FROM YAZD to MASHHAD, FROM TEHRAN to KISH ISLAND, and back to TEHRAN
Despite the terrible publicity this country receives in the news media in the west, all I can talk about is the people in the country, in and outside the various conferences, who, one and all, were so friendly, warm, and welcoming to not only me but every speaker who visited for the series of Advertising and Marketing conferences around Iran.
All the speakers from UK, Canada, South Africa and Asia were humbled by the generosity and kindness of the people we had the privilege to speak to.
In Mashhad, I happened to show a picture of a shop in Tehran presenting its Nuts superbly and how I felt compelled to buy as a result - next thing I knew I was presented with two massive bags of nuts with two red roses!
In Tehran, fellow UK Professional Speaking Association (PSA) member, told a humorous story about himself trying to buy a "slim fit" shirt in a shop where I had gone to buy some cufflinks - the next thing I know a member of the audience presented me with a fantastic pair of cufflinks (I collect cufflinks like ties)
This Christmas, totally out of the blue, I receive via DHL a persian rug from one of the conference organisers who has become a good friend.
Their generosity knows no bounds - I wholeheartedly recommend anyone to visit this amazing country - the pictures we see in our media are limited to some fanatical lunatics that I think are saved for our press - the people we dealt with in the street , in shops , and in the conference halls had only friendly smiles and greetings for us - there was never one ounce of hostility or animosity.
Goat for Dinner - WAF Tehran November 2011
When working in Iran we were not only immersed in their culture, but also what they eat. There was a lot of rice, chicken and lamb: Why are they not massive?
LISTEN TO WHAT CONFERENCE ORGANISER SEPEHR TARVERDIAN HAS TO SAY
Amel Derragui - Tehran
Testimonial from Amel Derragui
Dear Mike,
It was good meeting you and your team at the Ad forum. I really really enjoyed listening to you and some of your colleagues.
I have now been living in Iran for a year, and really missed having people around me who motivate me and inspire me, which I really need, especially as I just officially started my company only a month ago.
In fact, just to know briefly about me, hopefully the future will get us to know each other better: I am Algerian, lived in a lot of different countries (India, Serbia, Uganda, USA...) but spent 10 years in France, where i worked for 5 years in advertising (as a project manager), and now I am here in Iran for at least a year, as I got married and joined my husband who works here for the moment. Creating my communication company was the only way to continue doing what I love. Being an entrepreneur with only 5 years of experience is challenging, but passion is what drives me, and every day is an occasion to learn more, every client is an opportunity to grow with him.
I got cheered up and discovered a new way to express the ideas we share together. To use Shaun Smith's metaphor: "I did have the bird in my hand, but you showed me some of the directions to release it"...
For that, I would like to thank you and your team. I would love to keep in touch with the men who dared to show in public in Iran his underwear! and when I will able to afford it, I might also need your services.
Best regards,
Amel
Speaking at Parskhodro Motor Manufacturers
LISTEN TO WHAT PRESIDENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION DERK ARDEN HAS TO SAY
Feisal Nahaboo
Testimonial from Feisal Nahaboo
"Michael has been speaking for Probiz for the last two years at various conferences across the country ranging from Brighton and Southampton in the south, the Dorchester and Sheraton in London, through to Leeds and Liverpool in the north of the country.
I can Recommend Michael for his professionalism and his content, which is always well received by our audience."
Feisal Nahaboo - Founder and CEO - PROBIZ Excellence
Testimonial from Push Patel
Westgate Healthcare Group
YOUR PRESENTATION TO OUR MANAGERS ON 31st MAY 2011
Thank you once again for a challenging, provocative and inspirational presentation to our managers, which was just what we needed in these difficult times.
As I mentioned to you when you were leaving, we believe that this was the best business development presentation we have ever had, and I think will prove to have a significant impact on our future profitability.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Push S Patel FCA CEO Westgate Healthcare Group
20th June 2011
How to be a millionaire
Mozambique - what an incredible result with an amazing group of aspiring entrepreneurs sharing knowledge and experience in the leadership forums - It was fabulous fun
Dear Michael It was a great pleasure to have had the opportunity to organise and participate in the conference and workshops you delivered in Mozambique - I have grown and gained more confidence professionally, but have also felt better for the experience with my personal life as a result of meeting you and the other participants.
Their feedback has been overwhelming especially considering the range of backgrounds and ages present - it has certainly been a visit to remember. Most incredible was the enthusiastic and tight team that rose out of the workshops- a "perfect team" - as one of the participants said.
I have met great people and established important connections from the environment that you fostered in the workshops - thank you and I hope to see you back in Mozambique again soon!
Katya Hassan
Katya Hassan Marketing and Communication Manager Mozambique
Other testimonial extracts from Mozambique - what a fantastic experience - read some of this below and see what passion we shared
Thank you Michael for inspiring me - definitely it is one of my dreams to be the one who could influence my country on financial matters - I have written this goal to be achieved by 2015 Carlos Madeira - Standard Bank Mozambique
My congratulations to the British Council for organising and selecting such an exceptional speaker like Michael. Thank you for the opportunity to attend such a wonderful programme - Michael overtook my expectations and surely I will use his teachings for my day to day life. To all attendees, I wish all the best towards becoming entrepreneurs - the real ones - Mozambique deserves it. I hope you have all started putting down action plans to become millionaires soon.
Special word for the young emerging entrepreneurs in our team - please keep it up and surely with your bright minds you will move towards many $$$$ - I say this from the heart - we do not often see young guys attending workshops like these. To the girls, please become strong and stand up to world adversity and take advantage of the new era
Fenias Leao - SB Miller Breweries
It was really a great pleasure to meet you all and share our thoughts. I have to agree with Mr fenias when he said that British Council gave us a wonderful programme bringing an exceptional speaker like Michael Eunice dos Santos - Rio Tinto
Mozambique
''What a fabulous country with such friendly but ambitious people
I really wholeheartedly urge you to grasp any opportunity to visit there, whenever it presents itself.''
- Michael
Samora Michel Statue
Vanessa breaking through
In Mauritius , I helped Vanessa one of the British Council team to realise that if she could break through a one inch block of wood with her bare hands, she could break through any barrier put in her way in life. It took several failures and much persistence before Vanessa succeeded, and so it is in life - well done Vanessa - I hope your husband was impressed by what you did ..... You were all a great team to work with - Mike
Adilla Diouman Mauritius 09
Mike
Your contribution to our professional development programme in Mauritius was great.
The corporate sessions you conducted were very well planned and delivered. As you are aware these were attended by directors and managers of some of the top 100 companies in Mauritius, and feedback gathered from the participants was extremely positive.
Your in depth knowledge of the topics you covered coupled with your numerous anecdotes and real life experiences that you shared enables participants to easily understand the concepts you were putting forward.
A lot found your tips and guidance inspiring and easy to implement.
With regards to your speech at the Management Express evening, our audience could not get enough of what you were sharing with us.
You are one of a kind speaker wise! I have never experienced before anyone else so prepared to reply and to send presentation material to your past audience ... I am beginning to understand why you are so successful - its all about delighting your customers, isn't it :-)
I'll definitely recommend you to colleagues
Take care and keep in touch
Adilla
Adilla Diouman Assistant Director - British Council Mauritius
Arlen Tahmasian
Arlen Tahmasian - Tehran - World Management Forum
I have seen many professional speakers so far, but some have unique characteristics.
In my opinion, Mike Ogilvie's lecture at the World Management Forum was very useful in that it related more closely to the subject, so that it conveys an important message to the audience.
More importantly, he shows understanding when answering questions, which led to reciprocal communication essential for learning.
I am honoured to have attended this great man's speech.
25th February 2009
Rasina Winfred Rasina
Mike
We are delighted you visited us here in Botswana.
You impressed us with your friendly and flexible approach to mould your presentations to suit our two separate audiences.
The feedback we received from the attendees was superb, and I feel you made a big difference to them and their businesses.
Thank you for helping us achieve our goals, and also meet our budgets - I believe we will be seeing you out here in Botswana again in the future.
I will not hesitate to recommend you to any conference organiser wishing to find a great speaker who specialises in talking about finance and profit improvement related matters
Rasina Winfred Rasina British Council Botswana - April 2009
I am glad that, had the opportunity attended the conference at which you presented in Tehran and I liked what I heard so much that I asked you to come and talk with the management team in my company, where your presentation was inspirational and extremely well received. Since then I have kept in touch with you, and I wanted you to know how much I have appreciated your friendliness and helpful constructive advice. All the best wishes.
20 november 2008
''The golden rules of business success''
Southsea Monday 9 June
"Great speed pitched just right for me" - Tracy Harris, My Virtual Concierge
"Focused and relevant information, well worth it and I would be happy to attend more by Michael" - Sandra Richardson, The Whitfield Richardson Partnership
"Looking forward for the next event" - Hudham Seif Al-Said, Who Else's Design
"Excellent ideas lots of thoughts and prompts for action " - Lynn Timms, Breastfeeding Matters
Ryde Tuesday 10 June
"Great ideas, simple speed" - Fran Cooper, Freedom Children
"Very inspirational talk with realistic points that can be put into action" - Fiona Moir, Gophysio Ltd
"Fun, fast, thought provoking" - Jayne Dyke, Yellow Dot
"A great insight in how to succeed in business" - Chris Davies, Westbourne Southern Ltd
"Have gone away with some goals to set and a better understanding of pricing. A very profitable evening, looking forward to the future" - Mandy Manning, Amews Falconry
"Very interesting and entertaining. Excellent presentation" - Rhiannan Lloyd, West Quay
"Thank you Michael and Business Link, a very interesting seminar and great networking opportunity" - Eleanor Bateman, The Bateman Freer Partnership
"Great ideas, thought provoking and motivational" - Lorna Jackson, HWB Chartered Accountants
It was indeed a pleasure and an honour for me to have known you and to accompany you and indeed to get to know your ideas and opinions on different issues which were all enlightening. You certainly added values to our conferences. YOU not only through your humble character but also through your professional performance made us take advantage of our time and opened new horizons ahead of us. I will be more than happy if you accept our invitation to speak in another conference of us here in Tehran in 2008. God Bless My Dear Brother. All the Best wishes.
13th December 2007
Avnish Goyal - Managing Director, Hallmark Healthcare Group
" Michael, I have heard you speak often and you get better every time.
Your recent speech at the care home conference at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff challenged and entertained the audience so much, I know they will want you back for more."
Avnish Goyal - Managing Director, Hallmark Healthcare Group
I am writing to let you know that you were a massive success for us, as we have never had such a high rate of satisfaction among our audience. You were so motivational, leaving our delegates so energized at the end with lots of content and practical tips; you not only let the audience take advantage of your 3 wonderful speeches, but also you helped bring us profit by extending your stay to give profit consultation to some large Iranian firms. You are one of the best speakers we have hosted for our events which include famous speakers such as Brian Tracy. We hope you will accept our invitation to speak at one of our future events. 21st November 2007
Laura Morgan, Artist and Web Designer, Organiser of "Ecademy Success in Sussex" business meeting
Mike's presentation to our business networking group was informative and lively.
The audience took away a number of practical tips that are easy to understand and simple to implement and we'd be delighted to hear more from him about how to make our businesses more profitable.
25th October 2007
Richard Shelley Performance Coach
I met Mike recently at one of his "Why should I buy from you" workshops. He is an accomplished speaker who delivers a thought provoking session to business owners. He has the impressive credentials of being a qualified accountant and a skilled coach. Thank you Mike there are things I will be doing differently having engaged with you. 26th October 2007
Juliet Yates - Quality Customers
Thank you for an excellent presentation on Thursday evening in Lindfield. It inspired me to consider my marketing tactics and what would make my business different to any other. Would you kindly send me the 'Mind map' presentation to me.
26th October 2007
Robert Rolih , CEO Akademija Panta Rei, Slovenia
We organise more than 50 business events per year, a lot of them with the world's best speakers like Brian Tracy and Chet Holmes. Michael's seminar was one of the best we have hosted to date. It was straightforward, energizing and it left the audience wanting more. I highly recommend Michael as he gives more than you expect. We can hardly wait for another seminar with him.
1.jpg "Picture: Amel Derragui")
4.jpg "Picture: WAF Tehran November 2011 - 72")
1.jpg "Picture: Feisal Nahaboo")
