2012 Women of Courage

Pittsburgh was chosen as the first city to host the 2012 Internation Women of Courage. Last night I attended a reception at Chatham College where 9 women talked of their experiences and why they were chosen. I heard a woman from Sudan talk of her struggles in the refugee camps and being jailed for speaking out looking for international help. A woman from Brazil who was kidnapped, beaten and raped for trying to help the people living in the slums of Rio. A columbian reporter was tortured and raped and now stands up for the over 400,000 women who are abused. In their culture it is a shameful thing that women do not speak of there. She is a rebel for telling her story and receives little support from her own people.  These women have been jailed, raped, tortured for asking for basic rights that we take for granted. Can you imagine being jailed for asking to be seperated from your abusive father? Or being jailed for asking for education, voting and driving privileges for women? Below is a list of the amazing women I heard. I was touched by Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih of Sudan. Her passionate plea for international help for the women and children in refugee camps was so compelling. She was so thankful to be heard! These women reminded me how fortunate I am to be here in the U.S. watching my daughters work, drive, study in freedom. We need to remember how precious our freedoms are and protect them with our vote, our pens, our voices.
I thank every one of these amazing women listed below for their stories, their time, and their courage International Women of Courage visit Pittsburgh read about their visit!

• The Honorable Maryam Durani, Kandahar Provincial Council Member (Afghanistan);
•   Major Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo, police officer, Rio de Janeiro Military Police (Brazil);
•   Zin Mar Aung, political activist and NGO co-founder (Burma);
• Jineth Bedoya Lima, investigative journalist (Colombia);
•   Hana Elhebshi, architect and political activist (Libya);
•   Aneesa Ahmed, gender-based violence (GBV) activist and former Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs (Maldives);
•   Shad Begum, human rights activist and founder/executive director of Anjuman Behbood-e-Khawateen Talah (the Union of Women’s Welfare) (Pakistan);
• Samar Badawi, political activist (Saudi Arabia);
• Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih, human rights activist (Sudan);
• The Honorable Safak Pavey, Member of Parliament (Turkey)

Thoughts of our economy, government, and change

I believe it is not going to be easy but I feel the economy is getting better. Unemployment is down (not a lot) exporting and manufacturing jobs are up. We need to educate our youth in fields that we need such as technology, medical. Students cannot spend tens of thousands of dollars on an education they think they would like. Lawyers are crying because they cannot find work and have $200,000 in debt. They should have thought before getting an education in a saturated field.

 There are opportunities and work, we need to be responsible for our future (collectively) by getting smart. Get an education as an electrician, welder, software tech, engineer. These are growing fields, with opportunities to create a sustainable living and future.

 BMW X series make all of their cars in SC and ship all over the world. We have technology that other countries don’t. We need to grab the opportunity to out tech, outsmart the competition who does not have the ability to keep up!

 We manufacture 20% of all good in the world, China only about 8%. The Chinese are working hard to grab all of our tech, they have thousands of people working to hack into technology systems here. You don’t hear about it but companies like Boeing, Microsoft, IBM are fighting hackers from China all the time to preserve their intellectual property. They spend millions to guard their technology and it is often hacked. It isn’t talked about because China denies and it causes political problems.

 There needs to be reform and change in our government. Currently, officials are able to take advantage of insider trading to create great wealth while in office. They create the legislation to control financial situations like the credit card interest rates. Nancy Pelosi sat on an advisory board and slowed down legislation for over 18 months to create an opportunity to make 100’s of thousands of dollars. While in office she has make millions. She is not the only one, Republicans and Democrats are guilty across the board. Those that are “fighting” for our rights and our way of life utilize their power to create great wealth. This is not talked about, why?

 I want to see everyone who is running for office or re-election audited. Then we can see how they or their families net worth changed while in office and where did they make that money. If it is found that they were opportunistic and make money trading, buying and selling based on what they learned while in office then they should not be re-elected and give that money back. It doesn’t matter what they say, their agenda is wealth for themselves. Politicians have lost sight of the noble goal of running our country. It is frustrating and disgusting these people are so self-absorbed and deep in other’s pockets. I had a friend recently admit she finally registered to vote a few years ago. She does not vote because she doesn’t know what is going on and who is the right person. We all need to educate ourselves or the value of that amazing right will seem unessential. I do not believe that will happen, people are becoming involved, talking with each other and hoping for change. Once we all start to vote, politicians will realize we the people are essential.

Let's talk like a child and increase understanding.

Let's talk like a child when communicating. Listening to my 2 year old grandson Liam today made me realize how easily understood he is. When he needs to communicate he states "I want it, I am hungry, I want down, I love you... When writing safety manuals and healthcare information perhaps we need to think more like a child. Simplify our message. Less words = more understanding, just like Liam. Plain English writing will create a simple statement that clarifies for many. Healthcare organizations are struggling to help their members and patients understand their options and treatments. When an illness hits a family even the brightest member will be overwhelmed by the overload of information given. Plain English, creative messaging and new ways to deliver the message will make a difference in comprehension and retention to the recipient. Adding value to the message by reducing the clutter or static within that message will result in increased loyalty and peace of mind for the reader. A winning outcome!

December news

Click for my latest newsletter
Welcome to the December 2011 edition of The Magnifying Glass. I hope you enjoy the articles and information within each monthly review. Your feedback is appreciated and if you have a question or interest in an industry, country, or other area, please let me know.

I wish to thank all who have supported All Clear Translation! My wish and prayer for each of you in 2012:

May today there be peace within.


May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.


May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.


Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Very Prosperous New Year!
_______________________________________

Opportunities to Expand Globally with the Korean Free Trade Agreement

November 29th I attended a “Korea-Pittsburgh Evening” to promote the bilateral benefits of the Korea – U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), recently affirmed by the U.S. Congress, signed by President Obama and waiting passage in Seoul. Mr. Franco Harris, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Pittsburgh was introduced to the attendees as well.There were presentations highlighting the benefits of the trade pact, investment opportunities in Korea and the trade and investment environment in PA and the Pittsburgh region.

Here are some specifics about the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, provided by David DelFiandra of LeechTishman.

• Nearly 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products becomes duty-free within 3 years of entry.

• Most remaining tariffs will be eliminated in 10 years.

• South Korea is the 7th largest market for US exports

• Opening the Korean economy should lead to growth for US economy by $10 billion annually.

• Korea’s exports to the US should grow by 12% or $5.4 billion

Want to know more? Email me for the full alert from LeechTishman.

Interesting Fact: Demand in Asia for U.S. grain has created more business for inland shipping companies. Barge Builders are seeing increasing demand for new barges!
Interesting Fact: China has taken over Japan as the 2nd largest economy in the world.

Ready > Set> Succeed
New PA program offers matching funds to develop International Markets!
Global Access Program(GAP)
Visiting an international trade show in 2012 and need multilingual marketing materials? Looking to have your website translated? The PA Global Access Program is designed to help with matching funds up to $5,000 per year for qualifying PA companies. GAP will help small to mid-sized PA companies to increase export sales. This valuable tool assists with foreign market entry support. For more information on qualifying for the grant, contact your Regional Export Network (REN) partner.

The Pittsburgh Partner office is:
Southwestern PA Commission
425 Sixth Avenue
Suite 2500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1852
Contact Jackie Pacheco
International Trade Specialist
(412) 391-5590 x332
jpacheco@spcregion.org


Newly appointed PA Manufacturing Advisory Council – Team PA
Governor Tom Corbett appointed the advisory council to address the decline in manufacturing in PA. Manufacturing jobs have fallen at twice the national rate in the last 10 years. In 2010 manufacturing jobs fell over 37% or 303,400 jobs lost. The 23-member group will also focus on talent and innovation, energy costs, efficiency, and research and development. Starting in January, they’ll meet regularly for about 6 months, after which they’ll issue a report and policy recommendations. No taxpayer dollars are being used to support the initiative! Visit www.TeamPA.comto learn more.

Don’t wait for their report for recommendations. Step up and increase your sales now!

Website translation. Low cost, high ROI!
FACTS:
• By adding one additional language, you can increase your sales by 40%
• When an Internet user is confronted by a website in their own language, they are 2 times as likely to stay and continue reading your site.
• People are 4 times more likely to buy from your site when in their native language.
• 40% of Internet users are not native English speakers
• Your competition is already multi-lingual, why give away sales?

Happy Holidays!
Linda

Solar Power Demand growing in India

Are you selling your products in India?


The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) approved $103.2 million in financing for two more solar transactions in India in the final months of fiscal year 2011. The approvals brought the total number of Indian solar projects that the Bank has financed in FY 2011 to six and the Bank’s total authorizations for these projects to $176.4 million. The recent increased demand for solar power in India is in part due to India’s national solar initiative, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, and its establishment of a clean energy fund valued at $223 million. "India is making a big push for renewable energy," Ex-Im Bank Chairman Fred P. Hochberg said. "Solar companies in the United States know that if they can get into this growing market, they have a bright future ahead of them. Ex-Im Bank stands ready to help our exporters win that future."

Read my latest newsletter for information on building business in Brazil, writing for translations and where you can find me. October newsletter

New Venturist » Thoughts on Portugal and entrepreneurship: trying to find their way out of the mess through new venture creation

Great insight into the culture of Portugal entrepreneurs.
New Venturist » Thoughts on Portugal and entrepreneurship: trying to find their way out of the mess through new venture creation