When you see premium coffee shops on every major street corner, it's hard to think of a time when they weren't so prevalent. In 1975, Frank O'Dea took a lot of risk in trying to create a new premium coffee industry in Canada. He started a chain of Second Cup stores, and was able to create an internationally successful franchise, with stores in 13 countries.
In the mid-80s, he started his second successful industry, despite all the nay-sayers, with Pro-Shred, a paper shredding company.
He's now embarking on a new venture: creating the social housing industry in Brazil. You know what? If I were a betting man, I would say his chances are pretty darn good.
This guy knows what it takes to create a new industry, and he shares some advice at Fast Company magazine: http://bit.ly/dkCeVU
Meanwhile, you can listen to the full interview I conducted with him at: http://www.streethockeymillionaire.com/frankodea.htm.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Frank O'Dea Speaks With James Allan
On Thursday, I spoke with Frank O'Dea, founder of Second Cup and Pro-Shred. Both industries were essentially created from scratch. So Frank knows what it takes to create a new industry in a country, and is currently looking for investors to help him create a social housing industry in Brazil.
Frank follows a personal philosophy of Hope Vision Action. While these three things are not the only things required for business success, Frank argues they are essential ingredients of any business. Furthermore, Frank believes that hope can spread throughout an organization if the company's mission and vision statements are done properly.
The interview was recorded, and it will be released when the full blog is posted on Fast Company's Visionary Leader Series next week. Watch for what Frank has to say about innovation, leadership and the two mandatory ingredients to create a new industry.
Frank follows a personal philosophy of Hope Vision Action. While these three things are not the only things required for business success, Frank argues they are essential ingredients of any business. Furthermore, Frank believes that hope can spread throughout an organization if the company's mission and vision statements are done properly.
The interview was recorded, and it will be released when the full blog is posted on Fast Company's Visionary Leader Series next week. Watch for what Frank has to say about innovation, leadership and the two mandatory ingredients to create a new industry.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Resort Marketing
Resort and luxury hotel owners may believe that if you build it, they will come. This is only true until the competition comes, markets their resorts aggressively, and steals your competitors.
I've added a video on youtube which shows the story of a man named Roger who fell into the trap. When the competition wore him down, he moved to a new location. The competition followed, and again Roger had to consider fight or flight.
Check out the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gwht1jHT1o
Comments are appreciated.
I've added a video on youtube which shows the story of a man named Roger who fell into the trap. When the competition wore him down, he moved to a new location. The competition followed, and again Roger had to consider fight or flight.
Check out the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gwht1jHT1o
Comments are appreciated.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Visionary Leaders Do Things Others Don't See
How are visionary leaders created? What does it take to succeed in the luxury hotel industry? What impact does the recession, technology and the "demise of luxury" have on luxury hotels?
To find out the answers to these questions, I interviewed the best possible source: Isidore Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons luxury hotel chain.
What he said about becoming successful is on the Fast Company website at: http://tinyurl.com/ylymvjm
The full interview was transcribed at:
http://www.streethockeymillionaire.com/IsidoreSharpInterview.pdf
Mr. Sharp is a fascinating man who got into the hotel business in 1961 at the age of 30. He came up with many innovations in both the hotel industry and the way management treats its staff. He outlined much of his journey in his book "Four Seasons". I figured after reading the book that many people would try to plan out a similar life. So I was more than a bit surprised when Mr. Sharp told me, "Don't try to plan your life."
Instead, he says look for opportunity, and follow the ones that you have a fanatical belief that will work out. "Follow your passion of the moment, and let your skills direct you."
He has a deep belief in people that most people are too cynical to follow. He instituted a "Golden Rule" to dissolve the command-and-control pyramid of the day, and to create an employment scenario where every employee has a deep-rooted respect for every other employee.
His hotels span the earth, and are found at every major tourist and business destination you could think of.
Meanwhile, his life has not been without hardship. His 16-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer, and then died within a year. Shortly after, a young man named Terry Fox was running across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Mr. Sharp was an avid supporter, and remains one to this day.
To find out the answers to these questions, I interviewed the best possible source: Isidore Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons luxury hotel chain.
What he said about becoming successful is on the Fast Company website at: http://tinyurl.com/ylymvjm
The full interview was transcribed at:
http://www.streethockeymillionaire.com/IsidoreSharpInterview.pdf
Mr. Sharp is a fascinating man who got into the hotel business in 1961 at the age of 30. He came up with many innovations in both the hotel industry and the way management treats its staff. He outlined much of his journey in his book "Four Seasons". I figured after reading the book that many people would try to plan out a similar life. So I was more than a bit surprised when Mr. Sharp told me, "Don't try to plan your life."
Instead, he says look for opportunity, and follow the ones that you have a fanatical belief that will work out. "Follow your passion of the moment, and let your skills direct you."
He has a deep belief in people that most people are too cynical to follow. He instituted a "Golden Rule" to dissolve the command-and-control pyramid of the day, and to create an employment scenario where every employee has a deep-rooted respect for every other employee.
His hotels span the earth, and are found at every major tourist and business destination you could think of.
Meanwhile, his life has not been without hardship. His 16-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer, and then died within a year. Shortly after, a young man named Terry Fox was running across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Mr. Sharp was an avid supporter, and remains one to this day.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Truly Visionary Leaders Create More Visionary Leaders
Please check out my blog for Fast Company magazine at:
http://tinyurl.com/ylmo3lx
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Success Can Occur at any Age
Some businesses and individuals hit success early, while others have to work at it much longer. Check out the video podcast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=038vKF_Atv8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
