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Issue No. 11 December 2008
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 Welcome to issue eleven of my ezine. If you enjoyed last month you'll be craaaaazy about this month! The purpose of this ezine continues to be inspiration, humor, business, personal and just plain fun: aka the don't-take-yourself-so-seriously ezine. | |
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 (I know, I know...I clash with my Christmas Tree!)
November was extremely busy with travel and work. I spoke for Dick Singer's Vistage group in Pittsburgh, the only speaker ever to be invited back three times. That makes me smile☺ Got to spend time in Dallas (where they love gals with big hair) with fellow Chairs, Linda Swindling and Nancy Starr AND the best part of the month was speaking in CT and therefore spending time in NY with THE son, and time with best bud Kathy aka Petal of Ferrari fame and Vicki, long time friend who I recruited to be a Chair. By the time you read this I will have returned from Naples, FL, hopefully as a new homeowner. No, not moving, just winter escape.
Every year since he was old enough to figure it out Jason gives me a "go on out there and buy me somethin' list." I've saved them all, quite humorous, poignant and extravagant and will make a helluva book someday. This year he actually wrote a song about it...stay tuned, soon to be offered on my website. Hey, it's a commercial time of year!
I looooooooooove this season and celebrate Christmukkah. Yup, both! The menorah is next to the white flocked holiday tree with all the purple ornaments (you expected the traditional red and green?).
CARPE DIEM! CARPE CHRISTMAS! CARPE CHANUKAH! CARPE NEW YEAR!
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| I LOVE THIS BOOK! |
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 You Can Heal Your Life
By Louise L. Hay
Every once in a while I go back into my library and pull out a classic and re-read it, just because. Louise Hay, like the famous Norman Cousins in Anatomy of an Illness, cured herself of cancer, Norman through laughter, Louise through mental discipline. Now I warn you, this is definitely a "new age" book so if you can't stand the heat don't go in this kitchen. It's about the mental patterns behind disease. She is a metaphysical counselor sharing her methodology helping people with a flow of positive ideas designed to change consciousness. If that's too Ghandi for you then this is not for you but if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new ideas, then you da' man or da' woman☺
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BIZ BYTES
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Networking is the ultimate contact sport! This program is very popular with sales organizations as it is truly the way to prospect and it is also a lifestyle for EVERYONE to embrace. It's a natural skill that can be developed to enhance relationships to get ahead in many areas of life. Here is the Cliff Notes version of one of the actual parts of the program:
N = Nucleus of people committed to helping each other
E = Effort to learn, to practice, to do
T = Tenacity means you need to stick to it
W = Well-defined goals should be set before attending an event
O = Opens doors but does not guarantee a sale...or a date☺
R = Reciprocal relationships are about remembering those who refer you
K = Know the other people in your network so you can be a connector
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| CREATIVE CAPTIONS |
I love creativity and as a wordsmith I love double entendres, alliteration, onomato... whatever the heck that one was. One of my quirky habits is collecting names of businesses that display any of the above. Here are two of my favorites:
Grillable Hours (caf� in an Atlanta law firm so lawyers can keep working), submitted by Howard Benson, CEO, Community Development Services.
The Royal Flush (plumbing repair company) submitted by Treva Olson
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I hope you'll continue to send me ones you know of.
Please send to mikki@mikkiwilliams.com
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| SHOE-BE-DOO STORIES |
Yes, I own about a billion pairs of shoes. And each pair has a story to inspire, a lesson to be learned, a laugh or an "aha!"
 Not my usual pair of shoes, eh? These Betty Boop slippers come out every Xmas morning when we open gifts. My mom was named Bette and we called her Betty Boop so one year, Jason aka THE son, bought these for me. And no, they don't have any sequins on them (mmmmmm, not a bad idea). It's like having Mom with us every Xmas morning and she was indeed a character. I know that surprises some of you and yes, the "apple doesn't fall from the tree." She was my inspiration and my role model in many ways; a single working mother before that became a redundant term and on her tombstone is engraved, "Laughter was her legacy."
Happy Holidays, Mom☺ |
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WONDERFUL WEBSITES
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I come across so many and so many are shared with me that I thought I'd share with you.
www.walkthetalk.com
aka Inspired Living Caf�
(I met Kelley Moore, who works there, at a speech I gave this month in Dallas.)
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MIKKI MOUTH:
QUOTATIONS I WISH I'D SAID AND SOME I DID SAY! |
 Enjoy a quote each month from my new book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute!
In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'
--- Dave Barry
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READER REVIEWS
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"I love the newsletter. You have a warm, wonderful spirit that reaches right through the page."
Marc J. Sachnoff
President/Founder
www.SoundWiseOnline.com
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| VISTAGE VIGNETTE |
As a speaker resource for Vistage International for 15 years and Chair of two groups for seven years I have the opportunity to interact with some of the most dynamic business leaders. Vistage is the world's largest executive organization with 15,000 members worldwide. It is to my delight to profile one of them each month.
Clark Bellin
Clark definitely travels the farthest to come to our Vistage meeting from Nebraska every month. He is also someone who adds his unique brand of humor to enliven our meetings. A joy to work with, a joy to know and someone who, though new to the group this year, has been embraced by all the members as a valuable participant. He is a financial services professional for Mundy and Associates of Omaha and Lincoln, has specialized experience in building portfolios, tax effective investments, retirement planning and estate planning.
Clark recently earned the industry's newest designation, the Chartered Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA). The CPWA credential is awarded to those who specialize in counseling high-net-worth clients. The designation facilitates an advanced knowledge in the life cycle of wealth: accumulating, preserving and protecting, and distributing.
In addition, he is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), which represents investment consulting proficiency endorsed by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Clark has evolved into a leading source of financial information for both print and broadcast media throughout Nebraska and the nation. He has appeared in national publications such as Smart Money and Investment News, while also serving as the local financial spokesperson for the ABC affiliate in Omaha.
For more information call Clark at 402.398.1103 or email him at cbellin@mundyandassociates.com.
You can also visit his website: www.mundyandassociates.com
For more information on Vistage International click here:
Vistage International
If you are interested in becoming a member of a Vistage group anywhere in the world, or a speaker or a Chair, drop us a line:
mikki@mikkiwilliams.com |
| HE WHO LAUGHS, LASTS!
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| THE HAPPY COOKER |
 Yes, that was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook too.
Christmas Crackle Candy Makes a bunch
3-3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon flavoring oil
powdered sugar
Mix first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until temperature reaches 310 degrees. Stir in flavoring and color. Pour onto greased cookie sheet. Break into pieces.
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| MIKKI AND FRIENDS |
If any of you remember the movie or Broadway show "Auntie Mame" or if you're old enough to admit you remember it, then you might recall that Mame was famous for her eclectic circle of friends. I pride myself on that same principle of knowing so many diverse people and calling many of them my friends. I would like to profile them and their expertise by offering this monthly addition of tips, tactics and techniques shared by experts in their field. Although someone once told me not to refer to myself as an expert as an ex is a has-been and a spurt is little more than a drip.
Michele Goldsmith
Michele and I met in the fitness industry @#$%^&* years ago when Michele hired me to work for her company, Healthtrax in Boston. She hired me again to work with her at Club Med in Hautulco, Mexico. Not a bad gig, huh? ☺ We became friends and stayed that way despite the fact that she lived in Boston and I lived in CT. We lost touch for a while then reconnected when she moved to Chicago and I followed shortly thereafter, where we have been enjoying our long standing friendship.
 Michele grew up in New England with a traditional preparatory school education. She spent her childhood as a competitive figure skater and graduated cum laude with a liberal arts degree from Connecticut College with a focus on fine arts, history and mathematics. An avid traveler, Michele has journeyed throughout the world developing an understanding of other cultures and a sense of how business is conducted worldwide. She is an incredible artist (self-portrait to the left), a whiz at Trivial Pursuit, a partner in cuisine exploration and movie critiques with me. She lived in Italy and speaks the language beautifully - not quite fluent, just strong enough to be really dangerous in a shoe shop. My kinda gal! She's the only one I know whose voice mail is in English and Italian (which I tease her about relentlessly!). As part of the 3rd generation of a family involved in U.S. manufacturing in the boating industry, she is a top sales exec in the marine industry and if you think my job is envious, Michele gets to go to all the yacht shows in warm locales.
You can reach Michele at mgo222@gmail.com.
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| MIKKI'S MANTRA |
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Be outrageous...it's the only place that isn't crowded. |
| INSPIRATIONS |
As the wordsmith that I have always been, from my high school honors in English (and French) to my calling as a professional speaker, each of the "inspirations" that I share every month are from years and years of collecting words that have inspired me.
'Twas the week before the holidays and all through the counties,
People will go shopping to find all their bounty.
The shoppers -- so many! - will roam warily through the malls,
All seeking elusive, unique holiday balls.
Away in the parking lot, spaces will be rare,
Though if you drove far away enough there will be plenty to spare.
The malls will be bustling, with folks dashing to and fro,
And the prospect of bargains will make some shoppers glow.
More rapid than eagles, shoppers came and they came,
Some reciting the stores they'd visit, name after name.
First Nordstrom! Then Bloomies! And Neiman's and more
I happily jaunted from store after store
Then what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a clearance rack of sweaters all made from cashmere.
To the upper level! To the lower level! Thank goodness for the mall!
Let's shop away, shop away, shop away all!
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| MIKKI ON THE MOVE |
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 Check out where Mikki will be speaking and piggyback your company or association event. Or just invite her to dinner or shopping!
Click here for her calendar:
Mikki On The Move
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SPEAKERS SCHOOL with Mikki Williams, CSP
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The next Speakers School is February 19-20, 2009.
It's for people at all levels: novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals.
Click here to register:
Speakers School
Read a testimonial from one of the fabulous attendees of the September School:
Everyone needs this program. There's so much practical advice, just for every day interaction, whether it's business-related or personal. What I learned will not only help me be a better speaker but a better communicator.
Rick Herbst
CEO
Levi Littel Herbst & Co., LLC
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To
book Mikki for your next event as a keynoter, emcee, panelist, seminar
or workshop leader (she doesn't do floors or windows) or for more info
on Vistage, Speakers Schools, Coaching or Consulting or anything else
that's on your mind, contact Samantha or Mikki |
Thanks for spending time with us!  | |
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Hair She Is...!
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