Tag Archives: workshops

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.

Now is the Moment to Seize your Opportunity

Author: Luke Johnson, Financial Times

Published: May 5, 2010

The hour is always darkest before dawn. I have a gut feeling that now might just be a great time to take the plunge. There is plenty of negative news about deficits and double-dip recession. But technology and global markets are creating real advantages for anyone tempted to give it a go. And a new concern will not be weighed down with the legacy issues like property and pension obligations that are holding back incumbent players. Among my reasons why now is the time:

* The internet has made it easier to experiment than in the past. Building an online presence costs less than it ever did. I just redesigned my website for less than £2,000 in a few weeks. With that you can reach the whole world. Yes, the web is crowded, but there are billions of consumers connected to it who might see your ads or buy your products. And if your idea fails, too bad – shut the project down and try another; it is cheaper and quicker to discover what works than at any time in history.

* The corporate life seems less appealing . Jobs for life have gone; occupational pensions have gone; and who wants to slog away in a suffocating hierarchy their whole career? The freedom and satisfaction of self-employment are hard to beat. Of course there are risks – but then you might get sacked anyway if you work for someone else. Starting a company gives you the chance to achieve independence and self-determination – and if it succeeds, you really will get the rewards of your efforts.

* The world needs entrepreneurs more than ever. New jobs and wealth creation spring principally from new companies. I predict governments will do more to encourage entrepreneurs in years to come – from lower taxes to a reduced regime of bureaucracy. Every policymaker I speak to understands that only private enterprise can tackle unemployment and generate the tax we need to deal with our problems.

* There is more advice and support than ever before. Books, online, agencies, magazines – you name it, there are hundreds of places to go to find ideas, recruit staff, secure premises, source IT, deal with legal and accounting issues and so forth. There are more clubs and networks – more ways to access funding, find partners and reach customers. There are many more role models and mentors around than when I started out in the 1980s.

* It is easier to freelance and subcontract than before. Virtual businesses are common. Almost everything can be outsourced – manufacture, R&D, fulfilment, logistics, administration, IT – you name it. And providing these services offers endless niche markets.

* There is talent galore looking to join in a new venture. Now is a wonderful time to recruit able staff. Big business and the state are shedding personnel – people will be more willing to throw in their lot with an emerging company than during the good times.

* Premises and plants are plentiful. Rents are lower, machines are in surplus – there is more choice than there has been for years in terms of premises and equipment.

* Redundancy should be a beginning, not an end. Thousands do seize the day when they lose their job – and while not all find it a pushover, for many it allows them to pursue their dream and follow their passion.

* Part-time is a way to get going. When I worked for others, I moonlighted for several years, participating in various schemes at weekends, evenings and during holidays. It gave me experience, confidence and helped generate capital – so I was better prepared when I left employment for good after a few years.

I recently became chairman of the Advisory Board of Fast Track, which ranks Britain’s fastest growing companies. There I am endlessly impressed by the vision and energy displayed by the founders of so many of the companies surveyed. They know it is worth it.

No one believes starting something from scratch is a breeze. But as Samuel Johnson said: “He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking has his fatigues first supported by hope and afterward rewarded by joy.”

———————————————————————————————————–

Source:

Johnson, Luke. “Now is the Moment to Seize Your Opportunity.” Financial Times. N.p., 5 May 2010. Web. 5 May 2010. <www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f720290-57dd-11df-855b-00144feab49a.html>.

Living Card of Appreciation for Jeanie Cockell

Jeanie Cockell picture

Don’t believe what you read in the newspaper and see on television. People all over the world are achieving their dreams to improve their communities whether that is a school, hospital, or corporation, for profit and non-profit. It is amazing how many terrific, caring and inspirational people we meet and the stories that we hear from them. Stories of grace, of style, of engagement – awe inspiring stories. Unique stories about people and the people that they work with.

We have an amazing Expert on Call – Jeanie Cockell. Many of you may know of Jeanie as an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and trainer from seeing her name on our website or from stories of success written by those who have worked with Jeanie. Jeanie has that special magical personality that lights up the room and invites you in to converse and to become friends. People gravitate toward Jeanie like a hummingbird to a flower.

We are so fortunate that Jeanie is with us. A few weeks ago Jeanie was involved in a horrific automobile accident and had a punctured lung, fractured pelvis and a leg broken in several places (I am not a medical person and do not mind if anyone corrects me!) It is awesome that Jeanie had no head injuries and remains positive about her recovery and is already looking ahead to returning to the work she loves. Working with people and introducing Appreciative Inquiry whenever possible.

Jeanie has physical rehabilitation to relearn how to walk and how long that will be we are not sure of. We just thought it might be nice to start a Jeanie Cockell Living Card to express our appreciation and wishes for her return to full health.

To send Jeanie your wishes, please follow this link to Facebook (click on the discussion tab) or Linkedin – if you are not a member, you will need to join. Jeanie will be able to visit her Living Card of Appreciation when she is able and as often as she wants. You may leave messages as often as you like – check often to see what others have to say.

How to Lead Under Fire

Author: Steve Tobak, cnet.com

stressed-while-at-workIf you’re not periodically under fire by your management and peers then your career’s probably not going anywhere. It’s sort of like “no pain no gain.” If you push the envelope and take risks, then you’re going to get mercilessly grilled from time to time. That’s just the way it works. And if you seriously want to get promoted and make something of yourself, you have to learn to handle it. No, I’m not talking about growing thick skin and becoming a human punching bag. I’m talking about learning to handle getting fired upon like a true leader. Everyone will walk out of the room thinking you’re the next Lou Gerstner or Jack Welch. Okay, maybe not, but they’ll definitely think more of you and will more readily accept your ideas, proposals, and most importantly, promotions.

How’d I learn this stuff? By spending much of my career selling innovative strategies to risk averse CEOs, CFOs, and management teams. Sure, I probably came across as whiny and defensive in the early days, but in time I learned the ropes. Here they are:

How to Lead Under Fire

1. Don’t get emotionally attached to your ideas. It’s good to be passionate about your ideas, but if you’re emotionally attached to them, it’ll come through when you’re getting grilled. And managers are incredibly distrustful of ideologues trying to shove things down their throats. It’s all about positioning. In your mind, you have to be willing to walk away. That little separation will give you the appearance of perspective and poise under fire.
2. Learn to embrace alternative views. The best way to respond to most objections is by first embracing them, then explaining why your plan is better or at least equivalent. Again, it’s a positioning game. But there’s a subtle but significant difference between, “My approach is better and here’s why,” and “That’s an interesting idea; here’s why I think this might be a better approach.”
3. Master the art of zinger retorts. When you’re getting grilled there will inevitably be some real zingers. Well, there’s only one way to beat a zinger and that’s with a zinger retort. How do you get good at zinger retorts? By getting good at thinking on your feet, which is really equal parts knowledge, experience, preparation, and of course, self confidence. Also, it’s essential to maintain a sense of humor under fire.
4. Know your stakeholders. Of course you need to know your material cold and expect the worst. Unfortunately, that’s not even close to good enough. You also have to know the stakeholders, aka your audience, and have a pretty good idea of their likely objections. A few one-on-one premeetings are a good idea. Then you’ll be ready to counter effortlessly.
5. Never, ever lose control of the meeting. It’s your meeting, or at least your time to present, so you’re in charge and you need to act like it. I don’t care if the CEO and CFO start going down a rat hole on some mindlessly trivial point. You have to be adept at all the usual techniques for keeping meetings on track, on topic, and on time. Come to think of it, that’s probably a topic of its own.

Source:
Tobak, Steve. “The Corner Office mobile edition.” BNET Blogs mobile edition. CBS Interactive, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .

AIFT – Baltimore, MD

Baltimore SkylineTitle: Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training©

Location: Baltimore, MD

Link out: Click here

Download Brochure: AIFT Baltimore 2010

Description: Registration is now open for this powerful four day training. At the end of AIFT© intensive four day training, participants will have the skills and foundation to facilitate Appreciative Inquiry sessions. Learn to guide organizations, groups and communities consciously and deliberately shift their collective ways of being and seeing to an appreciative approach, that will help them focus on what’s right in their organization, group or community, rather than on what’s wrong, so that they can deeply inquire into what’s right and why, and then find ways of intentionally creating more of what’s right in their organization, group or community.

This program has been developed and is presented by the Center for Appreciative Inquiry to provide a cost effective way for communities, people and organizations to dialogue and action for creating positive change.

If you would like more information about this workshop or would like to register, click here.

Start Date: 2010-04-12
End Date: 2010-04-15

DCI – Las Vegas

Las Vegas StripTitle: Department Chair Institute (DCI)

Location: Las Vegas

Website: Click here

Description: Get the skills and insider information today’s Department Chairs need to better manage the services they provide and are accountable for. You’ll quickly see the benefits offered by a positive and supportive learning environment that affords you the opportunity to network with experts and peers.

The three-day Department Chair Institute® (DCI) includes a morning and afternoon session each day; a morning and afternoon break; and one hour for lunch. Workshop format includes case studies, opportunities for practice (real and role plays) mini-lectures, assessment instruments, individual reflection and individual action planning. You also will have Post-Institute access by email, for continued dialogue with other first-line academic leaders.

If you would like more information about this workshop or would like to register, click here.

Start Date: 2010-01-11
End Date: 2010-01-13