Richard Branson invites a journalist to his private island of Necker in the British Virgin Islands. The journalist spends two relaxing days on the island, enjoying massages at the cliffside spa, dining with Branson and his staff, and playing a dice game with Branson, where she manages to outguess him. Branson feels guilty that the journalist came such a long way just for a short interview, so he ensures she experiences the full hospitality of Necker Island.
This document lists the titles of 9 children's stories, including Chicken Licken, The Princess and the Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, The Other Frog Prince, Little Red Running Shorts, Jack's Story, Cinderumpelstilskin, The Tortoise and The Hair, and The Stinky Cheese Man.
Fisher Ink magazine is hosting Ernst & Young on Tuesday, November 26th. Five golden tickets will be hidden anywhere in Schoenbaum or Mason Hall between 9am and 3pm, with location hints and release times posted on Fisher Ink's social media. Those who find a golden ticket should email the address on the ticket to receive instructions for claiming one of five iPad Mini prizes.
This document provides travel information for a flight from Montreal to New York on January 12th, including flight details, class, gate and seat information. Additionally, it mentions upcoming local events and attractions in Mars, including a rover tour to see landmarks like Lady Liberty and the Mars War Memorial. Transportation options like taxis and hotels are also listed.
The document describes Cabot Cove, the fictional seaside village in Maine that was the setting of the television show "Murder, She Wrote". It was home to Jessica Fletcher, a widowed mystery writer who lived at 698 Candlewood Lane and had a knack for solving murders around town. Though small, Cabot Cove came to be known as the "Murder Capital of New England" as Jessica investigated over 260 murders during the run of the series, often finding victims even when she traveled out of town.
The document is a track listing for a Christmas album performed by Michael Brech. It contains 20 Christmas songs arranged in a traditional style. Some of the songs included are "Joy to the World", "Snowy Flakes are Falling Softly", "Away in a Manger", and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". The track listing provides the name of each song and its duration. There is also copyright information at the bottom for Michael Brech and the publishing details.
This slide was prepared for my B A English students of PVS arts and science college. These slides deal with the Act I Scene I of Macbeth. Please read these slides on Shakespeare's Macbeth and send me your opinion. The Tragedy of Macbeth deals with the disaster that undue political ambition can bring in to any life.
Advantages of HF technology: Optimal availability for use and long service life can only be achieved from motive power batteries when the battery and the charger are perfectly matched. The HF technology provides: compact wall-mounted designs to save floor space. Significantly higher electrical performances. Shorter recharge time, saving energy, reduction of the batteries temperature during the cycle, strong reduction of the Co2 emissions, lower water consumption, which helps prolong the life of the batteries. High production yield. Soft start mode, customized charge curve on request. Black Hawk is a versatile device, different charging curve software could be installed for a specific customized charging profile for any type of battery. Usage: Suitable for the cyclic recharge of lead - acid batteries and floating of sealed gel and / or lead - acid batteries. Optional Air pump available Download data available trough PC/Lapto
GAiN (Global Aid Network) is een wereldwijde organisatie die evangelisatie en (nood) ontwikkelingshulp combineert. Vanwege groei zijn wij op zoek naar vrijwilligers en medewerkers en zijn er de volgende vacatures.
This document lists the titles of 9 children's stories, including Chicken Licken, The Princess and the Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, The Other Frog Prince, Little Red Running Shorts, Jack's Story, Cinderumpelstilskin, The Tortoise and The Hair, and The Stinky Cheese Man.
Fisher Ink magazine is hosting Ernst & Young on Tuesday, November 26th. Five golden tickets will be hidden anywhere in Schoenbaum or Mason Hall between 9am and 3pm, with location hints and release times posted on Fisher Ink's social media. Those who find a golden ticket should email the address on the ticket to receive instructions for claiming one of five iPad Mini prizes.
This document provides travel information for a flight from Montreal to New York on January 12th, including flight details, class, gate and seat information. Additionally, it mentions upcoming local events and attractions in Mars, including a rover tour to see landmarks like Lady Liberty and the Mars War Memorial. Transportation options like taxis and hotels are also listed.
The document describes Cabot Cove, the fictional seaside village in Maine that was the setting of the television show "Murder, She Wrote". It was home to Jessica Fletcher, a widowed mystery writer who lived at 698 Candlewood Lane and had a knack for solving murders around town. Though small, Cabot Cove came to be known as the "Murder Capital of New England" as Jessica investigated over 260 murders during the run of the series, often finding victims even when she traveled out of town.
The document is a track listing for a Christmas album performed by Michael Brech. It contains 20 Christmas songs arranged in a traditional style. Some of the songs included are "Joy to the World", "Snowy Flakes are Falling Softly", "Away in a Manger", and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". The track listing provides the name of each song and its duration. There is also copyright information at the bottom for Michael Brech and the publishing details.
This slide was prepared for my B A English students of PVS arts and science college. These slides deal with the Act I Scene I of Macbeth. Please read these slides on Shakespeare's Macbeth and send me your opinion. The Tragedy of Macbeth deals with the disaster that undue political ambition can bring in to any life.
Advantages of HF technology: Optimal availability for use and long service life can only be achieved from motive power batteries when the battery and the charger are perfectly matched. The HF technology provides: compact wall-mounted designs to save floor space. Significantly higher electrical performances. Shorter recharge time, saving energy, reduction of the batteries temperature during the cycle, strong reduction of the Co2 emissions, lower water consumption, which helps prolong the life of the batteries. High production yield. Soft start mode, customized charge curve on request. Black Hawk is a versatile device, different charging curve software could be installed for a specific customized charging profile for any type of battery. Usage: Suitable for the cyclic recharge of lead - acid batteries and floating of sealed gel and / or lead - acid batteries. Optional Air pump available Download data available trough PC/Lapto
GAiN (Global Aid Network) is een wereldwijde organisatie die evangelisatie en (nood) ontwikkelingshulp combineert. Vanwege groei zijn wij op zoek naar vrijwilligers en medewerkers en zijn er de volgende vacatures.
Boris Collardi became CEO of Julius Baer in 2009 at age 35, making him the youngest CEO in the bank's history. In 2013, he led Julius Baer's acquisition of Bank of America's Merrill Lynch private banking business outside of the US and Japan for $880 million. This strategic purchase will increase Julius Baer's total assets under management by 40% once integration is complete in mid-2014. It will also significantly boost Julius Baer's presence in Asia, where Merrill Lynch has more assets than Julius Baer and the addition of its Indian business could double Julius Baer's Asian assets and make it one of the top five private banks in Asia. Collardi views organic growth as the primary strategy going forward rather
The document discusses how increasing economic and financial ties between Asia and the Middle East will further boost the growth of Islamic finance globally. It notes that Asia and the Middle East are the two major centers for Islamic finance. Stronger connectivity between the two regions, through growing trade, investment, and financial flows, will provide impetus for the future expansion of the Islamic finance industry. Singapore is well-positioned to facilitate the increasing business and deals between the two regions due to its vibrant Islamic finance ecosystem and position as a major financial hub in Asia.
Hassan Marican had a highly successful 21-year career at Petronas, the Malaysian national oil company, where he served as president and CEO from 1995 to 2010. During his tenure, he aggressively expanded Petronas' global operations and transformed it into a major international player despite facing political interference at times. However, he had disagreements with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and left Petronas in 2010. Since then, Marican has taken board positions at several major Singapore and international companies. He will now become chairman of Singapore Power in June, drawing some criticism of brain drain from Malaysia. Marican is known for his frugality and humble lifestyle despite his corporate success.
Angela Stanford won the HSBC Women's Champions golf tournament, beating players from China, Korea, and Taiwan. Susan Lim, a high-profile surgeon in Singapore, sold her sea-front bungalow in Sentosa Cove for a record $39 million to an Indian national. Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Iron Lady, having previously won Best Actress for Sophie's Choice and Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer. Australia appointed former New South Wales premier Bob Carr as the new Foreign Minister, replacing Kevin Rudd. Andrew Chew, a former civil servant in Singapore who served in various positions over 52 years, died of heart failure
Competition from other regional industrial hubs and persistent labour unrest have diminished Batam Island's appeal as an expansion location for Singapore firms, though its strategic proximity to Singapore remains important. While Batam was once seen as having great potential due to its cheap land and labour, issues like a lack of connectivity to Singapore and Indonesia's protectionist policies have prevented it from reaching its potential as an export-oriented industrial zone. Labour problems, including frequent strikes over wages, also threaten to deter investors if Batam no longer offers a wage advantage. However, Singapore remains committed to supporting Batam's development through investment and cooperation with Indonesia.
- The document discusses the trend of retired politicians taking on board roles in large companies and whether this practice should be allowed or restricted.
- It notes that retired politicians are sought after for their connections, expertise, and experience running large organizations, as exemplified by Apple appointing Al Gore to its board.
- However, others argue that appointing politicians could undermine good governance and raise perceptions of corruption. The document examines this issue in both global and Malaysian company contexts.
- It concludes that potential board candidates should be judged on their individual merits and abilities rather than barred from roles based on past occupations alone. Strong governance depends more on the competency of the entire board than any single director.
The document summarizes the global scope of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which has tentacles reaching numerous countries and entities. 1MDB is a Malaysian state investment firm saddled with over RM42 billion in debt. Investigations into allegations of mismanagement and corruption at 1MDB have been launched in Malaysia and several other locations, including Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Hong Kong. Key individuals such as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and businessman Jho Low are also mentioned in relation to the 1MDB investigations.
1) Datuk Seri Idris Jala was appointed to lead Malaysian Airlines in 2005 when it was facing financial difficulties and losses.
2) Under his leadership, Malaysian Airlines made a stunning recovery - turning losses of RM1.3 billion in 2005 to a record profit of RM851 million in 2007 through cost cutting measures and performance targets.
3) After successfully turning around Malaysian Airlines, Jala was appointed to a new role in the Prime Minister's department to drive performance management in the government. However, some question if he will be as effective in the public sector environment.
The document discusses the upcoming leadership change in Malaysia as Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak prepares to take over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister in March. It notes that some individuals may see their political influence rise or business opportunities open up with the new leadership, while others may lose influence. The document also profiles some key figures from business and government that are expected to have influence in the Najib administration or may be poised for bigger roles, including Azman Mokhtar, Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, and Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh. It speculates on what direction Najib may take the country and reforms to government-linked companies.
Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group, recalls meeting Tony Fernandes 25 years ago when Fernandes interviewed for a job at Virgin. Branson liked Fernandes and hired him. Their relationship has now culminated in Branson acquiring a 20% stake in AirAsia X, Fernandes' long-haul airline venture. The partnership combines Virgin's experience in long-haul flights with AirAsia's Asian reach and low-cost expertise. While long-haul low-cost flying has challenges, Branson is optimistic about the partnership's prospects given AirAsia's existing large passenger volume in Asia.
Boris Collardi became CEO of Julius Baer in 2009 at age 35, making him the youngest CEO in the bank's history. In 2013, he led Julius Baer's acquisition of Bank of America's Merrill Lynch private banking business outside of the US and Japan for $880 million. This strategic purchase will increase Julius Baer's total assets under management by 40% once integration is complete in mid-2014. It will also significantly boost Julius Baer's presence in Asia, where Merrill Lynch has more assets than Julius Baer and the addition of its Indian business could double Julius Baer's Asian assets and make it one of the top five private banks in Asia. Collardi views organic growth as the primary strategy going forward rather
The document discusses how increasing economic and financial ties between Asia and the Middle East will further boost the growth of Islamic finance globally. It notes that Asia and the Middle East are the two major centers for Islamic finance. Stronger connectivity between the two regions, through growing trade, investment, and financial flows, will provide impetus for the future expansion of the Islamic finance industry. Singapore is well-positioned to facilitate the increasing business and deals between the two regions due to its vibrant Islamic finance ecosystem and position as a major financial hub in Asia.
Hassan Marican had a highly successful 21-year career at Petronas, the Malaysian national oil company, where he served as president and CEO from 1995 to 2010. During his tenure, he aggressively expanded Petronas' global operations and transformed it into a major international player despite facing political interference at times. However, he had disagreements with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and left Petronas in 2010. Since then, Marican has taken board positions at several major Singapore and international companies. He will now become chairman of Singapore Power in June, drawing some criticism of brain drain from Malaysia. Marican is known for his frugality and humble lifestyle despite his corporate success.
Angela Stanford won the HSBC Women's Champions golf tournament, beating players from China, Korea, and Taiwan. Susan Lim, a high-profile surgeon in Singapore, sold her sea-front bungalow in Sentosa Cove for a record $39 million to an Indian national. Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Iron Lady, having previously won Best Actress for Sophie's Choice and Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer. Australia appointed former New South Wales premier Bob Carr as the new Foreign Minister, replacing Kevin Rudd. Andrew Chew, a former civil servant in Singapore who served in various positions over 52 years, died of heart failure
Competition from other regional industrial hubs and persistent labour unrest have diminished Batam Island's appeal as an expansion location for Singapore firms, though its strategic proximity to Singapore remains important. While Batam was once seen as having great potential due to its cheap land and labour, issues like a lack of connectivity to Singapore and Indonesia's protectionist policies have prevented it from reaching its potential as an export-oriented industrial zone. Labour problems, including frequent strikes over wages, also threaten to deter investors if Batam no longer offers a wage advantage. However, Singapore remains committed to supporting Batam's development through investment and cooperation with Indonesia.
- The document discusses the trend of retired politicians taking on board roles in large companies and whether this practice should be allowed or restricted.
- It notes that retired politicians are sought after for their connections, expertise, and experience running large organizations, as exemplified by Apple appointing Al Gore to its board.
- However, others argue that appointing politicians could undermine good governance and raise perceptions of corruption. The document examines this issue in both global and Malaysian company contexts.
- It concludes that potential board candidates should be judged on their individual merits and abilities rather than barred from roles based on past occupations alone. Strong governance depends more on the competency of the entire board than any single director.
The document summarizes the global scope of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which has tentacles reaching numerous countries and entities. 1MDB is a Malaysian state investment firm saddled with over RM42 billion in debt. Investigations into allegations of mismanagement and corruption at 1MDB have been launched in Malaysia and several other locations, including Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Hong Kong. Key individuals such as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and businessman Jho Low are also mentioned in relation to the 1MDB investigations.
1) Datuk Seri Idris Jala was appointed to lead Malaysian Airlines in 2005 when it was facing financial difficulties and losses.
2) Under his leadership, Malaysian Airlines made a stunning recovery - turning losses of RM1.3 billion in 2005 to a record profit of RM851 million in 2007 through cost cutting measures and performance targets.
3) After successfully turning around Malaysian Airlines, Jala was appointed to a new role in the Prime Minister's department to drive performance management in the government. However, some question if he will be as effective in the public sector environment.
The document discusses the upcoming leadership change in Malaysia as Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak prepares to take over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister in March. It notes that some individuals may see their political influence rise or business opportunities open up with the new leadership, while others may lose influence. The document also profiles some key figures from business and government that are expected to have influence in the Najib administration or may be poised for bigger roles, including Azman Mokhtar, Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, and Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh. It speculates on what direction Najib may take the country and reforms to government-linked companies.
Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group, recalls meeting Tony Fernandes 25 years ago when Fernandes interviewed for a job at Virgin. Branson liked Fernandes and hired him. Their relationship has now culminated in Branson acquiring a 20% stake in AirAsia X, Fernandes' long-haul airline venture. The partnership combines Virgin's experience in long-haul flights with AirAsia's Asian reach and low-cost expertise. While long-haul low-cost flying has challenges, Branson is optimistic about the partnership's prospects given AirAsia's existing large passenger volume in Asia.
1. BW11BIZWEEK, SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2007 COVER FEATURE
In Branson’s private paradise
By ANITA GABRIEL
anita@thestar.com.my
T
HE West Indies' trade winds caress
me as I loll about in a rich burnt
orange-coloured day bed by the
soft white sand beach. The soothing
sounds of seagulls, splashing water, and
a woman trainer saying “one-two-three
and again ...” and intermittent chuckles
are my lullaby as I drift in and out of my
siesta.
It feels like a dream. But reality, this
time, doesn't bite. I'm chilling at Sir
Richard Branson's private paradise
Necker in the blue Caribbean sea of the
British Virgin Islands – his home, play-
ground and workplace all wrapped up in
one resplendent, magnificent Balinese
structure spanning 74 acres.
A masculine laughter gently nudges
me from my slumber; Branson is taking
a stab at aqua aerobics with a few
women staff in his beach pool. The
weather that sunny afternoon, like
everything else in Necker, is deliciously
warm.
A little later, he pulls himself out of
the pool and says: “A little bit more of
this (he lifts his arms over his head and
mimics a fish-swimming motion) and no
one's going to take me seriously ...”. We
laugh, concluding that aqua aerobics
may be too feminine a sport for him. He
trots off bare feet to play a game of ten-
nis with Pete and I'm off to freshen up
after an immensely rewarding two-hour
massage at his Bali Leha Spa, perched
atop a cliff and carved out of a hillside
overlooking the spectacular Caribbean
vistas. We promise to meet later for din-
ner at his beach pool's dining pavilion
with a small group of his staff – his
“extended family”.
Rollin' the dice with Branson
It's a cool night and true to the Virgin
Group's business ethos, I'm having so
much fun.
We have just finished a light salmon din-
ner, followed by the traditional English
strawberries and cream. Branson sug-
gests we play a game of Perudo or Liar's
Dice Game - a traditional Peruvian game
where each player has a cup and five dice,
which we shake and mix then flip over
the table using the cups as shield.
Simply put, players take turns in each
round to guess how many dice shows a
certain number and if they bid correct,
they gain a dice and vice versa. The object
is to be the last player with one or more
dice.
“Anita, go for two ones,” suggests
Branson. He is out of the game, having
lost all his dice after several rounds and is
now guiding me as it's my first shot at
this game.
A gentle breeze and the rhythmic sound
of lapping waves accompany us on this
lovely night. I follow my gut instincts
instead - “three ones” I holler, when it's
my turn to bid.
My wild stab in the dark is correct and it
earns me a look of praise from Branson.
“Good one. That was a good move,” he
smiles as he nods appreciatively.
As the game comes to a close, Pete
emerges winner but my elation is
stronger than ever. I've managed to out-
guess Branson, a sweet touch indeed to
my perfect Caribbean sojourn.
The day before
“I feel guilty that you've come all the
way just to interview me for an hour or
so,” he remarks, a day earlier after about
a two-hour long interview.
Branson is waiting for me, seated at
one corner of his great home when I
arrive. His home and the private island
retreat for celebrities (reported to cost a
whopping US$46,000 a night) appear to
be undergoing some renovation. He calls
this his “melting pot where we all take
stock of what is happening and get away
from everything apart from the fax
machine.”
Two or three of his staff are at a nook
in the centre of the grand home clad in
sun dresses or shorts, hair clammed or
scrunched up working away or sorting
through some papers.
I notice Branson has scribbled some
notes on his left hand – a reminder of
sorts. He ushers me to the main part of
the house, then leads me to a terrace
where a hammock is strung up against
one of the most picturesque views of the
turquoise sea.
He gestures towards a large wooden
day bed with a breathtaking view and
asks: “Is this spot okay with you?” as he
throws himself over and slides up the
bed. I choke in disbelief and wilfully
resist the urge to gawk. Instead, I pre-
tend as if it were perfectly normal to
conduct interviews in that manner.
“Sure, no problem at all, Richard” and I
slide next to him, separated only by a
functional wooden tray with chilled bev-
erage, to begin the interview, against the
ever-soothing rush of the waves.
In everything
you do, it’s
important to put
your whole heart
into it
– Branson
“
”