HOW DO WE GET MORE WOMEN ON THE MAIN STAGE, EVEN VIRTUAL ONES?

By EDGE Women Speaker Jennifer Fondrevay

Executives and event planners declare “We need more women on the main stage!” Quickly followed by the question: “Where can we find them?!” I find this conundrum puzzling.  

I am a female speaker, and I know many other amazing female speakers. There are hundreds of credible women speakers with impressive credentials and expertise -- yet it seems they are hiding in plain sight.

Incorporating female speakers into an event enlivens the agenda with new, relatable and expert voices. 

Yet the challenge remains: 

How do we bring forward these female speakers who are hiding in plain sight?

You put this challenge to a group of female speakers and you get one kick ass solution: EDGE Women Speakers, established to take the guesswork out of finding inspiring and credible female speakers.

• Do you want practical advice learned in the corporate trenches and the C-Suite?

• Do you want a right & left-brain approach that motivates your audience to think and act differently?

• Do you want a feel-good story that helps people overcome mindset obstacles?

• Do you want your teams to learn techniques that build resilience, help productivity and manage conflict?

From a former C-suite leader published in Harvard Business Review, to an author with 1.4 million titles sold worldwide. EDGE women have walked the talk, as leaders in corporations, science, education, fashion and nonprofit organizations. Contributing to publications such as Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes, Money, Thrive Global or The Huffington Post, these women have won awards not only for their speaking but in their areas of expertise.

Experienced, Dynamic, Global and Entertaining, EDGE Women Speakers have educated and entertained audiences around the world, converting interested listeners into enthusiastic participants in venues ranging from keynote sessions to intimate workshops. 

EDGE Women Speakers presents a variety of female speakers with perspectives and experiences that breaks the status quo. If you are looking to give your next event a dynamic EDGE, check out EDGE Women Speakers.

Five Tips to Cut Virtual Frustration

By EDGE Women Speaker Amy Segami

“How did this happen?” Pat, my friend, was frustrated with her experience working virtually. 

Used to be able to catch colleagues in the hallway to move projects along, she now found herself constantly waiting for replies. After she emailed the proposal to her colleague, she had not heard back after ten days. When she finally called, her colleague who had been expecting Pat’s proposal said she had never received it. Pat was left shaking her head, wondering “How did this happen?”

A better question is “How could we collaborate more efficiently and effectively?” 

During the remote work forced upon us by COVID19, we now have to depend on getting things done together virtually. Without the benefits of seeing your colleagues down the hallway to remind you of project status or that a proposal due date is coming up, you need a different system.

As a business advisor who helps organizations to innovate faster, I have worked virtually on multiple projects with different clients worldwide for almost ten years. Using a Five T checklist, I help my clients and their teams to collaborate efficiently and effectively. You can use these Five T Tips to improve your own virtual collaboration experience:

1) Trade

Consider that every meaningful business interaction is a Trade, meaning that is a value exchange. The most common intrinsic motivation is monetary gain. When colleagues collaborate, a mutual benefit is deepening the relationship through recognition and appreciation. A genuine compliment is worth more than currency. Be mindful of this fact in your exchanges with your team. What can you offer them beyond monetary benefits as a trade?

2) Trust

Without the benefit of seeing the nonverbal communications with your own eyes, leave your “Eye Print” to let them know that you have seen their emails, SMS text, or instant messages. Build trust by acknowledging that you have seen their communications or requests at your earliest convenience. Indicate that you have read it with a quick reply, even as simple as a clap, a like, or a thumbs up. These are the equivalent of a nod, wave, or smile in person. Of course, you decide whom you like to and want to build a trust relationship with.

3) TYA

To shorten the lag caused by lack of face-to-face communication, use TYA which stands for Track “Yes, And.” Yes, use the email as an alert and reminder. And, follow up with text, SMS or a call. And, use your favorite cloud service to upload related files. When your team knows where to locate the information, it is easier and faster to move the project along. This works great for teams with multiple members who need to equally access information to get their job done.

4) Tools

There are lots of apps and software tools to help foster collaboration, such as Asana, Basecamp, Slack, and Monday.com, just to name a few. My favorite go-to tools areDropBox, GSuite, and Trello. They are flexible, affordable, and reliable with a minimal learning curve. With Trust and TYA established, the Tools become a powerful means to connect with each other more actively. 

5) Time

Time is non-linear. This is especially true when working collaboratively. Think of it as the runway for a plane to take off. It takes time to build up speed – to build up relationships. Once the bond is set between the team with Trade, Trust, TYA, and Tools at the core, the project will take off at exponential speed.

When your team embraces the Five T: Trade, Trust, TYA, Tools, and Time, you will have an efficient and effective collaboration. My advice is to pick a small project and practice with a few trusted colleagues. This will minimize your frustration and enable a positive experience to get things done together, virtually.

Tagged: #COVID19 #remotework, #workvirtually, #virtualteam, #virtualleadership, #leadershipdevelopment, #leadershipteam, #trust, #virtualtools, #meetingprofessionals, #eventplanners, #womenspeakers, #female speakers, #kickassspeakers, #leadership, #inspirationalspeakers, 

Oh What a Celebration it Will Be

By EDGE Women Speaker Debbie Vyskocil

Can you picture your first large event when we are back together again? Imagine the excitement of attendees, speakers, staff, and vendors.

Before the world changed with the virus, were some people taking meetings and events for granted? Probably. Perhaps this is a reset. 

None of us knows when we will again be filling the large venues and exactly what long term effects this will have. But we do know there will be excitement! Instead of "Augh I have to attend another conference" it will be ”OH MY GOSH A CONFERENCE!!" 

Right now we are all longing for the meetings and events right now and especially the amazing human contact. Attendees and those putting them on are becoming aware of the multitude of components they miss.

Can you visualize the conferences and meetings when we are back together again? Are you thinking about it too? Picture the huge welcoming smiles, inspirational speakers, decorations, new friends, old friends, music, flowers, incredible information shared by attendees and speakers. THE SHEER EXCITEMENT OF IT!!

In this pause we’re experiencing, Brain-Pause if you will, is a perfect time to practice self-compassion. We can’t control what is happening in the world, but we can take care of ourselves. When it picks up it’s going to be crazy again. As everything begins to roll out every client will want to have an event or a meeting. 

The habit of self-compassion is going to be critical to get us through the high-speed re-launch that is coming. Hopefully, you’re getting plenty of sleep right now, eating well, spending quality time with your immediate family and soaking up the quiet air, You are letting your hair recover from the everyday styling torture,  your skin heal from abuse and your mind, your brain fill with self-compassion. 

What about your brain? If you watch the news, you are torturing it with all the uncertainty, fear, doubt, anxiety, and stress. When are you giving your brain a break? Are you daily thinking about something absolutely amazing? Are you visualizing the excitement when you have your next holiday on the seashore or, better yet, your next incredibly successful event? 

Here is one quick exercise I want you to do:

Sit down for a few minutes and visualize the ultimate event that you will throw. What will it look like? Who will be there? Can you smell the fragrance of fresh flowers in the air? What will you feel like deep inside when it’s a complete success? Cultivate that moment. The more often we create that feeling and visualize what it will look like, the easier it’s going to be to replicate when we’re ready to go.

I picture myself speaking at the perfect event all the way down to what I’ll be wearing. I use these current un-booked evenings when I’m not on a stage to imagine myself in that outfit, on that stage with the perfect lighting, the excited audience and the incredibly happy event planner. 

Try it, it puts a smile on my face every time. 

I was encouraged recently while listening to the MPI Global Meetings Industry Day: Virtual Leadership Panel. One of the leaders presented data supporting his position that our clients want conferences and events, most want to increase the number of them. 

The data shows we will be back. And, oh, what a celebration it will be! 

Crisis mode? Here’s how to un-freeze—fast!

By EDGE Women Speaker Allie Pleiter

When a crisis hits, it’s hard not to freeze up. In my time coaching creative productivity, I’ve learned a few powerful tactics anyone can use to get out of a deer-in-headlights panic mode and into the action mode that will move you toward a solution when crisis hits. 

And let’s face it: for event planners right now, trouble feels like it’s hitting left and right. 

How do you un-freeze fast? It can be simpler than you think. When you’re in the cross-hairs of an event problem, ask yourself these four questions:

Question #1.  What’s still possible now?

When crisis hits, your brain kicks into totalitarian thinking, cataloging everything wrong about your situation and blinding you to current possibilities.  Give yourself a few minutes to react—shock, anger, annoyance, frustration are all natural and can’t be avoided—and then deliberately force a shift of thinking toward what IS possible. Can you shift the breakout session to another room? Can the speech be given without AV? A true speaking professional will be ready and able to adapt, so don’t hesitate to bring them into your solution process. Perhaps you can find a place to work—or nap—when your flight is delayed several hours.  The more you practice this shift, the easier it becomes.  While it can be genuinely hard to drag your brain off the negative, even the tiniest possibilities make coping much more possible. 

Question #2.  What’s not possible now?

Many of us get into trouble precisely because we refuse to recognize the true limitations of a given crisis. If your keynote speaker is stuck in Omaha or your print materials shipped to the wrong location, own it now. Get to work on Plan B rather than clinging to the hope that Plan A might still come through. If your plane likely isn’t getting out of Dallas tonight, go find a hotel room, make use of the evening, and start fresh in the morning rather than fuming in the airport until midnight. It’s not easy, and it often feels like surrender, but it’s far better than stewing in your misfortune or wasting time in denial.

Question #3. What do I need right now?

The “right now” is the crucial part here.  At the start of a given crisis, you may need simply to get calm. Or at least calmer. You may need someone who understands the problem better than you do at the moment (especially true in technical or medical situations).  Don’t let your brain gallop off in a dozen long-term directions, churning today’s problems into tomorrow’s catastrophes. Yes, the larger picture is important to consider. If you can train your brain to focus on the next solvable step, however, survival comes more easily.

Question #4. What do I want right now?

We often think of crises as “survival mode”—only needs get to matter, not wants.  It’s not necessarily true. You may need to call an ambulance in a medical emergency, but you might also want someone to help you talk through what’s happened if it’s upsetting you. Resist the urge to cast aside what might feel like “luxuries” until life calms down.  Your attendees will take their cue from your attitude. Like my friend who ditches her heels in favor of fuzzy slippers when things go south, making use of “non-essentials” can bolster your endurance or clarity at a time when you need it most. If it makes you calmer, more comfortable, or a bit more cheerful when the chips are down, it’s not selfish. It’s a wise form of self-care. 

These four questions can offer you the foothold you may need to get through the first hours or days of any crisis.  I find these questions work for any size dilemma—from missed flight to a pandemic to a ripped dress. If you can shift your thinking from the knee-jerk of “EMERGENCY! PANIC!” to “What’s still possible now?  What’s not possible now?  What do I need right now?  What do I want right now?”, you will discover your coping abilities can be far stronger.

And it goes without saying that such crises are the reason to work with seasoned, professional speakers. Elite speakers can roll with the punches without drama, will brainstorm solutions, and won’t hesitate to go the extra mile to help you. In this current uncertain event landscape, selecting a professional can be one of your best resources to ensure that both you and your attendees come away with the best experience possible. 

No matter what happens.

Give your next event a dynamic EDGE. Team up with professional speakers, such as EDGE Women Speakers.

 #Empowering #Result-oriented #Forward-thinking #Collaborative #Knowledgeable #Problem-solving #Visionary

What Your Audience Deserves - And How to Make Sure They Get It

By EDGE Women Speaker Azella C. Collins, MSN, RN

Success!  Advancement! Opportunities!  

We all strive for success, advancement, and professional opportunities, yet they don’t come easily. In a time when fewer paths to advancement present themselves, how do you set yourself above the crowd? How do you reach your full potential? For many people, it comes from attending seminars and workshops to gain new insights and gather new knowledge. To educate yourself for future growth.

Speakers can play a critical part in someone’s learning journey for advancement. As a speaker, I know we all succeed when each audience member of a keynote or a workshop session leaves with two to three new ideas to help them advance in their chosen field.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen with every speaker. I’m sure you remember attending a seminar where you learned very little. Where the speaker read from notes the entire time, or rarely made eye contact with the audience, or exhibited no authenticity and failed to impart any new knowledge. Your audience deserves better.

I’ve experienced bad speakers myself and it is such a missed opportunity. 

It is why I ask three important questions of each client before my presentation. I strive to know: 

1. What do they hope to achieve from the information I share?

2. What are their event objectives? 

3. What are the goals and vision of the host organization and how are they positioning for success? 

With that knowledge, I make sure my topics are engaging, entertaining, and offer immeasurable benefits to the audience by:

• Breaking complex items into small sound bites 

• Providing concrete actionable steps for implementation. 

• Personalizing the presentation by weaving in common language they are used to hearing.

• Maintaining a servant mindset... I am there to meet their needs.

As a black woman, I equally understand the need to be highly skilled in your chosen field so that success and advancement are obtainable. To be chosen, you need to stand out from the crowd. As such, I don’t just want the audience to take something away, I want every meeting professional I work with to have a fabulous event so they too can “stand out” from the crowd.

EDGE Women Speakers consistently provide the same high caliber level of service to event professionals and audiences around the world. We will work on your timeline and contribute to your long-term goals. We understand the importance of 'happy and satisfied audiences' as well as audiences who come back again and again, share what they have learned, and encourage their colleagues and peers to attend your events.

Because at EDGE Women Speakers, we succeed when you do.

#transformative #empowering #breakingthestatusquo #experienced #meetingpros

The Fabulous Speaker You Haven’t Heard—and Why You Haven’t Heard Her

By: EDGE Women Speaker Jennifer Fondrevay

I hear it more and more, and it completely baffles me.

 Executives and event planners declare “We need more women on the main stage!” Quickly followed by the question: “Where can we find them?!”

 I find this conundrum puzzling. I am a female speaker, and I know many other amazing female speakers. There are hundreds of credible women speakers with impressive credentials and expertise -- yet it seems they are hiding in plain sight. 

 Bizzabo’s (a platform that helps meeting planners manage their events through the cloud) recent survey confirms this reality. For the past five years, their surveys have found that men outnumbered women 2 to 1 as event speakers. Contributing to the limited exposure is the type of events where women can be found. Women are more often speakers at fundraisers, galas or social gatherings, rather than the broader exposure offered by conventions, networking events and conferences. This “speaker status quo” hinders event planners from considering female speakers more because they simply are not seeing them. 

The good news is that the industry is wising up. Event planners recognize that having more women on the main stage better reflects the interests of the audience. Hearing women share their stories and expertise provides the unique and more often relatable perspective that women bring to any situation. As many of my male colleagues, who are equally perplexed by the lack of women being sought for the main stage have said, “To have a well-informed perspective, you need to get a perspective -- the more diverse, the better.” 

 Incorporating female speakers into an event enlivens the agenda with new, relatable and expert voices. Yet the challenge remains: how do we bring forward these female speakers who are hiding in plain sight? 

 You put this challenge to a group of female speakers and you get one kick-ass solution: EDGE Women Speakers, established to take the guesswork out of finding inspiring and credible female speakers.

 Experienced, Dynamic, Global and Entertaining, EDGE Women Speakers have educated and entertained audiences around the world, converting interested listeners into enthusiastic participants in venues ranging from keynote sessions to intimate workshops.  

 ·         Do you want practical advice learned in the corporate trenches and the C-Suite?

·         Do you want a right & left-brain approach that motivates your audience to think and act differently?

·         Do you want a feel-good story that helps people overcome mindset obstacles?

·         Do you want your teams to learn techniques that build resilience, discipline creativity and self-compassion?

 EDGE women have walked the talk, as leaders in corporations, science, education, fashion and nonprofit organizations. From a New York Times-listed bestselling author to a former C-suite leader published in Harvard Business Review, these credentialed women share their invaluable insights and experience. Appearing on ABC-TV’s “Shark Tank” and contributing to publications such as Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes, Money, Thrive Global or The Huffington Post, these women have won awards not only for their speaking but in their areas of expertise.

 EDGE Women Speakers presents a variety of female speakers with perspectives and experiences that breaks the status quo. They are the fabulous female speakers you may not have heard -- but you will soon.

 If you are looking to give your next event a dynamic EDGE, check out EDGE Women Speakers.

 #Empowering #Result-oriented #Forward-thinking #Collaborative #Knowledgeable #Problem-solving #Visionary

The Gift You Should NEVER Return!

By: EDGE Women Speaker Lynn O’Dowd

The holiday season is associated with gift-giving. Many of us spend time thinking about and shopping for the perfect gift to give a loved one, friend, colleague or customer. But have you thought about the gifts you have already been given? The “gifts” I'm referring to are the God-given gifts or natural talents that you received when you were born.

Are you able to recognize the gifts you received when you were born? It can be challenging to identify our own gifts because we don’t often think about ourselves in that way. As a speaker, during my keynote I point out that “many of us have lived our entire lives with some of our gifts hidden, or really underutilized. Until we recognize and utilize all our gifts, it can be difficult to step outside our comfort zone for greater success and happiness in business and life”

As we enter this gift giving season, I invite you to make a list of all your gifts, skills, talents, abilities, expertise and strengths. List anything you have a knack for or enjoy—big or small, important or silly, practical or impractical. The list will most likely be much longer than you expect.

Most of us review the previous year to see what we want to change in the New Year. Creating a list of your gifts helps you recognize what you can be doing or want to be doing going forward. Review it and decide what gifts you would like to enhance in 2020. Think about your goals for the New Year and ask yourself: what gifts do you need to tap into to get started on your goals? What gifts do you have that are perhaps underutilized or that you haven’t been paying much attention to? Your answers to these questions can help you craft your goals and make them a reality.

When thinking about what you want to accomplish in the New Year, don’t forget to include how YOU want to spend YOUR time. Determine what you want to enjoy more, and what you would like to cultivate in your life. Your job as a meeting professional can be all consuming, so it’s important to take time to write down, track and schedule all your tasks, activities, commitments, wants and wishes in order to be sure all of YOU is taken care of. The internal dialog in your head of “What am I forgetting?” “I never get to…” creates stress.

Once we realize all of our abilities, it helps us be grateful, and a way to show our gratitude is to share them with those who need them. Your gifts of organizing events, budgeting, baking, thinking outside the box, singing, compassionate listening, building or even being disciplined can help others in so many different ways. Sometimes, we take for granted what comes easy to us or we don't attach a lot of value to what we are gifted with because we compare ourselves to others. The best thing to do is share your gifts, and that isn’t limited to a “gift-giving season.” You can give your unique gifts all year long to positively impact and help the lives of others. A bonus of sharing your gifts with others is that you give them permission to do the same and shine their light.

This holiday season give yourself the gift of recognizing and appreciating all the wondrous, unique parts of you. Remember, you don't have to be perfect; you just need to be present. Presence is the perfect present to yourself! Make your list of your unique combination of gifts and GoGaGa™ in 2020 to Unleash Your Inner Superstar!

Happy Holidays and A Happy & Healthy New Year!

The Most Powerful Fuel for Our Mission—and Maybe Yours

The women of EDGE Women Speakers enjoy the privilege of reaching audiences around the world in keynotes, workshops and training sessions. We relish the chance to hear firsthand how our audiences embrace, appreciate, and grow from the messages, expertise and advice we provide. Simply put: such feedback is the powerful fuel that keeps us striving forward.

By: EDGE Women Speaker Jennifer Fondrevay

“I can’t thank you enough for your presentation — it opened my eyes to what is possible.”

“I’m grateful that I didn’t blow off this keynote. I was so inspired."

“Thank God there is someone like you putting a spotlight on this. I wish there were more people talking about it."

"I am so glad I came to this conference and heard from you. I confess I’m surprised how much I learned from your workshop.”

EDGE women speakers enjoy the privilege of reaching audiences around the world in keynotes, workshops and training sessions. We relish the chance to hear firsthand how our audiences embrace, appreciate, and grow from the messages, expertise and advice we provide. Simply put: such feedback is the powerful fuel that keeps us striving forward.

In the run up to Thanksgiving, our thoughts tend to linger on what we are most grateful for. It’s a worthy endeavor. In honor of this month of gratitude, below we share some of the personal and professional things for which we as speakers—and as people—are grateful.

We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and hope you can enjoy the day with the people you love.                                              The Women of EDGE Women Speakers

 ·         I am grateful that I have never lost my zeal for meeting management. I thoroughly enjoy helping groups improve the flow of their meetings. I enjoy looking at a group's current situation and working with them until we have a plan of action.

 ·         I am thankful for good health.

 ·         I extend my undying gratitude for everyone who helped me to bring my book idea, “NOW WHAT?” to life. After 2 1/2 years of research and writing, to see it finally published is amazing.

 ·         I am incredibly grateful for those who have encouraged me to share my stories to help others achieve levels they had not imagined. 

 ·         I am thankful that after suffering some significant health setbacks, my family is feeling healthy again.

 ·         I am grateful for the writing coaching client who told me last week I changed her life and helped her see a whole new possibility for her career.

 ·         I am so incredibly thankful for the God-given gifts of being a speaker and performer.

 ·         I am grateful for the amazing friends who have supported me and never judged me.

 ·         I am so grateful for good friends who bolstered me through a major disappointment.

 ·         I have so much gratitude for my amazing friends who have become my family throughout my journey.

 ·         I’m grateful for the chance to call audiences outside of their comfort zones and discover their “Inner Superstar.”

We Ought to Be Doing More of This!

By EDGE Women Speaker Allie Pleiter

“We help move each other forward.”

 It’s a phrase that gets a lot of use among the EDGE women. And that’s a good thing. Women aren’t always the best at acknowledging themselves. But here at EDGE, we make a point of helping each other thrive. It’s something every woman in every business can learn, isn’t it?

 This past week several of the EDGE Women Speakers joined me in a chance to do just that as we gathered at the North Shore Women in Business Awards to honor one of our own, Jennifer J. Fondrevay. 22nd Century Media hosts these awards each year to honor great women who deserve exposure for making a difference in a variety of business and civic categories. Jennifer received her award in the “Entrepreneur” category.

 “Winning was a welcome shock,” said Jennifer, who was lauded for her Day1Ready™ consultancy helping companies manage the all-too-often ignored human aspect of mergers and acquisitions. “I’m pleased that the award brought exposure and visibility to an issue that affects millions of people’s lives annually.

 Entrepreneurship wasn’t in Fondrevay’s original career plan, but surviving three multi-billion-dollar acquisitions fueled her passion to bring humanity to an often brutal process. She launched a consultancy that offers insightful solutions designed to prepare an organization for what’s to come with M&A, while crafting a framework to manage and support the people involved. “The process doesn’t have to compromise how people are treated,” Jennifer declares. “I wanted to let my experience help others thrive. The needle is slowly moving in the M&A space to embrace the human element. I wanted to accelerate that needle moving forward.”

 In 2017, Jennifer took the leap to launch her consultancy. “Entrepreneurship is a new landscape for me, and many people I met at the beginning of my journey were surprisingly encouraging and supportive,” she shares. Many of those colleagues were gathered at the awards event, as well as friends and associates from a vast array of professions. Looking around the tables, I was struck again by the truth EDGE continually champions: diversity brings power. “It was a collection of amazing people, all of whom I admire for striving to make a difference,” Jennifer relates. “For me, it was a reminder that it’s always a big enough pie to share.”

 At EDGE Women Speakers, we know there is a big enough podium to share. Audiences respond when they see themselves reflected on the stage—something that doesn’t happen nearly enough. Women bring power, creativity, resilience, compassion, and a host of other qualities to the podium. EDGE Women strive to provide that, and do, because they are speakers who excel at their craft and can take any event to a new level.

 If you’d like to know more about Day1Ready™, and Jennifer’s work leading organizations through transition, click here to visit Jennifer’s website. If you’d like to know more about the other dynamic EDGE speakers and what they can bring to your event, click here.

 It won’t be too long before you’re given an opportunity to shine the spotlight on an exceptional woman in your field. It may be nominating her for an award, recommending her to a colleague, or something as simple as offering a compliment or encouraging word. However the opportunity presents itself, take it.

 Because every great idea deserves a little more exposure, and you can make it happen.

A Global Perspective for Meeting Professionals

By EDGE Women Speaker Amy Segami

“I told my China and her GoGo how I ended up being hung upside down, like a sheep in the butcher shop,” I explained to the business leaders at the largest Creativity Conference in South Africa.

 The audience clapped and laughed. Why? Because I related to their culture. They sat up and paid attention; they understood my effort to relate to them.

 Here is the translation in plain English: “I told my girlfriend [China] and her grandmother [GoGo] how I ended up being hung upside down [like a sheep in the butcher shop].”

 As an international speaker, I present to people all over the world. I modify my stories with terms that are relevant to the audience in front of me. This critical connection helps a speaker to engage their audience in a meaningful way. Yet, you don’t have to travel far these days to experience diverse audiences.

  A Different Focus

 I continue to be pleasantly surprised at the growing diversity among conference attendees. Race, gender and age are the most obvious. Then add language, culture and mindset. The definition of diversity has expanded to include unconscious bias such as default thinking, decision processes, and learning styles, just to name a few.

 What’s helping to drive this global diversity expansion? As global commerce and industry accelerate and expand, smart organizations are pivoting from a traditional command and control model to increase collaboration and cooperation amongst global teammates.

 The benefit? A solid business advantage. Global companies such as Cisco, FedEx, and American Express have found that real diversity can make a difference in providing a competitive advantage.

 Scott E. Page, University of Michigan professor, mentioned many advantages that diverse organizations have in his book, “The Difference” 

 •         They generate more ideas. 

•         They are able to enter new markets faster. 

•         They have a higher success rate.

•         They have more of what is called “Organizational Intelligence.”

 How can you create experiences that help amplify and honor diversity? Meeting professionals can serve as thought leaders by choosing speakers who can stimulate diversity of thought.

 1. Multi-sensory Experience

Consider experiential approaches to drive home the importance of diversity of thought and perspective. Be bold. Be creative. Ask the speaker for ideas to engage your audience. When one speaker was talking about handling ideas, she tossed the audience a few big beach balls and they automatically bounced them around. Everyone sat up and was ready to receive whatever might be thrown at them. When talking about making connections, another speaker I know encouraged the audience to take selfies with their neighbors. At another event, when the speaker was telling a story about cookies, the audience could smell the fresh baked goodies. Yes, they were hungry for more.

  2. Uncommon Touch

Social outings beat cocktail receptions. Set up tours such as industry related site visits or a brief nature walking tour for example, and invite the speakers along. The attendees will gain opportunities to connect and relate with each other and the speaker can talk about the relevant experiences with the attendees after the tour. In Chicago, take a walk along Lake Shore Drive, taste the Deep Dish Pizza in Wicker Park, or visit an ice cream parlor in Old Town. You can find such diverse experiences in any city that help engage an audience to open their minds and further engage with the speaker.

 3. Local Facts

Look for speakers who can relate, interact and respect the audience. Whenever you can, hire a speaker who can deliver a message and influence in a unique way. One of my colleagues was invited to speak in the Middle East. Since her story took place four decades ago, she found out it was the year the city completed the construction of a well known bridge. She tied the time reference of her story to this bridge which made it significant and meaningful to her audience.

 As audiences become more diverse, the secret sauce for the meeting professionals is to bring the right kind of diversity to the stage. Not only the visible differences such as skin color, age or gender, but also the “invisible” differences found in diverse languages, cultures and mindsets.

The ONE Word that Will Change Your Outlook – Truly

By EDGE Women Speaker  Nancy Depcik

It’s hard to believe that just one small word can make such a big difference.  A difference in your attitude, your outlook and how you overcome life’s challenges.  You’re probably thinking it’s about saying “no” or “don’t” or “never” but there’s a twist on this word that will surprise you. Before I share the word, please let me explain how it helped me.

I grew up on the south side of Chicago in the 1950’s and it was a very different time for women.  Whether I agreed with it or not, my path was already chosen for me.  I was expected to graduate from high school, get married, have babies and be happy.

 And in that order!  No discussion; no deviation!!!

 As a woman, IF you wanted to work outside the home, you could be a nurse or a dental hygienist, but never a doctor or dentist. College was never discussed or encouraged, because as my mother always told me: “You don’t need a college education to have babies.”  I never thought there could be a different way because this is the only life I knew.

 Deep down, though, I wondered if there was another path.  Not necessarily to follow, but to pioneer a new one of my own.  And that is exactly what I did.  I chose the path of college, business and boardrooms.  It may not sound like such a big deal today, but back then, it was a major decision.  To give you some perspective, think back to the groundbreaking hit TV sitcom called The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  She was an unmarried, independent woman who focused on her career and didn’t need to depend on a man to take care of her.  That was totally unheard of at the time and Mary taught me that, yes, I do have a choice. 

 Throughout my journey, I have met some very powerful, dynamic and impressive women who have served as amazing role models for me.  Thanks to them, I have learned to push myself beyond the limits of my self-confidence and nurture a strength inside myself that I didn’t even know existed.

 That is why I decided to become a professional speaker.  I’d like to give back and pay it forward to the women who are hesitant to step out of their own comfort zone.  My goal is to help others believe in their own self-worth and build a self-confidence to lead the life they want and not what others expect of them.

 One of the lessons I share in my presentations is in the power of one word. One three letter word that can help you sit up and take notice; one word that can help propel you forward on those days you want to give up because you feel like you’re not smart enough or strong enough or good enough.

 Ready for the one word?  Here it is: YET.  That’s it. 

 The trick is to put this word at the end of the sentence every time you tell yourself you can’t do something.  It goes something like this:

 That client hasn’t signed the contract – yet.

I can’t afford my dream vacation – yet.

I have no idea what I’m doing on this project – yet.

 It makes all the difference in the world.  That one three letter word opens all sorts of opportunities to you.  It helps you flip the switch and begin thinking about what is possible.

 That is why I joined in with seven other ladies to found EDGE Women Speakers.  I have surrounded myself with Experienced, Dynamic, Global and Entertaining women who chose their path in life and share their success with all who will listen. 

 So, if you are planning an event and feel overwhelmed, you may be thinking:

 I haven’t found a dynamic speaker who will wow my audience – yet.

I haven’t found an expert voice who will educate my audience – yet.

I haven’t discovered an inspiring speaker who will motivate my audience into ACTION – yet.

 If you want to solve  your “YETs” and make your event come alive, check out EDGE Women Speakers.

The One Attendee Whose Needs You Might Be Missing

By EDGE Women Speaker Debbie Vyskocil

Event and meeting planners often are so busy they don't have time to enjoy the event process they have worked so hard to create.

Do you remember why you initially entered this business?

At 10 pm Ann does her final check-in with her clients who are in the hotel bar laughing and drinking. Their event is officially finished for the day and the clients appear very happy. Another successful day! They ask her to join them and have fun, but she has to confirm details for tomorrow where it all begins again at 7 am. There are emails to be checked and the final polish needs to be done on a proposal for an upcoming conference for another client. 

It is 12:30 am when she finally falls asleep; only to be awoken at 5 am by her alarm. Without this early morning run to the gym, Ann knows she would never survive these jam-packed days. With 3,000 people at her event, there is a good chance at least one will be in the gym, but ear-buds in hand she is off. “Great, an elliptical facing out the window and the sun rising over Denver!” She quiets all thoughts of work and practices her mindfulness meditation on the machine for the next 60 minutes. 

It takes discipline and great effort to take care of yourself during these conferences; Ann knows this too well. Is it worth it? Ann wouldn't hesitate to say yes! The moment she hits the conference floor at 7 am it is nonstop smiling, firefighting, and client hand holding.  

Self what?

Do you practice self-compassion? Self-compassion is the ability to be kind to ourselves. Do you remember the last time you had a massage, sat outside on a gorgeous day or took a walk just because it felt good? Your job description includes taking care of clients, but when do you take care of yourself? 

Psychologists say you can't love anyone else until you love yourself. Flight attendants tell us we need to put our oxygen mask on before helping others. Why is it such a challenge to be compassionate to ourselves in the same way we are to those we care about?

As a business owner, speaker, board member, EDGE founder, and self-admitted perfectionist, I am empathetic to my planner clients. It would be easy to be sucked into nonstop "doing", worn down from constant tasks, and eventually exhausted and used up. We are all most valuable to our families, our clients and ourselves if we can keep our emotional and physical sails tended. So I ask again when was the last time you were kind to yourself?

Really? Add one more item?

Old habits are hard to change and the life of a meeting or event planner is based on a calendar and commitments. Start with a commitment to yourself and an appointment on the calendar with someone else. We are much more likely to keep an appointment with others than with ourselves. Today schedule a hair blowout appointment, coffee with a friend or a walk with your spouse.

Each year I attend a conference with a friend from Dallas and one from Denver. We make a point of walking with coffee in hand, before sunrise to laugh and explore the city. It is our only time out of the conference center for the day and our only quiet time to rejuvenate. The difference in my day following that morning walk is indescribable and since I make the commitment to them, I never miss it. 

Simply put, treat yourself with the same compassion that you do a close friend. You would not expect your closest friends to be perfect or work without a break to rejuvenate. And they would never expect it from you.

Instead of being on your laptop the next time all attendees are in sessions, take 15 minutes for yourself. Congratulate yourself for a successful event and be mindful of the happiness of your current attendees. I am confident you will be reminded of your success in the eyes of your clients and attendees which will remind you why you are in this business.

Want To See an Expert Show Her Worth? Watch Something go Wrong

By EDGE Women Speaker Azella C. Collins, MSN, RN

There was a loud “THUNK!” followed by a long, crackling “Sissssss…”

Thirty people were lined up across four aisles of the auditorium, standing behind microphones ready to ask questions when the sound system went out.

“THUNK, THUNK …….sisss, sisss…”

The speaker could see mouths moving and could dimly hear murmuring from the crowd. The sisssss was the sound system short-circuiting. The speaker moved to the edge of the stage and shouted, “Download ‘WO MIC’ to your laptop,” repeating again, “download WO MIC to your laptop!” There was no contingency for not having a sound system for a packed 250-seat auditorium.

Luckily there were two female students from Oslo, Norway who rushed to the stage and asked if they could help. They clearly understood what the speaker was asking the audience to do. Within 3-4 minutes they were able to connect WO MIC to their laptops.  While they worked with the audience to connect to their laptops and download the app to their smart phones, the speaker developed two additional slides: one stating which app to download and the second explaining Murphy’s Law in detail. A speaker’s got to have fun, right? After her two new “assistants” had downloaded the app, they each stood at one of the four defunct microphones to enable the participants to ask questions using the makeshift sound system. 

The speaker heard and answered every question -- almost 32 in total.

The entire episode, which could have been a disaster, was quickly resolved with participants leaving not only satisfied but also better informed. The Chapter president Binavarti Ranasinge  thanked the quick-on-her feet speaker over and over again, as well as the two young ladies.

Why do I know all of this? That speaker was I.

Despite all of our technology advances, it never ceases to amaze me (or other speakers I know) the amount of times something goes wrong around a speech. Sound system going out? You haven’t heard the half of it. How about fire alarm going off? Electrical black out? A computer that freezes up mid presentation? A clicker that never seems to move a slide forward (if I had a dollar for every time this has happened…). And it’s not just technical difficulties that can upend a presentation. We’ve all shared war stories as speakers about situations that did not lend themselves to a productive speech.

Know this: mishaps WILL happen.

Your best insurance for success is an expert speaker who can handle them.

In my case, this event wasn’t even planned.. I was invited to speak in Shanghai and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thanks to positive audience response, I was asked to give a third speech in Negombo, Sri Lanka the following Saturday. It would be a different audience -  millennials. I knew that I had to reshape my message for it to resonate. I also recognized that additional information was required to ensure that the topic focused on objectives the president of Negombo Speaks felt would most benefit the group. A speech was fully developed with limited jargon, appropriate humor, and no metaphors.

When the Saturday arrived I followed my routine preparation: practiced on stage, checked the sound system, worked the power point and worked with stage lighting crew to ensure that my best side was prominently featured (yes, we do pay attention to that!). Despite all of this preparation, we still had a mishap on the day: a sound system gone kaput. Fortunately, as an expert speaker who is up on her tech, I knew just what to do.

That problem could have deprived my audience of really valuable questions and could have let down the president. Instead, our audience learned invaluable information and I gained two new assistants (at least for a couple of hours!).

So the next time you are planning an event and hiring speakers, maybe here’s a question to add to your list to make sure your speaker is prepared:

• Describe the last time disaster struck during one of your presentations

• How did you handle it?

Because you need to expect the unexpected and an expert speaker is your best insurance.

Wavering or Ready to Take Action

Fearless

By Edge Women Speaker Lynn O’Dowd

Think about it. Where are you right now in your life? Where do you want to go? Many of us desire greater success and more happiness in our lives. But if you desire to achieve something different than where you are right now, to go from being “super stuck” to a Superstar, then thinking is not enough. You must step out of your comfort zone and take action.

Change Requires Action – Time to Act!

It’s easy just to exist and go through the motions. But many of us know that we are capable of more, that we can play on a bigger stage. I have both witnessed in others and experienced myself, that a moment of transformation, a turning point, always precedes change.  Something internal tells you that NOW is the moment to act on what you truly desire.

Perhaps you know what to do next, but your excuses prevent you from acting.  Or maybe you feel that you need change, but don’t know what changes to make? Though it can be difficult, the only way to change this scenario is to act. That is the goal of EDGE Speakers – to offer you, the meeting professional, a new and easier way to provide new, fresh perspectives to your attendees and audiences.

We all procrastinate at one time or another, doing low-priority activities instead of the high-priority ones that will enhance our personal and professional success. Postponing doesn’t make it go away; it often just makes things worse. Schedule a specific time on your calendar and get started! Divide large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and tackle the first step. Often you simply need to take that first step to gain momentum. Hot tip – do the hardest thing first in your day, everything else will be a breeze!

One Foot in Front of the Other

I know you are ready, and it’s time! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  I decided to start with something I enjoyed but had not done in 35 years – singing. I started by singing in the car, shower, and while I was exercising. I couldn’t see the path ahead of me, but I could see one or two steps ahead. I put my faith in those first steps because that is all I could do at the time. Anything more felt overwhelming. The key is to be 100% committed to taking that first step and then the next and the steps after that.

Be Flexible and Try

Once you’ve made the decision, put yourself on a path. That path may not be exactly right, but when you are committed to self-improvement, the next step will reveal itself. I liken it to learning a new song on my guitar. I don’t learn the entire song in one sitting; I learn it in stages. And even when I’ve learned it, there comes more practice, vocal tweaking, musical adjustments to make it my personal song, so that I can sing and play it the best way for me.

And if I get started and realize the song is just not for me, that’s okay! Flexibility is another key to change and staying in action.

Recently I spoke to a meeting professional who shared that her learning challenge was launching a new event for her company. She had postponed acting on this idea for years because she was afraid it wouldn’t succeed. Finally, she decided to try at least once. To her surprise, the event received raved reviews and she is now working on her second event. She is doing many things differently based on what she learned, BUT she felt that her first event was one of her most memorable professional and personal accomplishments. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and take a risk gave her attendees an unforgettable, life-changing experience. What she didn’t expect is that she gave herself that gift, too.

It’s often said that our biggest regrets in life are about what we didn’t try or do rather than what we did do that didn’t work out. It’s a decision to live a life that is more than just going through the motions – it’s a decision to step out of your comfort zone and Unleash Your Inner Superstar!

"Leave No One Behind"

The Woman Who Would "Leave No One Behind"

How One Great Speaker Inspired Not Just Audiences, But Colleagues

A few months back I was asked, “How are speakers inspired to do what they do? It looks like a lot of work!”

The question gave me pause, because frankly it is a lot of work. I have found that the best speakers are first inspired by their message. They have a deep expertise, unique experiences or significant insights that are worth sharing. A passion and perspective that they know will truly help others and ideally change someone’s life in some way for the better. Yet most of all -- speakers are inspired to be great by other great speakers.

Retired Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, a founding member of EDGE Women Speakers, was one of those great speakers. Earlier this year she passed away unexpectedly. Her impact as a military leader and as a speaker was enormous. Our EDGE speaker tribute is shared with tremendous gratitude for all that she contributed to the EDGE organization and to each of us as individuals.

How do great speakers inspire? How did Jill? Let us count the ways….

They tap their life’s experience to lead by example and they share that knowledge, over and over and over again:

“The greatest quote that Jill etched in my heart is: ‘Leave no man behind.’  Although it is a military slogan, Jill taught me to carry it through life. Whether it's an audience member who needs clarification or a friend who needs help, pull them up and take them along with you.”
- Nancy Depcik

“Jill taught me never to leave a question in the audiences' mind. Audience members will be distracted from your talk while they ponder the answer. Don't say that "something" happened to cause a chain of events or I will be wondering what that something was. Tell me what it was and move on so that I can give you my full attention.” - Carrie Lannon

“Jill made you feel like you could achieve anything, so long as you put in the hard work. Her military background informed everything she did. She reinforced: don’t just tell an audience what to do -- show them how. Whether it’s a process or approach -- show them the way.” - Jennifer Fondrevay

They push beyond their comfort zone to get continuously better at their craft:

“Col. Jill constantly explored new ways to deliver her message. At her encouragement, we went to The Moth, Improv Workshops and Stand Up Comedy Night where we participated in processes pushing us out of our comfort zones and benefiting our audiences. In these, and so many other ways, she was always a leader.” - Amy Segami

“Jill personified non-stop learning. She was always investing in new skills, new networks, new opportunities, and new experiences. Jill had an extraordinary gift for making you feel as if you could achieve whatever you set your mind to. It’s something I’ll never stop trying to emulate”.
- Allie Pleiter

They engage and enrapture audiences, enfolding them into their story:

“Col Jill was a master at audience engagement and participation when on stage and audiences loved that. She taught me to use an acronym to not only solicit participation from the audience but also to help them remember the key points of the presentation.” - Lynn O’Dowd

“Jill’s highly refined skill of storytelling was one of her gifts. I learned from her the power of well-crafted stories, how taking an audience through vivid journeys would bring them organically to your conclusion and they would always remember the point you were making”. - Debbie Vyskocil

In each and every way, Retired Colonel Jill Morgenthaler personified what a great speaker should be -- someone who inspired audiences around the world by her words and generously shared her expertise to make other speakers equally great.

Know Your Audience or They Won’t Know You

Know Your Audience or They Won’t Know You

By EDGE Women Speaker Colonel Jill Morgenthaler

As a former Army US military intelligence officer, I prided myself on the ability to research groups so that I could develop relationships and provide what was needed. As I analyzed both friendly and foe, I learned to take the time to understand who they were, what their situation was, what their needs were and what problems they faced. I found this skill valuable as a professional speaker. Anyone who needs to connect and persuade a group can benefit from knowing their audience better.

However, you don’t have to have a background in espionage to understand your audience and to give them what they want. I recently spoke to two very different groups. One was an organization of brilliant people of diverse backgrounds and experience, and the other was comprised of Texans in the financial field. Both organizers who hired me wanted a leadership program. I was able to tailor two different presentations because I had taken the time to learn about the audience. The brainy group was 80% introverts, ranging in age from the early 20s to 70 years old, who came together from across the nation to improve leadership skills and play board games. The Texas organization consisted of 95% women, mostly Millennials and Generation Y, who were facing a very male-dominated field.

For the intellectually brilliant introverts, I created a segment on how to go from good to great as an introverted leader. For the women financial experts, I focused on things that men do to get ahead that they can do too without changing who they are. Both programs were a success.

Knowing your audience boils down to showing respect for them. No cookie-cutter solutions, no tired pitches, just a real interest in who they are and what they need. It is about them, not about you.

If you don’t take the time to get to know your audience, you waste time, yours and theirs, and lose sales, diminish your reputation, and spoil your brand.

One way to learn about your audience/customers is through a survey. I believe in surveying, but I found too many professional speakers have pages of questions for the meeting planner. The survey is too time-consuming and the individual facing the task may be careless in answering or not answering at all. The survey should be succinct and something you can quickly do over the phone or in a short online questionnaire or email.

Here are the components I recommend:

Personnel background: Demographics should include the approximate number of people, percentage of genders, race, age, experience level and positions in the organization. I recommend staying away from politics and religion unless those are your markets.

Business context: Is the organization growing? Is there stiff competition? Is the competition local, national, or international? Is there a need for rapid change in technology?

Current status: What is the theme for the event? Are there topics that are off-limits? Are there specific objectives the organization would like emphasized or covered deeply? Is there a shared concern with the audience? What is the greatest challenge the audience is facing? Has there been turnover? Layoffs? How is morale?

If the survey is done over the phone, remember to listen carefully. Don’t pitch anything until you understand the personnel, business, and current components.

Knowing your audience allows you to demonstrate your understanding and respect for them. And, in the end, respect is the most effective way to sell, connect and persuade.

Our founding member, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, wrote this blog shortly before she passed away unexpectedly. We post it here with tremendous gratitude for all that she contributed to the EDGE organization and to each of us as individuals.