HERE BE DRAGONS...!

      

Dragons?  Absolutely!  Right here in Canada…courtesy of CBC ™ and Dragon’s Den ™

David Chilton, one of the newest venture capitalists to join Dragons’ Den, and author of The Wealthy Barber books,  made a special appearance as guest speaker at a University of Guelph fundraiser this month.

My husband and I were pleased to secure tickets, not only to support the Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust Fund and to hope to hear a few key tips from one of Canada’s experts in personal finance, but, as a student of communication, this was an opportunity for me to see and hear an expert speaker at work; an evening not to be missed.  We were not disappointed.

David Chilton not only knows his subject, he knows how to engage an audience and keep them completely involved to the closing note.  Mr. Chilton’s reputation as a gifted speaker is well known, and I went prepared with small notebook in hand to record my findings.  I was not alone in this; and I could see several rows of seats were taken up with students. Many in the crowd, like my husband and I,  had read the first ‘barber’ book, and knew the gems of wisdom that David was bound to deliver during the course of his talk.

As all great speakers do, David balances the pace and tone of his information and had clearly done his homework on the demographics of his audience.  He tied in all the interest groups; the animal and dog lovers like himself, and the trustees and sponsors of OVC  Pet Trust Fund, fans of Dragons’ Den and his personal finance books, and geared his talk and humour to the varied ages of the audience and the setting.  He laid out his plans to reveal some secrets about his newest colleagues at the ‘den’, dispelled some rumours, encouraged, informed and entertained to the time and topics he promised in his opening remarks. 

What we learned:

David Chilton is both a humble and a gifted speaker:  No need to retell his entire CV to introduce him.  He was pleased to be there to speak to a local audience in support of a local cause, with all proceeds donated to the Pet Trust.  (I’m pretty sure he’s read at least one of Peter Urs Bender’s books – he followed all of Peter’s  ‘be a great speaker tips’!)  His follow through is a class act too.  He signed books and answered questions for another hour after the main event.

David Chilton is a humourist as well as an educator:  He engages and entertains his audience from opening to close.  We wanted more!

Yes, Kevin O’Leary and Arlene Dickinson do spar on and off the air honestly and heatedly – it is not faked for the cameras.

Yes, Kevin O’Leary really does love money that much and in spite of his abrasive personality is a pretty good guy.

Yes, they are wearing the same clothes in many episodes as 100 or so, 15 minute pitches per day, are taped to work with the Dragons’ travel calendars.

All earnings for Dragons are donated to charity – it is part of their contract with CBC.

Dragons’ Den promotes Entrepreneurship!  And, it is one of the best family viewing shows on TV today.

 

Persistence is not futile! Looney Spoons cookbook creators and co-authors Greta and Janet Podleski, would not have successfully launched their famous cookbooks ideas without it! 

You *must* try an Awake Chocolate bar – David's newest venture partnership that is set to take-off at a retailer near you!

TFSA or RRSP?  Make decisions after you’ve done your homework.  Income and tax bracket at time of withdrawal is a critical component!  Allow for RRSP tax liability in Net Worth Statements -you pay tax at withdrawal.

   

Live within your means!  Save for vacation!  We have too much debt, too much stuff, too little in savings!

If your Mom says it’s a great idea – listen to her!

Good things do happen to good people!

Be Happy!  We are a nation of complainers.  It affects productivity; it affects everything.

Do we need Power Point?

 

And no, he does not wear a toupee!

KG
Ref: The CBC logo and Dragon's Den logo are trademarks of Canada Broadcasting Corporation.  (For links to all websites visit the KEYNOTES main page)

"YOUR PAST WAS PERFECT..."

Motto: "Your past was perfect to get you where you are today."
Reference:  www.peterursbender.com/profile.html

Thank you Mr. Bender.

I had an immediate, personal connection when I read this quotation while researching for today's post featuring the wisdom of  Peter Urs Bender.  This motto so closely echoes my own personal self talk, it gave me pause.  I've added to mine the following, "...therefore, have no regrets for what has happened in your life so far. It is all relevant!"

The experiences of my life have given me the story of who I am.  My past offers the clues to the woman I could be in the future if I choose to take certain paths as they are presented to me -- and, I believe, no matter what age I may be now, there are still many doors remaining to be opened; until the last chapter, new experiences will call to me. 

And about regret; was I foolish at times?  You bet!  I lived on campus in university.  What student can say they did not give in to "foolish" at some point in their four years before or after graduation.  Some of us may have a 30's something story, perhaps not foolish so much as ill advised, in the mix somewhere!  Can't you recall a coming of age story that might curl the hair of your parents (or children for that matter)?   It is all part of the great plan -- it is how we discover our values, our vision, our worth.  Some of us seek the guidance of mentors, teachers, friends, faith leaders and employers.  Some of our most valued experience to set us on the road to success was or will be the failure of a project, the loss of a job, or a best friend's too blunt advice to get our head out of our backsides and get on with it!  Aren't we lucky to have a few friends like that!  These lessons teach us how to lead ourselves, and by extension to lead others and to make the best use of our unique talents.  No part of the journey should be clouded by regret.  Celebrate who you are! Start from here!

Peter Urs Bender has been described as a self-taught leader.  His journey was not without teachers however, as many came into his life because of the smart choices he made along the way.  He had to overcome the challenges of dyslexia to be able to certify as an accountant, to learn English, to achieve success as a salesman.  He did not do it alone, and he had a system that he applied to everything he did in order to guarantee success.

The Dale Carnegie® Training courses and the Toastmasters International membership were life changing decisions that would lead Mr. Bender to a 15 year teaching position at Ryerson University and to documented success as a public speaker and author.  He restates his system for effective communication in all his written work.  The essentials for business presentations are outlined in the text by Guffey, et. al,  as featured in Secrets of Power Presentations.

• Plan
• Research your topic
• Relate to the interests of your audience
• Write
• Customize the message
• Practice
• Practice
• Practice

I wish to acknowledge the work of other Sheridan College Students encountered in my research for this post.  Each of these individual works offer its own approach and I congratulate the authors.  One piece stood out, which I share with you here.  We learn from each other.  Peter Bender endorsed this aspect of learning many times in his own work.  Enjoy and stay tuned for future posts and my interpretation of the wisdom of Peter Urs Bender.
KG

Ref: R. O'Keefe: December 2012 - Sheridan College Business Communications 12423

KEY NOTES : "Books fall open..."

Thank you to David Thompson Watson McCord for the poetry.  Mr. McCord was a published author,

a prolific poet and legendary Harvard fundraiser.  He was noted for his creative, rhythmic, and often whimsical poems.

Books fall open,
you fall in,
delighted where,
you've never been.
Hear voices
not once heard before,
Reach world through world,
through door on door.
Find unexpected
keys to things,
locked up beyond
imaginings….
True books will venture,
Dare you out,
Whisper secrets,
Maybe shout,
across the gloom,
to you in need
Who hanker for
a book to read.”
― David T.W. McCord

"BOOKS FALL OPEN...YOU FALL IN."

Reading has always been my favourite way to spend an afternoon or make a long journey fly by!  Books go with me everywhere along with a journal and a sketchbook.  A Kobo arrived under the Christmas tree in recent years and we are now inseparable -- I embrace new technology when it may save me a pound or two of space in the backpack, but I still have such nostalgia for the beautiful feel of a well-made hard cover book; And, although I may lend my favourites to a friend or three from time to time, I am relieved when they return from their travels.  With each adventure they may be a little more worn or have been gifted the occasional coffee ring, but it does not diminish their value and always comes with a friend’s story from the trail and some pearls of wisdom, and sometimes a new title to read in exchange.

Who is your favourite author? Do tell.... and lead us to an afternoon filled with a quiet browse through a beautiful coffee table art collection, to the backseat as a captivated onlooker in a spellbinding adventure or as a convert to the life altering wisdom available to us from the leaders, innovators and critical thinkers of our time. We want to know how they do it!  We are motivated to test their theories! 

As a student in Business Communications at Sheridan College this year, I have been reacquainted with the writings of well-known business leader and presenter, Peter Urs Bender. I have a plan for an afternoon soon with my new purchase - Gutfeeling: Instinct and Spirituality at Work.  Mr. Bender is the author and co-author of other books in this genre which have guided college students and business leaders alike to look at themselves and their potential in a whole new way to achieve success.  I will share what I find... soon....a new book beckons! 
KG

Blog Title  Inspired by: "Books fall open..." D.McCord

Book Reference:

Bender, P. U. (2002). Gutfeeling - Instinct and spirituality@work. Toronto, ON: The Achievement Group.

View the full list of titles at the Booklist link.

BEGIN WITH A PROMISE..

How the promise works... 

When you accept the role as a Speaker you will lead your audience on a journey; and like an Airline Pilot, you are the Captain.  You have the power to control the content of your pre-flight announcements, the comfort and enjoyment of the take off, the in-flight entertainment and the important final element, the landing. 

Use one of Mr. Bender's tips from Secrets of Power Presentations to make your opening memorable... "Begin with a promise."

You must make sure your promise is realistic and achievable.  If your goal for the seminar is to teach the audience how to deliver better presentations, you might tell them:

"After I finish this seminar, you will all be able to make much better
 presentations than ever before!" 

When you close your speech, one of the final points of your closing will be to remind them of the promise you made and how you delivered on it.  And Captain, as you arrive at the terminal, thank them for flying with you!
KG