Moneymakers or fakers? The rise in Asia of get-rich-quick speakers
- Motivational gurus promising to help make you a million dollars draw bumper crowds across the region
- But their prowess is being chipped away by technology and critics label them ‘contrepreneurs’
For the uninitiated, the two-day gathering in October at the Lion City’s Suntec Centre was the equivalent of a Coachella festival for celebrity motivational speakers, complete with a whooping 5,000-strong crowd fervidly taking notes. In between the tutorials, attendees networked or bought books, weaving in and out of banners displaying platitudes such as “A vision without an action plan is akin to a car without fuel”.
Tickets, which sold for up to S$2,177 (US$1,600), were highly sought by professionals, entrepreneurs and corporate bigwigs across the globe, hankering after insights on “growing your business, building your wealth and making a career out of your passion”.
The seminar, run by Success Resources, urged participants to “live a life more optimised”. Nilsen saw it as “accelerated learning”. His business card says he is trying to make “the next super change”.
“So much content is being delivered. Every person here is giving something for free. It’s important to listen and take notes and pick up what works for you,” he said.
Backstage, crew members fussed over security, snacks and coffee for the speakers. On stage, an emcee kept up the “needs-no-introduction” segues.
