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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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 I celebrated my July 4th birthday for a week, and what a week it was! More cards and Facebook postings than I can count, gifts, dinners out and of course my wonderful party at The Sofitel with my favorite gal pals. Top l to r: Martha, Marjorie, moi, Gretchen and my Sam. Bottom l to r:
Sherry (BFF from Seattle), Michele (shoe of the month) Sandy (SheBeads), Mary Hoffman (soon to be wed). Missing while photo being taken were Julie Northcutt, Joanna Norcross and Kendra Lockhart. Backtracking through the month: traveled to Sturbridge, CT to  present for Country Bank (me and Paul Scully, CEO at left). Then had a delicious spa day at Kohler Spa in Wisconsin with "shoe of the month" gal Michele, where I got to spend time with the Spa Director, very special friend Jean Kolb (and darn, I forgot to take a pic!). Spoke in Cleveland at Private Harbour  Investment (pictured here with CEO Geofrey Greenleaf), then back in time for my Vistage meeting and party to celebrate the retirement of my founding member Marjorie Herter. It was held at the beautiful new home of Dave and Jan Dastur. (pictured below with some of the members of my Vistage CEO group, Marjorie front and center)  Laugh of the month was being out with gal pal Deb DaRosa, then deciding we wanted to watch the finale of The Voice and wound up walking in and out of every bar and restaurant asking them to turn the TV on for us for the last five minutes. FINALLY, Grami's Sports Bar obliged. I was invited to grand opening festivities of Lou Malnati's new State Street location.  Jeanne Malnati (right), a Speakers School graduate and now special friend, invited me. (Lots of play between lots of work this month.) Off to Milwaukee to speak to the 4000 advisors at lia sophia , the world's largest independent jewelry direct sales company (Cheri Blazek at left). It was one of those full circle moments in my life: Tory Kiam runs the company - he's the son of Victor Kiam, the famous, "I liked the product so much I bought the company," that was Remington Rand. Remember that? Well, 25 years ago Victor was in the audience at my first corporate gig and he wrote me a very special letter which I saved so I ended my speech at lia sophia with that letter. The audience went wild! As I enjoy another birthday, I am thankful for all the blessings in my life and the extended family of friends that feed my soul in so many ways, and of course for the love of my precious son Jason. CLICK HERE to enjoy a video of him singing (so many people encouraged me to share it with you). Have an outrageous month!
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I LOVE THIS BOOK!
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The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin According to current research, in determining a person's level of happiness genetics accounts for about 50%, circumstances such as your demographics count for 10-20% and the remainder is a product of how a person thinks or acts. It seems that people's decisions about how to live their lives also affect their happiness. This topic fascinates me not only from a selfish perspective but a business one as well, for coaching and presenting. Although she uses many people's definition of happiness I like the old adage, "I'll know it when I see it," or as Louis Armstrong said, "If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know." Some of the chapters may sound cliche but they really do add up to my own personal definition as well, i.e. boost energy, remember love, lighten up, make time for friends, pursue a passion, pay attention, the fun of failure, keep a contented heart and more. I love this book!!
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Join me and some of my fabulous friends for fun and informative tele-conversations!
Don't miss the next tele-conversation on
Friday, July 22nd at 12:00 noon CST.
No cost, no obligation. Just CLICK HERE to register.
TELE-CONVERSATION WITH JEFF BLACKMAN, Business Growth Specialist/Speaker/Author
Jeff Blackman's Peak Your Profits!�
WARNING: Mikki and Jeff have known each other for decades...
Which means...
When they "get together"...their conversation will be fast-paced,
high-energy, information-loaded and really fun!
Rest assured, one of them will even bring big hair, big jewelry and
big heels to the rapid-fire dialogue. You'll have to listen to
find out who!
Jeff is a Hall of Fame speaker, best selling author, success coach,
broadcaster and lawyer. Yet for close to 30 years, his clients have
simply called him a business-growth specialist. Jeff's positive
and profit-producing messages help individuals and companies around
the world drive relationships, results and revenue! In this
content-loaded results-session Jeff shows you how to skillfully
convert sales obstacles into opportunities. Quickly. Ethically.
Dramatically!
You'll learn how to:
- create long-term, loyal, profitable relationships
- listen for profits
- increase your value barometer
- improve your questioning skills (Jeff gives you a jumpstart, with
his proven list of "power probes")
- how to handle change...to open your floodgates to new levels of
prosperity and achievement
Jeff is also a happy husband, devoted father, avid softball player
and rabid Chicago Cubs fan (so he knows all about pain and
suffering!)! Get ready to grow your business, yet be prepared for a
question about the Infield Fly Rule!
Contact Jeff at jb@jeffblackman.com
www.jeffblackman.com
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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. As a new feature I will share my fascinating journeys. Hope you will enjoy the recap with me. Confessions of a Calorie-Crazed Cruiser  You go on as a passenger and you come off as cargo! Probably the only pitfall of speaking on cruise ships. Other than that it is a delightful experience I have enjoyed for decades. It's great to trade wings for sea legs occasionally. September through December is a very hectic speaking schedule with lots of international jet lag, so at the end of my fall "season" I usually kick off January with a cruise. I come home refreshed, let my body clock return to normal, and then am ready to tackle the new year. One in particular was the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Nordic Prince, leaving Florida and stopping at 7 ports on the 10-day itinerary. The best part of speaking on cruise ships is giving talks but still being treated as a passenger, and having the rest of the time to do your own thing. Great timing to gather holiday gifts at incredible duty-free ports for the next year. READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
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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:
Urban Outsitters (pet sitters)
Poo Ping Plumbing Company
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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
|  This month's shoe from The Mikki Collection at Atelier Shoes... This month's featured shoe from my new collection is the Michele, named after my dear friend Michele Goldsmith who is classy like this shoe. She is an artist with a passion for travel (especially to Italy). We met years ago when we were both in the fitness industry and were guest GO's at Club Med in  Mexico. Michele is one of the top sales professionals in the marine/yacht industry and serves on the boards of the major marine associations. Her travels take her to most of the boating capitals from the Mediteranean to Florida. Among her favorite things are good food, coffee and wine, exceptional shoes (no wonder we're friends!), laughter and travel. If I'm in Chicago Michele and I are usually walking the city, trying new restaurants (look for restaurant reports to come), going to great spas, taking in a new movie or concert, or finding ourselves on some adventure that has us making memories...that's what friends are for. For pricing or ordering the shoes, go to www.ateliershoes.com/mikki and mention you saw them here for a 20% discount. |
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WONDERFUL WEBSITEings
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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.befunky.com
This site simplifies photo editing and has a library of photo effects to turn your ordinary photos into extraordinary art. Very cool.
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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!
Old Cherokee wisdom shared by good friend and Vistage Chair Larry Cassidy who never ceases to inspire me: "When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die the world weeps and you rejoice."
Order the book today!
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TITILLATING TRIVIA
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Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence
on July 4th,
John Hancock and Charles Thomson.
Most of the rest signed on August 2
but the last signature wasn't added until five years later.
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HE WHO LAUGHS...LASTS!
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A father took his 5-year-old son to several baseball games where The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game.Then the father and son attended church on a Sunday shortly before Independence Day. The congregation sang The Star-Spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down the little boy yelled out,
"PLAY BALL!!!"
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SOCIAL MEDIA GURU GUY
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Dave Nelsen
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.
When Social Media Fails
There are myriad reasons that business social media initiatives fail:
1) You're pushing marketing information at them instead of being a real person who's connecting in a dialog. Follow Mikki's lead and show some personality!
2) Customers don't want a continuing relationship with your business. If you're in real estate, pest control, or automobiles (as in car dealers) prospects engage only when they need you. Use search.twitter.com to find people in your area tweeting about new homes, bed bugs, or new cars. Currently there are more than two hundred million tweets per day. Listening in is like having ESP - you'll know exactly what they're thinking.
3) You're using the wrong platform. Facebook is perfect for B2C (business-to-consumer). It's often worthless for B2B (business-to-business). If you sell to other businesses consider investing in LinkedIn (to network), Ning (to create a knowledgebase/community), or WordPress (to write a blog).
4) You're adding to the noise and information overload. Instead figure out how to provide something of value to your customers. If you run a chauffer/taxi service have your drivers tweet about traffic conditions (when they're not driving, please). People will follow them to get valuable on-the-ground traffic updates and your company will always be top of mind.
5) Customers don't know about your social initiative. It may be superb but if they've never seen it, well... You need an awareness plan. Highlight it on your business card, in your email signature, on your homepage, in your email marketing, and on your front door.
6) You're not engaging when they are. Social media is a dialog and you have to do your part. This in not a set-it-and-forget-it activity. Participate!
Each of these challenges is addressable. Figure out where the problem is and fix it. Or terminate your program. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time.
You can find more formal details here:
wesocialize.biz
To contact Dave directly:
dave@WeSocialize.biz |
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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.
July 4th Cake
Strawberry sorbet
Blueberry sorbet
Lemon ice cream
3/4 cup cookie crumbs (process 7 Newman's Own Organic O's - creamy fillings and all - in the food processor until finely ground) or finely chopped candied ginger
Freshly whipped cream, fresh berries, and sprigs of mint, for serving.
Place a 9-inch springform pan in the freezer until very cold, at least 1 hour.Remove the springform pan from the freezer and immediately scoop in the sorbet. Working quickly, use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to smooth the sorbet into an even layer, approximately 1 inch high. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 cup cookie crumbs or candied ginger, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze until firm, at least 1 hour.
Repeat the process with the lemon ice cream and another 1/4 cup of crumbs or candied ginger, freezing 1 hour. Finish with the blueberry sorbet, topping with the last 1/4 cup of crumbs or candied ginger. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze until set, at least two hours or overnight.
Chill a serving plate in the freezer. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.
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MIKKI'S MANTRA
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Be outrageous...it's the only place that isn't crowded.
My quote was chosen again from over 5,000 submissions to be featured in The Woman's Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar for 2011. I'm on July 3rd (a coincidence since my birthday is July 4th) and the chosen quote was "Life gives you choices, not chances and it's those choices that determine the quality of your life."
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.
"Regardless of his hard life, he passionately runs toward what he really wants. And even talented people rarely have that passion." -- Judge on "Korea's Got Talent" after witnessing Sung-bong Choi's first audition on the show. I hope you have some tissue handy. ![[Korea's Got Talent] tvN �리� � ����� Ep.1 Sung-bong Choi!!!.avi](https://thumbnail.constantcontact.com/remoting/v1/vthumb/YOUTUBE/8634da87b5654082b32d5b9b7d855bef) | Korea's Got Talent
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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
September 22-24, 2011 in Chicago
 | | Why Should You Come to Speakers School? |
REGISTER NOW!
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: Getting Booked
Speakers School is for people at all levels; novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals or anyone who needs to improve their communication skills. And who doesn't??
Upcoming Speakers Schools:
September 22-24, 2011
February 23-25, 2011
REGISTER NOW!
I have attended Speakers School three times and learn more each time. My ratings as a speaker continue to improve as a result. It's very generous of you to allow attendees to return over and over again for merely the cost of food and handouts, what a value proposition!! Worth the original time and money investment ten times over. YOU and your professional acumen are worth the cross country trip alone.
Sherry LeBed Davis, CEO
Healthy-Steps
www.gohealthysteps.com
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VISIONARY VOLUNTEERISM
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Visionary - adjective (esp. of a person), thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom
 I speak of volunteerism is my speeches. I tell stories to inspire and challenge audiences to volunteer as individuals, as responsible business and community leaders. as parents/grandparents, and to get their children involved early. By the way, volunteerism is the number one way to raise self-esteem. What are you doing in this visionary effort? Each month I will give you a link to a site where you can volunteer. Please send me a link to your favorite volunteer opportunity to post.
I met Jonny Imerman this past month at a conference where we were both speaking in Boston. Even though we both live in Chicago we were like two ships passing in the night. His passion and his mission are so unique and so inspiring. Visit his site to learn more about it and to volunteer.
www.imermanangels.org
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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 |
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MIKKI WILLIAMS, CSP
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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
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And, last but not least, allow me to introduce you to Joey Grant, Sam's new assistant (every assistant should have an assistant!). Joey recently won an award for Windy City's under-30 outstanding people in the LGBT community.
Joey Grant, 27, is a Chicago native and the founder of Mint Male Magazine and
TheQu.co. Mint's purpose was to highlight the passionate and professional men in the gay community. After two years MintMale is evolving into a multi-media site and a daily blog for Mint Male fans whose goal is to live in mint condition. Joey has coordinated dozens of events for several charities and has worked on events featuring the arts, live theatre and fashion, all while holding down a full time job as a hair stylist in Lakeview at L'etoile Salon. And... if that wasn't enough he's now working part time for us and we love him!
WELCOME, JOEY!
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.
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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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Kristen DaRosa is an adventure-seeking young consultant specializing in relationship management and marketing. Her Chicago-based consultancy is dedicated to helping her nationally-based clients do just about anything related to the art of 'talk'. DaRosa is an ambassador for a premier MBA school where she facilitates relationship management with global corporations. She will be sharing with us her perspective on what many call "the entitled generation."