FARNBOROUGH, England, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (RTN) has won an award valued at $4.7 million from the U.S. Army for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Personal Electronics Computer and Display System in support of the Air Soldier System. The Air Soldier System is the next generation of the Air Warrior System, a U.S. Army rotary-wing air crew ensemble featuring wearable electronics that enhance life support and tactical capabilities.

Under the contract, Raytheon will design, develop and qualify three of the six components in the suite of Integrated Personal Electronics for the next generation of the Air Soldier System. These components include the Soldier Computer Module, the main processing and storage unit for the system; the Personal Display Module, the user interface for the system and display for dismounted activities; and the Mission Display Module, a mounted display for mission and navigation information. Raytheon has more than 10 years of experience supporting the Air Soldier customer through the PM Air Warrior Electronic Data Manager, GPS Message Router and Interactive Situational Awareness System product lines.

"Among other developments, the Air Soldier System will be lighter, last longer and provide more integrated controls," stated John Harris, president of Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company. "This translates to enhanced situational awareness that better supports the mission."

About RaytheonRaytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at http://www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Media ContactKeith Strubhar +1 571.250.3388

rtscpr@raytheon.com

Read the rest here:
Raytheon wins US Army Air Soldier System contract

By Maxwell Fisher - July 9, 2012 | Tickers: ALU, T, S, VZ | 0 Comments

Maxwell is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

AT&T (NYSE: T)will soonextendthe availability of its dual-personality software for mobile devices that has, until now, been exclusive to Android users. This extension will now include Macs, PCs, and mobile devices. Essentially, the system isexpandingtoApple'siOS, and I believe this will have positive effects on AT&T stock.

The expansion should eventually allow AT&T's Toggle to provide "a walled-off and encrypted work environment" for users of these devices. This is still under development, but new enhancements in Toggle could turn the service into a broader platform for remote work. Therefore, this may become a particularly good investment in the long term.

The main point of Toggle is to allow users to adopt its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. These policies often occur in work places where people prefer to bring their own devices to work. This can pose a problem though. If the device is being used in personal settings and work settings, there is a chance that sensitive work-related information could be compromised by the apps being used in one's personal life. In other words, there is less security for sensitive information.

Toggle addresses the security issue by allowing users todividetheir device into a personal mode and a work mode. In the personal mode, users can download and use whatever apps they would like to use. In work mode, however, the user can only access apps and content approved by an enterprise. This makes it a far safer device to use in a work context, and it has made this an attractive option for businesses. The user can switch between the two modes when necessary, thereby protecting both the company and the user. Security is one issue that faces workers who would like to take their own devices to work, and the other main issue is the complexity of the situation. With Toggle, AT&T is able to address both issues sufficiently, marking the company as an innovator in this domain.

Toggle's most recent improvementsallowusers to go to a site and download the approved applications in work mode. This is a far more streamlined and convenient system than the previous one. The new version is a significant step for the company, and has the ability to open up several new pathways for development for AT&T.

Although this is a significant step, it is important to remember that AT&T is not the only company offering a service like this, so there is a significant amount of competition in the market. That being said, AT&T is consistently proving to be a leader in this domain.

Verizon (NYSE: VZ), in contrast, has taken a different approach to AT&T's BYOD movement. It recentlylaunched its data-sharing package, which would facilitate the use of multiple phones by one user on the same plan. Consumers can now buy a single data package that can then be split between up to ten devices. Splitting by device provides physical compartamentalization rather than software-based firewalling with AT&T's Toggle. Fees will be based on how much data each device uses. In addition, customers will have to pay a flat rate for each specific device on the contract. It is difficult to tell whether or not this is a good deal though. It is unlikely to be an overwhelming success for at least another few months as people figure out the advantages and disadvantages. The stock should similarly remain fairly neutral until device-usage growth materializes on Verizon's network for work/personal uses.

When it comes to a tech stock, what we want to see is a range of new ideas and innovations, and AT&T's Toggle software is an example of exactly this. If you are specifically looking for a tech stock to add to your portfolio, this is one that will maintain strength. If you already have an interest in AT&T, hang on to it, at least for now. In my opinion, the company is clearly on a successful path, and I see no indication that it will leave that path anytime soon.

Original post:
Toggle Improvements Open Up Doors For AT&T

(PRWEB) July 09, 2012

Mindvalley, the worldwide leader in personal growth and development online publications, has shared details of its The Art of Astral Projection course that is available from theartofastralprojection.com, with 6 free taster sessions available. The publisher is a key mover in the personal development world and its wide selection of products includes the Chakra7 program by Carol Tuttle, the Silva Method, Quantum Jumping by Burt Goldman and others.

Conscious astral projection, also known as out of body experience, is a fascinating phenomenon that traces its roots back to ancient Hindu rituals and medieval traditions. It can be induced through meditation and hypnosis, allowing practitioners to achieve a state of heightened intuition, peacefulness, mental strength and spiritual clarity.

The Mindvalley astral projection program has been devised by Steve G. Jones, M.Ed., a clinical hypnotherapist and expert in astral projection. Jones own journey in astral projection began when he was seventeen years old. Since then, he has become a renowned astral projection and hypnosis trainer with thousands of students across the world. He has authored over 22 books on hypnotherapy and is the President of the American Alliance of Hypnotists.

Jones explained in further detail about astral projection and is perceived benefits. Astral projection is underpinned by the theory that a person can leave the physical body and experience something beyond the physical realm; something transcendent that can be helpful in the physical world. Many students have reported using my astral projection techniques to gain a better understanding of themselves and the people in their lives, experience hyper realistic dreams, channel more positive energy into their careers and relationships and feel more creative and mindful in their careers and personal lives. It is a breathtaking, eye opening and life-changing adventure.

Mindvalley is one of the worlds fastest growing online publishing companies. Through a unique blend of conscious marketing, technology and an experimental work culture, the Mindvalley team spreads enlightened ideas across the internet and beyond. Astral Projection is a popular product for the publisher.

Read the original:
Mindvalley Shows How to Astral Project Consciously with Hypnotherapist Steve G. Jones and Offers Free Beginners Guide

Dr. Linda J. Ferguson is an author, speaker, coach, and seminar leader to support people leading a joyful and awakened spiritual life. Linda's website contains videos, meditations, affirmations, and other useful resources for spiritual growth and personal development. Readers can also find inspiring and informative ideas at Linda's blog to enrich their spirituality for everyday living .

Dr. Ferguson is author of two books The Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service and Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand: Awakening Soul Consciousness for the New Millennium. Readers often find the exercises at the end of every chapter very valuable and practical. They can apply the ideas immediately in their life and see results.

Linda has conducted three national book tours, presented at national conferences, and conducted worship services to inspired and appreciative audiences. Linda also leads Shamanic Journeys, spiritual study groups, and retreats for people who want to dive deeper into the insights and ideas offered in her books on spiritual growth and transformation.

Dr. Ferguson has developed a seven step process of Transformational EmpowermentTM, for personal mastery. She developed this powerful process of manifesting and creating positive life changes from her own life experiences, her work with her coaching clients, and her study of mysticism.

She uses the spiritual principles found in her Transformational EmpowermentTM process in her coaching practice so that her clients are able to more effectively move through their important life changes. Her coaching provides a structured and consistent venue so that people can make positive changes in their life easily and confidently.

Linda has been on radio interviews and has featured articles in Interbeing, a journal of personal and professional mastery. She also writes a weekly blog to support people's desire to integrate their spiritual life with their professional life.

Dr. Ferguson earned her Ph.D. from Indiana University (I.U.-Bloomington) in Organizational Behavior with a Masters also from I.U. studying Social Psychology. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology and management. Linda did her coach training in 2004 from Coach Training Alliance, completed her certification in Team Coaching, and has CCE credits from International Coach Federation (ICF).

In 1994 she traveled abroad for six months to Asia, Australia, Israel, and Europe before moving to Virginia where she currently lives. Her personal spiritual practice includes daily prayer and meditation, Sufi Dances of Universal Peace, Integral Yoga, Native American Sweat Lodges and other Earth-based ceremonies.

Could you please tell us a bit about your book? The story? The characters?

Read the rest here:
Interview: Dr. Linda J. Ferguson, Ph.D, Author of Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand: Awakening Soul Consciousness for ...

IT has been a hectic two months for SME Corp Malaysia and at a personal level, I feel like I have just ended a roller-coaster ride, with quadruple loops!

We finally closed off the seven series of Jom Niaga, followed by SMIDEX, Asean-India SME Conference and SME Week at end of last month. After these roadshows, consumer fairs and trade exhibitions, we were pleasantly honoured with a visit from our new Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa, to our new premises at Platinum Sentral, barely 10 days after he took office. It gives me great pleasure to announce that we were his first "Turun Padang" destination.

Going down memory lane, as the pioneer group, consisting of eleven employees, to start the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC), SME Corp Malaysia has indeed come long way since its inception in 1996. SMIDEC was then tasked to spur the development of small and medium industries (SMIs) through the provision of financial assistance, advisory services, market access and other support programmes, very much skewed towards the manufacturing sector.

A new chapter unfolded when the National SME Development Council (NSDC), the highest policy-making body on SME development chaired by the prime minister, was set up in 2004. Our mandate was heightened to spearhead the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, formulating policies and coordinating implementation of development programmes across the 15 ministries and more than 60 agencies in all economic sectors.

It was only in 2009 that SMIDEC was rebranded to SME Corp Malaysia.

Looking back, before the National SME Development Council (NSDC) was set up in 2004, there was no specific policy or framework for the overall development of SMEs in our nation. However, in the recent years, we have made progress in that the growth from our SMEs has consistently outperformed the average economic growth of the overall gross national products (GDP). While our GDP is growing at an average of 4.9 per cent per annum, the SMEs were growing at a rate of 6.8 per cent per annum.

It is indeed a phenomenal progress, considering it was only eight short years that policies and programmes were coordinated among ministries and agencies, with the aim of streamlining efforts, optimising resources, reducing duplication as well as guiding stakeholders to ensure greater effectiveness of the delivery of government programmes. Policy initiatives introduced by NSDC have yielded positive results and were the key factors for the higher growth trajectory of SMEs between 2004 and 2010.

Yet, exciting times have not come to a halt and we are now on the road to another transformational journey that will bring us into a more intense phase. The SME Masterplan 2012-2020 will be the growth accelerator for SMEs to achieve the desired 41 per cent contribution to the GDP, 62 per cent in employment share and 25 per cent of exports by 2020.

Considered as a "living document", the SME Masterplan focuses on creating an enabling business ecosystem to accelerate and expedite the growth of SMEs. The plan lays out policy direction of SMEs across all economic sectors, including specific strategic areas, through the year 2020 in line with the aspirations of becoming a high-income nation.

A total of 32 initiatives comprising six high-impact programmes have been identified under the SME Masterplan. These programmes will be implemented by a lead ministry/agency and coordinated by SME Corp Malaysia to ensure that these programmes, along with the other complementary initiatives, will achieve the intended goals, measured through an outcome-based approach.

See original here:
On new journey, guided by the Plan

Everyone needs sales and personal development training. Even you. The challenge is how much and what kind.

With thousands of training options, it's difficult to select the best programs.

I just got an email solicitation telling me to "create a unified approach to learning management." Huh? What does that mean? Wouldn't it be a better message to suggest "a real-world approach to learning success"? Or am I missing something?

Last time I checked, training and education were all about the learner.

The email meticulously listed every element of current day training, from classroom to mobile app. They left out one small item - RELEVANT CONTENT.

What's your approach to training? What's your approach to learning? What's your approach to education?

The haunting words of Jim Rohn have rung in my ears for more than three decades. "Formal education will earn you a living. Self education will earn you a fortune." And with the state of the economy and training cutbacks, this message is more urgent and relevant than ever.

What's your self-education plan for the next 24 months? Are you learning about sales and success as many hours as you're watching TV? Or are you waiting for the training department to give you new information?

The classroom environment is in total transition. With the maturation of e-learning, and the addition of mobile and tablet (ok, iPad), information is being transferred in new, faster, and better ways. "Just in time" has given way to "on demand."

For the classroom to remain a relevant and vital part of anyone's learning success, several elements must be present - and beyond the classroom (or in place of it) the same elements apply.

Read more:
Learning management or learning success?

Braden Stump recently attended the National FFA Organization's 2012 Washington Leadership Conference on June 26-30, representing the New Raymer FFA Chapter of Stoneham.

The annual conference focuses on leadership development, personal growth and community service. More than 2,200 students -- up to 340 a week -- from throughout the U.S. who are FFA members will attend one of the conference's seven week-long sessions in June and July.

"Students come to the Washington Leadership Conference wanting to make a difference. They leave knowing they can -- and will," said Dwight Armstrong, CEO of the National FFA Organization. "I believe students are generally aware of global problems like hunger and poverty but many are sheltered and disconnected from what's happening in the world. During their time in Washington, FFA members experience real-world problems and take critical steps toward personal growth and developing leadership skills they'll need to make a difference in people's lives, starting in their own communities."

Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., the conference helps students develop leadership skills, identify personal strengths, develop awareness of societal differences and human needs and strategize how they can help others through community service. Throughout the week, each student develops a community-service initiative for their local community, with the intention of students returning home and implementing their plans.

The 2012 National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by Timberland PRO, Monsanto, CSX, TransCanada, Crop Production Services, Farm Credit and CHS.

Read this article:
Stump attends Washington Leadership Conference

ROME, JULY 5, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The first liturgical texts approved for the Personal Ordinariates for former Anglicans have been promulgated by the Holy See. They are the Order for Funerals and the Order for the Celebration of Holy Matrimony.

There are now three ordinariates established: the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in the United Kingdom; the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter in the United States and Canada; and the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia.

According to a report by Vatican Radio the texts are drawn from the classical Anglican prayer book tradition and incorporate elements of the Anglican patrimony, now in the full communion of the Catholic Church.

This is an important moment in the development of our distinctive liturgical and ecclesial life, said Monsignor Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, in a July 3 press release.

The liturgies were promulgated by the Congregation for Divine Worship on June 22, 2012, the feast-day of the English saints of the Reformation, John Fisher and Thomas More

The new texts were developed under the guidance of Archbishop J. Augustine DiNoia OP, who served until recently as the Secretary for the Congregation of Divine Worship. Archbishop DiNoia was recently appointed to the position of Vice President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, and has also been re-appointed as chair of the Holy Sees Anglicanae traditiones Commission, tasked with developing the new liturgical texts for the Personal Ordinariates.

The Reverend Uwe Michael Lang, CO, who also just stepped down from a post with the Congregation for Divine Worship, will also continue his role in the development of the texts.

We welcome with gratitude these texts, which bring into Catholic liturgical life some of the most beloved and memorable texts in the Book of Common Prayer, said Monsignor Jeffrey N. Steenson, Ordinary for the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter, in a press release issued the same day.

These texts have blessed and comforted generations of English-speaking Christians and will be deeply appreciated in the Ordinariate communities, he added.

Innovative Media, Inc.

Continue reading here:
Liturgical Texts for Personal Ordinariates Approved

The summer job was once a childhood rite of passage, and one that empowered the growth and personal development of youngsters throughout the United States. This is a quickly diminishing trend, however, with seven out of 10 youngsters expected to remain unemployed throughout the summer months of 2012. This is the continuation of a sharp and unrelenting decline in youth employment levels across the nation, which has left the jobless rate among the 16 to 19-year-old demographic at its highest rate since World War II. If this is not disturbing enough, a projection by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that teen employment may struggle to return to pre-recession levels at any point in the foreseeable future.

SEE: How To Combat Youth Unemployment

A Cultural Shift or a Depressed Job Market?While the drop in teen employment remains steeper than within any other demographic, the situation is scarcely any better for the current generation of young adults between 18 and 29. This social group is currently experiencing an unemployment rate of 12.4%, while balancing an average debt of $45,000 per individual. So, while the rising level of teen unemployment may well be partially attributed to a cultural shift and the growing popularity of summer school and learning camps, it is clear that traditional working opportunities are limited for students and graduates who are looking to take their first steps in the world of work.

While the fluctuating nature of employment in the current economy is certainly impacting job creation throughout the U.S., this does not mean that students and young adults cannot adapt and seek out innovative ways of earning and managing their money in 2012. With just 69,000 jobs added to the economy during May, there is a pressing need for individuals who are on the fringes of the employment market to alter their perception of work in a way that suits the prevailing macro environment. This starts with education, and a willingness to learn the key skills that are required to thrive in such a changeable and unpredictable economy.

Financial Education and InnovationThe first thing that students, in particular, must do is address the fundamental principles of financial success, and acquiring money management skills enables them to make the most of any wealth that they are able to accrue. Contemporary students are fortunate that many regional education bodies are beginning to realize this, and subsequently implementing programs to aid financial literacy and awareness. Indiana University is one institution to lead the way in this field, as it aspires to assist students in managing college debts and teaches money management skills that can be used in later life.

Another factor for students to bear in mind is the changing nature of entrepreneurship, which has empowered a generation of "accidental entrepreneurs" who have developed startup ventures out of circumstance rather than a deep rooted desire to be their own boss. According to a study commissioned by Forrester Consulting, this is a direct consequence of the Great Recession in 2008, where millions of people were forced to evaluate new ways of making money and supplementing diminished household incomes. This has made entrepreneurship a viable option for students in 2012, as their agile minds and educated nature allows them to capitalize on increasingly accessible technology and minimal cost startup ventures.

SEE: Can't Get A Summer Job? Be Your Own Boss

Innovative Business Ideas for StudentsFor students rendered idle this summer, there are a number of business models and concepts that could suit their requirements. An e-commerce operation is one, as not only does this require minimal start-up investment but it can also be run by a single individual without requiring the creation of a complex or difficult to manage infrastructure. The simplistic and flexible nature of ecommerce and the fast transaction processes involved also allow the venture to be continued on a part-time basis or ended abruptly as required, without causing a significant disruption to an individual's studies.

Similarly, students can focus on areas of interest and industries where they would like to work and replicate a simple service to earn income during the summer months. For example, those who prefer outdoor activity and have a passion for landscaping may find it profitable to approach residents in their local area and offer gardening or general yard services in exchange for a fixed fee. This ensures that students can take control of their own destiny rather than rely on a depressed job market, without compromising on their interests or sacrificing experience that could benefit a career they would like to pursue once they have graduated.

SEE: Starting A Small Business In Tough Economic Times

The rest is here:
Innovative Ways For Students To Make Money During Summer

YOUNG Farming Champions (YFC) whose task is to take agriculture into classrooms recently gathered at Jamberoo for a weekend training workshop before taking their message into urban communities.

Dairy Young Farming Champion, Jessica Monteith, Berry, said the personal development aspects of the workshop were helpful.

What I learnt about myself was the most invaluable experience of the whole weekend, learning what my strengths and weaknesses are and how to improve on these to better my overall communication skills in my professional and personal life, she said.

The team spent the weekend learning about the aims of the program, honing their public speaking and engagement skills, learning how to craft a memorable message and handling difficult conversations or questions about their chosen industry.

They also started crafting their presentations about their chosen industry and giving consideration to the structure of their videos.

Beef Young Farming Champion, Madie Hamilton, originally from Mudgee but now working in Sydney, was exhausted, but excited at the end of the workshop.

The YFC program is a way for me to give back to an industry that has given me so much. I hope I can entice more people to work in any part of the agricultural industry, she said.

Bega dairy farmer Tom Pearce was looking forward to the opportunity to spread the word about agriculture.

Im looking forward to presenting my story to a classroom full of interested young adults and hope to inspire a few to seek opportunities outside of the city, he said.

The 11 young people were selected as Art4Agricultures 2012 Young Farming Champions, national program director Lynne Armstrong said.

Read more from the original source:
Farming's young champions