Biography

What makes Stephen an expert?

Over the last 29 years, Stephen moved through the business ranks from front-line Customer Service Provider, Staff Supervisor, Sales Manager, Operations Manager, Vice-President and finally to the senior executive position as President and Chief Operating Officer.

With a strong entrepreneurial background and equally strong people skills, Stephen brought his companies unexpected growth and success in a myriad of areas including; triple-digit sales growth, mergers & acquisitions, new technology, ISO integration and upon his departure, a perfect customer service rating.

For a more detailed look inside Stephen, click one of the headings below.

Business Background

Communications Background

Media Contribution

The Book

Notable Speeches

Memberships

Trivia

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Business Background:

Stephen Libman entered the family travel business in 1979 as an apprentice (yes they still existed) under the guidance of Mr. Dennis Henzie (since passed on). From that very first day, Dennis taught Stephen the "art" of relationship-building and customer service. In fact, Stephen learned early on that people were more apt to buy from people they liked and trusted rather than those who simply had the lowest price. After his initial trial period he became a Junior Travel Agent. Proving himself, he became a Senior Consultant just over a year later.

Over the next few years, Stephen studied the business extensively learning the ropes. Demonstrating exceptional people skills, he was quickly promoted to Staff Supervisor and then to Branch Manager looking after a sizeable staff. At that point, Stephen began enhancing his practical experience with ongoing, outside educational programs. He achieving record performance and helped many others in the same way.

Stephen applied his learning experiences in-house and at the age of 25 was promoted to Vice President responsible for the company's head office and many branches. He helped the firm grow into one of the largest, independent travel management companies in Canada. He was rewarded with partnership in the corporation and became President of the primary and subsidiary specialty companies.

Continuing the growth trend as Chief Operating Officer, Stephen was responsible for human resources, communications, technology, and the entertainment industry specialty market. In 1993 and again in 1999, Stephen was instrumental in two more significant growth activities through mergers and acquisitions. 

In spite of the challenges within the travel industry over the last few years, Stephen's leadership kept the company growing. In June, 2002, Stephen sold his position in the company and began a new career as full time speaker and business consultant. This, his true passion!

Stephen has been speaking to a variety of audiences over the last 20 years. During the earlier years it was mostly as a travel industry expert and trainer. Over time, Stephen expanded his transferable knowledge and began speaking on and off to other industries.

Over the past two years, Stephen delivered over 100 speeches (mostly within Toastmasters International), lectures, seminars and training workshops. 

In addition to his speaking experience, Stephen has been formally trained by Dale Carnegie & Associates in the area of personal development, performance skills and business management. He is also actively involved in Toastmaster's International communication and leadership educational tracks achieving stellar results. He achieved the designations of Advanced Toastmaster - Gold and Competent Leader. Stephen is currently working on achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster award. Within Toastmasters, Stephen has won dozens of speaking awards and several contests over the years. But, according to Stephen, his reward is never the "trophy" but rather the participants' feedback.

Equally skilled in business consulting, over the same time period Stephen provided strategic solutions to a number of small to medium sized companies.

Media Contribution:

Stephen spends his time sharing his business building experience through several media outlets. Most recently, he began publishing a weekly online newsletter (e-zine) called "eTips". The publication is currently being renamed "The Drive To Achieve". The feedback has been exceptional. Each week, Stephen provides business-building and performance enhancements ideas, strategies and tips to his readers.

Stephen is also a regular contributor to newspapers (Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen, National Post, Toronto Globe and Mail), business magazines (Meetings & Incentives Magazine Corporate Travel Magazine) and trade newsletters (So To Speak). A lecturer on a variety of topics, Stephen is well-known locally and is quickly expanding his reputation internationally. He appears regularly as a guest-expert on television and radio.

The Book:

Stephen is the author of the forthcoming book "The Drive To Achieve". In it, he introduces the powerful common traits and strategies of successful people. It is filled with real-life observations and research delivered in an entertaining and easy-to-apply way, The Drive To Achieve brings understanding and wisdom into today's complex world. Moreover, it empowers and enables anyone to "get in the car and start their engine" on their own "Drive" towards fulfillment.

Notable Speeches:

Some of Stephen's notable speeches have been to:

Memberships:

Stephen is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), International Federation of Professional Speakers and Toastmasters International.

Trivia:

One of Stephen's businesses was (and still is) responsible for some very high profile and high maintenance clients. Stephen's VIP Service company provided the impossible, 24/7/365. His slogan was; Miracle Department - Open 24 Hours! The best part (for him) of that business was the opportunity to speak with some of the world's top performers and business-people. Of course we have all heard the rags-to-riches and against-the-odds stories but Stephen got the chance to hear many of them first-hand, no censor, no tabloids. Well, the result was a tremendous insight into drive, determination, achievement, purpose and often stubbornness, just to name a few success traits. These insights will be seen in his forthcoming book; The Drive To Achieve...

Some of Stephen's celebrity clients have been: Bruce Willis, Mathew Perry, Michael Clarke Duncan, John Travolta, Forest Whitaker, Barry Pepper, Caspar Van Dien, Catherine Oxenberg, Jason Patric, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Jean Reno, Sylvestre Stallone, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Milla Jovovich, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skaarsgard, Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando, Edward Norton, Angelina Jolie, Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Catherine Deneuve, Paul Sorvino, and Josh Hartnett along with several well-known Hollywood producers and directors.