Tomato Newsletter "News 'n Views" No. 134 - January 2011
Introduction:
First of all, Happy New Year!
In 2011, the world is decidedly looking better than it did in the past few years. We are optimistic that the year will offer a host of opportunities and business will be brisker and less uncertain. If we can help you in any way to forge your path to success, please call on us. Also, please contribute to this newsletter with news and experiences that other readers would want to know.
Enjoy!
Regula Spottl
In Today's Issue:
TOMATO UPDATES
FINANCE AND BANKING
- Das neue Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen Deutschland-Schweiz aus Sicht der KPMG
- Interaktive Flash-Weltkarte mit Zahlmethoden im In- und Ausland
- Commodity Hedging of Copper, Nickel and Tin
- What Does It Take for CFOs to Become True Partners in Setting Company Strategy?
- Review of Top Challenges for Treasurers in 2010
- Survey Results: Liquidity Tops Corporates' Risk Concerns
- A Guide to Cash Management Systems in Europe
IT
- How to Let Information Guide IT
- Cloud Computing Has Impact on Swiss Business Landscape
- EU Global Standard Mobile-Phone Chargers on the Market in Early 2011
MISCELLANEOUS
- Social Networking: The Most Significant Business Development of 2010
- Understanding Social Networks' Potential
- Introverts Are the Best Bosses for Proactive Employees
- Why have American households consistently borrowed so heavily? And why have their counterparts in France borrowed so little?
New on Our Website: Our Milestones since 1992 and the Origin of Our Name
Milestones since 1992 include for example:
- Reorganization of cash management at the World Bank in Washington D.C.
- 8 years of projects in mass payments in Swiss Telecoms such as automated direct debits online or credit card payments online and via call center
- 3 years of training Ukrainian banks and lecturing at universities
- Participation in Swiss LSV+ Committee and representation of Swiss Telecom Industry
- Pioneering optimization of processes in banks
- Several Swift projects since 1992 in Banks and recently a corporate Swift solution including steering all payments and receivables worldwide (22 legal entities) via Swift.
(Complete list of milestones… )
Our Name: Origin and Meaning: We are often asked how the company name Tomato came about and what it signifies. Find out in Our Name!
Interaktive Flash-Weltkarte mit Zahlmethoden im In- und Ausland
Auf einer interaktiven Flash-Weltkarte können Online-Händler Bezahlverfahren in einzelnen Ländern auswählen. Computop offeriert diesen Service, der mehr als 24 Zahlmethoden inkl. länderübergreifende Varianten und landesspezifische Bezahlvarianten bietet.
(News Release... )
(Direkter Zugriff... )
(News Release in English: Interactive flash world map shows payment methods)
Commodity Hedging of Copper, Nickel and Tin
On Dec. 10, 2010 the London Stock Exchange initiated the world’s first exchange-traded products backed by copper, nickel and tin as ETF Securities Ltd. sought to meet demand to invest in industrial metals. (Full story... )
NZZ Artikel in deutsch: "Premiere für neuartige Kupfer-Produkte: ETF Securities lanciert die ersten Vehikel für physische Investitionen in Industriemetalle"
Seit 10.12.10, können Anleger in drei sogenannte Exchange-Traded Commoditys (ETC) investieren, die physisch mit Kupfer, Nickel und Zinn unterlegt sind. (Details... )
News on Dec. 13, 2010: "Chase bought bulk of copper warrants" (Details... )
Tomato Artikel zur Absicherung von Rohstoffen
What Does It Take for CFOs to Become True Partners in Setting Company Strategy?
An article in CFO.com suggests that it takes the redefining of CFO's role, overcoming the "Bad Cop" rap, a résumé that combines finance with operations experience or other specific opportunities that offer in-depth understanding of growth initiatives. "If you have the skills, use them. If you don't, get them."
Article by Russ Banham, CFO Magazine
Review of Top Challenges for Treasurers in 2010
Ben Poole, gtnews' editor reviewed industry trends and key issues. The list will quite likely resonate with your experience. Poole's observations offer a good framework for starting the New Year. The topics include for example:
- Cash management including forecasting, centralization, system choices
- Swift and the evolution of corporate payments
- Risk management
- Growth in supply chain finance
Full story (registration required, free)
Survey Results: Liquidity Tops Corporates' Risk Concerns
Ben Poole, gtnews' editor, reports the results of the gtnews' Treasury Risk survey which inquired about such topics as "liquidity risk, the effect of risk on treasury within organisational structure, counterparty risk, foreign exchange (FX) risk, interest rate risk and financial crime" and which of these participants considered the highest risks in 2011. 600 corporates participated in the research. The results revealed that liquidity is high on treasurers' agenda.
Complete results and commentary
A Guide to Cash Management Systems in Europe
This article by Joergen Jensen, Nasarius was published in gtnews in March 2010. If your company is considering investing in a new system, this article will help you decide as it offers an overview of the most common cash management systems sold in Europe and advises on how to select one.
Full story (registration required, free)
How to Let Information Guide Your IT
Information is crucial in an organization, yet there's a discrepancy between how much companies value information and how they don't do what is necessary to use and secure it.
In To Let Information Guide IT, Symantec's CIO Dave Thompson suggests that companies must employ policy-driven and well-protected IT strategies that focus on securing and managing their information, not their infrastructure.
Cloud Computing Has Impact on Swiss Business Landscape
In Swiss Companies Explore Latest IT Promised Land, Matthew Allen, swissinfo.ch, reports how the world of cloud computing is making an impact on the Swiss business landscape.
EU Global Standard Mobile-Phone Chargers on the Market in Early 2011
The European Commission expects the first common chargers and mobile phones that are compatible with the new standards for interoperability needed for the manufacture of data-enabled mobile phones to reach the European market in early 2011. The compatibility will be on the basis of Micro-USB connectors.
Social Networking: The Most Significant Business Development of 2010
Social networking has transformed from a personal communications tool into a new avenue that business leaders are using to change communications with their employees and customers, "as it shifts from one-way transmission of information to two-way interaction." That's why Harvard Business School's faculty rated it the most significant business development of 2010.
Full article explaining why leaders use social networking and who may risk the most from this communication tool.
Understanding Social Networks' Potential
Articles in the online media suggest that when it comes to businesses' interest in social networks, skeptics outweigh supporters – at least for now.
In the article Understanding Users of Social Networks, Sean Silverstone of Harvard Business School offers a fresh look into the interpersonal dynamics of these sites and suggests that businesses need to shift their mindset from social media to social strategy.
Introverts Are the Best Bosses for Proactive Employees
Extraverts are often thought to be the most successful leaders; but research by Harvard and University of North Carolina professors has revealed that employees who take initiative and speak out are often more effective with introvert bosses.
Research report published in the Wharton School of Business newsletter
Why have American households consistently borrowed so heavily while their counterparts in France borrowed so little?
A comparative historical analysis by Harvard Business School professor Gunnar Trumbull traces the roots of these different attitudes.
Full article with excellent executive summary and abstract
From the Desk of Regula Spottl
Bernard Baruch: Why I Still Believe in the Future
In 1953, Bernard Baruch (1870-1965), a financier and advisor to three American Presidents, read over the radio "Why I Still Believe in the Future." His speech offers good insights for us to remember for the 2011.
Baruch wrote that whatever "failures and follies" he witnessed in private and public life were the consequence of action without thought. Stupidity and cruelty are the attributes of crowds. That's why "I place my trust in reason" and in individuals. "I still believe that with courage and intelligence we can make the future bright with fulfillment."
Complete speech published in the Wall St. Journal on Nov. 20, 2010
Your Tomato
Regula Spotl