17 Jun 2019 Spotlight on Dante Group

Describe your company and its product.

Dante Group Coaching and Consulting catapults businesses to success with uniquely designed skills training. Our team of certified trainers guide organizations to increase sales, build customer and employee loyalty and provide management soft skills training.

What year did your company start?

2015

Which city (or cities) are you located? 

Vancouver and Whiterock

Describe your company culture in three words.

• Value
• Connection
• Trust

How do you celebrate company or employee wins? 

Wins are acknowledged and shared with everyone within the company. As well, we share our shortcomings so that everyone is able to learn where we went wrong. We do this so that our team is able to improve the support we provide the organizations we work with.

What is the problem that you are trying to solve?

We help organizations build a consistent culture that is lived daily to empower its people. People need to be living with passion and purpose in order to thrive. That’s where we fit in, we want to be of service to your organization and valued customers.

What is your biggest milestone to date?

Having been coached, mentored and interviewed with National Best Selling author, Bob Burg of The Go-Giver series.

What is your biggest challenge?

Having companies be open to change when their culture, core vision and values are not aligned. Getting an organization and its leadership team to understand, these are the foundations for building a stronger business, driving sales and growth. Products, features and benefits are secondary to producing results.

What is your motto?

Make Every Connection Matter!

How are you making an impact?

We believe people have the capacity to make a difference in themselves, the workplace and their communities by living their why (vision, passion and purpose). With our commitment to making a difference in people and communities, we provide free Why Discovery Day to organizations.

What is your hope for the future of tech in BC?

That BC becomes a hub for tech companies who contribute to the economy and produces the educational and technical skills needed to help tech companies thrive. It is our hope BC becomes a leader in AI development for the betterment of humanity worldwide – especially in rural areas.

Lightning Round with Likky Lavji, CEO of Dante Group

What excites you about your job?

Getting to impact people’s lives, building connections and helping businesses overcome barriers so they succeed and thrive.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?

Realizing I was failing my people when I had my IT business because my focus was in the wrong place. I needed to put my people before results and now work to help others to realize that as well.

If you can give advice to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?

Before committing to post-secondary education really figure out your passion and purpose. Having a career that pays you what you think you are worth is not all glory. Over time those monetary benefits tend to fade if we are not fulfilling and serving with our passion and purpose.

What are your pet peeves?

Whenever I miss my 5 a.m. wake up to kickstart my day with mindfulness, exercise and plan out what I want to win for the day. The days I miss it I really notice its effects on me.

Words of wisdom to other tech CEOs or founders?

Great leaders lead an army with clarity in communication of their vision. Gratitude and appreciation for all employees, even the ones at the very bottom will build your army of ambassadors.

Favourite city you visited?

Rome

What is your formula for success?

Give more in value than you take in payment. Create your people and business to become a resource to your customers rather than a commodity.

Name one book that everyone should read.

The Go-Givers: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by National Best Selling Author Bob Burg.

How do you decompress?

Cycling

Favourite movie?

Wolf of Wall Street