How do you evaluate or measure people you first meet?
I generally ask them questions to learn more about them. I pay attention to the way the answer the questions to give me insight into their pace and their focus. Are they more slow paced and patient in the discussion, or are they more fast paced and impatient? Do they talk about feelings and emotional things or are they more bottom line? That usually helps me narrow it down a bit. It just takes practice. I have been actively practicing this for over 12 years, and I probably get it right 75-80% of the time.
Do you have any current publications/books? No, not yet, but I’m currently writing a book! If you sign up for my blog (www.acclivityperformance.com/blog) I will keep you posted when it’s coming out.
At what point can you stop analyzing/changing/working /trying to change/ someone and move on?
When I realize that I’m spending more time frustrated than I am solving the problem. When I’ve tried to assertively communicate what I want and need, and I know my expectations have been clearly defined, if they still aren’t responding, I follow my mantra “It is what it is. They are who they are”. There’s nothing you can do about their attitude or behavior, only how you react and respond to it. I know, easier said than done, but this too takes practice.
What inspires you?
My family. I have to admit, raising Evan has not been without its challenges, and I have been run down, exhausted, and frustrated many a time. But our family has grown stronger as a result. My husband is my rock, and I am incredibly blessed to have him in my life, and he brought with him to our marriage a beautiful daughter that I have the privilege of raising. My family is really what centers me.
My career. My goal is to make some kind of difference in people’s lives. It is a privilege to meet so many amazing people. It gives me strength.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will have written my book, I will be speaking to audiences around the country, my children will be grown, happy, and healthy, and I will be traveling with my husband. I will be content.
How can you find a reputable advisor? What credentials or reviews should I look for when selecting an advisor?
There are many financial advisors in the marketplace. To locate a reputable advisor can prove to be a challenge. Here are a few tips to how to find an advisor who fits your personality and style.
If you are uninsurable due to health, how do you protect your family?
This is a tough question and the very reason for all those reading this answer to buy the most insurance you can afford while you and your spouse is insurable.
The first thing you should do is max out any employer life insurance that does not require proof of insurability. If you terminate employment or retire be sure to immediately convert the group policy to an individual policy.
You can purchase guaranteed issue life insurance that does not require proof of insurability. These policies are typically small face values (less than $25K) and as long as you live beyond the probation period (typically 2 years) then the insurance will stay in effect. Of course, you could search the Internet for a company that issues guaranteed issuer life insurance.
For more ideas on how to get insurance when you are uninsurable, read the article, 8 Ways to Find Life Insurance When You're Uninsurable by Insure.com - http://www.insure.com/articles/lifeinsurance/uninsurable.html
What do you suggest for recent graduates with a large amount of student loan debt?
I say do not put off saving until you get out of debt. Even if you have to start small, take advantage of any employer plans you may have to start saving. Time is probably the most valuable asset you have when it comes to investing and saving. If you start saving just a few years later, you will have to double your savings amount to have the same amount in 25 or 30 years. So start now and increase your contribution as you pay down your debt. The earlier you start the better.
What would you suggest to someone who is close to retirement, but just now started saving for retirement. What should be my first step?
My primary answer is to seek the advice of a financial advisor IMMEDIATELY! If you don't get started, you cannot fix the problem and you really don't know your options. A financial advisor can look at your total picture and create a plan to get you going. A word of caution here, it is extremely important that you take this stage of your life very seriously. It is going to require adjustments on your part and a realization of why you are where you are financially. You are going to have to make self-sacrifices and be able to tell your family no. Very hard to do but this scenario causes for drastic steps and you won't be able to obtain your goals if you don't make the effort to do something different.
When you are looking for a job is it appropriate to connect (invite) HR managers and recruiters on LinkedIn?
Yes, but just be mindful of the fact that your network will see this connection, so if you're in a job and you don't want to disclose you're looking...don't connect!
How would you suggest a business respond to negative feedback from social media?
Transparently. Don't argue. Offer resolve in an appropriate, accountable and clear manner.
If you work for more than one company or/and you work at a home based company – how should you list each company or combine the companies for LinkedIn?
Typically, I recommend a focus on core strengths/competencies. List as many positions as you like, but no one is an expert at everything (nor should you be), so focus on what makes you stand out.
"The presenters were all high energy, knowledgeable and very informative."
"I loved the fun and energetic atmosphere!"
"I know that the advice given will be implemented into my daily life. Women helping Women! Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity!"
"The presenters were fantastic!"
About Dr. Frankel's presentation: Dr. Lois Frankel, author of international bestsellers such as Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and See Jane Lead, will wrap up our day with her high energy, high participation endnote presentation, "Unleashing the Leader in You." She will begin with the premise that women lead all the time – they just don’t call themselves leaders! Then, Dr. Frankel will make the case for why there has never been a better time than the present for you to step up to the leadership plate, illuminate ways in which you may be unconsciously sabotaging your career, and provide practical suggestions for how to become the leader you were destined to be. Whether you lead a project, a department, a company, or a team of volunteers, you won’t want to miss this engaging, entertaining, and educational talk by the woman who literally wrote the book on how to succeed in business.
For more information on Dr. Frankel, read her bio.
Dayna Steele is a nationally recognized radio and TV personality and the author of the best-selling business book, Rock to the Top: What I Learned about Success from the World’s Greatest Rock Stars. She has been named one of the ‘100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts’ by Talkers Magazine, was nominated as ‘Local Radio Personality of the Year’ by Billboard Magazine, and Reader’s Digest named her one of the ‘35 People Who Inspire Us.’
An in-demand motivational business speaker who AOL calls ‘one of the foremost experts on career networking’, Steele is currently traveling the world with her presentation, “Find Your Inner Rock Star,” showing individuals and companies how to grow their business and be better than the competition using her “Rock Star Principles.” Some of her clients include NASA, University of
Texas, Christus Health, American Marketing Association, Institute of Real Estate Management
and many more.
Steele is a member of the National Speakers Association, Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She is a Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee, serial entrepreneur, media and marketing strategist and FastCompany blogger.
Steele lives in Seabrook, Texas with her husband, author Charles Justiz, and their three sons. She is currently working on her next book, I’m With the Band: Networking Rock Star (Network Your Way into Anything, Anywhere, Anytime!). Dana Steele's book, Rock to the Top: What I Learned about Success from the World’s Greatest Rock Stars, is for sale on Amazon.com
B. Candace Beeke is the editor of the Houston Business Journal, one of the nation’s oldest business-to-business news publications. She also serves on the conference board of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Western Michigan University, Beeke has a bachelor's degree in public relations and a minor in journalism. She began her career as a reporter for Business Direct Weekly and ascended through the ranks, becoming editor of the publication, the newly titled Business Review West Michigan. The WMU alum also served as an adjunct faculty member at her alma mater, teaching basic and advanced journalism courses from 2003 through 2010.
Beeke is a self-described gardener, as well as a lover of food and wine. She and her husband, Ben, are the proud parents of three children: Lily, 9; Jack, 7; and Harper, 2.
Luke Quanstrom is a social media strategist at [wire] stone, where he leads social engagements across a variety of business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands including ConAgra, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, FTD, A.C. Moore, and Health and Disability Advocates. With an innate understanding of consumer use patterns and a comprehensive understanding of social media properties, capabilities and innovative applications, Luke is able to deliver social solutions that help brands connect and engage their consumers.
At [wire] stone, Luke’s responsibilities include social media market planning, social brand platform development, organizing and empowering organizations for social media, content integration and planning, community management strategies and best practice consulting.
Prior to [wire] stone, Luke was the Director of Marketing for Admissions at Olivet Nazarene University where he oversaw the recruitment marketing efforts of the university. It was here that Luke began to recognize the power of social engagement marketing and social CRM in nurturing relationships with prospects and driving conversion.
Luke received a B.A. degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University and an MBA degree in integrated marketing communications from DePaul University.
About Luke’s presentation: Getting started and getting ahead doesn’t happen based on a resume alone. The permeation of social technologies has afforded new opportunities (and threats!) to ensuring successful mobility of both personal careers and business goals. In this session, gain valuable insight into some of the best practices for optimizing and advancing your personal brand; from privacy to positioning. Then, we’ll take these learnings to understand how social media can be used to grow your business, how to start, maintain and measure your efforts in social media. Activities will include; analysis of two (2) attendee businesses, real-time analysis of attendee examples, social technographic analysis, and goal-setting priorities. Plus, stay for the after-conference reception to take advantage of some one-on-one dialogue as Luke offers personal advice, tips and tricks tailored to your needs.
Britt has a partner and resides in Houston, TX. She has been a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial since 2005. “Balance is a constant focus. It’s what allows me to be a productive leader, partner, colleague, athlete, and philanthropist. Without balance, it’s hard to enjoy the day to day victories and challenges that mean the most.”
About Britt’s presentation: During this seminar, you'll learn ways to gain control over your financial situation, protect the people and things you love the most, and how to make informed financial decisions. Britt will help you learn more about your options in managing your financial resources and give you straightforward guidance on personal money management and investment strategies.
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