Well done Jennifer

I normally write about my educational proposal. It is still a dream waiting to happen!

Today, I had a look at Linkedin, they offered me a paid subscription again.
One of my contacts, Jennifer is now a GM Director. She was in Korea for a couple of years, and was I believe instrumental in bringing the new GM Bolt to production. Well done.

I know people who have joined Electric Car start ups. Other than Tesla I don't see how they will compete the large OEM's.

GM first built an all electric vehicle the EV1 while I was working on contract for Saturn (now defunct GM brand). I saw a few driving on the roads. They had some in the Saturn Tech Centre.

They could do about 50 miles on a charge, and were not available for sale only for lease.



I am a little biased, Jennifer is a very nice person. We worked in Troy Michigan and Ruesselsheim Germany together. But, I am sure that this new Electric vehicle will be a success.

If it can really do 200 miles on a charge, and doesn't need a special power point to charge, it will be a winner.

Time will tell.

Happy New Year 2016. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year to everyone.
Its been a long time since I first proposed a track based training facility in Lotus. My then boss could not see the potential. I was not surprised, however as time has passed it has made more and more sense to me.
This project will require deep pockets to get started, however as we would no longer be first adopters, we can now see how others approach this.
In a recent blog I added a football based University video. They are looking to widen their scope, so theoretically, track based campuses combined with Football based campuses adding online learning into the mix would work.
Just a thought.
Obviously football supports Business and Marketing courses++. Motorsport adds Design,Engineering,plus a plethora of associated subjects.
Here is my old Marketing logo as a visual:

and once again a video from the football University.
Hopefully, people can begin to see what I am trying to do.

Wish me luck!

Global Sport Education is being supported by Global brands

There have been many boundaries to me getting this project off the ground.
I don't have access to millions or billions, and so I can't self fund. I therefore have to sell a project which is linked to me.
When I first mooted this proposal, I was asked some questions which showed to me that people did not grasp what my proposal entailed. There were those who felt that having jockeyed me into a training role, they had succeeded in getting in rid of me. This was true. They were only interested in one thing.
Sadly, I have not managed to get a mentor. Someone to assist, and help finance my proposal.
ASLI, (Asean Strategic Leadership Institute) offered me the chance to present, which I took. Many thanks to Kenanga Simon and her team.

Here is a visual of how much online learning has grown between 2002 and 20012.
www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf

This chart is USA based.

Most people believe half the worlds present population will be internet connected by 2020. This is in excess of 3 billion people.

Most countries, developed or otherwise are keen to develop their IT infrastructure. Wi-Fi is common in many counties.

By combining strategically located physical campuses with on-line learning I see a sustainable business model emerging.

I do not think with all due respect, that this is difficult to visualise.

Once again, here is a video of a British based Football centric University based in Burnley and Wembley stadium's... plus Real Madrid's Bernabeu... Plus?

These forward thinking people are widening their educational scope to include other sports. Good luck to them!

The problem with Private Pension funds QED inc and Hawtal Whiting inc (update)

UPDATE:Should anyone have 401K accounts with Hawtal Whiting inc or QED inc. This link is for Michigan non claimed accounts:
http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,1607,7-121-44435---,00.html
You will have to fill in a form countersigned by a Michigan notary public. Which if you are not based in Michigan could be problematic.

I have never been a civil servant. I have been employed by commercial companies.

Fords were my first major company. They have not gone bankrupt. I have access to any future and present pension information. It is open and accessible.

For many years I worked in America. They have proper pension plans, as in civil service/Ford type plans, and savings plans called 401K's.

Two of the companies I worked no longer exist. One was sold on... Hawtal Whiting USA. This was first sold to Rapid Design, and then sold on again. I am sure that the 401K exists... I just don't know where!

The second, QED inc Troy, Michigan.
CLICK HERE to see what I found on the internet.

When I worked for QED there was some problems with the funds not being paid in on time. The Office Manager at the time, who I will not name, assured everyone this was an oversight, and all funds would be paid in. TRUST ME...

Sadly, the first term that springs to mind when I think about QED is dodgy. I'm sure some very decent honest people will find themselves out of pocket.

Anyone reading this with any insight on whom to contact regarding these plans, please feel free to add the info as a comment.

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

My proposal revolves around setting up physical campuses at/on Motorsport venues, combined with on-line learning.
Lotus is where I first suggested this. Reaction was tepid to very anti. No-one said this was going to be easy!
DRB Hicom own Lotus and Proton. They have just received University status for their ICAM campus it is now being renamed

DRB-Hicom University Of Automotive Malaysia

Petronas has a private University UTP. They, like Lotus and Proton are involved in Motorsport.

Below are 3 video's. Spend five minutes watching them, and you will understand what I am trying to achieve...

Detroit Electric build first car.

I read today that Detroit Electric built their first car this week.
The business model is (I believe) to obtain a body from an OEM and electrify the power train.
This first model is an Elise based project. Why? Lotus/Proton could do it themselves.
If this is successful, maybe they will.
Detroit Electric have changed the back to look like an old Triumph GT6. (Below)

Here is the Detroit Electric car. (Below)

I met Albert Lam some years ago. He kindly gave me two hours of his time. He could not see a revenue stream in my proposal.
He has obviously seen a revenue stream here. Good luck to him. I'm sure he won't be offended if I say in my opinion he made the wrong decision.
Once again, Albert was kind enough to listen to me (and pay for coffee!). I appreciate that.

I actually shared this on facebook. Mark Zuckerberg speaking Mandarin.

I am not much of a facebook user. This blog is a functional tool to promote my pet project, one I hope will become a reality in the not too distant future.
The project is global. In my view internet enabled learning is here already, and will grow and become more inclusive and accessible.
People in our global community practice different religions, and speak different languages. This can be embraced and enjoyed, or rejected/ignored.
Having worked abroad for a portion of my adult life, I have on occasion decided to learn foreign languages.
People who speak English as a first language often expect others to speak English, and make little or no attempt to learn the language of the country they work in. I myself am guilty of this.

From a Corporate perspective this can be a mistake. Whilst working in Germany for General Motors (contract) I would see a dozen Germans speaking German in a meeting, and a British rep from a British Design house would walk in. The Germans would revert to their second language, namely English to accommodate the person.

Privately, this would cause a little resentment. It is a barrier to doing business in that country.

I was impressed to see Mr Zuckerberg representing himself and his company so proficiently in China.

Not only is Mark culturally aware, he is also an excellent business man (obvious, I know).

Will I be learning Mandarin any time soon. If I'm honest, probably not. Would I like my project to have a Chinese presence? Absolutely.

Here is Marks speech. Delivered in Mandarin. I'm sure its not perfect (just a guess... sadly).