Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

A perfect fit to my portfolio..... I welcome your airlines to BHUBANESWAR, ORISSA. I SHALL STAND COMMITTED TO ACHIEVE YOUR TARGETS FROM ORISSA AND THE CATCHMENT AREA. SO MAKE BBI YOUR NEXT DESTINATION IN INDIA HIMANSU DAS, PROPRIETOR, HD TRAVELS & E4 CONSULTING

I have an invention idea that could contribute to the success of our F1 Team Lotus. Dunno if this idea can be realised...

Really, this is excellent. We always look for talents with such approach and find such talents very rarely. But there are many with such hunger, passion and desire to be in our dynamic industry

Well said , this should be the criteria for hiring a good dynamic individual whom are really craving for the job satisfaction not the designation, should be creative , innovative more over blend with the atmosphere flow of the rhytm and acquiring completion with a smile.

"Doers rather than talkers", I like that.

Hi Dato' Sri, yeah "hunger" indeed is the word. "Hungry" and "Not hungry enough" has often be used as indicators for F1 drivers. Everything starts there; not only for the drivers, but also entire teams; plus team principals, financiers etc... You have been "hungry" for great things and righfully gratified. Please carry on. Given your interaction with Sir Richard Branson, may I humbly suggest that the last frontier, sub-orbital travel (not deep space at the moment) be explored by your goodself (perhaps as a shareholder of Virgin Galactic) . If you pull this off, you will really really really make Malaysia proud in addtion to having been etched in the pages of world history for enabling everyone to fly. Cheers to you Sir

Item No 4...so true!!! Why is it so hard to find work place that has no office politics. Many good employee lose their jobs due to this... I always look for the right ATTITUDE in a candidate cos i believe even if the person has no high academic credentials, as long as he's got the attitude to learn and adapt to the surroundings, we can mould him for the job. He may be the diamond in the university but how do you mould a rock??? Also, I look for their current COMMITMENTS...to avoid job hoppers and market tester!! Excellent topic!

This how should be practice in all over the organization doesn’t matter whether private or government. It will create a quality workforce and environment which in future will support for the growth of organization and this country.

Politics in an Organization is always happening no matter what programs you put in place as there would be individuals who has the THIRST to overdo others and climb up the ladder. Who do you put this blame into? Maybe our education system itself that makes us believe that doing well in EXAMS is one of the main criteria's of going into University. Always wanting to be the Number One or the Top has already been instilled among children nowadays by the respective parents because of the challenge out there. Its always frustrating to even talk about this.

Datuk, I always find your style of working and living exciting. To that, if given a chance I just want to give you a couple of songs. I am not a professional singer neither an artist, just a simple man who believe in one ownself. No money to be paid, just to entertain and be entertain. Bye, Magen Melaka. My e-mail: magenz3@yahoo.com

Hi Dato Seri, Salam 1 Malaysia, I am totally on the no. 2 person. "2) Looking at their present job. If they are bored, then that's what I want. Someone who's raring to go." Not allowed to shine due to too many political issue in the office. Always the "cronies" are more prefered when come to appraisal or reviews. This is not a healthy environment. Foreseeing a better future in 2011. Cheers to you Dato' CEO.

A truly good businessman is like an accomplished artist, those that work with him are his brushes and palette his products his paint and I've seen a figure painting I have liked apart from those on my fridge.

Passion....thats all that needs to succeed...

Hi Tony , That is really excellent point of view .This is something that all interviewer / recruter has to have too .However there are still interviewer which are not really on the "dot" of what they are looking for, which makes the process bad even in the big companies.Thsi causes them to actually loose out on good candidate .Hope this point of view of yours helps them too . Cheers

Humility! It enough to live with basic stuff with basic function instead of something extra and unnecessary .

Could I ask, are they listed in order of importance? or are all equivally important? Dimitrios

Hi Tony, You certainly have been blessed with great people as l had the oppertunity to work with them recently on the New Zealand launch last month. I have never met a bunch of people who are so happy with their jobs and willing to go that extra mile, l felt very proud to be a part of that team for a short time. Hopefully something will come up for me in the future with Air Asia X. Regards and keep the skies smiling!! Lindsey.

Hi Sir.. I really hope that I can call you 'Boss' someday..

most of traits above can be found in positive minded people, point number 4 is hard to find these days...I agree..

Getting the right talent takes time. I learned from my current CEO, rather then trying fill a position with any tom, dick and harry who comes along, it is worth the wait to get the right talent in. This has resulted in some positions being left vacant for months until you get the right person.But eventually, when we do fill up the position, we believe that we have made the right choice. It is interesting to not that, the ability to be able to move from departments to department is one of the criteria in your selection process. But, I see the relevance of this fact, as I believe, this will make a person adoptable to change fast as we are living in a ever changing environment. Reflecting on my own career move over the past 15years from Quality to Operation to Safety to HR and finally to Learning & Development has given me a strong organizational foundation and adaptability to change in a dynamic environment. But how many people are willing to wait to move up or for something better to come along? Especially with a low unemployment rate in the country. It will be interesting to know how or what retention strategy you have. gopala http://aboutcontinuousimprovement.blogspot.com/

Truly speaking you have very humble requirements for a Top CEO and visionary. This is why you stand out different from the rest of the crowd. Dato, I am a Malaysian living in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, I took a risk and leap of faith in my talents and capabilities resigning my 5 figure salary job with a public listed company. I also had a personal reason to move here that is to seek medical treatment for my brother's rare disease. The fact is my family trusted in my capabilities and burning desire to succeed in life and career, they will follow me anywhere. I took on Management job at a very young age and excelled, today I am at CEO level. Dato, I have your mobile number and sent you few messages, please do not ignore them, if you see a message from Chennai number please respond, I am looking to create a new venture and breakthrough in the Indian market together with you. Please do respond. Best Wishes and Happy New Year!

I stumbled upon your blog whilst searching for your email to pitch my garden design to you in hope that you or your organisation might help me built it at the Royal Horticulture Society's flower show, but your post intrigued me to respond: 1) Checked. 2) Checked. 3) Checked. But meritocracy and Malaysia do not come together in one sentence... 4) Checked. 5) Checked. 6) I've lived in Malaysia, France, Japan and UK. Done a PhD. Worked in 2 completely different careers, and now switching to garden design... I'd like to think I'm pretty adaptable. 7) You can get any rounder than me. 8) I do both. 9) Got truck-loads of them, but none of use in what I want to do. So there, drop me an email if I intrigued you too.

Datuk It is always inspiring to read your article and therefore, I have taken the initiative to post this article of yours on my blog, http://tockkong.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-do-i-look-for-in-interviewing-and.html. But if you feel I have infringed into your article and I should delete it right away, do let me know. AirAsia, always the people's carrier.

Mr. Fernandes, Since it was me who initially posed this question to you on twitter, I wanted to thank you for giving it a thoughtful response. I’m reaching out to you through Twitter, your blog, and your FB profile because I want the chance to speak to you about Fiji. You’ve already experienced my ability to ask engaging questions and I hope that you will put my overlooked skills and analytical ability to work for you. I’m raring to go :) Krishneil @4fiji

It's a great post, and for a job hunter like me it's a guide to improve ourselves. Thank you SIR...

hahaha... Is it suitable with mine? I love to talk and love to work also...

hi sir, i guess, ive given you the wrong link in my previous posting, this is the accurate one,direct to the write-up. http://motoroadcars.com/2011/01/05/tony-respond-to-all-critics-and-call-to-end-the-saga/ i believe this news has somehow an old but will come out again as the season unfolds. one thing for sure sir, we are PROUD OF YOU and not that bl*rdy dany bahar, seriously as an f1 fan for the past 10 years, i can see where this crooks are coming from. taking credit for someone's else labor. i heard Mahathir also partly involved of getting the proton move. but m not sure how true it is. whatever the scenario, YOU ARE THE CHAMPION, who make the Lotus name alive again in the Formula One circus. keep going sir, indirectly your move makes people like me who reads your blog feel the magnetism of the power of dreams and believe. Good Luck and God Bless. kevin dass

Once I have enough hours, I shall come over to your airline to work with you. Sounds like a very promising enviroment. See you in 2 years boss. A place with little office politics, I like that (^_^)

Tony, 1) yeah yeah i am hungry for a job as an analyst. sent in resume and the HR in AirAsia dont even wanna see me. don HR really look at CV's uploaded?? i have years of experience with analysis work. met up with ppl in MAS they called...... 2)oh yes i am bored with my current job thats for sure........ no no i dont have an issue with my boss..... we are good friend i even know wife..... 3)how can i not believe in meritocracy? if not i wont trouble myself to study post-postgraduates...... 4)office politics???..... sorry for that i dont have any competence... 5)forget abt the car for now....... call me and meet up to see if i deserve the AA paycheck...... hope u r not offended that i did not address you Dato Sri since i never believe in titles anyway..... ability will be your witness..... 6)hey i am jumping out of my comfort zone to try get a job in AA. believe me my current job is hum....... very very comfortable and i am a person who is very sceptical about being too confortable...... any challenges for me?? 7)my friends always suggest i should participate in Who Wants to be a Millionaire....... joking..... my general knowledge are rather OK i guess.... 8)how about being good at both??? i do and i do communicate what i do with others....... i believe in sharing..... 9)damn....... thats the last in your list???? come on...... its not a sin right if i am fond of learning new things????? anyway if u really read your own blog consider contact me for a teh tarik in LCCT yeah. my current office is rather nearby......... see ya

Tony, 1) yeah yeah i am hungry for a job as an analyst. sent in resume and the HR in AirAsia dont even wanna see me. don HR really look at CV's uploaded?? i have years of experience with analysis work. met up with ppl in MAS they called...... 2)oh yes i am bored with my current job thats for sure........ no no i dont have an issue with my boss..... we are good friend i even know wife..... 3)how can i not believe in meritocracy? if not i wont trouble myself to study post-postgraduates...... 4)office politics???..... sorry for that i dont have any competence... 5)forget abt the car for now....... call me and meet up to see if i deserve the AA paycheck...... hope u r not offended that i did not address you Dato Sri since i never believe in titles anyway..... ability will be your witness..... 6)hey i am jumping out of my comfort zone to try get a job in AA. believe me my current job is hum....... very very comfortable and i am a person who is very sceptical about being too confortable...... any challenges for me?? 7)my friends always suggest i should participate in Who Wants to be a Millionaire....... joking..... my general knowledge are rather OK i guess.... 8)how about being good at both??? i do and i do communicate what i do with others....... i believe in sharing..... 9)damn....... thats the last in your list???? come on...... its not a sin right if i am fond of learning new things????? anyway if u really read your own blog consider contact me for a teh tarik in LCCT yeah. my current office is rather nearby......... see ya

Cool! Thanks for the tips!!! Hopefully i have the chance to work with Airasia!

An interesting set of requirements for sure. I am especially fond of number 6. Providing the opportunity for disparate backgrounds to work with each other is a sure fire primer for innovation. Conversly, your final requirement of academic credentials is the cure for innovation. Practical experience (especially with respect to maintenance and engineering) often presents a far more fertile troubleshooting environment than 2 engineers which completed the same degree. Of course relevant verification and validation is required, but do not miss out on potential solutions by asking the same people the same questions. You sound like quite the boss to work for though. Good luck with F1 in 2011.

Hi Sir, To be honest, after reading your blog, I really feel excited and I wish that I can have a chance to work with you in the future. This is where I have found, the people and the environment which give me a sense of we are One Family! I hope that I shall deserve a chance to be called for the cadet pilot test like everyone else and to get rid of my present boring job. Cheers to you Sir!

Exactly my sentiments and I truly believe Air Asia would be a great place to work and grow as a family. Sadly, despite numerous attempts for job applications didnt open up any interview opportunity despite my experience, drive and passion for the industry.

Sir, Interesting post. We have our own list at www.teachformalaysia.org In our assessment of applicants, we look for evidence of: * Outstanding achievement with a proven track-record academically, professionally and through involvement with extra-curricular activities; * Commitment to Teach For Malaysia’s mission and goals as well as commitment to making a long-term impact in Malaysia’s education sector; * Ability to adeptly communicate, persuade and motivate others, to resolve conflicts in challenging environments and to interact proficiently in both English and Bahasa Malaysia; * Excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking and creativity; * Strong organisational and planning skills; * Unrelenting determination, perseverance, resilience, and love for challenge; and * Appreciation for diversity and remarkable respect, humility and empathy for others While AirAsia's slogan is "Now everyone can fly", at Teach For Malaysia we believe "Not everyone can teach!"

Hi Mr Tony!That's awesome!It sounds like as well :). So where do I drop my resume! :)

so boss... any openings soon?

really inspired after reading this. hope there will be a lot out there determined what they wants and what they need after reading your ideas and statement. thumbs up!

ur such an inspiration...

honestly, i dont beleive in all these rules and craps! sometimes it is lot easier to say it than to do it....not everyone practice what they preach...i know how airasia hr recruits their staff and how some are even treated in there...pls, are you really writing all these or someone is writing it for you...pls review it back

Hi tony,

I hope it's the right place to drop my compliment.

I took a flight on 9 April AK 5354 to Penang, even such a short flight but it makes me feel what is a low cost airline with 5 star service is.My special compliment on 1 of flight attendant name saravanan kumaran. He was very helpful and handle with professional.

I'm a very demanding passenger but this flight attendant maintain his patience personality and servicing me with great warm smile, its make me feel so impress.

Taking airasia to make me feel being home, please carry on this perfect service and i'm really appreciate a happy journey with airasia

Regards

Jack Cher