Baldo Minaudo’s Blog

I didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry when I read about the results of an investigation by the Toronto Star.  The investigation uncovered a fraudulant degree operation run by Peng Sun whereby he produced hundreds of fake York University and University of Toronto degrees for paying clients who used them to land jobs or admission into other programs.

Among the cheats identified by the investigation is Quami Frederick, a 28-year-old immigrant from Grenada.  Frederick got into Osgoode Hall Law School with a fake degree she had purchased from a diploma mill on the internet.  Frederick’s name was on a list of bogus degree buyers compiled by U.S. Homeland Security and Service agents. According to the Toronto Star, Frederick’s bachelor of science in business administration from St. George’s Univesity in Grenada as a fake.

Here’s the truly amazing part of all this - according to the investigation a Bay Street labour law firm called ‘Wildeboer Dellelce LLP’ actually offered her a position.  That’s right, a LAW FIRM that advises corporations on labour law, which I imagine includes things like conducting due diligence, policies, procedures, etc. has offered a job to a Con Artist.  How ironic is that? 

Wildeboer Dellelce has some damage control to do.  They can always say that ‘we offered the job pending due diligence’.  Yes, that’s it…they offered her the job based on what she said but had to investigate her claims before the offer was binding. 

Regardless, let this be a lesson for everyone.

The last time I had visited San Francisco was about 5 years ago for a personal development course through Brian Klemmer & Associates.  But, most of that trip was spent indoors and then having my limits stretched in the forest with confidential stuff that they don’t want me to talk about.  I’d tell you more, but they actually made me sign a confidentiality agreement - that is a story in itself.

Anyway, this time around San Francisco seems different.  I’m staying at the San Francisco Marriott downtown.  It is a great location with lots of destinations within walking distance.  Most of my time is being spent at the conference meeting with potential investors, mining industry experts and other industry players.   However, I find a couple of hours in the evening before my late night meetings begin.

Walking out the front doors of the hotel I’m greeted by heavy pedestrian traffic.  But, its not the traffic I expect.  Last time I was here people I recall being surrounded with well-educated, high income earning individuals that dressed the part.  Then I remember that was at the Wharf where the shops are nicer and the city is cleaner. 

During the day I find myself with a runny nose and feel a cold coming on.  So I head out to the local drug store chain across the street.  It was an interesting experience buying Advil.  In Canada all I have to do is pick it up off the counter and pay for it at the cashier.  Well, in California they ask for my passport.  When I ask why they tell  me its a controlled substance - huh?  Later on someone tells me that it can be used to make some addictive street drugs.  So, I’m thinking but couldn’t they do that in Canada as well if that was the case?

Coming out of the drug store I find myself in front of a man and woman wearing overcoats and nothing else underneath.  They look like they’re either drunk, drugged or on leave from a mental institute.  They’re also covered in dirt.  Looking around I see that many people are poorly dressed.  Perhaps this is a poorer part of town I think to myself.  Despite this, the architecture and even the streetscape is beautiful.  Somehow the buildings don’t match the people.  So, I’m thinking that either the people will dress better or the buildings will deteriorate with time.  Oh, how profound - this seems to be the point at which the United States as a nation is at - a real turning point in its history.

Anyway, back at the conference I check in with the staff at our booth to make sure everything is under control.  Then I start to walk through the hundreds of booths.  Its a real treasure of exploration and mining companies.  What a collection of wisdom has gathered here.  I find myself overwhelmed by the degree of knowledge.  No matter how much I absorb, there is so much more to absorb.  It is at conferences like this that one finds out about what is really happening in the industry and on the market.  Business professionals from around North America have gathered here for these few days.

Before the conference is over, I establish a relationship with Resource World Magazine as well as a number of potential investors and strategic partners.  There are lots of opportunities to acquire mineral properties this year because of the liquidity crisis and the fall-out it has created.  For companies like Delta Uranium Inc (publicly traded on the TSX as DUR) this is a great opportunity for acquisition at great prices and developing joint ventures.

Very much suffering from jet lag after travelling back from Japan (14 hours ahead of Toronto time) to Toronto last week and then leaving for San Francisco (3 hours behind Toronto time) I feel like I’m in a fog.  I arrive at the airport just in time for my flight and look forward to sleeping in my own bed where I hope to finally get a full night’s sleep after three months of heavy travelling.

Napoleon Hill writes that “Thoughts Are Things”. 

Thoughts carry with them ideas, beliefs and even feelings.  Thoughts are at the core of The Law of Attraction.  Thoughts are the building blocks of the vision you have for your future and therefore that which you will manifest.

Be selective, be careful in the thoughts you hold.  Protect them with all your intention.  Know what you want and then choose those thoughts that support what you want.

In Think and Grow Rich, Hill cites Edwin C. Barnes and his quest to be Thomas Edison’s associate.  During his journey he kept his thoughts and vision even though he began working in Edison’s office at a very nominal wage.  Yet, he had what he needed to move towards his goal, which he later achieved.

Thoughts are things, and the more passion and feeling we associate with thoughts the greater the power they have.  What thoughts are you holding to help you with your success?

Every once in a while I’m reminded of how important communication is for stable relationships.  This week I had a chat with a long-time contact and author who considers himself to be a personal development champion.  Part way through the conversation it became obvious that we just weren’t communicating. 

So, I applied the tried and proven techniques of active listening and rephrasing.  Well, after a few attempts I realized that my colleague was so busy hearing what he wanted to hear that he was forgetting to listen.  I’m sure this has happened to you at one point or another in your life.

What do you do when you’re in a situation where someone thinks they know what you’re saying without you saying it?  What do you do when there is a big puddle in your path?  Do you drain it before you continue or do you just hop over it?  Well, in the spirit of not wasting my time, I decided to just let him live his own perception.  Too bad he never actually heard what I was saying because it involved a special gift for him. 

After the conversation ended, I spent some time thinking about my colleague and his level of success over the last while.  I realized that although he’s an author that he has struggled in his book sales and has also struggled in the other ventures he’s pursued.  I also realized that of the business tips I had shared with him over the years, he also hadn’t heard them. 

Alas, what can you do when you want to help a blind man?  Do you carry him to where he wants to go, or do you let him stumble and suffer and hope he ends up there safe and sound?  Or perhaps he was never meant to arrive there at all?

I wonder what I’m not listening to in my life?  How about you?

Well, I barely recovered from my snow storm travel adventures when I headed off to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference 2007, popularly known as the PDAC Conference 2007.  The first PDAC conference took palce in 1932 and since then it has been a gathering place for people and companies involved in the search and development of new mineral deposits. Today, the PDAC International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange has become the most important event in the world of exploration, bringing together players involved in the field from all over the world.

This year’s conference was one of the most high-power conferences I’ve been to in a while.  Countries from around the world were promoting their raw resources in the hope of attracting money and companies to invest in developing their resources.  Mining companies involved in everything from gold, silver, copper, zinc, uranium to diamonds were promoting themselves looking for investors.  Some companies were looking to get listed on a recognized stock exchange, while others were already listed on the TSX or some other exchange.

One would expect such activity.  Although I was impressed with the amount of money that was put into the promotions, especially with some of the gifts and packages being handed out.  No, samples of gold, but I did get an opportunity to taste authentic, imported Turkish Delight.  And let me tell you - what an experience that was.  Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm. 

On another hand, let me tell you about the social activities sponsored or hosted by individual companies in the evenings.  On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t tell you about them.  Well, let me just say that quality and quantity of liquor was abundant, as well as a great variety of snacks.  It’s amazing just what you can find out when there is a room full of Presidents and CEOs indulging in alcohol.

In case you’re wondering why my blog is a little late this week, just read the above paragraph again. 

I highly recommend that if you want to make some high level contacts then you attend the PDAC Convention next year and network, network, network.

Have a great weekend!

 

Well, I barely recovered from my snow storm travel adventures when I headed off to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference 2007, popularly known as the PDAC Conference 2007.  The first PDAC conference took palce in 1932 and since then it has been a gathering place for people and companies involved in the search and development of new mineral deposits. Today, the PDAC International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange has become the most important event in the world of exploration, bringing together players involved in the field from all over the world.

This year’s conference was one of the most high-power conferences I’ve been to in a while.  Countries from around the world were promoting their raw resources in the hope of attracting money and companies to invest in developing their resources.  Mining companies involved in everything from gold, silver, copper, zinc, uranium to diamonds were promoting themselves looking for investors.  Some companies were looking to get listed on a recognized stock exchange, while others were already listed on the TSX or some other exchange.

One would expect such activity.  Although I was impressed with the amount of money that was put into the promotions, especially with some of the gifts and packages being handed out.  No, samples of gold, but I did get an opportunity to taste authentic, imported Turkish Delight.  And let me tell you - what an experience that was.  Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm. 

On another hand, let me tell you about the social activities sponsored or hosted by individual companies in the evenings.  On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t tell you about them.  Well, let me just say that quality and quantity of liquor was abundant, as well as a great variety of snacks.  It’s amazing just what you can find out when there is a room full of Presidents and CEOs indulging in alcohol.

In case you’re wondering why my blog is a little late this week, just read the above paragraph again. 

I highly recommend that if you want to make some high level contacts then you attend the PDAC Convention next year and network, network, network.

Have a great weekend!

 

This article is dedicated to all the people in our lives.  And I would like to begin by thanking my friends Jovian and SweetieNov for asking me when I’m going to post my next article.  It’s good to see that someone is reading some of my work.

Who is your life?  Have you ever taken a look at the people that you have allowed to be part of your life?  Or have you just let people flow into your life without even considering it. 

From my research and work as a trainer in relationship networking, I’ve noticed that the most successful individuals in any society (regardless of how you define success) are those that consciously choose their friends and others they allow into their life.  But, it goes beyond that.  These successful people also realize the impact different people have and the role they could play in their specific life.

So, in order for us to decide who to let into our lives, we should understand different types of individuals and be able to assess them.  By the way, I teach this in my 3 hour workshop, “Reading People”.  Then, we need to understand the role that these people play and whether we need that role filled in our lives. 

Two broad categories of types of people are toxic and inspiring.  Toxic people are those that intentionally or unconsciously give you a feeling of hopelessness and despair.  Usually after you have a chat with them you feel negative, unmotivated and even a failure or as there is no hope.  Inspiring people are those that after you chat with them you feel like taking on the world, like being the best that you can be.  Some individuals are simply pessimists and others are optimists.  The point is that they all have an impact on our lives and simply by letting them into our circle of influence creates an impact on our life, meeting our objectives and our level of success (or failure).

I encourage you to take an inventory of those you talk to and spend time with and assess how them affect you.  Are they helping you in your progress or hampering you?  If they’re hampering you, you might want to consider redefining your boundaries with them or even relationship.  Sometimes it is better to distance yourself from those that are harming you and to get closer to those that make you feel better or are helping your progress.

As part of an audit of your relationships, I also recommend something that I do once in a while.  Simply write down why you appreciate that person being in your life and what you value about them.  Then pick up the phone and tell each one of them.

So in the spirit of practicing what I preach, I would like to thank:

Judee Regan (author of ‘Meaningful Work…the entrepreneurial way’) for her questioning of my values and why I am so loyal to my relationships and core values.  It reminds me of the man that I am and the price I pay for sticking to my values.

Rio (aerospace engineer and personal trainer) for his high energy personality and the way he makes me feel that I’m a good man.

Dr. Helen (world leading researcher at Johns Hopkins Hospital) for showing me that there are others out there who stick to their commitments and do what they say they’re going to do.  And also for her support in my physical conditioning program.

Dr. Amanda (psychologist from the State Univesity of New York) for sharing with me the perspectives of our American friends over the border and for pointing out new ways of looking at things.

Cheryl (H.R. Consultant) for checking in with me once in a while and letting me know what’s going on in the job market.

Dolores Pian (owner of ‘Spaces’) for her words of encouragement when I went through hard times.  She is one of very few people who still sends cards in the mail and which I really appreciate.

Dave Hankala (insurance advisor) for his continued support and sharing of common interests.  Another man who keeps to his word and values clear communication.  David, the lessons I’ve learned from you though subtle have changed my life.

Erika Marquardt (owner of Healing Arts Institute) as a role model for overcoming the setbacks in her life and not letting anything stop her from achieving her goals.  Erika gave birth to her first child within the last three years.

Mary Joe Marco (owner of Kingsway Health & Beauty) who I introduced to another long-time friend David Marco (past owner of Coconut Grove Intimate Apparels and presently a mortgage broker) and who adopted a child from China.  They too are an inspiration to those of us that looking for love at a mature point in our lives. 

Of course there is much more to thank these individuals for than I’m willing to share here and there are many, many more individuals that I appreciate being in my life.  But, you get the point. 

Who’s in your life and how are they affecting you?

Last week I was listening to CNN Business News and an Editor from a well-known business publication was interviewed.  In her comments she stated that their research found that most successfull small business people don’t plan to the detail of a business plan.  Which I agree with.  However, if you take that statement at face value one may believe that most successful small businesses don’t have a business plan, which I disagree with.  In her statement this editor did not define a ’successful’ small business and I suspect she used very vague census definitions, which basically classify any business that’s been active for a certain period of time and paying its bills as successfull.  Well, by my definition that is not success.  I believe success should be defined as a healthy, prosperous business that is meeting the financial needs of the business owner to a greater degree than if that business owner were to be working full time for a competitive salary.  And by my definition, I can tell you that only about 2% of small businesses that have been in business for 5 years would be considered successful.  Now, here’s the important part.  Almost all of those successfull businesses that I’ve come across have a business plan.  Sure, I’ve come across businesses that have had a good year or two, but without a plan they usually fizzle out.  You see, they may happen to find a need, gap or whatever to fill but what happens when the competition moves in or their product becomes obsolete?

But, that’s not the reason why I was motivated to mention this editor.  The real reason is her second comment that all an entepreneur needs is that one idea.  Excuse me?  That one idea?  I have hundreds of great ideas and I know many people that have.  So why isn’t everyone with a great idea a great entrepreneurial success?  Anyone that’s spent any amount of time in business or near entrepreneurs knows that the success in business comes from implementation.  Ideas are nothing until they get implemented!  Yet, this self-proclaimed expert on small business is saying the exact opposite.  It is in her statement that she reveals her ignorance and incompetence as a small business expert.  So, how is it that she’s the publisher of a well-known business publication?  Hmmmmm.  And how many would be entrepreneurs are being led into a false direction because of this careless and incompetent woman?

As I always say, careful from whom you recieve your counsel.  Advice is free, especially when it is useless to begin with.  You want to succeed in business be your own counsel and look at what has truly worked for others.  Starting any venture, business or otherwise without a plan is no better than buying a lottery ticket - some succeed, but most lose their money.

If you are considering starting your own business, drop me an email and I’ll be happy to discuss it with you.

Good Luck

Leading others requires continuous learning and reminders of what it means and takes to be a leader.  So for those of you that are leaders, leaders of leaders, or just work with leaders, this article will be helpful. 

According to Jeswald Salacuse, dean of law at Southern Methodist University, leaders have seven tasks they carry out daily:

1. Direction:  Leaders articulate and help to set the goals of the organization, including overseeing movement towards those goals;

2. Integration: Leaders unite diverse followers, which is difficult to do when working with those that like to be unique;

3. Mediation: Leaders often must mediate the disputes among individuals struggling over turf, resources, responsibilities and policies.

4. Education: Leaders educate, coach, guide and advise those they lead.  (Notice this doesn’t include training.  Training should be done by those that are dedicated to it.);

5. Motivation: Leaders must continuously encourage others to do the right thing for the common good of the team;

6. Representation: Leaders represent the community they lead, which is especially difficult when the community members have plenty of clout. 

7. Trust Creation: Leaders must earn the trust of the team members and stakeholders in order to direct, integrate, mediate, educate, motivate or represent the individuals of the community.

So there you have it - some tips (or reminders) for what it takes to be a leader.

You can read more about this topic in Jeswald Salacuse’s book “Leading Leaders”, 218 pages, available through Amazon for $37.95.

Today I had a conversation with a colleague of mine who was amazed when she realized that for the past 7 years I’ve been working on several consulting contracts, while running MetroActive (a business networking and training organization with 9,000 members). 

“How do you do it?” she asked. 

It wasn’t the first time I heard this question.  “It’s not that as impossible as you think”, I replied. 

Then I pointed out that the average person watches as much as 2 hours of television a day.  I simply choose to take that passive time and make it active.

However, this time in hearing the question and with everything that has happened in my life in the last while, I realized that I’m a little emotionally tired.  I’ve been the lead goose in the flock for 7 years and I think its time for me to take a rest, watch a little television.  Well, maybe not the television, but perhaps spend more recreational time with my friends and start dating again. 

Being a consultant and entrepreneur can be very tiring.  In fact, many consultants go back to work after a year or two.  I’ve been able to keep at it for years and have not only learned all kinds of things and expanded my skills, but also enjoyed it quite thoroughly.  But, now it’s time for me to make a change, yes you heard me make a change. 

So, what’s next?  Well, that’s the big question, isn’t it?

What do I do with all the experience, skills and wisdom that I’ve acquired?  They say once you’re a leader, even when you follow within the flock, you still lead the flock from the rear.  That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned in the last few years.  Being a silent, discrete leader has forged true, well-grounded leadership spirit within me.  This I will enjoy practicing more often.