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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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volume 1
issue 1
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“a-connect guided us skillfully on the project, the back office team gave us the support we needed and I especially appreciated the feedback after completion of the project.” —R.B., IP since 2003
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Welcome to the a-connect IP Newsletter
by Perry Fagan
Dear All,
Welcome to the first issue of the redesigned a-connect Independent Professionals Newsletter. a-connect is the leading global supplier of exceptional independent talents, connecting outstanding IPs with exciting and challenging projects at leading companies worldwide. a-connect provides IPs with a comprehensive range of services: from project acquisition and scoping; to IP selection, matching and placement; to project management and quality control; to access to know-how and research; to administration and documentation support.
In this issue we feature an interview with a-connect client Christian Seifert, CEO of the German Football League, who has been working for the past several months with a team of our IPs to develop a business plan and implementation blueprint for the insourcing of television production for league matches. With the World Cup now underway, and Germany a perennial favorite to finish strongly, the project could not have come at a better time. For Seifert's perspective on what it's like to work with our IPs, and the value a-connect delivers, see our interview with him in this issue.
Also in this issue we are delighted to report exciting new developments at a-connect, from challenging recent projects to new additions to our team, and we encourage you to share with us your thoughts on these as well as feedback on our newsletter format. Within each article you will see a “Letters” link that allows you to post your comments to us electronically.
Please note that you are receiving this mail automatically as a current or former IP. To ensure reliable delivery to your inbox you should add us to your address book: info@a-connect.com. You may choose to opt out of this mailing list by entering your email address in the Subscribe box on the cover page and selecting the Remove button. But we hope you will stay with us and enjoy receiving our periodic commentary and updates.
Once again, welcome, and we are delighted to have you as a member of the world's most exclusive team of independent talents!
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Championship Talent: Are Stars Born or Made?
The curious case of the soccer birth-month anomaly
by Perry Fagan
What makes someone really good at a given thing? Throughout human history the origins of elite performance have been the subject of intense speculation and debate. Most often, innate talent is cited as the principal factor in distinguishing elite performers—talent that no amount of hard work or desire from less talented players can overcome. Stars are born, not made, or so conventional wisdom teaches us. But it turns out that conventional wisdom is wrong. Read on to find out why.
> full story
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Interview with German Football League CEO Christian Seifert
by Sascha Schmidt
 Recently a team of a-connect IPs worked with the chief executive of German football to develop a business plan and implementation blueprint for the insourcing of TV production for the league. In addition, the team identified potential new products and service lines for future growth of the new production. After securing board approval, the team supported the client in setting up the new company and managing day-to-day operations. The project was completed earlier than expected and below the initial budget.
As part of the project wrap-up a-connect Talent Partner Sascha Schmidt caught up with the busy German soccer executive as preparations for this month’s World Cup tournament reached a fever pitch.
> full story
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Recent Projects
Read about four exciting projects our independent professionals are executing around the world
From mapping processes and identifying risks and inefficiencies for a trading and sales department of a large Swiss-based financial services institution; to refining the product lifecycle management approach for a US-based provider of laboratory equipment and supplies; to business building in Asia for a global agribusiness company; to redefining the mission, strategy and operations for a conservation non-profit organization.
> full story
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10 Questions for IP Mark El Baroudi
by Marcel Kucher
 Mark is a financial services guru with a strong track record in process design and operational effectiveness. After finishing his career in management consulting as a partner at Monitor, he ran a start up company and went independent in 2002. Right after Mark’s acceptance into the a-connect talent pool he started to work with an a-connect insurance client in Cape Town, South Africa. His main responsibility is supporting the client in implementing a company-wide transformation program. Mark manages and coaches several client teams on a day-to-day basis in executing lean operations techniques and methods, and applying tools according to the transformation plan already in place.
As you can see from the picture, he is treated well! The photo was taken looking out of his house, which has three bedrooms and is on the beach. The client provided the house as accommodation for his stay. Mark usually lives in Canada with his family and children.
Read the interview to find out more!
> full story
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a-connect Team Update
We are proud to announce the arrival of four new talent partners, two additional members of our business development team, two office management professionals, and one summer intern.
> full story
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IP Pool Statistics as of May 31, 2006
We are proud that our pool of exceptional independent talents is growing rapidly. Here are selected statistics for the pool as of May 2006:
| New applications received during January-May |
642 |
| IPs accepted into the pool |
73 |
| Acceptance rate |
11% |
| Total IPs |
349 |
Regional breakdown:
Europe
Americas
Asia |
184
82
83 |
Moreover, during the first half of the year we have continued building strength across functions, situations, and industries. Click on the links to see an overview of a-connect's expertise!
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Recently a-connect was named a finalist for the Swiss Economic Award, the most prestigious business contest for young, innovative firms in Switzerland. Click on the image above to read this and other recent press stories.
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Published by
Copyright © 2006 a-connect (group) ag. All rights reserved.
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a-connect (schweiz) ag
Seefeldstrasse 293
CH-8008 Zürich
Switzerland
Phone: +41-43-266 77 77
Fax: +41-43-266 77 27
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a-connect (US) Inc.
470 Atlantic Avenue
4th Floor
Boston, MA, 02110
USA
Phone: +1 617 946 33 33
Fax: +1 617 956 07 01
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a-connect (China) Ltd.
18/F One International
Finance Centre
1 Harbour View Street
Central, Hong Kong
China
Phone: +852 2526 6766
Fax: +852 3006 2766
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