#prscamp

The Lucky One, Why I am Looking Forward to Summer Brand Camp by Sarah Atkinson (full post)

I have been lucky enough to find an incredible network very early in my career. Three years into my career I attended a conference that changed my life. People Report and Black Box Intelligence Best Practices Conference changed the way I thought about my professional and personal relationships, about business, and about my career. I came home from Dallas in June of 2009 with an amendment to my employee contract, “Sarah is required to attend all People Report conferences”. No joke.

Next week, will be the 3rd annual Summer Brand Camp. This is not your typical conference, and trust me, you’ve never experienced a conference like this. I could go on for days about all the reasons I am looking forward to it but for now, I’ll give you my top 5. Read the full article: via summerbrandcamp.com (@TexiCaliGal)

7 Reasons Networking Can Be a Professional Development Boot Camp (Full Article) 

How many times do you say to yourself that you need to meet more people? That your Circle of Influence needs to be strengthened?  That your skills and talents have yet to be discovered?  Your career requires you to network and in today’s marketplace you must be more active than ever.  But networking requires planning. An approach that is strategic and measurable; that you can learn from each time you introduce yourself to a new crowd or reacquaint yourself with an old one.    If you are strategic and view networking through an opportunity lens, it can serve as a powerful professional development boot camp experience.  Read the Full article: via Forbes.com 

5 Clever Ways to Get a Job Using Social Media (full article) 

By understanding who you are, what differentiates you in the marketplace and establishing your personal branding online, you can compete in the new talent marketplace. Once you’ve built your own website and established your social network profiles, you’re ready to start leveraging your relationships and talents to get the job of your dreams, not just one that pays the bills.

In my last post I reflected on all the ideas I have been exposed to, the organizations and people I have met, the speakers I have had the pleasure to listen to, and action I have taken because of my relationship with People Report.  I even likened it to “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”. 

I wrote specifically about the many ideas and principals last time.  This time it is about the organizations and people that I have met.

·         People Report – Of course I HAVE to mention People Report.  This amazing organization knows how to bring like minded people together – even competitors, and provide a forum for sharing data, ideas, best practices, and networking.  I would be remiss if I did not specifically mention Joni Doolin and Melissa Papaleo.  These ladies are nothing less than Rock Stars.  Not only do they know their stuff, the QSR Industry, and influencers.  But more importantly they are advocates of doing the right thing and those that have the passion and desire to achieve it.

·         Talent Revolution – This is the group that started my love affair with social media.  The presented it in a way that it opened up a new dimension to network, learn, and share ideas.  Oh, and they did it in a way that you didn't feel like that last person to the party.  Amanda, Susan, Bill, Chris, Kami…I so appreciate each of you.  You all have made a HUGE contribution to who and where I am today.

·         Leigh Caraccioli – Talent, talent, and talent.  There is so much talent bundled into this Blondie!  She has a way to make you feel at ease without you realizing what she is doing.  She sees the spirit of her subject each and every time.  And…she embraces her blondness and shares it with the Twittersphere.

·         ItStartsWith.Us – Nate St. Pierre is a genuine as they come.  Who quits their job to help others that are struggling? Oh, yeah, that would be Nate.  He sees no boundaries or limits as to who his community can help and how they can help.  I am humbled by him.

·         Sarah Atkinson – This Gal is what passion is all about.  Regardless if it is passion for social media (FohBoh), San Francisco Giants, or mimosas…she is your Gal.  That passion is backed with a wealth of knowledge and a huge heart!

·         Kacy Oden – Another lady that just gets it.  She connects people with her heart.  She appreciates all that is around her and loves to share it with others. AWESOME!

·         Jill McFarland – This wicked cool chick knows her stuff and is not afraid to take on a challenge.  She knows the industry and who the influencers are.

·         Brianna Foulds – If you ever need a smile or a good pair of shoes – she is the girl to go to.  She can brighten any room, conversation, or wardrobe.  She is an amazing recruiter!

·         Jessica Miller-Merrill – Jessica (blogging4jobs) is just an inspiration for anybody wanting to be in social media professionally.  I want to be her when I grow up!

The list could go on and on, and if I have left you out, it is simply due to space and word count (J).  But I thank each of you and the influence you have made on me and the impact you have made on my heart.

With the annual People Report Summer Camp (#PRSCamp) event quickly approaching, I have been thinking about the impact that People Report has had on me in the last couple of years.  It really is remarkable all the ideas I have been exposed to, the organizations and people I have met, the speakers I have had the pleasure to listen to, and action I have taken because of this connection.  It’s almost like a game of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”.

There are MANY ideas that I have been exposed to.  Not surprisingly, many of them are related to technology.                                                                   

·         Social Media – I was on Facebook, but that was it.  I am now on Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress, Tumblr, and individual communities like FohBoh, Talent Revolution, and Love Drop.  And I am more than just a “crock-pot” sitter, I engage and interact and have had relationships created and strengthened through SM.  Connect with me!

·         Personal Branding – I had no idea this was even something I needed to consider.  I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what this meant to me and how to embrace and execute it.

·         Community Service – I have been exposed to some great organizations and ideas on how to incorporate this into our workplace and into our hearts.  “Mixing Money and Meaning” comes to mind.

·         Networking – I no longer have the fear of this!

·         Personal Development – It really isn’t a cliché.  It is a must and I own it!

Even if you already participate and even excel in these areas, #PRSCamp is a great way to further your reach and share best practices with like minded folks.  Oh...and did I say you can wear flip flops?

Top 10 things you MUST do in preparation for #PRSCamp.

10.  Be sure to bring your cell phone charger. You WILL drain your battery (personal experience).

9.  Get your professional Avatar picture taken by @fleurdeleigh. You can’t beat the talent or the conversation.

8.  Get your Social Trading Card from Meet Meme.  You won’t want to be left out.  7.  Gather up some gift cards to donate for the Community Service Project with ItStartsWith.us at Jonathan’s Place. 

6.  Get your last minute singing and dancing lessons in for the GLEE Party and Talent Competition.  Sign up with @ty_sullivan or @culturedude

5.  Shake the cobwebs off your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.  There will be traffic!

4.  Start a regular regimen of “textercises”.  http://www.practisesafetext.com/

3.  Get a pedicure – yep, especially you guys!

2.  Start shopping for the best flip flops in town (to show off those pedicures!)

Time to Go Back To Summer Camp June 7-9 Dallas, TX