by Philip Hamphsheir
WATCH: Used cooking oil like this is being converted into biodiesel in a plant in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates
It is 11am in Dubai and already 42 degrees Celsius outside. Inside the warehouse it is barely any cooler.
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Although workplaces in the United Arab Emirates are normally fitted with air conditioning, here they have purposefully restricted it to the offices.
"It's the chemical reactions," Karl Feilder, chairman of Neutral Fuels explains.
"They happen at 65 degrees so by keeping the factory temperature higher we expend less energy on the process.
"That makes it more efficient. That's better for the environment and it cuts costs."
He is pointing at the thirty metre long collection of industrial tanks and pipes through which the firm's main product is being made.
The room smells a bit like a chip shop. There is a reason for that.
These tanks are used to produced biodiesel that can be used by any normal diesel engine They are making biodiesel - converting vegetable oil from local McDonald's restaurants so that it can be used to fuel trucks.
Conversion rate
The biodiesel they produce can be used by any normal diesel engine. That makes it distinct from less processed vegetable and waste oils, which can only be used by converted engines.
Because the palm oil they get from McDonald's is the waste from food preparation, when it is burned the carbon emissions are reduced by 60-80% versus traditional diesel fuel.
Any carbon dioxide released is recaptured by trees McDonald's says are grown sustainably on certified farms in the Far East, providing the next batch of palm oil for use by the fast-food chain.
The oil comes from fast food restaurants like McDonalds Similar biodiesel programs from re-used cooking oil are already in operation by McDonald's in Germany, the UK and also in areas of Brazil and the United States.
In the UAE, though, the process works better.
"Biodiesel has an issue depending on what its made from that at low temperatures it will clog up, form a gel and eventually freeze," according to Robin Mills, a Dubai-based energy analyst.
"Of course, low temperatures aren't a problem in this part of the world so it has performance benefits."
Competing with the cap
But it is not all smooth sailing.
The United Arab Emirates, like most of its neighbours in the Gulf, subsidises and caps the price of fuel at the pump.
That should make it trickier for companies like Neutral Fuels to compete and make a profit.
Karl Feilder: "[The fuel cap means] we have to be even more efficient" "It is challenging but that means we have to be even more efficient and even more competitive," Mr Feilder says.
"The great thing is McDonald's oil is so predictable in terms of high quality and quantity that it makes our job of making biodiesel easier. That helps make us a profitable business."
Still, McDonald's has changed its entire fleet of 22 trucks in the country to use the biofuel.
They pick up the leftover vegetable oil from restaurants when they drop off fresh supplies of food during the day in bright-red converted wheelie bins.
Later, they stop off at the Neutral Fuels, leaving behind the full bins and taking on empty ones. They also top up their tanks from the biodiesel pump by the parking bay. McDonalds used to sell their palm oil to a third party in India who recycled it.
After dropping off the old oil, the McDonalds trucks fill up with biodiesel "Now we sell our oil to Neutral Fuels at the same price we used to sell it for before and we buy the biodiesel from them at the market price of diesel in the UAE, says Rafic Fakih managing director of McDonalds UAE.
"So we are no worse off and gain from the environmental benefits."
Local backing
Given that the United Arab Emirates is the world's eighth largest oil producer, it is perhaps a surprise that the biodiesel project is gaining traction. Other restaurant chains are already expressing an interest in the program.
In this instance, it is perhaps an even bigger surprise that the programme is also backed by Emiratis.
"Nowadays companies are becoming more environmentally conscious and they want to, as much as they can, be environmentally sustainable," says Abdulla Al Jallaf, managing director of Neutral Fuels.
"I think it is a very interesting proposal to make use of waste materials."
Currently, McDonald's is Neutral Fuels only client and they have restricted the project to the UAE. But there are hopes to expand across to the wider region.
With the process profitable for Neutral Fuels and likely to save McDonald's money in the longer run if diesel prices continue to rise, it seems likely its spread will be inevitable.
Good news for the environment, company profits and anyone interested in running their vehicle on the power of French Fries
Apr 26, 2011
To Launch Your Business, Embrace Risk-Taking
By learning what makes veteran entrepreneurs adept risk-takers, aspiring starters-up can get closer to taking the leap
By Monica Mehta
To evaluate the merits of their startup dream and strategize about its future, aspiring entrepreneurs can sweat out business plans and huddle with experts. To prepare for the emotional roller coaster of venturing out on their own, though, there's little to do in advance. They must launch and learn on the fly. For those struggling to decide when to launch, insight from seasoned risk-takers and researchers who study them could speed the decision-making process.
For Andrew Ullman and Hayward Majors, co-founders of New York's CollegeSolved.com, an online expert network for college admissions, taking the leap did not come easily. After hatching their idea in 2008, they kept their day jobs in corporate law and finance, conducting research and seeking industry input in their spare time. By February 2009, they had a well-researched business plan but lacked the confidence to pursue the venture full-time. "Despite having an opportunity in hand and some financial stability, it took the validation of creating a beta version of the website and raising capital from outsiders to get us comfortable with the [lifestyle] change," says Ullman.
Like countless others before them, Ullman and Majors were adept at identifying risks but hadn't learned to take them. "When it comes to taking risks, knowledge is a highly overrated motivator. Otherwise, we'd all buy low and sell high, and our kids would eat their vegetables," says Dr. Frank Murtha, a behavioral psychologist in New York City who works with traders and specializes in financial risk-taking. He suggests that seizing opportunities when they arise and rolling with the punches requires a skill set few have mastered.
Chemicals in the Brain
In 2008 researchers at the University of Cambridge studied the risky decision-making abilities of entrepreneurs and corporate managers with similar IQs and experience levels using a battery of neurocognitive tests. They found (paywall alert) that the entrepreneurs consistently took riskier bets. The results show that risk-taking is both behavioral and physiological. The entrepreneurs not only scored higher on personality tests that measure impulsivity and flexibility; they also experienced a chemical response in the reward center of the brain that the managers did not.
While we have little control over our natural programming, it is possible to change behavior over time, as most therapists advocate. To offer aspiring entrepreneurs steps to take immediately, I compiled these tips:
Socialize with other entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship rubs off. A study from Babson suggests that children of entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses, as are those who know other small business owners. The inverse also holds. Risk aversion can be contagious, as Ullman and Majors experienced. "We always wanted to be entrepreneurs, but we were locked into lucrative jobs that were deemed acceptable by family and friends," says Majors. Most large cities offer business meet-ups and other networking events where like minds gather.
Set yourself up for small successes. "Our brains are motivated by success to greater success," says Dr. Richard Peterson, a psychiatrist and PhD of neuroeconomics who has written two books on financial risk-taking. Immediately after experiencing a victory, our neurons process information more effectively, we become sharper and learn faster. Set small goals, no more than three months in length. Even incorporating a hobby that sets you up for small successes can make a difference in your professional life. A personal aside: I've just given hubby the license to play World of Warcraft to sharpen his risk-taking prowess.
Have a whiskey sour. Who hasn't attended a cocktail hour feeling intimidated by a room of unfamiliar faces? A drink can stimulate the impulsive side of your brain's reward center and give you the courage to strike up a conversation. More isn't always better when it comes to playing with brain chemistry, of course. For purposes of productive impulsivity, stick to just one.
Or skip the drink and try channeling your inner Richard Branson on your own. We are groomed to seek information when making decisions. Break the habit by practicing by yourself in an environment where your decisions will have few meaningful consequences. Order what instantly comes to mind in a restaurant, for example, then graduate to other arenas.
Have faith. "As much as knowledge is overrated, religion is underrated," says Murtha. Taking a leap of faith is something every entrepreneur must do at some point or another. Having faith that everything will be O.K., whether it is derived from a spiritual belief or elsewhere, contributes to the willingness to be adaptable.
Choose a partner who possesses skills you don't. If impulsivity and adaptability aren't your strong suits, find a partner who already has what you don't. Of course, don't bring on a partner unless he or she adds value to the project beyond being able to roll with the punches.
Ullman and Majors quit their day jobs in September 2010 when it became clear investors were willing to commit. They closed the round in December, raising enough from friends and family to sustain the business for about two years, and finally launched CollegeSolved.com in early April. "After more than two years of planning, we thought we'd experience a huge relief post-launch," says Majors. "But the party is only getting started."
By Monica Mehta
To evaluate the merits of their startup dream and strategize about its future, aspiring entrepreneurs can sweat out business plans and huddle with experts. To prepare for the emotional roller coaster of venturing out on their own, though, there's little to do in advance. They must launch and learn on the fly. For those struggling to decide when to launch, insight from seasoned risk-takers and researchers who study them could speed the decision-making process.
For Andrew Ullman and Hayward Majors, co-founders of New York's CollegeSolved.com, an online expert network for college admissions, taking the leap did not come easily. After hatching their idea in 2008, they kept their day jobs in corporate law and finance, conducting research and seeking industry input in their spare time. By February 2009, they had a well-researched business plan but lacked the confidence to pursue the venture full-time. "Despite having an opportunity in hand and some financial stability, it took the validation of creating a beta version of the website and raising capital from outsiders to get us comfortable with the [lifestyle] change," says Ullman.
Like countless others before them, Ullman and Majors were adept at identifying risks but hadn't learned to take them. "When it comes to taking risks, knowledge is a highly overrated motivator. Otherwise, we'd all buy low and sell high, and our kids would eat their vegetables," says Dr. Frank Murtha, a behavioral psychologist in New York City who works with traders and specializes in financial risk-taking. He suggests that seizing opportunities when they arise and rolling with the punches requires a skill set few have mastered.
Chemicals in the Brain
In 2008 researchers at the University of Cambridge studied the risky decision-making abilities of entrepreneurs and corporate managers with similar IQs and experience levels using a battery of neurocognitive tests. They found (paywall alert) that the entrepreneurs consistently took riskier bets. The results show that risk-taking is both behavioral and physiological. The entrepreneurs not only scored higher on personality tests that measure impulsivity and flexibility; they also experienced a chemical response in the reward center of the brain that the managers did not.
While we have little control over our natural programming, it is possible to change behavior over time, as most therapists advocate. To offer aspiring entrepreneurs steps to take immediately, I compiled these tips:
Socialize with other entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship rubs off. A study from Babson suggests that children of entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses, as are those who know other small business owners. The inverse also holds. Risk aversion can be contagious, as Ullman and Majors experienced. "We always wanted to be entrepreneurs, but we were locked into lucrative jobs that were deemed acceptable by family and friends," says Majors. Most large cities offer business meet-ups and other networking events where like minds gather.
Set yourself up for small successes. "Our brains are motivated by success to greater success," says Dr. Richard Peterson, a psychiatrist and PhD of neuroeconomics who has written two books on financial risk-taking. Immediately after experiencing a victory, our neurons process information more effectively, we become sharper and learn faster. Set small goals, no more than three months in length. Even incorporating a hobby that sets you up for small successes can make a difference in your professional life. A personal aside: I've just given hubby the license to play World of Warcraft to sharpen his risk-taking prowess.
Have a whiskey sour. Who hasn't attended a cocktail hour feeling intimidated by a room of unfamiliar faces? A drink can stimulate the impulsive side of your brain's reward center and give you the courage to strike up a conversation. More isn't always better when it comes to playing with brain chemistry, of course. For purposes of productive impulsivity, stick to just one.
Or skip the drink and try channeling your inner Richard Branson on your own. We are groomed to seek information when making decisions. Break the habit by practicing by yourself in an environment where your decisions will have few meaningful consequences. Order what instantly comes to mind in a restaurant, for example, then graduate to other arenas.
Have faith. "As much as knowledge is overrated, religion is underrated," says Murtha. Taking a leap of faith is something every entrepreneur must do at some point or another. Having faith that everything will be O.K., whether it is derived from a spiritual belief or elsewhere, contributes to the willingness to be adaptable.
Choose a partner who possesses skills you don't. If impulsivity and adaptability aren't your strong suits, find a partner who already has what you don't. Of course, don't bring on a partner unless he or she adds value to the project beyond being able to roll with the punches.
Ullman and Majors quit their day jobs in September 2010 when it became clear investors were willing to commit. They closed the round in December, raising enough from friends and family to sustain the business for about two years, and finally launched CollegeSolved.com in early April. "After more than two years of planning, we thought we'd experience a huge relief post-launch," says Majors. "But the party is only getting started."
Jan 10, 2011
Manage conflict with an employee
I once read about a business owner who said he didn’t have any unhappy employees because he’d fired them all. I guess that’s one way to approach workplace conflict, but if you’re looking for a way to keep employees in their jobs while diffusing their anger, here are a few suggestions:
First, listen to their perspectives. You may feel you’re being soft if you sit down and talk with the very person you’d like to clobber, but it’s one of the surest ways to calm someone. Listen with the intention of understanding his or her point of view (which isn’t the same as agreeing with them). Saying, "if I understand you correctly, you felt I was disrespectful when I brought up the late reports in the staff meeting" lets your employee know that you heard what was said—but says nothing about agreeing with it. In fact, the point is not to agree or disagree; it is to listen.
Second, come clean about your participation. You’ll probably take your employee by surprise if you say something such as, "I owe you an apology for not dealing with this sooner" or "I realize I haven’t made it easy to talk to me about this." When offering up an apology, be sure to stay away from "I’m sorry that you …" statements. Saying you’re sorry that the other person felt you were disrespectful is not the same thing as saying you’re sorry that you came across as disrespectful. Acknowledging your role is a good strategic move that allows your employee to let down his or her defenses.
Finally, work together to figure out how to avoid similar situations in the future. Opening the lines of communication and acknowledging a conflict is a quick way to move past tense situations without having to take more serious actions.
Vivian Scott
Author
Conflict Resolution at Work For Dummies
Snohomish, Wash.
First, listen to their perspectives. You may feel you’re being soft if you sit down and talk with the very person you’d like to clobber, but it’s one of the surest ways to calm someone. Listen with the intention of understanding his or her point of view (which isn’t the same as agreeing with them). Saying, "if I understand you correctly, you felt I was disrespectful when I brought up the late reports in the staff meeting" lets your employee know that you heard what was said—but says nothing about agreeing with it. In fact, the point is not to agree or disagree; it is to listen.
Second, come clean about your participation. You’ll probably take your employee by surprise if you say something such as, "I owe you an apology for not dealing with this sooner" or "I realize I haven’t made it easy to talk to me about this." When offering up an apology, be sure to stay away from "I’m sorry that you …" statements. Saying you’re sorry that the other person felt you were disrespectful is not the same thing as saying you’re sorry that you came across as disrespectful. Acknowledging your role is a good strategic move that allows your employee to let down his or her defenses.
Finally, work together to figure out how to avoid similar situations in the future. Opening the lines of communication and acknowledging a conflict is a quick way to move past tense situations without having to take more serious actions.
Vivian Scott
Author
Conflict Resolution at Work For Dummies
Snohomish, Wash.
Nov 28, 2010
Set up an office for your home-based business
Starting a home-based business can be both challenging and rewarding. As your business takes off, you’ll face several challenges, including how to create an effective workspace. Although your new, home-based office may have little space for anything more than a desk, credenza, bookcase, and file cabinet, remember that it’s not about how much space you have; it’s about how you use that space.
• Set up your home office using the arrangement that’s best for your space. Choose among the L-shape, parallel, U-shape, corner, or reverse-corner arrangements. The one you select depends primarily on the size of your office, the type of furniture you have, and how much work surface you’ll need.
• Save space within your home office by using all-in-one equipment that faxes, prints, copies, and scans documents in color. The smaller footprint of these machines makes them ideal for most space-challenged home offices.
• Make each piece of furniture serve two purposes. For example, a lateral file cabinet can contain important documents while supporting your equipment, along with a desktop file holder on top. A storage stool can hold files or supplies inside, as well as provide extra seating.
• Add shelves above or next to your desk to gain more storage space and reduce desktop clutter. A tall bookcase with adjustable shelves can serve as a room divider in a family room or guest room, if necessary. Adjustable shelves make more sense than fixed shelves because they eliminate wasted space above and below the shelves.
• Set up your home office in a way that fits your working style. If you follow "out of sight, out of mind" thinking, use a desktop file holder for your active files. Keep track of supplies by storing them in decorative containers on your bookshelves.
• Reduce piles of magazines in your office by keeping only a year’s worth and storing them in magazine holders by type of publication. When a new issue arrives, recycle the year-old issue. Consider eliminating magazines altogether by subscribing to online versions.
Lisa KanarekAuthor and BloggerHomeOfficeLifeDallas
• Set up your home office using the arrangement that’s best for your space. Choose among the L-shape, parallel, U-shape, corner, or reverse-corner arrangements. The one you select depends primarily on the size of your office, the type of furniture you have, and how much work surface you’ll need.
• Save space within your home office by using all-in-one equipment that faxes, prints, copies, and scans documents in color. The smaller footprint of these machines makes them ideal for most space-challenged home offices.
• Make each piece of furniture serve two purposes. For example, a lateral file cabinet can contain important documents while supporting your equipment, along with a desktop file holder on top. A storage stool can hold files or supplies inside, as well as provide extra seating.
• Add shelves above or next to your desk to gain more storage space and reduce desktop clutter. A tall bookcase with adjustable shelves can serve as a room divider in a family room or guest room, if necessary. Adjustable shelves make more sense than fixed shelves because they eliminate wasted space above and below the shelves.
• Set up your home office in a way that fits your working style. If you follow "out of sight, out of mind" thinking, use a desktop file holder for your active files. Keep track of supplies by storing them in decorative containers on your bookshelves.
• Reduce piles of magazines in your office by keeping only a year’s worth and storing them in magazine holders by type of publication. When a new issue arrives, recycle the year-old issue. Consider eliminating magazines altogether by subscribing to online versions.
Lisa KanarekAuthor and BloggerHomeOfficeLifeDallas
Sep 29, 2010
How to go up your career ladder
Many people are unhappy with the progress they have made in their careers. They look back and say ‘maybe I should have done things differently’. But there are a lucky few who seem to have the Midas touch. They have risen to the top echelons of their firms. What makes them different? Actually there are a number of things.
A Great MentorA mentor makes rising in your career easier. He will guide you through the treacherous obstacles that come in your path. Helpful suggestions will come your way. Remember, he has been on this path before. Hence he is wiser in many ways. Sometimes a situation might flummox you. Here he will show the way. If you do not have a mentor, seek one.
Be a Challenger SeekerThe thing that separates the successful employee from others is his willingness to take up challenging assignments. If you are like most employees you would avoid something that is either difficult or unpleasant. The go getter thinks differently. He likes challenges and rises up to the occasion. It is true that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Build a NetworkYou ought to have a good network within your organization. By this you will be alerted to opportunities before they are officially announced. This is a pearl of corporate wisdom. Also having a good network raises your profile within the firm which is noticed by the key decision makers.
Take the Necessary RisksRisk taking is essential to corporate success. If you exercise caution all the time you are closing the door to growth. If you take the risk you are likely to be rewarded handsomely. Create awareness of your contribution to the organization’s growth. The corporate arena is not the place to display modesty.
Stand Out from the CrowdBe innovative. Don’t flow with the tide. Try to do things differently and things will be different for you. You are sure to get noticed and enjoy success. Change is the name of the game. Those who don’t change get eliminated.
Novel Thinking Think out of the box. Just don’t be preoccupied with the daily work. Introduce changes and ideas that are divergent from the normal process. This quality is rare but very successful.
Never Depend Try to be as independent as possible while also striving to be a team player. No organization prefers people who are dependent on their bosses or peers. This is not to say that you should not seek advice or help. But rather creating an independent identity that will shine and convey positive energy.
Everybody desires success. But few are willing to do the things that lead up to it. Be proactive and strive to be a valuable asset for your organization.
A Great MentorA mentor makes rising in your career easier. He will guide you through the treacherous obstacles that come in your path. Helpful suggestions will come your way. Remember, he has been on this path before. Hence he is wiser in many ways. Sometimes a situation might flummox you. Here he will show the way. If you do not have a mentor, seek one.
Be a Challenger SeekerThe thing that separates the successful employee from others is his willingness to take up challenging assignments. If you are like most employees you would avoid something that is either difficult or unpleasant. The go getter thinks differently. He likes challenges and rises up to the occasion. It is true that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Build a NetworkYou ought to have a good network within your organization. By this you will be alerted to opportunities before they are officially announced. This is a pearl of corporate wisdom. Also having a good network raises your profile within the firm which is noticed by the key decision makers.
Take the Necessary RisksRisk taking is essential to corporate success. If you exercise caution all the time you are closing the door to growth. If you take the risk you are likely to be rewarded handsomely. Create awareness of your contribution to the organization’s growth. The corporate arena is not the place to display modesty.
Stand Out from the CrowdBe innovative. Don’t flow with the tide. Try to do things differently and things will be different for you. You are sure to get noticed and enjoy success. Change is the name of the game. Those who don’t change get eliminated.
Novel Thinking Think out of the box. Just don’t be preoccupied with the daily work. Introduce changes and ideas that are divergent from the normal process. This quality is rare but very successful.
Never Depend Try to be as independent as possible while also striving to be a team player. No organization prefers people who are dependent on their bosses or peers. This is not to say that you should not seek advice or help. But rather creating an independent identity that will shine and convey positive energy.
Everybody desires success. But few are willing to do the things that lead up to it. Be proactive and strive to be a valuable asset for your organization.
Sep 21, 2010
Empower your employees to deliver excellence
Ensuring your employees have the tools they need to be successful is critical. But empowering them to make decisions that could affect your business is just as important, if not more so. Guaranteeing that your employees have a voice will lead to a more cohesive, results-oriented team that is constantly pushing toward a common goal. If you’re looking for ways to empower your employees, here are some tips that will jump-start your team:
1. Listen to your employees. You should expect your employees to have a depth of understanding of their respective roles in the organization to a degree you never will. While you’re reading this, your employees are thinking of ways to perform their job more efficiently and effectively. Your employees have your next game-changing idea—but they have to know you want to hear about it.
2. Go to work for your employees. While your employees may formally report to you, it’s important that you consistently demonstrate you are working for them, too. One important way to do this is to be sure their good ideas are implemented and that proper credit is given where it is due.
3. Don’t micromanage your team. Trust and support their decision-making even when it may not be the decision you would have made. Constant second-guessing will erode the relationship and will likely dry up your greatest resource for improving the organization.
4. Failure isn’t necessarily failure. Allowing your employees to fail occasionally will only strengthen their decision-making ability and perhaps, more importantly, allow you an essential opportunity to coach and improve your—and their—skill sets.
Tim KryszakExecutive vice-president of operationsProxibidOmaha
VOCABULARY
empower: otorgar poder
empower: otorgar poder
jump-start: hacer arrancar
tip: recomendación
decision-making: toma de decisiones
second-guessing: tratar de cambiar
erode: corroer
dry-up: agotarse
Sep 16, 2010
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