CARY, N.C. — Dex has been honored with a 2008 Yellow Pages Publisher Recognition Award by the Association of Directory Marketing (ADM). ADM recently selected Dex for its “Communication Award,” which “recognizes efforts to improve communications between publishers and CMRs (Certified Marketing Representatives).” The award was announced at ADM’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, Tex.
Dex was selected based upon several criteria, including commitment to excellence in facilitating communications between the company and CMRs, who help develop, implement, manage and maintain Yellow Pages programs for national advertisers. Dex was also noted for its provision of high-quality, effective sales materials and marketing collateral and the continuous enabling of easy access to these materials. As a result, ADM recognized Dex’s ability to help CMRs improve efficiencies, solve challenges and implement successful advertising programs.
“Our goal is to provide CMRs with simple, focused communications that make it easier for them to access information and do business with Dex. This award is a reflection of that,” said Stephen Gibbons, vice president of national sales, Dex. “We’re happy to accept this award from ADM, and will continue to provide CMRs with exceptional communications tools that help them implement and manage their advertising programs.”
Dex is the market brand of R.H. Donnelley (NYSE: RHD), a leading print and online local search company. R.H. Donnelley’s products and services include the Dex(R) Yellow Pages; DexKnows.com(TM), a leading online local search site; 1-800-Call-Dex(TM), a free, voice-enabled local search solution; and Dex Search Marketing, which provides web site optimization and paid search advertising solutions.
(ARA) - Recent news headlines are causing concern for many Americans as company data breaches are on the rise. From missing laptops containing employee and customer information to stolen passwords that lead to the loss of proprietary records, many are led to believe that a majority of data breaches occur electronically.
According to a new study commissioned by the Alliance for Secure Business Information (ASBI), this isn’t the case. The Security of Paper Documents in the Workplace study found that 49 percent of respondents whose companies have been affected by a data breach stated one or more of the breaches involved the loss or theft of paper, not electronic, documents. And the problem does not seem to be going away, with 80 percent of respondents polled indicating their company had experienced one or more data breaches in the past 12 months alone.
From small, family-owned businesses to large corporations, data breaches affect businesses of all sizes. In fact, 46 percent of respondents who represent larger companies estimate the annual financial impact of data breaches within their organization to be between $10 to $30 million.
“Everyday, businesses manage highly confidential information that if stolen, can leave the company and its employees, vendors and customers exposed,” says John Fellowes, vice president and general manager of Fellowes, Inc. and a member of the ASBI. “What many fail to realize is that paper documents are just as vulnerable to a breach as electronic documents.”
Key findings from the study reveal a need for companies to take tighter controls on how they manage their paper trail through stronger enforcement of security policies. For example:
* According to 56 percent of respondents, more than half of their organizations’ sensitive or confidential information is contained within paper documents.
* Sixty-one percent of those surveyed stated there are not enough resources and controls available to secure paper documents.
* Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported that it is more difficult to control access to paper documents than it is to control access to electronic documents.
In fact, the ASBI was formed in response to this issue and the need for awareness and education for businesses and employees about how to protect confidential information in the workplace. Members include: Fellowes, Inc., Ponemon Institute, Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and John Sileo, a leading business security speaker.
It is important to remember that protecting proprietary information at work not only protects a company, but ultimately protects you. The ASBI recommends the following tips to protect your company and yourself from a data breach:
Practical Tips for the Office:
* Shred all proprietary information with a cross-cut shredder. Desk side shredders are ideal for business professionals that regularly handle sensitive information including legal, accounting, human resource or finance departments. Commercial shredders are best for shared spaces including shared printing or copying areas where large volumes of sensitive information are created.
* Develop office guidelines for all employees that outline the proper procedures for protecting sensitive information.
* Keep all sensitive information and files locked away. Restrict access to those who need it and closely watch your files.
* Ensure all company computers have the most up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software. Also, check to make sure wireless networks are protected with the proper security settings.
* Limit the use of Social Security numbers in the workplace. Don’t use Social Security numbers on items such as employee identification badges, time cards or paychecks.
* Avoid leaving documents in communal copiers, shared printing spaces, conference rooms or other open areas for extended periods of time.
* Commit your passwords to memory instead of writing them down. In addition, do not use your date of birth for your passwords, and change them frequently.
* At the end of each work day, all employees should log off their computers and lock their workstations or office doors. All confidential documents should be filed away rather than left at one’s desk.
For more information on ASBI, and to learn how to protect businesses’ confidential information, visit www.fellowes.com/asbi.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
——————————————————————————–
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The web-based survey was launched Aug. 12, 2008 and was closed Aug. 21, 2008. Debriefing of respondents and analysis was completed Aug. 30, 2008. The margin of error on all adjective scale and Yes/No/Unsure responses is less than or equal to 3.5 percent. The final sample consisted of 819 individuals who work in IT operations, IT security, data protection and compliance in large organizations in a variety of industries.
The Importance of Eye Exams for Those with Diabetes
(ARA) - Nearly 23 million Americans are affected by diabetes and, of these people, one-third, or almost 6 million, are unaware that they have the disease. Undiagnosed, diabetes can result in vision impairment, a frequent complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and blindness.
An optometrist is an important member of the diabetes health care team. Part of living with diabetes is having a dilated eye examination on at least an annual basis — more often for those people with existing eye issues or more serious retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes-related eye disease, is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years old. Other vision problems caused by diabetes include: vision changes, glaucoma, and cataracts. Through a comprehensive dilated eye exam, doctors of optometry can look inside the eye and examine blood vessels directly, detecting signs and symptoms of retinopathy.
Prolonged blood sugar elevation damages the delicate blood vessels inside the eye, causing them to leak, bleed and become blocked. Symptoms may include:
* Fluctuating or blurring of vision
* Occasional double vision
* Night vision problems
* Flashers and floaters seen by one or both eyes.
Diabetes and its complications may affect many parts of the eye, resulting in changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness, and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects that often occurs in the early-to-mid-forties as a natural part of aging).
During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor of optometry will perform a variety of tests, including looking in your eyes with lights and lenses that magnify the view of the retina, to identify signs of diabetes and other eye-related health problems, because early detection is important. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, laser therapy may be effective. In more advanced cases, surgery may be required.
Anyone experiencing changes in vision should immediately see an optometrist. Equally important is monitoring and maintaining control of diabetes, including adherence to your primary care physician’s instructions on diet, exercise and medication. By doing so, chances are good that you can enjoy a lifetime of good vision and health.
For more information, visit www.aoa.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
How Today’s Businesswomen Strike a Work-life Balance
(ARA) - Gone are the days when women were expected to stay at home to dote on their children and husbands. Today’s women have broken through the glass ceiling and are finding their way to corner offices around the country.
Juggling life both inside and outside the home can be a challenge — that’s why it’s important to strike the proper balance between work and personal lives. Luckily, there are specific strategies that women can implement to strike a healthier balance.
Find Work that Works
With today’s struggling economy and families requiring dual incomes, finding an employer that offers flexibility is often the key to both a successful career and personal life. And finding employers with this approach may be easier than you think. For example, The HON Company, a leading manufacturer of office furniture, understands the importance of family and instills a culture that enables work-life balance. Beyond creating quality office furniture that creates a comfortable, flexible and “home-like” work setting, HON offers its members perks such as flexible spending accounts to help offset the costs of daycare, local YMCA fitness center allowances and family-oriented activities.
“A member committee plans monthly outings and provides opportunities for members to purchase discounted passes for local family events,” says Tim Heth, vice president of member and community relations for HON. “Additionally, members are allotted one hour of paid volunteer time each week to utilize in any way they wish — from local Habitat for Humanity projects to their children’s PTA. Each benefit helps improve employee morale for both our female and male members.”
“Make sure you go to work with someone that has the same philosophy as you do,” says Tammy Vasilatos, owner of Tammy Vasilatos CPA, LLC, a 100 percent female accounting firm in El Paso, Tex. Vasilatos has created a family-friendly work atmosphere by offering flexible work schedules to her employees. She adds, “Don’t give up what you want, because you don’t need to do that anymore. The women before us had to, but we don’t.”
“I am more understanding of the importance of work-life balance,” says Michelle Horan, president and owner of Salka Office Furniture, a full-service office dealer in Meridian, Conn. “I am very flexible with hours and time off. I believe that taking care of good employees and customers is what leads to success.”
Set Realistic Time Schedules
While work deadlines are a necessary evil that you must complete, will anything bad happen if the dishes don’t get done or the bed isn’t made every day? No - so don’t sweat the small stuff.
Start each week with a realistic “to-do list” for both your work and home life. Check yourself each day to ensure that you are making progress and that your time allowances are in check. By the end of the work week, if you’ve completed enough tasks each day, your weekend can truly be enjoyed. And don’t sweat it if you didn’t get to the household chores. If you need to, you can hire a professional cleaning or landscaping service.
Leave Work at Work
With cell phones, laptops, PDAs and home offices, it has become blurry when the workday begins and ends. Be sure to separate your personal time from professional time by turning off your connections to the working world and turning on your connections with your family and friends.
Learn to Say No
If you’re a parent, you are probably a pro at saying “no” to your kids, so learn how to respectfully say no to projects that don’t fit within your schedule. Whether it’s taking the lead on a project at work, or coaching a soccer team, it’s okay to say no to projects that will bring you more stress than joy. As long as you are honest with your employers, they will most likely understand.
“Don’t be embarrassed or apologetic that you want to have both a career and a family,” adds Vasilatos. “Employers just want good quality work.” Plus, if you are in over your head, you may not be putting in your best work anyway.
While striking a work-life balance in today’s fast-paced world isn’t an easy task, by following these few guidelines, it is possible. “Now is a wonderful time to be a woman in the workforce,” says Vasilatos. “You really can have it all!”
For more information on The HON Company, visit www.HON.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Cary, NC – With the fall season well underway for football teams across the country, The V Foundation kicks into high gear with National College Football Day on Saturday, November 1st. This is an event that not only honors the birth of college football, but also increases awareness and promotes the fundraising efforts of The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
As an official partner of the Fifth Annual National College Football Day, The V Foundation for Cancer Research will once again team up with The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the National Association of Division IA Football Officials (NADFO), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic to celebrate the game of football for a noteworthy cause.
“We’re again honored to be the charitable partner of National College Football Day, which we know will help bring attention to the need for cancer research,” said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation. “We are grateful to the entire college football community, including the coaches, game officials and media for lending their credibility and visibility to the celebration of National College Football Day and embracing The V Foundation and our mission of funding cancer research.”
National College Football Day, observed on the first Saturday of November, was created by the AT&T Cotton Bowl five years ago as a way to pay tribute to a significant moment in our nation’s history. On Nov. 6, 1869, Rutgers defeated Princeton, 6-4. More importantly, those college athletes left a lasting legacy that would evolve into the great spectacle of football. Last year, the holiday took on added significance when the Classic teamed up with The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
“It’s uplifting to see the response we’ve received when our partners team up,” said Rick Baker, President of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “Last year, nearly $20,000 was raised for research efforts of The V Foundation, and we hope to build upon the success from last year and continue to increase cancer awareness and raise money for a great cause.”
To honor college football’s 139th birthday, the AT&T Cotton Bowl has produced limited edition lapel pins. Over 3,000 pins will be distributed to coaches, athletic directors, university presidents, sports publicists, game officials and media throughout the United States in hopes that everyone will wear their pin on National College Football Day
Read More: CarolinaNewsWire
Win puts Carolina atop NFC South
CHARLOTTE - For only the third time in franchise history, the Carolina Panthers are 6-2 at the halfway point of their season.
They rallied from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter — matching the second-best comeback in team history — to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Coupled with Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas, the win gave the Panthers sole possession of first place in the NFC South, one game ahead of the Buccaneers.
Carolina has a bye next week, which should allow enough time for injured offensive line starters Jeff Otah and Ryan Kalil (ankle sprains) to heal and be ready to return to the lineup for a Nov. 9 game at Oakland.
Only two teams in the league have a better record than Carolina — 6-0 Tennessee, which plays Indianapolis tonight, and the 6-1 New York Giants.
Being “6-2 compared to 5-3 at the break, it’s huge,” said quarterback Jake Delhomme, who threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to wide receiver Steve Smith.
“Hopefully we can look back on this game down the line and say this was a pivotal win for us. We’ve given ourselves a chance.”
The Panthers reached the NFC championship game the other two times they were 6-2, in 2003 and ‘05, and made it to the Super Bowl in ‘03.
Carolina’s chances appeared dim in the third quarter when Arizona led 17-3.
The Panthers’ offense was floundering, and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was dissecting the defense with pinpoint passing reminiscent of his MVP days with the St. Louis Rams nearly a decade ago.
Warner threw for 381 yards, the fifth-highest passing yardage total Carolina has allowed in a game.
“I tell you, man, that guy Kurt Warner, he’s special,” Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said.
Warner’s ability to release the ball quickly short-circuited Carolina’s heavy blitzing and pass-rushing pressure from defensive end Julius Peppers and others.
“It was very frustrating because sometimes it [felt] like no matter how fast you beat somebody, you [were] never going to get there,” Peppers said.
The Panthers defense was caught off guard when Arizona’s top two tight ends were deactivated because of injuries, causing the Cardinals to use more offensive sets than expected with four or even five wide receivers in a spread formation.
“We had to learn on the move because we didn’t get a lot of practice in [working against] four- and five-wideout sets,” safety Chris Harris said. “It was on-the-job training, I guess.”
While the defense adjusted, the Carolina offense struggled so much that players said there was a spirited locker room discussion at halftime.
“There were a lot of bleeps in there,” Smith said.
The game began to turn when Carolina got the ball for the first time in the second half with 10 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Delhomme said he noticed the home crowd was quiet and that even the Panthers bench lacked energy.
Read More:News & Observer
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina’s men’s basketball team, a Final Four favorite, will play for the first time this season against Vanderbilt — on Nov. 2 at the Smith Center.
But it’s not on the preseason schedule.
You can’t buy a ticket. It won’t be on TV.
And the score will never be made public — if one is even kept.
“We can’t publicize it, can’t let fans in, can’t give out any stats,” said UNC associate athletic director Larry Gallo, who wouldn’t even name the opponent, place or date.
So: Shhhhhhh.
Under a strange NCAA rule, Division I teams such as UNC can only scrimmage against other Division I teams if it is done in secret — doors locked, no media, no fans, no official scoring. Even when it’s conducted in a public building.
Typically, the top teams in the nation play two exhibition games against lower-division schools, foreign teams or club squads.
But teams can substitute an “informal practice scrimmage,” as it is called in NCAA rules, for a preseason exhibition. The caveat: The only people allowed in are coaches, players and staff members necessary to conduct the workout. Recruits making official visits can also attend.
The (secret) practice rule has been around for about a decade. Wake Forest, for instance, scrimmaged UNC-Greensboro last year and has another conspicuous blank spot on its current preseason schedule. Davidson, which scrimmaged at Texas last season and made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, will make a return trip to Austin in the coming weeks. Vanderbilt has also done it for the past few years.
But the private workout will be a first for the Tar Heels, who are looking to pit All-American Tyler Hansbrough and point guard Ty Lawson against better players than any Division II or III team can provide. Vanderbilt lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season and finished 26-8 under coach Kevin Stallings, a longtime friend of UNC coach Roy Williams.
Practice for NCAA teams officially begins at 5 p.m. today. The Tar Heels open the regular season on Nov. 15.
“[The private scrimmage] gives your guys an opportunity to practice against a top-ranked team, and sometimes to travel, be on the road, to go through the same routine and environment that you hope you’re going to see during the regular season,” said Davidson coach Bob McKillop, whose Southern Conference Wildcats have quietly worked out against a Division I foe for the past six seasons. He said he was not allowed to name the who and when of those opponents.
Why all the the secrecy? That remains unclear. NCAA spokeswoman Gail Dent said in an e-mail: “The motivation of the bylaw is the concern over the demands placed on student-athletes and the games/scrimmages they play.”
Exhibition games, she added, are similar to regular-season games which require media, and post- and pregame responsibilities. But not private scrimmages.
Read More:News & Observer
Tips to Earn Extra Money and Stretch Your Dollar
(ARA) – With items like gas and groceries at record highs, it seems that virtually everyone is feeling the crunch from the increased cost of living. Many American families have been re-evaluating their budgets and contemplating ways to increase cash flow and still enjoy time with their nearest and dearest. As the cost of living increases and the holiday season draws near, it is worth looking at entrepreneurial ways to help ensure that your cash flow doesn’t fall short.
Believe it or not you can be your own boss and work part-time.
One way to earn extra money and still have a social life is to combine the two. Many popular brands have a direct selling arm, so you can become a consultant for them. For example, The Body Shop At Home is a business that is different, which allows consultants to throw parties and sell their favorite products, and represent a business that shares their own personal values. Consultants have flexible scheduling options and work as little or as much as they want hosting parties that feature a broad line of The Body Shop products, including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else.
“Women and even men enjoy shopping this way because they get all their personal products in one place so as well as all the other great benefits they also save gas money,” says Jo Price, sales director for The Body Shop At Home. “Also they have the added benefit of knowing they are making a difference through their purchase. Many of the products contain Community Trade ingredients bought from small-scale farmers at a fair price, giving them a stable income and hope for the future. This means that every time you sell a product you know that you are supporting communities who would otherwise struggle to make a living wage, so when you buy The Body Shop At Home products you get the added feel-good factor of knowing you’re buying high quality beauty items made through fair business practices.”
“Additionally, the exclusive products we sell are really great and are something customers get really excited about because they can’t find them in stores or anywhere else. For example, the Rich Plum bath and body range is a best seller along with the Shimmer Cubes eye shadows, made with Community Trade Marula Oil. For the one stop makeover, women love the exclusive Eye, Lip and Cheek Palette that has everything you need for day or night. This job really allows women to do something they enjoy, be their own boss, and feel good about how they earn my money.”
If you’re looking for additional ways to earn or save cash, there are many options. Try having a garage sale, sell your items on eBay or to a second-hand store. When shopping, plan out your trips and stick to a budget. You might even consider trading services with someone. For example, offer childcare services in exchange for a neighbor fixing a leaky faucet.
For more information about becoming a Consultant for Then Body Shop at Home visit www.TheBodyShopatHome.com, call (866) 775-8049 or e-mail AtHomeLeads@TheBodyShop.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
The brisk pace reflects predictions that general election turnout will set records this year
Louise Renner, 79, voted Thursday for the first time since 1976. Using a walker, she inched down Fayetteville Street from the Sir Walter Apartments to be one of the first to cast her ballot at the Wake Board of Elections office in downtown Raleigh.
Renner declined to reveal whom she was voting for but said that she wanted to make a statement by voting early.
“I’m so burned up with the way this country is being run,” she said. “It’s not just one thing, but everything.”
Val Simpson, 66, used to think that she would not live to see a black candidate with a real chance of becoming president.
“I’ve seen it all — the dogs, the marches — I’ve come full circle,” said Simpson as she stood in line outside the elections office near downtown Durham. “Thank you, Jesus, that I’m here to see it. Thank you.”
Civic duty, the sense they were making history or just the desire to get voting over with sent thousands to the polls for the first day of early voting in an election season expected to set turnout records.
Statewide vote totals were not available, and efforts to reach Gary Bartlett, executive director of the State Board of Elections, were unsuccessful. But in Durham, voters arrived at the election headquarters before 6 a.m., knowing they wouldn’t be able to get in until 9 a.m., said local elections director Mike Ashe. More than 6,250 people had voted in Durham by the end of the day.
“This is huge,” Ashe said. “It doesn’t take a genius to know this is a big election. There’s no incumbent president, no incumbent governor. Commissioners, taxes, we’ve got everything on this ballot. Obviously, the presidential election is driving this train.”
More than 6,000 Wake voters had cast ballots by 5 p.m., said Cherie Poucher, the county’s elections director. She said she was startled when she got to work and saw the line outside the building. “This election is of more interest than any other general election in the 18 years that I’ve been here,” she said.
N.C. a swing state
The presidential campaigns are paying unusual attention to North Carolina this year, with polls showing a tie between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama. No Democratic presidential candidate has won the state since Jimmy Carter did in 1976.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin visited the state Thursday. McCain is coming to the state Saturday, and Obama is returning Sunday.
The atmosphere was electric Thursday as voters crowded polling places around the state.
Kenny McLawhorn, 18, a UNC-Chapel Hill freshman from Kinston, participated in his first election Thursday. He voted a straight Republican ticket, even though he said he was not happy with the way President Bush has conducted the war in Iraq.
“McCain I see as not as far right as Bush is,” McLawhorn said. “He’s more moderate, and Obama’s too far left.”
McLawhorn said early voting was convenient and exciting because North Carolina has become a swing state this election.
Both parties have emphasized early voting this year, but the feeling that Obama could win here appeared to energize his supporters.
When poll workers at Wake’s election headquarters unlocked the doors at 8:30 a.m., there were more than 50 early birds in a line that wrapped around a corner of the building. The Obama vibe was strong, with a handful wearing his name on buttons, T-shirts and, in one case, a baseball cap. As the line moved forward, at least two people loudly exclaimed to each other that he was why they were there.
At N.C. Central University in Durham, hundreds of students marched across campus to a polling place set up in a former church.
Carolyn Edgerton, 63, had been there hours earlier, waiting in a line that had grown to at least 40 by the time the doors opened.
Read More:News & Observer
CARY, N.C. – Michael G. Carlton, president of Crescent State Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Market SM), has announced the release of an audio podcast discussing Fighting Fraud, the first event in Crescent State Bank’s Centsibility Series. In the podcast, Jo Sorbi, security director for the bank, describes what attendees can expect from Fighting Fraud, an event designed to educate the community on the dangers of identity theft. Sorbi provides a list of sensitive material attendees should bring to shred in addition to an overview of future events scheduled for the Centsibility Series.
Fighting Fraud will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cary Chamber of Commerce, located at 307 N. Academy St. This community event will focus on the importance of discarding personal documents and sensitive material properly. The event will include a Shred-a-thon and Fighting Fraud Seminar, featuring a panel of fraud experts. The Centsibility Series, not just for clients, is designed to educate seniors, families, and business owners on a variety of financial topics such as identity theft and fraud.
The podcast is available for download at http://www.mmimarketing.com/files/josorbifightingfraud.mp3.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
