FST Europe

10. Bristol-Myers Squibb Layoffs: 840 After cutting out 7000 employees last year, BMS only just made this year's cut with its September layoffs. The company continues to prepare for the Plavix patent cliff, as generic counterparts take over a larger portion of the market. BMS was posting higher-than-expected profits when the layoffs occurred. But although the company's other drugs, including the antipsychotic Abilify continue to do well, Plavix's US$6.5 billion is hard to replace. As Edward Jones analyst Linda Bannister says, "With the patent cliff all these companies are facing, they need to reduce costs as quickly as possible to navigate what is going to be a very challenging couple of years for the industry." 9. Novartis Layoffs: 1400 After much concern that Novartis would release Roche-esque layoffs, the company ended the year announcing 1400 cuts from the sales department, all of which would be effective starting January 1 2010. The layoffs come primarily from the company's... - FST Europe

Head to head Apple is still the No. 1 smartphone manufacturer, as it had been for over a year, but there are signs that the iPhone is approaching saturation in the developer community. In a Millenial survey, Android was the No. 1 platform developers plan to support in 2011, with Microsoft's Window Phone 7 and the iPad tied for second. The iPhone was relegated to fourth place, after the Blackberry. The extraordinary growth of Google's Android phones can be traced in six months of smartphone advertising data from Millenial Media, the largest independent mobile ad network, Through a series of pie charts, they show Android overtaking Research in Motion's (RIMM) Blackberry between June and July in ad impressions, gaining rapidly on Apple's iPhone between July and September and finally coming even with Ios in October with a 37 percent share apiece. However, Millenial's November report shows that Android and iOS tied for the second month in a row, at 38 percent each. After six months of... - FST Europe

Mark Madoff suicide Mark Madoff, the eldest son of disgraced financer Bernard, was found hanged in his Manhattan apartment in December. This latest casualty is another in the saga that sent Bernard Madoff to prison and swindled thousands of their life savings. The suicide took place on Saturday December 11- the second anniversary of his fathers arrest for the worst investment fraud in American history. Mark Madoff, 46, was found dead in the living room of his Soho loft. He was hanging from a black dog leash while his 2-year-old son slept nearby. Those closest to Mark Madoff said he was despondent over press coverage of his father's case, an ongoing criminal investigation of Madoff family members in the multibillion-dollar scheme and his struggle to rebuild his life. The convicted Ponzi-schemer Bernard will not attend the funeral of his son out of consideration for his daughter-in-law and grandchildren, attorney Ira Sorkin said. Bernard, 71, is at the Butner Federal Correction Complex,... - FST Europe

In October 2010, Australian entrepreneur Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin embarked on a bold business challenge: become the Smallest Multinational in the World. Follow Sebastien's whirlwind journey around the world as he attempts to prove that with the right entrepreneurial spirit, you don't need to be big to be big. Sebastien International tells the inspiring story of a unique business adventure. Episode 3 - London Sebastien has just two days to strike a deal in London and a tube strike has brought the city to a stand still. It's far from ideal for the young man who is trying to become the world's smallest multinational, but as every successful entrepreneur knows - it's about how you adapt and overcome. Top apps when you're on the road If there is anything that my last business trip to London taught me, it's to make sure you've got your apps in order before you go. With the right technology you can be prepared for anything, even a tube strike the day you've got a major presentation, an... - FST Europe

In October 2010, Australian entrepreneur Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin embarked on a bold business challenge: become the Smallest Multinational in the World. Follow Sebastien's whirlwind journey around the world as he attempts to prove that with the right entrepreneurial spirit, you don't need to be big to be big. Sebastien International tells the inspiring story of a unique business adventure. Episode 6 - San Francisco Sebastien's journey ends appropriately in the venture capitalist capital of the world. Has he done enough so far to convince potential investors, or will he return to Sydney Australia with much still to be done? HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS SYSTEM (AND WRITE YOURSELF OUT OF A JOB) It is always my goal or aim in my startups to build the business to a point where it can be sold to someone else - hopefully at a large profit which makes the journey to get there all the more worthwhile! One of the best things any business can do to improve the value at the point of sale is to... - FST Europe

GSI Health, a leading health information solutions provider, is pleased to announce Lori Evans Bernstein has joined the company as President. In her new role, Ms. Evans Bernstein will lead GSI Health's growth efforts as the company looks to expand its software as a service (SaaS) based health information exchange and management solutions that help provider organizations, government and health IT vendors reduce healthcare costs and improve healthcare quality. Ms. Evans Bernstein will report to GSI Health Chief Executive Officer, LeRoy Jones. Prior to joining GSI Health, Ms. Evans Bernstein served as Chief Executive of a provider solutions division of ActiveHealth Management, a health management company owned by Aetna, Inc. She also served previously as Deputy Commissioner, New York State Department of Health, Office of Health IT Transformation and Senior Advisor to the nation's first National Coordinator for Health IT, Dr. David Brailer. "We are thrilled to have a leader of Lori's... - FST Europe

Sebastien International - The Web Series In October 2010, Australian entrepreneur Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin embarked on a bold business challenge: become the Smallest Multinational in the World. Follow Sebastien's whirlwind journey around the world as he attempts to prove that with the right entrepreneurial spirit, you don't need to be big to be big. Sebastien International tells the inspiring story of a unique business adventure. Episode 2 - Tokyo In February 2010, Sebastien Eckersley Maslin left the Australian Navy and became an Entrepreneur. Shortly after, he started a successful business in seven days with just AU$500. And now, he's taking on his biggest challenge ever: become the Smallest Multinational in the World. In episode 2, we join Sebastien in Tokyo. Doing business in Japan is like a lesson in fine art. While the pace of Tokyo can make your head spin at street level, step inside the cool calm of any highrise and the attention to time honoured traditions is as detailed as... - FST Europe

In October 2010, Australian entrepreneur Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin embarked on a bold business challenge: become the Smallest Multinational in the World. Follow Sebastien's whirlwind journey around the world as he attempts to prove that with the right entrepreneurial spirit, you don't need to be big to be big. Sebastien International tells the inspiring story of a unique business adventure. Episode 5 - New York It's the toughest city in the world to crack and New York first-timer Sebastien certainly has his work cut out. But a meeting with a contact Sebastien describes as "like someone from The Godfather" is promising, and an encounter with a celebrity mentor soon have Seb on top of the world in the Big Apple. The business idea - one for one for a better world There's nothing like arriving in a city of 8.2 million people to remind you that you're a very small fish in a global pool of movers and shakers. That's why, as an entrepreneur trying to get noticed in New York, it's important... - FST Europe

CureFAKtor Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) inhibitors for cancer, today announced that its lead compound, CFAK-C4 , which is in development for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Orphan status is given to drugs and biologics that are being developed to treat rare medical conditions, specifically those affecting fewer than 200,000 persons in the U.S. Orphan Drug Designation provides for a number of potential incentives related to CFAK-C4, including a seven-year period of marketing exclusivity, reduced regulatory fees, certain tax credits, and additional regulatory support for research and development initiatives. "Receiving Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA is an important milestone for CureFAKtor, as well as for pancreatic cancer patients who have the lowest survival rate of any cancer and... - FST Europe

A new study, revealing the most irritating phrases in the English language, could offers some interesting lessons to business leaders. Following a study compiled by the Oxford University to find some of the most irritating phrases in the English language (At the end of the day; Absolutely; 24/7; Fairly unique, Shouldn't of; At this moment in time; With all due respect; It's not rocket science, etc.) a new study has revealed some of the worst phrases currently being touted across the world of business. Are you guilty of any of these? Cutting edge Leverage Utilize Value-added [insert word here] 2.0 Its true, each one of these is over-used and irritating. With the list growing, many are nothing more than an unneccessary adjective that serves no real function. Take a look at the business book, Why Business People Speak Like Idiots, for a more critical view. In it, the others explore why business leaders throw buzzwords, vapid clichés and meaningless hype around like wildfire; but even in... - FST Europe

IT recruitment specialist Nicoll Curtin Technology is expanding its commercial division, the first of a series of planned initiatives to grow its business in 2011 following on from a successful 2010. The company has hired Gavin Tew as Commercial Division Manager, together with two consultants, to boost the already established division and is planning further experienced hires across the year. Nicoll Curtin Technology recruits contract and permanent IT experts on a contingency basis for the banking and financial, commercial and public sectors. Lawrence Hargreaves, Managing Director of Nicoll Curtin Technology said: ‘We believe that there is a huge potential to develop our commercial portfolio significantly, we have added a wealth of experience to the division to take full advantage of that opportunity'. Gavin Tew joins Nicoll Curtin Technology from Venn Group, where he established and headed up their commercial sector team. Gavin commented: ‘I'm joining Nicoll Curtin Technology at a... - FST Europe

RBG, the leading provider of fabric maintenance, construction support and related services to the international oil, gas and petrochemical industries, has reinforced its commitment to the region through the re-launch of the company as RBG Middle East. Formerly trading as SRQ, the company has now taken full control of its business and is in the process of fuelling expansion throughout the Middle East (‘ME') region after a very successful 2010. As the industry matures and activity continues to increase the shutdown/turnaround and maintenance market has become a focus. With its specialist suite of services, which includes specialist cleaning, mechanical and inspection, RBG Middle East is ideally placed to react to the industry's ever increasing demand. Graeme Shirreffs, Director at RBG Middle East, said: "Ensuring that equipment and facilities are operating at optimal efficiency is vital as activity and demand picks up. For RBG, this is an excellent position to be in, as the company... - FST Europe

According to several sources, US officials have raided a house in Minnesota of two exchange students suspected of card-based fraud, along with conning millions of dollars from retailers on sites like eBay and PayPal. The students are supposedly part of a Vietnam-based crime ring. According to an affidavit filed supporting a search warrant request, Winona State University students Tram Vo and Khoi Van are suspected of participation in the scam that has hit Amazon, Apple and Rosetta Stone among others. Both Tram Vo and Khoi Van are thought to have set up over 180 eBay, and over 360 PayPal accounts using stolen identities, which they would utilize to sell stolen goods like video games and iTunes gift cards. The pair are suspected to have raised $1.2 million through their endeavours. Including those affected were online merchants including PayPal, Amazon, Apple, Dell, Verizon Wireless and translation software firm Rosetta Stone. The accusations are part of a larger investigation,... - FST Europe