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Thinking through integration and STP

Increasingly companies look towards integration, both internal and external, as the ultimate answer to business process efficiency and operational risk management. Straight through processing (STP) is the buzz word for this kind of integration.

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Sinking a lot of money into a black hole: ASP to the rescue

Application service providers (ASP) attract several types of customers: those that are still relying on spreadsheets to capture their deals and track their risk; those with low energy transactions such as major energy buyers of industrial companies or certain utilities, those who are unhappy (or need to replace) with in-house developed legacy systems cobbled over time that are no longer adequate, and the curious but dissatisfied user who wants to "try before you buy."

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Deal confirmation: weak link in the risk management chain

Probably the least glamorous but most labor-intensive area of any trading operation is the mid to back office function of deal confirmation. In addition to being a legal and binding act, confirmation serves as the last opportunity to prevent a deal from being transacted wrongly.

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That exotic option called power

As a derivative of other fuels, electricity is an exotic option. Despite the current downturn in energy trading activity, such complex options continue to be structured and embedded in power contracts.

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Forecasting to understand uncertainty in electricity prices

Under regulated regimes, all price forecasting was cost forecasting, or forecasting the components that make up the price. In competitive markets, prices are less predictable and forecasting prices involves understanding the uncertainties surrounding the drivers of price as well as results of forecasting models.

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The art of forecasting demand

Post-deregulation, load forecasting is no longer a black art practised by a chosen few. More and more companies are recognizing that getting it right means the difference between staying in business or going bankrupt. Rather than relying on a software package to churn out the forecasts, companies are developing the expertise in-house. For many though, it's still a well-kept secret.

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Getting UK immigration information and advice

In January 2002, a new kind of visa was introduced to allow highly qualified professionals to work in the UK without requiring a prior offer of employment. The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP for short) works on a points system similar to that of Australia. The minimum requirement of 75 points is to be met by adding up points based on the last or highest (educational) degree obtained, years of relevant work experience, existing or previous salary level, etc.

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More about the HSMP Visa
(latest updates)

Resignation or redundancy: understanding your legal rights

Leaving your job is not a simple case of resigning, getting fired, accepting a voluntary separation package, or being made redundant. The way you leave could determine whether you get any compensation at all.

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Career change and second passions, Le Bon Journal e-zine

Do you have a burning passion that distracts you from your work? Some people make a career out of pursuing their passion. Others become passionate about their work. Still others work outside of their passion so that it is not work but play. And there are those that keep changing jobs until they discover their passion.

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Uprooters on the uprooting experience, Le Bon Journal e-zine

From the rooted, the uprooted, and the rootless, here is a cross section of uprooters who have moved voluntarily and involuntarily; for work, study, and love; within and across the Americas, Europea, and Asia. From their experience, the contributors to this free online publication for self-expression share their insights and advice.

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