We always for the Community

Sxion Foundation (www.sxionfoundation.org)  has always been in the heart of many and touches many lives through its charitable and philanthropist works within the South East Asia region. Hence we wish to emphasize the work that we do as follows:-

1) Rural development (  jatropha contract farming mainly in Indochina with off take agreements   while fully utilising farmers/settlers idle land to convert into cash )

2) Social development ( operate and administrate welfare homes  for orphans,  elderly care and single mothers)

3) Healthcare/Wellness  ( run a charitable dialysis  centre and provide 24 hours hotline support )

Our work has caught the attentions of  local corporate companies, international organisation and government agencies leaving  them as the leading donors and sponsors for Sxion Foundation charitable and social works.

Core Competency_

Well,  in a nutshell  this is the blueprint or rather DNA of Strafocus. A strategy focus consulting practice with a heart of environment (green) as well as responsible investing i.e. with corporate social responsibility in mind. .

The driving force behind Strafocus has been in food, leisure and lifestyle. Hence, naturally F&B comes into mind as well as hotels operations which includes an integrated resort/casino alike with theme park ( coincidentally under leisure category). Not missing out all the hoteliers and restaurateur who have adopted a green living and practised sustainability lifestyle in order to reduce the global carbon footprint.

In conclusion, renewable energy ( sustainable living) ; real estate (property assets including hotels/casino) ;  resort ( representing  F&B plus theme park operations) and retail ( food supply chain from  organic-farming to poultry to fresh produce to grocers to retailing supermarkets chains including branding, franchising and fashions ) will be part of  Strafocus (www.strafocus.com)  eco-system.

RICOH GXR

RICOH   GXR (interchangeable digital camera unit )

Ricoh showed off their new (and bit different) interchangeable digital camera unit — the Ricoh GXR. The interchangeable lens unit also contains the sensor so you can basically switch sensor type/sizes anytime.

Unlike other popular dSLR we see nowadays where you screw in the lens and try to be careful not to get dust or dirt into the exposed compartment, the Ricoh GXRavoids that by putting the sensor and optics in one enclosure.

As such the specs of the whole system will depend on which lens unit you slide into the camera body. For example, if you use the Ricoh P10, you get a 10 megapixel (1/2.3″) CMOS image sensor and a 28-300mm 10.7x zoom lens.

The Ricoh GXR P10 combo offers 720p HD video recording, 5 frames per second burst shooting speed and offers 60fps and 120fps recording mode in full manual control. If you use the Ricoh A12, you get a 50mm f / 2.5 Macro GR Lens with APS-C12.3MP CMOS sensor. With the Ricoh S10, you get a 24-72mm f/2.5-4.4 VC with10MP CCD sensor.

Tried taking shots and the images are pretty good and works pretty well even on low light (comparable to the Exmor sensor of Sony).

They don don’t have an exact price yet but promised the camera kit will be in the region of USD1,500 range (GXR body is only USD 1,000). The approach is pretty interesting and GXR itself is priced pretty competitively considering you have the ability to change sensor/lens unit, much like most other dSLRs and hybrids out there.

King of Beans_ Soy

THE Asian love affair with the soya bean dates back thousands of years and it is indeed loved in many, many ways.

Much has been written and discussed about the soya bean. It can be traced back to 11th Century BC when Chinese Emperor Shen Nong who named it one of the five sacred plants that included rice, wheat, barley and millet.

It was introduced to nearby countries of Korea and Japan while farmers in the US first grew it in 1829. Asia, in particular China, remains the primary consumer of soya beans.

One of nature’s finest gifts to man, the soya bean is eaten in a variety of ways. Think boiled, fermented, pressed for oil and milk, made into various forms of tofu, beancurd skin and even used for sauce and dessert. Soya bean products are again, used in countless recipes, limited only by the cook’s creativity.

For vegans, soya bean is a major source of protein. It is considered a complete protein as it contains significant amounts of the eight essential amino acids. It is said to have the nutritional equivalent of meat and eggs.

But really, I think the popularity of soya products lies in the fact that it’s easy to cook and eat.

TRACING THE BEAN

Nutrition Society Of Malaysia recently organised a seminar titled Soy Nutrition, Trends & Market Development in collaboration with Singapore’s The Nutrition Place and The American Soybean Association International Marketing.

In his opening address at the seminar, NSM president Dr Tee E Siong says soya bean makes a good protein alternative to meat as they have a complete amino acid content. However, it is not just about nutrition.

“More are recognising the functional components as well,” he says. “Soya bean contain phytochemicals which provide physiological benefits such as reducing cardiovascular heart disease, blood cholesterol and the risk of osteoporosis, hot flashes and various types of cancer.

“Available data suggests that isoflavones have direct effects on coronary vessels and studies also show that eating soya beans help reduce risk of breast cancer. But consumption should start from youth to derive the full benefits.

“People seem to have their priorities wrong,” he says. “It is imperative that you take care of nutrition when young, not after retirement or sickness. In a study in Shanghai, women who consumed a high amount of soya consistently from adolescence had a substantially reduced risk of breast cancer. Consumption of non-fermented soya is also associated with a reduction in prostate cancer.”

There have been controversial concerns about soya bean. It was feared that the oestrogen-like effects of isoflavones may impair male fertility and cause feminine effects in men as well as affect thyroid functions, and whether soya bean milk is suitable for infants who are lactose-intolerant.

“Clinical and epidemiologic studies have shown that isoflavone does not adversely affect breast tissue but rather, is suggestive of benefits. There is no clinical evidence either that suggests soya protein lowers serum testosterone levels or exerts oestrogen-like or have feminising effects on men,” he says, adding that there is also no evidence that soya protein adversely affects thyroid function in healthy individuals.

Gout is another health concern as soya beans contain purine. (Purines are chemicals that occur naturally in foods, especially in meat and many kinds of fish. When ingested, purines produce uric acid which form crystals in the joints, leading to gout, a painful form of arthritis).

But while whole soya bean contains a high level of purine, products such as tofu, tempeh and soya bean milk contain relatively less purine than meat.

Dr Tee is happy to note that though soya bean produce was popular with mainly the Chinese in the past, all ethnic groups today take soya products, especially tofu, as they recognise the benefits. “For instance, yong tofu is enjoyed by the various communities and is now recommended in the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010,” he says.

IMPACT ON DIABETES

National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health associate professor Dr Koh Woon Puay had studied the association between soya and its components (isoflavones and protein) and Type-2 diabetes. The results support a protective role for unsweetened soya foods and isoflavones on risk of the disease. The study had used the data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study started in 1993.

“Soya-based diet is encouraged rather than isoflavone pills or extracts,” she says adding that the level of sugar content must be taken into consideration.

CALCIUM CONNECTION

It is believed that consumption of dark green vegetables and soya products may help to maintain bone density and strength.

Though unfortified soya beans contain far less calcium than dairy milk, “studies have shown that diets high in animal protein causes more calcium to be leached from the bones and excreted in the urine and faeces”. On the other hand, protein from soya beans does not have this effect.

Studies also show that those who consume large amounts of soya appear to have higher bone densities than those with a lower intake. So not only does soya offer a source of calcium but it also reduces loss of calcium from bones and promotes bone strength.

Osteoporosis is a silent condition of ageing that includes bone loss and deterioration of the bone structure. Those above the age of 40, especially women, are at greater risk.

Soya bean products that are good sources of calcium are tofu (which has been coagulated with calcium sulfate), calcium-fortified soya bean milk, whole soya beans, soya flour and tempeh.

FUTURE FOR SOYA BEAN

There are different reasons, geographically, why people eat soya beans.

In Indonesia, it’s functional, meaning it’s affordably available to a major percentage of the population. In Japan and China, it’s a heritage food and they grew up eating soya bean produce.

In Singapore, it’s an indulgent item and people eat it because they enjoy it. In Malaysia, the main reason is that soya bean products are good for health, cheap and easy to get.

In a recent study on people and soya bean conducted by the United States Soybean Export Council in Southeast Asia, it was found that traditional items such as soya bean milk and tofu topped the list of soya foods consumed.

Malaysians, in particular, named promotion of bone strength and fibre content as main reasons why they eat soya bean followed by benefits to the heart, brain and development of the foetus.

But with development, more disposable income and the invasion of western diets, the younger generation (aged 40 and under) does not seem as keen on soya bean products as their parents.

Nutritious legume

SOYA bean is a species of legume native to East Asia. Soya bean is considered complete protein as it contains significant amounts of essential amino acids.

It has no cholesterol. Yes, it contains a good amount of fat but it’s monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids.

It is an excellent source of minerals including calcium, iron and zinc and phytochemicals including phytosterols, isoflavones, saponins, phenolic acids and phytic acids which are anticarcinogens.
It is high in dietary fibre and an excellent source of B-complex.

FERMENTED SOYA PRODUCTS

Tempeh (picture, left), natto, nam yue (fermented tofu), soya sauce, fermented bean paste, salted brown beans, miso.

NON-FERMENTED SOYA PRODUCTS

Soft tofu, firm tofu, beancurd skin, soya bean milk.

DEBUNKING COMMON MYTHS

Myth: Cow’s milk is better than soya bean milk

Fact: Soya bean milk offers the same important nutrients as cow’s milk such as calcium, protein and vitamin D. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free. Even better, a soya bean-rich diet will not leach calcium from bones, unlike animal protein.

Soya bean products high in calcium include fortified milk, tofu, tofu pudding and tempeh.

Myth: Soya bean is an allergen

Fact: Soya protein can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals but so can proteins in fish, milk, nuts, eggs and wheat. Not everyone is allergic to soya bean and surveys have indicated that allergy to cow’s milk is 40 times more common than soya bean allergy.

Myth: Soya bean affects fertility.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence to indicate that eating soya products will affect fertility in women or sperm quality or quantity in men.

Soya bean does not contain oestrogen. It does, however, contain isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens but which do not have the same effect as oestrogen on the body. Isoflavones have also been proven to support heart and bone health, minimise menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.

Myth: Soya bean makes men feminine

Fact: Soya bean doesn’t cause breast growth or reduce testosterone levels in men. A study of men who ate soya foods twice a day for three months showed no change in testosterone levels.

Myth: Soya bean protein is inferior because it comes from a plant.

Fact: Plant protein is as complete as animal protein. Soya bean in particular, contains all of the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities that the body needs.

Myth: Soya contributes to thyroid problems.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that soya bean affects thyroid function.

Courtesy of New Straits Times Tuesday 16 October 2012

Strafocus ventured overseas with branches in Toronto & Melbourne

Strafocus has always been a globalised  set-up and dynamic strategic consultancy firm mirroring  the prominent firms such as McKinsey and Booz Allen Hamilton.

STRAFOCUS - Toronto, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur Offices

Pesaka Antah Sdn Bhd

Desmond Lim Siew Choon the kingpin and proxy to some influential  politician in the country whom was associated to latest RMAF Sg Besi land development under the care of  1MDB and LTAT. 

Desmond Lim is the corporate figure behind the development of Bukit Rimau and  Gadek Capital Berhad before changing to its current name Malton Berhad. The most prominent development would be Pavilion KL under his project manager unit Domain Resources Sdn Bhd  ,the same company build the first Carrefour in Subang Jaya in 1994.  

Apparently, Desmond Lim undertook the controversial RM20billion Penang Global City Centre development via its Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd from  Patrick Lim (then was the key person in Equine Capital _ proxy to 5th Prime Minister) after change of premiership in April 2008.

The Tun Razak Exchange ( fka KLIFD ) the 15 years  project by 1MDB worth 26bil and adjacent  RMAF Sg Besi   air base's  land  is bound to be developed by  a  private company owned by Desmond Lim.

On the same note, the linkage between the current First Lady, Negeri Sembilan  Royalty family private vehicle Antah Holdings- Pesaka Antah Sdn Bhd, French retailer Carrefour,    Mydin (Dato' Ameer Ali Mydin project Tukar and KR1M )   and businessman Desmond Lim.


The business association and network web extends to  Deepak , KK Eswaran under his flagship ABN Xcess  broadcast network in direct competition to Astro and Raymond Chan a Sabah  OneBorneo Mall and One Gateway, Klang  developer  controversisal appointment of  premier son to be Director of one of his  companies recently took control ( via RTO)  Harvest Court Industries Berhad. Raymond Chan also controls  Dayang Enterprise in O& G industry and  Metronic Berhad an IT company.

Beknown _ FACEBOOK's professional linkedIN

Beknown is Facebook professional network platform tied up with one of the largest on-line job recruitment portal Monster.com.  Unlike other more successful professional networking such as US LinkedIN  was listed  on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in May 2011  and  XING a German outfit  which is limited to German entity anf professionals launched in November 2003  and  Viadeo, a  French  unit founded in May 2004 with 35.0 million subscribers.

BeKnown  by FACEBOOK

Danish and Malaysian Chinese mix parentage - Patricia K

Gee!  Wow@!    Yes  Patricia K her nickname for the 25 years old ( born 1987) Patricia Sue-Lin Knudsen.  

She is a Radio DJ for Capital FM and as a hosts in a segment called My City talk about travel, food, leisure and of course music. She previously was the TV Host for ESPN' Maxis Football Extra.

Patricia K  

Good news for engineers a new partnership LLP with a twist

The Limited LiabilityPartnership(LLP) under this form is a corporation, but is internally managed as a partnership. As a corporation, the LLP has no finite life, unlike a conventional partnership, which ceases on the retirement or withdrawal of a partner. The LLP's corporate status gives it the capacity to sue in its own name and be sued. It is by virtue of this distinctive quality of a separate legal identity that also differentiates an LLP from a conventional partnership.

Three forms of partnership structures are currently in use in the business and professional world. They are the general partnership, the limited partnership(LP) and the limited liability partnership (LLP).

A general partnership may be formed by persons coming together to pool their resources to carry on business and share profits. Among professionals, the general partnership remained for a long time the only form they could come together to practise their profession.

This in most instances was dictated by their professional bodies, which saw their members' professional skills and the required high sense of individual probity; integrity, uprightness and honesty as adequate protection against malpractice claims.

The table summarises the key features of the different common business structures as contrasted with those of the LLP. 

An LLP should not be confused with a limited partnership (LP). LPs are used mainly by private equity (PE) funds and hedge funds. Typically the PE manager is the general partner with unlimited liability whereas the investors are limited partners.

Jurisdictions which wish to attract such players into their financial markets would adopt the LP business model. Malaysia Federal Territory, Labuan has adopted both the LP and the LLP legislation. But these are for offshore players.

The distinctive feature of the LLP structure under the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2012 is the limited scope of the liabilities of the partners. A partner is not personally liable for the obligations of the LLP, whether in contract, tort or otherwise or the wrongful act or omission of any other partner. A partner is still personally liable in tort for his own wrongful act or omission. The LLP is liable to the same extent as the partner who has committed the wrongful act or omission. In the event of insolvency, a partner's liability is limited to his capital contribution.

The Malaysian's  Income Tax Act, 1967 has not as yet adopted the LLP as a taxable entity. If it does so without qualifications, then a major anomaly would arise. Tax law treats a corporation as a separate taxable entity whereas a partnership is regarded as a transparency where only the partners to the partnership are taxable persons.

The hybrid nature of the LLP structure becomes problematic when considered in the context of the tax law, for the following additional reasons:

● A company is taxed at a flat rate, currently at 25% whereas an individual partner in a partnership is taxed at graduated rates;

● A company's tax resident status is determined by where its business is managed and controlled from; each partner's tax residence rests on that partner's extent of physical presence in the country in any one year and

● Distributions by a company can normally only be by way of dividends which are governed by restrictions under the Company's Act. Withdrawals of profits and capital by a partner are less formal; subject to partners' agreement.

A suggestion has been made that a choice be given to the LLP to be taxed either as a corporation or as a partnership. This would offend against the principle of tax neutrality since the policy objective of introducing the LLP structure is to rectify the major weakness in the general partnership business model by limiting partners' liabilities.

The LLP law recognised that this cap on liability could create concerns among those who use the services of professional firms and has mandated that such firms should have the benefit of professional Indemnity insurance.

The status of the LLP as a corporation must not influence its treatment for tax purposes since its prime objectives are to:

● Give it legal personality as distinct from its partners;

● Have perpetual succession and

● Give it unlimited capacity.

Thus a conventional partnership converting to an LLP should have no change in its tax status. This is achieved by a declaration in the tax code to the effect that for tax purposes, an LLP should be treated as a partnership. This is what the tax law in the Britain and Singapore has effected. This has the merit of ignoring the dichotomous nature of the LLP for tax purposes, achieving the intended policy objective without creating anomalies.

If this is done, there is no doubt that the future of the LLP is assured since it would be the vehicle of choice for many professional firms.

D800 vs 5D Mark II

Nikon with Nikkor lens has perfected the art of  photography and  live up to its name as "At the heart of the image". 

However, Canon  5D Mark III  still is  the ideal choice of the day by professional photographer for its simplicity yet embracing the true-sense of sophistication, style and elegance. 

Canon 5D Mark II

Aston Martin LIVES ! Z

Expatriates in Malaysia for business, leisure or work

The Malaysian government grants three-month visas to citizens from most European and North American countries, provided that their passports are valid for more than six months after their arrival date, or more than 18 months for those seeking employment. Visas must be applied for at a Malaysian consulate. When applying for the visa, visitors have to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay in Malaysia, and an onward ticket.

When entering Malaysia on business or with the intention of staying on, visitors are required to have a sponsor within Malaysia. In the visa application process, you will be given a reference number so that you can track the progress of your application on the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s official website.

When applying for a visa it is useful to have two extra copies of your passport, a visa application and two extra copies, bank statements showing sufficient funds, a valid air ticket and two extra copies, and an approval letter from the Malaysian Department of Immigration.

Malaysia issues three types of work permits:

• Professional visit pass, which is issued to foreigners employed by an overseas company but working with a company in Malaysia for up to six months.
• Temporary employment pass, which is available for jobs that pay less than RM5,000 per month and lasts two years.
• Employment pass, which is offered for jobs with specific skills, generally technical or managerial jobs. It is usually issued for a minimum period of two years.

Obtaining a work permit is often a lengthy process; however, choosing to work without a valid work permit is not an option because of Malaysia’s strict laws. Requirements for work permits are as follows: the applicant must be over 23 years old if they wish to work in the IT sector and over 27 years for those wishing to work in other sectors. Work permits generally last between 6 months and 5 years, depending on the duration of the work contract and the type of visa.

Expats wishing to travel from Peninsula Malaysia to the Borneo side should be aware that they will need to present their passports on arrival even though they are not leaving the country.

KLCI Performance 2011

Malaysia under the new premiership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak has the most radical reformation or transformation for the matter, Government Transformation Program (GTP) , Economic Transformation Program(ETP) and 1 Malaysia policy hoping to restore the confidence of it's citizens  as the nation gears up for the 13th General Election (GE).

Handouts or rather subsidies for senior citizens to FELDA small holders to taxi drivers to student in the form of discount cards have been a mixed response. However, the most basic amenities such as water distribution and concessionaire still stick up like a sore thumb aggravated by highly controversial submarine scandal and Mongolian model murder case, misappropriation of public funds under the National Cow breeding scheme which need to be addressed and sorted out urgently.

Despite the dramatic happening and exposure of one scandal after another including the sales of partially submerge land to Selangor state government at ridiculously high price in the pretext of bailing out one the vendor/seller which is Trinity Corporation Berhad ( formerly known as Talam) in the midst of debt restructuring exercise.

All these scandals, corrupt practise, commercial frauds and irregularilities have somewhat stifled the Barisan Nasional (Government political party) machinery to garner vote of confidence in the coming GE and bleak outlook of EURO zone crisis and geopolitical threat from North Korea and civil war/ political unrest in Syria and in Middle East do not help either  which have a deep impact on the  nation stock market as reflected below  Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) performance last year.

Ducati super-monster " Multistrada "

Escort 3G+ Premium

The intricate web of supply chain 3G+  premium  female hostess, guest relations officer or barista / waitress   servicing versatile and dynamic hospitality industry with key components/ change agents/intermediaries. 

1)  GREENfactor the under license Sxion Group   hospitality brand.

2)  Syncretize Sdn Bhd  the master licencee for GREENfactor  directly interfaces with corporate clients.

3)  The GREENfactor Mentorship Programme/ Leadership Development is facilitated by the 3G+  Academy Inc.    c/o    Strafocus Project Management.

4) Suppliers are the hospitality graduates undergoing  either Mentorship Programme or    direct recruited from the industry professionals. 

5) Customers are diverse  and subject to paying  $350 per day or  $ 50 per hour for 3G+ premium  services in the event that they G Clients  require an extension of standard  working hours usually  8 hours per day.

Route to success for hospitality professionals from a trainee to a hotelier

Journey last through time

Two great journeys of Israel

My scrap book blue-print to the future

Cross-road in LIFE

What is your profession ?
What do you do for a living ?
How much is your take home pay ?


Do you earn enough in view of escalating cost of living and inflation?


What is your plan in life ?


Own a business or employment for life ? Run a Foundation and be a philanthropist like Bill Gates?  ...... ...............................................................the list goes on without an ending story.




Eureka !  Yeah  it is a revelation after all, the answer is  YOU.   What it takes to be successful in life at times go broke and live on porridge + black sauce in order to self-sustain .


In conclusion,  creative + passionate +  preservation + connected    =    success   /  entrepreneurship with a heart


                    "Avoid employment trap  and  go for entrepreneurship springboard"

Moving forward according to the plan

Author : http://sg.linkedin.com/in/waynengwh

Nikon - " At the heart of the image "

Nikon D3200

Food, Wine & Art - Is this an art gallery or a restaurant ?

Food, Wine & Art - Is this an art gallery or a restaurant ?:

Yeah, as a matter of fact, food pairing with wine is common in most dining experience and at the same time  intertwine with  art. To some, food is an art meets science especially molecular gastronomy utilising our five senses, chemistry and food science to introduce "out of this world "  taste and style or presentation.

Conservationist, architects and property developers are in search for heritage and pre-war buildings to turn them into a fabulous eating gallery. Hence, such buildings will draw out its unique character, serene atmosphere, quirky and relax cum  rustic feel  over modern contemporary restaurant.

Some restaurants or bistros project European or Mediterranean themes with wide selective range of wines plus foreign beers or alcoholic beverages.

As for this TLWB ( That Little Wine Bar ) is operated by a husband and wife team, the German chef previously worked in Michelin-star restaurant and his wife mans front-of-the house.  

Mover and Shaker of a Tycoon

Well, Datuk Raymond Chan Boon Siew came a long way with its breakthrough projects One Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu and  One Gateway Klang. I supposed he is backed by filthy rich Sabah tycoons mainly palm oil operators  excluding Duta Yap!!!. 

He literally strip and rip-off  loss making companies  and inject his jewel crown - assets such as 1Borneo Hypermall valued $400million into Naim Indah Corp Berhad ( HQ Kuching). Apparently after his takeover of Naim in February 2012 he was made  CEO of Naim the following month with controlling stake of 30%. Naim is loss making since 2008 with Naim's   36% associate company  Dayang Enterprise Berhad (O&G) 

His private investment vehicle for all his tomb-raiding activities is Sagajuta (Sabah) Sdn Bhd. His close ties with  PM wife  has led the controversial and abrupt resignation of PM son early 2012  as Director in  Harvest Court Industries Berhad a loss making door maker which he took over last year.  

  

Overall, Chan is definitely building his vast empire when he still got political - heavy weight backing before the 13th GE. 

My take is he is controlling a Group of companies valued at least  $7billion looking forward.

1) Harvest Court Industries Berhad - Construction 

2) Naim Indah Corp Berhad    -  Property Developer

3) Metronic Global Berhad  -  IT 

4) Jerneh Asia Berhad  -  Insurance ( Deal aborted by Robert Kuok not agreed with $)

5) Dayang Enterprise Berhad - O&G 

Human Trafficking - Babies in China

Video below is the baby trafficking syndicate which was busted in China.




Human Trafficking or Flesh Trade  is run by syndicates around the world to fulfil  sex trade / prostitute ring market demands  in  Western continent such as France, USA and UK. During Korean war in 1950's many South Korean were brought to America as sex workers in the pretext  of  maids and cooks.

Six franchise business which are a safe bet during recession

Despite gloom  in economic market outlook or on the way to recovery, the six small  franchise business than can survive through a bleak situation are as below :-

1) In-Home  Senior Care
Statistic has shown baby boomers  ( born 1960 - 1980 ) will populate at least 60% of world population and this age group is drawing close to their golden age in next 10 years. Hence, there are ample opportunity for senior / elderly care in-house care business.

2) New Car Dealers
Japan's  Toyota global car sales has increased and its automobile sector has recovered from its' recent tsunami and nuclear plant blast incident. Same  goes to Ford car sales recorded significant growth in the American market and worldwide with the new Ford CEO Allan Mullaly recently received bonus for his achievements  . Hence, buoyant car market sets a spring board for new car dealers.

3) Pharmacies and drug store
Health is wealth, supplementary and nutritional drinks are essential to the development of healthy body. Well maintained and regular exercise with healthy diet and supplements ( Vitamin C, Omega -3 and Zinc ) will avoid heavy medical bills for unwanted illness and  diseases ( or even cancer ). Drug store also offers personal care products such as toiletry and hair care products which are daily use will create the demand matches the product offerings. Big players such as Guardian (under Diary Farm group) and Watson owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka Shing experiencing a thriving business sales transactions in their worldwide operations including developing countries like Indonesia and Philippines.

4) Sandwiches and sub - stores
Subway franchise  business can be considered or specialised pastry and cafe shops would be a good proposition.


5) Gas stations with convenient stores
There is the current trend Gas  stations has an eatery kiosk within its store, for example "Hot dog 1901" kiosk in Esso Mobil gas stations or even 24 hours convenient stores or express format Tesco or Carrefour  store within stores.

6) Supermarket and groceries stores
High food prices and petrol prices have discourage families from dining out frequently. Thus, hypermarket or rather supermarkets / groceries stores enjoyed a good business and profits from sales of essential dairy products to perishable items such as fresh vegetables and poultry.

Kabam

Kabam is an interactive entertainment company which developed social network  free-to-play strategy games such as  Kingdom of Camelot and other titles like Dragon of Atlantis; Godfather: Five families : Edge World and Thirst of Night.

The other popular social gaming developers are:-

1) Zynga  ( Empire & Allies ; Mafia Wars 2 ; Zynga Porker )
2) Funzio  ( Crime City and Kingdoma Age)
3) Digital Chocolate ( Zombies Lane ; Millionaire City )
4) Playfish ( Restaurant City ; Sims Social )

Online Gaming Industry is a multi billion dollar industry with :-

1) Video Game publisher (Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft)
2) Distributor (Intermediary Retail Shops )
3) Game Console Manufacturers ( Nintendo -Wii, Microsoft - X Box and Sony - Playstation )
4) Game Developer ( Zynga ; Digital Chocolate; Funzio etc ) work hand in hand to deliver first class interactive entertainment to ever demanding customers.

Online/  internet  platform  gaming  experience at social network websites such as Google + and Facebook have benefited small time game developers in cost savings as they eliminated third party publishers and retail intermediary in the gaming value chain which administrate the licensing,marketing and distribution of the latest game titles.

The latest game by Zynga - Dream Zoo is only available on smartphone / mobile / Tablet platforms ( Android, I Phone, I Pad ) even though it is a beta version.

Home Plus - British / Korean retailer

Home plus is Tesco / Samsung joint venture majority stake owned by Tesco (94%)  in Korean discount retail store chain  with  Lotte Shopping  and  Hyundai Departmental Store as other key players. Home plus is the second largest retail player after Shinsegae Group. Shinsegae was originally part of Samsung Group, a diversified conglomerate with Samsung Electronics; Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Engineering as its subsidiaries.

Tesco other international retail portfolios :-

Tesco Lotus with global operations in Thailand, Cambodia and China

Tesco  Fresh and Easy in America




Tesco Ireland  and Tesco Kipa in Turkey