SMPS CT Stories - May 16
Are you ready to be inspired? Come hear four great speakers share their creative ideas and stories that will provoke, inspire, and excite at SMPS CT’s second annual MAX talk event on May 16, 2018 from 3:00-6:00 PM at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford. Join us at the networking cocktail hour after the program for an opportunity to connect and engage with the speakers and other attendees. For more information and to register for this event, please check out our website. For more information about this and other SMPS programs, check out our blog here.
This year’s topics include:
‘Design a Future of Purpose and Possibility'
Brent Robertson | Partner, Fathom
Keeping our future in focus is a tricky thing - you can't see it, you can't touch it, and language often fails us when we attempt to talk about it. It’s easy to understand then, that the overwhelming power of the present can limit possibilities for the future—for ourselves and our organizations—to nothing more than what we already know. That is, unless we train ourselves to live with intention and focus. In this talk, Brent Robertson will introduce a way to design and live in our ideal future, a future not limited by what we know, but instead, one that is as limitless as our imaginations. Through the conversation, he’ll illustrate a way to relate to our world and those around us, in a more empathetic and creative way.
‘I'm a Subject-Matter-Expert, not a Salesperson!’
Donna Bak | Senior Partner, Sandler Training
Donna learned the hard way that we are all selling some-thing, to some-one, during the day. It may be a product or service or a request for resources, and very often it's an idea...our point of view...a cause. Donna was trained and skilled in a technical field, and the last thing she wanted to be was a salesperson! As it turned out, Donna realized her inability to influence people (sell!) was the one thing getting in the way of advancing her career. She didn't know how to sell up the chain of command for resources, across the organization to her peers for support, and down to customers. But when she told herself, "I am a Salesperson, with an expertise in Computer Science!", she started selling more effectively and even liking it! During this presentation, attendees will learn: how to sell yourself as a Trusted Advisor; how to utilize communication styles as an advantage in dealing with people; and how to bond and build rapport to gain trust faster!
‘Be a Talent Magnet! - How to Attract, Manage and Engage the Millennial Workforce’
Jeff Butler | Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur and Passionate Millennial
Recently, the Millennial generation took the stage as the largest generation in the U.S. workforce. Millennials (Generation Y), born between 1981 to 2000, are your current and future leaders, and they are bringing tremendous change, innovation, and opportunity. This MAX Talk covers the Millennial employee lifecycle from hiring, to managing, and retaining. Each segment of the cycle will have both high-level theories, as well as tactical strategies that attendees can immediately begin using after the program. Some include: How to create an enticing message to attract a millennial’s attention, practical tips for managing difficult employees, and retention strategies that CEO Jack Welch implements at General Electric.
Bad/Better/Best/Beyond: A Blueprint for Building Happiness"
Jessica Osborne, CPSM | Marketing Manager and Principal, BL Companies
The A/E/C industry is unique and powerful—we know that is has the ability to literally shape the environment around us. But beyond that, it offers a close-knit and collaborative career path for those who have been fortunate to find themselves involved in this realm. For one marketer, this industry led her from the brink of despair and self-destruction to success, health, and the happiest she's ever been. This is a story of how the A/E/C industry—its people, organizations and opportunities—saved her. Jess will take you on her journey from bad, to better, to best and beyond by sharing the key factors which helped her find her happy.
What is MAX? MAX is “Market”, “Act”, and “Exchange.” MAX is about you! Bundled into a series of awe inspiring, 15-minute discussions, the program focusses attention on each presenter’s ideas about current issues, lessons, tips, and tricks of the trade.
The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) was created in 1973 by a small group of professional services firm leaders who recognized the need to sharpen skills, pool resources, and work together to create business opportunities. Today, SMPS, nationally, represents a dynamic network of 7,000+ marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada. The Society and its 60 chapters benefit from the support of 3,250 design and building firms, encompassing 80% of the Engineering News-Record Top 500 Design Firms and Top 400 Contractors.
End
For further information, please contact:
Marta Dabrowski, CPSM
SMPS Communications Co Chair
(860) 815-9424