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Meg Whitman, head of HP for 8 months, is expected to announce the removal of 25,000 to 30,000 jobs worldwide, according to the Wall Street Journal. The group employs around 350,000 people. If the magnitude of the plan may seem surprising in a recipient company, the announcement itself is not really a surprise. After publishing a net income of $ 1.5 billion, down 44%, for a turnover down 7%, to $ 30 billion in the first quarter of its fiscal year, Meg Whitman warned that " difficult years "waiting for the group.

Since it launched the consolidation of two divisions: Personal System Group (computers) and Pinting (print) PPS (personnal and printing system). the boss also said that savings would be achieved, particularly regarding the cost structure in order to encourage industrial investment. The merger of these two divisions should logically lead to job cuts.

If HP still holds its position as world number one PC with 17 Payday Loan for Bad Credit.1% market share (according to Gartner), it is no less rushed. His challenger, Chinese Lenovo, is now only 4 points. Meg Whitman was among the first to point out that Apple had sold more than iPad HP PC in the last quarter of 2011. Now, HP is temporarily out of the race shelves. There should be making a comeback in October with the launch of Windows 8.

If recent weeks, the U.S. giant has highlighted its PC division, they do not neglect it must also continue to invest in future markets. Especially cloud computing and business services. Hence the need to increase efficiency. Meg Whitman explained last week that a "strategy builds on the strengths of the business." She had not said when it was accompanied by a weight loss program.

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In turmoil, PepsiCo faces a turbulent new shareholder. The investment fund Relational Investors, known to oppose the management of companies in which it invests, bought for $ 610 million of shares of the giant drinks and snacks, or 0.6% of the capital.

The activist fund could give voice to advocate a division of PepsiCo. It would be a step backwards for the inventor of Pepsi. Well ahead in the world by Coca-Cola on its core business, he had experienced a boom until the mid-2000s by diversifying successively in chips (Frito-Lay), fruit juices (Tropicana), the cereal (Quaker Oats) or yogurt (Wimm-Bill-Dann).

Officially, the group of Purchase (in NY) is doing well. "We have had constructive meetings with Relational, said Wednesday a spokesman. Our management regularly meets with investors, and Relational is a respected institution. " The co-founder of Relational Investors, Ralph Whitworth, who bought earlier this year 11 million shares of Western Union and 2 million Abercrombie & Fitch, is since last year a director of Hewlett-Packard. He campaigned successfully in several companies (ITT, L-3 Communications Holdings) for the separation of their activities.

8700 jobs lost

He will reach his goals in the world's second largest agri-food? The split is fashionable in the sector. Another giant, Kraft Foods, completes the separation of its international activity of snacking and its historical American brands. Same thing at United Biscuits, in his sweet and salty snacks.

PepsiCo, the specter of a split between drinks, but profitable low growth, and snacks, which are growing faster, is agitated for several months. A portion of the board would have been favorable towards the end of last year, according to U.S. media. Some investors see it as a remedy for the ills of the past four years the group headed by Indra Nooyi, particularly in the United States. By itself, the North American beverage business accounts for one third of overall sales. But in 2011, its activity dropped 1%, reflecting price increases and insufficient marketing investments. For eighteen months, its flagship beverage was relegated to third place behind American Coca-Cola and Diet Coke. These setbacks have led to a standstill since the arrival of the title of CEO in 2006.

If split, the value of the two entities would be greater than the current capitalization, many analysts believe. Such an operation would also build a true enterprise culture in beverages and attract the talent required to develop them.

In early February, Indra Nooyi has dismissed a split, insisting that "the value of PepsiCo was maximized as a single company." The boss of PepsiCo, which predicted a decline of 5% of its profits this year, has opted for a drastic austerity: 8700 job cuts by 2014 and a savings program, 5 billion. Implementation of its plan will be followed by its new shareholder. If it was not successful, Indra Nooyi – the rumor of the departure – could be forced to reconsider the scenario of a split.

The Junior Enterprises are unaware of the crisis. Despite a difficult economic environment, they display a very insolent health. Present in schools and universities, student associations such as dee managed companies had in 2011 a turnover of 8 million euros, up 14.5% compared to 2009, the year 2010 was marked by a high consolidation. Last year, no fewer than 2300 companies have sought the services of Junior Enterprises 160 French members of the National Confederation of Junior Enterprises (CNJE), which promotes the concept and the brand "Junior Company".  

Created more than forty years in order to bring the teaching of the business world, these associations Act 1901 and non-profit professional nature consist only of student volunteers perform consulting and service delivery for clients with very different profiles. "This can range from a business plan for a self-contractor, charged 1,000 euros for a qualitative study of several months for a large group, billed 30,000 euros," said Lamia Bennani Toulouse Flight's Junior Council, voted Best Junior company in France in 2011 by the CNJE.

The university is catching up

These associations have indeed lower social charges due to their special status, allowing them to offer rates up to four times lower than those offered by a traditional provider. "Besides the attractive rate of our services, it is also our expertise which is trusted," said Adrian Vasse, Chairman of the EDHEC Junior Etudes, which has seen its turnover double between 2009 and 2011 to 220,000 euros. A view shared by Matthias Brottier, the president of the CNJE, for whom "it is the concept itself is pleasing. Our members are dynamic and provide a fresh, innovative and pioneering customers. " Their microstructure and quality of association allow Junior Enterprises to be responsive, flexible and personalized service and differentiate themselves from large consulting firms.

Contrary to popular belief, the Junior Enterprises are not just about the areas of finance and engineering. They cover a wide field of activity that both of agronomy at the optical, pharmacy to graphics through the mail. Long reserved for schools, universities are fast catching up. Under the plan "Student Entrepreneurs" launched in September 2009 to publicize and develop contractor status in universities, Valérie Pécresse, Minister for Higher Education at the time, wanted to be created a "junior business "in each of the 83 French universities with the help of CNJE. Three years later, the number of junior students has almost quadrupled from 11 to 40!

Among them, the Sorbonne Junior Council, created in February 2010 into the fold of the School of Management at the Sorbonne (Paris I) and sponsored by the Education Minister Luc Chatel. During his first year, she made 10 missions including one for Air Liquide. "It's a relatively small but very honorable for a first year," said Francois-Xavier Renault, its president. The Group Tollens paints, which uses the Junior Company for a mission, declares himself "satisfied" with the quality of the mission carried out and skills emerged.

A concept taken abroad

An experience that allows students to practice the teachings they receive and identify the problems of the company while being paid. Not to mention the professional network that is built up over the missions. All assets which may be valued at the time to enter the workforce.

At a time when the political struggle to stop the rise of youth unemployment and with its experience, the CNJE intends to participate in the debate. Club Junior Enterprises, its think tank, has published a white paper last March bound for presidential candidates to improve the employability of graduates through ten proposals.

A business model that has proven to the point of export beyond our borders. Founded in 1992 on the initiative of CNJE, the JADE federates European Junior Enterprises. In 2012, there were thirty Junior Enterprises in Germany, 25 in the Netherlands, as in Italy, Switzerland 8 or 3 in Romania. And proof that we never stop learning, corporate universities also on the rise.

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Financier, philanthropist, George Soros published by Presses de la Cité The Global Financial Chaos, a book in which he details the relentless chain of events that precipitated the world of the subprime crisis than in the euro area. He shares his solutions for the financial reform and save the single currency.

LE FIGARO. – How do you judge the situation in the euro area?

George Soros. – The crisis is worsening day by day. Politicians have said that it was prematurely terminated, but that is incorrect. The situation is even worse since the beginning of this year certainly intelligent and exceptional measures taken by the ECB has lent € 1,000 billion in three years European banks have helped alleviate these and indirectly support loans States, but they have only to save time. The underlying problems remain. The differences in competitiveness between countries, which have widened when interest rates were converging, remain. Furthermore, the differences between creditor and debtor countries have worsened. One of the most disturbing in the euro area is currently re-nationalization of the debt markets to which we are currently observing. Spanish banks buy debt Spanish and French banks of the French debt, but you see more of French banks to buy Spanish debt. This could potentially blow up the euro. As if we were trying to recreate eggs after making an omelette. It is however not an inevitable process and there is still time to reverse things by taking political decisions really original.

Why?

Europe must establish a real growth policy. We can not escape from a situation of excessive debt just by practicing austerity, because it causes GDP to fall and, ultimately, in nominal terms, the debt burden increases compared to the national wealth. The ultimate risk with too much austerity, it is plunging into a deflationary trap of over-indebtedness, which is the road to disaster. The best way to reduce debt is therefore parallel to the rebalancing of accounts, to maintain GDP growth.

How to sustain this growth? By stimulus measures or structural?

Structural reforms are necessary but not sufficient. We must put money back in growth projects. It is impossible for countries to have exceeded the limits of Maastricht. The only solution is to raise capital throughout Europe.

The rest of the world can he finance this stimulus?

No. If Europe makes the right decisions, they can save themselves only. She has no choice: it is absurd to be financed by the Chinese whose standard of living is one-tenth that of Europeans. How can we ask in these conditions for China to continue to pay our way of life? In addition, we should not always rely on help from the IMF, because the loans from the fund are always compared with other seniors. Mechanically, this degrades the value of other debts contracted by governments and costs more to them, which does not solve the problem of financing the fund. And do not forget that IMF assistance in exchange for drastic savings measures, the country may plunge into a lost decade, as in Latin America of the 1980s.

How can Europe pay her own recovery?

One of the problems of the common currency is that it prevents countries from issuing their own currency and that their obligations are, somehow, in foreign currency. However, we can reverse things a bit, because states have transferred their right of seigniorage – the one to beat the currency – the ECB, which draws 25 billion profit a year. According to independent studies conducted by two economists, Willem Buiter, Citibank, and Huw Piil, Goldman Sachs, the seigniorage represent a capital value from 2000 to 3000 billion euros. We could group them in a special fund to lend to states to finance their raise in exchange for serious budgetary commitments of the latter.

The Germans would they agree to such a policy?

The German people have difficulty understanding why a policy that worked in his case may not necessarily work for all of Europe. Reduce wages and profits to regain competitiveness is an expansionist policy one way he can not play consistently across an entire area. In a closed system, not everyone can be a creditor at the same time. The Bundesbank should understand but it is unfortunately prisoner of his ideology that recognizes the dangers of inflation and prevents him from seeing the risks of deflation. His situation is ambiguous because she feels that the eurozone is threatened. Proof, it is taking steps to limit its losses in case of dissolution of the euro area. This coverage is raising, asking for higher guarantees to other central banks of the Eurosystem in which it lends money, is potentially self-fulfilling.

The euro bonds are they a solution?

I agree with President Sarkozy when he said that the euro bonds may not happen at the end of the process, when better budgetary cooperation is established between the countries.

Bank regulation is necessary?

Yes, more than ever. The crisis is more a banking crisis a fiscal crisis. With the exception of Greece, all other European states experiencing fiscal difficulties have now slipped because of their banks: Ireland has cut its deficit to nationalize its financial institutions and Spain is experiencing tension because its banks suffering from the bursting of the housing bubble.

France can it be attacked by the markets after the second round?

France must prove its ability to quickly boost its economy, taking strong structural measures, but they may not be sufficient. There is a reality in any case in which France can not escape: his difficulties in reforming the place permanently in a weak position against Germany, which is only in charge of Europe at the moment.

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Less than three weeks of its annual general meeting, it is very bad news just learned that the 40,000 shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett suffers from prostate cancer.

"This note to say that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage 1. The good news is that my doctors told me that my health does not put anything in my life in danger or does not weaken me enormously, "says legendary investor highly respected in the financial community, in a letter. In his message, he explains that he and his doctors decided he would undergo radiation therapy for a period of two months starting in mid-July.

This protocol will restrict its ability to move, but not prevent it to work everyday, he said. The shareholders of its holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, will be required to the evolution of his health, he further said.

However, the American billionaire sought to reassure its shareholders. "I feel very well – as if my health was perfect – and my energy is 100%" guarantee multibillionaire. More importantly, this announcement comes six weeks after the guru of finance said that the estate is already assured. He concluded: "I will inform the shareholders (Berkshire Hathaway) immediately if my health changed. One day, of course, it will happen. But I am convinced that this day is still far from us, "he concludes.

At least two lean years ahead of world trade. After the 5% increase in volume recorded in 2011, already far removed from 13.8% in 2010, the growth of international trade in goods and services will fall 3.7% this year, predicts the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This slowdown shows that "downside risks remain high and that we are not out of the woods," warns its director general, Pascal Lamy. It reflects not only the crisis in the eurozone, where the risks of recession are not excluded, but the consequences of the tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand, which disrupted production chains across Asia.

Even in China growth stalled. The World Bank has revised its forecast for Thursday GDP growth (GDP) of 8.4% to 8.2% this year. And if HSBC says the country will "rank among the top ten global markets by 2050," the bank regrets that "consumption is slow" and that "external demand remains weak."

However, it is developing countries that should benefit most from world trade in 2012, with exports and imports respectively up 5.6% and 6.2%, against 2% and 1.9% for developed countries . But the WTO, who hopes a recovery in the economy of the United States and Japan, fears and weaknesses of Europe too much of a rise in commodity prices.

"Trade restrictions"

The Geneva-based organization is little more optimistic for 2013. Although it contains the growth of international trade will rise to 5 installment payday loans.6%, with growth of 7.2% of exports of developing countries and 4.1% in developed countries. At the same time imports are projected to increase by 7.8% and 3.9% respectively. But this is little more than the 5.4% average annual increase recorded over the last twenty years. No room for complacency.

And it is certainly not sufficient to preclude the temptations of nationalism from a number of countries and the risks of a return to a more or less creeping protectionism. Pascal Lamy sees no protests yet openly declared. But he fears that "trade restrictions" appear and are "undermining the benefits of openness" in international trade. It is imperative "to revitalize the trading system to prevent such a scenario happens," pleads the Director General of the World Trade Organization.

Yet it was precisely the mission that had set the negotiations on the Doha round to liberalize world trade up. Unfortunately, begun in 2001, they are still deadlocked. And increasingly threatened by the proliferation of free trade agreements signed over the world without the WTO.

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There are increases that hurt the wallet, and others are welcome. The April 1 announcement of more good news than bad.

• Pensions

Pensions of the general (civil servants and private employees) rose 2.1% from the 1st April. A decision expected. A few days ago the joint supplementary pension schemes AGIRC (executives) and Arrco (all employees) have also taken account of inflation higher than expected in 2011 and have upgraded the pensions of 2.3%.

In a joint statement the Ministers of Economy, Baroin, and Labour Xavier Bertrand pointed out that the pension increases took into account inflation in 2012 (1.8%, revised upwards) and inflation recorded in late 2011 (2.1%) a differential of 0.3%.

• Minimum age

The minimum age knows him, a stronger increase of 4.7% and is increased to 777.16 euros per month for a single person and 1,237 euros for a couple. The minimum pension which is paid to 400,000 pensioners the most modest, however, does not yet live above the poverty line which is 954 euros per month for a single person. The proportion of the population living below the poverty line is 13.5%. During the five year period the allowance will be increased by 25% as promised by Nicolas Sarkozy.

• Disabled adult allowance

The disabled adult allowance (AAH) passes almost 760 euros on April 1st, up 2.2%. Accordance with the promise of Nicolas Sarkozy to the upgrade of 25% for the duration of his five years, the AAH "and go to 759.98 euro 743.62 euro per month against current" and "a second revaluation of 2.19% , take place on 1 September, "said recently the Ministry of Solidarity. It would then amount to 776.59 euros per month, or 155.32 euros more than in 2007. The AAH was seen by 915,000 people in late 2010.

• Family benefits

Family benefits increased by 1% (including family allowances, grants for child care, the allowance for school …). Previously, family benefits were revalued on 1 January. But last year, the government had rejected the revaluation at 1 April, making 130 million euros in savings.

In addition, as part of austerity measures, it was decided that family benefits are not adjusted according to inflation but growth. The expected savings are 400 million euros for 2012 and 500 million for 2013. Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that this would be limited to one year.

• VAT on books

After construction and restaurants, it's time to see their books go this Sunday VAT by 5.5% to 7%. Increases announced in fall 2011 and denounced by the booksellers, whose business is already one of the least profitable. At the Book Fair, the PS candidate Francois Hollande said it intends to reduce its rates "from 7 to 5.5%" if elected, to "defend the digital book at one price" and "protect the rights Copyright and the network of booksellers. "

Booksellers manifest on April 28, between the two rounds of presidential elections, on the feast of the independent bookstore.

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A few weeks before the start of the tourist season in Greece, industry professionals are concerned about given the country's image abroad. The clashes that broke out between police and demonstrators, repeated strikes in public transport and the crisis affecting the economy, trade and health, greatly tarnish the reputation of "Mediterranean paradise" Greece had so far.

For Francoise Deschamps, Director of Travel Agency Profile in Athens, it is a bad trial because the country. "Violence is not the nature of the Hellenes. There are fewer demonstrations and strikes if they only last a few hours when it comes to archaeological sites. The Acropolis is always accessible to all, "protested she.  

Lower prices

While acknowledging that bookings were down this summer, Francoise Deschamps makes a point of honor to overcome stereotypes, "apart from the American Express (which is rarely accepted because traders are unwilling to pay 7% commission) you can pay everywhere with a credit card or a Visa. No need to bring cash into oneself. Distributors are always stocked, "she says.

The large luxury resort with beach, private pool and gourmet restaurant at the guesthouse, hoteliers were for the most part, forced to lower room rates and offer additional services to each reservation. "Our prices have dropped by at least 20%," says Adrian Vassilikos, director of Airotel, owns six hotels in the country. If the crisis is especially hoteliers, because of increased taxes and reduced bookings, Adrien Vassilikos remains confident: "Tourists know that Athens, like the rest of the country, is one of the most safest in the world. No risk of terrorism or crime. The crisis has not increased the number of pickpockets. To this we must add that in case of accident or illness, we have very capable hospitals, providing care free and urgency, "he said cash advance payday loan.

Of solidarity

Tourism is the second largest economic sector in the country, representing 17% of GDP, after shipping. In 2011, Greece has benefited more or less the effect of revolutions and Arab tourism, compared to the previous year, increased by 10%. This year, some professionals rely on the solidarity towards Greece, shot by the crisis. This movement is gaining ground worldwide and in all sectors. Twenty major Greek groups, as the airline Aegean or Coca-Cola Hellenic, even financed full-page newspaper ads French, German, Dutch, Belgian and British. Under the slogan "give a chance to Greece", these advertisers show a country in flux, despite its economic vicissitudes.

A bank of tourism in the study

To improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector, the Greek government uses the aid of the "task force". This working group of the European Commission, whose representatives are installed in the Greek capital, shook the tourism industry. "Being competitive yes, but then to build infrastructure for mass tourism, there is a margin," worries Francoise Deschamps, Director of Travel Agency Profile. "Greece is a country that fits the needs of every tourist. You can still find himself alone on a beach, eating in a tavern or family homestay accommodation is unique and should not destroy it for the sake of competitiveness, "she adds. Several projects are in preparation at the Ministry of Finance including the creation of a bank or tourist development projects of ancient sites, remote islands from Piraeus or agricultural areas.

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Al-Jazeera continues its sports rights market. The sports channel funded by Qatar has indeed acquired the rights for three years of the Spanish Liga. According to one expert dossier, the headquarters of al-Jazeera would not have hesitated to put the triple, or more than 20 million euro to carry the exclusive distribution of this competition previously held by Canal +. This new contract follows the co-buying last week in the Italian championship for three years. Canal + and al-Jazeera spent $ 10 million each. A few weeks ago, the chain announced Qatar had also redeem the Europa League, for an amount that would more than double the previous transaction. In all, this is currently a total budget of 260 million euros that Al Jazeera devoted to the purchase of sports rights.

This envelope is expected to rise significantly in the coming days. Industry players are in effect suspended the announcement of the purchase rights of the Euro 2012 football and Euro 2016 football. Today the negotiations between UEFA and the Qatari channel block on the number of games that the rights holder wishes to broadcast on free channels. Indeed, UEFA would like 19 games to be visible by the largest number, more than half of the competition. That does not want al-Jazeera, which until now has consistently doubled or tripled the amount of acquired rights. TF1 and M6 on their side made a direct offer to UEFA for trying to break the deadlock.

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TF1 is not abandoning its status string of Formula 1. Monday morning, Laurent-Eric Le Lay, president of Eurosport and patron of sports rights acquisitions for the group TF1, wanted no misunderstanding: "The group intend to compete at the next tender" that launch the FOM (Formula One Management), he said in substance. "We will continue to treat an outstanding Formula 1 in 2012. And in view of the hearings, we will look very carefully the tender. It is true that today we believe that the price paid is very high, or too high fast cash now. " "Given the developments in television in clear, our means are more limited than before," he said.

Each year, the chain headed by Nonce Paolini does not less than 40 million euros to broadcast these competitions, more than two million per Grand Prix. An amount deemed too important by the group, although, on average, hearings Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon are in the chain, to 23.5%, about three million viewers.

On average, hearings Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon are in the chain.