Standard: Kenya has increased air passenger capacity, following the ongoing expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Deputy President William Ruto said the flagship expansion at JKIA has led to a threefold growth, from 2.5 million to 7.5 million passengers annually. However, Ruto said in spite of the infrastructural development, Africa and Kenya in particular, is yet to tap into the full potential of the aviation industry.

“The African aviation industry still lags behind the rest of the world. Nonetheless, demand for air transport has grown steadily over the last few years, with passenger numbers and freight traffic growing particularly quickly,” he said. “Africa is the third-fastest growing region in the world in terms of aviation traffic.”

Ruto said the Government is expanding and modernising other facilities at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport, Malindi, and Lamu, among several other airports and airstrips across the country to make the country a regional and global aviation hub.

The move is aimed at increasing accessibility to air transport services and facilitating growth. “The aviation industry accounts for 10 per cent of our gross domestic product. In Africa, the industry supported more than seven million jobs in 2013. Indeed tourism, international trade and commerce cannot survive, let alone thrive, without the aviation sector.”

The deputy president directed the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to develop a policy framework that supports the collaboration between the national government, county governments and the private sector in addressing expansion of the air transport.

He was speaking yesterday at the Kenya Airways Pride Centre in Embakasi, Nairobi, where he officiated at the opening of a one-day workshop on growth and development of the aviation industry.

If you take a quick look at the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, you’d probably conclude there isn’t much to be learned from studying them. The paths they took to become Chris Kirubi and Aliko Dangote are as unique as they are.

But—and it’s a huge but—while their behaviour is idiosyncratic, their thinking is not.

People who have successfully started two or more companies—typically follow the same approach. And if it has worked for them, it may very well work for you.

They Really Wanted to Do What They Set Out to Do

If you don’t have sufficient desire, you won’t give anything your best efforts.

They Begin by Taking a Small Step Toward Their Goal

Starting anything new is risky. You don’t want to move too far too fast. Everything you have probably read about entrepreneurs says they love risk. Nothing can be further from the truth.

After Taking That Small Step, They Stop to See What They Have Learned

Maybe they learn their initial goal is still a good one. Maybe the market tells them they need to go in another direction. Maybe they come to see that they don’t have the requisite desire anymore. The point is after taking that first small step, they come to a complete stop and consider everything that has happened.

Once They Understand What They Learned, They Take Another Small Step

…and go through the cycle once again.

In other words the “formula” for success is figuring out what you truly want to do. And once you know: Act. Learn. Build. Repeat.

What This Means

Implicit in this approach is that your initial idea is going to morph over time, given what you learn in the marketplace. Initially, Howard Shultz had Italian opera playing as background music at Starbucks. Michael Dell began his company by doing nothing more than assembling IBM personal computer knockoffs. The best entrepreneurs don’t wait until their product or service is perfect. They get it “close enough” and launch. They change whatever it is they have to change as they go.

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Once you try out wireless headphones you never really want to go back.

This is definitely the case with BLUEDIO H-TURBINE. It’s for guys who are looking for a wireless headset at an affordable price, 4,500/= to be exact at Jumia.

The H Turbine Headset comes with several high-tech features that are usually found in very expensive headsets such as Beats by Dre and alike. It is by no means perfect, but is without a shadow of a doubt the best Wireless and high-tech headset you can buy that won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Why I love the BLUEDIO H TURBINE

The thing I love the most about the H Turbine is that it has an impressive Bluetooth functionality which eliminates the need or necessity of cables and make the entire music hearing process hassle free.

It is fully compatible with iOS, Android and Windows platforms, so people can use them with any smart gadget of their choice.

Its outstanding design and style.

A fully customized function which allows users to connect to another H headphones via a cable, and share music with your friends. It also allows users to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time, connects with your phone and tablet seamlessly.

Noise cancellation and noise reduction effectively reduce ambient noise while talking.

Flexibility and comfort are exceptional. The H Turbine has custom fit supra-aural soft earmuffs, artificial protein leather of earmuffs simulated to human skin texture which ensure long-lasting comfort.

As Mumias Sugar engineers an ambitious recovery, its top managers are set to be fired and prosecuted for gross mismanagement of the firm. Strikingly, the expected prosecutions are to include both current and former managers. Agriculture Secretary Felix Koskei, says that an elaborate plan to revive the firm, including immediate replacement of top management, months after audit firm KPMG unearthed major scandals that forced the country’s largest miller to its knees.

“The legal process has taken its course on each and every individual that has been found culpable in whatever manner on what has brought Mumias Sugar to its knees,” Mr Koskei wrote.

Already, the firm has announced vacancies to head all departments – almost seven months since chief executive Peter Kebati and commercial director Paul Murgor were fired. The duo were involved in criminal activities including illegal sugar importation in a scam that cost Mumias Sugar more than Sh1.1 billion. No charges have been brought before the two, while we could not determine if any progress had been made on threats of surcharging them.

But yesterday’s decision to sack even more executives was reached after years of investigation into the collapse of the miller by the agriculture committee of the National Assembly. A final report is, however, yet to be tabled amid claims of a split in the committee orchestrated by people who were implicated in the scandal, several committee members have told ‘The Standard’ in separate interviews.

In an attempt to show fresh resolve, Mr Koskei added that the State would ‘not watch as they walk free and enjoy ill-gotten wealth’ in his threat. He, however, did not reveal any names, but was specific about a board directive to replace top managers. “The Mumias Sugar board has already approved the advertisement and recruitment of staff with requisite competences, work ethics and culture to drive the company back to where we would all want to see it.”

Towards turning around the fortunes of the firm, Mr Koskei said that the State had come up with a bouquet of measures that would reverse the miller from the downward spiral it is on. Among them is a Sh500 million bailout that would be released within the week to enable the firm in settling its current overheads.

Mumias Sugar has sunk to its lowest, turning losses for successive years and losing more than half of its market share locally. In just two years, the miller has reported Sh4.3 billion in cumulative losses – attributing the poor performance to illegal imports of sugar that complicated its marketing. Even with the claims from the management and board, Parliament had evidence that the Mumias Sugar bosses were culpable in the very fraud.

Many people realize that taking the plunge into working from home can be a considerable boon to their lifestyles, thanks to unconventional work hours and the solitude of one’s personal life.

Here are some critical best practices to help new home workers get the most out of their newfound freedom.

1) Create a dedicated workspace. This is an important step since you’ll want to ensure no distractions while you’re working. Some benefits of homing yourself amid paper stacks and dust bunnies include:

• No one will bother you with requests to eat or watch TV.

• You can put on your pajamas if you want, or not bother to shower.

2) Establish boundaries for work time vs. home time. While it’s essential to regularly interact with friends and family to keep your personal life thriving, it should go without saying that work time is for WORK, and you should not be giving out work advice or pitching in with house chores while the clock’s ticking.

3) Set up a schedule for yourself. If you want to make sure you get enough sleep, don’t fall into the trap of staying up past your bedtime in a trance of Excel sheets.

4) Make sure you have a dedicated phone line for work calls. And don’t give out the number to anyone who isn’t expecting it. Otherwise, you’re going to start getting prank faxes and pizzas on your front porch.

5) You MUST take breaks! Sitting in front of a computer all day is not suitable for your health. While taking one too many bathroom breaks in the office might make you hip-checked into a supply cabinet by your officemate, there’s no reason to let that happen at home when you can take an extra-long break in the privacy of your potty.

6) Avoid gorging on meals during work hours. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re lost in the rhythm of a delicious meal, but it will only make your belly feel bloated and not your brain feel clever.

7) Schedule time for exercise! You should try biking or running to the office every morning, either before you start working or at lunch – it will keep your blood flowing and fuel up those brain cells.

8) Don’t forget to have fun! At home, you don’t have the boss hovering over your shoulder, so you can finally relax! Try playing video games or doing something nice for yourself, like watching TV or eating ice cream.

[nasonga.com]