Bruce Poon Tip

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• I just launched a social network, what is the best way to start getting media attention?

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    Kill someone.

• Where would you advise people who want to go into the adventure travel industry go network ? A specific business conference?

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    Ah this is a better question. And I know you’re the same person. I see what you’re doing here.. I’m on to you! I would say TIES is a good start. The International Eco Tourism Society conference. And come out to our presentations. Not sure what city you’re in. I’m coming out to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver soon. We hold talks all the time as well all over the world and Canada.

• Dear Mr. Poon Tip, I'd love to work for your company when I graduate uni in 4 years. It'd be great to build a relationship with your team in advance. What sort of work could I do for G Adventures while in the uni?

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    Not sure but interact with through social media. We have internships… we have volunteers sometimes.. bring us presents.. frankincense and myrrh!

• re: market, customers, etc... How can I add more value to others if I have no or low value?

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    I think we’ve been through this.. ass off the couch Son!

• Dear Mr. Poon Tip, not sure if my previous question went through? I am starting uni in the autumn 2012, and want to work in the adventure travel industry. What would you advise to do over the next 4 years for building up a career so I'm well prepared to enter the field full-time when done? And whom would you advise to network within the adventure travel industry?

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    Network with us! Keep in touch with us. Contact our people and talk to us. Let us know what you’re doing. We have over 1,000 employees on Twitter. Let us know what you’re doing. Get on one of our internship programs..take part in our contests. Take a trip (hint hint! shameless plug). Write a story about it on our blog.. interact daily on our Facebook page.

• re: market, clients... how does one add value to others if one has no or low/little value?

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    Not sure this is a serious question. I would say get off your ass and add value. You serve nobody by being small. Find your purpose and whatever that is create happiness. Everyone is capable of extraordinary things. Some of us are insane leaders and some are brave followers. Some are early adopters and some are laggards. Decide you want to have impact and you will.

• I am trying to find different avenues for business development. I am a firm believer in co-marketing opportunities which normally would/should derive a great working partnership with the targeted company. My question is how I should get my name out there (other than CC). I know there are many networking organizations/associations in the Toronto area. Which is the best that works well to reach the “C” level people that I need to meet?

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    Pound the pavement! You need to get in front of people. You need to be aggressive and creative in how you contact people to ask for time. Its a jungle out there but people who want to speak to you find a way. I get excited creative people looking for just a few minutes of time everyday, and they never let up. You can tell an winner by how the approach you. I don’t want to be part of what you’re doing unless your passion can translate.

• Flight tickets and travel packages are becoming cheaper and cheaper - would you consider selling experiences is a feasible way to reverse this trend by adding intrinsec value to this kind of service?

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    Yes. With discount airlines cluttering the travel space airlines tickets are now a commodity. In the future there will two types of traveller. The discount/last minute traveller and the person wanting an experience. That goes for brands as well. The desperate discounting that comes along with recessionary times will ultimately separate between cheap discount brands and premium market leaders. Its a great time for us.

• I run a food portal. What can I do to bring in AD revenues? Any ideas.

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    Not sure I can help you. I always say just be the best at what you do. Push for excellence and don’t copy what others are doing. If you’re differentiated and the best at what you do you will never have problems attracting interest.

• What do you think of the current Canadian startup scene?

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    I think the start scene in Canada is just OK. I think what Canada lacks is support for Entrepreneurs. True Entrepreneurs. People who innovate and create new ideas. Banks and support are far to conservative and only support what they know. If you’re not in manufacturing or mining you have an uphill battle. We need to support innovation to foster not only products and services but also unique business models.