Tag Archives: facilitation

Webinar FAQs

Webinar FAQs

What happens after I register?

You will begin to receive confirmation and important information. Prior to the webinar you will receive a welcome letter providing you with your login and password information.

What is the Company of Experts’ refund policy?

All programs – face 2 face, online, webinar, and hybrid (referred to as training in this refund policy) All fees are due upon registration.  Your full participation is very important to us and we know that from time to time, your plans to attend one of our workshops or programs may change.  Our refund policy reflects our interest in your continued growth and learning journey as well as our planning needs and expenses incurred based on your enrollment. For more information about our Refund Policy, please click here.

Does the Company of Experts sell or share my information?

Company of Experts does not sell nor share information gathered at its Web Site to any third party outside of the provider network to which it belongs. By using this Site, or by joining our e-mail distribution list, you are not identifying nor disclosing your affiliation with us, our partners, or anyone. For more information about our Privacy Policy, click here.

Are there terms and conditions I should be aware of?

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE. All users of this site agree that access to and use of this site are subject to the following terms and conditions and other applicable law. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, please do not use this site. To read the complete list of Company of Experts’ terms and conditions, please click here.

What is your policy for withdrawing from an event?

If you pay for a event and it is canceled prior to the start of the webinar or training, you will automatically be registered in the next webinar or training with the same title; or you may apply your funds towards another workshop or webinar that we offer. However, if you request a refund, we will deduct a fee to cover the registration and credit card handling fees. If you paid your registration and are unable to attend the specific workshop, we will make every attempt to accommodate you in another workshop based on space availability.

Do I need to purchase anything priot to the webinar?

Everything you need for the webinar will typically be included in the listed event price. If other materials are important to the learning outcomes for this webinar, you will have that information prior to registration. You don’t need to purchase any special software to participate in the webinar. Once you have  completed registration, you will receive your login and password information.

What if I have a concern or question about the webinar?

Our attention to your needs has kept us in this business for twenty years. We want to hear from you, call (702) 228-4699 or email Kathy@companyofexperts.net.  At the time of registration, you will be provided information with contact information for content, schedule, technical or other questions related to the specific webinar that you are enrolled in.

What are the system requirements?

• A separate telephone line for the audio or a sound card and speakers.
• JavaScript and cookies need to be enabled.
• A 56Kbps Internet connection or better.
• Windows Users – Internet Explorer 6/7, Firefox 2, Mozilla 1.7+, Netscape 8.1 or higher.
• Mac Users – Firefox 2, Safari 3.0 (Mac OS 10.4,10.5), Safari 2.0 (Mac OS 10.4) Safari 1.3 (Mac OS 10.3).
• Linux Users – Firefox 2, Mozilla 1.7 or higher.

NOTE: The WebEx plug-in will not install if your browser has high security settings or you do not have administrative rights on your PC

Can I test my system prior to the webinar?

Yes you have the option to test your system to see if it is ready to attend a webinar. To test your system, please try joining a test meeting at: http://www.webex.com/lp/jointest/

Do I need a login to attend a webinar?

Yes you need a login to participate in the webinar. In order to receive a login for the webinar, you must register and pay for the event in full. After the event is paid in full, you will be emailed the login and password information to the webinar. On the day of the event, follow these steps:
• Click on the event link from your reminder email.
• Enter your name, email address, and password.
• Click the Join button.
• Follow the instructions in the dialog box to join teleconference / audio.

When should I log in to attend the webinar?

All events start on time. Please join at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, so you don’t miss any of the presentation.

Why is the “Join Now” button not activated?

The Join Now button will be active once the host starts the event. (Approximately 10 min before start time).

I registered for the event but I am unable to join?

You should disable all pop-up blockers – even those included with any Internet browser toolbars you have installed on your computer. Once you’ve disabled your pop-up blockers, try joining the event again. Before you get into the event, you will see a page on your screen with “One Moment Please…”. Do not close that page or refresh your browser when that screen is present.

The presentation being shown does not fit in my screen?

Please set your screen resolution to 1024 x 768 pixels.

Keeping your Pets Safe on Halloween

Hallie, Company of Experts' #1 fan, showing off her Halloween costume

Attention all pet owners! Halloween is just around the corner which means strange people wearing costumes, loud noises, lit candles, candy and candy wrappers, in addition to other temptations. While Halloween may be a fun time you and your loved ones, the change in routine, decorations, and smells can often stress out our little furry friends. As avid animal lovers, the Company of Experts’ staff would like to share some tips that can help avoid injury, reduce stress experienced by your pet, and ultimately keep your pets safe.

  1. Noises: Halloween is full of loud noises. Your doorbell is constantly ringing with trick-or-treaters, who are laughing and screaming with excitement, that can frighten your pet. It is suggested that all family pets are kept inside a quiet room within the house, during trick-or-treating hours, where they are insulated from the Halloween commotion. Equip this room with food, water, toys, and a litter box, if applicable. Check in on your pets throughout the night and let them know that everything is fine and reward them for their good behavior.
  2. Walk early: If you have a daily routine of walking your pet, make sure to walk your pet before it gets too dark, and before the trick-or-treaters are out in full force. Some kids may already by trick-or-treating, make sure to keep a firm grip on your pet’s leash as many dogs are frightened by people in costumes.
  3. Strange people in costumes: People of all ages have fun dressing up in costumes, however to your dog or cat, they may not look like people at all. Consequently, your dog or cat may react with fear or aggression if approached by a child or adult in a costume (one more reason to leave your pet home and indoors on Halloween night). Even the friendliest dog can snap at strangers if scared or provoked. Protect everybody’s safety by leaving pets at home. However, if you do decide to take your dog out on Halloween, keep your dog on a shorter-then-normal leash with a firm grip.
  4. Pet Costumes: If you do decide to dress up your pet, make sure its costume is not constricting, annoying, or unsafe. Your pet’s costume should not impede your pet’s ability to move, see, hear, breath, bark or meow. Examine your pet’s costume carefully to make sure it does not have small, dangling, or easily chewed off pieces that your pet can choke on. Have your pet try on their costume before the  big night. If your pet seems distressed, irritated or demonstrates allergic behavior, remove the costume immediately. Do not force your pet to wear a costume if it demonstrates discomfort. Undue stress and discomfort can cause aggression in even the nicest pet.
  5. Trick-NO-Treats: No matter how much your pet begs for a piece of candy, the bowl full of candy is only for trick-or-treaters. Explain to everyone in your home (including children) how dangerous candy, especially chocolate, are to pets. For younger children, take their Halloween candy supply put it somewhere out of reach of pets. According to the ASPCA:
    1. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures.
    2. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
  6. Pick up the evidence: After enjoying some Halloween candy, it is important that you dispose of candy wrappers before your pets get to them. Make sure your pet can’t get into the trash. Swallowing tin foil or cellophane candy wrappers can be as harmful as the candy – potentially causing your pet to choke or experience intestinal blockage.
  7. Pumpkins: It is fun to adorn the house and yard with festive decorations such as pumpkins and corn. These popular holiday plants are considered to be relatively nontoxic to your pets; however, caution should still be exerted. Pumpkins and corn can produce gastrointestinal upset should your pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage can also occur if large pieces/portions are swallowed.
  8. Candles: While a jack-o-lantern is festive, it is important that you exercise extreme caution when choosing to add a candle. Animals are curious by nature and often investigate items that intrigue them. Lit candles left burning in pumpkins or decorative holders can be easily knocked over; burning your pet’s paw, wing, or tail on the flame. Animals should be watched around candles during Halloween and anytime of the year.
  9. Mischief Brews: It is suggested that you do not leave pets outside on Halloween night. Many animal welfare groups warn that pranksters will tease or abduct pets, some may even try to hurt your animals. Animal abuse happens everyday but kids are out playing tricks in full force on Halloween night, so be aware. Again, it is suggested to keep all animals indoors on Halloween night, if possible, to eliminate any chance of this.
  10. Update ID Tags: It is better to be safe than sorry. Whether you are letting your pet go out on Halloween or not, make sure they are wearing an up-to-date I.D. tag. If for any reason your pet escapes or becomes lost, a collar, tag and/or a microchip can increase the chances that your pet will be returned to you.

Business Roundtable Launches Broad-based Commission to Address Needs of American Workers

The Springboard Project will recommend how to best equip the current and future U.S. workforce for success in the post-recession economy

Washington, D.C. – Today Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. corporations, announced the launch of The Springboard Project – an independent commission that will develop innovative approaches to help American workers acquire the new skills and the education needed to thrive in the 21st century’s evolving labor market. The commission, which will bring together a diverse group of education and business leaders, labor experts, union chiefs, academics, foundation heads and government representatives, is holding its first meeting today in Washington, D.C.

“Given the transformations in the current economy and the long-term impact they will have, this is the moment for business and government to join forces with labor and the online community to make sure that our workforce has the training and resources to meet the demands of an ever-changing marketplace,” said William D. Green, chairman & CEO of Accenture and chairman of The Springboard Project. “I am looking forward to working with such an esteemed and talented set of experts to tackle the unique challenges the American worker faces today and will continue to face even after the recession passes.”

Today’s meeting will officially kick off The Springboard Project’s nine-month mandate to develop innovative and feasible recommendations to the Obama administration, Congress, the private sector, labor and individuals.

“American business leaders are optimistic about the future of our economy and the long-term prospects of American workers,” said Harold McGraw III, Chairman of Business Roundtable and Chairman, President and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies. “America’s talented workforce and strong history of innovation have helped us overcome economic hardship before, and we have assembled some of the nation’s best minds to help identify practical and productive ways to ensure today’s workers are equipped to help us succeed again.”

The Springboard Project will:

  • Assess current government services for those looking for work, education and training examine model programs commission research
  • Identify how to harness technology and other resources to help students and workers better adapt to labor market changes so they can secure and maintain employment throughout their working lives

The Springboard Project will issue its recommendations at the end of 2009.

More information about The Springboard Project can be found at www.businessroundtable.org/springboard.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

Business Roundtable. Business Roundtable Launches Broad-based Commission to Address Needs of American Workers. Business Roundtable Resource Center. Kirk Monroe, 13 Mar. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
<http://www.businessroundtable.org/news/business_roundtable_launches_broadbased_commission_address_needs_american_workers>.

Randal Joy Thompson

Randal ThompsonFor over thiry years, Randal Joy Thompson has expressed her passion for helping people around the world achieve their dreams through a career in international development.  She has advised senior government officials on key policy changes, assisted local non-governmental organizations establish themselves, organized interest group coalitions, and worked in small rural villages and large urban centers on a variety of development challenges in India, Cameroon, Morocco, Nicaragua, Mongolia, Romania, Ukraine, Kenya, Albania, Bulgaria, and Bolivia.

For the last two years, she has helped staff at the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation in Baghdad, Iraq enhance their management skills and understanding of the global economy.  She facilitated an Appreciative Inquiry with ministry staff during which the group drafted a preposterous proposition which expressed their dream for collaborative teamwork and a democratic, flat organizational structure.  The group made serious individual and group commitments to achieving their proposition.  Randal also taught course in cross-cultural communication and protocol for ten ministries in Iraq.  She is now serving as Chief of Party on another project in Baghdad, responsible for monitoring and evaluating the US government project portfolio and conducting sector studies to support their future strategy.

Randal has been a keynote speaker at several conferences, including the first and second International Women’s Conferences held in Romania in 1998 and 1999.  She delights in inspiring her audiences to see their potential to achieve their dreams and work together on common opportunities to change their personal and social worlds.  She combines humor with serious calls to action. She is particularly interested in helping organizations change creatively through the application of appreciative approaches.   She is President and CEO of an organizational development consulting company in Reno, Nevada, “Getting to Excellence.”

Randal works with government, private sector, and non-profit organizations as well a common interest groups.  She especially enjoys working with women’s groups and organizations.   She also delivers training in international development and how to effectively work in a globalized economy and cross-cultural communication.

Randal has her BA in Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley; her MA in Philosophy and MBA from the University of Chicago; and her MA in Biblical Exposition from Capital Bible Seminary.  She also has a Certificate in Organizational Development Consulting from Georgetown University and a Certificate in French Civilization from the Sorbonne.  She has been certified by Company of Experts as an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator.

Hire This Expert >

Specialties:

  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Change Management
  • Collaborative Decision-making
  • Facilitation
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Organizational Assessment and Development
  • Program/Project Development & Management
  • Program/Project Evaluation
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Building
  • Visioning and Futuring

Nicholas Holton

Contact Information:

Address:
610 W. Rose City Road
Rose City, MI USA 48654

Email:
nick.holton@kirkland.edu
holtonn2006@yahoo.com

Phone:
Work: (989) 275-5000 ext. 412
Home: (989) 685-3290

Skype: NicholasHolton

Website(s):
Beechwood Communications

Social Media Networks:
LinkedIn

Working Portfolio:
Download Resume

Nick Holton_Profile Pic 2013

Nicholas Holton has worked as a professional educator his whole career. First as a math instructor and now at a community college as an Associate Dean for General Education, Nicholas has been a leader in innovation by design. His workshops have visited four continents, and include strategic planning, appreciative inquiry, service learning, and engaged learning techniques. He is sought out as an invited speaker and his keynote and other presentations draw an international audience. Nicholas’ appreciative inquiry teams work with small nonprofits and whole community colleges. He conducted an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Workshop (AIFT) in Perth, Australia and his clients are located all over the world including: Scotland, Chile and India. His professional passions include anything that helps people improve the human condition. He is committed to this also in he personal life as he sits on several nonprofit boards and volunteers regularly at community events.

 

 

  • Appreciative Inquiry Consulting & Training
  • Board Training & Retreats
  • Faculty Development
  • Grant Writing
  • Keynote & Plenary Presentations
  • Large-Scale Summit Design
  • Leadership Development & Training
  • Non-Profit Services
  • Organizational Development
  • Service Learning
  • Small Business Consulting
  • Strategic Development
  • Student Leadership Training
  • Workshop Facilitation

Presentations:

  • Community College: Is it right for you?
  • Incorporating Service Learning Into a Traditional Curriculum
  • Indicators of Engaged Institutions
  • Myths Of Service Learning
  • Reaching Out, While Reaching In
  • Rural Service Learning: Special Obstacles and Great Opportunities
  • Service Learning On A Shoestring
  • Service Learning: What Works And What Doesn’t!”
  • Tech Prep and Service Learning: A Natural Combination
  • Top Ten Issues Related to Successful Service Learning Experiences”
  • Using Appreciative Inquiry To Transform Your Teaching

Appreciative Inquiry Summits:

  • Campus Compact Presidential Summit: Facilitator
  • College Wide Strategic Planning Summit
  • Great Start Collaborative Strategic Planning
  • HeadStart Strategic Planning
  • National Rural Service Learning Summit
  • National Summit, Event facilitator
  • Service Learning Advisory Board Strategic Planning
  • Strategic Planning, COP Collaborative

Workshops:

  • Appreciative Inquiry Strategic Planning Workshop
  • Appreciative Inquiry Team Building
  • Appreciative Inquiry Team Building Workshop
  • Developing Our Strengths: Appreciating Our Differences
  • Faculty Course Design Workshop
  • Faculty Workshop on Service Learning

Keynote:

  • Reframing The Social Contract in Higher Education

Webinars:

  • Issues in Rural Service Learning

International:

  • Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT), Co-trainer
  • Creating High Performance Teams Using Appreciative Inquiry
  • International Service Learning: Guatemala & Nicaragua
  • ACTS Academy (Bangalore, India)
  • American Association of Community Colleges
  • Central Michigan University
  • Community College National Center for Civic Engagement
  • Company of Experts
  • Georgia State Government
  • Great Start Collaborative
  • Houston Community College
  • Kirtland Community College
  • Lake Superior State University
  • Macomb Community College
  • Michigan Campus Compact
  • MSU Extension
  • North East Michigan Community Service Agency
  • Northern Essex Community College
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Oakland Community College
  • Ogemaw County Humane Society
  • Rondo Tree Service
  • Rose City Greenhouse
  • Rural Alliance for Service Learning
  • Rural Community College Alliance
  • Smart Schools Foundation
  • St. Clair Community College
  • University of Alaska
  • “I have known Nick since 2009, and was fortunate enough to take part in an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) that he tutored. The four days of the AIFT were both inspiring and exciting, and Nick made the training relevant to the wide variety of participants. I have also followed with interest Nick’s service learning program, and am impressed that all of his students think so highly of him.” ~ Anne Tierney, Senior University Teacher at University of Glasgow
  • “Mr. Holton, as I have addressed him for the last 27 years, was my high school math teacher who became what I consider my mentor. Five years ago, as I did some grant writing for his company, he thought it was time I called him by his first name. I just couldn’t due to the enormous amount of respect I have for this man. His motto has always been learn more, better yourself, and hopefully as a result make the world a better place. This is what he encourages, inspires, and aids others to do, whether they are students, business associates, or friends. I feel privileged to have been all three!“~ Michelle Jacobs, Independent Consultant, Electrical & Controls Engineers at Match Point Controls, LLC

Barbara Kerr

Barbara Kerr

Barbara A. Kerr has worked in higher education as a faculty member, an administrator, a consultant, and an executive coach. As part of her consulting services, she has assisted three Washington State college boards in hiring their college presidents, and has facilitated the hiring of many other college administrators and faculty. Currently, Barbara is the principal of a Seattle-based consulting firm that provides coaching and consulting services to government, non-profits, higher education, and business organizations.

Barbara has completed a post-graduate training course as a Master Certified Executive Coach and is a certified administrator of the EQ-i, an emotional intelligence inventory, as well as a number of other assessments to assist individuals, teams, and organizations in moving forward. She has developed a unique dual coaching process that provides individual coaching for executives while at the same improves and enhances the work of the executive team as a whole. She has developed expertise in working with individuals and teams to assist them in clarifying their values, creating a vision in alignment with those values, building a plan of action, and supporting the implementation and assessment of the plan. She has also developed an interactive board game to assist clients in better understanding the concepts of emotional intelligence, as well as how to enhance their own competencies. She is the author of several books, including “Read All Your Life” and co-author of “You Can Choose Your Own Life.”

Her clients have included many two and four-year colleges and universities, Center for Information Services, Commission on Colleges and Universities, United States Navy, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Washington Educational Leadership Association, Olympic Mental Health Associates, Washington Mutual Bank, the Charles Moriarty Foundation, and a number of individual executives and administrators. Barbara has a Ph.D and an M.A. in English from Temple University.

Specialties:

  • Accreditation and program assessment
  • Board Training and Development
  • Chief Executive Officer evaluation
  • Coach and Counseling
  • Communication
  • Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
  • Employee Development
  • Environmental Scanning
  • Executive Coaching
  • Facilitation
  • Interpersonal Relationships
  • Leadership Coaching
  • Leadership Development
  • Life Coaching
  • Meetings
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Building
  • Team Development
  • Values Clarification
  • Visioning and Futuring

Hire this Expert >