February 16, 2007 no. 456 - Vol. 5
"That must be wonderful: I don't understand it at all."
Moliere
Global leaders reach climate deal
Legislators from around the world reach an agreement that could break the political deadlock on climate change. Delegates agreed that developing countries will have to face targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions as well as rich countries. The informal meeting also agreed that a global market should be formed to cap and trade carbon dioxide emissions.
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China to create anti-corruption bureau
A senior Chinese official said that the government plans to establish a "National Corruption Prevention Bureau" to ensure China's compliance with the UN Convention Against Corruption , which China signed in 2005. The proposed bureau is another step forward in China's fight against widespread corruption, following a year in which over 97,000 Chinese officials were found guilty of bribery and other financial misconduct .
To seize attention, explain what you do in two key sentences
by Trey Ryder
If a prospect asks what you do for a living, can you tell him in one sentence?
In one sentence you should be able to tell a prospect what you do and highlight your major competitive advantage.
If a lawyer asks me, here's what I say: "I help lawyers attract new clients with dignity, without selling."
"Lawyers" are my audience. "Attract new clients with dignity" is the primary benefit my clients receive. And "without selling" is the key competitive advantage that immediately sets me apart from consultants who use selling methods and teach sales skills, which I reject.
If my prospect asks "How?" I respond: "I use my unique method of Education-Based Marketing, which the American Marketing Association featured on the front page of its national publication, Marketing News."
In the second sentence I establish my uniqueness, and bolster that uniqueness with the immediate credibility that comes from a front page newspaper article by the American Marketing Association.
If my prospect wants to learn how to attract new clients with dignity, my two sentences have seized his attention and he wants to know more.
Here's your homework assignment: Write two sentences that tell your story. The first should be a specific statement that (1) identifies your audience, (2) identifies how your clients benefit from your services, and (3) identifies your key competitive advantage. The second should be a supporting statement that backs up the claim in your first sentence and adds all the credibility you can put into one sentence.
Next: Memorize those two sentences so they roll off your tongue whenever someone asks what you do. Now when you respond, the person will know immediately what sets you apart from all other lawyers.
Last: Congratulate yourself! Many entire marketing programs don't accomplish as much as you've achieved in only two sentences.
© Trey Ryder
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Los juristas
Los Decanos de las Facultades de Derecho de universidades venezolanas piden a la Comisión Presidencial para la Reforma Constitucional se realice una consulta ciudadana sobre la redacción y aprobación de los cambios propuestos en la Carta Magna. La demanda fue hecha a través de una carta donde también expresan estar preocupados por la otorgación de poderes "ilimitados" al mandatario.
Indagatoria
El ex presidente Carlos Menem prestó declaración indagatoria ante un juez federal en un juicio que enfrenta por la supuesta venta irregular de un terreno de propiedad del Estado en 1991.
Exportaciones
En enero, las exportaciones chilenas de cobrre alzanzaron a $us 3.041,3 millones frente a los $us 1.947, 3 de enero de 2006.
Constituyente
El Congreso ecuatoriano autorizó al presidente Rafael Correa llevar adelante la consulta popular que definirá si la Asamblea Constituyente disuelve o no los tres poderes del Estado. Correa, que asumió recientemente la presidencia, asegura que la Asamblea tiene poder para "mandar a casa a todos".
Bolivia and Brazil agree gas deal
Bolivia has reached agreement on a price increase over its natural gas exports to Brazil. The deal, signed by President Lula and his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales, ends months of dispute over the issue. Under the agreement, Brazil is expected to pay at least $100m more a year for its gas. Negotiations began last year, when Morales said an increase in the price would help lift Bolivia out of poverty. Brazil depends on Bolivia for 50% of its daily gas supply. Last year, it paid nearly $1.3bn for Bolivian gas.
Chavez threat to seize food shops
Chavez has threatened to nationalise stores that sell meat above a government-set price. The government says supermarkets have been artificially boosting prices of basic foods by manipulating stockpiles. But critics blame regular food shortages on prices imposed four years ago, forcing shops to sell at a loss.
Confusion over 'data snooping' laws
Balancing the needs of the police to investigate crimes online with the privacy of individual web users has become controversial as governments seek to extend their snooping rights in cyberspace. Already European ISPs and phone companies are in the process of implementing an EU directive which forces them to retain a variety of communication data for up to two years. Now, a republican congressman, Lamar Smith, has put forward a bill for discussion in the US Congress that could see a similar regime operating Stateside. Experts think it is unlikely that the US will introduce draconian data retention laws any time soon, not because they do not want to but because similar European legislation is currently in varying degrees of disarray.
Starbucks in African coffee moves
Starbucks plans to double purchases of East African coffee in the next two years and increase credit to farmers in the region to improve bean quality. Starbucks said they would also set up a Farmers Support Centre, and have pledged to offer $1m in micro finance to farmers in the region. Starbucks bought $294m of coffee last year and 6% was from Africa and that will double to 12% by 2009.
Hollywood Weighs Copyright Protections
Steve Jobs's recent open letter urging that digital music be distributed free of copyright protections was aimed at the recording industry. Executives at Hollywood studios believe it is only a matter of time before the debate over removing copyright protections spreads to movies from music. Until now, the studios have steadfastly asserted that copy protections -- known as digital rights management -- are essential to preventing piracy of films. The studios are increasingly engaged in internal debate over the right course for the future. According to people familiar with the matter, the studios' technology executives and engineers have been calling for Hollywood to at least re-examine the issue. They are meeting with stiff resistance, especially from the "home entertainment" units that distribute films on DVD -- and are adamant about the need for digital rights management.
Trying Again for a Bill to Limit Tobacco Ads
After being thwarted for years, a bipartisan group of members of Congress reintroduced legislation yesterday that would allow the federal government to further regulate the tobacco industry by cracking down on marketing aimed at young people and requiring that reduced-risk tobacco products back up their claims with science.
Russia may abandon arms treaty with US
Chief of the Russian Military General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky told Russian media Thursday that Russia might unilaterally opt out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) if the US continues efforts to establish missile defense systems in Central Europe. Baluyevsky has previously criticized the establishment of the missile defense bases in Central Europe. Just last week at a security conference in Munich, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the INF no longer serves Russia's interests .
Africa
You are Executive's puppets, Kivuitu tells judges
East African Standard, Liberal daily of Nairobi, Kenya
Masetlha points to Kasrils
Mail and Guardian, Liberal daily of Johannesburg, South Africa
Mutati challenges Zesco
Times of Zambia, Government-owned daily of Lusaka, Zambia
Americas
Green Living project launched in St. Philip
Barbados Advocate, Independent daily of St Michael, Barbados
Isabel's health 'okay'
Buenos Aires Herald, Liberal daily of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Husband hangs self after beheading wife
Jamaica Gleaner, Centrist daily of Kingston, Jamaica
Domestic violence law has bite but lacks teeth
The Guadalajara Colony Reporter, Independent weekly of Guadalajara, Mexico
Asia Pacific
Steel Partners eyes 66.6% stake in Sapporo
Daily Yomiuri, Conservative daily of Tokyo, Japan
China must improve its macro-economic measures
People's Daily Online, Pro-government daily of Beijing, China
Dead luck: Ewa's flight of fury
The Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily of Sydney, Australia
US nixes VisaScreen papersfor June '06 nursing board passers
The Manila Times, Pro-government daily of Manila, Philippines
Bypassing BORR
The Sun, Independent daily of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Europe
'Terrorists Today Are Targeting Society Itself'
Deutsche Welle, International broadcaster of Cologne, Germany
U.S. has not been officially informed of Russia's plans to leave INF Treaty - spokesman
Interfax, Government-owned news agency, Moscow, Russia
Mahon and McDowell clash over tribunal costs
Irish Examiner, Centrist daily of Cork, Ireland
Ivanov and Kadyrov Promoted in Shakeup
The Moscow Times, Independent, English-language daily of Moscow, Russia
Death clouds carnival
The Scotsman, Centrist daily of Edinburgh, Scotland
First mobile fish farm to sail open seas
Turkish Daily News, Independent daily of Istanbul, Turkey
Middle East
A bloodstained memorial
Al-Ahram Weekly, Semi-official, English-language weekly of Cairo, Egypt
Saudi Arabia Rules the Region in Consumption of Junk Food
Arab News, Pro-government, English-language daily of Jidda, Saudi Arabia
Trading scam smashed
Gulf News, Independent daily of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Obama: U.S. must help Israel defend itself
Ha'aretz, Liberal daily of Tel Aviv, Israel
Speaker calls Palestine, Iraq issues as scars on body of world of Islam
Islamic Republic News Agency, Government-owned news agency of Tehran, Iran
3,000 police prepare for Temple Mount prayers
The Jerusalem Post, Conservative daily of Jerusalem, Israel
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