Be Your Best Rainmaker: Use Your Strengths to Bring in More Revenue, Profits and Clients
Rainmaking has its roots in Greek mythology and Native American folk lore. The god who "made rain" created a sustainable future for all others. In today's professional services business environment, those who "make rain" literally sustain the future of their firms. In this highly interactive rainmaking session, learn how to be your best. Assess how you can best earn prospects' confidence. Test drive tools of EveryDayRain™ including:
Say What Sells: An A-Z action word dictionary
Appoint Ambassadors: Create your own advocacy team
Give to Get Selling: Share what matters to them
You'll end the session by mapping your own 100 day EveryDayRain™ action plan. And take back a rainstick to keep it pouring.
Betsy Buckley's made rain her whole life, starting at age six, generating $62.18 for the March of Dimes by organizing a talent show. She's kept that rainmaking up in major leadership positions in four very different careers --- Deputy Commissioner of the MN Dept. of Corrections, VP of Sales and Marketing for City Venture, Senior Exec. at Commercial Credit and Investment Officer at what is now RBC Dain, Exec. VP of Shandwick, including a period based in Tokyo.
For the last eight years, she's run a company called What Matters, a boutique portfolio company that helps professional services firms and their leaders grow more profitable revenues & more positive reputations.
Afternoon Keynote Speaker
Carr Hagerman - PSP* Co-Author of the book "Top Performer - a Bold Approach to Sales and Service," part-time Rat Catcher (*Professional Street Performer)
Top Performer, a Bold Approach to Sales and Service
For the past 15 years Carr Hagerman has taken the lessons from 30 years as a professional street performer into corporations and organizations all over the world. At Ontend Creative Partners his creative insights constantly generate new possibilities for releasing Natural Energy, building connection, and enhancing engagement, and how to continue the flow of that energy long into the future, in ways he can help grow people and companies.
Carr has brought his energy to international organizations, including Best Buy, Diageo, American Express, Apple Computer, Royal Bank of Scotland, Cisco Systems, Wells-Fargo, Proctor & Gamble, the U.S. Marines, and hundreds more.
His brilliant presentations transformed FISH! from a collection of good ideas into a worldwide business phenomenon, and now, together with FISH! creator Steve Lundin, he's written a book called Top Performer. He will delight you with his lessons for adding pizzazz to anything you do or say, showing how you can, in his typically memorable phrasing, mine the mess, juice your jam, and claim your pitch.
"Carr doesn't work for a crowd, he doesn't work the crowd -- he plays the crowd. You know, like an instrument. You're just a string on a really big guitar to him. To put it in hipster talk (which I'm wont to do), the audience is Carr's ax and he can blow, man."
Attend this exciting presentation to understand the pitfalls that we as business owners can fall into if we don't pay attention to corporate and personal finances.
Know what the financial vehicles are and how to use them
Learn all the different options you have to protect yourself and your business
Topics include retirement planning, insurance planning, health care coverage, financial and succession planning
As a Financial Consultant, Certified Divorce Planner and Certified Divorce Specialist with Strategic Financial, Inc. Nicole has been professionally trained in retirement planning for small businesses and practical investments for the general public. The strategies considered are based on each investor's goals and dreams as well as market conditions and circumstances. Nicole focuses on education for her clients and has presented on WCCO 830 am radio, FM 107.1, and KCCO 950 am radio.
Gene Marks - The Penny Pincher, author of "Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists," regular columnist for American City Business Journals
Penny Pinching Tips for Small Business Owners
A best selling author of small business books, national "Penny Pincher's Almanac" columnist for American City Business Journals and popular speaker, Gene has helped thousands of business owners increase the profitability of their companies with his no nonsense penny pinching advice. Participants will find out the top web sites to save money on purchases, the best technology to purchase that really does save money, where to get the biggest bang for their marketing dollar, as well as other penny pinching tips.
Gene Marks owns and operates the Marks Group PC, a highly successful ten-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. The Marks Group PC, launched in 1994, has grown to help more than 500 companies and more than two thousand individuals throughout the country.
Prior to starting the Marks Group PC Gene spent nine years in the entrepreneurial services arm of the international consulting firm KPMG in Philadelphia where he was a Senior Manager.
Gene's books include the (#1 Amazon) Small Business Best Seller The Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists, The Small Business Desk Reference, Outfoxing The Small Business Owner - Crafty Techniques for Creating a Profitable Relationship and The Complete Idiot's Guide To Successful Outsourcing.
Gene writes a bi-weekly column for Forbes.com called Quicker! Better! Wiser! Gene also writes a bi-weekly column, The Penny Pincher's Almanac which appears nationally in American City Business Journals.
Don't Be a Victim of Economic Circumstance, Create Your Own Outcome
The Most Important Investment of Time, Money & Energy in Your Own Business and How to Make the Most of It
John Risdall will give you clear direction on how to turbo charge your sales and marketing in 2008 with an emphasis on the internet, search marketing and public relations - the fastest growing tools in American business marketing. With him will be two of his expert partners Rose McKinney, President of Risdall McKinney Public Relations and Tom Wilson, President of Risdall Marketing Group. These are two of the most dynamic speakers in Minnesota marketing circles.
Founded in 1972, Risdall Marketing Group has billings of $162,000,000 and over 60 employees. It has 12 major divisions including Minnesota’s #1 web developer, the 5th largest PR firm and the 7th largest ad agency. In 36 years, RMG has helped over 1000 clients. In addition over 30 companies have gone through its business incubator. In 2005 the Minnesota Venture Capital conference ranked Risdall Minnesota’s #1 Angel Investor. Mr. Risdall owns major interests in 21 companies. Mr. Risdall is also the Dean of Advertising Agency Presidents in Minnesota having served longer than all others.
Passion and Enthusiasm: The Most Powerful Engines of Success
Steven Schussler will motivate, inspire, and educate you in this dynamic and informative presentation in which he shares insights and experiences he has gathered through years of building meaningful business relationships with Fortune 500 organizations such as The Walt Disney Company. He will offer advice and expertise on integrity in business, partnering with others, and going the extra mile to build powerful, long term relationships. Please join Steven Schussler to learn why passion and enthusiasm are the most powerful engines of success!
The founder and creator of Rainforest Cafe and the chairman of the board of Schussler Creative Inc. has entered a new era by bringing a prehistoric concept to life: T-REX™, located at The Legends at Village West in Kansas City, Kansas and opening soon at Walt Disney World® in Orlando. Also recently opened inside Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is the unique Asian-fusion, Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant.
A creative type all his life, Schussler has a passion for conceiving concepts that appeal to the masses. While he began developing the idea for the Rainforest Cafe in the early '80s, he spent a half-million dollars transforming his house into a rainforest and had investors experience the concept first-hand.
Fast forward to 1994 and his dream became reality when the first Rainforest Cafe opened at Mall of America. Since then, 42 restaurants have been added to the chain - 35 in the U.S. and 8 overseas. Schussler sold the concept in 2000, but not before it received more than 40 awards in 6 years.
In 2000 he founded Schussler Creative, where he is responsible for the creative vision and overall strategic direction of the organization, which is currently developing many themed entertainment venues including: America's RoadHouse™, HOT DOG HALL OF FAME™, Aerobleu: THE SPIRIT OF COOL™, DYNASTY™, Winter Wonderland™, SORCERER’S Kitchen: School of Wizardry, Food & Magic™ and Musical Garden: A Living Work of Art, Food and Music™.
Differentiating Value (DV)™: Translating Competitive Advantage into Cash
The right DV will help your compnay avoid price wars or win them at higher prices, empower sales people to meet/exceed revenue expectations fast, and protect and enhance margins in the face of increasing commoditization.
Terry Slattery has helped countless b2b companies create or defend their DV in everything from oil and insurance to software. All of them continue to grow revenue, define and enhance margins shorten sales cycles, and erode their competitors' market share. The principle is the same, no matter how simple or complex the product or service.
This Isn't Your Father's Internet...Marketing In the Age of Web 2.0
The Internet has evolved. Gone are the days when a static, information-only website can attract visitors to grow web traffic and generate consistent sales revenue. While most of us are familiar with Google, words like MySpace, FaceBook, Blogs, YouTube, Social Networking and Content Management Systems (CMS) are now part of the lexicon. Presenting microbusinesses with totally new methods and arenas for Internet Marketing. As the playing field has changed, so too must the tools in your Marketing toolbox.
Donald Raleigh, President of Evolve Systems will discuss the benefits of using a Content Management System as an efficient vehicle in reaching this new audience. A CMS puts the control of the website into the hands of the average user. By providing an easy to use and understand system, a CMS will change the way you think about websites and marketing to your customers.
Don Raleigh is the President of Evolve Systems in Roseville, Minnesota. He has assisted in the launch of over 500 websites and has spoken across the country on topics such as Internet Security, X500 directories, Programming Tools and Content Management Systems.
- Chief Inspiration Officer/Performer/Consultant/Juggler - Top Performer
Top Performing Teams
This dynamic session is designed to take the ideas of Top Performer (which explores the language of natural energy) and look at how these ideas apply to teams an team work.
Mick Lunzer brings 20 years of experience working with teams in both business and the performing arts and entertainment industry. This workshop promises to be fun as well as insightful.
For the past 18 years Mick has been a juggler and street performer winning many international awards for his talent individually and with his team, the Dew Drop Jugglers. For 8 years he has taken the lessons he's learned about teamwork and energy to companies across the country as a in demand speaker. He's spoken and consulted with such diverse companies as Microsoft, Johsnon & Johnson, American Red Cross, USBancorp, Guinness UDV, and more.
In addition to being a featured guest speaker at numerous civic and business functions, Mr. Millunzi is also the author of the Tax Strategies Manual. Certified by the State of Minnesota as a qualified teacher of continuing education for professionals in Real Estate, Insurance, Accounting, and Law, he has been responsible for the preparation of over 57,000 tax returns. His unique vision does more than just show you how to individually save Thousands of Tax Dollars.
Jeffrey is an exciting and motivational speaker who makes it fun to learn how to use Tax Benefits to Boost Your Public Profile, Better Market Your Product, Increase Your Sales, Control Your Costs, Heighten Your Efficiency, Raise Your Productivity, Maximize Your Profits, Improve Your Career Satisfaction, and Enhance Your Lifestyle: all the while helping business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their highest levels of professional and personal excellence.
Workshops
Expo Stage Theater
- IRS Small Business & Self Employed Stakeholder Liaison
IRS Resources and Services for Small Business and the Tax Gap
IRS and the Federal Government provide many resources and services for small business including websites, toll-free phone numbers, online small business classroom, DVDs, CDs, electronic newsletters. Pat Buttweiler will demonstrate how using these resources can help make the IRS a partner in tax compliance. IRS also provides Fact Sheets and data on the Tax Gap which will generate discussion around taxable business income, business use of home, and deductible business expenses.
Pat Buttweiler works for IRS in the Small Business Self Employed organization as a Stakeholder Liaison. She facilitates IRS relationships with tax professional and business organizations in Minnesota. Pat has a BA in education from St. Cloud State University and has taught in public schools in Minnesota and Australia before joining the IRS in 1977. Her prior IRS experience includes Taxpayer Service as a walk-in assistor, Tax Auditor and Revenue Agent. Pat lives in St Cloud with her husband and likes to read, play golf and travel. In 2007 she trekked for 2 weeks in the Himalayas of Nepal in order to fulfill a long-term goal of seeing Mt Everest and the Sherpa culture.
Traps and Pitfalls in Intellectual Property Law for Small Business
An intellectual property attorney and entrepreneur, Roger will describe the legal land mines awaiting the entrepreneur in Patent, Copyright, Trademark, Trade Secret Law, and Business Entity Law. Participants will learn about the legal barriers to patentability, how to "earn" Trademark rights, what to avoid when hiring a creative designer, how to protect creative works, and how to be sure your corporate liability shield is "up."
Roger Belfay is a registered patent attorney serving the legal needs of inventors and entrepreneurial businesses since 2002. After earning his JD from William Mitchell College of Law, Roger started his law practice following a successful career as a software and electronics engineer in the defense industry. During his time in the defense industry Roger earned a Masters degree in Computer Science from Union College and an MBA from Syracuse University.
There are truly only 5 ways to grow any business. Yet most companies focus on just 3: Customers, Revenue, and Profits. Of course, these three are very important to the growth of your business; absolutely vital in fact. However, by turning your focus from the end result to the activities that create the end result, you will grow your business faster, and with more efficiency! Learn how to break down your sales and marketing efforts into these five areas and you will generate greater success in your business!
Attendees will learn how to focus on the activities of generating leads x conversion rate = customers, avg $ sale x avg # transactions = Revenue x Profit Margin. In learning these five activity areas, marketing strategies for each area will also be addressed. Then the attendees will have a stronger understanding of how increasing each areas a small percentage will increase the result in their business.
Pamela Muldoon,Certified ActionCOACH Business & Executive Coach, has over 20 years experience in communications, sales, marketing, training & development. She has an extensive background in such industries as Radio Broadcasting, Theatre Arts, Travel and Financial Services.
Aligning people on all levels of an organization, Pamela Muldoon helps leaders unleash hidden potential within themselves and their teams. She empowers individuals to identify and create their own customized path to success, achieving a life of wealth and abundance that includes a healthy life balance.
Pamela holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Certified Project Management certification from the University of St. Thomas. Pamela is a public speaker on business education, an author and teacher. She has taught Radio Sales & Marketing to students at Brown College in Mendota Heights where she also received her Radio Broadcasting Certification. She is also a member of the Graduate program for the National Speakers Association-MN Chapter.
- Chief Executive of SBR Worldwide (Small Business Resources)
Is Your Business Consultant Some Yahoo Named Google? - Web Search Secrets for the Inside Info on Companies, Industries, and People
Information is power and whether you're creating a business plan, marketing strategy, or sales program, the more you base your decisions on the facts, the greater the likelihood of your success. In this internationally acclaimed presentation, Sam Richter will guide you through the fascinating world of online information. You'll learn how to get exactly what you want out of popular search engines the first time, every time. You'll access the "Invisible Web," the 80% of the Web that search engines can't access. You'll take advantage of resources that big firms spend big bucks to use, but you’ll learn how to get them for free or for a very low cost. Interactive, fun, and engaging, this presentation is guaranteed to change the way you use the Web.
Sam Richter is an internationally sought after speaker and author and has appeared in hundreds of publications, television programs, and radio shows. Sam has more than 20 years experience creating and managing award-winning marketing, sales, and online programs for some of the world’s most famous brands. He spent more than six years transforming the James J. Hill Reference Library into a national business resource, annually serving millions of entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping them achieve their dreams through better information. His latest book, "Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling" is receiving critical acclaim from business executives around the globe.
