Political Braying Doesn't Sound Better In French

These days it comes as no surprise when politicians and labor leaders crowd the microphones to denounce a corporation that intends to move high-paying jobs overseas.

But in this case, the critics did not say a word about protecting American workers or about creating American jobs. It would have been odd if they had, because the audience was not a very pro-American crowd. The "sea" the jobs are moving over is the Atlantic Ocean, and their destination is Cambridge, Mass.

The protests were directed at the French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, one of the world's biggest drugmakers. In the midst of a less-than-stellar but still profitable year, the company's Canadian-German CEO, Christopher Viehbacher, announced plans to shift many research and development functions from France to Massachusetts, home of Sanofi's newest acquisition, Genzyme. The move may end up costing around 2,500 French jobs, according to Jean-Francois Chavance, a representative of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor.

Viehbacher said that he hoped the move would help incorporate Genzyme's culture of innovation into Sanofi's research and development department. During an earnings call in July Viehbacher told reporters, "Out of our research in France, we haven't really developed a new molecule in 20 years." (1) Genzyme, which Sanofi acquired in a $20 billion hostile takeover, is a world leader in producing treatments for rare genetic diseases.

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg was not pleased. In a speech in the National Assembly, the minister said he had told Viehbacher that France "already had enough trouble limiting hemorrhages at companies that are losing money," without accepting "that ultra-performing companies start destroying jobs." (2)

Of course, it is not the responsibility of successful companies to balance job losses at less successful firms. In fact, a big part of what makes a company successful is the ability and willingness to focus jobs where the work can be done the most effectively and at the lowest cost. To his credit, Viehbacher responded that Sanofi would "make no apologies for being a profitable company." (2)

After Viehbacher's refusal to reconsider his business strategy solely to please politicians, Montebourg and other French leaders may feel that all they can do is grumble. Grumbling is probably all that they will do, despite the worrisome implication in a Wall Street Journal article (2) that the French government could retaliate against Sanofi using the leverage of the national health-care insurance program.

There is another option that French government officials are overlooking: improve their country's business climate so successful businesses have more incentive to stay put.

Doing so would, first and foremost, mean giving up the unofficial policy of bashing companies for decisions that are good for business but bad for politicians. Second, it would mean relaxing regulations, in order to give businesses space to encourage the sort of innovation that Sanofi has been unable to foster in France, but that Genzyme was able to produce in the United States.

France currently ranks 29th, among 183 economies, for overall "ease of doing business," according to The World Bank's Doing Business Project. The U.S. remains ranked at number four despite its own set of issues, some of which I have written about before, including those that led the insurance giant Aon to move its headquarters to the seventh-ranked United Kingdom. Because labor costs are high in Western Europe, as well as in the United States, an attractive regulatory environment and an innovative culture are particularly important as means of drawing the sort of higher-paid jobs Sanofi is shifting to the U.S.

Rather than working to attract businesses, however, France is likely to continue its strategy of trying to coerce and scare the ones already based there into staying. This is the same rhetoric we have heard here in the States. Unlike many words, however, these don't sound any better in French.

Sources:

1) BloombergBusinessweek, "Sanofi's Shock Therapy Enrages the French"

2) The Wall Street Journal, "Sanofi to Go Ahead With Job Cuts"

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Moving Office Doesn't Have to Be Painful

Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful events in a lifetime. The same is probably true of moving offices. We don't have to learn by our mistakes, as with a little planning and attention to detail, the move can be, if not perfect, at least a smooth and virtually worry free operation.

There's no 'right time' to start planning. Some actions may be taken very early on in the proceedings. You can't plan 'too far ahead'. Involve your staff. A trusted member will be invaluable as co-ordinator for the office move and almost all employees will be willing to help however they can. It's in their best interests to aid the smooth transition from one office to another.

Who needs to know that you are moving?

Make a list including any reference or account numbers and contact 'phone numbers.

Utilities - water, gas, electricity and 'phone

Banks and Insurance companies

Suppliers of goods and/or services ie couriers

Local government bodies/councils regarding local taxes, rates etc

National government regarding income tax, national insurance etc

The list may be added to as necessary and a template produced in readiness for when the moving date has been confirmed, when letters or emails with the new address details may be sent out to the appropriate recipients.

Communications:

Is the move a good time to consider upgrading your hardware and/or your software?

You could trade in the old fax machine for a super duper multi functioning piece of equipment and lose clunky monitors in favour of more modern flat screen varieties.

Laptops may be used as an interim measure should there be any delay in your new office computers being commissioned.

Check out the new premises to consider how the communications systems will be applied.

Space planning:

Are you taking your old office furniture to the new location? It may be time to consider the purchase of new office desks, chairs and storage systems.

You may need a reception counter at the new office with soft seating and low tables.

Partitioning and office screens are also a consideration.

Measure your space in advance for a painless transition.

When you have your moving date:

Send out letters and emails previously mentioned.

Book your removals company and ask for packing materials

When packing the office 'belongings', label them carefully, along with larger unboxed items with their new office location ie which floor or for who's attention etc

Ensure that access to the new premises is good on moving day. Consider parking restrictions, use of goods lifts etc.

Finalise delivery of any new office furniture, computers and communication systems.

Familiarise your staff with the new premises, issuing any instructions, keys or codes

Finally, when moving day arrives, and all runs to plan but energy levels are low - make sure someone knows where the kettle and tea making things are!

Andrew Spencer
http://www.londonofficefurniture.co.uk

Scam Alert - Cosmetic Dentistry Secrets The Dental Industry Doesn't Want You To Know

Are you considering getting some cosmetic dental work done? Before you plunk down the big money, there are certain things you should know about this type of dentistry that will not only benefit your health but also save you a lot of money.

Although there are dentists and dental offices that specialize in performing cosmetic dentistry, it should be noted that there is no such thing as a "Cosmetic Dentist" as the American Dental Association (ADA.org) only recognizes 11 areas of dental specialties ; Dental Public Health, Pediatric, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Because of the growing market of people who want "cosmetic" (or restorative as it's properly called) dentistry done on them such as bleeching, contouring, esthetic partials, veneers, porcelain crowns, teeth reshaping, caps, etc., there are those dentists who are trying (and succeeding!) in exploiting their patients by getting them to pay more money than they have to for procedures which, in many cases, can be done by a regular dentist (crowns, bridges, caps) for a lot less money.

The bottom line is don't just assume you need to see a "cosmetic dentist"; have a regular DDS or DMD dentist examine you first and if they can't help you, have them recommend a dentist who specializes in restorative dentistry.

Four Most Popular Types Of Cosmetic Dental Work

Porcelain Veneers - It is a known fact that veneers (porcelain laminate veneers, technically) are gaining in popularity, especially among wealthier folks. Veneers are very thin porcelain 'false fronts' for your teeth. They are custom-made from a meticulous mold of your teeth, which are then applied directly to the fronts of your teeth to produce instant perfect whiteness. They are most often used to cover stains that cannot be removed through other methods, to fill in gaps, and to cover surface damage. In the world of cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers are just about the most expensive solution. Prices vary considerably, depending on the renown of the dentist you use and where you live. Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1,000 per tooth. While some people have all their teeth done, the vast majority who choose this option have just their front six teeth done (top and bottom). This translates to a total price tag of $4,800 to $12,000.

Professional Tooth Whitening - These days tooth whitening is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry, by far. Millions of Americans have this procedure done every year. The process involves applying a gel mixture containing about 35% hydrogen peroxide directly to the teeth via a mouth tray (similar to mouth guards worn by football players). Your dentist then uses a plasma arc light or laser to quickly heat the hydrogen peroxide, which then oxidizes the stains on your teeth. You usually have a choice between having the teeth whitening done in the dentist's office, or using an at-home system that he or she devises and manages. The in-office procedure is more expensive, but is also quicker and often produces more whitening. At-home systems are slower and may not produce as much whitening, but they are less costly. In-office whitening will run you $450 to $1,200, while at-home systems generally add up to $300 to $750.

Tooth Shaping - This type of procedure is becoming popular as a way for people who have generally good teeth to fine-tune their smiles. Some people have long teeth or maybe their canines are too sharp for their liking. A very simple and relatively inexpensive procedure in the pantheon of cosmetic dentistry at just $30 to $70 per tooth, the entire process is painless and can be finished in as little as thirty minutes and one office visit. The dentist uses an instrument to essentially file or sculpt the teeth in question to the agreed upon shape. Only bits of enamel are removed, and the tooth's nerve is not disturbed, so no pain is involved.

Gum Lifting - Gum lifting is another increasingly popular form of cosmetic dentistry. A small portion of the gum line (usually the upper gum) is removed in an effort to make the gum line appear uniform. You've probably seen people with 'gummy' smiles, where the upper lip exposes most (or at least too much) of the upper gums. This procedure reduces the amount of gum showing when a person smiles, as well as making the gum line even across the teeth. Gum lifts are done tooth-by-tooth, and involve a mild local anesthetic to deaden the nerves in the gums. Patients generally report only very mild discomfort for a day or two after the procedure. This can be a fairly expensive procedure, depending on the number of teeth that need to have the gums above reduced. A gum lift will set you back $70 to $200 per tooth.

Making Cosmetic Dental Care More Affordable

Most people who get cosmetic dentristry done these days pay out-of-pocket for this service. This is because very few dental insurance policies cover so-called "elective procedures", even though some of these procedures (ie. braces, dentures, root canals) would be considered anything but "elective" by most people. However, there are a couple of steps you can take to reduce how much you will pay for cosmetic-related dental procedures, especially if these procedures are not covered by your existing dental insurance coverage;

(1) By far the best way to reduce what you pay for cosmetic dentistry is to shop around. Don't be taken in by fancy newspaper advertisements of glowing testimonials about how much better a person feels about themselves after they've went to this dentist or that dental office, do some old-fashioned comparison shopping. Start by going to a dentist that you trust and after explaining to them the type treatment you're looking for, ask them what your options are and how much they will cost. Then if you need to go somewhere else for treatment, ask your dentist for a referral.

(2) Another easy way to save money on cosmetic dentistry is to enroll in a discount or reduced fee dental plan. These plans allow members to save 15%, 20% and in some cases as much as 25% on any cosmetic procedure done by a dental specialist (Periodontist, Orthodontist, Oral Surgeon, etc). The problem with these type of plans is that unless you live in or near a large-size city, the chances are that you'll find few if any specialists in your area who will accept a discount dental plan, so before you join any plan, make sure that plan has at least one orthodontist, periodontist and oral surgeon within a reasonable driving distance from where you live.

Choosing A "Cosmetic Dentistry Friendly" Plan

But how do you know which discount dental plan is best for you and your specific cosmetic dental needs? There can literally be dozens of plans to choose from, each one with their own participating dentists, monthly premiums and dental fee schedules, so it can be easy to pay too much for a plan. The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP.org) reports that 68% of all buyers pay too much for their dental coverage which is why its a good idea to shop around for the plan that's best for you.

Murray Glick is a webmaster with DiscountDental4u.net and frequently writes about issues dealing with dental coverage. He insists that the time to buy a dental plan is not when you get a toothache, but well before you need any type of emergency dental insurance. With the current choices in discount dental plans, the cost of going to the dentist is more affordable for everyone so before you this for delay getting dental work done because you're afraid of the bill, visit http://www.discountdental4u.net to learn what your options are.

If you want help finding a "cosmetic dentistry friendly" discount dental plan in your area, send an email to webmaster@discountdental4u.net