Ian Thomas - Professional Speaker

Ian Thomas 

Professional Speaker

Ian Thomas is an economics graduate with more than ten years' experience guiding and educating people through Southern Africa's wild places. This background has given him an understanding of business and nature and how the two can complement and benefit each other. Ian spent eight years at Londolozi Game Reserve and went on to open his own company as a business consultant and public speaker. He has consulted to many major corporations in South Africa (see list further on) and has appeared as a guest speaker in the UK, Canada, Germany, France, England, Belgium, Holland, Australia and the USA. He has written a book, 'The Power of the Pride' (see end), and is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows. Ian has featured in many local and international management magazines, and is also one of South Africa's foremost wildlife photographers.
Ian Thomas delivers fascinating presentations on Teambuilding, using wonderful slides illustrating the life and habits of the Lion Pride and how they benefit from high productivity due to 'teamwork'. Using this unique method of relating business to wildlife scenarios, Ian also covers subjects such as 'Adapting to Change' and 'Strategy for Survival'.

POWER OF THE PRIDE / TEAM BUILDING

"The Strength of the Pride is the Lion, The Strength of the Lion is the Pride" This presentation discusses facets of a lion pride and their use of teamwork for survival. Ian draws an analogy of this to business and teamwork and shows how teams can benefit from implementing their tactics. Factors discussed include:

o A Common Goal
o Focus on that Goal
o Mutual Respect
o Knowledge of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Team Members
o Success Linked to Incentives

SPOOR OF SUCCESS

Using the example of a Game Lodge this talk discusses business strategy. Aspects include:

o Deciding on a Strategy and Implementation of the Strategy
o The Importance of Competitive Advantage

IAN THOMAS HAS CONSULTED TO LOCAL COMPANIES, INCLUDING:

 Sanlam
 IBM
 Hewlett-Packard
 Murray and Roberts
 Grinaker Construction
 Wooltru
 Nedbank
 Transvaal Cricket Team
 Springbok Rugby Team
 And many more...

INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES, INCLUDING:

 MUSE (US hospital software group)
 TMI (UK)
 Glynwed Metals (UK)
 Bachrach (US)
 Cisko (Europe & UK)
 Eagle Star (UK)
 Canada Life (UK & Canada)
 Sigma (Australia)
 Colonial (Australia)

HERE'S WHAT SOME
SATISFIED CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY:

"It was very satisfying to me, as organizer of the workshop, to continuously hear delegates referring back to the messages presented by Ian, as well as seeing the delegates applying some of the principles discussed by Ian, during the rest of the workshop."
Graham Stokes, Manager: SADC Payment Systems Projects
SA Reserve Bank

"Your closing address was one of the best examples of motivational speaking I have ever heard. I say this as a speaker, and someone who has hired other guest speakers, and who has been involved in the Corporate Entertainment Industry for over 15 years. 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 - Speaker at Finance Directors & Catering Managers Forum. Aboard the Aurora (UK)

"It was a great and wonderful presentation. We would definitely make sure to book him again - No. 1 Choice! He is excellent!"
Louise Schutte, Marketing Assistant, Philips Business Communications

"Thank you for your wonderful contribution to our conference. The feedback from delegates overwhelmingly indicates they considered the business sessions at this conference the best ever."
Rod Byrne, Assistant General Manager
Zurich Australian Life Insurance Limited

"A gripping and inspirational presentation - the animal kingdom teaches us basic common sense business principles which on application could have an awesome effect on our performance."
John Johnson, Financial Manager (Accounting Services)
Clover South Africa

"My sincere thanks and congratulations to you on an absolutely superb performance at our conference. I can quite honestly say it was one of the most impressive opening presentations that we have ever had at our annual conference. The conference is being hailed by all as a huge success and without doubt a very large part of the credit must go to you."
Alan P. Gavaghan, ChairmanBIIBA House, London

"Conversations, memories, actions, attitudes, behaviour - all influenced by the wonderful and illuminating presentation that you gave to Bayer's Sales Force last week. The audience were totally fascinated by all the subjects and there was talk about lions and lionesses all week. The management at Bayer are very excited about the potential change in attitudes within the culture of their Sales Force resulting from your presentation."
The Crown Production Team
Crown Business Communications Limited

"I found your knowledge of the bush and the lions' survival in it riveting stuff. This was a perfect hook for the more serious side of your presentation which was showing us the parallels between surviving in the wild and surviving and being successful in business as a team."
Trish Stafford, Group Account Manager
Claxton Communications, Australia

"All three sessions were packed out as delegates warmed to your inimitable style and memorable business message. In the post conference evaluations the delegates rated you top speaker. Over three engagements, we estimate that over 1250 different pharmacists experienced the privilege of listening to you and benefiting from your provocative business message. Sigma company is proud of our association and are happy to recommend to any organisation the relevance of your material and the uniqueness of your presentation."
Mike Lazarow, Group Manager, Corporate & Professional Affairs
SIGMA Company Limited, Australia

"Thank you for your magnificent contribution to the success of our conference and for reinforcing our own message, we are only as good as all of us together."
Nandos

"I would like to thank you for the team building exercises you provided our group. The service you provided and your professional approach is greatly appreciated. Your programme made a great impression on my colleagues and I received excellent feedback. We achieved all our objectives and I look forward to continuing our relationship."
Pierre Tredoux Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group

"Your presentation exceeded my expectations and the feedback has been extremely positive."
COLONIAL MUTUAL - AUSTRALIA

"Your presentation was superb and entirely appropriate. Conference evaluations noted you top speaker."
SIGMA - AUSTRALIA

BOOK BY IAN THOMAS:

'THE POWER OF THE PRIDE'

HOW LESSONS FROM A PRIDE OF LIONS
CAN TEACH YOU
TO CREATE POWERFUL BUSINESS TEAMS

In this riveting and well illustrated account, Ian Thomas draws on his intimate knowledge of the King of Beasts to show that modern business teams have everything to learn from the superbly effective structure of a lion pride.

"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."

Ian Thomas