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Issue No. 14  
March 2009

Welcome to issue fourteen 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.
In This Issue
I Love This Book!
Mikki & Friends
Biz Bytes
Creative Captions
Shoo-Be-Doo Stories
Wonderful Websites
Mikki Mouth
Reader Reviews
Vistage Vignette
He Who Laughs...
The Happy Cooker
Fabulous Friends
Mikki's Mantra
Inspirations
Mikki on the Move
Speakers School
Mikki Williams, CSP

 Women's History MonthNATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
As recently as the 1970's, women's history was virtually an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum or in general public consciousness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration for 1978. They chose the week of March 8 to make International Women's Day the focal point of the observance. The activities that were held met with enthusiastic response, and within a few years dozens of schools planned special programs for Women's History Week.
In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

MUSINGS FROM MIKKI


                     Mikki in Gold
 I love a theme and St Paddy's day is so obvious, and colorful. But it's also Women's History Month so we're celebrating that, too.  Let's do it with  green beer!
 
Test yourself below! See the Inspirations section for a quiz.

Last month was packed with "stuff," personal and professional.  Went to the amazing Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for an executive physical. My fitness level is that of a person 13 years younger than my real age (suffice it to say, without giving it away). Then delivered my Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Shtick™ presentation in New Orleans. I stayed at the boutique W Hotel which was absolutely unique and of course indulged in some of that outstanding N'Awlins cuisine.  Speakers School was a blast with folks from both coasts and in between, from professionals, to entertainers, to CEOs, to landscapers, financial pros...we had 'em all. 
 
Joel Hele

It was a busy month and I wrapped it up with a CVS Caremark convention held in Lake Las Vegas.




(Joel Helle from CVS Caremark)

What an awesome group of folks! I customized some humor for these pharmacists and had fun doing it. They are now talking about medicine bottles that remind people of their dosages and times (truly) so I played off of them. Imagine if a patient with OCD went to open the med bottle and it said, "You took this twelve times already, your hands are clean, stop washing them and the stove is off," or the Viagra bottle that says, "Ooh, baby," when you open it.
 
March came in like the proverbial lion with Mechanical Contractors in Phoenix, OPEESA (landmower dudes) in Orlando
Nancy Cueroniand now in San Antonio, Texas with a Vistage group on retreat.
                                                    ( Nancy Cueroni from OPEESA)
I LOVE THIS BOOK!

March Book 09
 Friedman's Fables
by Edwin H. Friedman

I read this book many years ago but to me this is a classic in many ways. Ed Friedman takes his unique storytelling and combines it with his vivid imagination and multi-faceted experiences (all which resonate with me personally) to share a collection of outrageous (me, again) tales that are powerfully true to life. One of my favorite fables in the book, The Bridge, is one I've shared with many of my coaching clients and Vistage members. It's a powerful metaphor for how we all carry other people's problems until we recognize it and are ready to let go and let them take responsibility. The whole premise of the book is that communication is an emotional process that depends on the relationship between those involved. Now go on out there and read this!
Mikki & Friends
Mikki will be teaming up with some of her fabulous friends and peers to create unique training days. The first one will debut on the morning of March 26, 2009 on branding, with Mikki and Mark Partridge, to be held at the Union League Club of Chicago.  Mikki will speak for 90 minutes on how to become a brand and how to find your USP (unique selling proposition), and Mark will follow on the legal aspects of branding.  Both will be available for individual coaching in the afternoon.
 
As part of the new seminar series, Mikki and Mark will be offering their branding seminar in a teleseminar for those of you around the country who weren't able to attend.  We will also be making a CD of it for our international friends who expressed interest in purchasing. Both Mikki and Mark are available for phone coaching on branding as well. Stay tuned for upcoming news on the teleseminars and CDs. 
 
THE WHOLE LIFE TRILOGY - PART 3
Running the Human Race: From Success to Significance
Here's a snapshot of one of my presentations.

Running the Human RaceThere are times in our lives, when we wonder if our vision is in sync with our values. When our purpose, our ideals and our results are not in harmony, we are out of balance. Maintaining a perspective when we are racing to keep up with time in an era which always seems to be accelerating, is one of life's greatest challenges. It's time to assess the alternatives, create your own reality while achieving happiness, fulfillment, health, prosperity and a quality of life that is meaningful to you. Only then can you share it with others. If you don't know your values you are living your life out of integrity. Take my Values Challenge and see where you stand.
 
What are your personal values?   
If you don't know you are probably making decisions that are out of alignment with who you really are.

What are your company's core values?
Do all your employees know, does it permeate and drive your culture?

What are your relationship values?
Every decade you should be having this conversation as values shift. Read Passages.

What are your family values?
When and how do you share this with your children, how is it practiced, reinforced?

 
When I speak on any part of the Trilogy, we are always exploring issues related to quality of life...the journey not the destination. How is your "race" faring?
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:

Re-Leaf (landscape business)
Mustards Last Stand (hot dogs)

***********************************************************
I hope you'll continue to send me ones you come across.
Please send to [email protected]
 
SHOE-BE-DOO STORIES

March shoes 09 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!"
 
Every year my Vistage CEO group goes on retreat with spouses.  We've been to El Conquistador in Puerto Rico, The Biltmore in Arizona, a cruise to the Bahamas, The American Club in WI, The Bellagio in Las Vegas, The Grand Naples in Florida, and we just came back from Paradisius Resort in Cancun, Mexico.  We had the best turnout ever with 26 of us on the beach, out to dinner and much socializing and laughter. I wore these shoes Saturday night when we dined in their Italian restaurant, then the guys went to sit on the beach, smoke cigars and have a little badinage (look it up). 
WONDERFUL WEBSITES

I come across so many and so many are shared with me that I thought I'd share with you.

This is amazing and so much fun. Make a custom video for someone with music, graphics, personal photos, so easy...I did it myself!
 
MIKKI MOUTH:
QUOTATIONS I WISH I'D SAID AND SOME I DID SAY!
Indy500 Enjoy a quote each month from my new book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute! 

Women want to be treated as equals, not sequels
                                      ~Kathy Lette




READER REVIEWS


"Your publications kill me!!!!! Love them all. I'm reading and loving Mikki!!!!!
"

from
Nikki Androniki
 
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.

Karen Drinkard
KAREN DRINKARD

Karen has been the CFO for Gregg Communications Systems, Inc. since 2002. While that title may indicate a "number-cruncher" with a green eyeshade, Karen has a shelf of different hats to wear at GCS!  From partaking in a transition-of-ownership team in 2004, to acting as project manager for the relocation of the company after 25 years, to supervising operational aspects, to advising on Human Resource issues, no two days are exactly alike.  "Being involved and having input on so many levels keeps my enthusiasm high.  While I'm not an actual owner of the company, I pride myself on assuming an 'ownership mentality' and Gregg is the perfect forum for that enthusiasm."

Prior to joining GCS, Karen was Controller for another firm in the telecommunications industry for 8 years, and a Finance Manager / IT Liaison for a suburban hospital for 8 years. When not at the office Karen is a multi-tasking wife and mother of one daughter, two sons, and three pets. Typically on the run to the kids' sporting and music events, Karen is also a "wanna-be" gardener, an avid reader, a serial volunteer and a die-hard Cubbie fan.

VISTAGE Key Group 760 has been a personal 'Board of Directors' to Karen since May 2006. "I credit this vibrant, care-frontational group with constantly challenging me, escalating my professional and personal growth, and being just plain fun!"


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:
[email protected]

HE WHO LAUGHS...LASTS!

Laughing baby


The Power of Woman

There were 11 people - ten men and one woman - hanging onto a rope that came down from a helicopter.
They all decided that one person should get off, because if they didn't the rope would break and everyone would die.
No one could decide who should go, so finally the woman gave a really touching speech saying how she would give up her life to save the others because women were used to giving up things for their husbands and children, giving in to men, and not receiving anything in return.
When she finished speaking all the men started clapping.

 THE HAPPY COOKER

Yes, that was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook too.Little girl chef
 
Poppy Seed Cake

1 pkg. (18-1/2 ounce) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup poppy seeds
1 pkg. (3-1/8 ounce) vanilla instant pudding mix
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain yogurt
4 eggs

Poppy Seed Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend all ingredients in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer two to three minutes at medium speed until batter is smooth.
Pour into a 13" X 9" X 2" pan and bake 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick or knife. Without removing cake from pan, cool on rack 10-15 minutes then turn out onto rack until cool.
 
FABULOUS 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.Ed Primeau
 
ED PRIMEAU

I met Ed many years ago at my professional trade association: NSA, National Speakers Association.  Over the many years we have mutually admired and followed each other's careers and this year, we finally got to work together. Ed has worked with renowned recording artists like Anita Baker and Barry Manilow. He has also worked as the sales manager of one of the top recording studios in the Midwest. During his years in the music/recording field he developed a music industry niche, hosting album release parties for major label record companies - Warner Brothers, Capitol Records, Geffen, Arista Records and CBS Records, and for musical artists including Julian Lennon, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith and Def Leppard. Additionally, Ed has worked with Jane Fonda, Marlo Thomas, Gloria Steinem, Bob Eubanks, Bob Seger, Steve Rizzo AND Mikki Williams.
 
In addition, Ed is a respected audio visual forensics specialist, analyzing audio and video media components and providing expert witness testimony to assist attorneys, courts and government agencies. Ed is a former president of the National Speakers Association of Michigan as well as a chapter member of the year. He received the 1998/99 Presidents Award for Distinguished Service from the National Speakers Association, an honor given only once a year.

You can reach Ed by phone at 800.647.4281, email him at [email protected]  or check out his website at 
www.PrimeauProductions.com.
MIKKI'S MANTRA

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.
Women's History Ribbon
In honor of Women's History Month...a woman quiz!

Every year, during the month of March, hundreds of thousands of events are held throughout the country to acknowledge and recognize the amazing accomplishments of women.This national celebration and recognition of women's historic achievements began in 1980 when National Women's History Week was proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation. In 1987 this national celebration was expanded by Congressional Resolution to an entire month by declaring March as National Women's History Month.
1. What woman was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature?
2. What Black woman refused to give up her seat to a White man in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, thus sparking the civil rights movement of the following decade?
3. Who was the first "First Lady" to have developed her own political and media identity?
4. Who was the first Black woman elected to Congress?
5. What leading suffragist was arrested and convicted of attempting to vote in the 1872 election?
6. Who was Chair of the Board and publisher of The Washington Post and Newsweek magazine, and also oversaw six broadcasting stations?

Scroll down to the bottom of the ezine for answers.
MIKKI ON THE MOVE

Airplane 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
 
Speakers School logo 
The next Speakers School is April 23-24, 2009.
It's for people at all levels: novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals or anyone who needs to improve their communication skills.
Click here to register:
Speakers School

Read a testimonial from one of the fabulous attendees of the September School:
Mikki's Speaker's School goes way beyond the basics.  She teaches you how to connect with an audience on multiple levels and provide a speech with superior value whether you are a professional speaker or a CEO such as myself, or anyone just looking to improve their presentation and communication skills.

Chris Long, CFP
President
Long & Associates LLC     
 
Don't forget to check out my blog every Sunday for a  new post:
Blog
MIKKI WILLIAMS' BLAH, BLAH...BLOG

Read some chapters from my Sam's novel:
Mr. Right-Enough by Samantha Hoffman

And in case you've missed past ezines
click this link to visit the archives
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 Mikki or Samantha
MIKKI WILLIAMS, CSP

Mikki Williams, CSP is a professional speaker/trainer, specializing in business dynamics and human potential as well as a Resource Speaker for Vistage International, the worlds largest CEO organization.  She is a small business consultant, runs bi-annual Speaker Schools, Chairs two Executive Think Tanks, affilated with Vistage International and is a Life Architect, helping people design their lives and businesses through a coaching model. To learn more about Mikki Williams Unltd. and all the services provided
CALL ME: 312.664.8447                     
FAX ME: 312.664.8460
E ME:[email protected]        
SEE ME: www.mikkiwilliams.com
Thanks for spending time with us!
 
St. Patty's

Answers to Women History Month Quiz:

1. Toni Morrison (b. 1931)
2. Rosa Parks (b. 1920)
3. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-196210.
4. Shirley Chisholm (b. 1924)
5. Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906)
6. Katherine Graham (b. 1917-2001)
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All contents � 2008, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Duplication or reprint only with expressed permission from Mikki Williams. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All contents provided as is. In our extensive research we've made every attempt to be accurate in attributing quotes, poems, jokes and the like and want to apologize in advance if we have not given proper credit or given it erroneously.