This blog is designed to keep you, as an SMEI leader, up to date on SMEI programs and services and to share information and best practices. Please use the RSS button to subscribe using your favorite RSS reader and you'll be automatically updated each time there is a new post on the blog.
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April 30, 2008
Website Maintenance Notice
We will be performing maintenance on the system database tonight, Wednesday April 30th beginning at 11:00PM CDT. This maintenance is expected to take about 1 hour. During this time, the site will display an "Under Maintenance" message and will be inaccessible.
April 26, 2008
SMEI Launches India Affiliate with Official Charter Signing
April 23 - 25, SMEI representatives Debra Wayt, CME, Chair-Elect and Willis Turner, CAE CSE, President & CEO traveled to Bangalore and Mumbai, India to participate in the inaugural events for SMEI India.
Speakers at these events included personal branding expert Lesley Everett from the U.K., Barry Trailer of CSO Insights from USA and Dr. Seema Gupta, IIM Bangalore.
SMEI India Chairman and Founder Subhakar Rao and Lt. Col. (Retired) Govinder Rajulu hosted the events in both cities.
SMEI Tampa Bay Chairman on the Air
Chairman of SMEI Tampa Bay Bruce Faulmann is interviewed on air. Watch the video here.
April 17, 2008
SMEI Organizational Leadership Development Workshop
Designed as one of the best workshops SMEI has ever produced, this high level event will focus on the soft skills you need to be successful as an SMEI leader. It is paramount that the President-Elect (Individual who will hold office as President during the 2008-2009 term) attend in order to receive critical training and information. This annual event is a required event for your affiliate/chapter. Your SMEI Affiliate/Chapter agreement calls for a minimum attendance of two leaders, and may include your executive director if applicable.
The event will be held in Minneapolis from May 2-3. Complete details about the event including airline discount and hotel booking are on our website at http://www.smei.org/cde.cfm?event=173977. Please book your hotel as soon as possible to be included in the SMEI room block at the discount rate.
If you are on the SMEI (International Board) please plan to arrive in time for the Strategic Planning session which starts on the morning of May 2, 2008.
SMEI Member Get-a-Member Promotion
Using the platform of previous successful membership campaigns, we are pleased to announce a Member Get-a-Member Promotion for the month of May 2008. This program will rely on your support to create a high level of awareness locally, combined with a media campaign directly to each member from SMEI. Here are the details:
· For each member that joins and pays for their membership as a result of sponsorship or referral from an existing member in good standing during the month of May 2008, the referring or sponsoring member will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card.
· If an existing member in good standing sponsors 10 or more new paid members during the promotion, they will receive a complimentary registration to attend the SMEI Annual International Conference in Honolulu, September 18-20, 2008. See www.freshideas2008.com for more details.
· Sponsoring lapsed members (who became inactive members within the past 6 months) does not qualify for the promotion
· The awards have no cash value and are non-transferable
This campaign is designed to help you grow your organization, and we encourage you to promote, promote, promote!
SMEI Website Version Upgrade
The SMEI Website will be under maintenance for a software version upgrade starting today at 10:00 PM CDT, and lasting approximately 2 hours. Thank you for your understanding.
March 05, 2008
Meeting in a Convent; Lunch in a Cave - All in Mexico!
I've just returned from the Junta de Evalación de Medio Año (JEMA Creel 2008) of Confederación Mexicana de Ejecutivos de Venta y Mercadotecnia (COMEV). This is the mid year evaluation meeting for the federated chapters of COMEV and it was held in Creel, a small village situated in the Mexican Sierra's, about 4 hours by bus south of Chihuahua, the capital city of the state of Chihuahua, which is due south of El Paso, Texas.
COMEV is SMEI's affiliate in Mexico, whose members know how to put on an event! From the opening ceremonies in a Convent, to lunch in a cave (Cueva de los Leones) and entertainment by Tarahumara Indians, we were informed and entertained every step of the way.
Our second day's itinerary took us on a one lane winding dirt road on the side of a rugged mountain to la Cascada de Cusarare and then on to Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon) which is deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA. A luncheon ceremony in a hotel on the canyon's rocky outcrop included the presentation of replicas of the "Statue of a Salesman" that can be found in a park in Chihuahua.
The hospitality of our Mexican members is second to none. Won't you travel with me next time? Here's a short video that will give you just a glimpse.
February 04, 2008
SMEI Arkansas Gets Publicity for Super Bowl Ad Watch Party
Congratulations to SMEI Arkansas for getting publicity for holding a member's Super Bowl Ad Watch Party. The party was held during the Super Bowl at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. Members had the opportunity to vote on the best and worst ads.
"There were about 25-30 in attendance and everyone had a good time, such a good time, that SMEI AR is going to make this an annual event from now on, so if you missed it this year, just make plans to attend next year to rate the Super Bowl commercials while enjoying the fellowship, food and fun," reported Jeanie Reed, SMEI Arkansas Executive Director.
January 28, 2008
SMEI Organizational Leadership Development "SOLD"
Join us for a Webinar on February 8, 2008.
This live event will bring you up to date information on:
Date: Friday, February 8, 2008
Time: 9:00 - 9:45 AM PST / 11:00 - 11:45 AM CST / 12:00 - 12:45 PM EST
Advance Registration is required. Click here to register
January 25, 2008
Make Certification a New Year Resolution!
I hope this email finds your New Year starting off ahead of your expectations. As companies start this New Year many have budgets established and goals that they want their people to obtain. Personal development and growth are critical in reaching goals for many companies and certification can reinforce both strengths and weakness for people in sales and marketing. The review process prior to examination and testing is an excellent way to sharpen the skills of our profession. In most cases the individual can self study and pursue certification at his or her own pace which means the Affiliate or Chapter may only need to promote the concept in their monthly newsletters, meeting agendas or other marketing mediums that you use.
How many companies does your affiliate represent or are trying to attract to our organization that could benefit from certification. Does your affiliate have a certification plan for this year? Several affiliates and chapters are organized to ensure that their monthly meetings qualify for Continuing Education Credits and this not only reinforces the value proposition for the affiliate but also certification. Look at your prospect list for new members that you are pursuing this year and show them how certification can help them in their business. Certification can be and is a value proposition that will further strengthen our organization for the future.
Certification definitely reinforces our first founding principle of Professional Identification and Standards and your continued support will only foster continued growth for certification and membership.
Any assistance that we may provide or follow through from last year’s program to help develop your certification plan at the affiliate level is of great interest to us. Please let us know how we can help.
Remember that we have a special program planned for CSE® (Certified Sales Executive®) Review Course and Exam April 30 –May2 that you can promote as well.
Click here to learn more http://www.smei.org/cde.cfm?event=195930
Thanks and may 2008 be your best year ever!
Rick McLaughlin
