Entrepreneurial Traits of Tony Fernandes - Networked

Networked is an entrepreneurial traits that give the meaning of an interconnected system of people or things. Networked business is a socioeconomic business that carried out by entrepreneur and allow entrepreneur to build new business relationship as well as generate business opportunities. There are several types of networked such as personal network, public network and business network.

Personal Network

            Tony Fernandes has parent as his personal network. His father was a doctor and his mother was a Malaysian citizen women entrepreneur from Malacca. Tony Fernandes was much influenced by his mother, who was active in selling Tupperware to faraway places. For Tony Fernandes, his mother was a wonderful woman because her remarkable ability to sell things to anyone. As such, he personally learned a lot from his mother who turned out to be so important in facing the business nature. While Tony Fernandes had his early education at Epsom College, United Kingdom, he received the news of the family in Malaysia that his mother passed away, but his could not go home because his faces financial problems. The expensive airline tickets a hindrance to his to return home. Because of it, he complained, "How wonderful if there are companies airlines offering cheaper fares." This is one of the factors that led him to have his own airline company which can be enjoyed by all, especially the lower class.

Public Network

            Tony Fernandes also said the idea to set up the airline came spontaneously while he was watching television in London. "I'm interested to see ads a low-cost airline, Easyjet. Then I rushed to Luton Airport in London and spent two days there. I'm interested in the business concept and plan to introduce it in Malaysia and keep the dream to develop the concept in the Asian region." Tony Fernandes has managed to make use internet and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The perfect marketing plan through internet also expand AirAsia because according research about 70% up to 80% of purchases in the internet for the Malaysia market was the purchase of a plane ticket AirAsia. Turns out that his very innovative in ensuring the AirAsia brand remains fresh, relevant, competitive and closer to the soul of the Malaysian. By simply using Facebook, AirAsia can display any promotion was conducted.

Business Network

           Tony Fernandes believes that every employee is an asset of the company. No matter where they are placed and what they do, each of them is the driving force of the company. AirAsia called its employees as ‘All Stars’ it is because the main factors that contributed to success is the role played by its employees.

AirAsia X also announced that Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group will take a share of 20% in AirAsia X to help fund the initial operations such as the purchase of planes. Branson also predicted the possibility of establishing a close relationship between Virgin Blue and AirAsia X, such as code-sharing and frequent flyer program in the future.

Tony Fernandes also collaborates with its competitors who are able to challenge the status of AirAsia offers a low cost flight. Latest AirAsia is trying to discuss potential areas of collaboration with stakeholders Malindo Airways recently established.