10 Ways to Green Up the Office

10 Ways to Green Up the Office

1. Take your office's green footprint: The website TheGreenOffice.com, an online retailer specializing in green office products, makes available a free Office Footprint Calculator to gauge the effect you and your co-workers are having on the environment and identify how to make improvements. 

2. Save trees: The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year. Refrain from printing when you can, use both sides of a sheet and recycle so that the recycling industry will have raw material. 

3. Power down: Artificial lighting accounts for almost half of all office electricity use. Turn off lights that are not being used. Better yet, install motion sensors that do it automatically when no one is in the room. Also, shut down computers overnight, and set them to go into sleep mode when sitting idle. 

4. Minimize e-waste: Upgrade or repair the office computers instead of junking them. So-called "e-waste" - toxin-leaching computers and electronics - is a huge problem all over the world now.

5. Telecommute: Encourage workers to work at home when possible to save car trips. For those who must come to the office, encourage bicycling if it is safe. Also, some firms now subsidize employee public transit costs to discourage driving. And online video tools like Skype can help cut down on business trips. 

6. Green screen your suppliers: Ask your vendors how they are greening their operations. Just posing the question can start them thinking, the precursor to action. Demand recycled paper and soy-based inks from your printers, and buy only green office supplies, which are now widely available. 

7. Clean greener: Make sure your cleaning service uses nontoxic, green-friendly products - if they don't, offer to supply them - so that you can breathe easy when you're trying to get your own work done. 

8. Eco-renovate: If you need to renovate or upgrade anything, green options abound, including nontoxic paints, natural fiber carpeting, energy-efficient windows and Energy Star-rated office equipment. 

9. Drink tap water: Having big jugs of water lugged in and out every week by the bottled water company is not only unnecessary but a big waste of energy. Most tap water is safe to drink; if yours isn't or you're not sure, put filters on the kitchen spouts or buy filtered water pitchers and keep them in the office fridge. 

10. Put your heads together: Form a committee to organize and monitor your office's green practices, to ensure that your office's green goals don't fall away if one or two committed employees move on, and to reinforce the importance of doing the right thing across the organization.

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Resources

TheGreenOffice.com

Jakarta Surges on Banks, OCBC, Bank Mandiri

The JCI jumped 60.43 points, or 1.8 percent, to close at 3,397.63 after briefly touching 3,400. Volume was heavy, with six billion shares worth Rp 5.11 trillion ($572.3 million) traded. Gainers trounced decliners 125 to 47.

Financial stocks led the way higher. Bank OCBC NISP, a unit of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, jumped 25 percent to Rp 1,950, its biggest rise since September 2006, after its parent company said it planned to merge the bank with affiliate Bank OCBC.

State-owned Bank Mandiri, the nation’s largest lender by assets, gained 4.8 percent after the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved its plan to sell 2.3 billion new shares in a rights offer to boost capital.

The House also approved Bank Negara Indonesia’s plan for a management stock option amounting to a 3 percent stake, or 664 million shares. BNI, the nation’s third-biggest state-owned bank, rose 7.2 percent to Rp 3,725.

Berlian Laju Tanker, the country’s largest shipping company, rose 1.8 percent to Rp 275 on news it planned to buy seven vessels worth $280 million from Japan, Investor Daily reported, citing Peter Chayson, Berlian’s general manager for investor relations.

Overseas investors bought a net $26.5 million of the nation’s shares in the first four days of the week, boosting net purchases for the year to $2.2 billion.

“The capital inflows into Indonesia’s higher-yielding assets are boosting sentiment,” said Helmi Arman, an economist and bonds strategist at Bank Danamon Indonesia in Jakarta.

“We don’t see any structural changes that will stop these inflows.”

Meanwhile, the rupiah gained 0.2 percent this week, gaining 0.1 percent on Friday to trade at 8,953 per dollar. The currency has appreciated 4.9 percent this year and touched a three-year high of 8,905 on Aug. 3. The currency was likely to be stable, with a “slight” risk of depreciation in 2011, Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Hartadi Sarwono said this week.

Wall Street closes the week on a solid high

NEW YORK — Stock rose sharply on Friday, giving the market its fourth straight week of gains, after a big increase in orders for manufactured goods allowed investors to shake off several days of doldrums.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped nearly 200 points, its first gain in three days. The market has now had its longest weekly winning streak since stocks rose to their highest levels of the year in late April.

A surprise jump in durable goods orders and corporate spending provided the boost to U.S. stocks, as did a strong earnings report from Nike Inc. In Europe, shares also rose after German business confidence rose unexpectedly to its highest level in more than three years.

Gold prices climbed to another record, briefly touching $1,300 an ounce, as many investors remained cautious. The dollar and Treasury prices fell.

Industrial stocks including General Electric Co., Caterpillar Inc. and United Technologies Corp. gained after the Commerce Department reported that orders for durable goods excluding transportation rose last month at their fastest pace in five months, and corporate spending rose. The increase was double what economists polled by Thomson Reuters had expected.

Stocks have been volatile in recent sessions as investors react to the latest pieces of economic data. Much of the economic news throughout September has been better than expected, pushing major indexes sharply higher during the month after a big sell-off in August.

Zahid Siddique, an associate portfolio manager at Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., said traders are only reacting to the latest news because there still isn't certainty about the pace of recovery

"Based on the daily data they get, they move the market one way or another," Siddique said. Friday's upbeat manufacturing report, particularly a jump in corporate spending, is what traders have zeroed in on to send stocks higher, he said.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 197.84, or 1.9 percent, to close at 10,860.26. The Dow has risen 8.4 percent in September, but is only up 4.1 percent for the year and is still 3.1 percent below its 2010 high reached on April 26.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 23.84, or 2.1 percent, to 1,148.67, ending a three-day losing streak. The index, a commonly used benchmark for professional investors, also climbed back above a key technical trading level Friday.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 54.14, or 2.3 percent, to 2,381.22. The technology-focused index has been the best performer during this month's rally, jumping 12.6 percent.

About five stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.1 billion shares.

Wall Street flat as financials offset retail gains

                               NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stocks were little changed on Tuesday after promising data from the retail sector fed recent optimism that the economic recovery, while slow, is proceeding.

Retailers were a bright spot after data showed U.S. retail sales rose in August for their largest gain in five months. Best Buy Co Inc's (BBY.N) higher-than-expected quarterly profit and raised outlook validated the government figures. The S&P Retail index rose 1.2 percent.

The broad S&P 500 index stayed above its 200-day moving average of around 1,115 after closing beyond that level on Monday for the first time since early August.

Wall Street analysts have eyed the 1,130 level as a key resistance point for the benchmark index, which could mean a strong move higher if it can pierce that target.

"We went through the 200-day yesterday, stayed above it today. It's only natural that we consolidate here a little bit, but if we punch through here, we will see 1,200," said Stephen Massocca, managing director at Wedbush Morgan in San Francisco.

Gains were capped as financial shares gave back recent gains leading up to the Basel III rules, announced over the weekend, which set new capital regulations for banks.

After hitting an eight-month low on August 30, the KBW Bank index (.BKX) jumped nearly 12 percent leading into the Basel announcement before falling 1.4 percent on Tuesday.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said in an investor presentation the new capital rules are expected to increase bank loan prices for customers and may drive some to seek financing from non-bank financial institutions. Shares slipped 1 percent to $40.72.

Helping sentiment on Wednesday was a further decline in the U.S. dollar, which may indicate investors are turning away from safe-haven assets.

The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) dropped 17.64 points, or 0.17 percent, to 10,526.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) shed 0.80 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,121.10. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) gained 4.06 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,289.77.

Nucor Corp (NUE.N) became the latest stock to trip the new market-wide circuit breaker rules, which pause trading for five minutes if the stock moves more than 10 percent, after the stock traded at 1 cent on the CBOE Stock Exchange.

Chipmakers led the technology sector higher, with the semiconductor index (.SOX) up 1.7 percent.

Volume was light with about 7.2 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, well below last year's estimated daily average of 9.65 billion.

Declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by 1.2 to 1, while on the Nasdaq, decliners beat advancers five to four.

(Source : Reuters)

Wallstreet is Fantastic Enough to Open the Market on September

Wall Street has sweet opener. The market was opened with 255 rise points after the data of U.S. and China manufacturing give a signal of growth. Sense of fear in the stock on last August in the end is gone. It was because of the U.S. manufacturing has risen until 56.3 points, much higher than previous estimates of 53.2 points. So that, investors back to seek risk alternative investments. Reversely, asset prices which are people consider as the most secure such as government bonds, gold, and dollar is fall back.
The exit of investors from the assets of the fund - a safe haven asset to make risky investments with the Dow Jones industrial index surged 254.75 points (2.54%) to the level of 10269.47. The increase or rise was the highest since last July 7 and the Dow components asham closed higher. Industrial stock like General Electric, Caterpillar Inc. became the largest printer of profit in the Dow Jones group. Stock Index Nasdaq Technology is also increase quickly 62.81 points (2.97%) to 2176.84 and the S&P 500 index climbed 30.96 points (2.95%) to a level of 1080.29.
A pretty good report of manufacturing growth from U.S. and China pulled the issue gloomy house sales. Fo Institute of Supply Management said U.S. manufacturing activity rose in August to raise the investor confidence. It is different with the regional reports in recent weeks that indicate a backdown.
"The improvement of this manufacturing data gives us hope that the things happened in recent weeks is not bad as it seems," said Wahid Siddique, portfolio manager of Gabelli Equity Then, Inc.
Analysts warned that profits in recent weeks could have gone. The axistence of bad surprises from the workforce data report later Friday could lead investors re-sink Wall Street and left the shares.
"Good news from the manufacturing data provide comfort, but this will only happened till the next economic data," said Darell Krasnoff, manager of Bel Air Investment advisors.
Even yesterday's rise on Wednesday, the Dow Jones was 989 points below its highest level ever achieved in the 11,258 on April 26. Also almost a half, a decline or reduction of 451 points recorded in last August after the market was bombarded with bad economic data.
Asset that usually use to shelter such as gold, fell US$ 2.2% to SU$ 1,248.10 per troy ounce; U.S. government bonds for 10 years tenor price falls after yield rose 2.58% from 2.47%. These yields represent an interest rate benchmark for customer loans and business loans.
Shares of Burger Kings Holdings Inc., jumped to US$ 2.41 (14.7%) to US$ 18.86 because of the takeover report shares. Apple Inc. shares also rose from US$ 7.23 (3%) to US$ 250.33 after Steve Jobs as a chief executive announced new iPods. General Elctric rose US$ 0.53 U3, 7% become US$ 15.01, Eaten Corp also rose US$ 5.38 (7.7%) become US$ 74.86 per share. (source: tempointeraktif.com; translation: am)

Asian Shares Rise After Big Gains on Wall Street

The Associated Press, Tokyo | Thu, 09/02/2010 9:37 AM | Business

Asian stock markets advanced in early trading Thursday, after Wall Street soared on encouraging manufacturing data.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average jumped 1.2 percent to 9,027.88 as the dollar held its ground against the yen. Seoul's Kospi rose 0.4 percent to 1,771.73, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.8 percent to 4,532.20.

In New York on Wednesday, the Dow Jones industrial average added 255 points, its best day since July 7. The index finished up 2.5 percent to close at 10,269.47.

Reports of stronger-than-expected manufacturing growth in China and the U.S snapped a run of discouraging data on the global economy. The Institute for Supply Management said manufacturing activity in the U.S. rose in August, in contrast to regional reports from recent weeks that pointed to a slowdown.

Broader indexes also have large gains. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 30.96, or 3 percent, to 1,080.29, and the Nasdaq gained 62.81, or 3 percent, to 2,176.84.

In currencies, the dollar stood at 84.30 yen from 84.44 yen late Wednesday. The euro held steady at $1.2796.

Soruce: The Jakarta Post

Terrible August 2010

August. It is been done since a week ago. However, for those who invest their money in stock exchange market, of course they still remember about terrible stock exchange closing especially on Wall Street. Wall Street was closed August with the worst reduction since 2001. In the beginning, the shocking positive data made stock index stable. However, the reduction of technology stock was crushed the rise of stock index.

On Tuesday (8/31-2010), data showed Dow Jones index was closed with little rise 4.99 point (0.05%) to the level of 10,014.72. Standard Index & Poor’s 500 also increase from 0.41 point (0.04%) to the level of 1,049.33 and Nasdaq reach lower level from 5.94 point (0.28%) to the level of 2,114.03.

On Wednesday (9/1-2010), Eric Kuby; chief investment officer North Star Investment, gave his own opinion to the Reuters that “Detik Finance” marked. He said,” Market seems move around for every data that out. Every news makes a reaction and every 15 minutes later people always looking for another news because of it.”

For last August, Dow Jones index marked because of it decrease 4.30%, also Nasdaq 6.24%, S&P 500 reach lower index approximately 4.75%. Those data show the record of the worst reduction on August since 2001.

The Market walk through on moderation with the transaction at 11 Wall Street with reach 8.16 billion pieces of stock, under averagely on previous year which reach 9.65 billion.(am)

New York Stock Exchange Entrance at 11 Wall Street in Manhattan, New York City

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Security guards at the front entrance to the New York Stock Exchange at 11 Wall Street, Manhattan, New York City, in October 2004. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the NYSE building is well protected. Not only is the entrance guarded 24/7, it is surrounded by an iron fence and concrete barriers (the planters), AND there was a big pickup truck parked across the entrance to Wall Street here, and since Wall Street is so narrow, it blocked all vehicular traffic on the street.
MORE INFORMATION OF THE NYSE:
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), nicknamed the "Big Board", is a New York City-based stock exchange. It is the largest stock exchange in the world by dollar volume and, with 2,764 listed securities, has the second most securities of all stock exchanges. Its share volume was exceeded by that of NASDAQ during the 1990s. As of December 31, 2006, the combined capitalization of all New York Stock Exchange listed companies was $25.0 trillion.
The NYSE is operated by NYSE Euronext, which was formed by its merger with the fully electronic stock exchange Archipelago Holdings and Euronext. The New York Stock Exchange trading floor is located at 11 Wall Street, and is composed of four rooms used for the facilitation of trading. The main building, located at 18 Broad Street between the corners of Wall Street and Exchange Place, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
The origin of the NYSE can be traced to May 17, 1792, when the Buttonwood Agreement was signed by twenty-four stock brokers outside of 68 Wall Street in New York under a buttonwood tree. On March 8, 1817, the organization drafted a constitution and renamed itself the "New York Stock & Exchange Board". (This name was shortened to its current form in 1863.) Anthony Stockholm was elected the Exchange's first president.In 1922, a building designed by Trowbridge & Livingston was added at 11 Broad Street for offices, and a new trading floor called "the garage". Additional trading floor space was added in 1969 and 1988 (the "blue room") with the latest technology for information display and communication.

(source: www.flickr.com)