Kevin O’Leary and Arlene Dickinson
Publishing
Duelling Dragons: O'Leary vs. Dickinson
Courtney Shea
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published
Last updated
Entrepreneurial bookworms are going to be busy this fall with two big book releases from the depths of the Dragon’s Den. Both Kevin O’Leary and Arlene Dickinson know a lot about how to get ahead in the world of wheeling and dealing – when they’re not starring on CBC’s hit reality series (season six premiered last Wednesday), each heads up a successful business empire. Here, our breakdown of two duelling dragons and their recent tomes.
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Kevin O'Leary
Sold his The Learning Company to Mattel for $4.2-billion. Now works as chairman of O’Leary Funds, a company with $1.5-billion in holdings.
The fire-breathing dragon. Known for his ego, steely gaze and scorching verbal lashings.
The cover of Cold Hard Truth on Business, Money and Life— Handout
Judging his book by the cover: With his imposing stance and thick, gold-embossed lettering, the look is very Art of the Deal. (Thankfully, O’Leary didn’t feel the need to imitate Donald Trump’s hairstyle.)
Super-distilled business strategy within: Whatever you pay attention to grows.
Dramatic rags-to-riches narrative: After a series of lost years spent dabbling in photography, filmmaking and playing shuffleboard in campus bars, he finally got his break with SoftKey, now a computer software giant that O’Leary started in his basement using a $10,000 loan from his mom.
Bumper sticker quotable: If I see a stuffed animal in your workspace. I’ll light it on fire. And then I’ll fire you.
Person most likely to play him in the movie version: A scarier Dr. Phil
Arlene Dickinson
Owner and CEO of Venture Communications, one of Canada’s largest independent marketing firms.
The softy dragon. Don’t let the Cruella Deville hair streak fool you; this dragon mixes heart with her business savvy.
The cover of Persuasion— Handout
Judging her book by the cover: With the aqua lettering and Dickinson’s ethereal wardrobe choice, the book, at first glance, looks like The Secret for 2011 audiences. Too bad Oprah wasn’t around to trumpet it.
Super-distilled business strategy within: Success in business is all about persuasion, and persuasion is all about relationships.
Dramatic rags-to-riches narrative: In the mist of her 1987 divorce, a judge ruled she would have to prove she could support her four kids if she wanted to maintain custody. With just a high-school diploma to her name, Dickinson went from minimum-wage-earning bill collector to partner of a marketing firm in a single year.
Bumper sticker quotable: True persuasion is about connecting, not conning.
Person most likely to play her in the movie version: A sassier Geena Davis
