At the same time BBC news were suggesting there were rumours that Microsoft has bought Skype. Reporting figures of around $ 8.5 dollars

On takeover chatter the following is being reported

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) is close to buying web video conferencing service Skype, for $8.5 billion including debt, a source familiar with the situation said. The deal would rank as the biggest for the software company. A deal is expected to be announced as early as Tuesday morning, the source said. The source declined to be named because the talks are not public. Microsoft and Skype declined comment. Skype, which had delayed plans for an initial public offering, had recently been looking at other options.

Interesting times ahead. Are we moving towards more .com floatations and fund raising.?

The biz club is your opportunity to learn the key skills, strategies and techniques to help you develop and run an effective and profitable business.

Launch of The Biz Club  will take place on Wednesday the 24^th of February 2010 – 6.00pm to 9.00pm at the The Talbot Inn in Ripley Surrey.

Some testimonials for Antonio Antonio Falco Web Site

‘Your ability to quickly analyse and demonstrate a more effective method for us to sell our services was invaluable. Both the sales and sales support greatly benefited from your input’

Louis D’Espangnac, MD The Mortgage Explorer

‘He is an expert on selling techniques and strategies’

Martin Shepherdly, MD WebEpics

I have detailed their release here for info but do check the Toyota site for up to date info.

Please see below more information we have received today from Toyota Motor Europe:

“‘Toyota Motor Europe announced today the recall of 8 Toyota models in Europe, to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue. The involved models and production periods are as follows:

- AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
- iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
- Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
- Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
- Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
- RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The precise number of involved units is still under investigation, but may reach up to 1.8 million vehicles. No Lexus models and no other Toyota models are affected.

“Toyota’s policy is to put its customers first, in all circumstances”, said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe. “We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers.”

For subject vehicles, there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

This issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms concerned may become worn. This progressive wear, combined with certain operating and environmental conditions, can cause friction in the mechanism to increase and intermittently result in the accelerator pedal being harder to depress, slow to return or, in the worst case, stick in a partially open position.

Toyota has identified a remedy for this issue, and is currently pursuing a final evaluation and confirmation procedure. As soon as the countermeasure is confirmed, Toyota will communicate to all customers and other concerned parties the details of the corrective action and of the implementation procedure.

A running change in production using different parts has already been implemented model-by-model for the models on sale in Europe, as part of Toyota’s continuous quality improvement policy. Therefore there is no need or intention to stop production in Europe.

Only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe, and Toyota Motor Europe is not aware of any accident resulting from this issue.

Toyota is making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.’

Whilst this condition is rare we advise customers who have concerns to contact Toyota GB Customer Relations (0800 1388744) for assistance ahead of the recall instructions being issued.

We’ll continue to post further information as we have it.”

THIS IS FROM THE TOYOTA SITE AS AT 6:40pm GMT 29th January 2010.  Check For update on the Toyota Site Here

Antonio Falco Business Speaker and Advisor

Antonio Falco is passionate about sales and is adamant that it is the lifeblood of the business. Without it you don’t have a business!! Unless you’re very wealthy and like a business that doesn’t generate revenue. Is that really a busines?

Antonio has post a very insiteful article.   Have a read

I’ve been saying for years in various forums and business talks that ‘Sales is the lifeblood of a business’. Now I know that both ‘cashflow’ and ‘cash is king’ (here comes the but) BUT, if you’ve not sold anything then ….?

So, let’s tackle the issue that continues to be the ‘thorniest’ of all – Sales. You know it’s incredible to think that if you’re taking advice about your business, how to get it on track, keep it on track , get more business, MORE customers; that you’d take advice and guidance from someone who in their past career has actually done it and done it successfully.

Now in recent times there’s been all sorts of so called advisors, introduce Sales via the back door ‘soft selling’ or ‘the accidental salesman’. What a load of ‘phooey’ and more importantly, it’s plain misleading, sales cannot be an accident. Accidental selling may well lead you to accidentally going bust! You have to have some structure, some knowledge and some ability.

Read the rest of the article here on antoniofalco.com ….Antonio Falco on Sales

“over the past year or more, you have probably heard your fair share of people telling you that you need to use Twitter if you hope to have business success. It’s true that there are a great many opportunities and potential benefits to using the service, but do you have to use it? Well, that depends.”

Read the full article here Here

Is it OK to say no to Twitter