Affordable Scrubs Shipped Within 5 Days Great Price - Great Customer Service at Stratt Apparel

Affordable Scrubs and Hospital Clothing at Stratt Apparel

Stratt Apparel, a Division of E.G. Stratt, LLC, offers individuals and businesses low priced, quality medical uniforms, industrial uniforms, corporate clothing, and kitchen/hospitality uniforms by Eagle Work Clothes, a leading manufacturer in medical and industrial uniforms. A note to our government buyers, our products include NAFTA-compliant scrub sets and lab coats, US Coast Guard and US Navy coveralls, and USDA-compliant corporate uniform shirts at prices far below that of other companies for same or similar products.

In addition to already low regular prices, Stratt Apparel offers frequent on-site promotions, discounts and a web-based loyalty program for frequent buyers.Our government and business customers should call one of our dedicated sales members for additional volume discounts.

We believe that shopping for scrubs or work apparel should be quick and easy on your wallet. That is the foundation on which Stratt Apparel was created. By visiting our website you will find yourself surrounded by some of the lowest prices on medical uniforms on the market! Our hard working staff will exceed your expectations and are available to assist you with any questions, suggestions, or problems that may arise with your experience.

Stratt Apparel is your one stop shop for discounted medical uniforms, work clothes, hospitality uniforms, and kitchen uniforms. At Stratt Apparel we believe in providing the customer with the highest quality service and products at the lowest price possible. All of the items we offer are available nation-wide and satisfaction is guaranteed.

Please visit our website at or give us a call at 1-888-978-7288 to speak with an authorized representative.

Stratt Apparel is a division of E.G. Stratt Industries, LLC.

E.G. Stratt Industries, LLC, is a HUBZone-Certified, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Oshkosh, WI. We specialize in:

* Eco-friendly re-manufactured ink and toner cartridges

* IT/IS systems, accessories, and components

* Medical, kitchen, hospitality, and industrial work uniforms

Click here to visit the E.G. Stratt website

PEI - Live, Work & Play on our Island

Prince Edward Island or PEI is located off the east coast of Canada in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. PEI is one of four provinces collectively referred to as the Maritimes and is the smallest province in Canada. It is connected to the mainland by the fixed link, Confederation Bridge, a toll bridge spanning the 13kms of the Northumberland Straits and a ferry service. However small, PEI represents a great lifestyle and a place of picturesque beauty. It represents a safe, natural place to raise your family, boasting clean air and water as well as a lower than average crime rate. Anything but boring, PEI is home to 26 world class golf courses, warm, sandy beaches, hiking and Nordic skiing. In 2008 Conde Nast magazine named PEI #5 island in its survey.

Life in PEI offers an opportunity to make a living, raise a family and have time to enjoy life. The island life is laid back and the people are friendly. PEI real estate is a great bargain when compared to other provinces and this means that even if you could not afford your own home in another province, you may very well be able to here.

You will find that you will be located much closer to work and other amenities when you live on PEI and your commute will likely drop to a few minutes. Traffic is generally very light on the island and traffic jams are unheard of. As a part of Canada, all islanders enjoy universal health care. Speaking to those from other countries, Canadians do not pay for most health care services including doctor visitors, hospital stays and hospital outpatient services, operations, x-rays and diagnostic test and more. All this valuable medical services are available at little or no monthly premium through the government. In PEI I have paid noth ing toward medical services.

Crime is very low on PEI and while there is a drug problem as there is basically everywhere it seems to be under better control here. Policing is provided by the city forces in Charlottetown and Summerside as well as several of the smaller towns such as Kensington and Borden. The rest of the island is policed by the RCMP, the federal police force.

Living in PEI real estate you feel that you are more than just a small cog in a big wheel, you feel that you can be heard and can make a difference. Volunteerism is alive and well on the island. Islanders take great pride in helping out where they can and they rate as one of the most generous populations in Canada.

Looking at the size and population of our island you would perhaps not think of PEI as being blessed with work and business opportunities. We have a budding aerospace industry at Slemon Park, one of Summerside's industrial parks, a legacy from the days when Summerside played host to the nations military. Atlantic Turbines, Testoris, and Honeywell call Slemon Park their home. Additionally you will find a burgeoning bio-science industry and world class educational facilities such as University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College.

PEI is situated well to continue to develop. As part of Canada, PEI can take advantage of NAFTA, is close by air t o Toronto, Montréal, Boston, New York and other major US cities, and has a time zone conveniently situated between the west coast and Europe. Islanders are generally well-educated and have a good work ethic

After work you are living on an island with a history. Canada was born right on PEI. There are museums, art galleries, festivals, beaches and swimming, world class golf, hiking trails, restaurants, shopping, well everything you can ask for.

PEI offers a balance between the hectic life of the modern cities and the cool tranquil beauty and serenity of the country.

How to Get a U.S. Work Visa - Employment-Based Immigration

Temporary Work Visas and Employment-Based Green Cards

An individual may obtain a temporary visa to work or study in the United States, or he or she may obtain lawful permanent residency (green card) through one of five employment-based preference categories. Immigration attorneys can assist you with either your temporary work visa or your employment-based green card application.

Temporary Visas for Working

The H Visa Temporary Worker

There are several types of H visas for temporary workers. Each type of visa allows the individual to perform a specific job:

H1B is for professionals who are coming to work in the U.S. in a specialty occupation (Professional visa and Fashion Models); H1C is for nurses who will work in particular positions; H2A is for agricultural workers; H2B is for non-agricultural workers (Unskilled Foreign Workers); H3 is for trainees; and H4 is the accompanying visa granted to the spouse and children under 21 years of age of the worker. TN Status: allows certain qualifying Canadian and Mexican citizens to temporarily work for an employer in the U.S. under NAFTA.

Learn more about the H visas and other temporary worker visas through the U.S. State Department's website

The E Visa

Only citizens and nationals of certain countries are eligible for th is type of visa. A requirement for this visa is a treaty between the United States and the foreign country for trade or commerce. There are two types of E visas for working:

E1 visa is for an individual who is doing substantial trade with the United States; and E2 visa is for an investor who is directing an investment

Learn more about Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors Visas through the U.S. State Department's website

The L Visa Temporary Worker

The L visa is for temporary worker who is coming to work at a subsidiary of a foreign company. There are several types of L visas:

L1 is for a manager or an executive; L1B is for someone with specialized knowledge; L2 is the accompanying visa that spouses and children under 21 years of age receive with the worker.

Temporary Visas for Studying - Student Visas

Look for important News Releases from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about SEVIS

The F-1 Visa

This type of visa allows the student to study full-time at an academic institution such as a university, private school, or language institute.

Learn more about Academic Student Visas through the U.S. State Department's website.

The J Visa for Exchange Trainees and Workers

The J visa is for temporary workers or trainees who are coming to work or train with an organization that has been approved for an exchange program under the J visa regulations.

Learn more about Exchange Visitor Visa (J Visa) through the U.S. State Department's website.

Read about the Waiver of the Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement for J Visa through the U.S. State Department's website.

The M Visa

This type of visa allows an individual to attend an approved course of study leading to a specific educational or vocational objective and engage in full-course of study.

Learn more ab out the Nonacademic Student Visa (M Visa) through the U.S. State Department's website.

Temporary Visas for Particular Occupations - O, P, Q, and R Visas

The O Visa

The O-1: Extraordinary Ability Artists/Entertainers, Business People, Scientists, Educators, and Athletes

The O-1 visa is available to foreign nationals of extraordinary or high achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics as demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim, or with regard to motion picture and television productions, a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement, and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation.

The O-2: Support Staff of Artists and Athletes

The O-2 visa is for an alien entering: (1) for a specific event or events; (2) who is an integral part of such actual performance; (3a) has critical skills and experience with principal alien, which are not of a general nature or which cannot be performed by other individual; or (3b) in the case of a motion picture or television production, has skills and experience wi th the O-1 alien that are not of a general nature and which are critical and the alien is essential to the successful completion of the production; and (4) has a foreign residence that the alien has no intention of abandoning.

The P Visa for Athletes and Artists

This visa applies to an internationally recognized athlete performing at a major athletic event as an individual athlete or as part of a group or team and for an artist or member of internationally recognized entertainment group. There are several types of P visas:

P-1 is for an athlete and athletic teams and entertainment groups; P-2 is for artists and entertainer reciprocal exchange; P-3 is for artists and entertainers integral to performance.

The Q-1 Visa

This visa applies to a foreign national entering the U.S. for the purpose of obtaining practical training, employment, and the sharing of history, culture, philosophy, and traditions of the alien's h ome country.

The R-1 Visa

R-1 visa is for a foreign national with a religious profession, occupation, or vocation, for example, minister, professional holding degree or foreign equivalent degree, cantor, monk, evagelist, or nun.

Employment Based and Investor Immigrant Preferences

Employment-based immigration for lawful permanent residence falls under five preference cateogories:

Priority Workers (persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and intracompany transfers of executives or managers): Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional abilitity; Skilled Workers, professionals, and other workers; Special immigrants, including ministers and religious workers; Investors with the potential to hire ten U.S. workers.

Different criteria apply to each of these categories and substantial document preparation is required to successfully obtain residen cy based upon one of the employment-based immigraton categories.

Check the current Visa Bulletin priority dates for each of the employment-based categories, since not all categories have a current priority date.

Should you wish to obtain a temporary visa for working or studying, or obtain your lawful permanent residency through your employment...your first step would be to find a US immigration lawyer.

Is stock market consolidiate

The National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) has a vision.
They see two North American Markets by 2010. They see the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) as the "traditional" Market. The NASD expects to own
Everything else. They'll be the Market of Cyberspace. Since they operate
NASDAQ, the second largest market in the States, their vision isn't wishful
Thinking.

The NASD has acquired the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and the
Philadelphia Stock Exchange. They are trying to acquire the remaining
Regional American Stock Exchanges. They intend to include the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) in their vision.

The NASD will sell the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) in
The next five years. The reason is the NASD's reputation is at risk from
unethical OTCBB trading. And the OTCBB, like the Western Canadian Stock
Exchanges will face growing competition from Cyberspace.

The NYSE wants to expand. They are considering taking the NYSE
Public to raise money to compete with the NASD in Cyberspace. I suspect
they will be competitive bidders for the remaining American regional Stock
Exch anges and the TSE. The NYSE sales pitch will stress status.

I doubt the merger of the Vancouver, Alberta and Winnipeg Stock
Exchanges will work. Along with the Canadian Dealers Network in Ontario,
Canada's risk capital markets will be history within the next twenty years.
Also, I suspect that the Montreal Stock Exchange will disappear by 2020.
The reasons for failure involve the credibility of these markets combined
With increased competition from Cyberspace.

The Frankfurt (German) Stock Exchange (GSE) has a NASD vision for
Europe. It sees the International (London) Stock Exchange (ISE) as the
traditional market in the 21st Century. The Germans intend to consolidate
Everything else. The German Stock Exchange's problem is overcoming national sensibilities in Europe.

The end game for the NASD and GSE would be the merger of their
Networks around 2015. They would leave the NYSE and ISE a s backwater
"Traditional markets." It will take at least an additional ten years for
The NASD and GSE to merge. If it happens, it will occur after 2020.

Recent history suggests that the Asian markets will move to
Consolidate. The Europeans created their Union. The North Americans Followed with NAFTA. The Asians were forced to create ASEAN. The American and European Stock Market integration will force Asian Stock Markets to consolidate.

The wild card in the 21st Century Stock Market Cartel plan is the
Net. Several years ago, Wit Capital failed to create an online Stock Market
In the United States. However, the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) is being forced to allow Net Stock Exchanges. At present, there are
Two LEGAL Net Stock Exchanges. One serves small capital investors. The
Other serves "after-hours" institutional traders.

In the beginning, the SEC used "Cease & Desist" orders to close
Down Net Stock Exchanges. Today, there are at least twenty American Net
Stock Exchanges trading without the blessing of the SEC. The American
Prohibition Era exemplifies the SEC's problem. They can't stop unlicensed
Net Stock Exchanges, so they'll move to regulate them .

The SEC is in a quandary about regulating the Internet. The rest of
The World is unlikely to try. Like online gambling, local Net Stock
Exchanges create jobs in places that never heard of Wall Street.

As the established stock markets consolidate, the Net will see a
Proliferation of Net Stock Exchange. The hundreds of these Stock Exchanges
Will fragment the risk capital market. The limiting factor isn't the SEC.
It's time to allow a computer-literate generation to have the disposable
Capital necessary to feed the dreams of the next generation of speculators.
It will happen by 2010.

As the established Stock Markets consolidate and the risk capital
Markets fragment on the net, nobody is looking for the Bear. We are in the
Midst of the greatest Bull Market in History. It's time to go public. It's
Time to build your company. It's time to sell your company at Market
Capitaliz ation. Then, it will be time to adopt a capital protection mode.
The reason is the Bear is coming. It will probably arrive between
2010-2015. When it arrives, it will herald the worst Depression since the
Beginning of the Technological Revolution. The NASD & Germans will survey their empire as the Bear steps upon them.
please browse for more information at our websites.

Truck Accident Causes

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 368,000 large trucks involved in crashes in 2006 alone. These accidents, given the size of the vehicles involved, can be catastrophic, resulting in severe injury and death. There are a number of causes for large truck accidents. These causes include, but are not limited to:

Overloaded Trucks Poor tire maintenance Poor or defective roadways Poor driver training Unrealistic schedules leading to Driver fatigue Unsafe speeds Overloaded Trucks

Overloaded trucks pose a number of threats on the roadway, and can cause an accident in a number of ways:

Can leave the truck dangerously slow going uphill Can cause the truck to pick up dangerous amounts of speed going downhill Can stress brakes to the point of failure Can cause the truck to tip over more easily Can put unnecessary and often dangerous stress on roadways and bridges.

Overloaded trucks can also put undo strain on tires and lead to

Blown Tires

Tires can blow out for a number of reasons, including defective installation, improper airing, and deterioration over time (often with spares). Sometimes even the wrong kind of tires can be put on a large truck, leading to a blowout. Blown tires can easily lead to tractor trailers tipping and rolling over. Defective tires are also a symptom of the larger problem of defective parts. Since many companies use refurbished parts in order to save money, these trucks are not always equipped with the safest or even most reliable parts, leading to equipment failure on the road and severe accidents. Common accidents involving defective parts often begin with:

Worn brakes Re-treaded tires Faulty hitches and safety straps Faulty or incorrect tie-downs and falling loads Faulty underride bars that prevent cars from sliding under the truck Dangerous Roadways

There are a number of issues that lead to dangerous roadways, and also a number of ways in which a roadway can be defective. A roadway can be deteriorated over time by:

Poor construction Improper use or overuse Poor maintenance Natural factors such as weather

These deteriorations can lead to accidents caused by:

Dangerous potholes Sediments or liquids on the roads surface Uneven shoulders and medians Excess debris Inadequate or incorrect warning signs and signals Driver Error

Driver error is a major factor in a large number of accidents involving trucks, and driver error can be compounded by a number of factors, including:

Bad weather Nighttime driving conditions Foreign trucks with differing safety standards

If not given adequate training, truck drivers are susceptible to the dangers of bad weather. High winds, fog, rain, snow, heat, and the low visibility of night can all wreak havoc with a tractor trailer and prove too much for even a ski lled driver, especially when combined with driver fatigue from attempting to meet an unrealistic schedule. Drivers without adequate training are no match for these conditions. Substance abuse can also severely impair a drivers ability to control their vehicle. Given the influx of drivers from Mexico after the passage of NAFTA, and the lax truck laws and regulations in Mexico, the question of whether the drivers of trucks are fully trained to operate their vehicles safely and are doing so responsibly is even more pressing.

The wide variety of possible causes of truck accidents makes determining the cause and understanding the causes ramifications a difficult proposition for the average person.

Financial models are a key element in most major business decisions

IMS Proschool
Thus, 25 June 2009 07:54:50

Article from Hindu Business Line

Importance of Financial Modeling

Financial models are a key element in most major business decisions. A financial model is prepared whenever any organisation is considering project finance, bidding for a project, evaluating acquisition target, carrying out monthly financial planning, conducting capital structure studies, etc.

They are useful tools that allow business options and risks to be evaluated in a cost-effective manner against a range of assumptions, identify optimal solutions in evaluating financial returns and understand the impact of resource constraints to make the most effective business decisions.

Indian companies are becoming increasingly integrated with the global economy by establishing/acquiring operations overseas, increasing the export/import intensity of their businesses, entering into global alliance, raising funds from overseas market, etc. Even within Ind ia, companies can no longer afford to assume fixed capacity and a ready market scenario.

In view of these factors, they require robust financial models which can help them in carrying out the analysis of the complexities of each country on their operations, consider multiple currencies in their models, evaluate varying capacity as well as capacity utilisations to find out the optimal capacity under varying industry demand-supply scenarios and similar other cases.

In India, organisations do not often have the necessary skill sets in conceptualising and developing modelling solutions that can facilitate an accurate evaluation of critical complex business decisions. Their financial models are often not based on best practices (as described later) and a comprehensive, independent review of the financial model by experts is seldom done. A best practice model is:

easy to understand by using a transparent design;

reliable by using control checks so that an error is automatically flashed;

easy to use so that one can be more productive in using the model for analysis rather than struggling just to produce simple results from a badly designed model;

focussed on the important issues so that one does not waste too much time in development of immaterial items;

These benefits can be achieved by using the generally accepted principles and techniques while developing a financial model.

Financial modelling is an art and like any other form of art, one needs constant practice and commitment to develop expertise in this area.

(The authors are Assistant Vice-President and Senior Associate, respectively, Ernst & Young.)

If you want to know learn Financial Modeling then you can go for NCFM Certification in Financial Modeling,, This is the one of the only program in India which give you right training and practical orinente d content to prepare robust Financial Models.

The Importance of Financial Modeling
The Global Explorer, 2008 Fall Issue

How to Make Your Foray Into Global Markets a Successful One

Perhaps the biggest mistake organizations make regarding their global strategies is failing to change those strategies in the wake of changing conditions. For example, a Mexico strategy developed in the wake of NAFTA or a China strategy developed after its acceptance to the WTO may no longer be sound. These companies must ask themselves, "Does it still make sense to do business in Mexico? In China? And if not, then where?"

The objective of a financial model is to position clients for success in their foreign investments. What's the cost of doing business in a given country? What's the breakeven point? When might you exceed the profitability of a similar operation in the United States?

Answering thes e questions isn't as easy as it seems. A variety of factors come into play, from the raw material costs, transportation costs, and salaries to energy costs, environmental concerns, and taxes. All of these factors fluctuate, which is why an effective financial model is so crucial.

Raw Material & Transportation Costs

At the moment, there's not a significant difference in the cost of raw materials based on location. The biggest factor is how close you are to your source. Why? Because of ever-escalating transportation costs, driven by the increase in the cost of fuel.

It's hard to believe that back in 2000, oil prices were around $25/barrel. Today, it tops out at $150/barrel, which means to ship by land from central Mexico to the northern United States, you could be looking at $3,200/40-foot container (versus $1,800 in the good old days). When it comes to shipping (via ocean) from China to the U.S. eastern seaboard, fuel cos ts have tripled since 2000.

This is quite a wake-up call for those organizations that went to China because of differences in labor costs, only to find those savings negligible in the wake of rising fuel and transportation costs. Bottom line: if you're thinking of setting up an operation in China to ship product to the U.S., you may want to rethink your strategy. If you're thinking of distributing items within an international market, you may fare better. However, be advised that your investment will have to be approved by the Chinese government, which tends not to support manufacturing for local consumption as readily as they do for export.


Salaries

"Low cost countries" have historically been known as such largely due to cheap labor costs. Today, however, labor costs are going up across the board. China is experiencing increases of 812 percent/year, and India is experiencing increase of 68 percent/year. Today, the ave rage labor cost for unskilled labor in China has more than doubled what it was a mere eight years ago.

Moreover, it's becoming increasingly difficult to attract and retain skilled labor in these countries. In China, management tends to be between 35 and 40 years old, and people don't tend to stay in one place for long. Thanks to the ability to procure pay increases in the 4050 percent range, junior management turns over every two years or so, whereas senior management turns over about every four years. It's important to take this into consideration when planning a global strategy.

Energy Costs & Environmental Concerns

Energy costs also continue to rise, largely due to the cost of fuel and the demand for it. Both developed nations and emerging markets have an increasing demand for energy. And then there are the environmental concerns. During the recent Beijing Olympics, the government closed down all factories, stopped al most all construction, and removed 2 million vehicles from the roads for a two-month period to increase the quality of air for the games.

In addition, the Chinese government may restrict the amount of electricity companies can use. We've recently met with various local governmental officials to make sure one of our clients' projects will get approved because of restrictions on the electricity levels that client can use.

Taxes

Taxes are an enormous consideration, especially in China. In the past, China offered tax holidays to attract businesses; unfortunately, those holidays are no more. Today, all businesses but those in encouraged industries such as high-tech pay the local China tax of 25 percent. (High tech companies get a break at 15 percent.)

For Mexico, the income tax rate is 28 percent. Although the income tax rate itself has decreased with the introduction of the IETU flat tax, most companies actually find themselves paying more taxes than before. In general, it's important to keep taxes in mind when evaluating a global strategy.

A Financial Model Can Help

We've seen several companies go to foreign countries without doing a financial model or understanding the numerous considerations inherent in doing business globally. They tend to think the circumstances will be the same as in the United States; in tru th, things couldn't be more different.

That's why financial modeling is so critical. However, there's no one-size-fits-all model; your particular model would take into account the type of business you have, the products you sell, and who you compete with, among other things. It should also consider a variety of "what if" scenarios, like "What if transportation costs go from $100 to $200?" or "What if you only make $5 million in sales versus the $15 million you thought you'd make?"

They key is flexibility and understanding the effects that even incremental change can have on the success of a global strategy. The impact of unexpected change on resources, cash, and management can be severe.

For companies considering their global options, a financial model is an effective way to illuminate their best options and eliminate potentially costly mistakes. Moreover, even if an organization develops its own financial model, don't underestimate the importance of hav ing an experienced firm like Plante & Moran Global Services review it and offer comments based on our experience in global markets.

Frankly, it's an investment most companies can't afford not to make.

Plante Moran Global Services helps clients explore their international options and expand their businesses globally. With offices in Chicago, Detroit, China, and Mexico, the Plante Moran Global Services team of engineers, consultants, and CPAs has helped dozens of clients of all sizes to assess their international options in a way that optimizes their chances for success

Posted by SURAJ SHARMA ,IMS Proschool ,PUNE
click here for more detail about the programeIMS proschool
IMS Learning Resources pvt. Ltd.1229/A, Narhari,Ist floor FC road,next to sagar arcade,DECCAN PUNE:411004

Trade with India- India a hotbed for Knowledge Processing Outsourcing Industry

Defining KPO: Knowledge process Outsourcing (KPO), is a kind of outsourcing, in which knowledge-related work is carried out by workers of a different company. The company may be located in the same country or in an offshore territory, basically to cut down cost. Unlike business Process Outsourcing, KPO entails high-value work dealt by highly-skilled workforce.

Why Trade with India when it comes to SEO services?

If BPOs comes first, then KPOs comes next, or either way around. Nobody is better qualified than India, in providing KPO services. Spurred by country�s proven expertise in the BPO sector, the KPO sector too is gunning for greater glory. In fact, the sector has managed to cultivate a huge fan base in the western world. Trade with India is new buzzword in the modern world, and the KPO sector is apparently driving this buzz to greater heights.

Though India faces stiff competition from few countries like, India, Philippines, Mexico, Irel and, Russia, Canada and China, India undoubtedly has emerged as the frontrunner, if one factors in the comparative costs analyses of various aspects that occupy special significance in the KPO world.

Following factors are taken in to consideration for comparative cost analyzes between various countries like, India,

Philippines, Mexico, Ireland, Russia, Canada and China.

� Resource Pool

� Resource Cost

� Government Polices

� Infrastructure

� Knowledge full / Expertise

Resource Pool

� India has some of the finest technical universities and the Indian Institute of Technology stands class apart. Around,

75,000 IT graduates and 20 lac English-speaking graduates pass out annually.

� The Philippines churn out only 380,000 graduates annually, of them only 15,000 are equipped with core technology

knowledge.

� Russia may claim to have the th ird largest population of engineers and scientists but not many speak English.

� China's basic problem is brain drain. Chinese technical schools churn out 50,000 graduates annually, but majority

migrates to west. The ones that stay back are not acquainted with English.

� Canada has good educational system, with a qualified labor force of more than 16 million.

� In Ireland 34,000 graduate annually, only 5,000 belong to the technical field.

� Mexico provides U.S. companies with millions of Spanish-speaking people.

Resource Cost

� In India labor costs have been on the upswing but have been finely balanced by falling telecom rates. Normal salaries range from $5,000 to $12,000 for technical staff, while back-office salaries range from $3,500 to $7,500.
� Philippines have similar labor costs; technical salaries range from $5,000 to $10,000 annually and back office from $3,000 to $8,000.

� In Russia IT salaries range from $6,000 to $10,000. The country is lagging behind at the back-office front. Telecom structure costs are above average.

� In China, technical salaries range from $3,000 to $8,000 annually. Still a budding BPO market.

� In Canada being a near shore alternative to U.S. has higher IT salaries as opposed to most offshore countries. Technical

salaries here range from $25,000 to $50,000.

� In Mexico labor costs is fairly lower; companies can save up to 50% by outsourcing to Mexico. The major bottleneck

appears to be unreliable infrastructure.

� In Ireland Tech salaries range from $25,000 to $35,000, making Ireland really expensive in terms of labour.

Government Policies

� Outsourcing is woven into the fabric of the country, so much so that the Indian Government has appointed a national

minister exclusively looking after the IT portfolio. Additionally, the government is for IT foreign ownership and imposes no export taxes.

� In Philippines the Government excuses companies from export taxes, fees, dues and licenses if they set up shop in one of the country�s IT parks. Government has appointed a special task force to look after the IT and KPO services.

� Russian Government follows old tax laws and structures that don�t benefit business.

� Chinese government�s trade policies and stifling regulations don�t favour trade. But things may turn for the better when China blends into the World Trade Organization.

� In Canada, there is negligible political risk. Government gives tax breaks on IT exports. NAFTA gives free trade market for IT services.

� Mexican government has so far failed to offer high level of incentives.

� In Ireland Favorable tax laws and technology-education fund provides incentives. Low or no political risk.

Infrastructure:

� Within the IT parks the facilities are excellent. But outside, one can�t be sure of the facilities provided.

� In Philippines in the last 13 years, IT parks have come up. Discarded U.S. military bases are being used as dependable telecom infrastructure.

� Russia�s few IT parks are good, but outside the quality and quantity nosedives.

� In China Infrastructure can be problem outside major cities, but China is enhancing its networks, particularly telecommunications as fast as U.S.

� Canada has excellent telecom infrastructure

� Mexico excellent technology parks

� Ireland also has solid technology parks

All the aforesaid factors have emboldened India�s status as the right KPO destination. Trade with India on the KPO front is a major draw for foreign players, considering India�s ever-growing population of highly educated people who take up high-end knowledge-based work and research with consummate ease. With the burgeoning of engineering and technical institutes in India, skilled manpower will never become an issue with India. As per the study conducted by Confederation of

Indian Industry, India�s shift from a BPO destination to a KPO destination is inevitable.

The cost-efficiency factor

India�s unique selling proposition is its quality yet cost-effective workforce. So naturally, trade with India is turning out to be an attractive proposition for foreign companies. For example, drafting and filing of patent application in the US is very expensive. To draft and file an application in the United States and Trademark Office, companies have to fork out almost $10,000 to $15,000. If companies outsource their work to India, they can save up to 50 percent.

KPO services that could be outsourced to India:

� Training & Consultancy

� Research & Development

� Business and Technical Analysis

� Intellectual Property (IP) Research

� Learning Solutions

� Animation & Design

� Network Management

� Business & Market Research

� Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

� Medical Services

� Writing & Content Development

� Legal Services

� Data Analytics

More foreign firms heading towards India

To capitalize on the rising opportunities in India, many leading MNCs have come forward to
trade with india like, Patent Metrix, Cantor-Colburn and Schwegman, Lundberg, and Woessner & Kluth have set up shop in India. Pharma giants like Astra Zeneca and GlaxoSmithKline have rolled out drug discovery centers at low-cost destinations to propel their research and development activities. Renowned t elecom and IT companies, like Motorola, Intel, IBM, Cisco,

Texas Instruments, Nokia and Philips have also launched their R&D centers in India.

It is anticipated that India will have higher growth rate in the KPO sector of 45 percent as opposed to 25 percent in the BPO segment. However, BPO will continue to play lead role in revenue generation and job creation, due to the voluminous nature of this industry.