We are excited to welcome them all to the Board of Directors and appreciate them volunteering their time to serve our chapter. Speaking of the May Gala, the committee is working tirelessly and all of the details are coming together. I hope you will be able to join us on Friday, May 8, 2009, at the Hilton Minneapolis and take part in the celebration. There will be special appearances by over a dozen of our past presidents and an after party featuring the High & Mighty Band. More information is available on the website under the Events tab. Don’t forget, if you have friends that are looking for employment or a career change, there are opportunities on our Job Board on the website under the Career Center tab. What rises 22 stories above the pulse of the city and stands directly across the street from the Target Center? Yes, it is the Graves 601 Hotel, home to our next monthly meeting on April 15, 2009. Get out the caffeine because you do not want to miss the opportunity to choose from 20 topics in roundtable form, but please remember this is a morning meeting starting at 7:00 a.m. Go online, select the event and see who are the early birds under the Who’s Coming heading. Hope it says your name!
Spring is a season of renewal and growth and appropriately we want to follow that natural course at our MPI Chapter. This is the time of year when the new board members are announced. In addition, there is an opportunity for every member of our chapter to contribute their own personal energy and perspective by joining a committee. There has really never been a better time to get involved in the machinery of the industry-leading association that is MPI. Full details on how and why you should step up are included in this edition. For me personally, who joined MPI two years ago with limited experience in the meetings industry, joining a committee has proven to be a wonderful growth mechanism and learning curve. I am looking forward to joining the Board for our new year and stretching my comfort zone further. How you contribute to our chapter will determine the value you gain from your membership. There are tough and choppy waters to navigate out there, and by all of us helping to steer the ship, we will ensure we sail into port stronger and more determined than before. Slán go mort!
The Minnesota Chapter of MPI has celebrated 30 outstanding years. Now with spring cleaning upon us, it’s the perfect time to pull out those pictures and videos from past meetings. Let’s see your old and new friends. We would love to showcase 30 years of memories at our May Gala. Remember to include any photos from WEC, PEC, and Institutes as well as our Minnesota meetings. Please forward to: Laura Gieseking, CMP …by April 15, 2009. We look forward to lots of smiles, giggles and joy as we review May 8 at the Gala!
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You have probably already realized that layoffs have truncated staff; cost cutting measures are threatening projects, and morale is at an all time low. And the worst is yet to come as the financial institutions to the big three auto dealers to the state of California all want a bail out. Most of our 401ks have suffered losses and many are facing foreclosure. How will you survive the coming chaos? One such way is to understand the power of your contacts and be prepared with a strategy to expand your contacts. Building and maintaining meaningful connections with others has proven to be the most effective way to not only find your next opportunity but is helpful as a life-long pursuit to building meaningful lasting relationships with others. You may just find lifelong friends. We are going to examine how to build a network of trustworthy relationships that will serve you and your network for a lifetime. In my many international travels as a corporate executive building and empowering high performance sales teams one of the most enjoyable things to me was meeting other folks in other countries that had the same desires for their families as you and I. Many coaches have shared with me that clients come to them and say “help me network fast I need a job,” or “I need to meet so-and-so” next week. Unfortunately this is the wrong approach to networking. Networking takes time: it is a process and one has to be willing to give first before receiving. Even though networking has been known as the number one way to find your next opportunity most of us are reluctant to building linkages with strangers. In a recent survey by ExecuNet, 70% of executives describe networking as painful and difficult. Yet in another survey over 60% said that is exactly how they found their last job or new opportunity with in their network. I want to give you some simple yet effective tips on how to survive and thrive by building a strong network. A few tips to get started: • Give First - It is called the law of reciprocity—always be prepared to give first then ask. Effective networking is a mutual exchange of ideas and information, not a method of asking for favors. • Be Positive - Becoming a skilled networker is infinitely easier when you find enjoyment in the process. It is a mindset that starts with a willingness to listen and care about others. We will understand the process and its power. • Be Realistic - Creating an effective network takes time and energy. To be referred you must be remembered which can take from 5-7 touches with a single individual. That's why it is important to build linkages. • Be Prepared - Take time to map out a networking strategy, it will save you and your contacts time and energy. Know what you want what industries, targeted companies or other opportunities you may be seeking. It makes it easier for others to help you. Also, think of how you may help your contact with job opportunities or other areas of interest for them. • Be Proactive - Make sure you follow up, follow up, follow up. Make sure you send a thank you but it does not stop there. Follow up with email, phone calls, send a hand written note or an article that may be of interest to your contacts. Hopefully, the techniques, strategies and tips in here will you jump start your networking campaigns as you survive and thrive with making your contacts count. Len Strickler is best described as a motivational coach, teacher and speaker who is unquestionably passionate about building, training, and leading remarkably successful sales teams that deliver fast-to-market results. As a sales executive, he has spent more than 25 years helping high-tech, global companies capture revenue to support product innovation activities, seize a competitive advantage, and generate profit fast. He thrives on the challenges and adventures of working in a global environment. He integrates a powerful mix of visionary leadership, collaborative team approaches, innovative thinking, and sales team mentoring and training to deliver enviable sales results for companies interested in shattering sales performance records Are You Ready to Take Your Company To the Next Level? Let Len help your company or team? "Break Through The Barriers NOW" Book him today to speak at your next event! Check out his new E-BOOK "Networking In An Economic Downturn" FREE CLICK HERE: http://www.breakingthroughthebarriersnow.com/networking.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Len_Strickler
Whether you are responsible for planning a multi-city nationwide conference, a single corporate board meeting, a gala event, or anything in between, you’ve probably experienced a host of job challenges including organization, stress management, conflict resolution and adaptability to name a few. Building new skills in these areas requires that you break out of habits and routines that have been learned and reinforced over and over. Unfortunately, even when people know what they want to change most of them have no idea how to make and sustain meaningful change. Noah Blumenthal is the Founder and President of Leading Principles, Inc., an executive coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organizations see from fresh perspectives in order to make better decisions. Ask yourself what one thing you could change which would significantly improve your business? Now, identify the habits or behaviors that stop us from making this change. Noah outlined how we can implement desired changes in our lives in just 17 minutes and 21 seconds per week. Here’s what he recommends. First, we must raise awareness and make a powerful commitment to the change(s) being implemented. Be very specific in your goals and keep focus on the positive. Goals should be measured in 30 days (and for the rest of your life) to maintain accountability. We all know, what gets measured, gets changed! Second, ask yourself, “How will your life be better because of this change?” By identifying the positive reasons to make the change and then sharing them with others, you have a tangible incentive to follow through. Next, Noah tells us to remember every day. He shared reminder cards to capture the changes we want to implement along with our action plan to get there. He advises keeping that reminder card somewhere we will see it daily. Also, calling upon the support of those around us will help keep the positive behavior(s) in the front of your mind. Finally we need to take action; “what are you going to do to mold your new behavior?” Noah pointed out we all have the desire to change; we just lack the knowledge how to do it. First we need to change our frame of mind, to do this we need to develop a mantra. What will you say to yourself that will put you in a state of mind that allows the new behavior? Next, develop a script which you will use to address others. By having your ideas captured, you are able to respond professionally when called upon at a moments notice. Lastly, what move will you utilize that will precipitate the action you want? This is your strategy to make it happen. The example was given if you want to eat less, rather than just putting down your fork, place your napkin on your plate. You are less likely to remove the napkin than to pick up your fork and continue eating! Noah Blumenthal can be reached via email at info@leadingprinciples.com, or visit his website at www.leadingprinciples.com.
The Mentor Next Door announces two panelists for its Linking program in June!
Larry Keen Larry has served as a national executive search consultant and recruiter for the past eight years. His 30 year career has also included tenures as a national recruiter at Wells Fargo and Honeywell and various production leadership positions during a 22 year tenure at Deluxe Corporation/Check Printers, Inc. Understanding and applying the dynamics of professional recruiting is Larry’s specialty. He attended William Rainey Harper College, Illinois State University, Metro State University, and the University of Minnesota and then completed certified management and account executive training programs at Deluxe and Management Recruiters International respectively. He currently serves as a board member with the Arthritis Foundation and an active volunteer at Urban Ventures in Minneapolis.
Nancy Lucas Nancy’s accomplishments include holding several patents ranging from package design to product formulation/chemistry application based patents. She has successfully led new product development and product improvement teams and has been a recipient of Cargill’s Technical Achiever’s Award, Circle of Champions Award, and two Diamond Crystal Team Awards. Nancy has focused on “giving back” through participation in Cargill’s Women’s Council, mentoring internal teams on marketing projects, and volunteering with community organizations like Feed My Starving Children and Bridging. Facilitator for this event is Mike Lane, consultant, speaker, and author of Mike Lane Productions. This program will be held on June 4, 2009, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Southwest. Event Specifics: Date and Time: Location: Agenda: Registration: Whether a learning experience for a high school or college student, or motivation for a friend or colleague, this is an opportunity to gain knowledge about the importance of leadership, mentoring, and networking. Click here for a flyer to distribute to your friends and colleagues.The cost is $15.00 for MPI members and non-members. There is not a cost for students, but they must register with an MPI member. Reserve your spots today! The Mentor Next Door thanks its sponsors:
New 5K Race
Learning to pay attention to what is going on in our lives should be obvious, yet it can be extremely difficult to do. We pay attention to what interests us, we pay attention to what we like, we pay attention to what someone else forces us to do, but when we stop and seriously consider what is going on in our businesses and our lives – are we paying attention to what’s really important? People, schedules, and technology all clamor for our time and focus. Customer demands, competitive threats, technology, operational considerations, and human resource issues all seem to take center stage. Over time, amidst all the clatter, amidst the repetition of the message to pay attention, a message we’ve heard literally millions of times in our lives, we’ve lost the ability to discern the statement. Or, more likely, we come to a point where we use selective attention. About the Speaker Lane pulled from his professional and personal experiences to write The Wisdom of Yawdy Rum, a story that blends memoir and inspirational writing with a with a mix of New Orleans jazz, cuisine, and history to teach readers how to harness the power of paying attention. His debut novel won three prestigious small press awards for 2008—finalist in the National Indie Book Awards, the Eric Hoffer Excellence in Writing Award, and Best Regional Fiction from the Independent Publishers Award. www.Mike@LaneSpeaks.com Event Specifics: Date and Time: Location: Registration:
One of the efforts of the Leadership Development Committee is to recognize everyday leaders within the chapter. These Leaders Among Us are people who go above and beyond to make sure our chapter goals and objectives are met or exceeded. This month we recognize the work of Annette Marquez, The Perfect Occasion, and Melissa Leal, Sofitel. Annette and Melissa are members of the Education Committee and were the 2009 KnowledgeQuest Chairs. Their hard work and commitment to MPI showed through at KQ this year. Melissa was in charge of working on the Supplier Showcase and Annette facilitated the speaker portion of the meeting. Hats off to both of them for a wonderful day of knowledge in February 2009. Leaders Among Us are nominated by board members. If you know a chapter volunteer who deserves recognition, please share this with your committee’s Board liaisons or any board member.
Meeting Professionals International is the association for the global meetings industry and is committed to delivering success for its 21,000 worldwide members by providing innovative professional development, generating industry awareness and creating business development opportunities. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based organization delivers success through its 68 chapters and clubs in 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.mpiweb.org. Minnesota Chapter Office International Headquarters
Meeting of the Minds is the official publication of the Meeting Professionals International Minnesota chapter and is published 11 times yearly. Statements of fact and opinion within this newsletter are the responsibility of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of MPI. Articles submitted are subject to editorial revisions. Articles for the April issue of Meeting of the Minds are due to the editor by 5:00PM on Wednesday, April 15. Apticles for Meeting of the Minds are always due on the third Wednesday of the month prior to distribution, and articles for News Notes are always due on the first Thursday of the distribution month. |
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Congratulations to the new Board of Directors for the MPI MN Chapter 2009-2010. The members joining the board on July 1, 2009, will be:
A very warm welcome to the latest edition of Meeting of the Minds. The fact that the furnace is still blowing is a true testament to the longevity and utter brashness of Old Man Minnesota Winter!
