The Sustainability Symbol

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) respond primarily to questions about Dragonpreneur Training. For answers to questions about the Sustainability Symbol and other programs of the McMaster Institute for Sustainable Development in Commerce, please check the blog or contact the Institute.

What is Dragonpreneur Training?. 1

What is Junior Dragonpreneur?. 1

What is a Dragon Mentor?. 2

What are the 5 Belts of Dragonpreneur?. 2

What is the “Triple Bottom Line” (3-bottom-line)?. 2

What is an Entrepreneur?. 2

What is the difference between an INTRApreneur and an ENTREpreneur?. 2

What is a Serial Entrepreneur?. 2

What Type of Organization is Dragonpreneur?. 2

Is Dragonpreneur a Club?. 2

Is Dragonpreneur a Training, Coaching and Consulting Organization?. 2

Is Dragonpreneur a Social Enterprise?. 3

How is Dragonpreneur different from the many ‘sustainability awards’ and recognition programs around the world 3

What is CSR?. 3

Does Dragonpreneur compete or conflict with other entrepreneur clubs and organizations?. 3

Is Dragonpreneur a Coaching / Mentoring system?. 3

Who participates in Dragonpreneur?. 3

Is it only for ‘business types’?. 3

What will I learn through Dragonpreneur?. 3

Dragonpreneur Courses. 3

Dragonpreneur Seminars. 3

What are the Aims and Goals of Dragonpreneur?. 4

Why is Dragonpreneur based on the Martial Arts?. 4

What is the meaning of ‘Professional Entrepreneur”. 4

What is Eco-Entrepreneurship ( or an Eco-Entrepreneur)?. 4

What will I do as a Dragonpreneur?. 4

What kind of Events is Dragonpreneur involved in?. 4

What are Coffee Filters / Dragonpreneur Meet-ups?. 5

What are Speed Entrepreneurship Events™?. 5

What is the benefit to me?. 5

What do I get as a member of Dragonpreneur?. 5

What is Dragonpreneur Online Coaching?. 5

What can I do in my own community?. 5

What are the “essential requirements” of a Dragonpreneur coach?. 6

How can I make money through Dragonpreneur?. 6

How can Dragonpreneur improve my social life?. 6

What about Sporting Activities?. 6

Only Available to Registered Dragonpreneurs. 6

How do I become a Dragonpreneur Member?. 6

What is Dragonpreneur Training?
Dragonpreneur Training is a combination of Western best business practices and Eastern relationship with Society and the Environment. The training objective is to unlock and balance the five aspects of successful living – Communication – Relationships – Money – Creativity & Innovation – Leadership

What is Junior Dragonpreneur?
Junior Dragonpreneur starts young people on a path to become wealthy in experience, relationships and wisdom. Dragonpreneur completes and compliments the objectives of education, to prepare young people with the skills needed for a successful, productive, integrated life.

What is a Dragon Mentor?
A Dragon Mentor is a helpful guide and coach who helps entrepreneurs to greater success by helping them define their plan, observe what they do and how they behave, and offer constructive feedback on the observations.

“Coaching does not mean doing for others, but means helping others to get things done” – David Ulrich

What are the 5 Belts of Dragonpreneur?
The 5 belts of Dragonpreneur are the Communications belt, the Relationship Belt, the Money Belt, the Creativity and Innovation Belt and the Black Belt of leadership.

Depending on the region, the colours of the belts may change for cultural reasons, but the sequence doesn’t change. A few regions begin with the Yellow belt for Communications, instead of the basic White Belt for Communications. Some regions don’t use the belt system, but instead the 5 claws or talons of the Dragon or Animal representations of the hierarchy of achievement. Regardless of the belts, colours, talons or animals used to represent the levels of achievement, the principle remains the same – Dragonpreneurs build on practice, strength and conditioning to become “professional entrepreneurs”.

What is the “Triple Bottom Line” (3-bottom-line)?
The “Triple-Bottom-Line” (3-bottom-line) comes from the expression – ‘the bottom line’ - meaning “what are the final consequences of our actions and activities?” “When we calculate the incomes and expenses, benefits and liabilities, what is left on the bottom line?”

The single bottom line in accounting refers simply to profit, but in the 21st Century of social inequality, environmental damage and human-caused climate change, the 3 bottom lines of ‘Social’, ‘Environmental’ and ‘Economic’ results have become critical.

What is an Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is someone who identifies a need in the marketplace, understands what the market wants (or will want), and organizes the resources to fill that need. Entrepreneurs are confident in taking calculated risks to create and innovate with new businesses and business ideas.

What is the difference between an INTRApreneur and an ENTREpreneur?
The difference between an INTRApreneur and an ENTREpreneur is reflected in the work situation and tolerance for risk. An intrapreneur creates and innovates while working inside an existing organization, enjoying the security of a job.

An Entrepreneur generally accepts all the risk and gains all the reward. Success for the Entrepreneur depends on the entrepreneurs’ communication, relationship, money, creative and leadership skills all working together. Dragonpreneur trains both Intrapreneurs and Entrepreneurs to become successful, serial entrepreneurs, creating benefit for their employees, the environment, and themselves.

What is a Serial Entrepreneur?
A serial entrepreneur is the most valuable member of the business community and society at large. A serial entrepreneur (meaning: the entrepreneur creates a company, builds it, sells it, starts another, etc.) is critically important for economic growth, employment and innovation.

What Type of Organization is Dragonpreneur?
Is Dragonpreneur a Club?
Yes it’s a club for like-minded people, who have ideas to start their own business, enjoy meeting other entrepreneurs, or simply want to share their experience to help others succeed.

Is Dragonpreneur a Training, Coaching and Consulting Organization?
Yes, Dragonpreneur provides events and meetings where like-minded people can gather and discuss their dreams, meet with potential investors, receive training and mentoring, and match trained Dragonpreneurs with individuals, companies corporate clients who would benefit from consultation and learning the principles of Dragonpreneurship.

Is Dragonpreneur a Social Enterprise?
Yes, Dragonpreneur is a model for Social Enterprise. Dragonpreneur incorporates the principles of the 3-bottom-line, serving the interests of the Society and the Environment while making a profit.

Dragonpreneur identifies, trains and promotes individuals who are part of the solution, however, Dragonpreneur does not recognize or promote individuals or organizations who don’t acknowledge or work on changing the fact they are part of the problem.

How is Dragonpreneur different from the many ‘sustainability awards’ and recognition programs around the world
Dragonpreneur is a bottom-up sustainable lifestyle training program designed to actually address the problem at the root. Awards to organizations are good for profile and promotion, and to set an example for competitors, however most students and employees are not aware of the meaning and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR)

What is CSR?
CSR stands for ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ which is essentially companies taking into consideration the need for a healthy Society and Environment as well as a healthy Economy in conducting their business activities.

Does Dragonpreneur compete or conflict with other entrepreneur clubs and organizations?
No. In fact, the purpose of Dragonpreneur is to increase membership activity in local entrepreneurship organizations and encourage multiple memberships among the growing number of entrepreneur clubs worldwide.

Dragonpreneur fills the entrepreneurship coaching and education ‘niche’ that is required to fully appreciate and participate in other entrepreneurship organizations.

Cross-fertilization is a critical requirement for entrepreneurial growth, and members of any organization who are also Dragonpreneurs can attend Speed Entrepreneurship™ events.

Is Dragonpreneur a Coaching / Mentoring system?
Yes, Dragonpreneur is a bottom-up system of learning how to be coached, peer-coaching, becoming a coach yourself and mentoring others to succeed.

The coaching / leadership process begins with membership, participation in Coffee Filters, Speed Entrepreneurship Events, Dragonpreneur Training (as the coachee /mentee) and various sporting activities in your region.

Who participates in Dragonpreneur?
Is it only for ‘business types’?
No! Dragonpreneur is for everyone who wants to realize their own dreams. If you are a creative person, non-business type, want to improve your value as an employee or even have ambitions for the corporate executive suite, there’s value for you in Dragonpreneur.

What will I learn through Dragonpreneur?
Dragonpreneur Courses
The Core Dragonpreneur Courses provide training in Cross-Cultural Communications, Presentation Skills, Business English, Online Selling, Business Etiquette, Networking, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sales Techniques, Cash Flow Management, Wealth Creation Strategies, Thinking Skills, Leadership Skills and much much more.

Dragonpreneur Seminars
Introduction to Dragonpreneur
Learn how Dragonpreneur is the revolution in business education for the 21st Century – Based on the 3-bottom-line and a Martial Arts model, Dragonpreneur helps non-business types to improve their value as employees, and give them confidence to start their own business.

Dragonpreneur for the Beauty Industry
Competition in the Beauty industry is intense, because it is difficult to differentiate from the other. Dragonpreneur offers the Secret Key to Success in the Beauty Industry in this exciting seminar

Dragonpreneur Online Selling
Online selling to the Long Tail of the Internet is the way millions are making millions! Learn in this Dragonpreneur seminar how you can tap into the Environmentally-Friendly web, Improve Society and make Healthy Profits!

Dragonpreneur Success in the Restaurant Business
Restaurants open and close in failure more often than other businesses, because entrepreneurs think it is easy money!

Learn the Dragonpreneur secrets of differentiating your restaurant concept and incorporating the principles that will keep your business on the the minds of consumers in this exciting seminar

Sell Yourself through the Power of Dragonpreneur
Many people have good ideas as employees or entrepreneurs, but they have difficulty selling them to decision makers. Learn the Dragonpreneur Approach to Selling Yourself and understand and apply the important principles in networking and presentation skills.

The Dragonpreneur Way to an MBA
It’s becoming very competitive to enter the Highly Rated MBA programs around the world – High GMAT scores are not enough! Today the top business schools are looking for the skills embodied in the Dragonpreneur program – character building – entrepreneurial, customer-centric thinking – 3-bottom-line thinking – team work, networking and presentation skills – join the elite thinkers and doers in the world the Dragonpreneur Way!

What are the Aims and Goals of Dragonpreneur?
Why is Dragonpreneur based on the Martial Arts?
Dragonpreneur uses the framework of the martial arts to illustrate the ‘holistic’ requirement of the complete “professional” entrepreneur. Progress through the levels or phases of most martial art disciplines requires achieving competence at the foundation and building upon a strong, centered

What is the meaning of ‘Professional Entrepreneur”
Dragonpreneur includes a training program to “Professionalize” entrepreneurship, raising the quality and success rate of entrepreneurs it coaches, and creating a new class of ethical, environmentally-friendly entrepreneurs who have moved from the old stereotypes to a fresh new solution to the sustainable commerce.

What is Eco-Entrepreneurship ( or an Eco-Entrepreneur)?
Eco-Entrepreneurship, or to be an Eco-Entrepreneur does not necessarily mean that you are involved in an environment-related business, but it does mean that in the process of planning and running your business, you have taken into consideration the 3-bottom-line, recognizing the responsibility and ‘fit’ of your business with the needs of the Society, Environment and Economy.

Alternately, many successful new businesses are directly involved in solving the worlds environmental problems through Eco-Entrepreneurship, everything from energy auditing and saving, to alternate fuels, waste management, new low-impact technologies and products.

What will I do as a Dragonpreneur?
What kind of Events is Dragonpreneur involved in?
Dragonpreneurs enjoy participating is a variety of events, as individuals or as teams. Individuals can participate in Coffee Filters and Meet-Ups, Business Plan Competitions, Online Competitions and Awards Ceremonies.

Groups of Dragonpreneurs can become Dragonboat teams, Road Race participants, Adventure Race Teams anything and anywhere Eco-Entrepreneurship or sustainable entrepreneurship is best illustrated.

What are Coffee Filters / Dragonpreneur Meet-ups?
“Coffee Filters” or “Dragonpreneur Meet-ups” are informal gatherings of local entrepreneurs and people interested in starting their own business, where the Dragonpreneur program is explained and questions are answered. The meetings are called “Coffee Filters” because they act as a “filter” to assess each individual’s “success potential” within the Dragonpreneur process. These meet-ups are the first informal filter – no tests, no speeches or other stressful activities.. just making sure you’re in the right group for future fun and profit!

The next stage is participating in a Speed Entrepreneurship Event!

What are Speed Entrepreneurship Events™?
Speed Entrepreneurship is a club activity of active, qualified Dragonpreneur members wanting to practice their networking skills and gain access to financing for their existing businesses or business ideas.

Similar to the concept of “Speed Dating”, Speed Entrepreneurship™ is a fast track to learning and practicing how to create relationships with potential investors. A unique process of 360 Degree evaluation and coaching of your “elevator pitch” prepares you to meet real guest Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists looking for SEE business plans on the spot!

What is a SEE (Business) Plan?
A SEE plan is a business plan that incorporates elements of Social sustainability, Environmental sustainability and of course Economic sustainability – basically, a business plan for the 21st Century, that recognizes the value and importance of the 3-bottom-line.

What are Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists (VC’s)?
Angel Investors are most often private individuals who re-invest their wealth in new projects, and may or may not become partners in your new (or existing) business. Dragonpreneur maintains relationships with Angel Investors and invites them to Speed Entrepreneurship Events looking for good places to invest their money.

Venture Capitalists (VC’s) are individuals who have companies that maintain portfolios of investments in start-up firms, generally focusing on a single industry sector. VC’s usually require that the entrepreneur has a track record of successful companies or has created a strong team to manage the new idea.

What is the benefit to me?
Enhancement of your business success potential (Economic)

Excellent Connections / New Perspectives and Opportunities / Matching with New Customers, Potential Partners, Former Colleagues, / Identifying finding sources and resources

Social Enhancement

New Connections / Higher Status in Society / A New Channel to Help Others / Great Opportunity for Matching People with Similar Interests and Perspectives

Environmental Enhancement,

Opportunity to be a participant in the solution, and profit at the same time.

What do I get as a member of Dragonpreneur?
Every basic member of Dragonpreneur gets access to Coffee Filter Meet-ups, take coaching and training sessions offered in their region, and the opportunity to attend Speed Entrepreneurship events.

What is Dragonpreneur Online Coaching?
Dragonpreneur has developed relationships with online learning platforms which offer you the opportunity to learn elements of the Dragonpreneur program online. Upon satisfactory completion of the Dragonpreneur Black Belt, you can also promote and offer your coaching services online.

What can I do in my own community?
As a basic member of Dragonpreneur, you can participate in Coffee Filters, SpeedEntrepreneurship activities, and upon the completion of your Dragonpreneur Training, you can operate your own local coaching business. Within the Dragonpreneur Training program, you must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community assistance.

What are the “essential requirements” of a Dragonpreneur coach?
Dragonpreneur Training builds Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Unlimited Positive Enthusiasm and Entrepreneur Thinking, Assertive Development of Your Network and Cash Flow, Willingness to help people Explore, Discover and Learn. Professional Attitude and Curiosity.

How can I make money through Dragonpreneur?
The benefits of becoming a member of Dragonpreneur are many - one of them is learning to make money as a seminar and workshop presenter, another exploding opportunity is as a trained CSR Business Consultant, a Private Tutor / Coach for entrepreneurs, and as a 21st Century Sustainable Lifestyle Coach.

How can Dragonpreneur improve my social life?
Dragonpreneur Coffee Filters, Meetups and Speed Entrepreneurship Events are great places to meet interesting men and women with high potential. The more you participate in Dragonpreneur activities, the better chance you have of meeting the right people for your business and social activities! Your networking skills will improve, the quality of the people you meet will improve, and your business and personal success will improve!

What about Sporting Activities?
Dragonpreneurs participate in Dragonboat Races, Running Races, Adventure Races and Martial Arts Events. We want YOU on the team!

Only Available to Registered Dragonpreneurs
Exclusive Speed Entrepreneurship sessions (Check with your local Dragonpreneur Group for Cost).

Exclusive Dragonpreneur Training and Coaching from low cost classroom settings to premium priced one-on-one personalized coaching (Check with your local Dragonpreneur Group for Cost).

Access to DragonMentors

How do I become a Dragonpreneur Member?
Current Basic Membership Fees are listed at www.Dragonpreneur.com

You can pay for your membership by PayPal, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

All MEMBERSHIP are registered through the www.Dragonpreneur.com website, most SEMINARS also require advance online booking through the individual school, venue or www.Dragonpreneur.com .

Coffee Filters are generally free to members and there is usually a small fee for unregistered guests.

There are fees to participate in local Speed Entrepreneur Events (information is in your “welcome kit”