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 or...
stop being so darned professional and tak a break today!
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Issue No. 69 November 2013
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Welcome! If you enjoyed last month you'll be craaaaazy about this month!
The purpose of this ezine is inspiration, humor, business, personal and just plain fun: aka the don't-take-yourself-so-seriously ezine.
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In case you've missed past issues of the ezine Click here to visit the archives. |
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Instead of my usual musings I thought I'd share a poignant story told to me on the eve of Charlie Trotter's funeral. For those living under a culinary rock, Charlie Trotter was one of the most acclaimed chefs of our time, living and working in Chicago.
Sadly, he passed away suddenly last week at the age of 54 after retiring from his famous restaurant only months ago. That's the background, here's the story: 
One of my first clients in the late 90s was the American Culinary Federation. I was living in Connecticut back then and was invited to Chicago to keynote their convention along with the other keynoter, Leon Panetta, former director of the CIA. Having been in the culinary field with my own catering biz,The Happy Cooker,
I was thrilled to look upon an audience filled with white chef coats, all decorated like the military, even their toques (chef's hats). As often happens, I connected with several people who became lifelong friends - Otto Borsich was one of them.
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Otto Borsich
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Otto taught at the other Culinary Institute of America (CIA) where yours truly won an award for my dessert when I was a "celebrity chef" at the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala.
But I digress.
Otto went on to chef at Marrden Palace in Turkey, Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas and to his present position as Executive Chef at Central Market in Dallas.
Early this week he flew to Chicago for Charlie Trotter's funeral, as did chefs and famous people from all over the world, and he and I had a chance to catch up over lunch. He told me if it wasn't for me, he never would have met Charlie.
He said it was because of that speech, way back when, where I told my Ferrari Factor story, which is all about taking a risk and asking for what we want, no matter how outrageous. That story resonated with Otto. He told me he came to know Charlie because he had gotten a job here in Chicago as a chef instructor at the Culinary Institute, but his start date was a few months off, so he walked into Charlie Trotter's restaurant, requested to speak to the chef himself and then said, "Allow me to work in your kitchen for a week and let me show you what I can do. If you feel I can be an asset to your team pay me what you feel I'm worth. If after a week you feel it is not a good fit we shake hands and I thank you for the opportunity."
Charlie took Otto up on his offer and they have been friends ever since.
This poignant story comes at a time in my life where I am embracing gratitude in a very intentional and conscious way, even buying a gratitude journal where I write three things I am grateful for each day. Fittingly, it is almost Thanksgiving and I am thankful for all the blessings in my life and all of you who have supported, encouraged and inspired me during my lifetime. Thanks for making my journey so special.
Now get out there and ask for what you want. And be grateful for all you have. Enjoy this video about gratitude.
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Gratitude: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF
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See you next month!
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 In My Shoes, a Memoir
Tamara Mellon
Okay, if you know me you know I love shoes so when I heard Tamara Mellon's autobiography was coming out I was hanging at the bookstore. Unless you live under a fashion rock you've heard of Jimmy Choo shoes. Tamara is the co-founder. It is part and parcel of today's lexicon, it's mainstream fodder for not only fashionistas but anyone who knows a good story about business versus creative. She grew the company into a billion dollar brand and along the way encountered three private equity deals, a relentless battle between "suits" vs "creatives," and her triumphs over a relentless hostile takeover attempt. Her road to fame and fortune was plagued with tumultuous challenges of family strife, rehab and battles with depression, all while learning the facts of building a big business. This is not just a book for fashion aficionados, it's also for aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone who loves a juicy true story about sex, drugs, money, power, high heels and overcoming adversity. Yes, it's Danielle Steele on steroids...and true!!
NOW GO GET THIS BOOK!
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Guac My Way (Mexican restaurant) |
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I just love all the shoes you all send me. Keep 'em coming!
Yes, I was a dancer. Yes, I did ballet and pointe. No, these are not my shoes.
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WONDERFUL WEBSITEings/AWESOME APPS
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 App: Runkeeper
Okay, don't laugh. I'm doing Couch Potato to 5k and this app is indeed awesome, even for my 10 mile walks. Use this app to track your fitness activities.
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MIKKI MOUTH Things I Wish I'd Said and Some I Did Say!
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Enjoy a quote each month from my book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute!
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
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NOW...not one, not two, but THREE divisions of
The Mikki Mouth Club!
CLICK HERE for more information
If you want Mikki's expertise at an affordable price on an ongoing basis The Mikki Mouth Club is for you.
Questions? We've got answers!!
Just call 312.664.8447 or send us an email
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There is no evidence that turkey was eaten at the first
Thanksgiving, a three-day meal shared between the pilgrims and Wamponoag tribe in 1621. It is more likely that they ate venison and a lot of seafood.
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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.
Chasing the Hot New Service?
Every year, if not every week, it seems that another hot new social service hits the scene. After Facebook, it was Pinterest, and then Instagram, and now Vine. How do you decide which service(s) to use?
Remember that in business, and even more in social, it's better to do one thing well rather than three things poorly. The goal is not to be everywhere. It's to be fully engaged in the places that you choose to participate.
As such, there's no need to chase after every hot new service, unless it's a game changer for the specific demographic groups you're targeting.
In 2011, a client asked me, "Should we be using Pinterest?" Here's how I answer such questions.
First, look at the traffic stats using www.compete.com (free).
In 2011, Pinterest was indeed gaining traction with 7.2 million unique monthly visitors by year-end. Two months later, it had doubled again (16.2 million "uniques") and it's roughly doubled again since then. So at least in this case, using Compete to spot a trend is a reliable way to predict the future.
Next, "Who are these people?" To answer that question, I use www.Alexa.com (also free) to examine audience demographics. You may have to install the Alexa Toolbar to unlock this data.
According to Alexa, at the end of 2011, the people using Pinterest were disproportionately 25-34 year old females, better educated, and slight more likely to be at work than at home.
So should your business be using Pinterest?
If this data describes an important demographic for you, 'yes'. If you are a car dealer or homebuilder, or if you sell dental plans, women are driving the purchase decisions. If you sell women's clothing, wedding dresses, home d�cor, kitchen products, or kids clothes, then yes, you better have a Pinterest page.
But if you sell beer or power tools (not to be too stereotypical here), Pinterest doesn't matter to you.
So which social services are important to your business? Use Compete and Alexa data to decide.
You can find more formal details here:
wesocialize.biz
To contact Dave directly:
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B rian Beaulieu is the "economist with a personality" (my title not his) . He is 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!
September proved to be a good month for US Industrial Production (manufacturing, mining, and electricity generation). The index increased 0.57% from August, which was both better than average and the best September performance in four years. Our rate-of-change analysis shows that the annual growth rate should be picking up from today's 2.4% as we move through the last three months of data for 2013. You may remember that ITR Economics has long been forecasting a 3.0% growth rate for the year(median estimate). Business-to-business activity, prevailing consumer trends, and global demand all bode well for a positive end to 2013. A recent edition of USA Today had a front page article about the US economy getting slammed by the government shut down based on a consensus view from economists. The article stated that many of them lowered their expectations for 2014 accordingly. Please remember that key leading indicators, like the ITR Leading Indicator, the Corporate Bond Prices 12/12, and the Housing Starts 12/12, began pointing to a slower US economy in 2014 many months ago, long before the government shut down. These consensus economists are a little late to the party and you, my friends, are ahead of them all. Plan on an off year in 2014, especially in the second half of the year. This is consistent with leading indicator input and with the average length of business expansions in the US since WWII as measured by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Given their determination of a June 2009 business cycle low, the next high would be expected in mid-April 2014. This is on target with the forecast estimate we put in place early this year. Learn more about the future at www.itreconomics.com or by sending an email today to Kim Clark: kim@itreconomics.com |
LIFE LESSONS...FUNNY, FIT  OR FABULOUS
Submitted by John Godoy
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John Godoy is a healthy lifestyle expert. Through personal coaching, training and healthy lifestyle seminars, John guides clients in developing and sticking to the healthy habits necessary to tap their bodies enormous energy reserves - enriching their personal and
professional lives.
His website is www.johngodoy.com
 | | A Spy's Approach to Beating Stress! |
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That was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on,  I know guys cook, too.
Turkey Croquettes Makes about 24 (2-inch) croquettes  2 to 2 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 large egg 2 tablespoons water 2 cups mashed potatoes 2 cups stuffing 2 cups chopped cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil, as needed To serve: Cranberry sauce Warm turkey gravy In a small saut� pan over moderate heat, toast the bread crumbs until golden and crunchy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water. In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into 2-inch-long, oblong-shaped croquettes (you should have about 24 croquettes) and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Working with 1 croquette at a time, dredge them in the egg-water mixture, letting the excess drip off, then dredge them in the bread crumbs, and return them to the rimmed baking sheet. In a large skillet, over moderately high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil. Working in batches, pan-fry the croquettes, turning them occasionally, until crispy on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. Repeat with the remaining croquettes, wiping the pan clean and adding 2 tablespoons of the oil to the pan between batches. DO AHEAD: The croquettes can be prepared ahead and frozen, well wrapped in foil, for up to 3 months. To reheat: Bake the frozen croquettes on a large baking sheet in a 475�F oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove the croquettes from the oven for about 5 minutes to let the interiors thaw, then return them to the oven to finish baking for another 2 minutes. Serve hot with cranberry sauce and/or warm gravy.
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 "Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Halftimes take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence." ~Erma Bombeck |
Be Outrageous...It's The Only Place That Isn't Crowded!™
~Mikki Williams
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This month I bought a gratitude journal and I write three simple things that I am grateful for every day. I hope this poem inspires some of you to do that or to take time at the Thanksgiving table for all to share some things they are grateful for.
Best Thanksgiving by Joanna Fuchs
Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned
To what time has taught us, to what we've learned:
We often focus all our thought
On shiny things we've shopped and bought.
We take our pleasure in material things,
Forgetting the pleasure that friendship brings.
If a lot of our stuff just vanished today,
We'd see the foundation of each happy day
Is special relationships, constant and true,
And that's when our thoughts go directly to you.
We wish you a Thanksgiving you'll never forget,
Full of love and joy - your best one yet!
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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.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) work directly with abused and/or neglected kids who've been removed from their homes and put into foster care. CASAs work toward finding a safe and permanent home for each child and act as his/her voice in court.
There are nearly 1000 CASA programs
around the country so there's likely to be one near you. Your help can make a big difference in the life of a child.
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The next Speakers School is in session on February 6-8, 2014 in Chicago and now you will be learning from
the NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CPAE SPEAKER HALL OF FAME which, in case you don't know, is a very big deal, and honor, for a professional speaker!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL NOW FOR MORE DETAILS: 312.664.8447
OR SEND AN EMAIL TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.
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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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Mikki Williams earned the dual designations of CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and CPAE (Council of Peers Award for Excellence) from The National Speakers Association, an achievement attained by fewer than 1% of all professional speakers. Shespecializes in business dynamics and human potential. She has been named one of the top speakers in the country byMeetings and Convention Magazinealong 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, a monthlyezine: Hair She Is...! and a blog: Mikki Williams' Blah Blah...Blog. 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 with three distinct divisions...Speaker Source, Accountability Academy and Keynote Kamp. 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! 
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To unsubscribe please use the link at the bottom of this newsletter (but we'd rather you didn't!). All contents � 2012 Mikki Williams, 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. If you are the owner of the rights of any of this content, please contact us so we may arrange for appropriate permission and give credit. |
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