Finland open to selling destination jointly with neighbours

The Finnish Tourist Board has expressed interest in working closely with its neighbours like Russia and Estonia to sell itself in the Indian market. Arto Asikainen, area manager, Finnish Tourist Board, said, "Our purpose of coming to India is the same - to give our hotels, ferry line companies and other Finnish operators the opportunity to interact with the Indian trade. We were contacted by a few neighbouring regions for joint promotions and were apprehensive about it. But we have recognised that this strategy will give our product a better push since people prefer to visit multiple destinations when on a holiday. Also, Finland is still not being perceived as a mono destination in long haul markets."

Last year, Finland received 63,000 registered overnights from India. Says Asikainen, "There has been a 28 per cent growth form India compared to our other markets. Realistically, inspite of the recession, we are expecting 75,000 overnights from India this year." Apart from participating in road shows, operators from Finland have been coming independently to India to do business and promote themselves. For 2009, the destination is working on positioning itself more as a leisure destination than MICE. In addition, the tourist board plans to launch its B2B and B2C online portal by the end of June this year. Also, for the first time this year, the country will also be participating in a large co-operation programme with Cox & Kings in India. The tourist board had earlier this year announced its representative office in Mumbai which is connected with the Finpro, the country's trade centre.

Source: http://www.expresstravelworld.com/

SMEs need brand differentiators

SMEs should not blame talent for not opting to work for them, if they are not doing the right things to attract the type of employees they want, says B2B brand specialist StrategiCom.

This is because some of the 'right things' that are being done by bigger companies can be done by SMEs too and perhaps even in a better way.

'In a larger organisation, there may be policies and guidelines that prevent space and empowerment, and reporting of course,' explained StrategiCom principal consultant and CEO Wilson Chew. 'It's not wrong. It's structural dynamics in organisations. I think in smaller organisations, people are given more space, a lot more decision-making space. In smaller organisations, it is easier for someone who is relatively new to be part of a strategic thinking process.'

And this could work to the benefit of SMEs. According to a recent research by StrategiCom and Singapore National Employers Federation, the most important attribute in a company that people look for when seeking a job is the freedom to work on their own initiative. Forty-three out of 150 respondents, or 29 per cent, picked that as a key factor to consider.

And contrary to common perception, overall compensation and benefits only come in as the fourth most important attribute (35 hits, or 23 per cent) they look for in an employer, after 'recognition and appreciation of employees' work' (42 hits), and 'opportunity for long-term career progression' (39 hits). Compensation and benefits was more important than training and development, which was the fifth most important factor in talent attraction, being ticked by 32 respondents.

Initiated in September, the research aims to help SMEs brand themselves as potential employers of graduates and professionals, as SMEs had consistently cited difficulties in attracting and retaining talent as one of the key challenges in their development.

The study included interviews with 33 SMEs and 150 individuals who are either MBA students, undergraduates in their final year or graduate working professionals. A total of 55 attributes were listed in each of the questions asked.

'The research findings showed that . . . there are some salient things that talent do want to hear about the organisation, whether they are this sort of organisation,' said Mr Chew. 'And what I'm saying is, if you are that sort of SME - which is highly possible because you're smaller, more agile and more flexible - then tell them.'

Unfortunately, many SMEs are not taking a proactive approach in communication or see it as an expensive exercise. But a simple thing as a corporate website presence can be an effective channel to project a company's values, vision and culture.

'I tell you something about talented people when they jobseek - they head straight for your website,' said Mr Chew. 'So one of the most effective ways is to put yourself on the Internet, and have a dotcom suffix, make sure that you are seen on the Internet when someone searches for you. If you are not there, how to know you? So you have to do that. If you don't, then your mindset must change.'

Apart from the Internet, Mr Chew says B2B SMEs may want to streamline their recruitment efforts to be more targeted. Narrower platforms, such as trade shows and industry-specific channels, may be faster and more effective in getting the right people than mass market channels.

But before communication, SMEs also need to take a step back and find out what their unique attributes are, build that differentiator into the corporate brand and align their HR strategy with it.

For instance, an SME in a traditional Chinese medicine business may build its corporate branding around its century-long heritage. The rich heritage could be linked with being masters of the business. Then its HR strategy could be developed in a way that would attract people who want to become masters of TCM, or who are great believers in alternative healing.

Even B2B businesses can apply branding to their HR capabilities. Mr Chew highlighted a commercial vehicle firm, which is known to integrate its general equipment with its commercial vehicle and package it as a purpose-built, industrial vehicle. And in this new category, the company is the market leader, a unique point which then can be used as a brand differentiator.

In turn that brand positioning can be tied to its talent attraction strategy. 'Operationalise it into HR development and say, 'If you have the creativity for equipment integration, we'll give you that space to explore',' said Mr Chew. 'Or, 'We want creative engineers to join us'.'

If the concept still sounds abstract to SMEs, SNEF and StrategiCom are offering an SME Employer Study Briefing on April 15. The two partners will also organise a one-day workshop in May to help SMEs translate some of the findings in their recent survey into practical techniques.

'Doing some things that are D-I-Y (do-it-yourself) is better than doing nothing,' said Mr Chew. 'Some SMEs don't even have a web page.'

Source: http://business.asiaone.com/

888 Operating Income Grows 21% in 2008

In its 2008 end of year results released this week, 888, the parent company of Pacific Poker, revealed that its operating income grew by 21% last year to $262.5 million. In 2007, it reported operating income of $216.9 million.

888's casino arm saw its revenue balloon by 14% to $135.1 million in 2008, up from $118.1 in 2007. However, Pacific Poker's revenues dropped by 4% from $80.8 million in 2007 to $77.2 million last year. All told, 888 posted a profit before tax of $48.6 million during the 2008 calendar year, up 6% from 2007. This resulted in a final dividend of 2.9 cents per share.

Operational highlights for the brand in 2008 included 14 new business customers, including an arrangement with Sportech PLC, which was forged back in June. The addition of two new Bingo customers brought its total stable to nine and, on the same day as its earnings were released, 888 announced a partnership with the Racing Post, which it describes as “the pre-eminent horse-racing industry publication.” Also during 2008, the company launched 888sport.com and 888ladies.com.

888's Chief Executive Officer, Gigi Levy, commented in the company's earnings release, “We believe that this successful model, offering both B2B and B2C businesses, is key to growth in the online gaming market in the coming years. Despite the difficult economic circumstances during the last few months of 2008, our underlying business remained strong.” The company warned that its first quarter revenues in 2009 will likely be lower than its fourth quarter revenues in 2008, reflecting the downswing in the global economy.

In 2008, Pacific Poker became available in 11 languages: Russian, Polish, Czech, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Greek, and Japanese. The report by 888 also revealed that Pacific Poker may receive a makeover in 2009: “The Pacific Poker site will be given a new look and feel, with additional products and poker side bets enhancing the customer experience of the poker room.” Pacific Poker, like other online poker sites owned by publicly traded companies, does not accept customers from the United States. The decision came after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.

The number of active customers on Pacific Poker sank from 170,988 during the first quarter of 2008 to just 158,557 during the fourth quarter. Consequently, its average revenue per customer fell from $128 to $107. On its lackluster close to the 2008 calendar year, 888 officials explained, “Due to the prolonged and deepening economic downturn, unprecedented challenging trading conditions were experienced following the end of the summer holiday season. Active customers played slightly less and volatile adverse foreign exchange movements exacerbated the effect on US$ denominated revenues.”

Nearly a quarter of a million new players deposited for the first time on 888's poker or casino platforms last year. It inked poker agreements with Poker Dome, Littlewoods, and Lucky Ace in 2008, further growing its presence in the marketplace. Similar to other internet gambling sites that do not accept U.S. players, 888 is keeping close tabs on the developments between the European Commission and World Trade Organization. Last week, the Commission's preliminary findings revealed the U.S. is in violation of its trade obligations due to its stance on internet gambling. A final report is due this month.

According to traffic ranking site PokerScout.com, Pacific Poker boasts the 13th busiest network worldwide in terms of cash game volume with a seven day running average of 1,100 players. Its 24 hour peak is nearly double that number, 2,174. At the time of writing, which is late afternoon throughout Europe, nearly 1,400 ring game players are seated at its virtual felts.

Source: http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/

888 renames B2B division

888, one of the world's most popular online gaming companies, has renamed its B2B division as Dragonfish.

The new branding is in recognition of Dragonfish’s separate function within 888 and to differentiate Dragonfish’s B2B offering which is distinct from, but complementary to, 888’s traditional B2C products. The new brand is indicative of 888’s intention to become a major player in the B2B market and highlights the division’s status as an independent entity.

A pioneer and leader in the B2C industry, 888 made the strategic decision in 2007 to lead the way in becoming the largest B2C operator to move into the B2B arena. Capitalising on its market-leading back office technology and decade-long B2C experience, 888 is uniquely positioned to work with carefully selected strategic partners who are either aiming to monetise their existing database, brand loyalty and media assets or looking to enhance their existing online gaming operations.

Source: http://www.intergameonline.com/

888's b2b division named Dragonfish for media partner offensive

LONDON - 888, the online gaming company, has named its B2B division Dragonfish as it intends to become a 'major player' in the B2B market.

The new branding is to differentiate Dragonfish's offering which is distinct from 888's traditional B2C products.

888 plans to work with online gaming operators and media companies looking to monetise their brands.

A strapline ‘Total Gaming Services' will underpin Dragonfish's services in technology, operations and ePayments, and offline and online marketing, management of affiliates, SEO, CRM and business analytics.

888 made the decision to move into the B2B arena in 2007 and plans to work with partners who are either aiming to monetise their existing database, brand loyalty and media assets or looking to enhance their existing online gaming operations.

2008 saw 888 sign B2B deals with the UK Football Pools (Sportech Plc) and Dragonfish currently provides Sportech with a full managed service including all technology, operations and marketing of Sportech's Littlewoods brand.

Dragonfish this week signed a deal to provide the Racing Post with a comprehensive online gaming operation for casino and poker services.

Source: http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/

Expert details benefits of foreign trade zones

More businesses will save on imports thanks to the expansion of the Foreign-Trade Zone around Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, according to an expert in foreign-trade zone law.

“The ability to defer, reduce or eliminate customs duties on certain imported goods are among the many cost-saving benefits to businesses,” Scott Taylor, a partner with Kansas City-based law firm Miller & Co., said in an address Monday.

About 100 real estate professionals, logistics firms and other companies attended a seminar hosted by the St. Louis County Economic Council and the St. Louis County Port Authority at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport.

“These products can be admitted into zones for storage, exhibition, assembly, manufacturing or processing,” Taylor said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently approved an 820-acre expansion of the Foreign-Trade Zone around Lambert from 11 acres. The department also awarded a $1.7 million grant to the St. Louis County Economic Council to conduct market research, gauge local interest in the project and perform outreach to other Midwestern states.

In addition to Lambert, the FTZ expansion sites include developable land and leasable space at NorthPark, a 550-acre redevelopment located east of Lambert; Hazelwood Commerce Center, an industrial park on nearly 170 acres, directly northwest of Lambert and Interstates 70 and 170; and Lindbergh Distribution Center, a 528,000-square-foot distribution warehouse on 25 acres owned by Duke Realty LP, located southwest of the former Ford plant in Hazelwood.

Taylor’s presentation outlined the specifics of the FTZ program and the benefits of incentives located within one of these designated zones.

The expanded FTZ also is a step in establishing the St. Louis region as the Midwest air cargo hub for commercial trade with China. Local leaders recently visited China once again in an effort to continue fostering this partnership.

In January, Zhou Wenzhong, China’s ambassador to the United States, and local leaders announced the formation of a commission aimed at bringing Chinese air freight to Lambert. Michael Jones, chief policy adviser for St. Louis County, has been named chairman of the Midwest China Hub Commission.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/