Posts in category: Article

Parts of a clockwork: Bad time management costs companies millions.

Time Management: If you could turn back time?

20.08.2014

Well, too bad, you can’t! Lost time is time lost for good. If you belong to the common species of executives who – unreflectively ? – spend hours per day meeting or perusing email, you will be aghast when confronted with the vast amount of time such activities eventually add up to: one day for managing your flood of communications, two for attending countless meetings. Makes three valuable days. Disconcerting, isn’t it? Irretrievable resources gone with the wind … This new Bain & Company study demonstrates how lost time costs millions each year. Moreover, a list of best practices has been compiled to help fight the “Eight Deadly Sins” so readily committed in time management.

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Blazing colours against the light: The Hot Air Ballon World Championship 2014 in Brazil.

Brazil. From Soccer to Ballooning

14.08.2014

An entire state was thoroughly infested by the futbol bug inexorably crawling into every nook and cranny of the exotic South American nation between June 10th and July 13th, 2014 – albeit accompanied by the countrywide controversy as to more reasonable ways for the government to spend its financial resources. In the end, 16,7 million passengers had arrived at 21 airports to reach twelve seething arenas, in order to witness countless matches of varying excitement fought by eager international teams. Even Lord Jesus in his capacity as a much-revered monument in stone rising high into the Rio de Janeiro skies, was humorously kicked to life by digital camera tricks, enabling him to playfully propel an occasional footie during the World Soccer Championship in Brazil this summer. Televised globally, the games verifiably turned into a huge success.

Another sports event later in July – on a more moderate scale but by no means less impressive – was the colourful 21. FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship 2014, carried out in the Federal State of Sao Paulo – and for the first time on South American soil. Yudai Fujita from Japan became the celebrated aerial victor.

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A marshaller at Frankfurt Airport: Follow him!

Germany. Free 24h WIFI at Frankfurt Airport!

3.07.2014

Maximum Ubiquity at Germany’s largest Airport

Fraport AG, the company managing Frankfurt Airport (FRA), expands its free Wi-Fi access from 60 minutes to 24 hours. This around-the-clock freebie is available immediately. With more than 300 Wi-Fi access points located in the terminals, utilising the free Wi-Fi service is pretty easy: Passengers and visitors simply have to log on via the “HotSpot” Internet portal of Deutsche Telekom. A few quick clicks enable them to check on their e-mails or search for information. Travellers facing a stopover lasting longer than 24 hours, are eligible for another full session of an identical length of time.

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Return on Investment: Where is ROI?

17.06.2014

Over the globe, there are myriads of events taking place every day: many by coincidence, others ad-hoc and most following meticulous planning and diligent risk-evaluating. Even in case of the latter, the effort made may not suffice. Has one significant module perhaps been neglected? By chance or by looking the other way? What again was this event’s objective? What, if a controller comes along and demands figures – as in ‘profit’ – which justify that ‘his’ budget was invested sensibly?

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A sheepishly-looking Barack Obama at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague 2014

Holland. The Hague: The Nuclear Security Summit 2014

11.06.2014

Dutch as Dutch can.

Citizens identifying with a Summit

Influential world leaders and thousands of delegation members convened at the city’s World Forum to attend the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS 2014) this March. The Hague, ranging in size behind Amsterdam and Rotterdam, is the official seat of the Crown and the government, recognised international city of peace and justice, home to hundreds of international organisations and multinationals and one of the world’s top three UN cities. The Hague’s Peace Palace stands for international justice. The magnitude of decisions taken and judgements delivered there are of universal significance for humanity. By skillfully orchestrating the Nuclear Security Summit, the city lived up to the reputation it enjoys as a hospitable, well-organised and safe convention destination. Charmingly schmoozing his hosts prior to the event, NSS initiator US President Barack Obama exclaimed: “I love Holland!“

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