 - Tools for Online Learning.mp4 - Video
Education Management Corporation (EDMC) Welcomes Lieutenant General John (Jack) W. Bergman, a Strong Advocate for …
Posted: at 11:06 pm
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Management Corporation (NASDAQ: EDMC - News), one of the largest providers of post-secondary education in North America, welcomes Lieutenant General John (Jack) W. Bergman, United States Marine Corps (retired), a lifelong advocate for ensuring that our nation's military members are provided with worthwhile, broadbased educational benefits in their quest to transition from service to civilian life.
An authority on organizational leadership, General Bergman will serve in a key leadership role to our 107 schools nationwide in an effort to assist enlisted military and veteran students with meeting their educational goals in order to start the next phase of their careers.
"Veterans expect and respect straight forward, imaginative, quality education and training," General Bergman said. "EDMC will continue to meet and exceed veterans' expectations and I am very excited to play a role in that effort."
General Bergman will liaise with government leaders on ensuring that student-veterans have every opportunity to make a smooth transition to civilian life. General Bergman has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs, saying that student-veterans need "education opportunities and benefits that are basically equitable and easy to utilize."
"We are pleased with General Bergman's recognition of the importance of our programs' flexibility and convenience in ensuring that we are delivering a quality education that meets the needs of our country's men and women in uniform," said Tony Guida, Senior Vice President, EDMC External Affairs.
Recently, General Bergman toured The Illinois Institute of Art — Chicago (ILIA — Chicago), met with student-veterans and had lunch at Backstage Bistro, the restaurant run by ILIA — Chicago culinary students. The General also paid a visit to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, meeting with student-veterans.
About Education Management
Education Management Corporation (www.edmc.com) is among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue, with a total of 107 locations in 32 U.S. states and Canada. We offer academic programs to our students through campus-based and online instruction, or through a combination of both. We are committed to offering quality academic programs and continuously strive to improve the learning experience for our students. Our educational institutions offer students the opportunity to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees and certain specialized non-degree diplomas in a broad range of disciplines, including design, media arts, health sciences, psychology and behavioral sciences, culinary, fashion, business, education, legal and information technology.
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Education Management Corporation (EDMC) Welcomes Lieutenant General John (Jack) W. Bergman, a Strong Advocate for ...
Cara Moore – Life Coaching – what it is and its benefits – Video
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Cara Moore - Life Coaching - what it is and its benefits - Video
FHL Coaching Spotlight
Posted: at 1:49 pm
February 14, 2012 - Federal Hockey League (FHL) Chris Firriolo likes to talk about the sport he loves but sometimes you can also get him to discuss the other things he's done in his life.
Invariably, the subject will always revert to hockey.
No matter where Firriolo has been and what he has done in the past, all roads lead back to hockey for the 45-year-old head coach and team President of the Federal League's first-place New Jersey Outlaws.
All roads. And there have been many.
Firriolo's resume includes playing minor league baseball in the Montreal Expos' organization with Jamestown (New York) of the New York-Penn League and with West Palm Beach of the Florida State League in the mid 80s as well as playing Junior A hockey in North York, Ontario at a time when few Americans played at that level in Canada.
"When I graduated from high school I had an opportunity to go to college, a Division One college hockey scholarship or baseball scholarship and it was interesting because I was at the crossroads of my life and I chose baseball," said Firriolo who played third base and did some pitching with a low-90s fastball.
"I lasted thirty days in school cause I missed hockey so much so I left to go play junior hockey in Canada and when I got back that summer-I was eighteen-I was offered a free agent contract with the Montreal Expos in their minor league system," added Firriolo.
"And in the next couple years after that I was going back and playing junior hockey and playing baseball back and forth. My true passion was hockey. I was probably a better hockey player."
Firriolo, a 6-2, 195 pound defenseman who said his best attribute as a hockey player was that he had a good head for the game, was invited to Western Professional Hockey League and East Coast League training camps but stayed with baseball after he finished his junior hockey career because of the money.
"I was...do I pursue what I really loved or do I continue to make money playing baseball? It was a really hard decision and I ended up choosing to earn a living," he said.
"For me like it was a situation where it was all about money and longevity and then when I stopped playing ball one of my old coaches called me and I got right into coaching hockey and I've been coaching now forever."
The road took yet another turn for Firriolo who went back to college and graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey with a fine arts degree in the early 90s.
"I left the sports world for a while and I worked in the film and theater industry as a writer and director for about six years," said Firriolo.
His work as the artistic director of a professional regional theater company in New Jersey was quite extensive. "I've probably directed over sixty professional stage productions, 19 Shakespearean productions," said Firriolo.
While he has never personally visited the city of Cannes on the French Riviera, the movie Firriolo wrote, produced and directed, "Color of Love" made it there to the famous Cannes Film Festival where it premiered in 1999.
"Color of Love" is the story of two friends, one white and one black, whose lives take divergent paths, something the author certainly has enough experience with to write about.
Though he may one day return to the theater, directing the fortunes of hockey teams was ultimately where the Manhattan-born father of two teenage sons belonged.
"I was in New Jersey for a while early on in my coaching career," he said. "I took this U18 [under 18] Select team to travel all over North America playing an 80-game schedule against the top players in the world. That was fun because you really had a chance to have a direct impact on young guys' lives as hockey players and young men."
In addition to Select teams, Firriolo coached Oswego of the Junior A Ontario Provincial Hockey League, Syracuse of the Eastern Junior League and Team Ontario in the pre-draft showcase in Boston.
"Every year before the NHL draft they take the top players in the Province of Ontario, the Province of Quebec, Minnesota, Michigan, they come down to Boston to the pre-draft showcase. They play in front of all the NHL scouts. I worked with the guys in Boston so I used to coach the Ontario team. All those guys every year, like eighteen out of twenty guys were first or second round draft picks. It was impressive.
"Over the years I've probably coached over about two or three hundred NHL draft picks. And then I've coached five or six hundred NCAA divisional players. It's a labor of love."
Firriolo became a professional coach with the Brooklyn Aces of the Eastern Professional Hockey League in 2008-09 when he was contacted by Curt Russell who offered him a job coaching the New Jersey Rockhoppers. He also mentioned Brooklyn as another possibility. Firriolo chose Brooklyn which eventually lost the EPHL championship playoff series to New Jersey in three games after finishing first in the regular season.
"It was a good, fun year. We had a very good team that year," said the coach.
The EPHL folded after one season and Firriolo moved on to Danbury where he led the Whalers to a near upset of the first-place New York (now Brooklyn) Aviators in the first round of the FHL playoffs last year, losing the decisive fifth game in overtime on the road.
"We should have won that game," said Firriolo. "We were playing short [due to injuries]. We were winning 3-2 with eight minutes left. We had one natural defenseman. We had to move three guys back. I think Nicky Grove scored to tie it up. When it went into overtime I said Matt Puntureri is going to beat us in overtime."
Firriolo was absolutely right which is probably why he made Puntureri the first player acquired by the Outlaws in a cash deal last May.
After working with team owners Alan Friedman and Herm Sorcher in both Brooklyn and Danbury, Firriolo felt it was time to move on.
"I left there for a number of reasons," he said, "but my answer on the record is going to be just it was time. For me, like, I enjoyed building the program with those guys but from a career standpoint and what was best for my family being closer to home-it's just five minutes from where I live [Montville, NJ]-and I get to see my boys every day and it's just better for my family.
"It has nothing to do with those guys and I wish them the best of luck. I'm proud of what they're doing there and we obviously play them, the enemy, but I always wish those two guys all the success in the world. They're two good guys."
Firriolo is now very happy working for team owner Kristin Ann Rooney, an attorney from Arizona.
"We have an owner who's allowed me to do what I need to do to be successful in the sense of being supportive and making the decisions," he said. "Sometimes owners want their hand in the pot making some of the hockey decisions and she's kind of said, hey, you've got more experience than most, you've been successful and I'm going to give you the reins."
Reins firmly in hand, Firriolo has put together a team that is statistically dominating the FHL with a .814 win percentage through 43 games (37-6, 105 points) to lead its nearest rival by 19 points and leads the league in power play percentage (28.04). New Jersey is second to 1000 Islands in penalty killing (84.44-83.93).
Goaltender Adam Dekker is 16-4 with a 2.60 goals against average and leads the league with four shutouts and a .924 save percentage while Dan McWhinney is 20-3, leads the FHL with a 2.56 goals against average and has a .921 save percentage.
Four of the top eight scorers in the Federal League belong to the Outlaws though Jeff Winchester, acquired from 1000 Islands, has played only three games for his new team so far. He is a whopping +67 with 67 points on 15 goals and 52 assists. Travis Kauffeldt has 36 goals, 47 assists, 83 points and is +42 while Kevin Cooper has 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists, +51). Puntureri is +27 with 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points.
Firriolo rightfully takes enormous pride in his sons Anthony (13) and Chris (15) and says, "I feel very blessed."
He adds, "Anthony is a very, very good hockey player. He's probably right now at his age probably five times better than I was at that age and Chris is a phenomenal soccer player and a pretty good basketball player."
Firriolo feels pride in his hockey team too.
"We've got a great group of guys. This is the best core guys I've had in the locker room. They've got a lot of experience at the pro level. Our record speaks for itself," he said.
"If we achieve our goal at the end of the year and win a championship it's going to be because these guys worked their tails off."
The coach has also worked his tail off, not only putting the team together but helping put the league together in the beginning, another surprise on his resume.
Federal League Commissioner Don Kirnan, a big Yankee fan, remembers attending a game in the Bronx when the league was in the planning stage and driving home to Syracuse in a terrible storm, arriving very early in the morning.
Firriolo was there waiting to meet Kirnan when he got home so they could hit the road to check out new cities and arenas for the league.
"I told Chris I needed two hours sleep," said Kirnan. "He said he'd drive the first two hours."
There's that road again. The road that brings Chris Firriolo back to hockey every time.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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FHL Coaching Spotlight
Frugal Tip: Keep Healthy Snacks
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Frugal Tip: Keep Healthy Snacks