Archive for the 'Social Sites' Category

A Life in Innovation: Nicholas Bredimus

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

The revamping of hospitality and airline travel was sparked off by Mr Nicholas Bredimus, who combined them with the computer programming industry to produce new procedures. His resume covers time-saving computer programs, aircraft safety advancements, and even the design of high value homes. You could have predicted, however, that with his heritage he was certain to reach distinction. Its lines can be followed back to classical times, Nicholas’ provenience has associations with much of Europe. On his mother’s side, on the one hand, he hails from German and Scottish stock. His father’s family, in contrast, were born in England and Luxembourg, from where his forebears came to America in the late 1800s.

That dauntless drive kept them going forward following their arrival in the U.S. Nicholas, who would grow up with his sisters and brothers, was a child of a father who worked as a mechanical design engineer and a mother who was working as a practicing nurse. He would come to live in Arizona, Kansas City, Texas and a place named Reston in Virginia. So what, you might ask, did Bredimus do to capitalize on his background and studies? He would soon embark on a series of high powered jobs, all working with major airlines. Mr Nicholas Bredimus became a vice president with airlines like Hughes Airwest, Republic Airlines, and Trans World Airlines (TWA). Most prominent, however, was his role as a creative software designer for the airlines.

He is highly respected for a project for US Airways, namely his airplane maintenance programs that are now used by the majority of airlines. He turned his attention next to making and recording reservations. For both hotels and air travel he produced software to deal with the majority of the work that had been involved until that point. Following that would come an automated, networked approach to ticket ordering which stands as a first.

Notwithstanding that it is his forte, he has also regularly worked on other areas. Mr Nicholas Bredimus managed American Express’ IT division, established Bredimus Systems seventeen years ago, and became the founding president of AMR Travel Services.

Having stepped back from the fields in which he first enjoyed fame, his capabilities are, regardless, still exercised daily. He is now involved in the architectural concerns bound up in the development of environmentally friendly, technologically advanced luxury class houses.

Ken Mehlman of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. And the Environmental Defense Fund — Pacesetters in Business and Protecting the Planet

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up by Henry Kravis and George Roberts in the mid seventies with the help of the First Chicago Corporation. However, in the hope of making the companies in their portfolio more ecologically friendly, they have founded a unique enterprise which has changed the way businesses and environmental activists operate.

Green business practices became major topic of dicussion in 2008 when KKR’s Henry Kravis and the the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces. Issues like climate change and absurd water consumption are an important part of their corporate mission statement.

Eco-efficiency (a term first propagated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development) comprises their mission’s framework, using green policies like fuel economy, reducing the waste of resources and maximum use of renewable resources. Irrespective of the fact that the project was an enormous success, managment just didn’t understand how important the results were until Ken Mehlman, the executive in charge of the project, finished the review of the first 12 months. As if to outdo everyone’s expectations, Ken found that utilizing eco-efficiency not only raised environmental responsibility, but was also increasing the profits from every last company besides. Virtually all of the business concerns held by Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman nowadays participate in the Green Portfolio Project. When you look at the fact that this portfolio of business concerns has a net worth of almost 100.000,000,000 USD, you may be sure this wasn’t a simple accomplishment. KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund alongside Ken Mehlman have also expanded on the initial Green Portfolio project. For instance, KKR got together with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Program a venture that teaches students taking an MBA how to introduce financially strong, earth friendly principles.

KKR and Ken Mehlman have been creating a variety of metrics which will be able to evaluate and manipulate resources. This type of information is invaluable as any sort of business may easily assess all of their daily procedures and ascertain where they can solve any problems while at the same time tracking their progress.

Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund have encouraged all sorts of businesses to become more environmentally friendly. These innovations have simplified the process for business organizations in any sector and demonstrated to the world that making profits need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.

Stephen Schwarzman – the Life-story of the Blackstone Group’s Co-Founder

Friday, October 30th, 2009

This is the story of Stephen A. Schwarzman. A year ago Stephen A. Schwarzman made number 53 on the list of America’s most wealthy, yet it is his extraordinary achievements in the financial sector as well as his contributions to non profit organizations that make this story interesting. All this illustrate that the keys to achieving success are devotion to working hard plus focused determination.

The Blackstone Group was founded by Stephen and his business partner Peter Peterson as a business extending premium financial advice and private-equity. At this point in time the Blackstone Group is a household name with investments as qualified as e.g. Allied Waste and La Quinta, to name only two. Spending many of his formative years in near Philadelphia, PA, Stephen went to school in the Philadelphia suburbs. Subsequent to finishing high school he opted for an undergraduate degree course at the prestigious Yale University in Connecticut. He took on an MBA at the highly esteemed Harvard Business school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After concluding his education, Stephen began his career in investment banking at Lehman Brothers. Stephen was given the title of managing director at the unusually early age of thirty-one. Stephen Schwarzman served as an associate professor at the elevated Yale School of Management in addition to supporting many charities, educational programs, and the arts. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in New York, New York. In addition, he announced on March 11th, 2008 that he was presenting $100 million to the New York Public Library to support their building plans. In fact, the New York Public Library named their new extension the “Stephen A. Schwarzman Building”.

Stephen Schwarzman is a role model to successful Americans – Times Magazine last year appointed Stephen A. Schwarzman as one of the 100 most influential people on earth. His rise in the business world has unquestionably been nothing short of miraculous, and without a shadow of a doubt his willingness to donate to his community has provided business magnates with a new standard to strive for in the future.

So the US waits with baited breath to see what Stephen will do next. On the whole, we see here an individual who has grasped every last business opportunity that came his way and he has equally employed his influence to try to improve the lives of his fellow Americans.

The Outstanding CEO Naveen Jain — Efficient Philanthropy at Its Very Best

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Most if not all truly renowned business leaders are keen on being good community members and the gentleman we are looking at now is thankfully no exception. Like most all people, you will have heard of Mr. Naveen Jain the CEO as well as co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the celebrated information commerce market leaders. As well as making the Forbes 400 Richest in America list 2000, this eminently successful businessman has been bestowed various choice awards including the WSA Industry Achievement Award, the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. But that is definitely not where it ends. This is because Mr. Jain and his relations are every bit as zealous about their benevolent endeavors and will endeavor to help out wherever possible.

All our anticipations for humanity’s future are carried in today’s children. They are also an essential focus of attention for this enterprising man, and he uses every occasion available to help them. This, too, is why he is unfailingly taking advantage of every chance he can to aid needy children, whenever it seems at all practicable. Hence, Naveen Jain, his relatives and the employees at Intelius apply their time and efforts to many different philanthropical foundations e.g. United Way, the Overlake Service League, and the Children’s Hospital. They will offer magnanimous monetary assistance but even more importantly, they dedicate time and attention to the children who need it the most. Naveen Jain also helps by sponsoring the Children’s Hospital, being intent on restoring children’s health, as well. As Naveen Jain is a graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur and the Indian Institute of Technology, it’s no wonder that professional training enjoys an exceedingly important priority in his philanthropic endeavors. This embraces campaigns and charities local, state, and nationwide. Thus, Intelius and its CEO are actively involved in sponsoring charitable organizations and establishments such as Hopelink, the University Preparatory Academy and the Indian American Education Foundation.

Providing for the planet’s starving is yet another essential task to Jain and his relations and to him, it makes not one jot of difference. While he is quite mindful that the goal of feeding every hungry person in the world can appear to be an impossible task, he is also aware that the unachievable can indeed be quite feasible assuming that the whole world struggles towards a common end. If this business leader obtains his objectives, there will be a decisive conclusion to poverty and malnourishment everywhere in the future. Observers could be pardoned for suspecting that as the head of a spectacularly successful company plus being a dedicated family man would give him no free leeway for charity and aiding others. But he makes certain that every one of his altruistic endeavors may rely on as much aid as he can feasibly marshal. This earnestly altruistic businessman is most definitely more than merely any ordinary business leader. He is, in fact, an exceptional citizen and a veritable community benefactor.

A Portray of the Outstanding Entrepreneur Naveen Jain: Supreme Humanitarianism at Its Finest

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Chances are you may have heard about Mr. Naveen Jain as the co-founder and CEO of Intelius, Inc. the company providing background checks and public records services. On top of making the Forbes list “400 Richest in America” in 2000, this maverick entrepreneur has won diverse distinguished awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, and the WSA Industry Achievement Award. But that is not where it ends. Because Naveen Jain and his relations are equally as avid about their philanthropic deeds and will attempt to aid people in need whenever the opportunity arises. Kids are mankind’s most important resource. This entrepreneur sees young people as the central core of his philanthropy works, and he takes advantage of each and every chance he gets to support them. This, too, is why he is so intensely leveraging every opportunity he can to help them if even remotely viable. In consequence, Naveen Jain, his kin and the employees at Intelius pledge their time to a number of philanthropical agencies like the University Preparatory Academy, United Way, and the Overlake Service League. Of course they will offer ample financial aid but even more importantly they pledge a lot of time and attention to those youth who require it the most. Beyond that, he is sponsoring the Children’s Hospital hoping to improve children’s health.

With Jain being a graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur and the Indian Institute of Technology, it is no wonder that professional training enjoys a very important priority within his philanthropic operations. This encompasses movements and deserving causes that are local, state, and nationwide. Consequently Intelius and its CEO are actively involved in helping deserving causes and establishments such as Hopelink, the Children’s Hospital and the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club.

Getting sustenance over to the underdogs of the planet is another fundamental aim for Naveen Jain and those around him and he makes no differentiation as to whether the person in need is a newborn or aged, and neither where they are domiciled, be it the grandest conurbation or the gloomiest hovel. Although Naveen Jain is cognizant that the enterprise of getting sustenance for all the world’s hungry is a titanic one, he also believes that the impossible can actually become achievable assuming everyone toils together. If this business leader should really have his way, the final curtain will positively come down on hunger and neediness all over the world in the future.

You would suppose that as the man in full operative control of a spectacularly thriving market leading enterprise plus being a dedicated family man would leave him with no free time for philanthropic activities. But Naveen ensures that each one of his benevolent endeavors may rely on as much support as he can conceivably muster. This industrious man is indisputably a lot more than a simple (though most successful) captain of industry. He is, moreover, an absolutely extraordinary person and a real community activist.

A Closer Look at the Business Life of Naveen Jain — Constructive Humanitarianism at Its Best

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

These days, philanthropism is positively more in demand than ever before in history. You will most likely have encountered Mr. Naveen Jain’s name as being the CEO and co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the predictive intelligence service company. Well beyond having made the Forbes list “400 Richest in America” in 2000, this maverick entrepreneur has been given a whole range of choice awards including the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the WSA Industry Achievement Award. Nevertheless it certainly does not finish here. This is because Mr. Naveen Jain and his relations are in the same way as fervent about philanthropy and will attempt to help out wherever possible.

There’s no doubt regarding the fact that our young ones are truly our world’s number one resource and its future. This enterprising man sees and treats them as a fundamental core of his charity dealings, and he tries to take advantage of any opportunity he happens to come across to help them. This, too, is why he is always thoroughly leveraging every opening available to support them whenever it is at all viable. Thus, Naveen Jain, his relations and the staff at Intelius, Inc. dedicate their time to a vast range of charities like the University Preparatory Academy, the University of Washington, and Child Rights and You (CRY). Naturally, they will provide plenty of monetary support, but more importantly, they devote lots of time and care to the kids who need it the most. Mr. Jain also gives aid to the Children’s Hospital in an attempt to restore children’s health, as well. With Naveen Jain being a former student of the Indian Institute of Technology and XLRI Jamshedpur, it’s hardly astonishing that education is also a vital focus in his benevolent works. This encompasses campaigns and aid organizations local, state, and nationwide. Therefore, Intelius and its CEO are funding deserving causes and charities e.g. the Children’s Hospital, the Indian American Education Foundation and the Rotary Club.

Providing for the planet’s famished is another serious responsibility for Jain and his kin and to him, it makes not a speck of difference. While he is quite aware that the aspiration to feed every destitute mouth in the world can seem to be an impossible task, he also knows that the unattainable can indeed become realistic if everyone labors in concert. If this entrepreneur achieves his goals, the final curtain will come down on hunger and neediness all over the world some day. Observers might be pardoned for supposing that being the head of a very thriving market leading business on top of being a dedicated family man would give him no surplus scope for charity and helping the needy. Regardless Naveen Jain ensures that each one of his humanitarian efforts will enjoy all the aid he can possibly donate. Indeed, this philanthropic businessman is most certainly much more than just an ordinary business pioneer. In fact, he is an outstanding citizen and a remarkable community advocate.

How to choose a managed wide area network provider?

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

One of the easy things to do when discussing the products and services available on the market is to wax lyrical about the way the market is going, the best solutions that you can buy and the most cost effective results you can achieve. And in an extremely dynamic industry, such as IT, there is plenty to talk about. We all know that there are constantly evolving solutions and a parade of suppliers who can provide them.

But rather than talk about the best technology, I think it would be useful just to swing the debate over to the issue of the Supplier. Recently one of our customers, ‘The Firewall Warehouse’ implemented a broadband VPN for it’s 3 offices and centralised warehouse that are spread across the UK.

Nick Johnson, Director of The Firewall Warehouse said, ‘For the management team the technological argument and the financial benefit derived was not really an issue. Where we struggled was with our choice of supplier.’

Johnson went on, ‘the problem was that we treated the sale as a commodity and didn’t really respect the fact that connecting our business up and passing our vital data between sites was, in reality, one of the most important things on our agenda. Sure, we understood it all, but we really should have made sure that we understood the product source, the delivery schedule, the time we needed to invest and the fact that those who provide you with critical solutions need to be close to you and your business.’

‘As it so happens we ended up with a good delivery and a solution that is fast, robust, capable and secure, but only after we realised that we were not paying enough attention to the deal and consequently put our own management efforts into play, which incidentally was not that arduous.’

The lessons ‘The Firewall Warehouse’ learnt were that you need to do a bit of basic research yourself before kicking off the supplier process.

The web is a fantastic source of information, as we all know and by searching ‘VPN network’ ‘managed VPN’, ‘managed broadband’, and a few other similar phrases, it is possible to become that much brighter and informed. But equally important is to understand what is behind the marketing web pages, what do the network providers actually do?

Now, even in the commodity sale, not all vendors offer the same product or service. For a start, don’t ever believe that broadband is just broadband. It comes in various guises and is delivered with varying levels of quality and efficiency.

Some of the better known names do not necessarily offer you the best quality broadband and quite frankly the delivery and customer care capabilities are woefully inadequate for the small and medium sized business. So it’s important to understand your vendors offering. What contention rates and speeds are on offer for a start? And if you can get into a discussion with a supplier about this you will find that one who has knowledge of the topic and an understanding of how best to network a business will really give you that added comfort.

Additionally you need to know how good the service is and there are two issues that need some real clarity. The first of these is Reliability.

Now the answer to reliability is not just a simple claim of being reliable. What you need to be told is the structure of the network and an explanation of how they intend to provide you with the usual spiel about 99.999999% guaranteed uptime. This revolves around how they have built their network and how they can demonstrate a lack of network congestion. The least reliable infrastructure will be the one that packs as many people as it can on to a limited network. Conversely, the better network is that which can cope with lots of traffic as well as having a lot of free capacity.

Which brings up the second issue; namely that of Latency. This again needs explained to you by the supplier and they need to convince you that there is low latency on their network because they are being generous with the capacity and not overburdening their infrastructure with users. It’s the same issue as that of reliability; less conscientious suppliers will push lots of traffic across a smaller network, whereas more conscientious vendors will make sure that there is loads of capacity and will be able to talk confidently about their high reliability and low latency.

Whilst you are digging deep into the knowledge bank of your supplier you would also be well advised to talk to them about the provision of voice over the managed VPN. Voice can be run across your broadband VPN, but not all suppliers really know how to do this or are capable of doing it. But be aware, this is something that is happening and will become more and more popular. Because of this a good supplier will be either encouraging you to run voice over your managed VPN now or setting your expectations to do it as part of your medium term planning.

But knowing about the technology and how it applies to you is important, but equally so is their knowledge of process. So many times you can place orders and then be lost in a sea of promises. A good supplier will guide you as to what they will do, but also as to what you need to do. You don’t need to spend hours on working with the supplier but you do need to be in synch with their programme and understand what they are delivering, when they are delivering and basically when to flick the switch.

A good supplier will have a combination of automation and human resource. You should expect to be able to be given an online service to manage and indeed provision your service, but likewise you should know the service agent who is in charge of your project. Invariably you will have questions, date slippages, configuration changes and so on and you want that piece of mind that your supplier works with you to change the schedule and meet your demands. Do watch out for this because once you lose track of what you and they are doing it becomes an absolute muddle of spaghetti to unravel.

Other simple things to look out for are the speed and simplicity of the supplier process. Automation of process invariably means that line orders are placed quickly, but you need to understand their acknowledgment process and update process so that you are comfortable with what information you expect to be fed to you over the order lifetime. Likewise you need to actually understand how the installation takes place. It should be a speedy delivery of a box, a speedy delivery of a connection or connections and a harmonious bringing together of the items to create your managed VPN. If you can’t see that nice clear plan from your supplier then be warned that it all might not be plain sailing.

So don’t panic, but just be conscious of getting stuck in to some of the detail when you are evaluating your supplier. This is absolutely not just about price. It’s about their knowledge of how to create and run a project and it’s about the network they use to provide it. It’s also about how they efficiently supply you and appraise you along the way as well as their ability to persuade you of their business and technological integrity.

It’s a fun thing to be able to make your business better and I also think that your supplier will actually want to be part of that journey too. So do probe and ask questions about some of the issues raised and I’m sure you will find your choice of supplier to be much easier and fairly natural. Like most choices the most appropriate one is fairly obvious once you know which questions to ask.

Nathan Hill-Haimes is the Managing Director of Managed Communications Ltd and a serial entrepreneur, having built, sold and turned around several Internet centric companies prior to founding Managed Communications – http://www.managedcomms.co.uk

Managed Communications is a high-performance Managed VPN Service provider – the company does not use the public internet to create VPNs as experience has shown this is where many issues regarding latency and security can occur. In addition to standard VPN services bonding of lines enables higher capacity than other service providers can offer to key VPN sites.