Florence Nightingale OM, RRC (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was a heroine in so many ways. She was, after all, a prominent social reformer, statistician, and nurse whose achievements in the nursing profession led to her being dubbed as the mother of modern nursing. She was The Lady with the Lamp whose innovative approaches to nursing during the Crimean War, when she trained the nurses tending to the ill and injured soldiers, led to the birth of the nursing profession as the world knows it today.
With her establishment of the world’s first secular nursing school, then at the Sr. Thomas Hospital but now part of the King’s College London, modern professional nursing came into its own. She has been honored with several accolades for her achievements including the Nightingale Pledge named in her honor and the International Nurses day held on her birthday each year.
Beyond the nursing profession, Nightingale was also a known social reformer. She was instrumental in the improvement of healthcare in British society, the hunger relief in India, and the abolishment of harsh prostitution laws against women as well as in the expansion of women’s role in the workplace.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
J. R. D. Tata: A Great Man of India
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (July 29, 1904 – November 29, 1993) is considered one of the greatest men in modern Indian history because of his outstanding success in business and his pioneering contributions to the development of Indian society. He was, after all, the father of Indian civil aviation and awardee of Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, and the French Legion of Honour.
Tata was the first licensed pilot in India (February 1929) and founded its first commercial airline, Tata Airlines (1932); it later became Air India (1946), India’s present-day national airline. He started his career as an unpaid apprentice at Tata & Sons in 1925 and by 1938 he became its Chairman, which made him the head honcho of India’s largest industrial group when he was just 38. His leadership saw Tata & Sons grew its asset base from US$100 million to more than US$5 billion and from 4 enterprises to 95 enterprises by the time he left in 1988.
Tata was also a notable tycoon because of his high ethical standards – he refused to engage in many of his fellow businessmen’s dubious practices including using the back market and bribing politicians.
He was also a patron of the arts and sciences. He was the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust trustee for more than 50 years since its inception in 1932. He founded many institutions including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (1936); the Tata Memorial Center for Cancer, Research and Treatment (1941); Asia’s first hospital dedicated to cancer; the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1945); and the National Center for Performing Arts.
He also founded Tata Motors (1945), the National Council of Applied Economic Research (1956), the Tata Computer Centre, which later became the Tata Consultancy Services.
Tata was well-known for his strong advocacy for worker welfare. He initiated several employee-centric programs that were later adopted as Indian statutory law, such as 8-hour working day, worker’s provident scheme, free medical aid, and worker’s compensation.
Tata was the first licensed pilot in India (February 1929) and founded its first commercial airline, Tata Airlines (1932); it later became Air India (1946), India’s present-day national airline. He started his career as an unpaid apprentice at Tata & Sons in 1925 and by 1938 he became its Chairman, which made him the head honcho of India’s largest industrial group when he was just 38. His leadership saw Tata & Sons grew its asset base from US$100 million to more than US$5 billion and from 4 enterprises to 95 enterprises by the time he left in 1988.
Tata was also a notable tycoon because of his high ethical standards – he refused to engage in many of his fellow businessmen’s dubious practices including using the back market and bribing politicians.
He was also a patron of the arts and sciences. He was the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust trustee for more than 50 years since its inception in 1932. He founded many institutions including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (1936); the Tata Memorial Center for Cancer, Research and Treatment (1941); Asia’s first hospital dedicated to cancer; the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1945); and the National Center for Performing Arts.
He also founded Tata Motors (1945), the National Council of Applied Economic Research (1956), the Tata Computer Centre, which later became the Tata Consultancy Services.
Tata was well-known for his strong advocacy for worker welfare. He initiated several employee-centric programs that were later adopted as Indian statutory law, such as 8-hour working day, worker’s provident scheme, free medical aid, and worker’s compensation.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Michael Stephenson: Rugby Is His Life
Michael Stephenson, known in rugby circles as Stevo, considers rugby as both his career and his life. An Englishman, he is a former professional rugby league footballer, a position that he parlayed as one of the more well-known rugby commentators for Sky Sports whose opinions are valued by rugby fans, managers and players alike.
He previously played at club level for several teams including the Deswbury and Penrith, an Australian team. He also played in the representative rugby league for Great Britain where he won the Rugby League World Cup in 1972 and for the Yorkshire county team. He was also known to play as a specialist hooker for majority of his professional playing career.
He started his playing career with Dewsbury, his hometown club, in 1966. His career grew by leaps and bounds, thanks to his innate talent, hard work, and strong dedication, such that he won multiple cups for Great Britain. His greatest victory during his international rugby league career was as member of Great Britain’s 1972 World Cup win; he scored against Australia during the finals.
He previously played at club level for several teams including the Deswbury and Penrith, an Australian team. He also played in the representative rugby league for Great Britain where he won the Rugby League World Cup in 1972 and for the Yorkshire county team. He was also known to play as a specialist hooker for majority of his professional playing career.
He started his playing career with Dewsbury, his hometown club, in 1966. His career grew by leaps and bounds, thanks to his innate talent, hard work, and strong dedication, such that he won multiple cups for Great Britain. His greatest victory during his international rugby league career was as member of Great Britain’s 1972 World Cup win; he scored against Australia during the finals.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Sir John Templeton, the Legendary Financial Investor
Over the past few decades, early sunbathers at the glorious beach at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas might have seen a wiry, determined figure of an aged man power-walking along the shore. Only few would have recognized him as Sir John Templeton, an investor and mutual fund pioneer. Born in Winchester, Tennessee, in 1912, Templeton has amassed a fortune in global stocks and gave away millions to his philanthropic organizations.
However, on July 8, 2008, Templeton missed his early morning walk. Soon, news broke out that the brilliant financial entrepreneur passed away due to pneumonia. He was 95.
Templeton has managed to squeeze a lot of life into his 95 years, and more than half of which was dedicated to finance. He first saw an opportunity in the stock market in 1939, when threats of war coerced the world to sell. Always swimming against the tide, Templeton decided to borrow $10,000 and bought 100 shares each in 104 companies who sold at $1 a share or less. Years later, he made large profits on 100 out of 104. He once again shocked the world in the early 2000s when he sold all his dotcom and Nasdaq tech stocks – but they soon understood why when the market crashed.
Investing lessons from Templeton featured his gutsy investing style and his lack of regard for conventional wisdom. His worldly outlook allowed him to be open-minded; he was not known to follow the Wall Street herd mentality, which made him one of the most successful financial entrepreneurs and analysts of the century. He was able to forecast the future of the market so precisely that he predicted financial chaos to last many years; it was his last testament written in 2005.
Templeton was truly a visionary in so many ways. Even in his passing, his legacy continues to live on in the financial world.
However, on July 8, 2008, Templeton missed his early morning walk. Soon, news broke out that the brilliant financial entrepreneur passed away due to pneumonia. He was 95.
Templeton has managed to squeeze a lot of life into his 95 years, and more than half of which was dedicated to finance. He first saw an opportunity in the stock market in 1939, when threats of war coerced the world to sell. Always swimming against the tide, Templeton decided to borrow $10,000 and bought 100 shares each in 104 companies who sold at $1 a share or less. Years later, he made large profits on 100 out of 104. He once again shocked the world in the early 2000s when he sold all his dotcom and Nasdaq tech stocks – but they soon understood why when the market crashed.
Investing lessons from Templeton featured his gutsy investing style and his lack of regard for conventional wisdom. His worldly outlook allowed him to be open-minded; he was not known to follow the Wall Street herd mentality, which made him one of the most successful financial entrepreneurs and analysts of the century. He was able to forecast the future of the market so precisely that he predicted financial chaos to last many years; it was his last testament written in 2005.
Templeton was truly a visionary in so many ways. Even in his passing, his legacy continues to live on in the financial world.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Leland Stanford: Leaving a Legacy of Education
Amasa Leland Stanford (9 March 1824 – 21 June 1893) may have been considered by many as a robber baron but his legacy in excellence in education continues to this day. He is, after all, the founder of Stanford University, officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University, a private research university considered as among the world’s leading educational institutions whose alumni include leaders in government, business and science, among others.
Stanford is also known as a business tycoon and industrialist as well as notable politician in the United States. His career started when he migrated from New York to California during the Gold Rush, a time that he maximized by becoming a successful merchant and wholesaler. He built his business empire on the basis of his success here.
He was also the President of the Southern Pacific Railroad and then of Central Pacific. He made a lasting impact on California as well as wielded tremendous power in the state, even the region. He was also the founder of Pacific Life, an insurance company.
He was also a Governor of California in 1861, a two-year term, before becoming a state senator for eight years.
Stanford is also known as a business tycoon and industrialist as well as notable politician in the United States. His career started when he migrated from New York to California during the Gold Rush, a time that he maximized by becoming a successful merchant and wholesaler. He built his business empire on the basis of his success here.
He was also the President of the Southern Pacific Railroad and then of Central Pacific. He made a lasting impact on California as well as wielded tremendous power in the state, even the region. He was also the founder of Pacific Life, an insurance company.
He was also a Governor of California in 1861, a two-year term, before becoming a state senator for eight years.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Nikola Tesla: His Name Is Synonymous With Invention
Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was a renowned inventor, mechanical and electrical engineer, and physicist as well as futurist whose contributions to the modern world continue to make an impact to this day. His most notable contribution is in the design of the modern-day alternating current electricity and its supply system.
Tesla immigrated to the United States in 1884 with comprehensive experience in electrical engineering and telephony. He worked for Thomas Edison, also a great inventor with whom Tesla had differences with especially in terms of methodologies, in New York City before setting out on his own. He set up companies and laboratories, thanks to the substantial investments of his financial backers, which engaged in the research and development of a wide range of electrical devices.
He invented and patented the AC induction motor and transformer; George Westinghouse licensed both devices as well as hired Tesla to be a consultant for a short period. He was closely involved in the so-called War of Currents by virtue of his innovative work in the development of electric power as well as in several patent battles.
Tesla was a strong believer in wireless lighting and electricity distribution, which he experimented with in his high-voltage, high-frequency power tests in Colorado Springs and New York; he was unsuccessful in these attempts. He also conducted several experiments with electrical discharge tubes, mechanical oscillators and generators, and early x-ray imaging. His wireless controlled boat is notable as the world’s first of its kind.
His showmanship coupled with his notable achievements earned him the reputation as a “mad scientist”. He has obtained approximately 300 patents for his inventions in 26 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada; some of his patents unaccounted for while many have been discovered hidden in patent archives and many more have not been provided with patent protection.
While his work may have faded into relative obscurity, his popularity has been on the increase since the 1990s.
Tesla immigrated to the United States in 1884 with comprehensive experience in electrical engineering and telephony. He worked for Thomas Edison, also a great inventor with whom Tesla had differences with especially in terms of methodologies, in New York City before setting out on his own. He set up companies and laboratories, thanks to the substantial investments of his financial backers, which engaged in the research and development of a wide range of electrical devices.
He invented and patented the AC induction motor and transformer; George Westinghouse licensed both devices as well as hired Tesla to be a consultant for a short period. He was closely involved in the so-called War of Currents by virtue of his innovative work in the development of electric power as well as in several patent battles.
Tesla was a strong believer in wireless lighting and electricity distribution, which he experimented with in his high-voltage, high-frequency power tests in Colorado Springs and New York; he was unsuccessful in these attempts. He also conducted several experiments with electrical discharge tubes, mechanical oscillators and generators, and early x-ray imaging. His wireless controlled boat is notable as the world’s first of its kind.
His showmanship coupled with his notable achievements earned him the reputation as a “mad scientist”. He has obtained approximately 300 patents for his inventions in 26 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada; some of his patents unaccounted for while many have been discovered hidden in patent archives and many more have not been provided with patent protection.
While his work may have faded into relative obscurity, his popularity has been on the increase since the 1990s.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Rajeev Agarwal: Learning Came Via Life Experiences
Rajeev Agarwal, author of "What I Did Not Learn at IIT", realized early on that success in life and career largely depended on the right habits, behaviors and mindset, not on a college degree and technical knowledge. He is a living proof of his teachings in the book – he is, after all, the founder and current CEO of MAQ Software, a privately-held software services company that offers digital marketing, analysis and technology systems and solutions. His company is also an Amazon Consulting Partner and a Microsoft Preferred Vendor and Silver Certified Business Intelligence Partner.
He has a B. Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur as well as several master’s degrees in engineering and management from the Iowa State University and the University of Michigan Business School, respectively. He worked with Frigidaire and Microsoft Corporation in various capacities including product management before establishing his own company. He has also been recognized in the industry with various awards including as finalist for the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
He has a B. Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur as well as several master’s degrees in engineering and management from the Iowa State University and the University of Michigan Business School, respectively. He worked with Frigidaire and Microsoft Corporation in various capacities including product management before establishing his own company. He has also been recognized in the industry with various awards including as finalist for the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Jay Adelson: A Passion for Internet Entrepreneurship
Jay Adelson definitely has the passion for Internet entrepreneurship, as evidenced by his string of digital enterprises. Such is his influence in the global Internet industry that he was recognized as a member of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2008; he as was also a finalist in the 2009 list.
Adelson started his career at Netcom, a pioneer global ISP, in 1993 as an installation coordinator. By 1996, he was already the Director of Network Operations in charge of network engineering, operations, and customer services; he also departed the company in 1996.
He soon worked for Digital Equipment Corporation to build, operate and maintain the Palo Alto Internet Exchange (PAIX), later renamed as the Peering and Internet Exchange. He was instrumental in building a data center and suite of services for scaling Internet traffic and its core.
In 1998, Adelson set out on his own to establish Equinix, Inc. where he was also the Chief Technology Officer; he was in charge of the invention, design and construction of the company’s data centers and Internet Business Exchanges.
In 2005, he co-founded Revision3 with Ron Gorodetsky, Keith Harrison, Dan Huard, and David Prager. As CEO and Chairman of the Board in the next 2½ years, he raised two rounds of capital. He remains as chairman of the board although he has relinquished his CEO position in 2007; Revision3 was purchased by Discovery Communications in 2012.
In 2004, he also co-founded Digg with Kevin Rose, Ron Gorodetsky, and Owen Byrne. He became Digg’s CEO in February 2005 where he recruited the first management team, raised two additional rounds of capital, and led the company’s peak performance of 40 million unique visitors monthly. He left Digg in April 2010.
Adelson has made other Internet investments including SimpleGeo, a location-aware services company; Opsmatic, a provider of configuration management system; and Center Electric, an early-stage technology venture capital company.
Adelson started his career at Netcom, a pioneer global ISP, in 1993 as an installation coordinator. By 1996, he was already the Director of Network Operations in charge of network engineering, operations, and customer services; he also departed the company in 1996.
He soon worked for Digital Equipment Corporation to build, operate and maintain the Palo Alto Internet Exchange (PAIX), later renamed as the Peering and Internet Exchange. He was instrumental in building a data center and suite of services for scaling Internet traffic and its core.
In 1998, Adelson set out on his own to establish Equinix, Inc. where he was also the Chief Technology Officer; he was in charge of the invention, design and construction of the company’s data centers and Internet Business Exchanges.
In 2005, he co-founded Revision3 with Ron Gorodetsky, Keith Harrison, Dan Huard, and David Prager. As CEO and Chairman of the Board in the next 2½ years, he raised two rounds of capital. He remains as chairman of the board although he has relinquished his CEO position in 2007; Revision3 was purchased by Discovery Communications in 2012.
In 2004, he also co-founded Digg with Kevin Rose, Ron Gorodetsky, and Owen Byrne. He became Digg’s CEO in February 2005 where he recruited the first management team, raised two additional rounds of capital, and led the company’s peak performance of 40 million unique visitors monthly. He left Digg in April 2010.
Adelson has made other Internet investments including SimpleGeo, a location-aware services company; Opsmatic, a provider of configuration management system; and Center Electric, an early-stage technology venture capital company.
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