To fly a balloon around the world is no simple feat. Some may say that it depends entirely on luck. It doesn't. In ballooning, as in business, you create your own luck. You use your knowledge, skills, imagination and expertise to exploit the opportunities presented to you. Certainly you can plan, but you must also respond rapidly and flexibly when unexpected challenges arise.

If the winds and weather that carried Breitling Orbiter 3 around the world are a vivid metaphor for the global business environment, then the Orbiter team and its two pilots are the epitome of the successful business team.

In my talk, I draw on the strong parallels between my adventure and how enterprises, and the teams within them, must operate in their chosen fields to achieve their goals. I speak from experience of both sides of the Breitling Orbiter enterprise. As project manager, I was well aware of the importance of careful planning, motivating the team and of getting things right first time - after all, many of the balloon's systems could only be tested on take-off! And then, as one of the two pilots on the journey itself, I was called upon to show personal courage, determination and ingenuity, often in situations over which I had no direct control.

Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard are referred to as heroes. Well, maybe, but I will make your people aware that it is the whole team that matters. I will highlight the contributions of the unsung heroes of the Breitling Orbiter team - like the meteorologist who, working with an innate understanding of his subject, made the crucial decision to take the balloon on a never before attempted southern route across the Pacific Ocean. In these circumstances it is not only expertise that matters, but trust.

I believe my talk to be broad-ranging and enjoyable, I try to present a view of the adventure and achievement that is not only inspiring, but also highly relevant to your business aims. Here are a few extracts of letters I have received from clients following my talk. 

"The feedback was excellent. Our clients, my colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed your speech. Your story of how an ambitious if not impossible goal can be reached through a meticulous preparation, a strong belief in success, an impeccable teamwork and some luck was absolutely impressive." Zurich Re, Switzerland.

"…may I congratulate you on what I think was the greatest presentation I have ever seen. I have been organising presentations for my publishers now for 20 years and this is the first time I have ever seen the usually restless advertising audience completely spellbound, quiet and what's more attentive. I can only congratulate you on your ability to produce this kind of presentation." David Todd Associates, London.

"It was the most engaging, moving and inspirational meeting we have had in the last five years. Our feedback results were the best ever recorded - and we continue to get comments, e-mails and people stopping by our office just to say, "Thanks! Brian Jones was great!" Dow Chemicals, Switzerland.

"Listening to a detailed account at first hand from the record-breaking balloonist who achieved the first non-stop flight around the world was not only completely absorbing and enjoyable; it was also a great privilege." East of England Excellence.

"The audience of high-level aviation executives, aerospace specialists and representatives from the international media world were spellbound by Mr Jones fantastic story, the wonderful photographs and not least by his superb way of presenting it." Saab Aerospace, Sweden.

"I can't begin to tell you how many of our members came up to me after the Magellan ceremony, or have called me since, to say how impressed and moved they were by your and Bertrand Piccard's remarks Tuesday evening. With a good sense of humour, you painted a vivid picture of the many challenges you faced to become the first balloonists to travel around the world." Circumnavigators Club, New York.

"The audience was spellbound and even I, who had read your standard speaking text several times and vividly recalled many details, found myself at times choked up with emotion." Dassault, France.

"Your speech, both in content and delivery style, was excellent, and I have had many complimentary comments about it, both verbally and in writing. You are a naturally gifted public speaker." Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, London.

"Many have said that your talk was a highlight of the year …" Royal Geographical Society, London.

"You have a tremendous story to tell and a real gift for the telling. While leaving your audience in awe at the achievement you also, however, left us all deeply impressed by the sense of wonder and humility you conveyed in describing your experience." Defence Evaluation & Research Agency, UK.

"On behalf of the Royal Aeronautical Society I wanted to thank you most sincerely for what was one of the best Wilbur and Orville Wright lectures that anyone can remember. The letters of congratulation to the Society for a highly successful evening have been coming in ever since last Thursday and all of them mention the fascinating lecture which you delivered so superbly." RAeS, London.

"The feedback has been quite unanimous in praise for your erudite and absorbing lecture; there is no doubt that your talk has been a real highlight of the branch's lecture programme." Royal Geographical Society, Hong Kong.

"…you absolutely captivated both audiences with you charm, humor and unassuming style. You allowed all of us to share your magnificent adventure in a very personal way, and I know we will long remember your words." National Aeronautical Association, Dallas.

"Thanks for a wonderful Keynote address … everyone who attended the event was truly moved by your experiences." British Hardware Federation, UK.

"On behalf of the Society's UAE branch, may I offer my thanks for an awe-inspiring lecture." RAeS, United Arab Emirates.