Europe: the Elysee Merkel sets conditions

Auto Date Friday, May 17th, 2013

 

While the Franco-German couple is going through a serious crisis, exacerbated by the release of a document on PS1 vitriolic Angela Merkel2 François Hollande 3a tense Thursday, a pole to the latter: it offers the Chancellor an "initiative Europe "at four points, which includes, for the first time, a chapter on political union, so dear to Berlin.

"The Germany4 is ready for political union, well, France5 is ready to give content to this political union and she gave two years to get there," said the Head of State. "We are not afraid of the political union," he assured. "But we want content that shows Europe6 can bring benefits to citizens."

This is the first time that Francois Hollande says the following about the political union. Angela Merkel who has been waiting almost a year its response to German proposals can only welcome this step. "In Europe, Angela Merkel is ready to compromise. (…) We will reach an agreement before the German elections, "says the French president. "We must get Europe out of its languor," he insisted. "If Europe does not advance, it falls, it is erased from the map of the world, the imagination of the people," he added.

On the bottom of the political union, however, a difficult discussion. "Europe is not only the reduction of deficits," warned Francois Hollande, without renouncing its promises of "serious budget." His four-point plan presented at the press conference 7inclut two subjects that annoy the Germans: "The common fiscal capacity" and "common bond." Dear Francois Hollande, the two themes are synonymous, the Rhine, unacceptable financial transfers without a real "fiscal union" that would put state finances in the euro area – and their reform agenda – Trust Brussels, thus indirectly Berlin cash till payday.

This is where the shoe pinches. Other points of the plan are more consensual Holland with Germany. Strengthening the governance of the euro area, with "monthly meetings around a President" is accepted by Germany, it is clear that the independence of the European Central Bank is not threatened and if it can contribute to building a better economic policies, so structural reforms. These meetings would be conducted at the level of ministers in charge of economic portfolio (Finance, Labour, Social Affairs, etc..).

a "New Deal" for employment in Europe

In its offensive in four points, the French president also called for a rapid release of funds from the EU budget for the unemployed youth. Some € 6 billion was budgeted for the EU over seven years. It proposes to accelerate the payment under a "New Deal" for use in Europe, negotiations between Paris and Berlin.8 fourth point: the revival of "European Energy Community" on expensive in Paris and Berlin. This is an ambitious project at half years, as large states, including France and Germany, have consistently refused to cede sovereignty on this strategic issue. For François Hollande, who had raised the issue last September at the conference environment, we must "define a strategy together, help each other on the energy transition, and make an effort to promote renewable energy." A subject on which Angela Merkel agrees, especially if it is done on European funds …. On the issue of renewable energy, however, Germany has a length ahead of France: 25% of its electricity production is based, against 12% in France, which is dominated by nuclear energy.

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STX plans to sell its French sites

Auto Date Sunday, May 5th, 2013

 

Thunder in Saint-Nazaire! The Korean group STX Offshore and Shipbuilding 1a Friday in Seoul that it plans to sell its shipyards in France, Finland and China in the debt-reduction plan of the parent STX Corp.. "We are currently reviewing the structure of our society to focus on the domestic shipbuilding," said a spokesman for the South Korean group. "In this context, we are considering the sale of foreign assets to raise new cash."

So, these are the former sites of the Atlantic are found in unstable equilibrium. Indeed, STX Offshore controls 66% stake in these projects, with the remainder held by the French State. STX France officials refused to comment Friday evening on a possible sale of these assets. These financial problems are not a surprise to the employees of the Group to the extent that the need to restructure its debt was public knowledge. In fact, STX Corp has been weakened by the slowdown in global shipbuilding market.

The Government assures steps follow the situation of shipyards in Saint-Nazaire "close." This Saturday, the Minister of Economy, Pierre Moscovici, reiterated his "commitment to the Atlantic Yards" and its intention to "keep the job and excellence." "We will always" turn, assured the minister. Then it was Arnaud Montebourg, Minister of Productive Recovery, which states that nationalization without control would be useless. "Nationalization is a pragmatic, not ideological tool," said the World Arnaud Montebourg, recalling that the working tool of these projects is "efficient", but the main problem remains the lack of orders.

Unions expect an increase in the participation of the state in yards beyond the 33% it currently holds. The Socialist Senator de la Loire, Yannick Vaugrenard, had also requested the government side now organize a round table with French manufacturers who might be interested in a possible takeover. According to STX, potential buyers have already come forward to take over a part of its shipyards in Europe. "We will see more in the second half of this year," said a spokesman.  

The staff refused to time to sink into pessimism, since STX France recorded in December a historical control nearly one billion euros for a ship commanded by an American company, Royal Caribbean International. This debt reduction, if it is started, should not deprive the shipyards in Saint-Nazaire fighting regularly to get orders.

The final agreement reached at the end of last year even led to a skirmish between France and Finland2. The Finnish government, the shipyards were in competition with those of Saint-Nazaire for the construction of a giant cruise ship for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line owner, went to ask the European Commission to determine whether the rules competition had been met.

Brussels orders SNCM to pay 220 million to the State

Auto Date Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

The European Commission on Thursday ordered the SNCM1 (Societe Nationale Corse Méditerranée) to reimburse the French State € 220 million of public aid found to be incompatible with European competition rules, bad news for the shipping company difficulties financières payday loan lenders.Dans the same time, the Commission has recognized the public service mission of service to Corsica by SNCM from Marseille. "Part of poker around the company SNCM2" Storm Warning for SNCM3

In Cyprus, Plan B partially adopted

Auto Date Saturday, March 23rd, 2013

 

A first step. Friday evening, the Cypriot Parliament adopted the first steps of Plan B, which must avoid the collapse of the economy of the island. If the tax on bank deposits, point of contention between Brussels and Nicosia, has not yet been adopted, the Parliament voted to restructure the banking system.

The two major banks and will turn into "bad banks", deposits and house the more than one hundred thousand euros and loans at risk. "Good bank" will be created in parallel, in the ocurrence National Bank of Cyprus, or be based deposits of less than one hundred thousand euros and non-risky loans. The second measure adopted for the freezing of funds. Requested by Brussels, it aims to prevent a massive flight of capital to the banks reopened Tuesday. The debates in Parliament are currently suspended until further notice.

Saturday afternoon, Nikos Anastasiades, the Cypriot president and the leaders of political parties in the country will travel to Brussels to negotiate with European partners. A council of the Eurogroup Meeting will be held late Sunday afternoon, in the presence of Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director. On the table, the thorny issue of the tax credit, unanimously rejected by MEPs on Tuesday. This time, it would be to cut 15% to 25% deposit of more than 100,000 euros. The political class remains divided on the subject, but will answer to the dilemma of saving or capital of the country by Monday.  

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Banks decided to take control of Saur

Auto Date Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

It Saving Private Saur, the French number three in water management, suffocated by debt become too heavy to bear. But between the Strategic Investment Fund (FSI), one of its largest shareholders, and its …

Go Sport wants to open 160 stores in France

Auto Date Saturday, February 16th, 2013

 

Go Sport wants to beef up its network. Distributor of sports, which has 266 stores in France, plans to open approximately 160 additional outlets (one hundred and sixty GB Sport of Running) in the coming years. "We want to cover the territory and increase our market share by opening ourselves to the franchise," says Loïc Le Borgne, Director General of the brand since July.

This former Auchan and Kiabi identified franchising as one of the best ways to increase sales for the third player in the sector. Go Sport, with its market share of 6%, is still far behind Decathlon and Intersport, respectively five and three times bigger. Loïc Le Borgne hope and Go Sport will regain the benefits

Profitability in the second half in progress

In 2012, the group Go Sport, controlled by Rallye (also a shareholder in Casino), recorded a loss of 21.9 million euros for a turnover of 675.6 million euros, a slight decline from 0 , 7%. "2012 was a year in two stages. In the first half, we realized a capital increase of € 30 million and our EBITDA was down. In the second half, EBITDA grew by 28%. We launched the e-commerce site Go Sport and opened our first three stores Go Sport free, "explains the director instant credit reports.

Many new outlets operated by third parties are expected this year, the store network to remain stable for the first time in years. Last year, 8 GB stores and Sport Running the curtain fell in France.  

For 2013, other "activities that consume little investments are planned," says Loïc Le Borgne, who wants to improve the management of such stocks and make more impactful promotions, but fewer. Go Sport hopes to attract new clients, and casual sports enthusiasts, with sharp marks, such as The North Face, thus distancing itself from Decathlon, which favors its own labels, and Intersport, which sells most major brands (Adidas, Nike .. .). For its part, in Run, which targets an urban clientele from 15 to 25 years, the range of accessories and textiles will be reworked and a site will be launched in late 2014.

Renovation of two networks, priority of the previous CEO, they are currently suspended. "2013 is a year of construction to Go Sport a multi-brand, multi-channel and international ', provides Loïc Le Borgne.

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Crisis: the difficult employee evaluation

Auto Date Monday, February 11th, 2013

 

In times of crisis, the evaluation of employees may turn to the puzzle. Means available to managers are reduced to a trickle: training budget and increases down, freeze internal mobility, generating complex reorganizations in some companies a climate of mistrust … "Assess serenity is more difficult," says Sylvie Brunet, a member of the National Association of HRD (ANDRH) and Director of Social Affairs at Onet.

However, the evaluation issue is still crucial for companies seeking to maintain their results and re-engage their employees. "In companies that go wrong, maintenance is even more important: even if the room for maneuver is limited, this is one of the rare moments when it is possible to explain the meaning of the corporate strategy , to the pedagogy, "she adds.

Listening, the ability to bounce

Crisis requires, means companies are more focused on high-potential employees, they can not afford to lose. Especially when they reorganize, they seek to avoid the best to leave. If 85% of the French employers have reduced or froze their training expenses, according to Accenture, half consider themselves alongside a shortage of talent.

SHL, one of the leaders of the evaluation activity for employees is rising, while focusing on recruitment has completely collapsed. "The talent identification goes a long way to the top of the organization. Today, it also applies to managers and executives. This is a direct consequence of the crisis, "said Stéphane Amiot, director of SHL France and Belgium. Programs targeting sales forces are by far the most requested. "The successful business in times of crisis have qualities – listening, the ability to bounce example – the company wants to encourage," says Stéphane Amiot.

The use of premium

The observation applies not only to commercial. The crisis is more amenable to behavioral assessment, alongside results alone, on which the employee has less grip. "Since 2008-2009, behavioral skills, such as creativity, the ability to communicate or take advantage of a situation, are more prevalent in the evaluation grid," says Jocelyne Ientile-Yalenios, lecturer at EM Strasbourg.

This does not prevent some companies to tighten their requirements in parallel on the achievement of objectives. "The crisis has accelerated the use of premium, strengthened links between performance and variable compensation," says David Guillocheau, managing partner in the consulting firm HR Talentys. The notation is also applied more severe. Illustrated by the example of Atos, which recently considered its employees too highly rated.

So that the evaluation is becoming stressor. "Before the crisis, we were mostly asked to accompany its implementation. But since it occurs mainly because it goes wrong, says Anne-Florence Beauvois, director of Sextant Council, which accompanies the HSC. The interview is not so much an opportunity to talk with his manager that employees plébiscitaient, a way to sort the employees based on their performance. "With the key, sometimes the prospect of layoffs.

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Tweets record for the NRJ Music Awards

Auto Date Sunday, January 27th, 2013

 

Saturday night, the NRJ Music Awards organized by NRJ Group and broadcast on TF1 led by Nikos Aliagas have set a new record for social TV in France. During the ceremony, more than 700,000 tweets were exchanged on the social network Twitter. The previous record was 450,000 tweets for Miss France 2013 December 9, 2012.

# Missfrance and 450,000 tweets RT @ maximepannetier already dethroned: nearly 700,000 tweets around # NMA13, record socialTv # # TF1

– Philippe bailly (@ pbailly) January 27, 2013

The cérémomie which established the Korean singer Psy and French rap group Sexion d'Assaut was also a ratings success on TF1. With nearly 6.4 million viewers, the program brought together an audience share of 30.5%, well above the monthly average of the chain that culminates today to 23.1%.

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Indicted in the espionage Ikea France

Auto Date Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

 

New twist in spy case Ikea France. Two former employees of the security company were summoned by the police of Versailles and indicted in the investigation of suspected illegal surveillance of employees and customers, according to a judicial source. They would have procured information on their criminal record, police or their bank accounts. The police of Versailles would not confirmed the information, saying that "a process is underway." Lefigaro.fr contacted by Ikea did not wish to comment immediately.

Dismissed last spring, the former Head of Risk Management between 1998 and 2012, Jean-François Paris, was "under indictment" mid-afternoon, according to a judicial jource. Eight months after the case came with revelations Chained Duck, Jean-François Paris was insured in the columns of the World, have acted at the request of his leadership. Suspected of being involved in the scandal, four leaders of Ikea France had also left the company last May.

The former deputy Jean-François Paris, has, meanwhile, was indicted in the morning. Prosecuted for offenses of computer files, she was placed under judicial supervision. His lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, said his client "denies the facts alleged against him."

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Soubie welcomes "good agreement" on the labor market

Auto Date Monday, January 14th, 2013

 

LE FIGARO. – What is your view on the draft agreement reached by the social partners?

RAYMOND SOUBIE. – This is undoubtedly. I always thought that was more effective social law after a successful negotiation, and this is the case. Negotiators had the courage to move forward on difficult subjects in a social and economic environment deteriorated sharply. The themes, some of which are in the landscape for years, are many and can only be welcomed.

Can we therefore speak of a "historic compromise"?

Avoid big words. The French labor market suffers from two major shortcomings: young people struggling to find employment and an employee who loses his remaining unemployed longer than elsewhere in Europe. The draft agreement only partially meets this problem. While employees enjoy new rights (generalization of the complementary health supervision of part-time, human rechargeable …) but do not establish a continuum of career. In the end, the negotiated text does not solve everything for employees even if it has some real progress. The companies received in return for greater flexibility and legal certainty, greater opportunities for their mobility operations or maintenance agreements in employment. The unions are preparing to accept the draft agreement also believe that greater flexibility will create jobs that challenge FO and CGT will refuse to ratify the text mainly for this reason.

Do you think this agreement will create jobs?

We will not know until later because the flexibility for companies is not the only problem data. Especially as it will depend on the interpretation of the behavior of judges, administrative will vote on the approval of plans to safeguard employment, and also legal. Jurisprudential developments will be numerous and it is only after that we can assess the exact scope of this reform.

Can contribute to a return to growth?

In part, but the international environment and the confidence that companies have in government policy, will be essential.

What is the reaction of firms and financial markets?

Companies and financial markets are well advanced in terms of flexibility, but they can not know the exact scope today for all the reasons I mentioned low interest rate personal loans. The text reached by the partners is ultimately a great bet on the future that no one can say at this stage, at which point it will pay or not.

Which are immediate winners?

It is in any case a clear victory for Laurence Parisot, as Patrick Bernasconi, the "leader" of the employers' delegation which was to maneuver. This is a great victory also Lawrence Berger, the new secretary general of the CFDT, who could not afford to begin his tenure with a failure of this negotiation is in the DNA of the organization. The government also released reinforced this positive outcome because it would have had great difficulty in passing social legislation as complex and wide without relying on an agreement. However, SF is not, as they say, marginalized and is ready to assume its full responsibilities in future negotiations, such as those on supplementary pensions.

Is not it also a victory for social dialogue, which contrasts with the memories left by years of President Sarkozy?

Seriously: it is not made with the agreement of the darkness into the light! We forget too quickly the social agendas set each year with unions and employers as well as all the agreements concluded by the social partners, and some unanimously in the previous legislature. The January 2008 agreement on the labor market at the time signed by FO, which was established including breaking conventional wearing course on a smaller scope but has benefited from more than a million employees. Do not forget the agreements on trade union representation and professional training. Today's text is larger, more complex, more difficult to decipher and effects more uncertain in its scope. The referee of its usefulness, I repeat, will the growth. If she leaves, then we can say – probably rightly – that there will be contributed.

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