Columbus Voyage a Tribute to Diversity
By Rick Weaver

Arranging for the voyage was a long process for Columbus as he tried to find funding in Portugal, Italy, and Spain. The journey was planned by a committee in Lisbon, Portugal. Led by Joseph Diego Mendes Vezinho, a Jewish scientist that later converted to Christianity, a nautical plan was developed using newly created star charts and maps developed by Muslim navigators.

The diversity continued when it was time to fund the trip. Columbus sought finances from several sources eventually finding success with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. They did not agree to fund the trip until Luis de Santangel developed a successful plan. King Fedinand had ordered all Jews and Muslims convert to Catholicism or leave Spanish soil. Santangel, a Jew, converted under this decree. He compiled the funds using an endowment, uncollected penalties owed by the City of Palos, and his own personal funds. The monarchy agreed as it involved little of their own money.

With the plan, maps, and funds in hand, Columbus still needed a hand with the navigation. The most expert of all navigators at the time were the Muslim people. Ibn Battutah had invented the sextant in the prior century, which had proved to be extremely successful in all forms of navigation. Its use by the Muslim navigators gave Columbus the tool and knowledge of its use to stay on course for his journey.

The synergy of cultures and people that made the initial trade journey to North America possible is a viable force today that opens doors to success of equal impact to Columbus’s historical trip. As nations and religions came together then, nations and religions are coming together today to provide successes in healthcare, industry, technology, and many other vital areas.

One of the most exciting ways to learn about the synergies possible is through programs such as Mosaic™, a series of cultural events sponsored by Multicultural Business Council of Detroit. The emphasis of Mosaic™ is to introduce business leaders to opportunities in other countries. It goes a step further than most programs of the same nature as it envelopes participants in a full cultural experience where they also meet the people that might someday work with them. Through the experience they have a better knowledge of the people that will make their business venture successful. During 2007 Mosaic™ will travel to the new cultural center of Spain, Andalucia, to try to recapture the synergy of the original business negotiations that lead to the first voyage of Christopher Columbus.

Rick Weaver is an accomplished business executive with a wealth of experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain enhancement, project management, team building, and process improvement.

Rick career began in retailing as a stockclerk, eventually becoming the Director of Vendor Development at Kmart Corporation during it’s heyday. In this position he worked with hundreds of Kmart’s suppliers to improve mutual processes, procedures, and profits.

As a consultant, Rick has worked with companies in various industries to develop leadership and business strategies.

As an entrepreneur, Rick has founded or co-founded six successful organizations, including non-profit and for profit.

Now in his role as president of MaxImpact, Rick uses his vast experience helping individuals connect to their dreams and teams connect to a common vision.

Rick’s presentation style of blending humor, real life examples, and easy to implement ideas has made him a popular speaker at seminars, workshops, and conferences in in 43 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

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