Perhaps the only active thought-leader directly mentored by both Stephen R. Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the best-selling business book of all time) and Peter F. Drucker, (the elder statesman of management as a formal discipline), Ara Norwood is a multi-faceted and results-oriented professional. Spanning a multiplicity of disciplines including leadership, management, innovation, strategy, critical thinking, service, sales, business ethics, and entrepreneurship, Ara is also a historian, having special expertise on the era of the founding of our republic. With extensive knowledge of the lives of our Founding Fathers, particularly Franklin, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, he has seen much demand for his presentation titled “Six Great Men.” A man of unmatched energy and having mastered a vast set of disciplines, Ara captivates audiences with his unique blend of compelling content, intellect, humor, and inspiration. Turning to his experiences gleaned from research, teaching, writing, and world travel (46 countries and counting), this borderline Renaissance Man has wide-ranging interests that provide a reservoir from which he draws powerful life lessons and masterful storytelling.
Intel Leadership Initiative
Secures 3-year contract with Intel Corporation to launch a leadership development initiative.
Professor at College of the Canyons
Begins teaching Management, eBusiness Strategy, Business Ethics, and Entrepreneurship at College of the Canyons. Is highest rated professor on the campus.
Launched Leadership Development Systems
Launches consulting firm, Leadership Development Systems. Secures engagements with Princess Cruises, Kinko’s, Northrop Grumman, Bell Helicopter, Builder Marketing Society, Nestle, Pearson NCS, Boeing, Össur, City of Burbank., JD Power & Associates, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.
Sales Training Initiative
Establishes first ever formal sales training initiative at the Los Angeles Times.
Mentored by Peter Drucker
Is mentored by Peter Drucker while studying Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Sets Sales Record
Sets sales record at Bertelsmann AG, doubling his sales quota.
Mentored by Stephen R. Covey
Is mentored by Stephen R. Covey, the author of the best-selling business book of all time, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, his first boss out of college.
BYU Graduation
Graduates from Brigham Young University
National Speakers Association
Becomes youngest member of National Speakers Association, age 24.
First Major Speech
First major speech, delivered on the evening of his graduation from Los Altos High School. Over 4,000 people attend.