or...
Stop being so darned "professional" and take a break today!
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Issue No. 34 December 2010
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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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 I LOVE the holiday season but it's exhausting...in a good way. My calendar always seems to fill up in December while others slow down, and again...not complaining. It's been an eclectic (one of my favorite words) month. I was hired by Renewal by Andersen (Andersen Windows) due to meeting David Moore (left),  the CEO (and btw, professional comedian) at a NY Vistage speech I gave.
 On to Alberquerque and a return visit to Dion's Pizza, pictured below with President, Doug Morse. Funny story behind the name...it was supposed to be a Greek Restaurant, named Dionysius when the sign painter gave them the price, it was too costly so it became Dion's Pizza instead.
Off to Denver at Beacon Communications, seen here  with Operations Manager, Kevin Whitley (left).
And finished up the year right here in Rosemont with my networking program previewed by Cheri Blazek from Lia Sophia Jewelry (below). 
Great work month, ending with my Vistage parties (photos and details to come in January...stay tuned!).
Now it's time to rest, rejuvenate for the new year and get ready for the holiday visit of THE son.
Definitely one of the highlights of the month was being asked to emcee a fashion show, "Puttin' on the Elysian" which was at the gorgeous, new, upscale boutique hotel  in Chicago. My good friend Julie Northcutt of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) invited me to do this event and here we are enjoying the 'after' party (Sam, me and Julie). Okay, yes, I had to wear glasses to read my script, but I certainly enjoyed my "job," as evidenced in the picture below with the underwear model.
I wish you all the blessings of the holiday season and an outrageous New Year!
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| I LOVE THIS BOOK! |  The Prosperity Plan: Ten Steps to Beating the Odds and Creating Extraordinary Wealth (and Happiness)
by Laura B. Fortgang
The Prosperity Plan offers a simple and clear approach to building financial and emotional security. In order to obtain wealth and happiness we need to become receptive to all the world has in store for us. We must build lives outside of the 'norm,' (I've lived my life outside the norm forever and it's fun out there continually reaching for our own unique good versus some cookie-cutter version of what we thought our lives should or could be. Remember, anyone can copy "different", no one can copy "unique".
Some of the aha's for this book include:- See possibilities where no one else does
- Discover opportunities that others leave on the table
- Learn the key to changing the tides of prosperity in your direction
- Focus your energy where it will pay dividends and stop feeling guilty about it
Master the timing of the goals that will make a difference.
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 | Mikki will be teaming up with some of her fabulous friends and peers to create unique training days.
Did you miss the teleseminar on December 17th? Just CLICK HERE to listen to the recording. It's a great one for the holidays.
 Conversation with Mikki and Eddie OsterlandPower Entertaining
with Wine and Food All too often people seem to adhere to a strict set of rules (protocol) when it comes to entertaining with wine and food. What's that all about? It's time to learn how to do it differently. Listen to the way Master Sommelier Eddie Osterland would like to see you do it.
Go way beyond the expectations of your clients/guests: Use the right glasses, use large-format bottles, chill the reds, decant the wines, serve the best foods and wines first, go with pairs of wines that teach your guests about food-wines. Push the envelope and entertain from the position of Power...your guests will be impressed!
Next month's conversation will be on Tuesday, January 25th at 12:00 noon, CST. My guest will be Laura Berman Fortgang, author of The Prosperity Plan: Ten Steps to Beating the Odds and Creating Extraordinary Wealth (and Happiness) |
BIZ BYTES
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 My first three years of professional speaking was mostly international work...by choice. A desire to "experience" the world was one of my primary motivators in pursuing this career. Last month I shared my African Queen article and as a new feature will continue to share my other fascinating journeys. Hope you will enjoy the recap with me."DETAILS FROM "DOWN UNDER"
As seen in the international newsletter of the
National Speakers AssociationHow ya goin' mate? Each time "I go" I learn that means how are you? in Australian dialect, or Strine as it is colloquially called. It was my third trip and I fall more in love with the country and the Aussies each time. One of the few places in the world you can go and not fret over war, famine, internal struggles or political unrest. The Aussies live and let live. They are pro-American, hungry to learn about U.S. business practices, and proud to be on par and often times ahead. My client base down under is quite diverse, ranging from a bank, an entertainment software company, insurance, and several fitness/wellness clients. I am never bored! READ MORE
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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:
Nothing Bundt Cakes (Delicious bundt cakes in CA, I know, I ate 'em!) Allison Wonderland (clothing store in Lake Geneva, WI) ***********************************************************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!" 
First of all, these shoes came out of my Design-Your-Own-Shoe Party last month from Atelier and I had the opportunity to wear them at the holiday party I threw for the Chicago Vistage Chairs this month in my home. We ate, we imbibed, we laughed, and we exchanged gifts in the manner I do  with my own groups; everyone buys a toy from someone picked for the Secret Santa exchange, then gives it to that person while describing what about the toy reminds them of that person. It's great fun - you should try it. The next day we donate all the toys to Children's Hospital. So we have fun, and the kids get toys for Christmas.
So, what did I get? A magic wand, a glittery doll shoe collection and a glamour doll...quelle surprise!
That dessert you see front and center is my famous (well, not MY famous) dessert made by Vincent Price as a cake for Sardi's in NY. When I had my catering biz, The Happy Cooker, I created this crowd-pleasing version of Boccone Dolce which means 'sweet mouthful' in Italian. It's not for the faint-of-heart to make. It takes about a day but it's wildly appreciated by the masses - they stand over the bowl with a spoon!
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| WONDERFUL WEBSITEings | 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! |  Enjoy a quote each month from my new book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute!
"No self-respecting mother would run out of intimidations on the eve of a major holiday."
--Erma Bombeck
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| TITILLATING TRIVIA |
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the
age of eleven: $16,400.
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| HE WHO LAUGHS...LASTS! |  Three men die on Christmas Eve and go to heaven, where they're met by Saint Peter. "In order to get in," he tells them, "you must each produce something representative of the holidays."The first man digs into his pockets and pulls out a match and lights it. "This represents a candle of hope." Impressed, Peter lets him in. The second man pulls out a tangle of keys and shakes them. "These are bells." He's allowed in too. "So," Peter says to the third man, "what do you have?" The third man proudly shows him a pair of red panties. "What do these have to do with Christmas?" asks Peter. "They're Carol's."
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| SOCIAL MEDIA GURU GUY | Dave Nelsen
Entrepreneur and Social Media Guide
Dave's formal title is President, Dialog Consulting Group
From 2005 to 2009 he was CEO of TalkShoe, a social media company now serving more than one million monthly listeners...and the fabulous company I use to produce my monthly teleseminars.
Yelp, I Need Somebody!
If you run a business in this social media world, you ignore the social conversation at your peril. What our peers tell us is five times more convincing than what you tell us.
As an example of this new world, last night when my wife and I arrived at the Hilton in downtown Miami we were unfamiliar with the neighborhood and we were hungry.
In the past we might have consulted the AAA Guidebook, Zagat Reviews or the hotel concierge for a recommendation. Instead I grabbed my iPhone and clicked on one of my favorite social media apps: Yelp. Instead of professional food critics' reviews it's everybody's reviews.
Based on their guidance we chose "Bin 18." Fifty-five Yelp reviewers rated it four stars and at "$$" it promised to be less expensive. What really got my attention was the passion of the reviewers. They described the place as "a quaint New York bistro... dark and sexy."
There was no need to guess at what might be best on the menu; just read the Yelpers' recommendations. Based on several mentions we ordered the crispy bruschetta (tasty), the warm stuffed-fig salad (amazing) and the Bacalao sliders (unbelievable).
Yelp is not just about restaurants. If you run a bar, coffee shop, bank, gas station, or drug store the Yelpers are comparing notes. To doctors and service professionals, plumbers and contractors: they're talking about you on Angie's List. Employers, your former employees are providing an inside look at your jobs and policies on GlassDoor.com.
It's time to start listening. And it's time to join the conversation. It's a world of mouth where everybody has a voice... and a megaphone.
You can find more formal details here: wesocialize.biz |
| READER REVIEWS |
As usual! A smashing publication!
Susan Roman, Signature Room
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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.
Blue Cheese Appetizers
 French or Italian baguette Blue cheese at room temperature Butter Sugar Apricot preserves or marmalade Cayenne pepper Soften the cheese and mix it with a little bit of the butter. The ratio should be about 4 parts cheese to 1 part butter. Slice the bread 1/2 inch thick and toast bread in the broiler.When the bread is toasted on one side, spread the blue cheese on the un-toasted side and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Return to the oven or broiler until the sugar starts to bubble and brown. Put a small dollop of jam on top and a very light sprinkle of cayenne. Serve immediately.
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| MIKKI'S MANTRA |
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 | 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.
We're thinking of you this time of year,
Wishing you happiness, joy, and cheer.
May all your days be warm and bright,
And your nights enhanced by holiday light.
Enjoy your delectable holiday foods,
As parties and gifts create holiday moods.
Favorite people play a meaningful part,
While treasured rituals warm your heart.
You are special to us in many ways,
So we wish you Happy Holidays!
By Joanna Fuchs
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| MIKKI ON THE MOVE |  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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The next Speakers School is in session on
February 3-5, 2011
SIGN UP NOW!
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 February 3-5, 2011.
It's for people at all levels: novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals or anyone who needs to improve their communication skills.
Upcoming Speakers Schools:
April 14-16, 2011
September 22-24, 2011
Speakers School Testimonial
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Become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, connect with me on LinkedIn, catch me on YouTube, look for me on Plaxo:
    
Don't forget to check out my blog every Sunday
for a new post:
Would love for you to join my Facebook Fan page. Just click the icon below:
In case you've missed past issues of the ezine
Click here to visit the archives.
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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!
Sam and I thank you all for being loyal readers and wish you the happiest of holidays and an outrageous new year! (She loves that I make her wear these hats!)
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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. |
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