I have attended a 6 part series of professional development seminars held by Cecil Hayes and Spirited Leaders. Great value - very informative and educational.
I would recommend that you consider taking a seminar (or series of seminars) from Spirited Leaders and Cecil Hayes if they are presenting in your community in the near future.Jeffrey Comiskey, Nov 2011 I first met Cecil at a LOPN breakfast meeting where I was truly impressed by his passion for leadership growth and success. Since then, I have seen him "in action" when I attended two sessions of his Spirited Leaders Academy. These thought-provoking, highly interactive seminars were both inspiriing and practical. I came away with leadership ideas and tools I could immediatley put to work growing my business. Thank you Cecil.John Travis, The Common-sense Marketer, Nov 2011 Cecil's guidance and entrepreneurial mentoring have done nothing less than transform my business. Since sitting down with Cecil & Rick in early 2010 to create a foundational plan, they've helped me build a team, articulate a compelling value proposition, and better define our strategic direction. Most recently, Cecil spent weeks and months helping us find and vet a key hire in sales. There were many opportunities for missteps, but thanks to his expertise and hands-on guidance, we've begun a dramatic new growth phase, and we're equipped with plans and tools for continued success. Cecil has become an integral and trusted business partner, and he is most highly recommended.
Von Darnell, President, Huckleberry Film Studios, Nov 2011 I highly recommend Cecil to any person that is starting up a business. He has helped me tremendously in defining the heart of my business plan and making sure that aligns with my strengths and values. His services are very well designed and helped me walk step by step through my business strategy, USP and value proposition.
Chris Meidell, Nov 2010 Recently I attended a workshop presented by Spirited Leaders. I've also enjoyed some interesting conversations with Rick about brain function. Rick's experience, broad knowledge base and varied interests inform the quality of his work. His presentations are informative and fun, and have a clear, simple but powerful message. Rick has a genuine desire to establish and build relationships which are beneficial to all parties.
Lorie Saxby, Nov 2010 Rick is a key member of our advisory team. Rick's guidance, knowledge and experience have helped Modevation Media articulate our value proposition to the market, and to evaluate and identify business models that work.
Rick has an authentic enthusiasm and passion for building businesses, and he would make an excellent addition to any board.
I highly recommend Rick to any company that is looking to grow their business.
Chris Meidell, Business Development Manager, Modevation Media, May 2010 Rick is a highly focused, imaginative, experienced business entrepreneur with the ability to grasp the "big picture" and drill down into details when necessary. This combination of capabilities and unwavering commitment to companies and situations he believes in are key elements for investing and managing investments.
Ken Gingrich, President, Watech Global Business Development Inc., May 2010 Rick has a powerful way of making you think! He provides insight to help create ideas, and then builds on them, with examples and plans. Rick is inspiring as a mentor and has demonstrated his talent for connecting with young professionals in a leadership role. He generates enthusiasm with his quiet thoughtful manner.
Joan Fisk, President and CEO, Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, May 2010 Rick Baker is one of my most valued business and life mentors. I had the privilege of meeting Rick when he volunteered as a judge at the launchpad 50k business competition in 2008. He came up to me after I presented and the awards were presented and handed me his business card and said to me, "Great job up there, here's my card, you're going to want to call me". Thankfully, I called him and he ended up taking me on as an intern for a semester at Spirited Investors. Working for him at Spirited Investors was an eye opening experience in the private equity world of business. He will continue to be one of my role models as a person and a successful businessman. Thanks a lot Rick!
Christopher Carmichael, Student, Wilfrid Laurier University, May 2010 I dealt with Rick while he was at Cibola and for years before when he was with other natural gas marketing companies. Rick is a very creative and smart guy who delivers what he says he will.
Robert Kirkby, President & CEO, ECNG Inc., Mar 2010 Rick has brought a lot of expertise and energy to the Greater KW Chamber. He is one of those individuals who both thinks strategically, and is strong on implementation. His insights and contributions have been of great help.
Diane Wolfenden, MBA, Past-Chair, Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Mar 2010 I have known and worked with Rick Baker over the past several years. I have always found him to be a resourceful and innovative thinker, adept at evolving his business techniques to match the needs of an ever-changing marketplace. His keen insight into the issues confronting businesses today has led him to success in many varied endeavors.
Paul Van Brunt, President, VIP Energy Services Inc, Mar 2010 Rick is a highly motivated, proactive and energetic thinker and actor who is making the world and the workplace better. He's not afraid to take risks, and sees them as essential to move us all forward. His writing is very good, and wickedly witty, but face to face is the best way to know Rick.
Donna Kennedy-Glans, Founder, Integrity Bridges Inc., Mar 2010 Rick is always looking for new ways to approach issues. He presents some very positive approaches to make this happen. It is always a pleasure to work with Rick since it is in a very collaborative manner.
Dave Schnarr, Executive Director, Centre for Family Business, Mar 2010 There are special people in this world.
We meet many in our lifetime, some are memorable.
Cecil is one of these people!
I haven't seen Cecil in years, but he has always held a special spot in my memory. He is a true professional always striving for growth in all facets of life.
Stephen Seckenski, Regional Area Manager - Western Canada, Premier Industrial Corporation, Feb 2010 I first had the pleasure of working with Cecil through our volunteer work at Leadership Waterloo Region and he has since become a valued friend. Cecil’s integrity, work ethic, collaborative personality and service orientation are immediately evident, as is his desire to help people grow personally and professionally. Our community will benefit as a result of Cecil's new role at Spirited Leaders.
Jill Schichter, Board Member/Committee Volunteer, Leadership Waterloo Region, Jan 2010 "Cecil gets it" in a no-nonsense pragmatic way and he takes action to achieve results. A welcome addition to any leadership team.
Glen Boy, CFRE, Partner, Campaign Coaches, Jan 2010 I have worked with Cecil on community development activities, and witnessed him speak on the subject of strategic planning. He is a motivated, high-energy individual who has earned my respect. I can certainly endorse him.
Mike Gillespie, Associate Partner, KPMG, Jan 2010 I met Cecil through the family business association (CFFB) and attended a recent seminar he hosted in the fall. I use the "7 Foundational Building Blocks" taught at the seminar almost every day with our leader team and also with presentations to our financing partners. He presented these concepts with passion and clarity. Whenever I run into Cecil, he shows his genuine interest in our organization and is always willing to offer some useful tidbits of advice.
Bryan Huck, CGA, President, Smitty's Furniture, Jan 2010
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