Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Terlemezian.
Paul, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My business began after being downsized three Junes in a row – June 7, 2001; June 7, 2002; June 30, 2003 (I was hiding on June 7, 2003 and it took a while for me to be found.)
I discovered the problem, it was me, I was picking a good company, and trying to change it from the inside. So, I decided to try a different approach, On June 30, 2003 I launched iFive Alliances, LLC for the purpose of helping good companies be changed by other good companies as we built collaborations between them that were focused on helping a third (or fourth or a fifth or,,,,) company. I would help good companies become even better from the outside as they simultaneously made money by helping others and helping themselves.
And then in 2009, I had another idea. What if I created a good company that allowed itself to be changed by other good companies. We began testing the concept in 2011, ran it as a pilot for a few years and them spun it out as an independent company in 2014 – Georgia LEARNS Now. LLC.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking backwards – yes – it feels smooth now. In the midst – there certainly were struggles. And now – I embrace struggles, worry if things are going too smoothly – and have developed the confidence to cherish the opportunity to struggle – I know I will survive and be better able to help others.
The struggle with self-doubt is persistent. Economic, competitive, and regulatory struggles persist – and are necessary, One struggle has vanished – the struggle with ethics. If there is an ethical challenge – I cannot make any excuses or blame anyone else. This works especially well when I allow myself to change as I understand the ethical issues faced by others.
As you know, we’re big fans of Georgia LEARNS Now, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
LEARNS is an acronym for – Leveraging Every Available Resource Non-Stop
We have a different plan – we are an economic development Platform. We engage with Executives involved in Nonprofits, Learning Technology, Learning Leadership, Investment, Academia and Consulting. The Platform identifies and supports efforts to fund projects focused on establishing Georgia as the global leader in the effective use of the ALO (Adaptable Learning Organization Framework) in support of “Performance Assurance” across all spectra of learning. The projects and outcomes speak louder than words as we maintain this reputation and earn investments from a wide range of sources. These projects are self-sustaining and produce an ongoing stream of visible results measured in jobs and economic benefits for those that participate. We collaborate with organizations around the world that are open to supporting these initiatives to accelerate positive global impact.
We offer free and open activities all year long. Each year culminates with an annual conference that began as a 5-hour luncheon in 2011 and this year will be nearly 80 small group conversations over a six week interval – about 60 of which will occur in a two-week period – October 27 – November 7. The conference is free to attend, no fees are charged, no fees are paid, there are no sponsors – every participant may add any topic to the conference and may choose between the roles of panelist, remarkable “speaker,” humorist, engaged participant, or curiosity concierge.
Everyone is welcome to help us define and implement projects that create verifiable outcomes, embrace effective technologies and leverage purposeful collaboration. Our expectation is that attendees will generate income for theur organization while helping us create better results, faster and less expensively than we would have been able to do without their help.
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Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Ha – that would be a secret!
Actually, there are three things.
1. I have an extensive collection of baseball cards – mostly from the 1950’s and 1960’s
2, I have had experience with operas and community theater – and played the role of Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof
3. No one knows this one and I am not telling anyone yet…..
Pricing:
- Everything we offer publicly is free
- You are welcome to copy what we do – plesase let us an others know that you did s0
- We will help you copy what we do – for free if you are offeriing it for free
- We will help you copy what we do and help you make money doiing so – and ask that yous share some of the revennue with us.
- If you insist – we are willing to consider earning a fee or a retainer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://georgialearnsnow.ning.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulterlemezian/
