PCs bring savvy to mutual-fund reps

Article Abstract:

Many mutual funds are equipping their telephone clerks with new computer software that allows the clerks to give sophisticated investment advice. Conventional stockbrokers find the computerized systems abhorrent, but the mutual funds believe in the idea. Telephone-service representatives are paid low wages and given little training. The idea is that the combination of personal computers and software can give a mutual fund's efforts in this un-glamorous area a competitive edge. Reps have quick access to key information on-line, in contrast to the heavy manuals they were saddled with as recently as a year ago. New menu-driven software cuts the number of keystrokes and the amount of time required to service each call, thus boosting productivity. Computerization efforts at Merrill Lynch and Co and Fidelity Investments are discussed.

Investment offices, not elsewhere classified, Usage, Microcomputers, Column, Securities industry, Information management, Mutual funds, Customer service, Automation, Microcomputer, Support Services

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Owner of debt in cellular firm discloses stake

Article Abstract:

Price Communications Corp plans to restructure its debt after Apollo Investment Fund L.P., a finance group headed by Leon Black, announces it has a 19.5 percent stake in the financially troubled company. Price Communications is a cellular telephone company that has suffered from excessive debt; its interest payment for the 1st qtr of 1991 was $10.2 million, which was 30 percent larger than the company's operating profit. Price Communications reported a loss of $13.4 million for the 1st qtr of 1991, saying that it could not make the interest payments due on its $120 million worth of junk bond debt. Apollo has discussed several options for restructuring Price Communications' debt, but the companies have not been able to agree on any proposals.

Television broadcasting stations, Radio broadcasting stations, Investments, Securities, Bonds (Securities), Cellular telephone equipment industry, Business planning, Debt, Black, Leon, Reorganization, Financial Stability, Bonds, Price Communications Corp., Apollo Investment Fund L.P., PR

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Dot-Com's downside: post IPO, the chore is making an idea pay; still in the red, Beyond.com battles tech glitches and declining morale

Article Abstract:

Beyond.com is an example of how Internet-based businesses are faring, after the initial fanfare of the public offering and profitability has yet to come.

United States, Management dynamics, Computer Stores, Computer and Software Stores, Management, Economic aspects, Human resource management, Internet, Online services, Internet services, Company personnel management, Breier, Mark, Beyond.com Corp., Company executive, Computer executives, Electronic software distribution, BYND

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