Fast Food Protesters Demand Higher Pay

Linda Devito, director, marketing partnerships at XO Group Inc. in New York City, says her company’s unlimited vacation policy creates a culture of employee accountability. Courtesy Linda Devito This Labor Day weekend, Linda Devito is taking an extended vacation to the Caribbean, which isn’t going to count against her vacation days. She’s not traveling for a work trip and her trip extends past the observed federal holiday. But Devito’s not counting: Her employer has an unlimited vacation policy, a policy that is trending beyond the bounds of tech companies. Instead of a standard two-week vacation policy, Devito, 36, director of marketing partnerships for the XO Group, Inc., says employees at her media company communicate closely with one another and their managers to make sure the time off doesn’t interrupt work. “You just get what you have to get done. You’re accountable to your team.
This article has been curated from Workers Balance Unlimited Vacation Policies

The federal minimum wage–$7.25 an hour—last was raised in 2009. Protesters are asking for $15 an hour. PEREZ: FAST FOOD STRIKE SHOWS NEED FOR HIGHER WAGE The National Restaurant Association told ABC News the argument over raising wages should be based on fact—and that the fact is, only 5 percent of restaurant employees earn the minimum wage. The association further says that the 5 percent are mostly part-time workers, and that half are teenagers. A statement by McDonald’s to ABC News said in part: “The story promoted by the individuals organizing these events does not provide an accurate picture of what it means to work at McDonald’s. McDonald’s aims to offer competitive pay and benefits. We provide training and professional development for all of those who wish to take advantage of those opportunities.
This article has been curated from Fast Food Protesters Demand Higher Pay

Whoa

The Michigan state Senate has now passed the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. It took a second vote by the full chamber and one senator changing his vote. Dylan Scott has more .
 

For full version, visit http://talkingpointsmemo.feedsportal.com/c/34753/f/640418/s/30790177/sc/7/l/0Ltalkingpointsmemo0N0Carchives0C20A130C0A80Clatest0Ifrom0Imichigan0Bphp/story01.htm

So put Snyder and some of the state’s other elected Republicans in the “We’ll hold our noses and accept Obamacare because it’s a great deal for our state” camp. Today’s Senate vote was expected to be close. Indeed it was. The final vote a short time ago was 19-18, with one senator abstaining.
For full version, visit http://talkingpointsmemo.feedsportal.com/c/34753/f/640418/s/30781f71/sc/1/l/0Ltalkingpointsmemo0N0Carchives0C20A130C0A80Cwhoa0I30Bphp/story01.htm

The Nanny State Leaves Nannies Alone

While hiring a nanny for his daughter, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry  realized that there are “no occupational licensing rules for nannies as there are for, say, teachers and nurses.” He argues that “if anyone actually believed that occupational licensing ensures safety and raises quality, we would have occupational licensing rules for nannies”:
Somehow, most parents entrust their children to nannies without a law to say who can be a nanny and who may not and, somehow, the system works.
The example of the nanny really drove home for me the extent to which occupational licensing is a sham. Here is an occupation where the concerns of safety and quality are paramount to the consumers, and where these consumers have political clout such that if they demanded occupational licensing rules, they would be immediately enacted. But because it is the consumers who have the political clout, not the producers, occupational licensing rules were not enacted. And nobody–quite rightly!–views this as a problem.
This article has been curated from The Nanny State Leaves Nannies Alone

Review: 2014 Acura RLX (With Video)

In 1961, Ford sent two examples of their recently introduced Falcon to Argentina in order to help their factory in La Boca set up a production line. Argentina was booming then and the newly emerging middle class finally had enough discretionary income to afford new cars. Naturally, the Ford company was hoping to put that country on wheels and the rugged and reliable Falcon seemed to be perfect for the task.
For full version, visit http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/08/on-peace-freedom-and-the-fearsome-reputation-of-the-ford-falcon/

Ouch. Drivetrain Acura’s only engine for 2014 is a direct-injected 310HP 3.5L V6 that cranks out 272lb-ft of torque. In typical Acura fashion peak power comes at 6,500 RPM, torque comes to a boil at a lofty 4,500 RPM and the six-pot is smooth as butter at every RPM. 310 ponies used to be something to brag about, unfortunately this is 2014 and the RLX’s mill only leads when you compare it to base engines in the competition. The problem is everyone but Acura offers a more powerful engine option.
For full version, visit http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/08/review-2014-acura-rlx-with-video/

Clearing Up the Confusion about Content Marketing

Marketers and advertisers alike want better understanding of their buyers and their behaviors. Knowing the purchase behavior of prospects can help a business create a strategy that’s focused on moving that customer from one phase of the purchase process to the next. Despite social media being considered a channel for more B2C companies than those in B2B, recent studies indicate that social media can work for businesses looking to influence their buyers, if only they put their efforts into the right places. To influence your buyers via social media, you need to understand how they’re using the various networks. Here are three steps you can take towards a stronger social influence. Related: 3 Reasons to Nurture New Leads with Social Media Focus on Forums Believe it or not, your buyers are using communities and forums quite heavily.
This article has been curated from 3 Steps to a Stronger Social Influence on B2B Buyers

If you’re unsure which type of content will best help you reach your desired goals, consider what the most effective tactics are for other marketers. Tying It Up with Tactics Understanding what has been effective for others can help you make better decisions. For businesses that have embraced the Big Data trend, taking a look at what has been successful for others can add to the data-driven decision making process you have. Respondents from the study reported the following as the most effective tactics: Customer Testimonials (89%) In-person Events (84%) White Papers (81%) Now that you have a solid understanding of your goals, and the type of content that will help you reach them, you need to determine what elements of your content will be the focus. Related: Get started with your own whitepaper marketing campaign today! Embracing Effective Elements Content marketing strategies must embrace all elements of the online world in order to be successful. From the audience created to how each piece is distributed, your business can’t ignore each element of content: conception, creation, and distribution. Conception: 71% say successful content starts with audience relevance ( Tweet this stat!
This article has been curated from Clearing Up the Confusion about Content Marketing

Mercedes Porsche Fighter Coming in 2015

Posted on: Aug 03, 2013 | 1,235 reads
See The Team At Velvet Cars Wrap A Mercedes-Benz CLS 350
Mercedes-Benz Videos Zytek

The velvet car trend is picking up momentum, and now there are whole companies devoted to it.
It seems that the trend of wrapping cars in velvet is now here to stay, and specially made wraps are now being manufactured specifically for automotive use. This means it resists the rain, UV, mud and bird shit which would ruin regular velvet, although the reactions we’ve seen to some velvet wrapped cars suggest that there are those out there who would love to see these ruined. Indeed, this is one of the weirder trends we’ve seen, and it has attracted its share of hate.
But companies like Velvet Cars (who make house calls, just so you know) have sprung up, and here we see them hard at work covering a Mercedes-Benz CLS 350.

For full version, visit http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/8/3/See-The-Team-At-Velvet-Cars-Wrap-A-Mercedes-Benz-CLS-350-7715587/

Not only are pre-production mules testing on both the road and track these days, a new report is claiming that the SLC will be arriving a little sooner than we expected. France Moves Forward With Mercedes-Benz Ban Despit… You Won’t Believe How Lucky This Forza 5 Fan Is Buy a Ford Focus ST or Fiesta ST = Free Driving Sc… Auto Express is claiming that we can expect for Mercedes to reveal the SLC in mid-2015, which would coincide nicely with a Geneva show live premiere. The images from our spy photographers may look like it’s a smaller version of its more powerful sibling, the SLS AMG, but we can expect for the production version to have unique sheetmetal. Gullwing doors will not be happening. Under its hood is also still a mystery, but a twin-turbo V6 is a good bet while a twin-turbo V8 could be optional.
For full version, visit http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/8/3/Mercedes-Porsche-Fighter-Coming-in-2015-7715545/