Printable Biography of Mike Vance

His fast paced delivery sprinkled with good humor make him one of the most stimulating speakers and sought after teachers. USA Today named him as one of the most requested speakers in the United States.

Vance was in charge of the Idea and People Development for Walt Disney Productions, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. He was Dean of Disney University. The superlative training programs Vance created to prepare the leadership cadre for Walt Disney World have become exemplary models. He is considered one of the outstanding innovators in management development, training and building corporate cultures.

His companies helped in the start up of Apple Computer. Co-Founder Mike Markkula said, "We couldn't have done what we did at Apple without Mike Vance." Vance worked with them in building the company culture, called "Apple Values," that shaped the spirit of the PC revolution. He helped design and create General Electric's multimillion dollar high tech maintenance and training center which introduced and pioneered the concept of team centers and prototype learning.

Andy Rooney, writing about speakers in his column, said, "Mike Vance, he works more than anyone else." The reason Vance is requested so often is that his dynamic style hits home hard with a wealth of good ideas geared at getting things done. His calendar is filled with repeat customers such as: AT&T, General Electric, WPP, Motorola, Sun Micro Systems, Glaxo-Wellcome, Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser Busch, Coca Cola, and the Young President's Organization (YPO).

Vance began talking about "Out of the Box Thinking" nearly 30 years ago, popularizing the phrase in his "Think Out of the Box" Seminars. He and Diane Deacon cofounded the Creative Thinking Association of America to awaken and stimulate the creative urge in all of us, by providing resources for unleashing human potential. They have written the widely acclaimed books: Think Out of the Box, Break Out of the Box - Techniques for Achieving Breakthroughs, and Raise the Bar - Creative Strategies to Take Your Business and Personal Life to the Next Level.

Programs:

RAISE THE BAR Progress has been made throughout history by those who "Raise the Bar" from darkness to light, from cave dwellings to skyscrapers, and from crawling to going mach II on the Concord. This topic offers eight proven strategies to "Raise the Bar" to a new level in any field or endeavor. Learn how to build a dynamic culture of creativity and innovation.

THINK OUT THE BOX Walt Disney did it. Thomas Edison did it. And now Mike Vance and Diane Deacon, co-authors of the book Think Out of the Box, will help you do it. You'll hear proven, exciting ideas for getting out of your old thought patterns into new and innovative thinking habits.

CULTIVATING CORPORATE CULTURES Learn how to identify what your company culture is today, what you want it to be in the future, and how to get it there. Learn how to create a culture of continuous innovation and creativity.

THE CREATIVE APPROACH Learn how to generate original ideas and implement them. Utilize our unique process as a way to think, plan, strategize and create. This system will help you avoid being in the planning phase while you are executing! Learn our step-by-step proven process for achieving breakthrough solutions.

ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING Discover the skills, actions and attitudes that define what it takes to succeed. Develop an entrepreneurial state of mind for yourself and others.

MANAGEMENT BY VALUES A new approach to leadership and management in an era of the boundaryless culture. Understanding that decision making is easier when we know what your values are. Learn how to improve the "Bottom Line" with good "Top Line" values.

NEW LEADERSHIP PARADIGMS Techniques for achieving mastery in leadership for today's changing times. Learn how to become a creative and inspirational leader. Principles based on personal experience with exceptional leaders.

CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR DISCOVERY Learn how to develop a Team Center for a creative work environment and a Kitchen for the Mind -- a creative living center for the home. Design and build environments for discovery.

FINDING THE BIG IDEA Discover the techniques and practices utilized by many creative geniuses for developing great ideas.