Ian Thomas

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Ian Thomas Biography

Ian Thomas - Conference and keynote speaker, motivational
Topics:
  • Motivation & Teamwork

South African business strategist, Ian Thomas, has studied lions at close quarters as a game ranger  for more than 20 years and uses his experiences in the African bush to illustrate and draw parallels between the jungle of nature and the jungle of business. 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.

The Pride of Teamwork

Lions formed 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 the point that  ‘the success of the team is because of the individual and the success of the individual is because of the team’.

This ‘win-win’ situation is the basis for successful lion prides and business teams.

The talk, illustrated with stunning photographs/slides and punctuated with growls and roars, is in three parts:

Hunting

Lionesses do most of the hunting.  Using teams they stalk, ambush and kill their prey and thus supply food for the pride.  This is compared with how businesses bring in income.  This deals with:

  • Individual
  • Goals
  • Communication
  • Incentives

Raising the Cubs

They mate, give birth, protect and train the cubs to be productive pride members.  This is compared with the introduction of a new team member.  This deals with:

  • Team Spirit
  • Structure
  • Recruitment
  • Training

Security

Pride males secure the territory - they keep out males from other prides and especially nomadic males i.e. males that have no territory.  These nomadic males will try and kill or chase out the pride males and, if successful, they will often kill his cubs.  They do this so that the lionesses will mate with them.  If the cubs are not killed the lionesses realise that they cannot raise more than one set of cubs at a time and will therefore not mate with the new males.  Defence of territory is compared with keeping a competitor out of your market.  This deals with:

  • Image
  • Synergy

Conclusion

The strength and power of the pride is because it is made up of such powerful individuals, but the strength of each individual lion and lioness is because he or she is surrounded by such a powerful pride.

“The strength of the pride is the lion and the strength of the lion is the pride”

For further informaton or to book Ian Thomas, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Ian Thomas Video

Ian Thomas Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Ian Thomas. For more information on Ian Thomas please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Ian Thomas News

A selection of relevant news related to Ian Thomas and Motivation & Teamwork stories. For more information on Ian Thomas or details as to how to book Ian Thomas for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

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Ian Thomas Reviews

Ian Thomas has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Ian Thomas for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Ian Thomas for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

"Ian's presentation was as riveting and engaging as I remembered it to be - fantastic! And a total joy to work with."
IGD

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News

2nd September 2010
Michael Douglas shared his struggle on The Late Show with David Letterman yesterday and keynote speakers including Lance Armstrong and Martina Navratilova have been open to sharing their own experiences and stories of hope.
1st September 2010
The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.