As I researched for this blog project I've had the priviledge to see some different sides of my subject, Peter Urs Bender, a man of dedication, passion and grit. You must read about him for yourself as each reader will leave with a different perspective depending on their own experience. As noted above, his biography and more about his amazing life can be found at the official website listed in the references at the bottom of this page. I can guarantee you will find a kernal (actually a bucket) of wisdom that you can apply to your own life.
Transitioning into a new culture: Peter's legal name when leaving Switzerland was Urs Bender. He knew that this name might make it difficult for him to fit into his new life in Canada so he added Peter to ease the transition. Urs means bear.
Source: FAQ's for meeting planners retrieved from http://www.peterursbender.com/mplanner.html#q02
Outside the box thinking - some would call brilliance: As a young man, new to Canada, and like young men the world over, Peter made a conscious decision to put himself into environments where he might have the best chance of meeting his life mate. As an overachiever, he took this to the next level. Abandoning the bar and disco scene, he discovered that the Equestrian Club had one of the highest percentages of women members than many clubs around, so he joined! He did not know how to ride, and in fact was afraid of horses. His new pursuit allowed him to meet many eligible women, one of whom he married. High romance!
Source: Mike Kennedy, writing for National Post retrieved from http://www.peterursbender.com/articles/art11.html
On plagiarism:
"I know, "Plagiarism saves Time... However, be sure to give me credit for my articles..."
Peter Urs Bender
At the Peter Urs Bender official website you will find all that you might need to guide you to becoming a better presenter, leader, marketer, communicator. We are free to copy and use any information that we find there or in any of the books published by Mr. Bender and co-authors. The only thing we must do is preserve and publish the source and not use his material for financial gain. Here's the quote from the inside front cover of my copy of Secrets of Power Presentations.
"Copy it Right! Any part of this book can be reproduced, up to 100 copies, in any form, by any means, without permission from the author as long as you do not make money from it! However, copy it right! Use quality soft coloured paper. Be sure the pages are straight. Leave my name and the title of this book on them. Please tell people clearly where you got the ideas and suggest that they buy a copy themselves!" (Bender, 1991)
On reading a book: Peter wrote in all his books! Horrors! He recommends we do it too! I have never been comfortable writing in my books, or turning down the pages, or highlighting unless it is a textbook, but Mr. Bender recommends we take this liberty with all our written resources (when we own them). It allows us to return to these books weeks, months or years later and see how we might have developed our newest philosphy or personal vision or what nonsense might have made us smile in that moment.
Peter's Principles:
Jim Gray, writing for the Globe and Mail in July 2005 after Peter Urs Bender's death, expressed his deep admiration for Peter's ideology and shared what he learned from Mr. Bender as he launched his own career in public speaking.
- "Nothing trumps persistence. Talent means squat if you give up before you have a chance to use it."...
- "Publish for power. Whether it's an article for your company newsletter, an opinion piece for an industry trade magazine,"...[a blog, perhaps?]..."getting published gets you noticed...are more likely to be considered thought leaders in their field...can open...career opportunities."
- "Personal relationships count." Mr. Bender worked at building relationships, which helped him get placement for his books."Whenever and whereever he traveled, he invited book store owners...to dinner, establishing connections that would last for years."
- "'Ping' continually." Some of us may not have heard of 'pinging'. But the word itself makes you think contact, rhythm, prospects doesn't it? He stayed in touch with his contacts, friends and competitors alike, maintaining his network via email, sending out free copies of his books, postcards, voicemail.
- "We have a responsibility to give back" Of all the lessons Peter Urs Bender taught his audiences, friends, and business partners and associates, Jim Gray believes his ideology of giving back is essential to one's career. "Why? We'll always need others to help us build and maintain success."..."[T]oday's downsized vice-president might be tomorrow's in-demand marketing director...so doesn't it make sense to help as many people as you can?"
There is one word that keeps ringing through all my research regarding Mr. Peter Urs Bender, and one quote that I found by Calvin Coolidge that appears on page 26 of Secrets of Power Presentations. This is the take away!
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not: Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
Calvin Coolidge
References: Bender, P.U.(1991). Secrets of Power Presentations (4th Ed.). Toronto, ON: The Achievement Group.Guffey, M., Rhodes, K., and Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication Process and Product (6th Canadian Ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.
http://www.peterursbender.com/fullbio.html
