Manitowoc Women in Management Welcomes Speaker and Coach Barbara Jordan of AdvanteEdge Success Coaching for the October 9th Program!!!

The Manitowoc Chapter of Women In Management is pleased to welcome speaker, coach, trainer, educator, and business owner Barbara Jordan on Tuesday, October 9^th. Thank you to the Card Connection of SendOutCards for sponsoring this exciting program. This event includes lunch, speaker, networking, and the opportunity to give back to the community with a professional clothing drive. Join the Women in Management Group at the Holiday Inn (4601 Calumet St. Manitowoc) starting at 11am to drop off professional clothing and accessories, then lunch at 11:30am and don’t miss Barbara Jordan’s presentation about business etiquette, professionalism, & politics at Noon. The cost to attend includes lunch and is only $13.00 for members or $18.00 for guests and non-members. All professional women are invited to attend.

Please RSVP or send questions/comments to:manitowocwimi@gmail.com by Friday, October 5^th.

Women In Management, Inc. (WIMI) is a dynamic group dedicated to the professional growth, development, and success of women. The group strives to promote higher standards for and increase the status, authority, and influence of business and entrepreneurial women. Programs are presented monthly at each chapter for the WIMI membership and guests. More than 350 members belong to one of seven WIMI chapters throughout Wisconsin including Fond du Lac, the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Ripon/Green Lake, Sheboygan and Green Bay. For more information about the Manitowoc chapter of Women In Management, Inc.: www.WimiWi.org/chapter/manitowoc

To find out more about speaker Barbara Jordan - check out this link to her company called AdvantEdge Sucess Coaching: http://www.advantedgesuccesscoaching.com/bio/

Elevator Pitch Made Easy

There are three reasons to come up with an elevator pitch:

1-You've been asked to give an elevator pitch...now what?

2-You're stuck in an elevator with a potential client and this is your make it or break it moment.

3-You're a planner and you hope to someday be stuck in an elevator with a potential client and you want to be prepared

Before you get too stressed out about it. Realize that an elevator pitch should take less than 60 seconds and ideally more like 45-50 seconds. Don't start planning yet....just humor me. Close your eyes and count to 50.

That didn't take long at all, did it?

Can you talk to someone for that same short period of time?

Of course you can!!!

Before we talk about WHAT you should say, let's talk about carrying yourself. Eyes up - look at the person you're talking to. Even the most confident people get shy on an elevator or while presenting - don't let that happen to you. You can be the most sincere person in the world, but your audience isn't going to 'get that' about you if they can't see your eyes.

Now wow them with the 3 E's of an Elevator pitch:

Educate
Engage
Entertain

In other words: Who are you and what do you do? What can what you do help me with what I do (use my name)? Let me know who you are so I remember you.

Hi Jeff. I'm Crystal Otto with Relax Consulting right here in Two Rivers. I've been meaning to give you a call. I specialize in social media and blogging for small businesses. Don't let the name Relax Consulting deceive you though - there's not foot soak included with the free consultation - but if you'd sit down with me I can definitely bring you a coffee. Jeff, what's the best number to reach you at for a follow up? 

Don't just hand someone your business card and expect them to remember what you do and who you are. In fact, the business card can be your worst enemy. They're looking at the card instead of looking at you. When they get off the elevator they'll toss the card on their desk. Your card won't have made an impression and neither will you. They won't know that you have a great smile, sparkly eyes, straight teeth, a funny personality, etc...if you let a small piece of recycled toilet paper tubes with some ink on them do you marketing, you won't be leaving the impression you meant to. Be prepared!

How you say things is far more important than what you say. Be yourself, be sincere, be genuine, and be engaging. And...if you're here in Two Rivers, Wisconsin - be quick...there's possibly two elevators in the entire town and I'm not sure we have any buildings with more than four floors. Your elevator pitch may need to be ten seconds or less in this town :)

~Crystal

Book Review - The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

Book Review by Crystal Casavant (Crystal Otto)

“The Hour I First Believed” by Wally Lamb

When you connect with a literary character, that person becomes part of you and when the book has aged and the pages have yellowed, that character remains…and you are changed because of the exchange, the relationship of sorts that you had with that book and the character. Caelum Quirk is more than a character in a fiction novel. Caelum is my friend and brother. His triumphs and trials were described in such a way that I felt we were on a journey together.

Some people question bits and pieces of their past. Caelum Quirk questions everything anyone has ever told him. His birth certificate had been falsified. If the first document about your life is a lie, what else could have been altered? Where do you turn when you want answers and yet are afraid to find them? Caelum returns to the house he was raised in and the town he had left behind. He had hoped to piece together a few bits and pieces. Never could anyone expect to learn what he learned about his ancestors and friends. He found his heritage and created a legacy. The Hour I First Believed is a story of forgiveness and strength. The story is expertly told and will be appreciated for generations.

Lamb writes with a comfortable balance between details, imagery, and emotion. The characters come alive as you envision the cold conversation between a husband and wife who no longer appreciate one another. Rage, concern, jealousy, and love are woven together like a warm sweater. The main character, Caelum Quirk, had not believed in a higher power and without realizing it, there was more that he didn’t believe in. He didn’t believe in himself or those he claimed to love and trust. The system failed him, family failed him, and it wasn’t until he was in the depths of despair that he found what he was looking for.

Until I read The Hour I First Believed, I hadn’t thought much about life after a school shooting. I couldn’t imagine what a family would do if they lost everything in the aftermath of a hurricane. I’ve had friends who have overcome death, divorce, and work problems, but none of their situations is anything like Caelum Quirk’s experience. Lamb takes his reader to a place they might otherwise avoid. Subjects like adultery, homosexuality, slavery, betrayal, abuse, imprisonment, and the justice system are all part of Caelum’s story.

This is a story that you will visit in your mind when you are faced with a difficult situation or decision. You finish the book with a new awareness of the cruel world and a new appreciation for the beauty that blossoms regardless of the cruel surroundings. This is a book about struggle. More importantly, it is a book about triumph, love, forgiveness, and understanding. Lamb has outdone himself and The Hour I First Believed is a must read novel!

Relax Consulting -Proud Supporter of Liysa Callsen's New Book "Tell 'Em"

We are proud to support Liysa Callsen and her project as she launches a new book titled Tell 'Em

Our very own Crystal Casavant-Otto has had an opportunity read and review the book (see below)


http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/902432461/tell-em-new-book-by-liysa-callsen

Crystal writes: Below is my book review of Tell 'Em by Liysa Callsen - enjoy! If you can help fund the project, there is a link at the top and bottom of the article - donations of any amount are accepted and I know Liysa will appreciate them!

Tell'em by Liysa Callsen is a soulful sharing of one woman's journey in finding herself and her purpose. Callsen pours her soul out to her readers, sharing both triumphs and tribulations. Tell'em is entertaining at times, but at others you just want to grab Liysa and hug her because the imagery is so strong. You feel the pain of the child who is being teased, the child who wants so badly to belong and has no one to turn to because her instinct is to protect the family she loves. She is victim and hero and it's her turn to tell her story!

Tell'em brings to light a world most of us have not had the pleasure to experience - the Deaf world. Callsen entertains, educates, and engages readers by drawing them into a lifetime of situations. From a fight on the playground to secondary education choices, weddings and family vacations. Callsen paints a picture of a life different from most, but yet so similar that the reader feels as if they have just had coffee with a dear friend.

As Liysa goes from child to wife and mother, readers are introduced to those who helped mold her character. The characters are described in such a way that readers can immediately envision them. The loving father who is set in his ways, the younger brother who is independent and self-absorbed, the loving mother who wants a better life for her daughter, and the main character - Callsen herself, a young woman trying to find her way in the world while balancing cautiously between two cultures.

As the story unfolds the writing style and narrative voice becomes stronger and more self-assured. Liysa isn't just sharing her journey in Tell'em, she is bringing readers along on that journey of self-discovery. Readers will find themselves cheering her on as reader and author are forever changed. Less judgmental, more accepting of others, and more likely to share what's on their mind.

Callsen may be a new author, but she brings a lifetime of experience to her tale. She allows the reader to understand the dynamics of growing up in a home with deaf parents. The story is very educational and answers many questions that you may not have felt comfortable asking. She explains things so eloquently and patiently. She writes like she speaks - with her whole self - openly, honestly, and bravely as she shares her story and her soul with the world.

Are you looking for Crystal's style of Executive partnering? Do you have a book you need edited or reviewed? She would be happy to partner with you as she did with today's author.

To learn more or to back this project, go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/902432461/tell-em-new-book-by-liysa-callsen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7273427

May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine and stories to tell! ~Crystal

WaterStone Boxers - Testimonial for Relax Consulting

9.6.12 Testimonial:

I have worked with Mrs. Crystal Otto for the past few weeks creating my website. I enjoyed it every minute of the way. Effortless and very intuitive Mrs. Otto knew what I was looking for and how I wanted my website to be presented to the public.

At first I thought her questions a bit odd as I did not know what purpose it would serve for a website I trusted her and answered the questions-yet from those simple 5-6 questions Mrs. Otto seemed to almost read my mind and have a "Vulcan mind meld" and created the website that I would have created myself had I known how to do it.

Mrs. Otto is professional, thoughtful, creative, tech savvy and *so easy to work with*. I have already recommended her to friends and co-workers who are looking for her services. I will continue to do so as I know Mrs. Otto will not disappoint!

Respectfully submitted,

Leyla Gaeth
Waterstone Boxers http://www.waterstoneboxers.com/

Gratitude - Bark Bath & Beyond in Two Rivers Wisconsin

Every phone call to Bark Bath & Beyond in Two Rivers Wisconsin has been pleasurable. (Even when I have to call back because I got the date/time wrong the first time). Then you walk through the door and are greeted warmly. They greet pet and owner by name with a warm smile to go with the warm words. The environment is welcoming and the staff goes out of their way to make the visit enjoyable. I am grateful to have such a fun business right here in Two Rivers Wisconsin. You can take your pet to purchase healthy grain-free food, fun toys, treats, and healthy snacks.

Bark Bath & Beyond
1813 Washington Street
Two Rivers, Wisconsin 54241
920.553.2200
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bark-Bath-Beyond/126219568694

You can also get a doggy manicure complete with puppy nail polish, a bath and dry, and complete grooming. Our dog Guapa is pictured below with Lynette who had just finished grooming her. Guapa loves Bark Bath & Beyond and would give them 4 Paws Up and a great barkmendation as a fabulous doggy day spa!

Here is a card we are sending to show our gratitude:

I have to thank Send Out Cards for allowing Relax Consulting, and me personally...Crystal Otto/Crystal Casavant to show appreciation to others. Gratitude is so important in today's busy world, and Send Out Cards allows me to be appreciative and grateful in a efficient and cost-effective way. To learn more, click here: https://www.sendoutcards.com/storefront/crystalcasavant/contact/