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ian thomas  Lion Tracker and Author of 'The Power of the Pride'  Watch video clip
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Ian has been a professional speaker for 14 years. He has traveled internationally, and spoken in more than 25 countries. After completing a Bachelors degree in Business, he followed is calling and worked as a wildlife guide in Southern Africa, specializing in tracking lions. Ian attained the highest tracking and guiding qualification possible, that of “Scout”, awarded to him by “The Field Guides Association of South Africa’. The award recognizes excellence in guiding in big game areas, weapon handling, and tracking. He was the first person to achieve this distinction. During his time as a guide he discovered that he had a talent for teaching, and story telling, which led to a career in public speaking. Once of his core beliefs is that people have a lot to learn from nature. Sound business sense is linked to a knowledgeable insight into how nature thrives. His presentations assault the senses, stunning photographs, thunderous roars, humour, and an ability to tell and act out the story; all drive the message home. “You managed to combine the timing of a professional comedian with the skills of a professional mime artist. You obviously had a complete mastery of your subject matter, but what came over above all, was your passion for your subject combined with a desire to use that knowledge and passion to communicate to your audience. It was funny, riveting and inspirational all at the same time.” Clive Panto of Clive Panto Productions UK (2003). He has been involved in the Corporate Entertainment Industry for over 15 years. Audiences leave enthralled, and repeat the stories to friends and colleagues, which further entrenches the message and results in immense take home business value. He has been a guest on radio and television discussing subjects such as teamwork, goals, and how to minimize risk. Ian is a member of the National Speakers Association (USA). He is known for a sound business message and is recognized internationally as one of the world’s top motivators and keynote speakers. He is the author of a book, “The Power of the Pride,” and has clients in Europe, Asia, USA, and Africa. THE STUDY OF LIONS in the wild has involved me in far more than the gathering of biological data. Discussions with businessmen and women while viewing lions has made me aware of the social interaction, hunting techniques and defence strategies among individual lions with vastly different personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Hearing comments such as “I wish my team communicated like that lion pride” planted in my mind the idea of a business presentation which would point out the analogies between business teams and lion prides. This presentation has been hugely successful in southern Africa, Europe and the United States. Many friends in business and wildlife management provided input which persuaded me to turn the successful presentation into this book – The Power of the Pride. It has never been my intention to make comparisons between lionesses and women in business nor between lions and men in business. Neither have I tried to draw direct comparisons between lion prides and business teams, preferring simply to make clear that the one can learn a lot from observing the other and using what is applicable to them. My love affair with wildlife has been incredibly rewarding. To me there is nothing more beautiful than the grace and power of a big cat – nothing which represents the thunder of Africa more than the full-blooded roar of a lion. presentation topics The Power of the Pride - Teamwork Ian Thomas presents a riveting and informative account of how lions, the only cats that hunt in teams, can be compared with how businesses operate as teams. Lions form teams in order to hunt the vast herds of antelope that evolved onto Africa's savannahs. The strategy of using teams to ambush these herds was extremely successful. Individual lions and lionesses benefited from this association and the prides became extremely powerful. The presentation is based around this point - that the success of the team is because of the individual and the success of the individual is because of the team. The Spoor of Success - Strategy Ian Thomas, while working as a Game Ranger, discovered that his guests' predominant request was to see lions. In order to satisfy his customers, he set out on a strategy to find lions on a daily basis. The strategy conceived was both fun and a financial success. The reason for its success was that its whole thrust - that of competitive advantage - was seen from the customers' point of view. Adapting to Change The only real security that exists in an era of dynamic and rapid change, is the ability to read the change and devise a plan to thrive within it. Change can present itself either as a threat or an opportunity. Ian Thomas illustrates how lions successfully avoid the dramatic and dangerous threats that occur during their lives, while creating opportunities to thrive on. He believes that within these stories there are lessons that both businesses and individuals can learn about thriving in an era of dynamic change. testimonials 'You managed to combine the timing of a professional comedian with the skills of a professional mime artist. You obviously had a complete mastery of your subject matter, but what came over above all, was your passion for your subject combined with a desire to use that knowledge and passion to communicate to your audience. It was funny, riveting and inspirational all at the same time' - Clive Panto of Clive Panto Productions UK "We were all hugely pleased with the success of last week's event. The feedback here is that it was by far the best conference we've ever had. Ian Thomas went down a storm so a great recommendation." - Alessia Melli, UnumProvident
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