Wendy Ellin is a Workplace Productivity Consultant, International Speaker, & Author of Enough Is Enough, Get Control of Your Stuff. Her insights into living an organized life are shared in her presentations with irreverence, humor, and a level of passion that motivates her audience to TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
Wendy talks about real-life challenges that we all experience such as email overload, being on time (or not), reasonable expectations for getting things done, and much more. It is from Wendy’s 20 plus years in the corporate arena that she drew from her own successes by working smart, not hard—that inspired her to develop the tools and techniques for increasing workplace productivity and ultimately a renewed sense of peace of mind.
“It’s one thing to love what you do, and another to LOVE THE WAY YOU DO IT!” Wendy Ellin
“The No Excuses Guide to Selling Yourself & Achieving your Goals.”
Dan Jourdan
About Dan Jourdan
Dan is a sales guy. He helps companies earn more profit and become more efficient with their workforce through his training and recruiting firm, Remedy Staffing. Dan is also a Gitomer-Certified Speaker where he speaks on topics including sales, customer loyalty, networking, and sales management. He has also worked as a Financial Consultant with Smith Barney; taught business management as a college instructor, and was a speaker for the Dale Carnegie Sales Advantage Course. Dan lives in Marietta, Georgia with his lovely wife, Sharon, and two children, Matthew and Sophie. Linkedin
The Atlanta chapter of the Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) is a multidiscipline, independent group of job seekers, those currently employed and business networkers, who are willing to help others. Current membership includes mid to senior-level executives with over ten (10) years of business experience. Past attendees have come from the financial management, information technology, legal, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, logistics, distribution, and general management industries. We actively seek new members from all disciplines.
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, averaging 20.
A skill-building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk about their background and expertise, and to present their Target Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and share business opportunities and job leads.
Join Us for the August Atlanta BENG Chapter Meeting featuring Jim Weber
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
Jim Weber, Managing Partner ITB Partners, founder of New Century Dynamics Executive Search and the author of “Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal” will be joining our BENG Atlanta Chapter in August. Jim will be presenting: “The Three Pillars For Success”
This discussion is meant to career-minded professionals who are gainfully employed, or between situations, and independent business owners looking to become more successful.
The Atlanta chapter of the Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) is a multidiscipline, independent group of job seekers, those currently employed and business networkers, who are willing to help others. Current membership includes mid to senior-level executives with over ten (10) years of business experience. Past attendees have come from the financial management, information technology, legal, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, logistics, distribution, and general management industries. We actively seek new members from all disciplines.
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, but the average is 20.
A skill-building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk about their background and expertise, and to present their Target Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and share business opportunities and job leads.
I swear, I must have been transported into an alternate Universe this week, where I was an actor in a sitcom. Something resembling “I love Lucy.” You know how sitcoms are written, there is always the main plot with a few sub-plots working. By the end of the show, all the plots converge on one common theme. Yes, I was living through a sitcom episode in my alternate Universe.
It began a week ago Friday evening when my wife’s car wouldn’t start. She was at a job site which required the car to be towed to the nearest Dealer. It sat there until Monday when the Service Department opened.
As she is a residential contractor, she rented a car to keep her projects on track. Unfortunately, she fell in love with the rental and decided it was time for a new car. It must have been the electronics package. Naturally, I protested! Her car is ten years old but hasn’t even cracked 100,000 miles. In fact, it is very reliable and has had few problems. From my perspective, the car isn’t even broken in. We have been married for 43 years, so I knew how this would unfold. My best logic would be deployed to no avail. I could only hope to minimize my losses by working at the margins. By the beginning of the week, we weren’t speaking much. Houston, we have a problem!
I realize that most purchases are made on emotion and later justified by tortured logic. Surprisingly, I have come to believe that is not limited to the consumer world. All too often I have seen that scenario play out in the business world. This is was our sub-plot.
Monday, I met with a senior consultant for the local office of a National outplacement firm. He invited me to explore an opportunity to collaborate. I told him how we help our members understand and adapt to the new employment paradigm. I explained my view that we are all ‘free agents’ in a dynamic environment. Professionals will move between W-2 and 1099 status as tenures become shorter and shorter. We have little control over the employment situation created by the digital transformation of the economy. He invited me back to speak to his clients.
Tuesday, I moderated the monthly meeting of the BENG Atlanta Chapter. Our featured speaker, Erica McCurdy, a Master Coach, and ITB Partner facilitated a discussion entitled “Not every problem has a solution.” The gist of her message was don’t confuse situations with problems. There is a difference. A situation is a state of being; a confluence of events beyond one’s control. Situations require one to adapt whereas problems require solutions. Was it merely a coincidence that I was hearing this message from Erica?
It’s useful to know the difference between problems and situations to focus your energy on things you can change. If you try to change things that cannot be changed, your state of mind will suffer. By resolving things that can be changed, you will reduce stress and improve your life, especially if you eliminate unproductive effort.
Successful people view problems as opportunities to grow, improve, and adapt. For them, problems are a part of life. Their positive attitude toward problem-solving improves their outcomes.Experience makes future events easier to traverse. We should accept problems as a normal, unavoidable condition of life.
I spent the rest of the week evaluating situations and problems. As I dissected what I assumed were problems, I realized that some were situations. In these cases, I found opportunities to employ my leadership skills.
This week unfolded within the context of my wife’s desire for a new car. I had a situation. She had a problem. When she sets her mind on a course of action, I become a spectator. During our marriage, I can’t remember winning a major battle, but I’ve had success at the margins. Guys, I think you know what I mean. While I became more obstinate, digging in my heals, she negotiated a better deal. I lost, of course. I knew I would. My life was imitating art. Today, she is very happy with her new car. I live on to fight another day.
Thank you for visiting our blog.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Professional coach, consultant, and mentor with years of experience leading teams in support of CEOs and top leadership. Passionate about my community, veterans, women’s leadership initiatives, and teens. Strong and capable administrator. Able to make strategic decisions with limited information. Understanding of confidentiality. Capable of handling challenging situations. Comfortable creating content as well as presenting to groups. Well read, educated, and traveled. Atlanta native. Versed in change management theories as well as differing cultural change initiatives. Linkedin
The Atlanta chapter of the Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) is a multidiscipline, independent group of job seekers, those currently employed and business networkers, who are willing to help others. Current membership includes mid to senior level executives with over ten (10) years of business experience. Past attendees have come from the financial management, information technology, legal, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, logistics, distribution, and general management industries. We actively seek new members from all disciplines.
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, but the average is 20.
A skill building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk about their background and expertise, and to present their Target Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and share business opportunities and job leads.
Enjoy a Spring Evening in Midtown making new network connections over Beer, Wine, and hors d’oeuvres.
When: March 26, 2019 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Building off the concept of Speed Dating, this event is designed to practice and improve your networking skills with a number of people, in short, intense meetings.
The fun begins at 4:30 p.m. with beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. A $15 Cover Charge is required.
Our Host, Global Showrooms is located across the street from the Midtown Marta Station on 10th street, at: 10 10th Street NW, Suite 150, Atlanta, 30309
Join Us for the February Atlanta BENG Chapter Meeting featuring Iris Grimm who will present:
“Conversational Intelligence”
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:
Iris Grimm, Leadership Coach helps growth-oriented
leaders reach the next level of their leadership success by providing
private leadership coaching, team training & coaching, live
workshops, and presentations. The outcomes entail being at your best,
leading at your best, and living at your best. Linkedin
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, but average is 20.
A skill building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk
about their background and expertise, and to present their Target
Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to
sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and
share business opportunities and job leads.
To register or for more information:
R.S.V.P required. For more information about The BENG, go to www.thebeng.org.
Chris Butsch works with organizations who want happier cultures with higher engagement and lower turnover. He is the author of The Millennial’s Guide to Making Happiness and is considered a global expert on applying positive psychology to the workplace and classroom.
A $10 Registration fee includes a sumptuous breakfast buffet. Register Now!
BENG Mission
BENG provides mid- to senior-level professionals with a platform to enhance their networking activities and skills.
Members in-transition benefit from tools to accelerate their job search (including opportunities for networking), targeted employment information and emotional support.
Employed and self-employed members benefit from a platform to network and cultivate relationships with community leaders and professionals interested in expanding a business.
We rely upon the generosity and cooperation of our members – whether in-transition, employed or self-employed – to accomplish the mission of “Members Helping Members.”
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, but the average is 20.
A skill building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk about their background and expertise, and to present their Target Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and share business opportunities and job leads.
Lately, it seems I spend much of my time reflecting on my career. No, I am not going through a midlife crisis, I’ve passed that stage. I believe it’s due to the coaching and mentoring time I spend with my consultants. It must be a natural result of my leadership responsibilities. As I work with my consultants, listening to their issues, my mind unlocks memories of similar situations I experienced. I’m certain this is not uncommon as it is just the way our minds work. Happily, I am pleased to be able still, to tap into that reservoir of knowledge. The added benefit is that it helps me empathize with these folks. I have learned a great amount of useful information during my career, and I am happy to share that learning with my consultants.
The good news is that I’m still learning. I am becoming more productive by developing new skill sets and sharpening existing skills. Especially my listening skills. It’s not just understanding what is being said, but more importantly, its about picking up cues to understand what’s not said. I have learned that the seminal issue is often blurred, obscured by biases and faulty self-talk. Empathy is an added benefit of improving my listening skills which help to better understand the needs of my team.
I’ve learned that coaching is more effective if I can work around one’s logic filters. If the message can be internalized at an emotional level there’s greater likelihood that one will act on the message. Turning experience into stories is an effective way to create a lasting impression. Stories carry the weight of credibility if they come from one’s personal experience. My advice is supported by authenticity and the passion I display reliving a personal experience. I consider it “the concept of connecting with impact.” My natural predisposition is to use humor whenever possible, especially self-deprecating humor.
I have the pleasure of working with highly-skilled professionals who have established impressive careers. They have all the skills necessary to become successful consultants even if they don’t recognize the full potential of those skills. My mission is to train and motivate them to become effective freelancers by developing the skills they need now. My strategy is to turn my experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly, into stories to help them learn how to achieve their goals.
Many in our group are accomplished independent consultants with ten to twenty years of experience. They’re a tremendous resource and a big help to me. However, we’re attracting new members who left their corporate careers to become freelancers. They are highly-skilled, highly-competent professionals, that are unclear on the requirements to build their businesses. Naturally, I spend a lot of time coaching these folks on prospecting for gigs and closing deals. The objective is to position them as “Thought Leaders,” or “Subject Matter Experts.” The skills needed to become recognized as a Thought Leader include:
Networking from a Plan
Speaking Engagements: Selling by telling
Writing: Build a following of evangelists
Some of these skills come naturally to our new consultants. Others are adept in each of these areas. But some need a lot more help in one or more of these skill-sets. I remember when I made my exit from the corporate world. My public speaking skills were above average, however, my networking and writing skills weren’t ready for prime time. That is not to say they were poor, but they weren’t polished enough to be an asset.
Now, my role is to start new members on the right path. It isn’t easy for some, so I encourage them to take small steps. Presenting at our monthly Members Meeting is an important step supported by a friendly room. Likewise, we have a supportive team to help one gain the skills to write interesting blog posts. These small steps help one to gain experience and confidence. Small steps lead to longer strides and then to leaps and bounds. Appealing to one’s emotional hot-button is the trigger I use to help them make that first small step.
Thank you for visiting our blog.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is important to me so; please leave a comment.
Join Us for the November Atlanta BENG Chapter Meeting at our NEW BENG MEETING LOCATION featuring Richard Kirby who will present:
“Networking to Supercharge Your Career”
There are lots of people with lots of theories. In this information-packed work session, our speaker will share specific strategies he has used successfully during his career and which his clients have used successfully in their careers.
Everyone knows that networking is the best way to find your next job when you are out of work. It is also the best way to find a job when you are currently employed, whether the job you want is within your current employer or outside.
So, why don’t more people spend the time to network? And why do many career seekers feel that networking just doesn’t work for them?
Come with an open mind and prepare to have it filled with specific strategies you can start leveraging immediately to gain significantly better employment opportunities. Plus, you can use these new tools to continually improve your income for the balance of your career!
Richard Kirby has been a confidential career advisor/consultant to hundreds of six-figure executives and professionals for the past 16 years. He has assisted those wanting to climb the ladder in their current employers as well as unemployed and underemployed job seekers.
Richard is an expert in all phases of career planning, self-promotion, and job search. He has a BS in electrical engineering and a certificate in engineering management. He is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) and a Board Certified Coach, both of which are in the career specialty. Linkedin
Monthly meetings are structured to help each member get the maximum benefit.
BENG Networking Meetings:
Are approximately two hours in length.
Are typically held monthly.
Range from 10 to 30 attendees, but the average is 20.
A skill building presentation.
Allows each attendee 30 seconds to introduce themselves, talk about their background and expertise, and to present their Target Companies and networking needs.
Please bring business cards and your marketing plan if you have one.
Networking meetings provide members with an opportunity to sharpen their networking skills, meet peers from various disciplines and share business opportunities and job leads.
To register or for more information:
R.S.V.P required. For more information about The BENG, go to www.thebeng.org.
