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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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Hot!!! What's hot? Well, the weather, my "staycation" AND my fun activities this summer. Where do I begin? Okay, in no particular order...great clients: Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience  Store Assn. (pictured at right with Ned Bowman, Executive Director, and his wife Jane) in Orlando. Below I'm with Mike O'Brien, VP of Schnucks Markets in St. Louis  and with River of Goods VP of Operations Marco Bertranou (below), a unique home decor company in St. Paul, MN.  Plus, I spoke for assorted other Vistage groups in Minnesota, Boston and New Jersey. While in Boston, I had time to visit one of my favorite restaurants, Mistral, for mussels with Debbie Brown, who is newly-engaged to my pal, my peer, my Vistage member and ezine columnist Brian Beaulieu. Congrats, Brian and Debbie! 
I enjoyed the  JLo and Enrique Iglesias concert at the United Center and an amazing week at my National Speakers Association, convention in Indianapolis. I was auctioned off along with five other celebrity speakers to raise money for the NSA Foundation, and was won by Nancy Giere in Williamsburg, Virginia for coaching and for Speakers School. Also at my convention, I got to hang with new buddy and famous baseball player, Steve Sax; MVP, Hall-of-Famer and World Series champion second baseman for Dodgers, Yankees (yay, my roots!) and White Sox (yay, home team).  I also got to hang with legends Brian Tracy and Harvey Mackay  (Swim with the Sharks fame) (below). I conducted three 'Meet the Pros' sessions and was interviewed by Copper Services for the launch of their new Speaking and Coaching online catalog. Closing night banquet was a blast as always. Here I am with Dan Maddox,  Executive Director of American Payroll Association, client, friend and outrageous dresser like me. Everyone was photographing his rhinestone-spiked tux and my gravity-defying shoes! I capped off the month with the finale of my fitness reality show, Taking the Lunge, having reached my size 6 goal!), and with a book launch party for my Sam - combined iwith the reveal of my completed and gorgeously redecorated Chicago home. Cheers to my amazing interior designer, long time buddy and overall great guy Jim Malone (pictured between Sam and me). 
Have an outrageous rest of summer!
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I LOVE THIS BOOK!
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 Secrets of Longevity
Hundreds of Ways to Live To Be 100
by Dr. Mao Shing Ni
Oh how I LOVE this book!!! If you know me you know I am a "natural woman," taking more herbs and vitamins than you can count at each meal for over two decades, and I'm an advocate of integrative medicine, blending the best of East and West. Dr. Mao shares a tip on each page of this book on diet, healing, environment, exercise and relationships. You can just turn to the section that interests you. It's all fascinating. It's amazing how orange rind can lower cholesterol or taking a walk after dinner can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. This is a totally cool book...
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Join me and some of my fabulous friends for fun and informative tele-conversations!
The next tele-conversation is on
Friday, August 17th at 12:00 noon CST.
No cost, no obligation.
Just CLICK HERE to register.
TELE-CONVERSATION
 with LAURA STACK Friday, August 17th at noon CST WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE'S TOO MUCH TO DO
Laura Stack has an uncontrollable impulse to organize; on the playground in kindergarten you would have seen Laura arranging the children into teams and coordinating the games; at home you would have found her busily lining up her stuffed animals by size, color and type. Born into a military family, Laura soon learned to use her abilities to pack up her room in record time - over 30 times in her life. Too bad there isn't an Olympic organizing competition.
Fortunately. Laura knows most people aren't superhuman like she is. She understands your to-do list is already packed to capacity. So she will wave her magic drumsticks and turn time management on its head! Instead of "do more with less" Laura's mantra is "work less, more success"!
Following the six-step Productivity Workflow Formula (PWF) she outlines in her newest productivity book, What to Do When There's Too Much to Do, you'll organize your life around the tasks that really matter and let go of those that don't. Dozens of practical strategies will help you reduce your commitments, distractions, interruptions, and inefficiencies. You'll shrink your to-do list and save time - around ninety minutes a day - while skyrocketing your results and maintaining your sanity. Come hear about Laura's unique approach to workflow: REDUCE, REDUCE, REDUCE!
Laura is the founder and President of The Productivity Pro, Inc., and the 2011-2012 president of the National Speakers Association (NSA). You can find her at www.TheProductivityPro.com and www.Facebook.com/ProductivityPro.
September's guest: 
Lanny Goodman, Monday, September 24th at noon CST
Topic: The End of ManagementHave more time, make more money and have more fun by creating a company that runs itself
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25 FOR 25
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In recognition of my 25th year as a professional speaker I am going to attempt to list my 25 favorites of various categories over this year. One of my favorite quotes is from Yoda... "There is no try, only do."
So here goes...
My favorite women in entertainment and life.
Entertainment
1. Bette Midler  2. Barbra Streisand 3. Cher 4. Dolly Parton 5. Jennifer Lopez 6. Sophia Loren 7. Jane Fonda  8. Diane Keaton 9. Madonna 10. Lady GaGa 11. Oprah  12. Ellen DeGeneres 13. Betty White 14. Martha Stewart 15. Sarah Jessica Parker Dance 16. Ginger Rogers
17. Ann Reinking  18. Maria Tallchief 19. Chita Rivera  20. Nicole Scherzinger
Authors
21. Suzanne Somers (yes, you read that right)
22. Erica Jong 23. Danielle Steele 24. Gail Sheehy 25. Samantha Hoffman  
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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:
The Best Place In Town To Take A Leak (car radiator repair)
The Dogfather (Hot Dog Stand)
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SHOE-BE-DOO STORIES
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As change is one of my themes for the new year, here is a different version of this column for 2012. People knowing my love of shoes send me countless versions and articles they come across.
In honor of the Olympics, here is my version of what a running shoe SHOULD look like (although it could use a few sequins).
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AWESOME APPS
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A new addition! We know you're all app-crazy so we thought we'd add to your madness...and please send us your favorites.
Cinemagram is an easy way to create animated gifs. Just shoot a short video clip, color in the part you want to move, add a filter and voila! The app makes you a gif.
$1.99
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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.invino.com
Free membership-based site to shop amazing wines from top vineyards at up to 80% off
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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!
Success is about having, excellence is about being. Success is about having money and fame, but excellence is being the best you can be.
--Mike Ditka
Order the book today!
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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.
It's a New B2I World
Recently, I was speaking to a group of CEOs in California about using social media for business. The host introduced me to the somewhat skeptical audience by suggesting that whether their companies sold B2C (business-to-consumer), B2B (business-to-business), or B2G (business-to-government), indeed, they all sold B2I (as in "to individuals").
It's a brilliant observation and an acronym that I intend to use regularly from now on. Recall the old sales adage that "people buy from people." It's especially true for B2B companies. What "social" allows us to do (on LinkedIn, by writing a blog, by using Google+ Circles, etc.) is turn our companies back into the people that are the organization.
In fact, maybe it's not so much B2I as it is I2I (individual-to-individual) just like the olden days (when it actually had to be eye-to-eye). Yet, social allows us to connect with far more prospects than we ever could back then. These new tools are more efficient and more effective for today's communications challenges.
Remember when you had to learn to use a fax machine, a pager, or email? It's like that - a communications continuum. If you've not yet taken advantage of these new tools, start by reframing your thinking: Social media and social networking are powerful people connectors for your B2I business.
You can find more formal details here:
wesocialize.biz
To contact Dave directly:
dave@WeSocialize.biz
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TITILLATING TRIVIA
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What do the five rings in the Olympic emblem symbolize?
Scroll to bottom of ezine for answer
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ECON RECON
| Introducing my newest columnist, the "economist with a personality" (my title not his) ...
Brian Beaulieu  is Vistage's chief economist, one of the country's leading economists, MY Vistage member, a phenomenal speaker, brilliant businessman and a special friend. CEOs worldwide rely on his forecasting as they plan their business year. And for anyone trying to understand the economy, Brian speaks and writes in English not in that foreign language called economicspeak. Enjoy!
Thanks For The Help, But....
Washington's bid to boost the economy through tax cuts to small and medium-sized businesses is a bust.
We have all heard politicians of both parties offering to help businesses through targeted tax credits. The theme is extremely popular in this election season with Washington claiming to have created millions of jobs by helping small to medium-sized businesses through tax relief. The reality is that the targeted tax breaks (such as the Work Opportunity Credit, the building energy-efficiency credit, the health-care coverage credit, and the federal research credit) do not work. Tax consultants estimate that as little as 5% percent of eligible credits are actually claimed by U.S. businesses. Consider the fact that even with 36 major business tax credits available only 20,000 out of almost 1.8 million U.S. businesses claimed any of them on their 2011 corporate tax returns.
The complexity of the rules and the cost of compliance are the main reasons given for why firms are not taking advantage of the tax code. Why take a $50,000 credit if it will cost you $60,000 to gather the required documentation and correctly file the paperwork?
The tax system in the U.S. is bizarre and broken. A recent article reported that the World Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers rank the U.S. 142nd out of 183 countries in terms of the time it takes for a small manufacturer to fill out its federal tax forms. In addition, congressional resources estimate that the complexity in the code takes about 1% of our GDP ($150 billion a year) right out of productive uses. There is also a global competitive issue at stake as other nations have lower rates and simpler tax codes.
Washington is set to discuss an overhaul of the corporate tax code next year. Hope would suggest that things will improve; experience would suggest that you keep your tax attorney/tax accountants on speed dial.
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THE HAPPY COOKER
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That was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook, too.
Caramel-Charred Corn Salad with Basil and Tomatoes
 12 ears of corn, husked
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves, large leaves torn
1/3 cup (or more) fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. Rub corn with 1 tablespoon oil. Grill, turning frequently, until corn is charred and heated through, 10-12 minutes. Remove from grill; when cool enough to handle, cut kernels from cobs and transfer to a large bowl.
DO AHEAD: Corn can be made 3 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
Place onion in a strainer and rinse with cold water to mellow its flavor. Drain well. Mix onion, remaining 5 tablespoons oil, tomatoes, basil, 1/3 cup lime juice, and thyme into corn. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if desired.
DO AHEAD: Salad can be assembled 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
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HE WHO LAUGHS...LASTS!
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"I have a problem with that silver medal.
It's like,'Congratulations, you almost won. Of all the losers, you're the number one loser. No one lost ahead of you.'"
-Jerry Seinfeld
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MIKKI'S MANTRA
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Be outrageous...
it's the only place that isn't crowded.
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INSPIRATION
| "My mother used to tell us in the mornings, 'Carl put on your shoes, Oscar put on your prosthetic  legs ...So I grew up not really thinking I had a disability. I grew up thinking I had different shoes."
- South African runner Oscar Pistorius, nicknamed 'Blade Runner' because he races on carbon fibre prosthetic blades, talks about growing up playing sports with brother Carl. |
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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.
www.catchafire.org
This company provides talented individuals with meaningful pro bono experiences in order to build capacity for social good organizations.
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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 13-15, 2012 in Chicago
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Why Should You Come to Speakers School? |
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?
REGISTER NOW!
OR...BRING SPEAKERS SCHOOL TO YOUR COMPANY.
IT'S A GREAT VALUE.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS THE CORNERSTONE TO SUCCESS.
Help your employees improve their presentation skills, whether they're
speaking in front of a group or in a one-on-one situation.
Successful business people know it's important to have an edge these days, and Speakers School provides that with Mikki's how-to techniques you can use, not theories you'll forget. Excellent communication skills set you and your staff apart and help take your business to the next level.
CALL NOW FOR MORE DETAILS: 312.664.8447
OR SEND AN EMAIL TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.
Upcoming Speakers Schools:
September 13-15, 2012
February dates to come
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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:
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 (certified speaking professional, an honor bestowed on less than 600 speakers worldwide) specializes in business dynamics and human potential. She has been named one of the top speakers in the country by Meetings and Convention Magazine along with Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Colin Powell, Lou Holtz and Mike Ditka. Mikki is also one of the top tier speaker resources for Vistage International, the world's leading executive organization, and Group Chair of two of their peer advisory boards in Chicago.
Her company Mikki Williams Unltd. produces Speakers Schools in Chicago three times a year, a monthly ezine: Hair She Is...!, a blog: Mikki Williams' Blah Blah...Blog and a monthly tele-Conversations series: Mikki & Friends. She is sought-after for business, life and presentation skills coaching through her firm Coaching, etc... She also facilitates The Mikki Mouth Club, an annual subscription-based presentation skills coaching membership.
If you need other speakers she can book you the best through her Outrageous Orators...speakers who rock, an uncommon speakers bureau.
To hire Mikki or learn more about any of these services:
CALL ME: 312.664.8447
FAX ME: 312.664.8460
E ME: mikki@mikkiwilliams.com
SEE ME: www.mikkiwilliams.com
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Thanks for spending time with us!
What do the five rings in the Olympic emblem symbolize?
Answer: The five continents from which Olympic athletes come
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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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