Nippon Oil, Nippon Mining to merge
Japan's top refiner Nippon Oil Corp and sixth-ranked Nippon Mining Holdings said they are considering a merger to create the world's eighth-largest oil major to better compete amid sliding prices and slower demand
Another Goldman unit hit by decline
Goldman Sachs' plans to expand its wealth management operations have been dealt a potential setback by a dramatic decline in the value of another of its funds
Chinese group sues Vale Inco
A large Chinese battery manufacturer is suing two units of Vale, one of the world's largest mining companies, in a patent infringement case that highlights the growing number of Chinese companies using local courts to protect their interests
Harvard endowment loses $8bn in four months
The world's wealthiest university placed the decline at 22%, bringing the figure to $28.7bn and underscoring how higher education has been hard hit by the global financial crisis
Adobe slashes revenue forecast
The US software group lowers its outlook for the November quarter to $912-$915m and announces job cuts, the latest indication of how the crisis has hit the technology sector
Carlyle to cut 10% of staff as downturn bites
Private equity firm Carlyle is cutting 10 per cent of its staff in the latest indication that buy-out firms will not be immune to the meltdown in the markets
Fortress suspends Drawbridge redemptions
The listed private equity group has suspended redemptions at its flagship fund in order to maintain assets after investors sought to withdraw more than $3.5bn in funds
Vodafone to appeal against India tax ruling
The Mumbai High Court dismissed a landmark challenge by Vodafone against a $2bn tax case in a blow to the UK group and a potential setback for other companies looking to make major investments in India
EDF tries to scupper Buffett's energy bid
The French state-controlled utility launched a direct challenge to billionaire Warren Buffett with a $4.5bn bid for 50 per cent of the nuclear fleet owned by its US partner Constellation Energy
Discounts drive 15% sales jump on 'Cyber Monday'
US online retailers saw an annualised 15 per cent jump in sales on the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend, according to early estimates, as aggressive bargains boosted traffic on the day the industry has dubbed 'Cyber Monday'
US auto union makes concessions
The main car workers' union said that it would suspend a contentious practice that allows so-called 'idled' car workers to collect virtually full pay and benefits without working
New Star agrees £240m rescue with banks
One of the UK's best known fund managers has agreed to a debt-for-equity swap deal that will leave a group of four banks, including HBOS, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and RBS, in control of the group
Iberia gives BA merger ultimatum
The chief executive of the Spanish carrier said it would be 'too complex' for BA to pursue deals with both it and Qantas of Australia
Merckle at risk of losing empire
German billionaire who lost large sums by betting on falling share prices may have to hand over control of large parts of his industrial empire to his banks.
Dassault in pledge over Thales chief role
Aircraft group will not put forward own executive should Ranque leave in wake of stake sale


of staff who is a Microsoft Small Business Specialist?

References. Ask the following questions to the consulting companies other clients:
1.How well does the company work for them?
2.Ask whether work is done on time and on budget?
3.Also ask whether the responds quickly to problems.

Services. You need to ask the consulting company the following questions:
1.What services does the consulting company provide? If they don’t supply a particular service will they be able to recommend a professional organization that can?
2.What levels of support do they offer?
3.Do they offer offsite support solutions or do they perform all work onsite?
4.Do they offer preventative maintenance plans?
5.What does the preventative maintenance plans involve?
6.How many hours per month are included in the preventative plans?

Schedules and fees. Find out the answers to the following questions:
1.What is their response time?
2.Are you charged a call out fee?
3.Is their a minimum invoice amount?
4.Do they assure a No Fix No Fee policy?
5.What are their business hours?
6.What happens if you call out of hours?

Personality. It is important that a be a technology expert, but it is also important that they be able to work with and talk to people who are not technology experts.

Final Words. Interview a number of potential consultants. Look for the information listed above. This is not a time to just go with the lowest bid: you want the best for the job. After all, isn't that why you hire a consultant?

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Robert Adelman is an MCSE+I (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet) which qualifies an individual of being able to www.ittelligent.com.au”>analyze the business requirements for information systems solutions, and design and implement the infrastructure required including internet technologies.Robert Adelman is also a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) that certifies that www.ittelligent.com.au”>the individual has knowledge and skills necessary to select, connect, configure, and troubleshoot various Cisco networking devices.

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