#doe14

Every year, a local non-profit called Day of Excellence, Inc., hosts an event called (wait for it…) The Day of Excellence - a day of personal and professional development. This year, there were four speakers and a networking lunch. John and Alecia attended the training - we'd like to think they are a little more excellent now. Patri grilled them about the event:

Was the event worthwhile?

JR: Definitely. The speakers were fantastic, and I was happy that the event organizers added a lunch this year. In my opinion, this Day of Excellence was better than last year.

AS: Yes, The conference was full of useful information not only in a professional sense but concepts that can improve personal happiness and success. And there was lunch.

You have to understand, my team enjoys any event that includes being fed... So I steered the conversation back to the learning portion: Which speakers were most effective?

AS: I did not really know what to expect from this conference with not having heard about it before. Garrison Wynn was the most influential speaker in my opinion. He talked about relationship building and concepts that he used to be successful. It was a good reminder to think about our actions and what responses those can achieve. 

JR: The morning speakers, Garrison Wynn and Kevin Knebl, were the highlights of the day.

Garrison covered many ideas from his book, The REAL Truth About Success. For example, he explained that people have influence because they are sincere, they offer multiple solutions to a single problem, and they make the people around them look good. Makes sense. And, Garrison used a lot of humor to reinforce his points, which kept the entire audience (1400+ people!) engaged (and laughing).

Kevin based much of his talk on the classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People. He explained some simple ways to use technology to build, maintain, and leverage relationships - particularly using Linkedin.

Of course, let's get back to the food... There was lunch?

JR: Yes, after Kevin's talk, we moved from the Civic Center auditorium to one of the convention halls for lunch. Murphy's provided a boxed lunch, and each box had a number written on it. That number corresponded to a table number. As you can guess, I sat at a table with five other people I've never met before. It was fun to hear Laurie (Black Hills Corp) talk about growing up on a farm in North Dakota, and to listen to Michelle's (City of Spearfish) story about walking to work with her son to finish payroll in the middle of a snow storm. Following Kevin's advice, we focused on the positive, making it a fun lunch.

AS: When I found out that lunch was provided, I was excited to not have to trek out in the blizzard for treats. Murphy's did a great job putting the boxed lunch together which included: a turkey wrap, chips, an apple, and... HEY TONY, was my lunch the only one without a cookie? I don't know if I'm the only one that hates being in a crowded room not knowing another soul, so you can imagine my excitement to find out I had to sit at a table with 5 strangers. What do you talk about? Luckily for me, there was a card in front of everyone that had a bunch of questions appropriate for a mixer setting. 

Will you attend again next year?

JR: I look forward to it - April 1st next year. I was amazed when one of the speakers said that they have been invited to speak at corporate events, and professional conferences, but never a community-wide event before. This speaks volumes to the vision of the Leadership Rapid City Class of 2009. 

AS: This was my first year attending the conference and I hope to be able to attend next year's as well. I listened and laughed so hard it brought me to tears, I would call that a successful day.