Today, in the Guardian I read that Executive pay is on the rise!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/oct/28/ftse-100-directors-earnings-rose-by-almost-half
Morally many people will see this as a complete joke.
Some examples of salary. Taken from the Guardian article.
The average bonus payment for FTSE 100 directors stood at £906,044 – a rise of 23% on last year.
Amazingly, I am only asking for £100,000 plus a generous performance related bonus package.
Why so cheap you ask?
Because I believe that my performance will put me and the company up there with the best.
I am not a banker. But I will help set up a sustainable successful long term business.
Make me an offer I can't refuse.
Here is the link to the SKY NEWS video.
http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16097985
Al Jazeera Count the cost interview with Tony Fernandes. About 17 mins in...
Quote: DREAM BIG
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
CSR project ongoing. No reply after 10 years on MUM proposal.
Last week I sent the copy of my childrens book to a potential charity.
A little history. When I was last in Malaysia, my martial arts teacher asked me to write a childrens book.
Yacob my teacher is an artist and a professional childrens book illustrator.
I wrote an imaginative piece called "The Sensai and Whitey."
Yacob didn't want to illustrate it.
I left it a while. my friend Tilo, a web designer has a father who likes to do cartoons. He did a graphic diary on his Asian holiday. It was good. Tilo put some of his work on his webpage:
http://www.backpackingasia.com/Article/Backpacking_in_Asia_an_introduction/14
His father, Claus has been kind enough to work on my project. Tilo has been overseeing his contribution.
It is my intention to publish this book and give the royalties to Charity.
So as to avoid any revenue coming to me, I have requested the charities open a Kindle account. They can upload the file. The revenue will go directly into their account.
Firstly, I was going to put the book with a local (Basildon Essex UK) charity. They were totally happy to accomodate me.
However, without going into details, I felt very uncomfortable with their constant political waffle.
I decided against using them. I then went to my local Citizens Advice Bureau. I used to work there. They were between managers and did not seem interested.
I then went to a local Hospice. They were very professional, and ethical. I was impressed. However, they did not feel comfortable opening into a contract with Kindle/Amazon.
They did however tell me that they would not be associated with a book that used the term "Whitey" as it could be misconstrued. Political correctness was important.
The first book was about Whitey, his mum (Sensai) and his sisters. Some hugging and kissing took place.
At this point I rewrote the book so that nothing can be misconstrued. It was an interesting process. I feel that Yacob would illustrate this version. He wanted to put it forward for the Malaysian education board for schools.
My new illustration team were less impressed! They, without asking me came up with their own storyline and illustrations!
It caused a little friction, and for a while I thought the book was still born!
My latest charity is not secular. I am sorry for this. However, I hope that any money generated is used for the good of everyone, not just fellow travellers in their belief system.
A few weeks ago I sent a letter to some Lotus contacts, making them aware I have written an Open Letter to Dr. Mahathir.
Dr. Mahathir is adviser to Proton/Lotus and Petronas.
http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com/index.php?id=31
It's been ten years since I first annoyed Lotus management with this proposal. Their inertia is amazing.
A little history. When I was last in Malaysia, my martial arts teacher asked me to write a childrens book.
Yacob my teacher is an artist and a professional childrens book illustrator.
I wrote an imaginative piece called "The Sensai and Whitey."
Yacob didn't want to illustrate it.
I left it a while. my friend Tilo, a web designer has a father who likes to do cartoons. He did a graphic diary on his Asian holiday. It was good. Tilo put some of his work on his webpage:
http://www.backpackingasia.com/Article/Backpacking_in_Asia_an_introduction/14
His father, Claus has been kind enough to work on my project. Tilo has been overseeing his contribution.
It is my intention to publish this book and give the royalties to Charity.
So as to avoid any revenue coming to me, I have requested the charities open a Kindle account. They can upload the file. The revenue will go directly into their account.
Firstly, I was going to put the book with a local (Basildon Essex UK) charity. They were totally happy to accomodate me.
However, without going into details, I felt very uncomfortable with their constant political waffle.
I decided against using them. I then went to my local Citizens Advice Bureau. I used to work there. They were between managers and did not seem interested.
I then went to a local Hospice. They were very professional, and ethical. I was impressed. However, they did not feel comfortable opening into a contract with Kindle/Amazon.
They did however tell me that they would not be associated with a book that used the term "Whitey" as it could be misconstrued. Political correctness was important.
The first book was about Whitey, his mum (Sensai) and his sisters. Some hugging and kissing took place.
At this point I rewrote the book so that nothing can be misconstrued. It was an interesting process. I feel that Yacob would illustrate this version. He wanted to put it forward for the Malaysian education board for schools.
My new illustration team were less impressed! They, without asking me came up with their own storyline and illustrations!
It caused a little friction, and for a while I thought the book was still born!
My latest charity is not secular. I am sorry for this. However, I hope that any money generated is used for the good of everyone, not just fellow travellers in their belief system.
A few weeks ago I sent a letter to some Lotus contacts, making them aware I have written an Open Letter to Dr. Mahathir.
Dr. Mahathir is adviser to Proton/Lotus and Petronas.
http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com/index.php?id=31
It's been ten years since I first annoyed Lotus management with this proposal. Their inertia is amazing.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Lotus Evora sales. Caterham Engineering Centre. My Project.
The last few days have been filled with reports of Group Lotus being sold to Genii, strongly denied by Proton.
Parallel to this there have been articles on the companies car sales.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259509/
In the UK, Lotus sales are struggling, with just 272 cars registered in the first eight months of 2011, compared with 358 in the same period last year. That’s 24 per cent down in an overall market that’s down six per cent.
Another article by Richard Hammond.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/motoring/latest-news/2011/10/07/lotus-blossoms-with-improved-evora-s-115875-23471292/
This is the new 2012 Lotus Evora S, which the company says has 143 improvements. Is it wise to ’fess up to this?
I would imagine that if you had bought one of the earlier cars you’d be pretty miffed that Lotus had found 143 things it felt it had to change for the next version.
These days, a £62,450 sports car has some pretty tough competition.
Finally I read.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/markets/article-23996840-expanding-customer-base-helps-n-brown-fill-its-niche.do
The perfect City trader's car: it's flashy and unreliable...
The first thing you should do when you collect your complimentary Lotus Evora for a stylish weekend away is this: check the train timetable. And pack light, you'll be carrying the luggage home.
At least that's how it was for me. Twice.
It's just bad luck that a nearly new supercar should conk out two weekends running - statistically unlikely, you might say - but no one I asked who knows about cars seemed that surprised. (The first loan was a gift. The second loan an apology for the first. The third will be, I hope, of an entirely different car.)
Lotus is struggling.
Oh well I'm sure they can always get some Engineering work.
Speaking of which, Caterham have opened their car design centre on the Hethel Campus. I mentioned this yesterday in my blog.
I wonder if they will allow non descript OEM's to use their name with abandon in order to get work?
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/new_team_lotus_firm_to_create_sports_car_line_1_1086044
Caterham are opening a Technical area in the Hethel Engineering Centre!
I wonder where they think they will get their engineering staff from!
Here is a portion of the article:
“The new shareholders are committed to investing in an exciting range of global products over the next 10 years,” he added.
The new firm will also work for external automotive and aerospace companies.
The company’s new sports cars will be inspired by what it describes at the “lightweight, minimalist philosophy” of Caterham’s famous cult sports car the Seven. It will draw on the technology and materials of the group’s Team Lotus Formula One and Caterham Team AirAsia GP2 motorsport operations.
Mr Shute. who will be head of road cars, said creating the next iconic Caterham was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“The core principles and ambitions of CTI have enabled us to attract some of the brightest and most respected talents in their fields.”
Caterham Cars’ chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “To meet the challenge, we knew we needed to invest in a new operation that would have the scope, experience and vision to deliver.”
One of the campuses for my proposal is the Hethel Engineering Centre. So it would mean that Group Lotus Engineering Plus Caterham Engineering and a UNI would all inhabit the same geographical space!
Isn't life grand!
Parallel to this there have been articles on the companies car sales.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259509/
In the UK, Lotus sales are struggling, with just 272 cars registered in the first eight months of 2011, compared with 358 in the same period last year. That’s 24 per cent down in an overall market that’s down six per cent.
Another article by Richard Hammond.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/motoring/latest-news/2011/10/07/lotus-blossoms-with-improved-evora-s-115875-23471292/
This is the new 2012 Lotus Evora S, which the company says has 143 improvements. Is it wise to ’fess up to this?
I would imagine that if you had bought one of the earlier cars you’d be pretty miffed that Lotus had found 143 things it felt it had to change for the next version.
These days, a £62,450 sports car has some pretty tough competition.
Finally I read.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/markets/article-23996840-expanding-customer-base-helps-n-brown-fill-its-niche.do
The perfect City trader's car: it's flashy and unreliable...
The first thing you should do when you collect your complimentary Lotus Evora for a stylish weekend away is this: check the train timetable. And pack light, you'll be carrying the luggage home.
At least that's how it was for me. Twice.
It's just bad luck that a nearly new supercar should conk out two weekends running - statistically unlikely, you might say - but no one I asked who knows about cars seemed that surprised. (The first loan was a gift. The second loan an apology for the first. The third will be, I hope, of an entirely different car.)
Lotus is struggling.
Oh well I'm sure they can always get some Engineering work.
Speaking of which, Caterham have opened their car design centre on the Hethel Campus. I mentioned this yesterday in my blog.
I wonder if they will allow non descript OEM's to use their name with abandon in order to get work?
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/new_team_lotus_firm_to_create_sports_car_line_1_1086044
Caterham are opening a Technical area in the Hethel Engineering Centre!
I wonder where they think they will get their engineering staff from!
Here is a portion of the article:
“The new shareholders are committed to investing in an exciting range of global products over the next 10 years,” he added.
The new firm will also work for external automotive and aerospace companies.
The company’s new sports cars will be inspired by what it describes at the “lightweight, minimalist philosophy” of Caterham’s famous cult sports car the Seven. It will draw on the technology and materials of the group’s Team Lotus Formula One and Caterham Team AirAsia GP2 motorsport operations.
Mr Shute. who will be head of road cars, said creating the next iconic Caterham was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“The core principles and ambitions of CTI have enabled us to attract some of the brightest and most respected talents in their fields.”
Caterham Cars’ chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “To meet the challenge, we knew we needed to invest in a new operation that would have the scope, experience and vision to deliver.”
One of the campuses for my proposal is the Hethel Engineering Centre. So it would mean that Group Lotus Engineering Plus Caterham Engineering and a UNI would all inhabit the same geographical space!
Isn't life grand!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
My childrens book is moving along. Hethel Engineering Centre to be Caterham Tech base.
The graphics for my Childrens book are nearing completion. I was going to donate the book to a local Hospice. It depends on whether they are prepared to open an Amazon/Kindle account for me to deposit the book in. They would then automatically receive the royalties.
If not, I have another charity in mind.
Check my webpage under CSR. When it is completed I will put the details in there.
This is probably going to be the cover illustration.
The Title:
Innocence lost in the ice cream forest.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/new_team_lotus_firm_to_create_sports_car_line_1_1086044
Caterham are opening a Technical area in the Hethel Engineering Centre!
I wonder where they think they will get their engineering staff from!
Here is a portion of the article:
“The new shareholders are committed to investing in an exciting range of global products over the next 10 years,” he added.
The new firm will also work for external automotive and aerospace companies.
The company’s new sports cars will be inspired by what it describes at the “lightweight, minimalist philosophy” of Caterham’s famous cult sports car the Seven. It will draw on the technology and materials of the group’s Team Lotus Formula One and Caterham Team AirAsia GP2 motorsport operations.
Mr Shute. who will be head of road cars, said creating the next iconic Caterham was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“The core principles and ambitions of CTI have enabled us to attract some of the brightest and most respected talents in their fields.”
Caterham Cars’ chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “To meet the challenge, we knew we needed to invest in a new operation that would have the scope, experience and vision to deliver.”
On my plan, I have put the Hethel Engineering Centre down as a possible campus for the proposed University.
This can still happen. If Caterham and Group Lotus can work together I think that is great!
From a hardware perspective, Caterham products would be great trainers for students, who will I'm sure aspire to own them, and later in life maybe move onto an expensive Lotus.
Tony Fernandes Airlines fly to California, Malaysia, and the UK (not Norfolk presently...). So there is a lot of positive synergy there.
Great stuff!
If not, I have another charity in mind.
Check my webpage under CSR. When it is completed I will put the details in there.
This is probably going to be the cover illustration.
The Title:
Innocence lost in the ice cream forest.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/new_team_lotus_firm_to_create_sports_car_line_1_1086044
Caterham are opening a Technical area in the Hethel Engineering Centre!
I wonder where they think they will get their engineering staff from!
Here is a portion of the article:
“The new shareholders are committed to investing in an exciting range of global products over the next 10 years,” he added.
The new firm will also work for external automotive and aerospace companies.
The company’s new sports cars will be inspired by what it describes at the “lightweight, minimalist philosophy” of Caterham’s famous cult sports car the Seven. It will draw on the technology and materials of the group’s Team Lotus Formula One and Caterham Team AirAsia GP2 motorsport operations.
Mr Shute. who will be head of road cars, said creating the next iconic Caterham was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“The core principles and ambitions of CTI have enabled us to attract some of the brightest and most respected talents in their fields.”
Caterham Cars’ chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “To meet the challenge, we knew we needed to invest in a new operation that would have the scope, experience and vision to deliver.”
On my plan, I have put the Hethel Engineering Centre down as a possible campus for the proposed University.
This can still happen. If Caterham and Group Lotus can work together I think that is great!
From a hardware perspective, Caterham products would be great trainers for students, who will I'm sure aspire to own them, and later in life maybe move onto an expensive Lotus.
Tony Fernandes Airlines fly to California, Malaysia, and the UK (not Norfolk presently...). So there is a lot of positive synergy there.
Great stuff!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Silverstone Circuit open up a school. Sunday Times 9th October 2011 pg 11
The Conservative government are encouraging reform of schools. These schools are government recognised.
One such school has opened in Siverstone racing circuit.
A few quotes from the Sunday Times aricle (online subscription required).
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/
Silverstone university technical college, sponsored by Northampton University and Tresham college, is part of a group of new vocational schools promoted by Lord Baker, the former Tory education secretary. They are intended to provide technical and vocational training alongside a core curriculum for teenagers who are not well suited to academic study.
In England if your a failure academically, you become a trades person, (if you are lucky) hence the last statement.
There is an old saying:
In England if you are an Engineer they call you a Mechanic, in Germany they call you a Doctor.
Anyway, it looks more and more favourable for the Motorsport University proposal.
Formula One teams are considered to be potential employers of some of these students.
Another small portion of the Times article:
The Silversone college could also provide technicians for local F1 companies that have previously complained about the difficulty of finding skilled workers in Britain.
The time they are a changing... or at least they appear to be!
Here is the link to the BBC video on this new initiative.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-15246084
One such school has opened in Siverstone racing circuit.
A few quotes from the Sunday Times aricle (online subscription required).
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/
Silverstone university technical college, sponsored by Northampton University and Tresham college, is part of a group of new vocational schools promoted by Lord Baker, the former Tory education secretary. They are intended to provide technical and vocational training alongside a core curriculum for teenagers who are not well suited to academic study.
In England if your a failure academically, you become a trades person, (if you are lucky) hence the last statement.
There is an old saying:
In England if you are an Engineer they call you a Mechanic, in Germany they call you a Doctor.
Anyway, it looks more and more favourable for the Motorsport University proposal.
Formula One teams are considered to be potential employers of some of these students.
Another small portion of the Times article:
The Silversone college could also provide technicians for local F1 companies that have previously complained about the difficulty of finding skilled workers in Britain.
The time they are a changing... or at least they appear to be!
Here is the link to the BBC video on this new initiative.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-15246084
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Bob Lutz is advising an electric truck company plus GM,Lotus and others. Albert Lam on FOX TV.
I see Bob Lutz is advising another company.
http://jalopnik.com/bob-lutz
Via Truck company have got him onboard.
Their plan. Taken fron Jalopnik.
According to its web site, Via Motors is "a new kind of car company. We build electric version (E-REV) of your favorite trucks and SUVs."
Yes, a "new kind of car company" that makes electric vehicles out of other automakers' cars. Huh. Sounds sort of like Tesla Motors — except, if the images on their web site are correct, they're making electrics out of GM pickups, vans and SUVs rather than Lotus sports cars.
Well, if it worked for Elon Musk...
Albert Lam of Detroit Motors does a similar thing with Protons.
http://detroit-electric.co.uk/
If you go into this site you will see Proton make customised Gen 2 vehicles for Detroit Electric.
Albert Lam was head of Lotus Engineering .
I suppose Bob can use his influence to get a similar deal for his latest company with GM.
No R&D cost for BIW. Wait and see if the Truck is a reliable seller, then stick your electric drive train in and off you go.
Sometimes its not what you know, but who you know.
Good Luck to Bob.
If as one of Lotuses many advisers he'd like to give my proposal his thumbs up, please feel free. Sadly, I don't have the budget to pay for the endorsement!
By the way, I spent several hours with Albert in KL talking to him about the project when he was head of Lotus Engineering.
No Luck. But thanks for the time Albert.
I have just read that Bob has joint Current Motor Amps as an advisor as well. A Michigan based electric scooter manufacturer. Go Bob!
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/current-motor-amps-its-leadership-team-with-stellar-appointments-to-its-business-advisory-council-headed-by-bob-lutz-2011-10-04
http://jalopnik.com/bob-lutz
Via Truck company have got him onboard.
Their plan. Taken fron Jalopnik.
According to its web site, Via Motors is "a new kind of car company. We build electric version (E-REV) of your favorite trucks and SUVs."
Yes, a "new kind of car company" that makes electric vehicles out of other automakers' cars. Huh. Sounds sort of like Tesla Motors — except, if the images on their web site are correct, they're making electrics out of GM pickups, vans and SUVs rather than Lotus sports cars.
Well, if it worked for Elon Musk...
Albert Lam of Detroit Motors does a similar thing with Protons.
http://detroit-electric.co.uk/
If you go into this site you will see Proton make customised Gen 2 vehicles for Detroit Electric.
Albert Lam was head of Lotus Engineering .
I suppose Bob can use his influence to get a similar deal for his latest company with GM.
No R&D cost for BIW. Wait and see if the Truck is a reliable seller, then stick your electric drive train in and off you go.
Sometimes its not what you know, but who you know.
Good Luck to Bob.
If as one of Lotuses many advisers he'd like to give my proposal his thumbs up, please feel free. Sadly, I don't have the budget to pay for the endorsement!
By the way, I spent several hours with Albert in KL talking to him about the project when he was head of Lotus Engineering.
No Luck. But thanks for the time Albert.
I have just read that Bob has joint Current Motor Amps as an advisor as well. A Michigan based electric scooter manufacturer. Go Bob!
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/current-motor-amps-its-leadership-team-with-stellar-appointments-to-its-business-advisory-council-headed-by-bob-lutz-2011-10-04
Monday, October 3, 2011
CSR I am getting a book Published... I hope!
The Title will be Innocence lost in the Ice Cream forest.
My graphics guy is my friend Tilo's dad. We have a lot of misunderstandings. Lets see if we can complete the project. Tilo will get the files prepared for Kindle. A local hospice (http://www.stlukeshospice.com/) is the likely receipient of any royalties.
I want everyone to buy a copy!
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