The MPI Chicago Area Chapter bestowed its annual awards at LEAP (Leadership, Education & Awards Program) on April 26th. Emily Miller was presented with the Tomorrow's Leader Award and recognized for her outstanding work on the Leadership Development committee. As Vice Chair of the committee for 2009 - 2010, Emily has worked closely with her committee members to plan and execute events that equipped and motivated chapter leaders and recruited new committee volunteers. Emily also led the charge in developing and managing new monthly volunteer webinars. Next year, Emily will step up to lead the Leadership Development committee, serving as the team's Co-Chair.
Congratulations, Emily!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Bethany Johnson is named Volunteer of the Month for MPI’s Chicago Chapter
The Chicago Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) recently named One Smooth Stone Associate Producer Bethany Johnson “Volunteer of the Month” in April for her work on the chapter’s Leadership, Education and Awards Program on April 26th. LEAP, modeled after the famous TED conference (www.ted.com), brought together chapter members for a day of education and awards at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Bethany served as one of the planning committee’s Vice Chairs, as well as producer for the ballroom that hosted the event’s breakfast, lunch and closing reception.
As volunteer of the month, Bethany will be featured in MPI-CAC’s monthly email newsletter, Skyline, and its quarterly print publication, News & Views. Congratulations, Bethany!
As volunteer of the month, Bethany will be featured in MPI-CAC’s monthly email newsletter, Skyline, and its quarterly print publication, News & Views. Congratulations, Bethany!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Results Rule Video Training
In 2006, One Smooth Stone was highlighted in the business strategy book Results Rule!: Build a Culture That Blows the Competition Away, written by author and trainer Randy Pennington. Results Rule! provides strategies and concepts to create a culture that sets your organization apart in a marketplace where products and services are increasingly seen as being interchangeable.
Randy has now released a valuable business training package that takes the content from his book and kicks it up a notch, reinforcing it with additional training material. One Smooth Stone is again featured in Randy's program, but this time in video format featuring Executive Vice President Gary Vlk.
Randy has now released a valuable business training package that takes the content from his book and kicks it up a notch, reinforcing it with additional training material. One Smooth Stone is again featured in Randy's program, but this time in video format featuring Executive Vice President Gary Vlk.
Results Rule!® Video Training Program
The heroes in every marketplace are defined by their results, and the leader's job is to create and sustain a culture that consistently shouts Results Rule! Send the Results Rule! message to your organization in a new, entertaining, and economical way. This video training program allows you to carry the insights from Randy's award-winning book throughout your organization.
The training package includes the following:
- DVD with 43 minutes of video that support the six choices successful organizations make to consistently deliver results. The DVD can be used in a variety of training formats and programs.
- Participant manual for duplication by you. The participant materials are designed to support a single half-day program or multiple sessions of up to seven hours in length.
- Leaders guide and PowerPoint slides for the program to allow you to teach everything yourself.
- Results Rule! poster for duplication.
- One copy of the Results Rule! book
For more information about the Results Rule! training program, please visit http://www.penningtongroup.com/video_training.htm.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Google Search
Computer users are familiar with the power of the Google internet search, but many people don't realize how to maximize their search effectiveness. Here are a few useful tools and tricks that I learned while attending “Even More Googlicious”, a knowledge session taught by Jim Spellos at MPI’s MeetDifferent conference in February.
1) Use the plus and minus signs. Place a “+” or a “-“ immediately before a word to ensure it is included or excluded in every search result. For example, type “restaurant portland Oregon +Thai +Chinese +sushi –burgers” to find asian restaurants in Portland and ensure no burger joints turn up in your search.
2) Never search just one word. The more specificity you include in the search box, the better results you will receive.
3) The first shall be first… Words are given importance in the order they appear. Put your most crucial search terms first and they will be given top priority.
4) Use "quotation marks". Putting a phrase in quotation marks will ensure the words are found in that specific order. For example, “red bicycle” will provide results with only red bicycles, rather than red items and a variety of bicycles.
5) Find synonyms. Placing a “~” immediately before a word will also search synonyms of that word, which will expand your results.
6) Make everything lowercase. Although most searches are not case sensitive, it is safest to use all lowercase text to ensure no results are accidentally excluded from your results.
7) Use the “search within results” link. This is an easy way to narrow your search further.
8) Try the “advanced search” button. This link provides some easy tools for refining your search capabilities.
9) Search number or dollar ranges. By placing two periods between numbers, you can narrow your search to numbers within a range. For example, type “HDTV panasonic $100..$1,000” to find TVs in your price range.
10) Go deeper. Don’t limit yourself to the first page of results. Read through at least 3 – 5 results pages before giving up!
- Bethany Johnson, Associate Producer
1) Use the plus and minus signs. Place a “+” or a “-“ immediately before a word to ensure it is included or excluded in every search result. For example, type “restaurant portland Oregon +Thai +Chinese +sushi –burgers” to find asian restaurants in Portland and ensure no burger joints turn up in your search.
2) Never search just one word. The more specificity you include in the search box, the better results you will receive.
3) The first shall be first… Words are given importance in the order they appear. Put your most crucial search terms first and they will be given top priority.
4) Use "quotation marks". Putting a phrase in quotation marks will ensure the words are found in that specific order. For example, “red bicycle” will provide results with only red bicycles, rather than red items and a variety of bicycles.
5) Find synonyms. Placing a “~” immediately before a word will also search synonyms of that word, which will expand your results.
6) Make everything lowercase. Although most searches are not case sensitive, it is safest to use all lowercase text to ensure no results are accidentally excluded from your results.
7) Use the “search within results” link. This is an easy way to narrow your search further.
8) Try the “advanced search” button. This link provides some easy tools for refining your search capabilities.
9) Search number or dollar ranges. By placing two periods between numbers, you can narrow your search to numbers within a range. For example, type “HDTV panasonic $100..$1,000” to find TVs in your price range.
10) Go deeper. Don’t limit yourself to the first page of results. Read through at least 3 – 5 results pages before giving up!
- Bethany Johnson, Associate Producer
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
President Kevin Olsen brings his family to Nicaragua
After several trips to volunteer at a Samaritan's International Compound in Nicaragua, President and Founding Principal of One Smooth Stone, Kevin Olsen, brought his family in January. Over the 5 days, Kevin’s wife, Carol, and their two daughters, Emily (age 11) and Abby (age 7), joined a team of 13 adults and 16 children from Ginger Creek Community Church to plan a baseball camp for local kids, distribute clothing and shoes donated by Illinois families, and construct walls on a home for an impoverished family. Partnering with the non-profit organization Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), the team also handed out nutritious meals from a food distribution center in Pucha Quape where FMSC feeds 25,000 starving children a day. The organization makes a great impact in combating hunger, especially at the local dump (La Chureca) where thousands reside.
After returning from the trip, Kevin remarked that the experience greatly impacted his two girls. “It was my third time in Nicaragua, but our first time as a family. This trip solidified the relationship our family will have with the people in Nicaragua for years to come.” Emily already has plans to return in the summer with her youth group, and Abby is eager to go back and see her friends in Nicaragua. They both gained a new understanding of what it is like to live without the comforts of their home in Illinois, as well as had the opportunity to meet people who were very poor, but still deeply content.
Kevin makes friends with a Nicaraguan girl
Abby enjoys connecting with a new friend!
After returning from the trip, Kevin remarked that the experience greatly impacted his two girls. “It was my third time in Nicaragua, but our first time as a family. This trip solidified the relationship our family will have with the people in Nicaragua for years to come.” Emily already has plans to return in the summer with her youth group, and Abby is eager to go back and see her friends in Nicaragua. They both gained a new understanding of what it is like to live without the comforts of their home in Illinois, as well as had the opportunity to meet people who were very poor, but still deeply content.
Emily Olsen hands out shoes
Kevin makes friends with a Nicaraguan girl 
Abby enjoys connecting with a new friend! Friday, February 19, 2010
Virtual Events Webinar - Full Video Posted
Thanks to those who were able to participate in our February 18th webinar, "Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous?", sponsored by hinton+grusich and presenting in partnership with InXpo. For those of you that were unable to attend, full audio with PowerPoint slides has been posted here for viewing: http://www.onesmoothstone.com/VirtualDemo/virtualdemo.html
A pdf of the session slides can be downloaded here: http://www.box.net/shared/7gqameteg8
Feel free to pass this link on to others who might benefit from the content. Should you have an interest in pursuing virtual events further, we invite you to contact Kimberly Medaglia at kmedaglia@onesmoothstone.com or 630.427.4235.
A pdf of the session slides can be downloaded here: http://www.box.net/shared/7gqameteg8
Feel free to pass this link on to others who might benefit from the content. Should you have an interest in pursuing virtual events further, we invite you to contact Kimberly Medaglia at kmedaglia@onesmoothstone.com or 630.427.4235.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous?
Join us for our upcoming webinar next, Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous, brought to you in partnership with hinton+grusich. The webinar will be taking place Thursday, February 18, at 1pm CST.
Many of us are wondering if virtual events are a passing fad or a fabulous event tool that we need to fully embrace. One Smooth Stone and InXpo team up to discuss its application and bring you the latest insights into the creation, execution and experience of virtual events. During this webinar, you'll learn why to consider a virtual event as part of your overall event strategy.
- Experience a guided tour through a virtual event
- See how simple acquiring measurable results for an event can be
- Collect very practical tips for creating a successful virtual event
- Gather criteria that helps determine when to incorporate a virtual experience
Reserve your complimentary webinar seat here. Please feel free to pass along the invitation. Can't make it? It's available for download the Tuesday morning following there event here, on our blog.
Many of us are wondering if virtual events are a passing fad or a fabulous event tool that we need to fully embrace. One Smooth Stone and InXpo team up to discuss its application and bring you the latest insights into the creation, execution and experience of virtual events. During this webinar, you'll learn why to consider a virtual event as part of your overall event strategy.
- Experience a guided tour through a virtual event
- See how simple acquiring measurable results for an event can be
- Collect very practical tips for creating a successful virtual event
- Gather criteria that helps determine when to incorporate a virtual experience
Reserve your complimentary webinar seat here. Please feel free to pass along the invitation. Can't make it? It's available for download the Tuesday morning following there event here, on our blog.
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