Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam,born October 15, 1931, Tamil Nadu, India, usually referred as Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam^ , was the eleventh President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007.[2] Due to his unconventional working style, he is also popularly known as the People's President. Before his term as India's president, he distinguished himself as engineering visionary and was awarded India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his work with DRDO and his role as scientific advisor to the Indian government. He is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work and is considered a progressive mentor, innovator and visionary in India.
Contents[hide]
1 Personal life
2 Kalam as an engineer
3 Honours
4 Political views
5 See also
6 References
7 Books
8 External links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Kalam

CISCO The human network

Pulling Out All The [Human] Network Stops in Router Launch
On the Business Communicators on Second Life Blog, contributor Linda Zimmer writes, " Cisco walked the walk yesterday by putting the brand squarely into the virtual spaces its next-generation router will power.
"Cisco went all out launching the ASR 1000, a new router technology that combines the new Cisco "Quantum Flow Processor" with a secure, scalable, compact, router. In essence, this is the network router that was built to power the Internet of Web 2.0+, virtual reality and our emerging visual, instant and media-rich applications (read high bandwidth applications)…
…"Here they have a new technology link in the chain that keeps us all connected, and Cisco actually launched it using all the very "stuff" that is driving the need for this technology – visual, rich, social, sharable media.
Yes, there was the big event in Second Life sporting everything SL has to offer: a music festival, streaming video, streaming audio, a cool "Quantum Shift experience" build, a launch announcement/presentation in SL, including the unveiling tour of the virtual Quantum Shift information space, and in-world "social press" interviews with Cisco executives.
And then there were the:
Flash-based micro web site with sound effects and video vignettes of network "uber users"
Video clips of uber users posted to YouTube
Creation of the tag "uberusers"
Flickr pool
EdgeQuest Flash game
Facebook Support Group for Uber Users Internet Addicts (546 members), with embedded videos, photos, EdgeQuest game link, discussion board invitation to submit Top Signs You are an Internet Addict
Online video broadcast launch events with Q&A in 19 languages (I believe there were three)
Three "follow the sun" Telepresence sessions for international customers
A web widget (although I have not been able to view it in my browser)
A social media press release
Customer videos in the Cisco newsroom
Podcast in the Cisco newsroom
"So, the Quantum Shift collaborative 'narrative' begins. From a 'virtual marketing' perspective, the narrative is a key "best principles" element. Cisco planted the seeds and integrated the methods for a collaborative narrative to emerge – not around the product, but around an idea.
"Clearly Cisco is marketing a product – how successful the product will be is a function of many market factors. But the "idea" transcends the ASR 1000 – and that is where Cisco has it all right – understanding the importance of narrative for its customers, and for its success of its product marketing.
"The ASR 1000 "idea" is: we’re all happier when our networks work better…
…"Cisco is clearly committed to the value of direct connections for itself and for network users at all levels. Cisco fosters community and deep listening relationships with their customers – and their customer's customers. Webster suggested it is the consumer who is leading the charge forcing new technologies and behaviors into the enterprise rather than the other way around. While this presents new challenges for the enterprise, it also means the influence of the customer goes well beyond 'the conversation' and reaches deep into the enterprise. Cisco embraces that influence strategically.
"Renaud believes 'talking to customers has been priceless' for Cisco in finding new markets for the company.
"Second Life alone has proved to be a learning ground for innovation for the company, according to Renaud, but it is only one channel Cisco uses to build its various communities. Webster says that SL is simply another way to engage its customers and ‘if it is important to our customers, it is important to Cisco.'
"Cisco will be participating as the narrative plays out in the connected marketplace. They are using the human network to empower the human network, so that we each can use it in our own personal ways. Yes. We're all happier when our networks work better."
Read the entire entry
http://www.cisco.com/web/thehumannetwork/index.html

General Information Regarding Selling Your Business

By: Aaron Muller

In today’s marketplace, the sale and purchase of businesses occurs quite often at all different levels including anywhere from small, privately owned companies to large corporate conglomerates. Regardless of the type of business one owns, there are a few tips one should follow when selling their business. The following paragraphs will highlight some of these handy guidelines.
Make the Necessary Preparations
Prior to the day in which the business changes hands, it is important that the soon to be ex-business owners take the necessary steps in order to ensure that the transaction goes smoothly. This should be done before the individual business owner even finds a buyer for the business as a company that can stand on its own, independent from the current owner, has an extremely attractive quality to it. Therefore, it is important to make the business as self-sufficient as possible prior to the sale.
The Asking Price Should Be Reasonable
Although most individuals would like to get as much money as possible for their business sale, it is crucial that the current owner of the business present an asking price that is a reasonable one. Not only will a reasonable price attract a good number of potential buyers but it shows the mindset of the current owner as well. Dealing with a fair individual is something that most people would like to do when it comes to business purchases.
Present Current and Clear Financial Documents
At some period during the sale discussions, the potential buyer will want to know quite a bit about the financial background of the company itself. Questions regarding annual revenue, expenses and so on will be asked and for this reason it is important that the current owner of the business has the answers to those questions. The best way in which to have the answers prepared is to use a spreadsheet method which clearly and concisely lays out all of the pertinent information so that the potential buyer can understand the background of the business.
Remove Items That Are Out of Date and Not In Use
Another tip for current business owners to keep in mind when they are trying to sell their business is to remove any equipment from the office which is archaic or not in use. By clearing these items out of the office area, it makes the office look much more presentable to potential buyers who may stop by to see what type of business is being run by the current owner.
Maintain Usual Business Standards and Then Some
From time to time, when business owners know that they are going to be selling their business in the near future, they may tend to relax a bit and not keep up with sales as they used to. This can be detrimental to the current owner, especially if they have not obtained a purchaser at that point in time. Keeping the business in good running order, if not better, is the best way to help aid in the sale of one’s business. A prospective buyer usually wants to purchase a business that yields good returns and has a good reputation with the general business market. Therefore, maintaining one’s business standards to the best of their ability is extremely beneficial to the current owner of the business.
Keep the Potential Sale Confidential
Keep in mind that a sale is not final until all of the necessary paperwork has been signed. Therefore, it is crucial that while the sale negotiations are taking place the current business owner does not leak the news that a potential sale may be in the works. Doing so may not only hinder the current deal but scare employees, customers and other business associates. Confidentiality is something which the business owner should maintain at all costs.
Review All Aspects of the Deal
Although the price of the sale transaction is what really peaks the interest of those participating in the sale, it is extremely important to review and know about all of the specific details regarding the deal. As the price is only a small portion of many business sales transactions, it is pertinent for the business owner to review the sales agreement to know what the end result will be.
Seek Professional Advice
Lastly, business owners who are looking to sell their business should do all that they can to obtain professional advice regarding the business transaction. Accountants, lawyers and business brokers are some of the various parties which business owners should consult before, during and after the sales transaction to ensure that they are covered every step of the way.
Business owners who take heed of the previously mentioned tips may find that the sale of their business will flow that much more smoothly throughout the entire length of the transaction.