Successful Businessman

Amazon unveiled its long-awaited tablet device overnight along with a complete refresh of its Kindle line-up and the introduction of new content services in a push that could make the company’s products a genuine competitor to the Apple iPad.

Analysts have talked up the new tablet, dubbed the Kindle Fire, as a potential threat because the device costs only $US200 and fills a market gap for a high-powered, low-cost device.

The launch comes alongside a refresh of the basic Kindle family of devices, with the cheapest now  $US79.

When chief executive Jeff Bezos took to the stage to show off Kindle Fire content was the theme, with the CEO shunning the regular description of technical specifications and instead focusing on the volume of content available to users – a strategy many analysts believe will capture more customers in the long run.

Buyers will receive a month’s free trial of Amazon Prime, the new system that will allows users to access thousands of films and TV shows at no extra cost – a potential threat to services such as Netflix, although subscriptions will cost $US79 per year.

The Kindle Fire is available to US customers on November 15 but no international release date has been announced.

The Fire accesses the ecosystem of stores that Amazon has been building during the past decade,  including a news stand for publications, the MP3 store, the book store, television shows and films.

Dozens of newspapers and magazines will be made available through the Newsstand and the Amazon app store will come built-in so users can download apps straight away.

Bezos emphasised the device’s fast dual-core processor and light build at only 14.6 ounces, but chose to focus on the content system, specifically the ability for all Kindle Fire customers to back up their content using Amazon Cloud.

“All of this content is backed up so that you can delete things whenever you want. The backup is

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While industry codes of practice have been introduced in recent years they are voluntary and have not removed the hold many pub companies have over their tenants, who often find themselves tied in to unfavourable contracts and subsequently struggle to control costs.

In September the not-for-profit Forum’s Senior Policy Adviser Phil McCabe sat on the panel of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group and passed on its members’ experiences.

“Seven years after the first inquiry took place it is clear that pub industry self-regulation is not working to prevent large pub companies from mistreating landlords,” said Mr McCabe.

“We need tougher regulation and a more robust code of conduct, overseen by an adjudicator, giving them a genuine free-of-tie option, greater protection and allows the British pub to flourish once more. 

“We are calling on all MPs who care about local pubs in their constituencies to sign this motion and to urge the Government to take up the committee’s recommendations without delay.”

The Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled by Greg Mulholland MP, Chairman of the Group, and calls on ministers to embrace recent recommendations made by the Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee on Pub Companies.

The Committee found that pub industry self-regulation has failed and recommended the Government introduce a statutory code of practice, including a condition that over a period of time all new lessees should be offered a free-of-tie lease with an open market rent review based on Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ guidance. Fu

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Kevin Sundstead, Technical Manager at ConocoPhillips Refinery in Billings, was named President of the Montana Petroleum Association (MPA) succeeding Brian Cebull, Billings, Nance Resources.

Sundstead has been with Conoco for 21 years serving in a number of different capacities. This is his second stint with the Billings refinery, having worked here between 1992 and 1997. He returned in 2009 to accept his current position which involves the overseeing of all capital projects at the refinery. That means he will be overseeing the installation of the new coke drums, which were recently transported to Billings.

Sundstead is a relatively new member of MPA. Prior to being named President he was Vice President of Down Stream.

Sundstead is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelors degree in chemical engineering. He grew up in Chicago and during his career has traveled broadly.

He and his wife, of 19 years, Teresa, have three children.

The complicated family life of Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, has taken another turn, with her daughter Hope Welker launching legal action against her mother in the Supreme Court of New South Wales this morning.

According to Supreme Court documents, legal action was launched by Hope Rinehart Welker against Gina Hope Rinehart  before Justice Paul Brereton in Court 2 in the Supreme Court’s Hospital Road complex. 

The nature of Welker’s claim against her mother is unknown at this stage and the parties are currently seeking to restrict third party access to court documents – to be heard before Justice Brereton tomorrow afternoon.

Gina Rinehart, whose mining empire has been valued at more than $10 billion, was contacted through her company Hancock Prospecting but no response was received prior to publication.

Hope, who with her twin sister Gina is the product of the iron ore billionaire’s second marriage to American lawyer Frank Rinehart, has played a relatively low-profile role in the Rinehart family business, Hancock Prospecting and has until now shunned the media spotlight.

It is believed that Hope now lives in Sydney with her 29-year-old husband Ryan Welker. Last year,

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Entrepreneurs who risk expensive legal battles after being tempted to trust in handshakes rather than pay lawyers to draw up business contracts are set to benefit from a new 24/7 online service launched by the Forum of Private Business and LEGAL 365.com.

Often, particularly in the present economic climate, struggling owner-managers seek to sidestep lawyers’ steep contract-writing fees which can run into the thousands of pounds but leave themselves open to expensive disputes if they do not put in place proper legal documentation in important areas such as partnership agreements, payment terms, powers of attorney and intellectual copyright.

The Forum, a leading not-for profit business support and lobbying organisation, has joined forces with legal specialist LEGAL365.com to give businesses access to a vast range of binding contracts and other documents which are updated in line with legislative changes’. They are available on demand and at the push of a button.

“It’s all too common for small-business owners to agree deals without any sort of written contract,” said Forum Chief Executive Phil Orford. “

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A business organization can get into several legal troubles. Hiring the services of a professional lawyer can help the organization to handle the legal issues properly, save it from unnecessary liabilities and future legal expenses. A competent business attorney will provide assistance in almost all the aspects of your business, including basic zoning compliance, intellectual property, business incorporation, labor issues, contracts, agreements, lawsuits and liabilities.

Here are few reasons for hiring a business attorney:

Avoid Legal Hassles: If you are planning to start a new business, you a business attorney can help you with the planning stage of your business.  An experienced business attorney will also help you with the necessary paperwork and prevent you from making fatal mistakes while setting up your business. He will help you to understand complicated business rules and the potential liabilities associated with your small business. Further, a business lawyer will prevent you from violating any law. This will enable you to avoid hefty fines and penalties. Read full article…