A time for reflection and solitude....

As the U.S. prepares to vote for the next President of the United States, one is made aware of the need for true reflection and solitude, yes the kind of reflective solitude that can lead to true self-awareness.

One is forced to ask the question, isn't America just plain sick and tired of the same games every four years? No matter how you spin it, a duck is a duck, if it quacks and swims like one.

We all watched almost exactly four years ago when a young and impressionable man with a unique background, captured the imagination of this great country and made us all dream again.

After the nightmarish Presidency that was George Bush's (I doubt most would disagree with me on this), America was ready for a fresh start, or so we thought.

Four years on, we are once again back singing the song of revival and restoration, as if hope never appeared beyond the horizon. We had hoped and dared to dream and in that state of sublime inspiration, we thought we had indeed found our bearings.

But alas, the "compass" failed us once again and failed us it did on all fronts; morally and every-otherwise.

This time, we must think as Americans and I mean really think and reflect on exactly where this great nation is headed.

These elections are bigger than Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and all the candidates combined. They are about something much bigger than even us; yes, something that much larger and of such critical magnitude, that we must indeed get it right this time.

If we don't and once again just go through the motions of an electioneering campaign, we may live to regret it.... both literally and vicariously through our children and future descendants.

It is that important.

© 2012 Boye Coker. All Rights Reserved.

mCAMPUSMATE™ - iFusionIT and Mihir Mobile Solutions bring higher education into the mobility age

Source: Mihir Mobile Solutions

The usage of mobile phones to handle just about every human activity is growing each day and as mobile technology and indeed technology as a whole, continues to evolve, it becomes imperative for solutions to address the critical needs and demands of the ever-changing world we live in.

More than others, the education/learning industry is aggressively catching up with IT and other technological advancements, in order to meet the competitive demands of this age.

With the changing mode of instructional delivery as a function of the fierce competition among institutions for students, mCAMPUSMATE™ brings educators, institutions and students, the very best of both worlds.

In conjunction with iFusionIT, a Microsoft Silver Certified Partner with expertise in Systems Integration, Data Analytics, Mobility and Cloud Application Development, Mihir Mobile Solutions (MMS) brings you a Student Management Software offering exclusively for Schools, Colleges and other institutions to automate all routine tasks pertaining to Students, Parents, Faculty and School Administration.

mCAMPUSMATE™ not only simplifies school’s activities, but also facilitates the manageability on to the Mobile Devices (iPAD & Android for Tablets and iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and Blackberry for Smart Phones).

In keeping with the clearly articulated objective of the U.S. Department of Education to "go green", iFusionIT and Mihir Mobile Solutions, see the mCAMPUSMATE™ application as a critical step in that most worthy of goals.

Some of the major benefits and attributes of the mCAMPUSMATE™ application are as follows:

✔ Track Marks, Attendance and other records on Smart Phone/Tablet
✔ Grade on your Mobile Device
✔ Homework, Assignments, Projects and Exam Schedules on Smart Phone/Tablet
✔ Mobile Access to Library
✔ Special Alerts for Emergency Information  
✔ Automated Payment Reminders
✔ Access to School/College’s Calendar of Events & Functions
✔ Trending and other Statistical Reports, and much more….
✔Secure Access (Amazon Cloud, can also be on private cloud), Easy Set-Up and 24x7 Support

iFusionIT and Mihir Mobile Solutions believe that mCAMPUSMATE™ will afford institutions the unique opportunity of being able to better attract quality students, while enhancing their brand.
  
The application, also aptly dubbed as "Mobile University", will allow students to manage their busy educational careers more effectively, with the assurance that their critical information is not only readily available and accessible, but is also very secure. 

About iFusionIT

iFusionIT is a multi-national technology firm headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. We are a trusted partner to the world's leading organizations, including top Fortune 500 companies and key government agencies.

iFusionIT's detailed suite of services ranges from IT Consulting and Custom Projects to its Core Service areas that include BI Services, Testing Services, digital entertainment Services, Custom Applications Development (including Mobility), Systems Integration, Data Analytics and Web Development.

iFusionIT is a Microsoft Silver Certified Partner and in addition to core-competencies with regard to the Microsoft technology stack, the company also specializes in Oracle and OpenStack technologies.

For more information, you may contact us at contactus@mcampusmate.com.

About Mihir Mobile Solutions

Jani Nemana conceptualized Mihir Mobile Solutions and he has been supported by diverse conglomerate of dynamic entrepreneurs from both India and the United States.

Jani has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Andhra University and a Master’s in Computer Science from Bradley University, USA.

Protect R&D tax breaks to corporations to help stimulate the economy

 

There is one thing that has always set the American economy apart; it is the spirit of innovation that drives the American entrepreneur across all verticals to dream big, think hard and take calculated risks, with one singular purpose in mind - change the way things have always been done!

It is however important to understand that the main reason why the innovative spirit has always been alive and well in the United States, is due to the environment that has fostered, encouraged and engendered that spirit.

Over the years, perhaps due to the culture of greed and unbecoming avarice that permeated Corporate America, governmental regulations have become necessary, with the objective of not only protecting the American consumer, but also potentially preserving the integrity of the capitalist system.

My motive for writing this piece is centered in the belief that the bad behavior of corporate executives over the years has projected the wrong image (of Corporate America) with most Americans blaming the recent culture of careless risk-taking and greed, for the economic collapse of 2008.

While there is the push by most state governments and perhaps the federal government to find a way to tax corporations more, as they (the former) seek to balance their budget(s), they are however losing sight of one thing - the path towards real economic recovery and increase in jobs (particularly in the private sector) is through formulation and passing of initiatives, that promote growth, through innovation.

One of the surest ways to promote growth through innovation is in the area of Research & Development (R&D) tax credits.

Created by the U.S. Congress in 1981, the R&D credit has always been supported by the largest group for businesses in the United States - the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as business and industry watchers.

Recently though, critics of the R&D credit have been campaigning against it, calling the tax credit a costly corporate hand-out that has done little to encourage more hiring and investment.

What opponents of the R&D credit however fail to mention is that it remains one of the surest ways to not only help manufacturers achieve cost and efficiency savings, but also help stimulate the economy, through more hiring and increased investment.

At a time when unemployment in the technology sector remains rather low (at less than 3% compared to the general unemployment rate of 8%), removing an avenue for increased investment and improved efficiency would indeed be fool-hardy.

One can only hope that the current anti-corporate sentiment does not becloud sound judgment on the part of our elected officials.

Fashola again shows why he is probably the next President of Nigeria

Gov. Babatunde Fashola

LAGOS, NIGERIA - Governor Babatunde Fashola on Saturday politely declined the honor of a chieftaincy title from a royal father, Oniru of Iru land, Lagos, Oba Abidun Idowu Oniru.

He, however, received the award of excellence conferred on him by the monarch who was celebrating his 75th birthday and 18th coronation anniversary. While expressing his appreciation to Oba Oniru for honoring him, Fashola said the task of governance required absolute focus and would want the chieftaincy title to wait for now.

He said, “Kabiyesi and his chiefs can continue to lead us, let them deal with all those traditional and chieftaincy issues. At the appropriate time, we will come and join them, but for now, leave us in our suits, boots, overalls and helmets, because this agbada is not good for clearing refuse and tarring the roads.”

On the award for excellence, Fashola said it was not for him; rather he dedicated it to all the civil servants in the state who he said were responsible for the giant strides of his administration.

Fashola said “This award does not belong to me; it belongs to all the public servants in Lagos State who do the great work that is responsible for the progress in the state.”

While acknowledging the mornach's exemplary leadership and support for his administration and his predecessors, the governor expressed his gratitude to the Oniru on behalf of members of the state executive council.

He confessed that when the state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Prince Segun Oniru, informed him of the event, and told him that the Kabiyesi wanted to present him with something, he had made it clear that he would not attend the event if what the Kabiyesi wanted to present to him was going to be a chieftaincy title, but that Oniru had assured him that that would not be the case.

In typical fashion and being true to his values, Fashola declined the honor of the monarch, choosing instead to focus on the task of governance, which he has carried out with the utmost sense of purpose, dedication and commitment.

Apple is most valuable company ever?

By now, you should have heard the news and while it does not necessarily come as a surprise, it is rather telling in terms of a potential changing of the guard in the technology and business space.

Apple Inc. is now the most valuable company ever with a current valuation of close to $624 billion, supassing Microsoft Corporation's valuation of around $621 billion in 1999.

However, when adjusted for inflation, according to USA Today, Microsoft still holds sway (albeit for now) until Apple's stock (which accounts for close to 25% of the value of all technology companies on the S&P 500) exceeds $900 a share.

Apple shares are currently trading at around $665 a share.

The 7 habits of highly successful organizations

As organizations seek ways to improve functional output and operational effectiveness, it becomes incumbent upon business leaders to understand what best practices to adopt, in their quest to achieve sustainable growth and brand stability.

Many are quick to point to the "successes" of some of the world's biggest brands such as GE, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Apple and Google, among others. The truth however lies somewhere in between as to what exactly constitutes success beyond just the bottom-line.

A "healthy bottom-line" does not necessarily translate into being an attractive brand or ensure sustainable growth.

What organizations such as Google and more lately Apple have in fact shown, is that there are other mitigating factors that go towards determining the long-term success and brand equity of an organization.

In this piece, a prelude to a more in-depth analysis to come, we explore and profess the key habits that would seem to characterize truly successful organizations.

a) Hire well - As organizations such as Google, Microsoft and Apple (much lately) have learnt, hiring the right talent goes a long way towards building your Intellectual Capital portfolio.

b) Invest in your employees and thus your organization's future - While some of the better known brands are able to attract some of the best talent initially, holding on to that talent pool becomes even more critical. It is not enough to just pay well; in addition to that, organizations that have managed to hold on to their prized talent base, have invested heavily by way of benefits and other quality-of-life perks that are essential to keeping the poachers at bay.

c) Encourage independent thought within your organization - In conversations with peers in the business community, most believe this is one of the areas where Microsoft in particular "went wrong". It's main competitors are said to have seized on a culture (supposedly) within the organization at the time, that did not encourage or value independent thinking.
Organizations that frown on the idea of "thinking-outside-the-box" ultimately leave little room for their business units to procreate. A resulting dearth of unique ideas will ultimately result in the natural death of the said organization.

d) Reward independent thought within your organization - In addition to encouraging a "think-outside-the-box culture within your organization, it is also equally important to acknowledge those with unique and creative ideas. Promotions, raises, bonuses and other forms of recognition should reflect this, as it will only augur well for the continued growth and development of the organization, its brand and of course, its people.

e) Be true to your founding ideals and core corporate principles - Make taking care of your customers/clients a guiding business principle. It is the best practice you could ever indulge in as it engenders brand familiarity through credibility.

f) Seek strategic partnerships that complement your business model and strategy - It is important that you align yourself with organizations that share your ideals, beliefs and ideas and subsequently provide a synergistic nirvana.

g) Manage your growth while continuing to innovate - Maintain your identity and stick to a working strategy. Adapt to the pervading business climate in your own unique way and continue to deliver consistently.


© 2012 Boye Coker. All Rights Reserved.

Poetry Fridays

The Journey....
I have toiled night and day, but have nothing to show....
I have wandered through the wilderness, but with nothing in sight....
I have beckoned to the Angels, but they are yet to be seen....
In my pain, I have wondered aloud and recoiled in despair....
But who am I to dismiss the path of glory....
For in my desolate peril, I am assured of a new beginning....
In my languished anguish, I see the dawn of a new day.... 
For I must go on, my senses tell me....
The journey has only begun, my conscience assures me....
For I must not worry, but must surely tarry....
For the journey, though began with a query....
Must end with the promise, the query beckons....
This is my life.... of the glory foretold....
For I must not die, but shall surely live....
And in living, I must be fulfilled....
And in fulfillment, I must be complete....
And in completion, the glory shall be revealed....
For I am the reason for the journey....
And the journey, the reason for my being....


© 2012 Boye Coker. All Rights Reserved.

Hot Brew: Facebook's unproven business model continues to unnerve investors....

As Facebook shares fell another 9% on Tuesday, regulators said they may review the disclosure process to see if some investors got favourable access.

The SEC and regulatory body FINRA both said they would look into the matter.

Morgan Stanley, lead underwriter on the flotation, said it was "in compliance with all applicable regulations".

Reuters and the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook's advisers may have revised their financial forecasts for the social networking company, but that only selected investors were told.

Mary Schapiro, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said "there are issues that we need to look at".

Richard Ketchum, chief executive of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), said there were "matters of regulatory concern".

But in a statement, Morgan Stanley spokesman, Pen Pendleton, said the bank had "followed the same procedures for the Facebook offering that it follows for all initial public offerings".

Also on Tuesday, a private investor issued a writ against the Nasdaq stock exchange over technical problems on Friday that disrupted Facebook's first trading day.

Phillip Goldberg, a Maryland resident, is seeking class-action status on behalf of all investors who say they lost money because of the technical problems.

Facebook's market debut was delayed by about half an hour, and orders to buy or sell shares were further disrupted. Mr Goldberg has filed a writ in the southern district court of New York.

Nasdaq chief executive Robert Greifeld has said that "clearly we had mistakes in the Facebook listing".

It has all taken the shine off one of the most anticipated flotations in history.

Facebook shares, launched at $38 each on Friday, fell 11% on Monday and a further 9% on Tuesday. The shares are now worth $31 each.

It is a remarkable turnaround from recent weeks, when the social network's share sale was over-subscribed and the eight-year-old firm was valued at $104 billion.

Much of the blame for the fall in share price is being pinned on lead underwriters Morgan Stanley and the Nasdaq exchange itself, with many commentators saying that the sale was over-priced.

"There must have been some sober second thoughts about this," said Brian Wieser, an analyst at Pivotal Research.

Mr Wieser thinks a fair price for such a young company without a proven business model is about $30.

But some analysts say the fall is of little consequence in the early days.

"Whether [Facebook] is worth $95 billion or $100 billion, it's immaterial," Jeremy Liew of investment company Lightspeed Venture Partners told Reuters.

The social networking site has transformed the way in which hundreds of millions of people around the world communicate. It is also transforming the way companies advertise to existing and potential customers.

But Facebook's 900 million users helped the company generate just $1billion in profit last year, and there are concerns about its ability to grow profits in the future. 

Buhari's utterances again reflect a lack of leadership acumen

Rtd. General Muhammadu Buhari

By Remi DaCosta 


FORMER Military Dictator and Presidential Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said unless transparency and justice characterized the conduct of the 2015 general elections, a bloody dispute might erupt within the country's political class.


Buhari, a strong proponent of Sharia Law, who has also built a reputation for making unguarded and often inflammatory statements, stated this when he received a delegation of CPC members from Niger State in his Kaduna office.

He stressed that only the election of credible politicians into public offices would rescue the nation from the current mess.

Buhari stated: "God willing by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go in a very violent and disgraceful way".

On the question of whether he would run in 2015 presidential election or not, Buhari said the CPC leaders should organise themselves first while he reconsidered his position as to whether he will contest or not.

"That was what I told those who have visited me in the past but the press wrote that I said I have changed my mind about re-contesting," the former Head of State added. 
Buhari also spoke on the security challenges in the country, noting: "The North is not silent. It only incapacitated because the North does not own the police, soldiers or Central Bank of Nigeria. Since the leaders now don't listen to anybody but do whatever they wish, there is nothing the North can do.

"I will like to quote Prof. Ango Abdullahi who said there are three Boko Harams, including the original one led by Muhammed Yusufu who was killed and his supporters tried to take revenge in attacking the law enforcement agencies and politicians. There is another developed Boko Haram of criminals who steal and kill while the biggest Boko Haram is the Federal Government".

The Presidential Candidate of the CPC in the April 2011 elections also spoke on the fuel subsidy probe in the country, saying that the current leadership of the country has destroyed the petroleum industry.

His words: "These things can only happen under Nigeria's current leadership. Nowhere in the world can such things happen now and nowhere in the world can government increase the cost of petroleum products with more than 120 per cent. It is most insensitive. Besides the air people breath, the next important thing to them is petroleum products."

"Unfortunately for me, I know more about the petroleum industry than others in government because I was there for over three years as a leader. We started with Port-Harcourt refinery producing 60,000 barrels per day, it was upgraded to 100,000 barrels per day. Another one was built there also in Port Harcourt producing over 150,000 barrels, making a total of 250,000 barrels per day strictly to refine Nigerian crude for local consumption."

ConocoPhillips looking to exit Nigeria?

ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - U.S. oil group ConocoPhillips has hired BNP Paribas to help sell its Nigerian assets, including on-shore, off-shore oil and gas fields and a stake in its LNG Brass facility, according to sources.

The assets were expected to attract interest from Nigerian companies such as Conoil and Oando and Asian players including China's Sinopec, Indian company ONGC , and South Korean firm KNOC, the sources said on Tuesday.

They could help ConocoPhillips raise about $2.5 billion and possibly more if they were sold separately, which is the most likely route, according to the sources.

ConocoPhillips could not be reached for immediate comment.

The on-shore assets are already fully functional and are seen as the most valuable part of the operations, while the early-stage Brass project could prove more difficult to value, one of the sources said.

A Nigerian local content act passed in 2010 is likely to complicate any transaction as foreign suitors need to team up with a local indigenous player.

The government passed the law, intended to give local firms priority when assets are being sold and in tenders for new projects, and it is likely to push for local ownership of Conoco's assets.

The state-oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, is the majority shareholder in Conoco's on-shore and LNG assets and is seen as less likely to be among the interested parties, the sources said.

NNPC told Reuters on Tuesday it was not aware that Conoco was exiting the country.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, pumping more than 2 million barrels per day. The OPEC member also holds the world's seventh largest gas reserves, which are largely untapped.

Shell's recent disposals of on-shore oil fields in Nigeria have attracted interest from local firms, often through partnerships with established foreign companies.

ConocoPhillips recently completed the spin-off of its refining activities into Phillips 66, a newly created independent U.S. company.