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The EXCELLENT Adventure continues...
What a wonderful opportunity we had as...FIVE Downsizing Divas travelled to Austin, Texas to participate in the National Association of Senior Move Managers Conference from January 12th to 15th.
Just so you know who we are...that's us, the Downsizing Diva team above.
From left to right -- Carol Southcombe (Mississauga North); Brenda Aldridge (Caledon and Etobicoke); Evelyn Thoy (Mississauga South and Oakville), Karen Shinn (Co-Founder) and Judi MacLean (Toronto East Team Leader).
This year's Conference was the biggest and most anticipated convergence of all things senior move management. Year after year, this event is a launching pad for new senior move management businesses and a wonderful opportunity for veterans in the industry to examine their current business practices and develop solutions and strategies to build and grow.
We were immersed in a room full of 370 Senior Move Managers and "kindred spirits" from across the US and Canada. The noise level was incredible, the laughing constant as we made connections, learned new skills and shared stories at Conference. Must say...the Divas were in their element!
It is exciting to connect with so many professionals in this rapidly-growing industry, who share our passion for helping older adults through later lifestyle transitions as they downsize and move to new residences.
This year's theme was "Turn up the Heat" and we had the opportunity to attend educational sessions on topics ranging from best practices in client services and older adult service issues to marketing, Senior Move Management operational issues, and technology - all facilitated by industry experts and nationally-acclaimed speakers including: John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing; Dementia Expert, Teepa Snow; and Family Relations Specialist and author of They're Your Parents, Too, Francine Russo.
All too soon the Conference was over and we headed back to Toronto ready to apply all this new information we had gathered. Each one of us had a list of ideas to incorporate into her business so we can remain at the leading edge of Senior Move Management.
If you're a fan of Oprah Winfrey, you know she speaks of AH-HA moments. Well, we had a number of AH-HA moments at Conference, but one of the best ones was... |
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Thanks from the bottom of our hearts...
Downsizing Diva participated in the "Walk for Memories" on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 to raise money for Alzheimer research and client support. We had a ball and, at the end of the event, the goal of $ 600,000 was surpassed with the new total reaching over $ 620,000.
Thanks to all who supported our efforts with donations and notes of encouragement!
We will be back walking again in 2013!
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Practice random acts of kindness!
Wikipedia defines random acts of kindness as "selfless acts performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people."
When we were doing our annual planning session in December, we thought it would be fun to select a "theme" for each month. February, in our office is "Random Acts of Kindness" Month. Check out www.randomactsofkindness.org for some incredible stories and great ideas to create your own random acts of kindness this February!
After all, February is HEART month...here's to a kinder February!
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 DIVA Thought for February
Compliments are the helium that fills everyone's balloon;
they elevate the person receiving them
so he or she can fly over life's troubles
and land safely on the other side."
-Bernie S. Siegel M.D.; Author |
Go ahead, make our day!
If you know someone who would enjoy reading about Downsizing Diva, we would love it if you would help us spread the word by sending them a copy of this Newsletter.
Just like the shampoo commercial where the woman says, "I told 2 friends and they told 2 friends and they told 2 friends..."
We'd be thrilled if you told your friends or family members! Then, they can enjoy the tips, tricks and techniques we use to help people simplify, organize, lighten-up, downsize and move!!! |
