or...
Stop being so darned "professional" and take a break today! |
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Welcome! 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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 May is for Mother's...
Happy Mother's Day! outfits and was soooooo cool!).
May was busy, a
good sign that the meeting industry is on the upswing. From Portland, Oregon with
Bruce  Juhola's Vistage group (that's me with Bruce, right) to Palm Springs, New York City, and several
meetings in Chicago, including the Illinois Library Association's 25th anniversary
convention and the joy in keynoting to over 1000 librarians. It was a great
month!
Had another great Speakers School with attendees from Canada, Seattle,
Chicago.
 Spoke at Time Warner in NYC, pictured here with Steve Sachs (left), President of Lifestyle Group of Time, Inc. which includes RealSimple Magazine, and Stephen Baum. Then enjoyed a
first...a ride in a chauffeured Rolls, OMG!!
Shopped at Patricia Fields (the clothing designer for Sex and the City) and no, I did not buy that earring,  but I was tempted! And finished the month with my BFF,
Sherry (that's us below) an ex-hoofer like me (that's hoofer, not hooker). We danced the night away at Rumba, because Latin Dance is my
passion. All in all, this  Mom had
a great Mom's month. Oh...was I just entitled to a day?
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I LOVE THIS BOOK!
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Crush It!
Cash
in on Your Passion
Gary Vaynerchuk
My dear
friend Rick Dorfman in New York told me to read this book. The book is half business and half self-help, two subjects I cherish. It's
about finding your passion, working at it then applying his practical tips to
building your brand. The author runs a site called Wine Library TV and has
created a $60M enterprise by being himself (a premise that I evangelize every
chance I get).
In the
142-page book he shares how he uses social media to leverage his expertise and
further his brand (another subject close to my heart). He's been there, done it.
He began in the wine business in his parents' shop when he was a teen (Okay, okay, a
leg up because a member of the "lucky sperm" club) but he used that as a basis
to build his online brand through strategic moves to build community and word
of mouth (still the best way to build a biz). Word of mouth takes on a whole new meaning in this age of
social media. He gives specific
examples of how-tos and at the back of the book he offers some additional
business-building ideas that he hasn't gotten around to but are something worth
pondering.
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 | Mikki will be teaming up with some of her fabulous friends and peers to create unique training days.
THE NEXT TELESEMINAR is on May 27th at
12:00 Noon CST
Conversations with Mikki and Todd Millar from Calgary, Canada
Successful
Business Leader and Professional Speaker on
Inspirational Leadership
This conversation is for aspiring leaders, current leaders and anyone who has found themselves with a group of people needing direction and is looking for an introduction to effective leadership concepts and ideas. Regardless of the business, organization, mission and objectives, the essential ingredient for success is trusted leadership.During our conversation, we'll discuss:
- Non Egoic Leadership
- Good attracts Good
- The real power is in choice
- Six satisfiers of employment
- Effective communication is the secret
- Advancing the objectives in difficult times
- How important is it to be Inspiring as a leader?
To see why you should definitely listen to Todd, read his profile below, in the Fabulous Friends section. CLICK HERE to listen on your
computer, or dial in to: 724.444.7444 Call ID: 75014 Save the info and put it on your calendar for May 27th at noon CST |
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A great speech should be like a great meal.
Start with your amuse bouche (French, for to amuse your mouth, offered in fine
dining) - that's your opening, very important. It could be a poem, a quote, a
story, a startling statistic, a joke, a talent. Then your appetizer with your
menu of things to come, state your objectives, that's your opening dialogue. The soup warms us up for the rest of the meal.
The main course is the meat and potatoes - your important points, your message,
your value proposition, sprinkled with salt and pepper (that would be the humor
and quotes). Ah, the salad...the fiber, the bulk of your material. And of
course the best is the dessert, your wrap-up or closing statements, examples
as in your opening. Here are some of the attendees working hard at
this past Speakers School.  Next one is September 23-25, 2010. COME JOIN US!  CLICK THE LOGO TO REGISTER.I give this out at the end of Speakers School
and want to share it with all of you:
The medicocre
speaker...tells
The good speaker...explains
The superior
speaker...demonstrates
The great
speaker...inspires
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CREATIVE CAPTIONS
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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:
�
For Once in My Light (lighting store)Oh Say Can You Seam (Clothing
Alterations)*********************************************************** 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
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 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!"
Decade birthday parties are usually very special. Most of mine were okay
but not Mikki-style, soooooo for one of those birthdays I threw myself one heck of a bash (if you
think I'm telling you what decade, think again  ). I  held it at the W Hotel in Chicago on the top floor in the revolving
penthouse overlooking the lake. The
theme was Black Tie with a Touch of Purple. 80 people flew in from all over the
country. I was the only one in red and
purple, my signature colors. I wore
these shoes with my red sequin gown.
People were seated by the decades of my life, and the music changed each
hour to reflect the decades. The room
was decorated with purple twinkle lights, the tables had red and purple flowers
with twinkling lip lights (I don't collect them anymore, so don't send them,
lol). I introduced everyone by how I knew them, I was roasted by several guests,
I gave everyone music boxes that played, "That's What Friends Are For," - no detail
was overlooked. It was an amazing memory-making event and I vowed to celebrate
my birthday every five years in this same awe-inspiring style. The one following that was a week on the French Riviera with 12 gal pals from NY to UK. Stay tuned for those shoes and that story.
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WONDERFUL WEBsightings
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I come across so many and so many are shared with me that I thought I'd share with you.
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MIKKI MOUTH:
QUOTATIONS I WISH I'D SAID AND SOME I DID SAY!
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Enjoy a quote each month from my new book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute!
A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and
by car forever after."
--Peter De Vries
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READER REVIEWS
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"Thanks for sharing
your fabulously interesting life in your Ezine...way too cool."
Pamila Ausley
FengShuiwithPamilaFaye
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JUST JEANNIE, THE SOCIAL MEDIA MAVEN
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 Jeannie Walters helps companies enter into the
social media mayhem - by connecting with customers, prospects
and colleagues in new and powerful ways. Tips from Jeannie:
Listen First.
When it comes to relationships, it's always important to
listen, right? Social media is no different. Take a few minutes this month to
beef up your listening strategy. Who should you listen to? Here are a few
ideas: DO A READ MORE
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Set up Google Alerts (www.google.com/alerts)
on your clients, your clients' customers, your competitors, and anyone else you
think you should be listening to!
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"Like" those brands or people on
Facebook. (Facebook recently switched this functionality. It used to be "Fan" a
page but now you "Like" it.)
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Subscribe to the blogs of your clients,
competitors and prospects to be sure you don't miss what they're talking about.
It's hard to jump in the conversation if you're not paying
attention. Beef up your listening strategy to ensure you are participating
instead of just broadcasting.
Questions about social media? Email me at Jeannie@360Connext.com
For more info see me at www.360Connext.com
 Follow Jeannie on Twitter
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THE HAPPY COOKER
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 Yes, that was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook too. Fast Truffles  12
oz. chocolate chips � cup
heavy cream � cup
raspberry liqueur In
food processor, chop the chocolate chips until fine. In saucepan, combine cream
with liqueur; heat to boiling. With
motor on, pour in cream mixture; process until chocolate is melted. Pour into small foil candy cups. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
Makes about 4 dozen.
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FUN, FABULOUS, FEARLESS FRIENDS
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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.  INTRODUCING...this month's teleseminar guest, Todd Milllar from Calgary
Alberta Canada. I first met Todd when I was speaking for an executive summit in
Winnipeg. He later attended two of my
Speaker Schools and is a private coaching client. Todd is the president of his
own company, RT Millar Holdings Inc., specializing in consulting to small and medium-sized businesses, recreational property development and professional
speaking with a wide range of business topics and inspirational messages. Being
Canadian, any easy guess would have you seeing Todd as an avid hockey fan and
when he is not watching hockey or on the ice officiating a hockey game you can
find him working with the world's largest minor hockey organization as the VP of
Marketing and Sponsorship of Hockey Calgary in his volunteer role. If
hockey wasn't on, he would be scuba diving anywhere there is water as Todd is a
Dive Master and assistant Instructor. Believe it or not he has also been
known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes for a little skydiving
experience. Now,
just so we are not thinking this frost-bitten Canadian has lost it, Todd was
formally involved with one of the most successful Private Equity transactions
in the history of Bain Capital being instrumentally involved with the
acquisition of the Advertising Directory Solutions (Canadian Yellow Pages) for $1.9 billion and in less than a year selling off the asset for $2.6
billion! An incredible accomplishment that is a direct testament to
assembling the right team, providing leadership and creating a rewarding
environment. After
20 plus years in various senior executive and management positions spread across
the oil and gas, telecommunications and advertising industries, Todd now finds
time to enjoy his family and pursue his true passion of being enriched by
giving back through his business consulting services and professional speaking. You
can reach out and connect with Todd at his Calgary Office at
403.249.6923. He is a regular visitor to the states and loves to have
just one more reason to cross the border.
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MIKKI'S MANTRA
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Be outrageous...it's the only place that isn't crowded.
My favorite quote is featured in The
Woman's Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar, one of only 365 chosen from
over 3,500 submissions.
The Woman's Advantage is a line of
information products designed exclusively for successful women business
owners. For more information call 919-841-0401
or visit The Woman's Advantage
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INSPIRATIONS
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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.
Happy Mother's Day Means More
"Happy
Mother's Day" means more
Than
have a happy day.
Within
those words lie lots of things
We
never get to say.
It
means I love you first of all,
Then
thanks for all you do,
It
means you mean a lot to me,
And
that I honor you.
But
most of all, I guess it means
That
I am thinking of
Your
happiness on this your day
With
pleasure and with love.
--Nicholas Gordon
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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 is now three days!
Day One: Presentation Skills
Day Two: Learning Lab (Your opportunity to practice what you learned in Day One. You must have completed Day One to participate.)
Day Three: Marketing Your Speeches
The next Speakers School is September 23-25, 2010.
It's for people at all levels: novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals or anyone who needs to improve their communication skills.
Rick Herbst, Principal at Sikich Investment
Banking says,
"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."
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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 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 tri-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: mikki@mikkiwilliams.com
SEE ME: www.mikkiwilliams.com |
Thanks for spending time with us!  |
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*If you enjoyed this ezine and know others who would like to receive it, please forward this along to friends, family and colleagues! Use the "Forward e-mail" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
** To unsubscribe please use the link at the bottom of this newsletter (but we'd rather you didn't!).
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. |
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