By John Mylant - April 18, 2012 | Tickers: F | 0 Comments

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

2008 saw a financial meltdown for the country and the auto industry was one of the worst hit. One company that continues to impress me with its turn around (without government intervention) is Ford (NYSE: F). It is a company that has rebounded, prospered and continues to show innovative leadership.

Rebounding from Extinction

Like many companies back in 2008 Fordstruggled as auto sales dried up very quickly. Losing $75 million a day, the stock dropped close to a buck in value. Three years later, the company made a $20 billion profit on sales of over $100 billion. $6200 in profit sharing was paid to each of its eligible employees and today the stock is trading at $11.95. Now that is quite a success story.

Continuing to Prosper

It has done well this year also. Recently Ford raises 2012 U.S. sales forecast. Its previous sales forecast was between 13.5 and 14.5 million in sales but now it is looking at close to 15 million. It is the North American operations that are carrying the company. Just in the U.S., first quarter sales were the best the company has in the last four years; plus March was the best since 2007 with the Ford Fusion recording its best month ever and the F-Series showing the strongest March sales in five years.

Canada has shown surprisingly similar success this year. January and February set a stronger than expected pace for the year. So now they have increased forecasts for yearly car sales. For the year they are projecting sales to be 1.67 million, which are 40,000 higher than was projected.

Innovation brought to the Consumer

Ford is continuing to research and bring innovative technology to the consumer through its products. With a goal is to be able to cut 750 pounds from a vehicle by the end of the decade and boost fuel efficiency substantially, Ford formed a partnership with Dow Automotive Systems to develop advanced carbon fiber composites that could be used in high-volume vehicles. Both companies together will research new manufacturing techniques and materials to cut weightyet strengthen the quality of its vehicles.

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Ford: Should You Own this Success Story?

A victory in the 4x400 relay event was the turning point for the Plymouth North boys track and field team Wednesday in a win over Dennis-Yarmouth. The Blue Eagles improved to 2-0 on the season.

Ian Allen won two events, the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, posting a Division 3 state qualifying time in each of them. The 11.1 seconds time he ran in the 100 also tied his personal best.

Scott Dickson also won two events, posting the best distances of the day in the discus as well as the shot put.

John OBrien (400-meter) and Mike Bambrick (a personal record of 2:05.01 in the 800-meter event) completed Plymouth Norths sweep in the short and middle-distance sprints. Riley Woolsons time of 61.6 seconds won him the 400-meter low hurdles in a personal best time and qualified him for the state meet.

The difference in the meet was Plymouth Norths depth at the top of each event. Greg Marinos took second in the 100-meter in a state-qualifying time of 11.4 seconds. Alec Provo finished second in the 400, Todd Cushing placed second and Alek Andrews third in the mile, while Kevin McNeeley and Andrews came in second and third in the two-mile race, respectively.

Rob Naidoo took second in both hurdle events and came in third in the triple jump, while Conor Boris finished second in the javelin and third in the discus.

The Blue Eagles were also in action Saturday at the Route 228 Freshman/Sophomore Meet at Notre Dame of Hingham. Allen had another great day for himself, taking second in the 400-meter dash and seventh in the 100-meter event. Naidoo came in second in the 400-meter low hurdle and 10th in the triple-jump, Bambrick took third in the 800-meter, Nate Shannon finished 11th in the two-mile and Bobby Dee was 11th in the javelin.

Bambrick (2:05.00 in the 800) and Allen (53.67 in the 400) each put up personal record times that qualified them for the Division 3 state meet at the end of the season. Overall, Plymouth North placed 11th in the team competition.

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Plymouth North boys track enjoys a taste of success

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Churchill Mortgage announced a series of special events and promotions planned for this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary, including: a First-Time Video Contest where first-time homebuyers will recount their experiences; a Young Entrepreneurs Contest, where 20 people in their 20s will pitch business ideas to Churchill Mortgage for a chance to win a capital investment; special Habitat for Humanity builds; and block parties (featuring special giveaways and barbecue) for each branch office throughout the year. Churchill Mortgage is a leader in the mortgage industry providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 23 states.

Since 1992, Churchill Mortgage has continued to grow and evolve into one of the leading mortgage companies in America. The lender was founded on the premise of operating its business with no debt, allowing Churchill to grow responsibly while maintaining a solid foundation. By abiding by this no debt policy, Churchill has experienced steady growth. Last year alone, the lender added five new branches throughout the country, increased its staff by 11 percent and established successful partnerships with industry leaders that further benefit its customers.

Churchill Mortgage has also been closely associated with nationally syndicated radio host, Dave Ramsey, and was in fact, the first sponsor for his program. Churchill Mortgage is a company you can trust, said Ramsey. For more than two decades, they have provided great service and the right tools to help borrowers achieve financial stability. Many companies define success based on the dollars coming in, but like us, Churchill defines success by the number of lives they change. Im honored to celebrate with my good friends at Churchill Mortgage, and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.

Today, Churchill Mortgage takes a great deal of pride in the fact that it earns a large majority of its business from customer referrals. Through its consultative approach to lending and strong commitment to local communities, the lender focuses on the right loan product for each borrower, providing the education and tools necessary to ensure borrowers financial stability.

Twenty years in operation is a great achievement for any business, and were extremely proud of this accomplishment, said Mike Hardwick, president of Churchill Mortgage. We continue to grow not only to help more individuals achieve their dream of owning a home, but also providing opportunities for some of the industrys hardest-working and most talented professionals. As we celebrate, all of us at Churchill are excited about whats to come for the next 20 years and we look forward to our continued success.

About Churchill Mortgage

Founded in 1992, Churchill Mortgage is a prominent and financially sound leader in the mortgage industry, providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 23 states. Unique within the industry, it is the only mortgage lender endorsed by nationally syndicated radio personality and personal finance expert and author, Dave Ramsey. Through its consultative approach to lending and strong commitment to local communities, the lender focuses on the right loan product for each borrower, providing the education and tools necessary to ensure borrowers financial stability. For more information about Churchill Mortgage, visit http://www.churchillmortgage.com or follow them on Twitter @ChurchillMtg and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/churchillmortgage.

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Leading National Lender, Churchill Mortgage, Celebrates 20 Years of Success

Health experts say a successful workout program is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.

Personal trainers at Broadmoor Fitness at Hansen Park in Kennewick say setting small goals every few weeks will help you achieve long term success.

Reporter Brian Brennan set out to lose 20 pounds in 3 months. To accomplish this goal Personal Trainer Shayne Smith set Brian up with a program to measure his progress about every three weeks.

"It's going to take you awhile. So you need things along the way to keep you going. Largely that has to do with increased athleticism, increased flexibility, increased strength, clothes fitting differently," says Personal Trainer Shayne Smith.

Smith says every client is different so he tailors the program to meet their needs. He set Brian up with the very demanding "300 Workout." It's a physical fitness test that actors and stunt men from the movie 300 completed after months of training.

The workout starts with 25 pull-ups then goes on to include 50 dead-lifts with 135 pounds, 50 push-ups, 50 box jumps, 50 floor wipers, 50 kettle bell clean and presses, and finally another 25 pull-ups.

Brian says when he first started the program he could barely do half the workout, but he can now do the whole thing in 25 minutes. He says every test he would do a little better than the time before, and that kept him motivated for the entire 3 months.

He's also happy to report he did lose the 20 pounds.

Don't try the 300 Workout without consulting a professional. If you'd like to set some goals or want more information call (509) 735-7744.

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Short term health & fitness goals can lead to long term success

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- YouChange Holdings Corp ("youchange") (OTCBB:YCNG.OB - News), a leading Community for electronics collection, e-waste tracking, and re-Commerce, today announced the successful close of its enrollment for the Earth Day Electronic Collection Challenge for Arizona Schools.

On February 1st, youchange launched its Electronic Collection Challenge in AZ, with the goal of getting 30 schools to participate in its inaugural event centered on Earth Day 2012.This challenge was designed to help promote the proper disposal of unwanted electronics through the proprietary youchange Recycling Platform. Participating schools are competing for a $2,500 Grand Prize in addition to the funds raised for the collection of unwanted electronics through youchange.The enrollment period for schools was February 1st through April 20th, but due to an overwhelming demand the enrollment period had to be closed on March 1st.

Youchange Executive Vice President, Derrick Mains commented, "We were ecstatic to see the number of schools that signed up for this event.We had an assortment of public, private and charter schools representing more than 13,000 students from all over the Valley.There was so much interest that we literally had to close enrollment early to fulfill the demand. As a result of the program's success, we have decided to make this collection drive an annual event.We are currently signing up schools for our Back to School contest that will run in the Fall of 2012."

The youchange electronics collection program is designed to work within schools to help educate students on the challenges of electronic waste all while helping schools raise needed funds.Youchange presents during a school assembly and delivers its e-waste message with the help of "Roger the Robot", the company's break dancing mascot.Students are energized and empowered to become good stewards and are invited to help their school and the environment by collecting unwanted electronic gadgets from their own closets, from family and friends. Each school collection drive runs for two weeks and includes a prize for the top class in addition to the Grand Prize. Items that are collected are processed through the youchange proprietary platform which focuses on the re-commerce, reuse and recycling of electronics.All personal information is removed and the items are either refurbished for resale or if non-working, they are sent to a youchange certified recycling partner.The schools are paid by youchange whether the items sell or not.

Youchange Founder and CEO, Jeffrey Rassas commented, "It really is a no brainer for schools. We do all of the heavy lifting, provide the collateral materials and get the kids excited to participate. Parents love youchange because they get to clean out their closets, drawers and garages from old unwanted devices.What school wouldn't want to have youchange do a fundraiser on campus where they actually provide a service to parents instead of selling a product?We have seen such great response from each school that has completed its two-week campaign that we are currently well ahead of our own internal estimates for total items collected.Based on this success, youchange will be looking to expand into new markets in the very near future."

For more details or to sign up your school for a future collection drive, contact Derrick Mains via email at dmains@youchange.com or call (480) 947-3588.

"It starts with youand ends in change."

About YouChange Holdings Corp

YouChange Holdings Corp is focused on the collection, purchase, refurbishment, and resale of used consumer electronics to schools, non-profits, churches, consumers and business markets. The youchange platform, which includes online, mobile apps and ongoing electronic collection programs, includes paying cash and reward points to schools, non-profits, churches, consumers and businesses for their used electronics; refurbishing and recycling those products; and the sale and re-Commerce of these products, as well as licensing of proprietary data through its back-end enterprise management software as a service platform. Some of these products include laptops, computers, tablet computers, cell phones, smart phones, PDAs, mp3 players, calculators, external drives, game consoles, digital cameras, streaming media devices, tablet e-readers, batteries and camera lenses.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Youchange Sees Great Success with its Earth Day Electronic Collection Challenge for Arizona Schools

Sales expert Tom Black emphasized the importance of developing a personal definition of success in a recent presentation at Indiana State University.

Author of The Boxcar Millionaire, Black grew up impoverished and credits goal setting and hard work as reasons for his success in sales and business. He presented Achieving Sales Success Ethically, during which he explained his definition of success with the captivated audience as the progressive realization of a worthwhile goal or dream.

Organized by the Sales and Negotiations Center, his presentation served as the first event of the State Farm Circle of Influence speaker series and was in accordance with Ethics Week at ISU. Additional programming throughout the week included the annual ethics conference, coordinated by students in the Networks Professional Development Program.

In a presentation filled with anecdotes, quotes and analogies, Black shared what he believes to be the common denominator of success.

Black also clued students in on five values that he looks for in employees, including keeping a positive outlook about change.

He also referenced honesty to self, customers and co-workers as the simplest definition of ethics in business. Black used the analogy of business as a boat to illustrate cooperation and honesty among employees, specifically.

Another value described in Blacks presentation was the ability to dream big, regardless of circumstances and what others think. When asked what the biggest mistake was that he had made in his career, Blacks response was simple.

Jon Hawes, director of the Sales and Negotiations Center, thinks this message was an important one to bring to ISU students.

Hawes recognizes the value in bringing well-known field experts to campus with the goals of connecting with and providing outstanding role models for students.

#BoxcarMillionaire

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‘Boxcar Millionaire’ encourages students to define success, maintain honesty

By Matt Montgomery & Nick Iannelli

CREATED Apr. 18, 2012 - UPDATED: Apr. 18, 2012

MILWAUKEE- An icon in television and music has passed away. Dick Clark died at the age of 82 Wednesday. He impacted the careers and lives of nearly countless musicians -- including one local group that served as the house band for one of Clark's TV shows in the 1960s.

The Robbs were a successful American pop-rock band made up of four members. Three were brothers from Oconomowoc. The fourth -- a man from Milwaukee named Craig Krampf.

Krampf was a prolific drummer with an expansive career who still remembers exactly what Dick Clark said as he introduced his band to the world. "I discovered this band in Chicago and they're gonna be the next big thing -- ladies and gentlemen, the Robbs."

Clark immediately took a shine to the group after they won a competition in Chicago in 1966, allowing them to perform on his daily TV program "Where the Action Is." Not long after their first appearance, the Robbs were installed as the show's house band. "It was an amazing thing,"said Krampf.

The band's relationship with the show lasted for about a year, but Krampf's interactions with Clark continued and memories came flooding back after hearing about Clark's death. "So many different moods or thoughts can cross your mind when someone passes,"said Krampf. "Iwas sad but then I just had a smile -- what an incredible human being."

Krampf attributes much of his personal success to Clark's advice and training. Adding one more name to the vast list of careers bolstered by the prestige and talent of entertainment legend Dick Clark. According to Krampf, "Clark taught us there things:never believe your own publicity...every band/artist had to be unique...the artist band members should never be the bad guy."

Krampf currently lives in Tennessee and has played on over 200 albums, including 60 Top 40 hits, plus many movie and TV soundtracks. Those efforts have garnered over 60 Gold & Platinum awards.

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Milwaukee drummer attributes musical, personal success to Dick Clark

Tineka Smith Published 19 April 2012

Research shows that 57% of IT middle managers do not have sufficient time for learning and development in order to do their jobs properly

Photo Credit: Marco Bellucci

The top three obstacles that respondents reported were constraining their development were lack of time, job pressures and financial constraints, according to Ashridge Business School.

Areas of training that were said to be needed were leadership, influencing and people management.

The report, Exploring Learning Experiences of Middle Managers in the UK, surveyed 569 IT middle managers. The research showed that middle managers have to drive their own career development but their working environments do not give them the time to focus on extra training and development they need.

"There is an attitude to the personal development of middle managers from business which is lacking commitment," said Hamish Scott, programme director of Ashridge Business School. "If middle managers are working in organisations that say they support their learning and development, yet only half of them are given time to learn, there is a real business issue here. Middle managers are an important part of any organisation, acting as a crucial filter between day-to-day operational demands and the board's strategy, and overlooking this critical function is short-sighted."

Middle management is said to be the least focused upon when it comes to employers investing time in their development and training.

"All too often the focus is on senior leaders and future leaders when it comes to development," said Scott. "The research showed that middle managers value formal learning as it provides personal insight as well as building confidence and developing skills such as people management, academic, technical and business skills, but in reality these needs are not being met."

Formal learning is often being overlooked with many respondents saying they have to learn as they go on their job.

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Are middle managers in the IT sector being left behind?

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) will expand an income generation program in La Guajira in northeastern Colombia thanks to new funding from the Chevron Corporation, the Foundation announced during a ceremony in Cartagena, Colombia, in conjunction with the Summit of Americas.

PADF and Chevron have had a long and successful partnership in mobilizing aid following natural disasters, developing disaster preparedness plans, and implementing social responsibility projects in Colombia and other Latin American and the Caribbean countries. This new donation further expands our joint efforts to provide sustainable development solutions to the regions disadvantaged communities, said John Sanbrailo, PADF Executive Director.

As a result of this contribution, PADF expects to reach many more vulnerable families in the Riohacha and Manaure municipalities in La Guajira Department through a project that supports entrepreneurship and improves family incomes. This effort is contributing to a larger national project spearheaded by the Colombian government between 2010 and 2014, of which at least 10,700 families living in 22 cities will benefit through PADF.

Colombian project participants will receive training and technical assistance to help strengthen personal, administrative and business skills, develop income generation enterprises, as well as improve their marketing opportunities. Activities will also focus on business development skills that contribute to leadership and entrepreneurship of beneficiaries.

In conjunction with the Summit of the Americas, PADF made the announcement during an April 13 ceremony held in the city of Cartagena in which the Foundation recognized Chevrons many contributions over the years, citing the companys longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility that has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of Colombian families.

Chevrons corporate social responsibility priorities have benefited vulnerable people across Colombia, among them displaced and indigenous populations, through projects for income generation, improving health and education, and strengthening community organizations, added Sanbrailo.

Receiving the PADF award was Ali Moshiri, President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, with participation by other senior Chevron officials including David Bantz, Chevron Country Manager in Colombia. In addition to the PADF Executive Director, John Sanbrailo, the Foundation was represented by its Vice President Frank Kanayet, a leading Colombian business executive, and the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Ambassador Albert Ramdin.

Over the last decade, PADF has implemented over $1 million in projects to assist displaced and indigenous people in La Guajira that received contributions from Chevron and other donors. In addition, PADF has implemented almost $1.5 million in donations provided by Chevron throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean. The latter partnership has resulted in successful completion of over 30 disaster relief and recovery projects benefiting tens of thousands of victims, especially through the distribution of Emergency Shelter Packages to affected communities in the region. Chevron also contributed to developing PADFs Disaster Management Emergency Response Program (DMERP), a corporate-based disaster preparedness program, and worked with the Foundation to support the companys Energy for Learning projects in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

As Colombias largest producer of natural gas, Chevrons partnership with the Colombian people has deep roots, especially in La Guajira Department where in 1972 the company discovered gas, drilling the first well in 1975. In addition to supporting local development through PADF, Chevron has also improved education and access to new technologies, promoted cultural development, invested in economic development to strengthen communities, and provided improved access to clean water to residents, among them many Wayuu indigenous communities.

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PADF and Chevron’s Expanding Partnership in Colombia to Support Income Generation Initiative in La Guajira

Montessori Childrens House of Kyiv is one of the few private schools in Kyiv that functions in accordance with the classic Montessori Method. The Montessori way to educational success (advertisement) 2 days ago at 10:10According to the Montessorians, the alternative school method that focuses on the childs comprehensive personal development rather then knowledge and obedience provides better results in bringing up children that are open minded, self confident, responsible and ready for todays social environment. The Montessori children are well trained in reading, logic and math, they treat others with respect and dignity, think positively and know how to achieve goals in their life.

The good evidence of the above is the numerous famous people influenced by Montessori, among others these are Sergey Brin and Larry Page (co-founders of Google.com), Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com), Jimmy Wales (founder of Wikipedia), Julia Child (author of famous cookbooks), Sean P. Diddy (singer), Prince William and Prince Harry (English royal family) and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Nobel Prize winner for Literature).

Today there are as many as 20,000 Montessori schools all over the world and the popularity is rising. Ukraine is not the exception gradually the method is becoming popular among progressive parents and numerous kindergartens and education centers are implementing certain elements of Montessori.

Centrally located, Montessori Childrens House of Kyiv is one of the few private schools in Kyiv that functions in accordance with the classic Montessori Method. It is an international school aimed to serve the clients in accordance with best international practice and global standards of education so that children form international families relocating to Kyiv could experience the familiar approach. The school staff speaks Ukrainian and English. Since approximately 40 percent of our families are overseas from various parts of the world, the environment in the classroom is multicultural and diverse teaching children tolerance and empathy towards the others.

The Montessori Children's House of Kyiv.

Children of different ages share the common classes. According to Maria Montessori, this helps to encourage collaboration learning by example and leadership. The younger observe, learn and get inspired from the older classmates while older act as positive peer models for their junior classmates, assuming positions of responsibility that further strengthen their own capabilities and self-esteem.

The classroom in the Montessori Childrens House of Kyiv is a deliberately prepared educational environment that comprise of authentic Montessori Materials. Maria Montessori believed that the hand was the direct link to the mind. Therefore, the materials are all designed to be manipulative. When learning sounds using the method, a child traces the letter shape with the fingers used for writing as he or she make the sound out loud. To learn what a pyramid is, she holds it in both of her hands, and feels it with her eyes closed. To learn what a square is, she feels the edges of it, instead of merely looking at a two-dimensional shape printed on a piece of paper. When counting, she counts actual objects to feel quantities, instead of trying to touch dots on a page.

The materials are all designed to be "self-correcting." That means it is usually obvious to the child, upon completing the activity, whether it was done correctly. For example, counting activities contain only the exact number of counters required to correctly perform them. If pieces are left over or appear to be missing, the child knows he needs to go back and recount the whole exercise to find his mistake. This allows the child to learn without constant adult intervention.

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The Montessori way to educational success (advertisement)