"People ready_Business" campaign represents the contribution of IT to solve economic problems at the center

Microsoft today announced its new "People ready_Business campaign in Germany. It is the world to intensify the dialogue with companies. The aim is also greater awareness of the many Microsoft solutions to create, for businesses, particularly in difficult economic times , great value.

The slogan of the campaign, "Why is everyone" ( "It Jedermanns_Business"), to demonstrate that the staff focal point for business success.

The recipe for success is, according to Microsoft: solutions in the hands of the right people. Consequently, there are also people in the campaign in the center: testimonials as Katie Bayne, chief marketing officer of Coca-Cola, explaining how their IT solutions in the profitable use. In the example of his work shows how innovative technologies tangible economic problems.

"The new marketing campaign is an important signal at a time when most companies to stop investing in IT. Only you can make a significant contribution to the solution of economic problems, and every employee of a company directly position to generate value, "says Ralph Haupt, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Microsoft Germany.

The new campaign aims to draw attention to the wide range of innovative Microsoft solutions guide, which helps companies reduce costs, increase productivity and innovation. As a key technology to increase efficiency, for example, cites Microsoft unified communications, business intelligence and collaboration tools.

The visual language and design, for example, television advertisements, are extraordinary: Under the direction of Michelle Dougherty occurred Forces imaginary creative cartoons, where all the testimony as if paper-based trick characters appear while listening to his statement.

As a creative agency is JWT (J. Walter Thompson) for the campaign. The location of McCann Erickson took over Germany in Munich. Universal McCann is a media agency. The campaign is in the U.S., Canada, Japan, France, Britain and Germany. The budget is only in Germany at a figure that millions of people.

For more information, including advertisements and the reasons for the new "People ready_Business" campaign, visit www.microsoft.de / people willing

Source: http://www.german-news.de/news/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3156

Bad Bellingen customers over overnight and profits in 2008

With very positive figures, and the thermal baths of Bad Bellingen Markgräflerland over the past 2008 years to look back.

Especially for the main figures Gesamtort - Guest arrivals and overnight stays - the trend shows clearly. A total of 2008 more than 9,000 arrivals in 2007, an increase of over 35%.

Despite always stays becoming shorter also increased the number of overnight a total of 12% - of which almost 25,000 more overnight stays than last year. The good news here is that the hotels, but also owners of small apartments and houses have benefited. The result is well above the national average.

In 2008, numerous events and new events designed and implemented, the Bad Bellingen place both regionally and nationally known and have made interesting. That the public see the park's soccer MS, the lights of the traditional festival with a new program or even the first night in a red wine Markgräfler Kuhaus, that is, without doubt, in the new year once again become a magnet will be.

Since November 2008, is once a month Balinea Eight sauna and swimming at 24.00 hours at a time, many night owls a large swimming pool and sauna attracts, as always for a tea or actions in the bathroom is offered . In January 2009, the choir Müllheim time out on the water and from there, always for the enjoyment of art in the classroom extra relaxing bath at 34 ° C hot thermal water.

Optimistic despite economic crisis

Also at the prospects for 2009 are - despite the omnipresent specter of the banking crisis and economic - many positive signs. The visitor figures for the first year in the spa and sauna Balinea especially parks show an upward trend.

The new spa baths and are well accepted and are already being reserved. For example, the estimated dates of the 11 "week of activities BKK 2009" - a 6 operating assets and support of the Health Program Betriebskrankenkassen - fully booked. Due to high demand at present engaged in additional work and expansion options.

Spa therapy is specifically addressed in Balinea Thermen continue. Bath and spa provides a physiotherapist, who is health and therapy care of the guests.

For more information, visit www.bad-bellingen.de

Source: http://www.german-news.de/news/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3157

Märklin Modelleisenbahn maker broke

The German tradition Märklin company is insolvent. The farmer has Modelleisenbahn Amtsgericht Göppingen bankruptcy. Previously, negotiations on new loans have failed - the owner now raise accusations against the banks.

Göppingen - The Farmer Märklin Modelleisenbahn money is expected. Talks with banks about the renewal of 50 million term loan were unsuccessful, the company said. The management, therefore jurisdiction Goeppingen request to open insolvency proceedings.

Operations continue to run initially without restrictions. The company is now remodeling during the process. Märklin, among other things, the Kreissparkasse Goeppingen negotiated.

In the circle of the owner showed him their outrage at the decision by the banks. "The banks' behavior is very strange," said an insider with Spiegel Online, "especially at the beginning of the Toy Fair." The auditing firm KPMG on February 13 had a renovation advice imaginable. "Obviously the banks are not considered necessary, this advice to be seen." Even in a deferral of interest or similar institutions that do not even want to negotiate.

According to "Südwest Presse", the banks' business policy and financial investors Goldman Sachs Kingsbridge, good Märklin had purchased three years earlier, disagrees. The bank is especially prevalent with the change management and consulting firms are not satisfied expensive. The document is based on people in the financial sector.

The last execution of the business a little better

According to the report, 2008 Kreissparkasse around 4.5 million euros in credit valuation adjustments due Märklin need. On Tuesday, it has been said that the toy manufacturer is due to the Christmas business is still solvent.

In addition is also Kreissparkasse Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) Märklin lenders. Credit lines of the two financial institutions had expired at the end of January.

It was the latest in operations Märklin was something better. In 2008, sales of the company rose slightly from 126 to 128 million euros. At the same time, the loss fell Märklin in commercial transactions, compared to 2007. Exact figures, the company, however, is not known.

"We are prepared to enter into agreement with the provisional liquidator of the tradition of our company to rehabilitate and stay in the market," said Dietmar Mundil. He admitted that while the restructuring of recent years is not fast enough to make an impact.

In fact, the 150th Anniversary Celebration

For the provisional liquidator was the attorney for Michael Ulm Pluta named the district court announced. He is a lawyer specializing in bankruptcy law. Until the opening of insolvency proceedings, according to court information can be, but is still nearly two months.

Until then, may be important for the employees of insolvency loss money in benefits. Märklin employs about 1,050 staff, 650 in Germany and 400 in Hungary. Workers in Germany is planned for January will no longer pay the salaries received.

There is in this year's celebration: the 150th Anniversary of the exhibitions in several cities and a special exhibition at the company location Goeppingen expected. Bankruptcy is now probably dashed these plans.

wal / dpa / AP

Source: http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,605441,00.html