With only two contestants left Apprentice Asia's host Tony Fernandes is one step away from hiring his new apprentice on the AXN Network. A biography of Fernandes is airing on the BIO Network - (AXN photo)

The finalists on the Apprentice Asia are Andréa Loh from Singapore and Jonathan Yabut from the Philippines - (AXN photo)

Video Beat EXTRA - THE APPRENTICE ASIA FINAL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The decision is between a 25-year-old female lawyer Andrea Loh from Singapore and an energetic young businessman Jonathan Yabut who is the product of a poor background from the Philippines - TONY FERNANDES BIO on the BIO Network - If you don't know much about Air Asia founder Tony Fernandes you can brief yourself by watching his biography on the BIO Network - Recommended TV Listings

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

YOUNGBLOODS

Air Asia founder Tony Fernandes is down to the final two contestants in his quest to hire an apprentice and conclude the first season of his program the Apprentice Asia. For the balls to the wall entrepreneur the decision is between a 25-year-old female lawyer Andrea Loh from Singapore and an energetic young businessman Jonathan Yabut who is the product of a poor background from the Philippines. On the surface it appears to be the haves verses the have nots.

Loh is a tough as nails and all business. She started the season as a member of an all girls team. During her involvement the girls reeled off several victories to the point where the men's team needed another member to even the number of contestants on each team. Fernandes chose Loh. From that point on she was strong and outspoken but for the most part right in her decision making and turned the men's losing ways around leading them to victories. When the contest reached the final four she was the only female remaining in the contest.

During the Q & A sessions that Fernandes conducted in asking the final four why should he hire them to be his apprentice the three remaining men attacked Loh trying to break her and her spirit down. She defended herself well but in the process a weakness appeared when she defended her being female, youth and inexperience in business. She pointed out that her experience as a lawyer made her have a tough persona which she claimed was required to compete as a lawyer.

Fernandes was concerned that she would be too tough to his employees and doubted her possessing the qualities to be a part of his organization. He was worried that she would alienate some of his employees. She defended herself that she was egger to learn and is flexible.

During the season Yabut was not as calm and collected and decisive as Loh but he had the drive to succeed. He didn't stand out as much as Loh in part since she was by far the most outstanding female on the show as well as being the most outspoken leader on numerous occasions.

Fernandes likes Yabut's determination. His advisors feel that Yabut can be more malleable and can be molded into being a good apprentice on the long term but will not produce immediate results. He is perceived as a good people person the opposite of Loh.

From the 12 contestants Fernandes is looking for someone that will challenge his decision making in a way that will not offend. He wants someone to stand up to him and help him in his decision making. One of the most important traits he's looking for is someone that will not alienate his employees and is a good people person that he claims to be.

The finals are scheduled to be aired in two parts. Given that AXN in the past has defied their planned schedule creates a touchy situation. To stay on top of it go to their web site to find the time of airing in your area.

This week will be a recap of the entire season. It will give the viewer an understanding how these two contestants made it to the finals.

TONY FERNANDES BIO on the BIO Network

If you don't know much about Air Asia founder Tony Fernandes you can brief yourself by watching his biography on the BIO Network. The show has been airing this week with several repeats.

Fernandes is best known as the founder of Air Asia the number one budget air carrier in Asia. The biography focuses on Fernandes from a young boy to going to England to study. His mother whom he was very close to died when he was very young and that was the fist step into him maturing as he had to deal with adversity and decision making.

He was a rebel who left England and went to New York. When he called his father was not pleased and hung the phone up on him. Fernandes returned to his schooling in England and waited on tables to pay for his education. His father was an excessive smoker and died leaving Fernandes responsible for his family and his then teenage sister.

After graduating school he got a job with Richard Branson's Virgin records. Fernandes claimed he learned a lot form that experience and it qualified him to be hired by Warner Records. He challenged how the company was doing business and was told that was the way it was and to leave it be. Fernandes chose not to and did a report his way. He was called into his feared bosses' office and was surprised that his boss liked his work and promoted him. That later led to his being given a top job with the company in Malaysia Fernandes place of birth.

Fernandes continued to do things his was which annoyed many and pleased some. Eventually Fernandes saw the end of the music business rainbow after AOL purchased the company. The AOL boss asked him what he thought their stock would be worth in a year and his numbers were 10 times higher that Fernandes'. Fernandes knew that piracy had destroyed the record business. It was the writing on the wall for Fernandes so he quit without having an exit plan or a job to go to.

He then followed up on his dream to be the owner of an airline. He surged ahead with his partners none of whom knew the airlines business. He bought Air Asia for one Malaysian dollar and millions of dollars of debt. At eh time Air Asia had only two aircraft.

The rest is history as Fernandes defied all odds and built one of the most successful businesses in Asia. An interesting aspect to this bio is that the two advisors Fernandes has on the Apprentice Asia program are in his bio. Advisor Mark Lankester has been with Fernandes since his Malaysian record company days.

The rest is history as Fernandes defied all odds and built one of the most successful businesses in Asia. This is only a part of his story. The full story of his success can be seen on his biography on the BIO Network.

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