DRI 2013 Call for Presentations Deadline Is August 31!

Thank you to all of you who have submitted presentation proposals for DRI2013! It's looking like an exciting line-up, but we're still accepting submissions until August 31. So, there's still time!

DRI2013 will be held June 4-7 in Philadelphia, and it'll be even bigger and better than this year's inaugural event. We're looking for timely, innovative topics and case studies. Also, speakers receive a free full-conference pass. Click here to fill out the form and get our session in consideration.

Well it's been some time since you've heard from me. I haven't fallen from the face of the earth, but I have been busy. I've been busy thinking of new and exciting ways that the DRI Foundation can help those in need of BCP help and how we can have an inspiring and rewarding volunteer work experience at DRI2013, to be held June 4-7, 2013, in Philadelphia.

As you may recall, last May 19, the DRI Foundation organized a volunteer day in New Orleans as part of DRI2012. More than 75 conference attendees, DRI staff, DRI Foundation staff, and vendors worked on building a home (with Habitat for Humanity) and sorting and packaging food and household items (with Second Harvest/Feeding America) in the greater New Orleans area. All volunteers were provided a volunteer appreciation bag at the Friday night pep-rally, a T-shirt, and Po-boy sandwich lunch and teambuilding post volunteer day dinner. Happily, all volunteers reported that the experience was extraordinary and satisfying on many levels and that they couldn't wait to do it again.  

Well, we are in the planning stages of Volunteer Day 2013 in Philadelphia. Our primary goal is to have construction and a food pantry type effort. For those unable to participate in the official Volunteer Day, we hope to provide volunteer work options before and after the conference for you to pursue on your own. Stay tuned as we fine tune the details and dates.

As I did prior to the New Orleans conference, I will be providing you with helpful hints about things to do in Philadelphia - music, food, touristy stuff, history, and hints about what to expect from this year's conference.

I look forward to the City of Brotherly Love being the place where we get to share our love of helping others. The DRI2013 conference will deliver new excitement and great programs, and Volunteer Day will provide a heart-warming way to give back. If last year is a good barometer, you will make lifelong friendships while you work side by side, and you will have the satisfaction of making a difference while working to help others. I guarantee that being a part of the DRI Foundation and our volunteer effort will be a feel-good experience that you will truly enjoy.

I am happy to be back and hope you will e-mail me with your ideas and comments regarding Clyde's Corner and the Volunteer effort next June.

All the best,

Clyde 

cberger@driif.org 

Director of Volunteerism and Vice President 

Of Polkas and Planning:  

Lyle Beaver and America's Oldest Brands

Okay, here's the lineup: a horn section of University of Iowa jazz students (one trumpet, one trombone, one tenor sax), a yodeling drummer, and a lead singer who also plays the accordion. No, I'm not kidding. Front man Lyle Beaver and his "Brass Notes" have been touring the Midwest for MANY decades. He's got to be one the longest running acts around (my ex-husband was the sax player about 20 year ago!). Lyle's got it going on. He's prepared. He's got the van and the equipment and matching ruffle tux shirts (in three pastel colors) for everyone in the band. And he knows his audience. They like polkas and waltzes, so that's what he delivers.

I thought of Lyle when I saw this article about the top ten oldest U.S. brands. These long-standing brands are a study in longevity...and perhaps continuity. Here's a snippet:

"What does it take for a brand to survive and thrive for over 150 years, which is as long as Brooks Brothers' ready-to-wear suit brand has been around? Most brands on our list have done well for many decades because they continue to be well-regarded by consumers. Remington rifles are among the best made in the world. Tiffany silver is still considered the 'gold standard' for products in its category. Each of these products may have different competition than a century ago, but continues to be relevant in the current industry."

The list is worth a read, and it comes as no surprise to me that America's oldest brand is Baker's Chocolate! And if you don't believe Lyle Beaver really exists, visit his website, where you can sample hits like "Polkas Make Me Happy," or start your holiday shopping early and pick up his Christmas album on Amazon! What holiday season would be complete without the "Around the Christmas Tree Polka"?

Do as You're Told!  

Bossy Boxes and Following Directions

 

A few weeks back, my boss, Al Berman, sent me a package. My son, Tano, found it at the doorstep and brought it to me, saying, "Mom, someone sent you a really bossy box." On the box in black marker, were the words, "Do Not Open Until Told." I work from home, and the contents of the box had to do with a team meeting that was to take place later in the week. I told Al what my son said and we had a good laugh. Al said, "Better a bossy box than a boxy boss." Well, yesterday another box from Al arrived. This time it said, "Spin Around Three Times Before Opening." My son dutifully brought it inside, told me I'd received another "bossy box," and spun.

That boy can follow directions! Can you? Can your staff? Can the people who you are entrusting to enact your plans? Sure, people have to be able to think on their feet, and I'm not minimizing the importance of improvisation when needed, but the programs you build are all based on a lot of plans...and instructions. So, here's a little test that you can take to see how you do at doing what you're told. Might be a fun to adapt as a team exercise or awareness building tool too!

Did you know that DRI International just rolled out a brand new website? Check it out by clicking here. Our goal was to make it easier to navigate and more useful for all of you. I'll be beefing up the new News section in the coming weeks (fun for me!). Be sure to log in to your MyDRI account too because lots has changed there as well. And, as always, feedback is appreciated.

Our most recent one-question survey asked where business continuity reports in your organization.  And the survey had Information Security topping the list with 17 percent.  For complete results, and some interesting entries in the "Other" category, visit our LinkedIn and join in on a discussion of the topic.