Hope and glory
Article Abstract:
The experiences of British inventor David Dyson offer valuable lessons to other inventors who want to have their products manufactured. Dyson is the inventor of the Sea Track, a high-speed, air-lubricated landing craft, and the Ballbarrow, a wheelbarrow with inflatable balls for wheels. However, what has made him a multimillionaire and has earned him a CBE is the highly successful bagless vaccuum cleaner called Dyson Dual Cyclone. It took Dyson 17 years, several million pounds, and countless rejections and failed agreements to put his innovative vacuum cleaner into production. In the process of finding a manufacturer, his invention has been copied and he has even been sued by the giant conglomerate Amway for misrepresentation and deception. Finally, fed up with unacceptable terms from potential partners, he was able to raise enough money to go into production on his own. The Dyson Dual Cyclone was an instant success.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1999
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Tale of a high flyer
Article Abstract:
Warren Kitchin is one of those enviable accountants who are successful in their high-powered work but decide to take on different careers to pursue their true calling. He first worked for Air New Zealand as head of administration at its London office and later the head of tariffs and industry pricing services at New Zealand. Then, he left his career to learn how to pilot airplanes. Because there was an oversupply of commercial pilots in New Zealand at the time, he was not able to find an employer who would take him so he just accepted an offer as head of finance at Air Nelson. After this stint, he resigned and established Claremont Ferrand in May 1992. The company is a highly successful aviation consultancy which reported over $1 million in foreign exchange earnings in 1995.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1996
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A right grilling
Article Abstract:
Burger King Corp (BK) sees international expansion as the key to its future growth. BK ranks second to McDonald's with only 7,200 restaurants in the US and 1,900 abroad compared to the latter's 12,000 and 8,900 in the US and overseas, respectively. Nonetheless, its remains a financially healthy company posting a turnover of 861 million pounds sterling and profit of 174 pounds for 1997. BK's expansion plan focuses on the selection of international markets from a net present value perspective. It also uses market models to determine the optimum number of restaurants per thousands of population. The company's disaster plan which is implemented at its headquarters in Miami, FL, during the hurricane season is described.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1998
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