Leadership of Tony Fernandes Essay

Today, he has fulfilled all three of his childhood dreams and he attributed this to dreaming big and having the courage to pursue his dreams. Despite having no prior experience in the airline industry, he still went ahead to acquire an airline. With regards venturing into an industry he had no prior experience in, Tony Fernandes said, â€Å"It really was a little bit of stick your finger in the air and hope for the best.† [3] It is evident that Tony Fernandes was not a man who was afraid of taking risks and this can be illustrated by many examples. Acquiring a company that was heavily in debt coupled with having zero experience in the airline industry was seen as a risky move on his part. In fact, he mortgaged his home to purchase the airline for one ringgit, which was accompanied with $11 million of debts. [4] In addition, at that time, the airline industry was not faring so well either because of the 9/11 terror attacks. [5] Despite all the odds stacked against his favor, he still had the courage to pursue his dream, which is indeed admirable. Even if running his business, he is unafraid to take risks and be the first one to try new things. Venturing into the low-cost carrier industry was a risky move on his part. While low-cost carriers had been pretty much established in North America, Ireland and U.K, as well as most Europe, many of the airlines in Asia were still affluent, well-established and often, state-owned airlines. This risk, it would seem, paid off in the end as evident in the fact that nearly a fifth of the Asia’s airline seats are now supplied by low-cost carriers. [6] He is also one of the first CEOs to harness the power of social media networks to sell tickets and market his airline. Air Asia is considered the first airline in Southeast Asia to introduce e-ticketing system, bypassing traditional travel agents. This saved the airline USD 8 per ticket for issuing physical ticket. [7]

Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company - Case Study Example ADSB, however, specializes in the construction, repair and refit of naval and commercial vessels, rather than focusing on pleasure boats. Since the company began in 1995, it has formed strategic partnerships with leading ship designers and builders in ten countries. As a public joint stock company, it was registered in the UAE, established by Amiri Decree N.5 of 1995 on 12 July 1995. Most of the company's contracts have been with its home country's navy, but in 2001, it began to compete in the oil-fired market of other Gulf states (Kahwaji). It was owned 10 percent by Abu Dhabi's government, 40 percent UAE Mubadala Development Company and 50 percent by more than 6,000 UAE national shareholders. In 2002, a 50m expansion was undertaken, and by 2005 more than 800 people were employed by the company. In 2003, ADSB signed the Baynunah contract to design and construct four corvette class 70-metre naval vessels for the UAE Navy. Customers consist of companies involved in shipping, dredging, dry docking, and of course the country's naval forces (Abu Dhabi). The company competes with international shipyards to win major deals with Arab Gulf navies in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. ASDB was also hired to build a dozen 34-meter Al Saber patrol boats. ADSB has taken advantage of the information technology revolution to upgrade the company to include electronic developments. Introduction and Background The United States and Europe are suffering from major business downturns, while the oil-driven economy of the Middle East is benefiting from the demand for ships in the Arabian Gulf. Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company has been able to expand its market as well as to establish a positive brand image with the promotion of Bill Saltzer in 2006 from General Manager to CEO (ADSB). Saltzer has a clear vision of the need in the twenty-first century to communicate personally with management and staff, including construction workers, as they make up a major portion of the employee base. Since then, the company has shown continuous growth (Gulf Shipyards; Reuters; Bahrain; ADSB Starts). Aside from UAE new construction and modification work, ADSB is upgrading Bahraini, Qatari, and Yemeni ships while seeking contracts from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia (Kahwaji). The opening of another hi-tech facility for building advanced composite vessels was the cover story for the company new sletter initiated in 2006 to celebrate the company's 10th year. This expansion will enable it to compete strongly in the rapidly expanding composite military and commercial market throughout the region (Abu Dhabi). ADSB has a low-key but attractive Web site that is introduced by a short video with a small amount of text

Emma & Sam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Emma & Sam - Essay Example While making an order, in respect of spousal support, the judge will take into consideration, various factors, such as; first, the duration for which the couple had been married. Emma and Sam had been married for 8 years. Fifth, the obligations and assets of each party. Emma and Sam have three minor children. Two of these are with Sam, and one of them is with Emma. These are their obligations. Their assets, are real estate holdings in California and Nevada; and Emma is the beneficiary of a $10 million dollar trust. Sixth, the history of the manner, in which they had addressed their financial needs, during their marriage. All expenses were borne by Emma, as she was earning a substantial amount. Sam as an unemployed musician had chosen to look after their children (Self - Help Center, 2010). In instances of dissolution of a marriage, the following are taken into consideration by the courts. First, the date of separation, which is determined by the actions of the husband and wife, or their intention (Cutoff Date as the Date of Separation, 2010). In our case, Sam proceeded to their Nevada family vacation house, six weeks ago, and informed Emma that he would initiate divorce proceedings against her. Second, the community property, which in our case would consist of all the assets created from Emma’s earnings, subsequent to their marriage and prior to their separation. While dividing the properties, and confirming the liabilities of the parties, the court shall classify the liabilities as separate or community; and assign them appropriately (Family Code). Sam informed Emma that he had obtained a Nevada residency certificate, and that he intended to file divorce proceedings in Nevada.

The International Trade in Antiquities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The International Trade in Antiquities - Essay Example This trade cuts across local thieves to larger international looting networks. These include auction houses in the US, Asia, Middle East and Europe. It is difficult to quantify this trade but it is estimated at four billion dollars annually. Looted antiquities are illegally moved across many borders, changing hands many times before reaching their final destination. This makes their origins very difficult to trace. These antiques end up with museums and privare collectors. Ownership history is then fictitiously given to the antiques. False documents are also made to prove authenticity of the antiquities, to give assurance that that the antiquity's origin is legitimate. Despite numerous attempts to tighten control from law enforcers worldwide, this trade continues. It is boosted by the developing technology and the advanced market. For example, the online auction sites have made controlling this trade very difficult. This paper examines the two positions. The proponents include traders and middlemen while the opponents are archaeologists, conservationists, law enforcement agencies and historians. It then evaluates the strong points in both arguments against weak ones. Proponents' position Proponents argue that trading in antiquities is economically beneficial to the local communities that are economically surviving. They further argue that placing restrictions or illegalizing this trade will not change this situation but only place it underground. Israel's case study Israel has a rich heritage in archaeology. It is however facing constant erosion by illegal excavators to meet a rising demand for these items. The antiquities authority in this country has an electronic database of more than 14,000 sites. Thousands of these sites have been eroded. The destruction has sparked a controversy in Israel between the government agencies and the traders. The authority demands a change of the law since it currently allows trading in antiquities. It has a strong belief that by outlawing this trading, the traders will be unable to operate within Israel and thefts within the archaeological sites will be stopped (Blum, 2008). The traders on the other hand maintain that by passing the law, this trade will continue but now underground as is the case in Jordan, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus and Greece. The IAA established a Theft Prevention Unit in 1985 with a mandate to prevent theft from these sites and monitor the trading in these antiquities. It was granted the power to search arrest and carry out investigations for any commercial operations in the field. According to Ya'akovi, 144 people were caught illegally excavating on ancient sites in the year 1995. The IAA is also authorized to make decisions on who gets and who does not get the license to engage in this trade. Currently there are authorized dealers and their turnover adds to approximately five million dollars yearly. The Antiquities law of 1978 was very effective in nationalizing antiquities for their protection. Article 2(c) asserts that if an antiquity is found after the enforcement of this law, it will

Sustainable Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Sustainable Design - Essay Example It is first remarkable that, as Yeang, p. 413, 2007, puts it concisely - "Nature regards humans as one of its many species. What differentiates humans is their capability to inflict devastating changes on the environment".3 One of the major human activities that hugely and adversely affect the environment is the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy for other down line human activities. It is now notable that fossil fuels, even in the first parts of the 21st century, still remain the major energy source. Thus, it stands to good reason that any project that can run on low energy consumption is a profitable one. This is in two senses - firstly, with low consumption of fossil fuels low emission of harmful gases is possible and, secondly, the low consumption of fossil fuels enables energy planners to buy more time to develop alternate sources for future consumption when it is believed that all fossil fuels on Earth will be completely exhausted. This paper, thus, is concerned entirely with one such human project - human architectural activity - that is being designed to consume low energy and produce low emissions. This is what is currently being defined as sustainable architecture. The first part the paper discusses sustainability, its definition and global perceptions and the second part is a critical review about a sustainable development in London, called BedZED, as a successful example, its analysis and evaluation of its various environmentally friendly features. Ecodesign: Yeang4 defines ecodesign, which may be taken as sustainable design in this case, as a built environment that is fully integrated within its natural environment. It is taken here that the concerned 'built environment' is the sustainable architecture that this paper is in search of. Yeang (2007), furthermore, severely cautions against misconceptions that technology alone can provide sustainable architecture. He states that simply putting a set of technologies commonly acknowledged as green such as solar arrays, photovoltaic, biological recycling systems, building automation systems and double-skin facades into a building can merit the term ecodesign. Also, if a high mark in a green-rating system can hardly be construed as satisfactory reason to call the built environment sustainable architecture(Yeang, 2007). Instead, Yeang (2007) implies that ecodesign, or sustainable architecture, can only be operational when the entire building interacts with its natural environment in such a manne r that all its inputs and outputs sustain the ecosystem within which it is built without upsetting its delicate balance of secure survival. In this sense Yeang (2007) believes that not only the building but all its associated activities, such as transportation, for example, must be integrated into its ecosystem where he implies

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 164

Assignment Example The value is to be recorded as $215,000 on the debit side, whereas $90,000 is to be credited. According to Jivraj, the customized computer should have been recorded as a miscellaneous expense, but the product, whether with resale value or not is an asset and thus a crediting of the assets account (computers) should have been emphasized by Juma. Additionally, depreciation was to be recorded by division of the total value by six years, as a straight line method was used to evaluate the value of the transaction. The value of the building should not be recorded both in terms of lower costs and fair value, but rather should be recorded as appreciation or depreciation in the capital gains account. Juma and Jivraj have widely varying ways to record these transactions. The transaction does not involve the exchange of cash and thus should not be recorded as three separate expenses which will be credited thrice. However, the total value is to be recorded in both accounts as $60,000. It can only be recorded in the accounts receivable accounts. Additionally, the amount should not be recorded as an amount received as Jivraj proposes, but rather a different approach should be recorded, such as the inclusion of the expense and recording it in the accounts payable as well. The written sales order should not be recorded according to Juma because there has been no exchange of cash. However, this transaction can be recorded as inventory for the computers. However, another approach that can be used is recording these transactions in the accounts receivables bracket. The main reason this is the case is due to the fact that the amount of cash has not exchanged hands and Jivraj records the amount as if it has already

Civilization vs. Savagery Essay Example for Free

Civilization vs. Savagery Essay Counterpoint is a common literary device used by many authors in a variety of forms of literature. It gives the work contrast and interest as well as a diverse insight into two completely different ideas or opposites. The main counterpoint presented in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies would be the idea of civilization vs. savagery. This motif is presented throughout the novel. The idea that humans are constantly battling their feral instincts and civilized ideals is a theme that is deeply and extensively explored. Golding acquaints civilization with good, and savagery with evil. He uses symbolic characters and objects in order to convey his themes and ideas. He represents the opposing forces of civilization and savagery with the two main characters: Ralph, the protagonist, who represents order and leadership; and Jack, the antagonist, who represents savagery and the desire for power. Among these characters there are many others who react to the conflict in different ways. The conflict between these opposites is the driving force of the novel. When it comes down to the idea of civilization, Golding implies that civilization is something forced upon humans by society, and not something one is instinctively drawn to. Civilization is merely just a mask of ones instincts. Ralph is the perfect example of the desire for civilization among the boys of the island. He expresses this quality when he states, â€Å"Weve got to have rules and obey them. After all, were not savages. Were English, and the English are best at everything† (Golding 2.192). The boys still desire their previous, ordered life they left back in England. Ralph is the symbol of supressing one’s natural savage instincts, he feels the thrill and exhilaration of barbarity but manages to subdue these spirits. Piggy is also an example of the human need for civilization. Not once in the novel does he display savage feelings or undertones. This shows just how badly the human race strives for civilization, but it is not something organic. The counterpoint to the idea of civilization in Lord of the Flies would be the theme of savagery. Golding seems to suggest throughout the novel that a humans savage instincts are far more powerful then the desire for civilization. The perfect character to acquaint to the theme of savagery would be Jack. Jack thrives off of dominance and power. He exemplifies these traits during the murder of Simon: The sticks fell and the mouth of the new circle crunched and screamed. The beast was on its knees in the center, its arms folded over its face. It was crying out against the abominable noise something about a body on the hill. The beast struggled forward, broke the ring and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws. (Golding 9.89-99) The boys revert to their instinctive ferocious roots, having no mercy on their fellow human. They cruelly murder Simon as if he were a wild animal. Roger is also a good example of savagery in the novel. As the idea of civilization on the island begins to become a distant memory, Roger lets himself become victim of his most basic human instincts. This is first apparent to the reader when Roger throws rocks at the littluns, and after his murder of the pig which was much more brutal then necessary. Roger is also the leading culprit in the loss of Piggy. He was the one who pushed the boulder down the hill inevitably causing Piggy’s death. While Jack feeds off the idea of power, Roger revolves around causing pain. He symbolizes the sadistic instincts of mankind, and having to suppress the desire to hurt others in order to function in society. William Golding uses counterpoint to his advantage in the writing of his novel Lord of the Flies. He clearly expresses the conflict between the complex human need for civilization and mankind’s savage instincts. He expresses the struggle extensively using the characters in the novel to portray both sides. Savages vs. those who struggle to keep civility. The novel deeply explores the concept of human instincts overpowering one’s facade of civilization put on for the rest of society. How, when left up to their own devices, humans are capable of doing the unthinkable. Works Cited Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber, 1954.