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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 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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I wish I was welcoming spring so everyone could stop being so crabby. At least I got to travel to places this month that had some nice weather. I ended March at my Florida home - aka Skittles House  (right) - so for me March went out like a lamb.
I had a typically eclectic and fun client month from training L'Oreal execs (below - Gary and Susan Rueben, consultants to my left, and Michael Larrain, President of Active Cosmetics Div'n) in New York,  and in the same week I spoke for GAWDA (Gas and Welding Distributors Assn.).  Below - I am at the President's reception at The Field Museum the night before my keynote.
While in New York I stayed at what will now be my most favorite hotel, The Chatwal.
 I love art deco and this boutique hotel was all that plus the most modern hotel rooms and total technology. The bellmen's uniforms are 1930s style, including pillbox hats, It's outrageous. As was dinner with THE son, Jason at their fabulous Lamb's Club.
In case you didn't know, I'm a foodie; I try as many new restaurants as I can at home and on the road, throw (and cook for) theme parties or just cook to entertain, take cooking classes...yes, it is a passion. As many of you come through Chicago, add these restaurants to your list: Brindille for French food, Beatrix,The Boarding House and Nico, just to name a few.
The brilliant Spencer Maus spent time teaching my Vistage Group how to maximize LinkedIn and he invited me to his monthly meet up: Two Guys and a Girl. It was held at the McLaren Dealership (a little $500k car) and I attended with Vistage member, Sheri Miller. 
In keeping with my passion for volunteerism, I joined and attended my first meeting at Step Up Women's Network a
nonprofit membership organization igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential.
I spent a week on the road with four presentations, starting in San Diego at Klinedinst Law (with John Klinedinst, CEO at right), then got to stay with BFF Tamilee Webb aka Buns of Steel and her adorable "kids," Izzy and Bruno Mars. 
Off to Denver and dinner with buddy and fabulous speaker, David Avrin  (below) and spoke for two Vistage groups.
Finished the week in Las Vegas at The Bellagio for a Houston Vistage group on retreat, and had a
wonderful dinner with college buddy, Dave Hanlon at Circo.
"My Sam," aka my fabulous Director of Everything, has been writing, drinking wine, sightseeing and making new friends in Paris for the past few weeks, and I was thrilled to introduce her to my French friend, Fred Hoffman whom I've known for a hundred years - since my days in the fitness industry. 
They're both Hoffmans! Isn't that cute?
So...it's been another great month to be grateful for.
Now we are both hoping to come home to spring this week.
See you next month!!
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 What Makes Olga Run:
The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star and What She Can Teach Us About Living Longer
Happier Lives by Bruce Grierson
Olga Kotelko is not your average nonagenarian (I didn't even know that word existed). She holds more than twenty three world records in track and field, seventeen in her current ninety to ninety-five category. Now realllllllllllly!!!! The author set out to unlock the secrets behind her remarkable success and graceful aging. He considers every piece of the puzzle, from her diet and sleep habits to personality traits, from what she does in her spare time to her family history. Olga, a cheerful, willing subject, participates in tests administered by some of the world's leading scientists. She not only shares her DNA, she shares her philosophies about living a long life. This is an inspiring story not only about a fitness enthusiast, an unlikely friendship between herself and the author but of how to keep moving fast, thinking sharp, and living well, far into old age. NOW GO GET THIS BOOK!
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Thai One On
(Thai restaurant)
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WONDERFUL WEBSITEings/AWESOME APPS
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Keeps track of your brand preferences, then sends you deals tailored to your tastes
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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!
From my friend, Deb DaRosa as she moves on from her illustrious career to a new home and a new chapter of her life. I wish you Godspeed, my friend.
"We are here for a good time, not a long time."
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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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 The time around April 1, and also near the Vernal Equinox, used to mark the start of the New Year. That changed to January 1 with the switch to the Gregorian calendar by France in the 1500s, and some believe that people unaware of the change continued to celebrate on April 1st, and were deemed fools, giving rise to April Fools' Day.
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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.
Examining Your Competitors' Web Strategies and Borrowing the Best Parts
Half of all Internet traffic starts with a search. Are you curious what words and phrases (a.k.a. keywords) are generating traffic for your competitors? Do you wonder whether they're using Google Pay Per Click advertising, and if so, for what keywords? How many web visitors are they getting? How much are they spending?
Amazingly, you can get answers to each of these questions for free! The tool is called www.SEMrush.com. SEM means search engine marketing, and the information you'll discover is definitely a rush.
At SEMrush, enter each competitor's name and click the "Overview" tab. The first thing you'll see is a four-year traffic graph showing paid and organic (unpaid) monthly visitors. Which of your competitors are winning... or losing? You'll likely discover that the ones growing consistently are also participating in social media. Blogging alone generates an average of 55% more web traffic. Which tools are they using?
Below the traffic graph, you'll see a pie chart showing the percentage of their traffic that's coming from ads vs. organic. Are they generating meaningful business using pay per click? Are you?
Just a little farther down the page, you'll see their top 10 organic and paid keywords, their associated Google rankings, visitor count, and cost per click. It's like breaking into their marketing department in the middle of the night and stealing their strategic plan.
Half of all Internet traffic starts with a search. The data at SEMrush will help you get your fair share, and possibly a lot more.
You can find more formal details here:
wesocialize.biz
To contact Dave directly:
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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.
 | | Discomfort Breeds Growth |
His website is www.johngodoy.com
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That was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on,  I know guys cook, too.
Roasted Spring Vegetables Makes 4 servings
High-heat roasting concentrates vegetables' flavor and brings out their sweetness- a big reward for little effort.
Use this recipe as a template. Most important: Cut into similar-size pieces, and don't overcrowd the pan. 1 pound assorted spring vegetables (such as carrots, asparagus, radishes, spring onions, or sugar snap peas), trimmed or peeled if needed, cut into same-size pieces 4 unpeeled garlic cloves 2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt freshly ground pepper preparation  Preheat oven to 450�F. Combine vegetables, garlic, and oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring halfway through, until tender, golden brown, and charred in spots, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Be Outrageous...
It's The Only Place That Isn't Crowded!™
~Mikki Williams
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 Considering the miserable winter we all experienced this year.... Awaken to Spring And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of its wintry rest. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley |
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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.
Inspiring people to practice kindness and pass it on to others
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There's still one spot left for April's school so hurry and register online now, and you will be confirmed for the April 24-26, 2014 class.
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!
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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) Speaker Hall of Fame from The National Speakers Association, an achievement attained by fewer than 1% of all professional speakers. She 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, a monthly ezine: 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
E ME: mikki@mikkiwilliams.com
SEE ME: www.mikkiwilliams.com
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Thanks for spending time with us! Me and "the staff" at Mikki Williams Unltd., Samantha Hoffman, aka 'my Sam,' Director of Everything. When you have a director of everything, what else do you need?
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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.
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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