CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --While the men's global perfume and fragrances market remains strong-driven by celebrity endorsement and associations with success, until recently, perceptions have remained fixed in China associating fragrance as a female-only category. However, according to new research from Mintel on the perfume and fragrance market in China, perceptions are starting to change and the men's fragrance market is beginning to make a splash, showing 20% growth from 2008 to 2011.

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The value of the men's fragrance market stood at RMB 689 million in 2011 - up 20% in just three years. This compares with growth in the women's category standing at 10%, indicating that there is plenty more room for growth. Mintel's research also shows that a growing number of males are beginning to shift towards prestige fragrance usage. Prestige sales grew in value by 19% to RMB 422 million by 2011. Indeed, while mass fragrance annual percentage growth rate stood at 6% in 2011 - for prestige it was 8%.

Lui Meng Chow, China research analyst at Mintel, said:

"The word perfume often has feminine overtones among male consumers, however, thanks to the popularity of Japanese and Korean TV dramas, fashions from these countries are shaping Chinese men's perceptions of personal grooming. As a result of this trend, younger male consumers are shifting away from their conservative traditions and have been impressed with concepts which promote individual expression. This has caused manufacturers to launch male-specific brands, including toiletries, despite the fact that they were previously associated with being a woman's product."

"Now this trend is extending into prestige and luxury brands and products, from aftershave to eau de toilette. Most Chinese males tend to enter the beauty-care category in the middle to high-end product category, buying into those products with credible quality, thus they are willing to spend more in their first experience of grooming products," Lui Meng Chow continues.

Overall, the fragrance market in China grew 32% in value from RMB 3.2 billion in 2008 to RMB 4.2 billion in 2011. According to Mintel's research, the majority of urban consumers in China use fragrance to become more attractive and well-groomed (60%) or stylish (53%). And as retail channels have developed rapidly, the outlets where Chinese consumers can purchase fragrance have diversified. Today, nearly half (46%) of Chinese consumers say they purchase perfumes and fragrances from a specialist perfume shop, 37% buy at a department store and a similar number (35%) say they purchase online. Meanwhile, 31% claim to purchase fragrances from supermarkets and hypermarkets.

"As the distribution channels for beauty and luxury are growing out from tier one cities, this has created the opportunity for fragrance to grow in the future. Also, as Chinese consumers are gradually expressing their individual identity to reflect their social status, fragrance has become one of the fashion accessories used by consumers to express personality," Lui Meng continues.

Mintel's research also reveals that 80% of urban Chinese consumers claim to wear a fragrance that reflects their personal style, 78% claim that wearing a fragrance helps them stand out more at social or formal gatherings and 45% always look for the latest release of perfumes so as to stay ahead of the trend. However, it's not all about personal image. Some 39% of fragrance users still use fragrance with the more functional purpose of eliminating body odor, and 42% of respondents own or wear fragrance because they received it as a gift.

"Fragrance is regarded as a luxury item, especially if it is internationally branded. Acquiring it means buying into an identity, and also expresses an emotional sense of belonging to a luxury or stylish group identity which serves as a status symbol. Following the implementation of the 1980s Open Door policy, western culture and style have significantly influenced consumer developmental trends in China, with foreign investment also having a major impact on the Chinese economy and income in these regions. All these have resulted in demand for and spending in luxury products including fragrances, toiletries and make-up amongst the affluent and emerging middle income Chinese." Lui Meng concludes.

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The sweet smell of success for men's fragrance category in China

DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Mouser Electronics, Inc., a top global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, extends its gratitude to its supplier partners that co-sponsored the 2012 Izod IndyCar Series. They include TTI, Inc, Sager, Murata, Molex, TE Connectivity, Phoenix Contact, Littelfuse, Panasonic, KEMET, Ohmite, Hammond, Harwin, ebm-papst, Omron, BIVAR, Fluke, and Amphenol.

The racing program is made possible by our co-sponsors, who play a key role in its success. Mouser would like to thank these partners for their commitment and passion for this dynamic program, said Larry Johannes, Mouser Electronics Vice President of Strategic Marketing. Our mutual goal is to provide our customers with a speed-to-market advantage and the high-tech world of IndyCar is the perfect test bed for some of these innovative products. We truly appreciate the support from our supplier partners.

This year, supplier co-sponsors were invited to join Mouser and KV Racing as VIP guests at the high-profile races, which included Long Beach, the Indy 500, the Firestone 550, Sonoma, and Fontana. The guests were shown behind the scenes of the IndyCar industry through meet-and-greets with Tony Kanaan, pit and garage passes, and suite access with a stunning view of each track. Suppliers got to see first-hand how their components and technology play a vital role in this high-performance sport.

To maximize branding and reach new customers, Mouser encourages its supplier partners to take full advantage of their IndyCar sponsorship by co-hosting Indy-themed, customer-centric contests, ads, events and special marketing initiatives.

Littelfuse was proud to join Mouser and KV Racing as co-sponsors of the No. 11 Mouser Electronics/GEICO/KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone IndyCar, said Cathy Whittaker, Director, Global Marketing Communication, Sales Channels & Operations for Littelfuse. Our Speed2Design campaign, coupled with our highly successful Tech Talk program, afforded our contest winners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up-close and personal for a first-hand view of racing technology.It also allowed us to communicate the critical importance of circuit protection across multiple technologies, including wired and wireless race communication between the driver and pit crew.

Participating in the IndyCar race sponsorship program with Mouser has allowed Molex to reach new customers in a unique forum, added Fred Bell, Vice President of Global Distribution at Molex.

With the support of many of Mousers top suppliers, the team experienced a great season, filled with excitement, anticipation, and some very close racing. Champion driver, Tony Kanaan, who drove the No. 11 Mouser Electronics/GEICO/KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone IndyCar, logged seven Top 6 finishes during the 2012 season, including three Top 3 showings a season-high 2nd place at Milwaukee and two outstanding 3rd place finishes at Iowa and the podium finish at the historic Indianapolis 500.

Mouser first set its sights on an IndyCar sponsorship in 2011 as an innovative way to connect with the industrys top engineers and as a high-profile showcase for its valued supplier partnerships. This successful, high-tech showcase united Mouser and KV Racing Technology with IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan behind the wheel. To view a video interview with Kanaan during his recent visit to Mousers corporate headquarters, click on http://mou.sr/GSTKHT.

Throughout the season, engineers were invited to take the Mouser 500 Challenge, a series of three engineering challenges to help find design solutions to various technical problems relating to the high-speed sport of IndyCar. To learn more about Mousers 500 Engineering Challenge and the winners, visit http://www.mouser.com/500challenge/.

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Mouser Electronics Applauds Supplier Partners for 2012 IndyCar Program Success

Giants' Luke Power is chaired off after playing his 300th game. Source: Getty Images

LUKE Power has added to a bulging trophy cabinet by winning the AFL Players' Association's Madden Medal today.

The medal is awarded to the retiring player who has demonstrated on-field excellence, personal development and growth, as well as community spirit over the course of their playing career.

Power retired at the end of the season after playing 302 matches with Brisbane and GWS, including the Lions' three premierships from 2001-03.

"Not too many players retire with three premiership medals, 300 games and the accolade of captaincy at two different clubs," AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis said.

"The respect he has earned from teammates across the board is testament to his endeavour, values and selfless approach to footy.

The work he has done for his fellow players has been exceptional and having worked closely with Luke during his role as a delegate, board member and eventually the President of the AFL Players Association. I can say he is one of the most impressive individuals I have come across in this game. "

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Power wins Madden Medal

GLENWOOD, Ill., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Landauer, Inc. (LDR), a recognized leader in personal and environmental radiation measurement and monitoring, outsourced medical physics services and high quality medical consumable accessories, today announced that it appointed Greg Groenke to President of Landauer's IZI Medical Products business effective immediately.

"Greg is an experienced healthcare professional with a proven track record of leadership and strong operating results," said Bill Saxelby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Landauer, Inc. "Greg's demonstrated proficiency in strategy and product development, along with his medical device regulatory and manufacturing experience within the surgical, orthopedic spine and interventional radiology segments, will enable him to make an immediate impact on our organization."

In this role, Mr. Groenke will set and lead the strategic and operating direction for the IZI Medical Products business. Prior to Landauer, Mr. Groenke served as Senior Vice President/General Manager of Environmental Technologies at Cardinal Health, where he was responsible for a $650 million global business. He has extensive experience in medical device product development and was responsible for business development earlier in his career with Cardinal Health. Prior to joining Cardinal Health, Greg worked for Johnson and Johnson's Ethicon Endo Surgery business.

Mr. Groenke earned a Master in Business Administration from The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from The University of Minnesota.

"Landauer is a world leader in radiation science and services, and I am delighted to join such a dynamic, innovative company," said Mr. Groenke. "I believe there are extraordinary opportunities to grow and build shareholder value as we achieve our strategic growth initiatives. I look forward to working closely with the IZI employees, as well as our customers, shareholders and business partners."

The Company is also very pleased to announce that Helen Shafer, the founder of the IZI business, will continue to work with Greg in a new capacity as Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. "I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Greg and the Landauer team to help realize the full potential of the IZI business that I have grown over the last 15 years. Greg's arrival will give me an opportunity to balance my personal and professional responsibilities, and I am committed to working with Greg to expand the IZI platform."

"The combination of Helen's experience, knowledge of the industry, and her approach to business development coupled with Greg's product development and marketing capabilities will drive continued product development and market expansion for our Medical Products business segment. IZI Medical Products will be an integral part of Landauer's growth strategy going forward," said Saxelby.

About LandauerLandauer is a leading global provider of technical and analytical services to determine occupational and environmental radiation exposure and is the leading domestic provider of outsourced medical physics services. For more than 50 years, the Company has provided complete radiation dosimetry services to hospitals, medical and dental offices, universities, national laboratories, nuclear facilities and other industries in which radiation poses a potential threat to employees. Landauer's services include the manufacture of various types of radiation detection monitors, the distribution and collection of the monitors to and from customers, and the analysis and reporting of exposure findings. The Company provides its dosimetry services to approximately 1.7 million individuals globally. In addition, through its Global Physics Solutions subsidiary, the Company provides therapeutic and imaging physics services to the medical physics community. Through its IZI Medical Products subsidiary, the Company provides medical consumable accessories used in radiology, radiation therapy, and image guided surgery procedures.

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Landauer, Inc. Appoints Greg Groenke To President Of IZI Medical Products

WELCOME to our monthly series called Bible School Business School (BSBS).

Report by Brett Chulu

BSBS takes insights from the historical culture of the ancient Near East as depicted in the Bible, applying them to business, leadership and personal development.

The instalment, a sequel to last months BSBS article, looks at the role of gathering performance evidence and tying together performance and reward management. Our key thought is that performance management is a leadership imperative.

The parable of talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the principles of effective performance management within the context of integrated leadership roles.

Two critical lessons for business leaders who want to build an above-average strategy-execution or performance management culture that outlives individual talent and individual leaders are considered.

The New King James Version (NKJV) renders Matthew 25:19 this way: After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Here is a nugget of wisdom that is often taken as commonsense but is rarely practised.

The lord, who in an organisational setting is a metaphor for the supervisor or leader, must set aside time to settle accounts. It is from this idea of settling accounts that we get the idea of accountability. An effective performance management system leads to a strong accountability culture. Of interest is the manner in which the accounts were settled.

In sharp contrast to prevailing practice in Zimbabwe where the supervisor is the one who normally dominates the performance appraisal conversation, (which in all honesty is more of an interrogation session than a dialogue) the leader in the parable used what we can refer to as the hear the account approach. Matthew 25:20 (NKJV) brings to view this performance appraisal approach: So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. This pattern is repeated with all servants, showing that this was an established performance appraisal practice in the organisation.

Two key components of the hear the account approach emerge. First, it is the supervisee, who must narrate how they have performed. The supervisors key role is to carefully listen to the supervisee narrating the account of his/her performance. This narrative is not an unfocused monologue. The servants in the parable knew the standards on which to report. The pattern of their narratives is consistent: They began by restating the inputs or resources that were made available to them. This was followed by stating the tangible results they brought.

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Performance management a leadership imperative

The personal development professionals at the Self Development Site have announced a new free report on the importance of personal development in honor of the 2012 Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

This mental health week was designed to help more people around the nation understand the serious issues surrounding mental health needs and the way in which personal development can help people overcome certain mental health set backs. Numerous celebrities such as Catherine Zeta Jones and Brooke Shields have been adamant on bringing attention to mental health in the past few years and have helped compound the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Issues to promote mental health awareness during this week long event.

The new report from the Self Development Site will work to compound the efforts of this mental health week and help those who may need some personal development assistance find ways to do so. The report will detail how self development can help individuals in all areas of their live including their careers, relationships, parenting and finances. The new report, which is being offered for free in time for the 2012 Mental Illness Awareness Week is currently available on the company website for free.

To find out more about the company and the best ways to seek professional personal development services visit the company website online at http://selfdevelopmentsite.com/.

Luke McDonald selfdevelopmentsite.com 0061 4001 26 670 Email Information

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Personal Development Company Announces New Report on Self Development in Honor of 2012 Mental Illness Awareness Week

Ceaphas Stubbs | DP

Coursera co-founder and Stanford professor Daphne Koller speaks at College Hall. She hopes Coursera will contribute to the future of online education long-term.

Less than a year ago, 20 people were injured and one killed in a stampede over admission to South Africas University of Johannesburg.

Daphne Koller, co-founder and CEO of the free online course provider Coursera, hopes to end the education scarcity that produced this tragedy. Koller spoke to a full audience in College Hall Thursday afternoon about her companys mission.

Her presentation, entitled The Online Revolution: High-Quality Education for Everyone, began with the social justice implications of Coursera. We have come to the point in this modern world where it is very difficult for a person to make a good life for themselves without access to good education, she said. Coursera aims to bring this access to anyone in the world with Internet connection.

Today, there are 33 universities around the world offering a total of 198 classes through Coursera. Unlike most online course options, Coursera attempts to offer mass education without sacrificing quality. They have selected the best professors from the best universities, said College and Engineering senior Pratham Mittal, who has already taken three classes through Coursera. They havent compromised even a little bit on that.

However, Koller recognizes that there is more to a classroom experience than great professors, since students learn best from active participation. But do large lectures actually give students this opportunity?

When I ask a question in class, 80 percent of the students are still scribbling down what I just said, said Koller, who teaches at Stanford. Theres that group in the back row thats on Facebook, and then theres a smarty pants in the front row who comes out with the answer before everyone has the chance to realize that the question has even been asked.

She added, So the question is answered, the class moves on, and very few people had a chance to really engage with it.

Because it is online, Coursera also allows its students to learn at their own pace. You can actually go back and see the lecture all over again, pause or take a quiz in the middle of class, Mittal said. You also get really good feedback, which is not really common with other online learning platforms. Coursera employs a number of grading methods, including multiple choice and numerical answers.

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Coursera CEO discusses benefits, future of online education

The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, founded by Swami Vishnu-Devananda and led by Swami Sitaramananda, is offering intensive meditation retreats.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

This course is ideal for people at all levels in their meditation practice. In addition, participants will practice yoga postures, Yoga breathing and meditation twice per day, participate in daily Kirtan chanting sessions, enjoy 2 delicious organic, vegetarian meals, and learn about the specifics of meditation from an experienced meditation teacher.

This meditation course is the only one of it's kind in Northern California, based on the traditional methods of Classical Yoga meditation from ancient India.

Benefits of meditation include:

Increased focus and concentration

Lowers blood pressure, naturally

Balances both right and left hemispheres of the brain

Natural energy boost

Increased problem solving ability

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Meditation retreat in California offered in November at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm

Hopkinton's Lesley Reilly recently became one of less than 100 yoga teachers nationally to earn the RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) 500 certification, a Registered Yoga Teacher milestone from the Yoga Alliance, representing 500 hours of certified training.

Reilly is the owner of bCalm Power Yoga in Hopkinton, MA, a Baptiste affiliate studio. Yoga Alliance is the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States. Formed in 1999, it provides standards for yoga teachers and is recognized as a premier designation of certification for yoga teachers. The Yoga Alliance 500 hour standards incorporate technique training, teaching methods, anatomy and physiology study, yoga philosophy and ethics, as well as hands on teaching and observation.

With the 500 hours under her belt, Lesley's enthusiasm about her yoga practice and continuing education is clear.

"I am committed to providing our community with the highest standard of Power Vinyasa yoga. With each hour of training, not only does my own practice deepen, but I feel truly fortunate to pass along that experience to people in the community as well."

bCalm Power Yoga offers a flexible schedule of classes, as well as specialty workshops and teacher training and mentorship. For more information visit http://www.bcalmpoweryoga.com.

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Lesley Reilly earns yoga milestone

Distinctive online fitness site CoreFitnessByJana.com launches Corporate Health & Wellness fitness offerings targeted to small and mid-size companies. The low cost programs can be implemented almost instantaneously in keeping with CoreFitness' mission of making exercise affordable and accessible to everyone, anytime and anywhere.

New York, New York (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

Corporate Health & Wellness programs have been shown through numerous studies to decrease health costs, workers comp and disability claims, reduce absenteeism, and increase employee morale and retention. A recent study has now also proven a significant Corporate Wellness ROI.

CoreFitnessByJana.com's introduction of a low cost Corporate Fitness option recognizes that small and mid size companies need to be able to capitalize on the social and financial benefits of wellness programs within their space and budgetary constraints. And to be effective in today's virtual office environment, wellness programs need to address remote, work from home and traveling employees.

In a recent Humana sponsored survey of 1,000 small business owners, more than 93% of study respondents consider their employees physical and mental health to be important to their financial results, but only one-third express confidence in their ability to help employees manage their well-being.

CoreFitnessByJana's unique approach to Corporate Fitness benefits incorporates online workouts,health and wellness information, as well as, options for on-site group classes and personal training. .CoreFitness' Corporate online fitness videos are accessible to all employees regardless of location and can be done virtually anywhere with little to no equipment. So there is no need for an in-house fully equipped gym. Employees can access the benefits at work in their office, conference room or outside, at home or while on the road. The 10-30 minute workouts are perfect to fit in before, during or after the workday. In addition the CoreFitness health and wellness blog provides information and links to expert advice on fitness, nutrition, injury prevention and motivational insights.

In addition: CoreFitnessByJana can provide live on-site personal training and small group Pilates, Cardio, Boot Camp and Resistance/Sculpting classes as well as discounts for employee in-home private sessions (New York City Only).

CoreFitnessByJana Corporate Fitness Programs can be implemented as an Affinity Program at no cost to the Company or as pmpm Corporate sponsored or subsidized benefit.

About Jana and CoreFitnessByJana:

Certified Pilates Instructor and ACE Certified Personal Trainer Jana Sanford provides private individual and small group training, teaches group classes through her PilatesInThePark program and studios in Manhattan and also developed an online fitness site to provide effective workout options to anyone, anytime and anywhere.

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CoreFitnessByJana.com Launches Corporate Health & Wellness Fitness Programs for Small and Mid Size Businesses