Teaching and Mentoring Philosophy Statement
B.Eng.(Civil), M.Eng.-Sci., Ph.D.
Dr. Firestone has been associated
with
Dr. Firestone combines an academic background in urban economics, urban design and real estate development as well as in the fields of civil engineering and traffic and transportation planning with practical experience through his involvement with over 50 businesses, projects and entrepreneurial start-ups either as a principal, consultant, mentor, director, teacher or coach. He has also been involved with research, teaching and writing in these fields—a quite possibly unique blend of Architectural, Engineering and Business Enterprise.
Dr. Firestone believes in the Socratic Method and expects that his self-motivated students are there to learn, and to experience new vistas. His expectations include the premise that his students will be up to the challenge each year of creating new research and making novel intellectual contributions in these fields, not only to further their own education but also for the benefit of those that follow. He holds out the same challenge to his thesis students—to make a difference not only through their work while at the University but afterwards, as well. Dr. Firestone has given students in Architecture, Engineering, Computer Science and Business the confidence, knowledge and techniques to go into the real world and pursue and realize their dreams either as entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs.
Dr. Firestone mentors and coaches many startups and SMEs. He assists them in getting their business models right so that the harder they work, the more money they make. Even NGOs, charitable organizations and other institutions today recognize that they need a business model so that they can deliver their services in an effective manner.
Dr. Firestone coaches that some of the best investments you make are the ones you don’t. He also emphasizes that entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs need to take responsibility for themselves—coaches, coach but it is players who must execute to be successful.
In the 25 Steps to Entrepreneurial Success, Dr. Firestone teaches that success comes from a lifetime commitment to learning; that it takes effort and persistence to create great products, great services and great businesses or institutions and that there are no shortcuts. Dr. Firestone believes that by providing his students with a ‘map’ of the way the world works, they gain an invaluable tool to perform ‘thought experiments’—the fastest and most efficient means to test the efficacy of their hypotheses and to become more successful in their professional and personal lives too.
Richard Isaac, Engineering Student,
"I wanted to thank you, Bruce, for an awesome experience this semester. I
can definitely say that this has been the most educational experience I have
had during my university career. I met some brilliant people that I have
learned a lot from, and most importantly, I have a much clearer vision of what
I want to do in the future. You were by far the most influential and motivating
professor I have ever had and I hope to keep in touch with you for many years
to come.”
Nikhil
Mahidhara, Business Student,
“Entrepreneurialist Culture is a course that
nurtures self-realization, motivation, and a higher order of thinking, while
introducing students to essential entrepreneurial and business tools.
Reflection upon this course has led me back to a truth I heard long ago. With
anything you do, you will get out as much as you put in. Out of every course I
have taken, I have never seen a Professor put in so much, or a greater level of
participation from students. Business and engineering students will likely get
at least
as much out of this course as they put in.”
Martina-Ann
Gargano, Business Student,
"I believe it is important for anybody who is remotely thinking about starting their own business sometime in the future to enroll in at least a few entrepreneurship courses. The knowledge you will gain by listening to Prof. Firestone’s and guest lecturers' achievements and mistakes will be crucial to the success of your future business. These courses will teach you how the real world works and how to survive in it. The knowledge I have gained in the past year will definitively aid me in shaping my career."
Luc
Lalande, Director,
"By the way, I had a nice chat with some of
your students at this morning's breakfast ... they simply said you were the
best Prof they have had since coming to Carleton four years ago. I am sure it
is a shared belief by many of your other students"
Chris Dziwinski, B. Arch.,
“I have had the considerable pleasure of having Bruce Firestone as my thesis advisor as well as my professor in the classes entitled "Real-estate & Development" and "Design Economics". Bruce has an uncanny ability to motivate students in a way, which I have seldom seen at the university level. His dedication to his students and their education was a large part of the reason why I chose him to be one of my thesis advisors for two consecutive semesters. His open mindedness is a trait, which is lacking in some cases and his genuine interest in his student's work is also relatively unique. Apart from the knowledge, which he allocates to his students, Dr. Firestone teaches one how to be professional and confident and in my opinion, this is a skill, which no other professor has attempted to develop in their students. Bruce has much to offer that is unique and it was a pleasure having him as my professor.”
Joe Kowalski, President and Founder, WildernessTours.com,
"We recently finished another good season here at Wilderness Tours. I can remember when you spoke to our staff, Bruce, many years ago about programming. We took it to heart and added family programs, sea kayaking, mountain biking, etc. to our regular rafting and kayaking program. As a result we now have expanded our market from a rubber tire market to an international one. We have grown 40% since you were here last. As you said, it is all programming. Thanks again."
"I took a course with Exploriem.org and I found
that it is an excellent way for small business owners to truly find focus on
their growth. I am going to recommend it to anyone who is leading their lives
through operating a small business" - Frank Pennington, Territory Manager,
gradeAStudent.com.
Marwan Forzley, Founder,
ActivePotato.com:
"As a startup you need advisors who are willing
to climb into the trenches with you and go the distance. That's what Dr. Bruce
Firestone provides ActivePotato. Bruce is hands on, hard working and
energizing,"
Todd
Jamieson, President, EnvisionOnline.ca:
"I have been part of several networking
organizations and Exploriem.org is unique. The members are entrepreneurs-their
focus is on how to make their businesses grow and that is the focus of the
whole organization. Also, the format is unique-with open discussions (in person
and over the Internet using Instant Messenger tools) among members-a wealth of
information and knowledge flows. We get the 'real' deal on entrepreneurship-how
to find launch clients, how to increase sales, how to change our business model
so we get more productive, where to find financing … instead of the usual
'fluff'. The diversity of the group is amazing-young entrepreneurs and seasoned
ones too who have built successful businesses from the ground up. I feel that
all business owners can learn from each other - even if they are in different
industries. I have made great contacts and we buy and sell to and from each
other as well as support each other. It's a great organization. Thanks."
Lynn Baird,
owner of AtTheHaven.com, Ottawa,
"I always thought that you should do what you love to do and the money will follow. I found out the hard way that is not always the case. With the guidance and expertise of Bruce Firestone, I'm stepping back from the passion of doing what I love, to look at the mechanics of my business. I'm excited about finally getting the business model right so that the harder I work, and I do work hard, the more money I will make instead of the reverse."
Warren Gencher, CEO, Brymark.com,
"Some people talk about the concept of luck. Basically, there is no such thing. Psychologists view luck as Learning under Controlled Knowledge (LUCK). This means working with a pro (like Bruce Firestone) to become more knowledgeable about your game, learning the variables that are necessary to read your clients, and maintaining a positive mental perspective of success."
Trevor Grant,
“Simply put, we nominated Bruce
for an
Jackie Wrightsell,
“The two classes I had the opportunity to take with Bruce Firestone (Small Business Management and Entrepreneurialist Culture) were undoubtedly the most relevant, informative and inspiring of all my business studies. The course material, but more importantly the man himself... his extensive experience and knowledge... provided me with the base upon which I have begun to build my own career. Bruce Firestone has been an invaluable asset to the Carleton School of Business.”
Joshua Casselman, Carleton University B. Commerce graduate, Ottawa,
“I had initially enrolled in
Professor Firestone's third year entrepreneur course, and upon completing that,
I immediately enrolled in his fourth year entrepreneurship course. I wish it to
be known that on a weighted average, the teachings of Professor Bruce Firestone
accounted for the majority of experiences I considered to be invaluable during
my post secondary education. Through his atypical classroom environment, which
deviated from the standard overflow of miniature tasks to allow for creativity
and ambition towards a major accomplishment, Professor Firestone taught lessons
that could be immediately applied to the real world. Student perspectives were
changed to recognize the endless opportunities that await in the business world
and how easily these could be capitalized upon. Professor Firestone's
connections in the business community allowed for his invaluable guest speaker
seminars, which were attended by non-enrolled students and faculty for the mere
experience. I truly consider Professor Bruce Firestone to be one of
Steve Akers, B.A., B.Arch.,
“Bruce, I just wanted to thank you for the teaching
and overhauling of the two courses you taught in the
Al
Pilcher, President, Digital Guard:
"Exploriem.org organized an online Instant Messaging meeting for me.
They brought the right people to the conference and in the 64th minute of what
was supposed to be a 60 minute conference, we solved the problem in ...
overtime. The IM forum was the right way to do this because by forcing people
to write things down, we got a lot of thoughtful comments from everyone
not just the one or two who would usually dominate a f2f meeting (face to
face). It was great.”
John Whitnall, President,
"By participating in Exploriem.org, I have
gained an appreciation for the world and 'philosophy' of small business. I also
gained great direction and encouragement from Dr. Firestone that will assist us
in marketing our business."
Thomas
Moore, President, TrashandTrinkets.com:
"I enjoyed the interaction, meeting different
people, their thoughts/feedback on my business. It was really inspirational; it
also helped provided me with focus."
Denysa
Prochazka, Art Director,
"I liked every aspect of my participation in an
Exploriem.org course by Bruce Firestone. I wish it was even longer. It was
excellent, the content and delivery of the course was superb."
Chris Warden, Bachelor
of Architectural Studies, Fourth Year,
“Whether architects like the business side of architecture
or not, it is an ever increasing part of the profession. If we don't understand it, then we are going
to get buried. I took Design Economics
with Professor Firestone and the ‘granny’ flat design assignment was an eye
opener into that part of the process of actually getting something built. The only complaint I really have about the
course is that there are not more like it.
I think this topic could conceivably turn into a master program called
Master of Architectural Business.”