AT the base of every company lies an essential ingredient human resources. Without people, no company would be able to function. Implementation of strategies and running of the company would not be possible.

Mazda Motor Corp representative director, president and chief executive officer Takashi Yamanouchi believes that investing in people is important and aims to build a company that employs people who enjoy their work.

In my career, I've spent nine years on human resources development. Throughout that period, I truly felt the company is made of people and we need to ensure they are constantly motivated and their capabilities are developed, he says.

Mazda has implemented training programmes based on the seven Mazda Way principles, which is shared with the entire Mazda group worldwide. In 2008, the company summarised seven basic principles and values that were handed down from its predecessors.

The seven principles integrity, basic and flawless execution, continuous kaizen (improvement), challenger spirit, self initiative, tomoiku (mutual learning) and one Mazda are instilled into employees of Mazda to be sincere, faithful to the basics, to have a challenging spirit, to mutually develop others as well as yourself, among others.

We use the seven Mazda Way principles as guiding principles for general conduct, Yamanouchi says.

Loyal to Mazda

For someone who has been with the company for more than four decades, Yamanouchi clearly has adopted the Mazda Way and is full of energy and excitement for what the future holds for Mazda. Joining the company in April 1967, which was then called Toyo Kogyo Co Ltd, he has been involved in a variety of roles, slowly climbing up the ranks to be where he is right now.

In my 20s I worked for Japan's marketing and sales division. Then in my 30s I was dispatched to several dealerships in Japan to learn the retail side of the business. In my 40s after I completed my business management studies in the United States, I decided to change from the sales division to corporate planning. Then in my 50s, I was appointed as a corporate officer responsible for corporate planning, financial management, purchasing, human resource development and others, he says.

Yamanouchi jokes: I've been here too long.

The rest is here:
14. Up close & personal with Takashi Yamanouchi

LONDON - Britain's Jessica Ennis stared at the scoreboard, waiting for her time to post, and then thrust her arms into the air.

Another personal best. Another crowd-pleasing performance.

Ennis closed out the first day of the Olympic heptathlon by running the 200 metres in a personal-record 22.83 seconds to take a 184-point lead with three events left.

Ennis, who opened the Olympic track meet Friday morning by running the 100-meter hurdles in a heptathlon record of 12.54 seconds, returned for the night session and picked up where she left off.

Competing in front of a capacity crowd at Olympic Stadium, many of them waving British flags, Ennis recorded a shot put of 14.28 metres (46 feet, 10 1/4 inches), then closed the night with another fast time on the track.

She finished with 4,158 points, while Lithuania's Austra Skujyte had 3,974 and Canada's Jessica Zelinka had 3,903.

"I'm absolutely elated with today, to have performed like that with two personal bests and to end it with a PB was a brilliant start to the (heptathlon)," Ennis said.

She had reason to be thrilled.

With nearly all 80,000 seats filled for the first taste of Olympic track and field, Ennis wowed the home crowd by finishing the 100-meter hurdles in the fastest time ever in the heptathlon's first event.

How fast? It matched Dawn Harper's gold-winning time in the 100-meter hurdles final at the Beijing Games and would've been good enough to take that title at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

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Ennis runs personal best in 200, takes 184-point lead after Day 1 of Olympic heptathlon

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Cameron Yadidi Brock is the kind of personal injury attorney in Los Angeles you want on your side when catastrophe strikes. He and his team at The Law Offices of Burg & Brock, Inc. are on your side, with a staggering 97% success rate, and with their proven track record for success, and never-give-up attitude, are the people you want in your corner.

In the face of any high profile misfortune, the media will always pick up on some of the stories of legal proceedings. A suspect will be arraigned, and a trial will often be held. There may eventually be related trials for charges like criminal negligence as the legal system seeks justice like it was designed to do. As imperfect as our legal system is, it will proceed this way for the foreseeable future. In some places where the criminal justice system fails or is inadequate, the civil courts will pick up slack, and try to find justice on a more individual basis. In the process we hope that individuals or entities - even monolithic corporate structures be shown the error of their ways by a personal injury lawyer, even with that word so many Americans dread: lawsuit.

Thus it is only inevitable that citizens who feel victimized or wronged, even in the face of a national tragedy, find their own way of making it right. After a large scale tragic event, injured, and non-injured citizens alike will consult with attorneys and build their cases. While the media may find fault with "blaming" entities outside of an individual or group whose responsibility appears obvious, the truth is much more subtle.

For example: The chaos that ensues in an emergency can sometimes make it obvious that a manager was negligent in the training of his or her employees. Faulty emergency exits or signs can contribute to a chaotic situation. The point is that a party has certain responsibilities full time. The fact that an individual actor triggered the emergency - and certainly may bear full responsibility for their deeds - does not forgive the negligence or impropriety of another entity on the periphery of the situation.

Cameron Yadidi Brock of The Law Offices of Burg & Brock, Inc. wishes for the people of southern California to have faith in the civil courts when the worst happens in their lives. "Institutions like insurance companies and other business entities aren't always your friend, but your lawyer is," he points out. "They'll scramble to protect their money, and try very hard to make you feel powerless, but you're not." A tragedy on a national scale is not the only situation deserving of legal representation. If you've been injured in an auto accident, slipped and fallen outside your home, been attacked by someone else's pet, or any of a litany of possible situations, you should give a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles at The Law Office of Burg & Brock a call.

PR Submitted by http://www.cyberset.com

Continued here:
Consulting an Attorney's Office: Never the Wrong Decision

by Cathy Rose A. Garcia, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - When it comes to saving money, most Filipinos seem to be content to deposit their hard-earned money in the bank, thinking that interest from the time deposits would be enough to make their money grow. But with the low interest rates, it's no longer enough.

Investing is key to personal financial success, but why don't people invest more? Some say they don't have extra money to invest, others say they don't know where to invest their money. Some are worried about the risks involved in investing, while others are admit they don't know much about investments at all.

"The investment literacy of Filipinos is not that great," BDO Trust & Investments Group senior vice president Ma. Lourdes T. de Vera told ABS-CBNnews.com in a recent interview.

"Ang alam lang natin ay bank deposits, paluwagan. But investing is for everyone, not just the super-rich. But the bottomline is - investing is a need, not a choice,"

De Vera said people need to start saving and investing their money for the future. "We all know that we need to save and invest because we don't want to work forever. One day we want to rest and we don't know until when we can work. Investing provides you with more options," de Vera said.

But the question remains, how do you start saving and where do you invest your hard-earned money? Would-be investors are often concerned about affordability, risks, returns, convenience and flexibility.

De Vera said the Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF) addresses these concerns. A UITF is a collective investment scheme where money is pooled from various investors into a single fund. The funds are invested in government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and other tradeable securities.

"UITF offers good value for investors. BDO has the lowest fees in the industry. There are no agents' commissions, no backend fees. The performance (of the UITF) is better than benchmark. Liquidity and underlying assets are tied to your objectives, so the underlying investment works for your objective. This is very transparent, regulated by the BSP. Prices are available daily, while reports are available monthly and quarterly," de Vera said.

To make it easier and affordable for Filipinos to invest in UITFs, BDO is offering the Easy Investment Plan (EIP). Under the EIP, once you enroll your account, the bank will debit a certain amount (as low as P1,000) on a regular basis (once or twice month) to be invested in a UITF.

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Investing made easy with BDO

When Yahoo recently announced Marissa Mayer as its new CEO and only the 20th female CEO in the Fortune 500 you'd kinda expect women to cheer. But Mayer's golden opportunity, her $70 million pay package and the fact that one of the world's largest Internet companies is literally putting its fate into her capable hands hardly entered into public reaction. Because Mayer is pregnant. And while countless working women around the world have managed to successfully balance a baby in one hand and a Blackberry in the other, few are cheering Mayer's drive to have it all.

In fact, most of the buzz appears to be centered around Mayer's decision to only take a few weeks of maternity leave - and work through it to boot. The overwhelming reaction is that if this first-time mom can handle the challenge, it'll mean a sacrifice of the leave-the-baby-at-home-with-a-nanny variety. It'll mean being torn between motherhood and a career that up to this point, has been her baby. And the underlying current in all of this debate is that whatever arrangement Mayer works out, it will (or should) entail feeling very, very guilty. Whether that guilt should be directed at the fact that she won't be the kind of mother who spends all day making nutritious meals and attending playgroups or because at 37, she's already worth a fortune (and hasn't she done enough?), isn't clear.

What is clear is that when a woman dares to make no apologies, to be employed, ambitious and hungry for more, it makes everyone a little uncomfortable, and perhaps women most of all. And swirling in all that debate is one fundamental truth that persists about women despite all the doors that continue to open for us: we have a hard time owning that success, even when, as in Mayer's case, it isn't our own.

Guilty as she is

According to a 2010 survey out of Britain, 96 percent of women feel guilty at least once a day. Two of the top things that plague them? Not spending enough time with family and neglecting work. For working mothers, that means guilt when they work late, when they don't have time to bake a homemade birthday cake, or when they make the time to do it anyway. In other words, many women are feeling intensely guilty almost all of the time.

Men? Not so much. Ninety-two percent of the survey's respondents said that men feel less guilt than women. (Can you imagine Mark Zuckerberg admitting that building Facebook left him racked with a sense of personal failure?)

Indeed, have you ever seen a successful man who didn't totally own it? Or, come to think of it, a really successful woman for that matter? Neither have we. So maybe it's time for women to own their success and applaud it in others - rather than be ashamed of it. Here's why...

Designer swag is lovely, but what women really need to be sporting is swagger, and for one very obvious reason: because we can. Women are entering an era where we have more choices than ever before. The choice to step up to the plate in a game that only recently became co-ed; the choice to get into the game without an assumption of handicap; the choice to succeed; and even the choice to walk away from it all whether to raise a family or just because we want to.

Now about success; it isn't something that happens accidentally while we aren't paying attention. It's a choice. (Mayer, for example, is a hard-driving tech superstar and design genius who graduated with honours from Stanford University, routinely puts in 90-hour work weeks, and runs marathons in her spare time.)

So whether you're leading a company or kicking butt at managing your household, give yourself some credit. Women now have more options than ever, but the bottom line is that if you work hard at what you do, you're choosing success, and that's nothing to be ashamed about.

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You go girl: Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about your success

The NCAA season is over and the U.S. Olympic Trials have come and gone, but the Heath brothers continue run.

Former Stanford standouts Elliott Heath and Garrett Heath traveled to Europe this summer to run a series of meets on the European circuit and both have been highly successful running against some of the best athletes in the world.

Garrett graduated in 2009, but has since earned a Master's degree and is pursuing a PhD at Stanford. He has also worked as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cardinal while running professionally for Saucony. His attempt at glory at the U.S Olympic Trials fell just short, but since then Garrett has been busy lowering his personal bests in Europe.

After a series of races in the U.S. and Canada this spring, the older Heath had lowered his PR to 3:36 in the 1,500 meters, running that same time on multiple occasions.

His European tour began in Heusden, Belgium where he placed second in a fast 1,500, running 3:36.65. Later, he moved on to Sparkhaggen, Germany where he ran a tactical race, finishing fourth in 3:38.33. A couple days later, he ran nearly an identical time, but improved to second at the Cappeentanta Games in Kimpinen, Finland. The times were slightly off his personal best, but showed he could mix it up with some top competition in more tactical races.

Later, Garrett move don to a true mile and ran an outdoor personal best of 3:57.18 at the Morton Games in Dublin, Ireland. The race was against an elite field that saw 10 athletes break the four-minute barrier.

Garrett also broke an outdoor personal best in the 3,000 meters in Szczecin, Poland, running a time of 7:51.34 at the Kusoc Meet.

Garrett's younger brother, Elliott, also has been busy earning his first experience on the pro circuit after finishing up his Stanford eligibility during this past indoor season. The former NCAA indoor champion in the 3,000 meters placed seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5,000, but has an extremely bright professional career ahead of him.

Elliott began the trip by winning a pair of 1,500-meter heats, first at Kortrijk, Belgium in 3:43.51. Then he set a personal best in the event, running 3:40.17 to win his heat and place second overall at a meet in Nivove, Belgium.

He then moved on to run the mile in Cork, Ireland, finishing with his first sub-four minute mile on the trip at 3:58.48.

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Run of success for Heath brothers in Europe

The FDA is unlikely to rule out personal genetics tests, but it may require that physicians get more involved.

Self awareness: 23andMe ships "spit kits" directly to consumers who want to explore their genetic makeup. flickr creative commons | Pelle Sten

Personal genetics company 23andMe announced it has applied for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for seven of its genetic tests. The company hopes that FDA approval will increase consumer confidence and interest in its tests, and ultimately feed into its goal of crowdsourcing human genetic information for medical research.

But it could be a risky moveif regulatory approval includes a requirement for a medical provider's involvement, that could interfere with the company's direct-to-consumer model, at least for some of its tests.

"That's the part where we are going to have to see how it plays out," says Linda Avey, a cofounder of 23andMe who has since left the company. The direct-to-consumer model was a founding principle of 23andMe, which emphasizes individual participation in health and medicine, says Avey.

23andMe, in which Google has invested $6.5 million, offers a genome analysis test directly to consumers, who can use the product to explore their genetic risk for everything from curly hair to Alzheimer's disease. Although the company isn't disclosing which particular tests it is seeking regulatory approval for, Ashley Gould, vice president for corporate development and chief legal officer, says the tests are medically relevant and examine genetic variants with disease connections that are well supported by scientific research. The company is already working on a second submission, and plans to eventually seek approval for some 100 of its 240 tests.

The company has made two other significant moves within the medical arena in recent months. In May, the company patented a genetic variant for Parkinson's disease risk. Last month, 23andMe acquired a patient networking site called Cure Together, an online forum where users share stories of their personal experiences with disease and treatment (see "23andMe Expands Its Data-Mining Operations").

For $299, you can order a genetic test for every genetic trait the Silicon Valley-based company examines. Consumers receive a kit in the mail and return a saliva sample that is then analyzed for around a million variants in the genome. Some of the variants connect to harmless traits like eye color. Others have serious medical implications, such as risk for Parkinson's disease and how an individual's body will respond to certain drugs.

This isn't the first time 23andMe has dealt with the FDA. In 2010, the FDA sent letters of warning to 23andMe and four other direct-to-consumer genetics companies, warning them that their genetic testing service is a medical device and thus needs regulatory approval. The FDA says it oversees direct-to-consumer genetic tests to ensure that such products are safe and effective, and to make sure that manufacturers deliver on their medical claims. "The goal is to ensure that consumers have access to accurate and reliable information that consumers can use to help better understand their own health needs and how to go about seeking additional information," said an agency spokesperson by e-mail.

23andMe's move to seek regulatory approval is a first for the direct-to-consumer genetics market, and is widely viewed as a necessary step forward. "I think it's a positive move in general for the industry and the field," says Cinnamon Bloss, a clinical psychologist at the Scripps Translational Science Institute who studies how people respond to the kind of genomic information supplied by 23andMe and others. "A central issue is going to be how [the FDA] responds to the notion of offering these tests directly to the consumer," she says.

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Personal Genetics Company Seeks Regulatory Approval

By Deni Kirkova

PUBLISHED: 05:22 EST, 3 August 2012 | UPDATED: 08:20 EST, 3 August 2012

Laughing, disco dancing, and socialising are not activities you'd usually associate with yoga.

Its reputation of complicated twists, stretching and 'omming' leaves little room for the inclusion of fun. The ancient Indian practice is commonly seen as, well, serious. But it needn't be.

Funnily enough, the word yoga, from the ancient Sanskrit language, literally means 'to join' or 'to unite', so there's no need to alienate it from everyday life or indulgences.

Bridging the gap: Funk the Buddha combines yoga with entertainment and socialising

Founder of the newest yoga craze sweeping Europe, Rachel Okimo, says, 'You can take the group yoga experience to the next level; out of the studio and into the playground of our cities, bridging the gap between our yoga and social sanctuaries.'

This is the philosophy adopted through her brainchild, Funk the Buddha.

The bi-monthly pop-up venture comprises of a 90 minute yoga practice, followed by entertainment and socialising with optional dinner and drinks, and a goody bag, all for a 20 ticket.

Read more here:
Yoga goes pop! New craze for disco yoga hits the UK. FEMAIL dons a leotard and joins the sun salutations

Luke Power ... Giant steps forward. Photo: Janie Barrett

Its been over three AFL seasons since Leigh Matthews last directive from the coachs box, but his influence around the league continues to resonate - as far as the vast surrounds of western Sydney.

Matthews ended a productive stint at Brisbane in 2008, but much like Kevin Sheedy at Essendon, he left the club having planted the coaching seed in some of the AFLs sharpest minds.

The latest sapling to sprout is Luke Power at Greater Western Sydney.

The 32-year-old is the Giants most experienced co-captain, and one of a handful of old hands to juggle coaching and playing duties.

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While Power did a lot of the same for much of the 282 games he played with the Lions - guiding young players through the rigours of AFL - the official coaching tag has come with a greater understanding of tactics.

Its pretty similar, but now theres a lot more involvement in how Kevin [Sheedy] and [assistant coach] Mark [Williams] want our game to be played, Power says.

We [the playing coaches] are probably a lot more over it, just because were dealing with it every day. Were running meetings, sitting in on important meetings that decide the way were going to play. I guess thats the big change. Were living it a little bit more.

Were all learning all the time. Im learning, one - about myself. But also learning about the industry and seeing it from a different perspective.

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Luke loving life as Giant big brother

PROVO, Utah The BYU mens basketball coaching staff will participate in the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life on Aug. 10 and 11 at Provo High School.

Head coach Dave Rose will kick off the event with a speech and the Survivors Lap, where cancer survivors lead the way around the track while being honored and applauded by all participants.

The coaching staff has entered a team in this years Relay for Life to assist in the fundraising efforts of the American Cancer Society and to honor Emily Austin, a teenager from Orem who has battled Leukemia since she was 5 years old.

The Roses met Emily and her family through the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation, an organization that provides Christmas gifts to families with children fighting cancer. Dave and Cheryl and the BYU basketball team have supported the foundation for more than a decade.

Dave Rose battled a rare form of pancreatic cancer during the summer of 2009 and every member of the coaching staff has a close relative who has battled cancer or lost their life to the disease. Cheryl Rose lost her sister Janet to breast cancer just last year. Dave Rose was scheduled to speak at the opening of the Relay for Life in Provo last year but had to cancel to attend Janets funeral.

How to Donate

Donations can be made to any member of the BYU Basketball Relay for Life team or online atwww.relayforlife.org. One hundred percent of all donations will be used to support cancer patients and cancer research.

About Relay for Life

The goal of Relay for Life is to "create a world where more people survive cancer so they can celebrate another birthday. This year more than 11 million people will be able to do that thanks to the support of millions of dedicated Relay participants."

Relay for Life is an overnight relay-style event held in communities throughout the world and is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Members of each team take turns walking around a track for the duration of the event. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities in a family-friendly environment for the entire community.

Originally posted here:
Basketball coaches to participate in relay for life