Despite Jim Rodgers' exhortation to get out of the dungeon, I've been spending much of my summer in my sanctuary called Earth. Experiencing the creative solitude of digging in it, planting it, hiking and backpacking around it.
Turning off the phones, leaving computer and email b…
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Added by Barbara Chan on August 7, 2009 at 5:28pm —
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Barbara Chan was elected to the Board of Directors of Berrett-Koehler Publishing. Berrett-Koehler (BK) is an independent publisher dedicated to an ambitious mission: Creating a World that Works for All. BK believes that to truly create a better world, action is needed at all levels--individual, organizational, and societal. A major theme of their books is "Opening Up New Space" that challenges conventional thinking, introduces new ideas, and fosters positive change. The company's core approach i…
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Added by Barbara Chan on July 8, 2009 at 5:00pm —
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At the June 2nd IMC NorCal chapter meeting, Jim Rodgers, an introvert and $5M-revenue-generating consultant from Georgia, talked about how many consultants are introverts. And how introverts love to hide out in their home offices tapping away at email or s…
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Added by Barbara Chan on June 5, 2009 at 11:29am —
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The June 2nd IMC NorCal Chapter meeting was so full of positive energy, it was hard to tell that we're living through a recession. Georgia Chapter Certified Management Consultant Jim Rodgers gave us a map to help us get out of our
dungeons and move our consulting pr…
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Added by Barbara Chan on June 4, 2009 at 8:30pm —
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We consultants spend a lot of time advising our clients on the importance of effective communication. We exhort them to recognize their employees, strategic partners and patrons.
Yet, how often do we pause to acknowledge and appreciate one another? When was the last time you told a fellow consultant that something they did or said made a difference to you? What did you do or say to let them know how much you value and appreciate them? Have you ever thanked them for the work they did on behalf o…
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Added by Barbara Chan on December 1, 2008 at 12:00am —
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People have been asking what I'm reading these days. In the midst of all the local and global challenges, there is much opportunity for resourceful, creative, innovative, forward-thinking people.
Here are just 5 of the books in my current Reading Stack.
Get There Early by Bob…
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Added by Barbara Chan on November 25, 2008 at 6:30pm —
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On November 17, 2008 the IMC NorCal chapter held a dynamic and thought-provoking membership meeting.
In all the gloom and doom, there are some bright spots for consultants. A panel of experts in high tech, biotech and philanthropy spoke about consulti…
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Added by Barbara Chan on November 18, 2008 at 10:30pm —
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How could it be that in a country with over 15,000 professional economists, as quoted in the
October 31st New York Times, barely a handful foretold the credit meltdown? James K. Galbraith, son of the famous John Kenneth Gailbraith, attributes it to the fact that most professional economists are academicians and theorists.
Everyone keeps saying, “It’s the economy, stupid!” I beg to differ. The economic meltdown is symptoma…
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Added by Barbara Chan on October 31, 2008 at 9:30am —
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Consultants often ask me why I belong to IMC. It's because the opportunities for professional and practice development and cross-referrals abound in IMC. The seminars and courses help novice and experienced consultants learn how to be a consultant, run a consulting practice, and more. The rigorous process to earn the "gold standard" Certified Management Consultant designation guarantees that you will be an even stronger and much-appreciated advisor to your clients. Plus, I've made friends from a…
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Added by Barbara Chan on October 19, 2008 at 11:44am —
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What do entrepreneurs, non-profits, executive recruiters and consultants have in common? To find out, come to the IMC NorCal November 17 program where we explore
Hot Trends for Bay Area Consultants
Everyone is concerned about the economy, their businesses, their families and their ability to thrive, not just survive.
Please join me on November 17 at the Westin SFO for networking, membership and discussion with our great panelists as we explore Opportunities in our Region.
…
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Added by Barbara Chan on October 19, 2008 at 10:30am —
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They say that dogs are a man's (and woman's) best friend. We say that dogs are a consultant's best friend. In these exciting times of change, Canine Consultants can help us sniff out new opportunities.
Register for a chance to win a reward for you and your BFF.
It's easy. Just email a photo of you and your dog (JPEG format) to Barbara Chan at inspired@barbarachan.com by 5 pm Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Register at
East Bay Consultants Forum.…
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Added by Barbara Chan on October 13, 2008 at 8:30pm —
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If you are, you're hot!
If you're not, come warm up with the East Bay Consultants Forum on October 17.
IMC member Henrik Mann shares his secrets to revenue generation and client service through his "Speed" LinkedIn experience!
Details under the Events menu.
I hope to see many of you there!
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Added by Barbara Chan on October 8, 2008 at 11:00pm —
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Some consultants tell me they are too busy to come to monthly Area Breakfasts for Consultants (ABCs). They say they have client work, don't want to get up so early, or have to go to the gym. I'm a pacifist, but let me shoot these 3 myths with my coaching arrows and help you re-examine your priorities:
I am all for consultants taking care of themselves. That includes setting boundaries with our clients about when we are available to them. After all, many of us left the "rat race" in order to cal…
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Added by Barbara Chan on September 29, 2008 at 12:00am —
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This morning I had the pleasure of attending the
San Francisco Area Breakfast for Consultants sponsored by IMC NorCal. Hosted by longtime consultant and
IMC Fellow Cox Ferrall, and facilitated by Eric Craven, the discussion focused on how consultants evaluate
* client readiness
* client progress with our work
* consultant's performance
In this intimate setting of seven…
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Added by Barbara Chan on September 22, 2008 at 10:26pm —
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Twenty one consultants in the
East Bay Consultants Forum ABC (IMC NorCal Area Breakfast for Consultants) convened at the
Buttercup Grill in Oakland on Friday, September 19, 2008 to
Go for the Gold in their consulting practices. Fifteen of them are IMC members and of those 15, seven are Certified Management Consultants (CMC), a globally-recognized certification for consultants to management. Six are on the IMC Northern Califo…
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Added by Barbara Chan on September 19, 2008 at 9:30pm —
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Super Gold Medalist Michael Phelps's favorite quote is "Actions speak louder than words." Michael talks about how his coach taught him to use his imagination, see the future and what can happen.
With the $1M bonus Speedo gave him for earning all those gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, Michael has started a foundation to help youth “Dream, Plan, Reach.”
Coming back from August vacation, it's time for all management consultants (even those who don't swim) to dive in and articulate your
drea…
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Added by Barbara Chan on September 2, 2008 at 12:26pm —
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On July 18, 2008 IMC member Mike Levin treated the 22 East Bay Consultants Forum members to a discussion about collaborative selling and collaborative consulting. A seasoned serial entrepreneur and sales professional, Mike shared his stories and techniques for closing successful engagements with our clients. Check out
East Bay Consultants Forum Photos Continue
Added by Barbara Chan on July 18, 2008 at 4:00pm —
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Added by Barbara Chan on June 28, 2008 at 10:30pm —
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The Oakland/Berkeley ABC is evolving itself into a dynamic Personal Advisory Board. At our June 20 meeting we renamed ourselves to the East Bay Consultants Forum (EBCF) because our members come from around the Greater Bay Area to meet in the East Bay.
Four newcomers have joined IMC USA and become active in the EBCF this Spring by presenting special topics and leading and participating in discussions! Please welcome new members Raj Ganesan, Mike Levin, Henrik Mann, Brian McKenzie. In July we wil…
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Added by Barbara Chan on June 28, 2008 at 9:30pm —
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The June 14, 2008 Contra Costa Times writes that "Making the transition from longtime worker to retire may be difficult for some. Robert Half Management Resources found that 75 percent of workers polled believe consulting to be an attractive segue into retirement. Forty-seven percent say the ability to remain in the workforce while working fewer hours were the most attractive characteristics of consulting, while 38 percent believe earning money to supplement their retirement is the greatest bene…
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Added by Barbara Chan on June 28, 2008 at 6:00am —
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