About Us

Champions’ Manitoba division head is Ed Peters.

I grew up in southern Manitoba and from young on was fascinated with vehicles. I started working part-time at a auto recycling yard at the age of 15. By the time I was 18, I had bought and sold 86 vehicles. I learned a great deal in a short time. I decided that I wanted to pursue this further.

I have owned a few different businesses mostly automotive related and have found that my desires changed. In selling vehicles, I often found myself thinking, what can I do to make a difference in the lives of others. Sure selling someone a vehicle met an immediate need, but what happens 2 months, 6 months or even a year down the road? How can I make a lasting difference?

I then decided that if I wanted to make that lasting difference, I would need to find out what it actually was that people needed. I became a certified behavioural analyst through Target Training International. After studying behaviour for 3 years, I was convinced that what the workplace needed was a better understanding of each other’s strengths and learn to apply them. The place to start in my mind was the workforce. I had firsthand experience dealing with differences in people. Knowing that most people spend more time at work than anywhere else, why not try to make it more enjoyable? Now I absolutely love what I do but more important, I am seeing lasting change in people. Not only do they enjoy their work more, the companies are more profitable because of this!

Champions’ founder and president is John Smithman

In 1996, John brought his core beliefs to the world of management training by founding Champions in the Workplace Training & Development Inc.

To support and develop company supervisors and managers, John built a development program that delivers practical supervisory principles and techniques spread out over several sessions so that learners can apply what they learn while they are learning it.

Practicing the program principles in the workplace during the course provides positive reinforcement that encourages learners to build on each success until they become workplace champions.

John’s progressive applied learning concept was tested in the fields of business (manufacturing, retail and services) to ensure its universal practicality. A magical transformation from worker to champion happens when progressive applied learning is linked to workplace championship in the Workplace Champion program.

His innovative and practical Team Style Map blends psychometric and brain theories with practical workplace experience to create a visual tool that guides team leaders on developing their teams.

Click here for John's story.