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 Issue 98                                          April 2016

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.
IN THIS ISSUE:
MUSINGS FROM MIKKI

April showers bring Mikki's flowers!  


 

Writing this on my plane ride back from Seattle after spending the weekend celebrating BFF Sherry Davis' birthday.
 
Eating at famed Pike's Market, visiting the original Starbucks, movie, walks, great weekend! Spent part of the time at the most unique Korean day spa...



Olympus Spa
Besides the 4 giant whirlpools of all different temperatures, there are rooms for everything: a salt room, charcoal room, chill room, meditation room, tea room, clay room and then we had lunch in their amazing restaurant.  



Dynamo, Ivy Meadors noticed my monthly calendar and seeing I was going to be in Seattle arranged a dinner with local speakers. Can you tell I'm sharing backwards this month? I spent a week

NSA Northwest

in MN, doing my Keynote Kamp for a cyber-security CEO. Loved the biometric scanner and the treadmill desks!



Walking while you work!







Squeezed dinner in with client/friends, Ted Risdall and Pete Fabian, The Risdall Agency,










before starting Speakers School hosted by Wayne Serie.

pictured are some of the attendees





Back to Minneapolis to speak to NSA MN chapter (National Speakers Assn.) and all their great folks.
NSA MN










Spent a few days in Boston speaking at Small Army
Jeff Freedman, CEO

Small
Army



and Nitsch Engineering and some

Vistage groups.
Lisa Brothers, CEO

Nitsch Engineering
























While there, I had dinner with Vistage Chair Phil Holberton.


The highlight of the month was dinner with Tania Leichliter and her daughter Riley, who was about Tania's age when I was her dance teacher and she performed in my dance company. Tania is now CEO of her own company, ad+genuity.   :-)

Tania & Riley

My Vistage meetings this month did a Shark Tank exercise which was fun and challenging. As always our talented member, Beth Fahey of Creative Cakes, treated us to our monthly birthday cake (we are so spoiled).

The gorgeous cake was for member, Laura Rounce, who wasn't even there, but we ate it in her honor!  :-)



"My Sam" and I enjoyed brunch

(Forgot to take a photo, darn us!) We were off to see 42nd Street, the musical.  Nostalgic for me, having choreographed that for my dance company. It brought a tear to me eye.  I am feeling very blessed by great friendships, good health and a bounty of experiences that continue to enrich my life. Only one challenge...



Will it ever be Spring in Chicago? 




I LOVE THIS BOOK!
The Power of Peers
How the Company You Keep Drives Leadership, Growth & Success
by Leon Shapiro and Leo Bottary


In the spirit of transparency, this great book was written by Vistage's former CEO, Leon and current VP, Leo. As a Vistage Chair, I am acutely aware of the distinct advantages of peer advisory boards in facilitating two of them for fifteen years.  This book transcends the obvious and outlines the benefits of peer advantage in five profound ways.  Select the right peers, create a safe environment, utilize a smart guide, foster valuable information and be accountable. The Power of Peers features stories of business leaders from a range of industries and demonstrates how the above principles foster personal growth as well as serve as business tools.  
 
NOW GO GET THIS BOOK! 
CREATIVE CAPTIONS
 
Mikki in Shoe

SHOE-BE-DOO

Spring is nature's way of saying... time for new shoes!



 
APPS-OLUTELY AWESOME!

For all you selfie lovers, this is like having instant esurgery... And no, I don't use it. But, now that I mentioned it, hmmm.
MIKKI MOUTH

Things I Wish I'd Said and Some I Did Say!

Mikki Mouth - 2 books
Enjoy a quote each month from my book - some funny, some poignant, some professional, some just darn cute!


"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'"  
~Robin Williams
 


 
Mikki speaking

Mikki Mouth Club    

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



QUIRKY QUESTIONS

I often ask my Vistage members, aka execs, a question to ponder, be it for fun or for

inclusion, sharing, challenging or just to get to know each other better. Perhaps these questions will serve you at your next dinner party, your own introspection, or just puts a smile on your face.


If you could have personally witnessed anything, what would you want to have seen?



SOCIAL MEDIA GURU GUY 
by 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.     



LinkedIn - Three Rules for Connecting (and Other Advice)

 
Here's a key concept to keep in mind when using LinkedIn: You should request and accept connections with only known and trusted business associates. When it comes to connections, LinkedIn is about quality, not quantity.



Your network will degrade to useless noise the more often you connect with people that you don't know. In building connections, ask yourself these three questions:



1.    Do I know this person professionally? 
2.    Do I respect this person professionally? (As Dr. Evil says in the Austin Powers movies, "Why must I be surrounded by idiots?") 
3.    Would I be happy to help this person with something if he or she asked me?



When the answer to all three questions is yes,... Read entire article 


You can find more formal details here: 
To contact Dave directly:
LIFE LESSONS...FUNNY, FIT John Godoy
OR FABULOUS

by John Godoy
 

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. 
 

Hi Mikki Williams E-zine readers! 
Mikki has been kind enough through the years to include me in her ezine. She has supported me like no other as I pursued my goals in fitness, and I can't thank her enough.
A project that she has helped me through as a coach and friend for a very long time is called HOVR. It provides an inexpensive and highly effective solution to the negative effects of prolonged sitting. HOVR provides unconscious movement that is designed to burn more calories than normal sitting, without mental distraction. With support and validation from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Illinois, it has been NEAT ™ certified by the Mayo Clinic and studies have confirmed that using HOVR can burn 17% (or more) calories than normal sitting. Featured in Fast Company, The Independent and live on igg.me/at/HOVR

Click here to see HOVR in motion!



To get more information and great tips visit John's website: www.johngodoylifestyle.com


MIKKIPEDIA

The encyclopedia of wacky definitions



ATHEISM: A non-prophet organization


 
Little girl chef

THE HAPPY COOKER

That was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on,

I know guys cook, too.


  • Matzo cake meal for dusting
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 large egg whites at room temperature
  • 3 cups finely grated unsweetened (desiccated) coconut (8 oz)
  • Special equipment: a standing electric mixer, a candy thermometer

Preheat oven to 325�F. Grease 2 baking sheets and dust with cake meal, knocking off any excess.

Make meringue:

Cook sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, until it reaches soft-ball stage (or registers 238�F on a candy thermometer).

While syrup boils, beat whites in standing mixer on low speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually pour hot syrup in a thin stream down side of bowl into whites, beating constantly on high speed. (Be careful not to let syrup touch beaters when pouring, or it will spatter and harden.) Continue to beat until meringue is room temperature.

Stir in coconut and spoon rounded teaspoons of meringue into mounds about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Shape mounds into pyramids with wet fingertips.

Bake macaroons 1 sheet at a time in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until just firm enough to be removed from baking sheet without losing their shape. Carefully transfer to a rack to cool. (Macaroons will harden as they cool.)



Cooks' note: Macaroons keep in an airtight container 1 week.


2016 guest columnist:

CULTURE COLUMN

by Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky

Culture of Communication

 
Communication is the process of conveying information and meaning. Many leaders take communication for granted or believe it is the "other persons" job to make sure they understood the message. Successful leaders build a culture where the process of communication is paramount. They insure that within their organizational culture everyone understands there are four critical components to successful communication.
 1. Planning:
 Successful communication occurs only when all parties understand the message (information) from the same perspective (meaning). For most of us, at least 75% of our workday is consumed by communication. Successful communication is a multi-step process.
 
What do I need to do in order to "Plan the Message?"... Read entire article
 

Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky (Dr. Gustavo) is a speaker, author, consultant, and psychologist whose diverse background brings a unique and multidimensional perspective to his global clients. For the past 15 years, he has focused on engagements with corporate clients, and has worked with Global 1000 companies around the world, as well as with smaller, often family-run, businesses addressing a variety of topics, including corporate culture, emotional intelligence, anger management, and integrating multigenerational workforces.

 
Laughing baby

HE WHO LAUGHS...LASTS!


OUTRAGEOUS ORATORS
 
To book me or any of the other guest columnists like Dave Nelson, Gustavo Grodnitzky, John Godoy, simply contact us. For any or all your presentation needs on any topic at any price point,  be it keynote, training, seminar, emcee, facilitator, moderator, concurrents  (I just don't do floors or windows) I know many great speakers from my years with the National Speakers Association and Vistage International.


MIKKI'S MANTRA


INSPIRATION

A Pearl of Irritation



MINDFULNESS MOTIVATION

1. Start small with 3-5 minutes (or less).
2. Understand what meditation can do for you if you have issues with stress, anxiety, irritability, or overthinking.
3.  Understand the principles of meditation.
4. Do meditation your own way.
5. Reduce All-or-Nothing Thinking.
Speakers School with Mikki Williams,
CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, TEDx Speaker











 AMY SANDLER

Professional Speaker, Executive Coach

& Former Director of Speakers Strategy

for Vistage Worldwide
I heard Mikki speak over 5 years ago and she was outstanding. For the past 5 years I have had numerous people tell me if I ever wanted to learn how to become a great speaker, then I had to go see Mikki. People I didn't know told me they had worked with Mikki. Well I finally decided it was the right time for me to go to Mikki's speaker school in Dallas in February 2016. Now I will be the one who can and will tell others you simply have to go see Mikki. She was fantastic and I learned tons, thanks Mikki, it was definitely worth the wait!!!!!

~Randy Nelson

CEO, Gold Dolphins

  Now, more Speakers School than ever!
   

CALL NOW FOR MORE DETAILS: 312.664.8447 

OR SEND AN EMAIL TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.

               
Favorite speaker


Speaker Mag
MIKKI ON THE MOVE

Airplane See where Mikki will be speaking and piggyback your company or association event. Or just invite her to dinner or shopping!

Click the calendar to view her schedule.
 


MIKKI WILLIAMS, CSP, CPAE
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 A TedX SPEAKER and one of the top tier speaker resources for Vistage International, the world's leading executive organization, and honored as their Speaker of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winner as well as an award winning Group Chair of two of their peer advisory boards in Chicago.

Her company Mikki Williams Unltd. produces Speakers Schools all over the country, a monthly eZine: Hair She Is...! and a blog: Mikki Williams' Blah Blah...Blog. She is sought after as an Executive Speech Coach through her firm Coaching, etc... She also facilitates The Mikki Mouth Club TM, an annual subscription-based presentation skills coaching membership with three distinct divisions...Speaker Source, Accountability Academy and Keynote Kamp TM. 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
Thanks for joining us!



   Me and "the staff" at Mikki Williams Unltd.: Marissa Pedroza, Director of Everything. When you have a director of everything what else do you need?

 
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