NEW BUSINESS SPEAKING PARTNESHIP TAKES FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

A chance meeting on a train has led to a new event speaking collaboration and the launch of a long lost book for a local businessman.

Until August of this year, Oldbury IT specialist and trouble-shooter, Philip Young, was commuting to London daily (and hating it) for consultancy work at a much lower level than his experience merited, but a conversation struck up with executive performance coach and best selling business author, Bernie De Souza, gave him both the confidence and impetus to start communicating more effectively, develop his career path and increase income streams.

The end result (and in just eight weeks) was his first own event at the Birmingham Marriot  - with a special guest speaker appearance by Bernie De Souza - and the belated launch of his self-help/autobiographical book ‘2 Much 2 Young', which was originally written in 2007.

Phil explains: "I overheard Bernie telling someone how he'd quickly sold over 70,000 copies of his book ‘Your Success Is in Your Daily Routine' in the US after a keynote speaker role in Orlando and it intrigued me. We clicked instantly, both being honest and open personalities, and he was only too pleased to help me get my book off the ground.

"Bernie helped me formulate a business/finance plan and also utilised his extensive contacts network so I was able to produce an audio version of the book as well, plus a website to promote my new venture. And he did all this for nothing, because what is more important is the reciprocal mentoring and event speaking business we can do together going forward.

"But above all else, Bernie gave me belief in myself again. In my early career I quickly rose to IT Director of a global logistics company and won a coveted CIO Innovator Award for the UK, but on leaving the company I lost my way a bit, went through a traumatic divorce and never really scaled the same company heights."

Bernie, who has also worked with sporting icons like Daley Thompson, Linford Christie and the England Women's cricket team, says: "Through coaching and mentoring, I helped Phil realise again that his specialist skill set and 30+ years experience of effecting business change via strategy and technology is still hugely relevant. He will be a much in demand speaker and thought leader as a result. I've also been able to pass on my knowledge and experience of self-promotion, how and what to say and when, so this has been put to good use in marketing Phil's book, producing videos, as well as developing his public speaking persona.

"I have to say Phil's book is a good practical read, with lots of useful and hands-on tips, which immediately sets it apart from most theoretical self-help business books. The theme of how to accept change and then apply proven solutions to both your business and personal life is particularly inspiring. But because of his colourful and eventful youth - he had an impoverished upbringing, was kidnapped at 15 and also moved home five times in one year for example - it's also fast paced, exciting and easy to relate to."

Phil adds: "I'm a firm believer in the adage people buy people and from our very first meeting on the train we clicked and haven't looked back. I'd reached my glass ceiling, but Bernie helped me to see through and beyond it. If you're stuck where you are and can't understand your next career move, Bernie can make a real difference - and after my mid career slump I feel I'm now back to where I belong."

Bernie concludes: "Phil and I complement each other perfectly, my skills and expertise ideally suited to helping professionals get more clients via high communication skills, while Phil has few equals when it comes to troubleshooting and restructuring business through technology strategies. We plan to do a lot more events throughout our Midlands heartland, but also in London as there is no-one delivering what we have to offer."

 At their first event, Phil Young detailed the Three Secrets to Managing & Understanding Change covered in his new book. Bernie De Souza revealed The Secret Language of Your Prospects as his experience proves that three out of four people we talk to don't really understand us to start with, as they're different personality types.

Phil Young can be contacted via www.philip-young.com/ while for more information on Bernie De Souza visitwww.berniedesouza.com/

ENDS

Contact: Greg Rees, Beyond 400, on 07866 613907. E:greg@beyond400.co.uk