What HP Needs From Meg Whitman

Despite beating estimates for both sales and profit,Hewlett-Packard posted an outlook for 2012 below what they were looking for.The pc business was down 2% in Q3,and printing was off about 10%.It looks like the company is resetting the bar,says analyst Aaron Rakers,CFA,Managing Director at Stifel Nicolaus.A lot of downward revisions have already been baked into the stock,and people are hopeful for upward revisions now.
Under new CEO Meg Whitman,the company is keeping the pc business and its economies of scale,leveraging the volume of what the pc business brings.Job One for Meg Whitman is resetting expectations.She must also bring cohesiveness to HP's management team.
Mr.Rakers is neutral on the stock.In order to upgrade it,he needs to feel comfort with the various competitive dynamics across HP's business segments.
Meg Whitman replaced Leo Apotheker in the top job at the firm.She had been CEO of eBay and a candidate in the 2010 California governor's race.
Hewlett-Packard(HPQ)

Applied Physics Lab Jobs and Culture

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab has 141 openings in the Baltimore/Washington Metro Region.Engineers and scientists comprise 68% of the Lab's workforce of 4700.They solve complex research,engineering and analytical problems in the areas of national security and space exploration that pose a critical challenge to the United States.
Current openings at APL include Systems Test and Evaluation Engineer;Sr. Maintenance Worker;Conference Facility Administrator;and RF and Mixed-Signal Engineer.
Some of the Lab's Business Areas are Air and Missile Defense;Civilian Space;Homeland Protection;Undersea Warfare;and Research and Exploratory Development for agencies such as NASA,the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.
You may apply online at www.jhuapl.edu/employment
APL:Enhancing National Security through Science and Technology

A Concerning Marker:What High WBC Means

High white blood cell counts can indicate a number of things.They may signal:
infection;
reaction to a drug;
bone marrow disease;
immune system disorder.
Typical causes of high WBC include leukemia;measles;rheumatoid arthritis;stress;and tuberculosis.The number of serious possibilities make further medical attention imperative for the patient with a high WBC.
The normal white blood cell values as expressed in lab results are between 4.0 and 11.0.

Continuing Repercussions of Bangkok Flooding

The recent flooding of the Thai capital,Bangkok,is having a number of ripple effects.Honda Motor,for instance,is scaling back production at six U.S. plants through December.This is because the flood has caused parts shortages.
Thailand's GDP for Q3 was up 3.5%-below estimates.The Bank of Thailand has cut its growth forecast for all of 2011 to 1.5% on account of the flooding,which killed around 600 people.More than 14,000 businesses have been hampered by the disaster.
There has been criticism of the Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the flooding.The response was too slow;indeed,there was no preparation for the disaster,the critics complain.
Honda Motor Company(HMC)

Stratford University Jobs

Stratford University in Woodbridge,Virginia has a number of openings for both administrative and faculty positions.
Administrative:Director of Admissions;Campus Director;Student Account Specialist;Director of Career Services
Adjunct Faculty:Mathematics;Science;Computer Information Systems(PhD);Ethics;Accounting(CPA);Culinary Arts;Baking and Pastry;Hospitality Management
To apply,email resumes to employment@stratford.edu
Stratford is a for-profit institution of vocational education.Visit www.stratford.edu

Philanthropy Today:CareFirst Backs Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield,the largest health insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region,has awarded a 450,000 dollar grant to provide home-delivered entrees,groceries and nutrition counseling to the critically ill through the Food&Friends organization's Groceries-to-Go program.The three year grant will assist clients of the program,who include those with cancer,HIV/AIDS,and other life-challenging illnesses.
With CareFirst's grant,Food&Friends,for the first time in its history,will be able to deliver fresh produce to patients on a regular,year-round basis.
A huge ceremonial check was presented at a special event in which CareFirst employee volunteers prepared and packaged food for the patients in the Food&Friends kitchen.Among those attending the occasion were Washington,D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray;Prince George's County,Maryland County Executive Rushern L. Baker,III;and CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs Maria Harris Tildon.Craig Shniderman,Executive Director of Food&Friends,accepted the check on behalf of the charity.
CareFirst's Ms.Tildon said supporting Food&Friends is part of CareFirst's regional efforts to promote wellness and enhance access to health care and social services for some of our region's most vulnerable populations.It is the largest corporate operating gift ever received by Food&Friends.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is a non-profit health plan company under statutory regulation.It serves 3.3 million residents of D.C.,Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Your grocery bill is getting higher, and higher

Your grocery bill is getting higher, and higher

NFIB:Small Business Optimism Below Average

The National Federation of Independent Business' Optimism Index came in at 90.2 for October,up 1.3 from September.This was below the year to date average of 91.1,and only a little better than the average since January 2009 of 89.1.The gain was mainly the result of less negative views about prospects for real sales and business conditions,NFIB said.
Basically we've gone nowhere since the recession ended,according to Bill Dunkelberg,NFIB Chief Economist.We're thinking the economy will be worse three years from now than better.Sales expectations are still low.I expect it to continue that way for some time.
We've gone through a big period of inventory and staff reduction.We're kind of set for the relatively weak level of consumer spending that we have to deal with.It is a demand problem.Until that changes,we're not gonna be doing any hiring.Consumer sentiment is the worst since 1980.
The NFIB Optimism Index usually leads the market a little bit,Mr.Dunkelberg observed.
Small business generated 65% of net new jobs over the past 17 years,the Small Business Administration claims.

Microsoft Jobs and Culture

Microsoft is currently hiring in Chevy Chase,Maryland.They need Software Development Engineers;Software Development Engineers in Test;Development Leads and Test Leads.For details and to apply for these positions visit http://bit.ly/MSjobs-SDE
They also need Solutions Specialists.For this one,visit www.jobs-microsoft.com/job/go/1497946/
There are multiple openings for each category at all levels,e.g.,Principal,Senior and Lead.
Microsoft Mid Atlantic District:Washington,DC
5400 Wisconsin Avenue,Suite 700
Chevy Chase,MD 20815
Microsoft has been designated a Great Place To Work in the World's Best Multinational Workplaces 2011.They are committed long term to the mission of helping their customers realize their full potential.They continually evolve the company to be in the best position to accelerate new technologies as they emerge and to better serve their customers,who use the software to find creative solutions
to business problems,develop breakthrough ideas,and stay connected to what's important to them-and Microsoft strives to do the same.
A globally diverse and inclusive workplace is integral to Microsoft's vision,strategy and business success.
Microsoft(MSFT)

Langurs Picture - Animal Photo - National Geographic Photo of the Day##

Langurs Picture - Animal Photo - National Geographic Photo of the Day##

After Open Heart Surgery:Six Months On The Path

At the six month way point on my surgical path,many judicious thoughts occur to me.The giddy waves of promotion are sternly resisted in these quarters.
The medical secretary wants to know how the conventional heart valve surgery patient is doing.The patient says he is almost better.In fact,this may be as well as it will be possible to be,given all that has happened to me.I have been hit by a surgical truck,after all.
The after affects are still with me.Optical migraines are not as frequent,but these visual disturbances continue to flash from time to time.The large incision itself does still sting a bit on most days.It has fully healed at the top,but the bottom of the scar remains prominent,along with the chest drain scars.
You may think that minimally invasive surgery,including the robotic approach,will soon be available to all.Though widely available now,it may not be suitable for all.The most seriously ill patients could require the traditional big incision.Perhaps it still provides the most comprehensive access to the heart.
A tiny leak from the repaired valve might seem inconsequential.Given the laws of physics,though,even a small post-surgical leak must be monitored closely for the rest of a patient's life.Any leakage from anything tends to worsen over time.
The new anticoagulant drug Pradaxa is being heavily promoted on television,but hasn't been approved for patients with significant heart valve disease.At least four deaths in New Zealand are being attributed to the medication.As well,it is many times more expensive than the old standby Warfarin.In addition,no antidote for the new blood-thinner is currently available,while there are several for Warfarin.Plainly,Pradaxa has not had the benefit of an extensive history.
With such considerations,I have been dealing with some of the issues of these medical times.

Commercial Space Ambition:Boeing Aims For 2015 Date

Although some in the media portrayed the end of the space shuttle program as the end of U.S. manned space flight period,that is far from the case,if recent events mean anything.For example,Boeing has just signed a lease for an old space shuttle hangar at Kennedy Space Center,which Space Florida,a state economic development agency,is developing into a commercial spaceport.
Boeing will use the hangar space to construct its shuttle successor candidate,the CST-100,in hopes of being selected by NASA for International Space Station ferry service.The company says the new capsule will be ready by 2015.Within the next few months,it plans to begin remodeling the hangar for its own purposes.
The CST-100 is a large Apollo-type capsule that can carry up to seven astronauts or a combination of crew and cargo into Low Earth Orbit.It is compatible with a number of launch systems,including the Atlas V rocket.As well as ISS program use,it is also intended to ferry astronauts and cargo to a commercial space lab owned by Bigelow Aerospace.Unless Boeing wins a NASA contract,however,the CST-100 will be shelved.
Boeing says it designed,built and operated human and robotic space vehicles and their supporting hardware in the past,such as for the Gemini,Apollo,Skylab,Space Shuttle and ISS programs.Given this superb heritage,you have to believe the storied aerospace firm has the edge in building one of the space shuttle's successor vehicles for NASA's astronaut corps.
Boeing(BA)

Target Jobs and Culture

Target is NOW HIRING in Northern Virginia and elsewhere.Target's culture is energetic and inclusive.It is community-focused and one of the world's most powerful brands.Expect a lot from a Target career.At Target,you need a cheerful and helpful guest service attitude,friendly and upbeat.
To apply,visit Target.com/careers and select the appropriate location and other parameters.You may also apply in person at the Employment Kiosks near the front of every Target store.Target also has a presence in India.
Target offers full benefits to salaried employees and Target merchandise discount and flexible scheduling to seasonal team members.
In Northern Virginia,there are hourly position openings in Burke,Reston,Fairlakes,Chantilly,Gainesville,Leesburg,Sterling and Sterling West in areas such as Overnight Logistics,Sales Floor,Front End,Supervisory and Food.
Target:Expect the Best.
Target Corporation(TGT)

NFL Legend Dies Frustrated With His Own Body

NFL legend Bubba Smith,who died August 3 at his Los Angeles home,was apparently dissatisfied with his weight.According to the Los Angeles County Coroner,Smith had high levels of the diet drug phentermine in his system.This,along with poor cardiovascular health in the form of high blood pressure and clogged blood vessels,contributed to his death at age 66,found by a caretaker.
At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds,Smith was one of the original NFL big men.He played for the Baltimore Colts from 1967-72,helping them win Super Bowl V over the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.He was an all-star in the Pro Bowl in 1970 and 71.Smith later played for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers,retiring with a knee injury in 1976.
Following football,the gentle giant of Baltimore was very successful in Hollywood,excelling in the "Police Academy" film series as Officer Moses Hightower.He also appeared in popular T.V. series such as "Charlie's Angels" and "Married With Children."
I personally encountered Smith at the Baltimore Colts training camp in Westminster,Maryland when he signed autographs for my younger brother and myself.He was sitting alone outside one of the campus buildings in casual clothes and black horn-rimmed glasses.With his goatee and glasses,he looked more like a professor to me than a star athlete.Going over his photos,note that he kept his facial hair in various styles at different points in his life-including cleanshaven.
Smith had indeed received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Michigan State,where he was an All-American football star.
Bubba,you will always be warmly remembered by your many sports and cinema fans.