People Report Summer Brand Camp Article Post
Posted via Sarah Atkinson (@TexiCaliGal) on www.summerbrandcamp.com 

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.

Find out Sarah’s Top 5 reasons by visiting their website and Sarah’s blog here!  


For more reasons why Summer Brand Camp is amazing, check out their Photo & Video Gallery from previous years - Memories Page!  

Be sure to stay up to day with what’s going on at People Report’s Summer Brand Camp next week by following on twitter @PRSCamp & #PRSCamp! 


- Matthew C.  

“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.”
via forbes.com 

This past week NATO Summit was held in my hometown of Chicago.  What was interesting about all the NATO Summit preparation was what people knew and didn’t know about the purpose and meaning of NATO.  There was a lot of commitment to insuring everyone understood the significance of this meeting of global leaders.  That its mission was greater than being a magnet for individuals to exercise their Freedom of Speech.  As I started to think about how much people learned about the NATO Summit it started to make think about Memorial Day holiday. 

Yes, many of us are coming off a busy Spring with the Women’s Foodservice Forum, the National Restaurant Show, many business events and then the steady stream of personal events like proms, graduations, Mother’s day and every day life celebrations. 

Many of us could be legitimately thinking, “Wow, I just need a break to catch my breath.”  My response is absolutely “that’s why we have the Memorial Day weekend, a great three-day weekend.  Let’s sit back, barbeque, go to the beach, take in sales, hang out with family and friends and definitely catch a breath!” 

I also would suggest it is an amazing time to connect, re-connect and amplify the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

Thanks to www.usmemorialday.org  here is a little history:

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.

By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays)

Here are some terrific ways to take action thanks to www.usmemorialday.org 

• Display a flag half-staff until noon 
• Visit grave sites of those who have fallen and leave some flowers
• Acknowledge someone who may have lost a friend or family member
• Celebrate Family and American history
• Attend a Memorial Day Parade
• Wear a Memorial Day Poppy
• Take one minute at 3:00 pm for a Moment of Remembrance

As we prepare for Summer, what a wonderful moment for us all to take a breath and honor the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country to protect our freedom and our country.  We are indebted and grateful to each and every one of these brave individuals for their dedication, heart and service so we can all enjoy the freedom of every day!

Here is some information on NATO from the ChicagoNATO.org:

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, is a political-military alliance made up of 28 member countries, including the United States. Formed in 1949, NATO has played a unique and essential role in maintaining security and stability throughout the past six decades. It has grown and adapted to changing political environments and security challenges and, with enlargements, partnerships, and peacekeeping missions, has proven itself to be a continuingly effective Alliance.

Have a safe & Happy Memorial Day!!!

• Have you been searching for breakthrough ideas? 
• Are you looking formula for connecting Operations, Marketing and Human Resources in profound and meaningful ways? 
• Do you really want to know what the next generation of leaders is really talking about?
• Are you ready to finally commit to the “I” word – yes Innovation!

There is only one place to be to embrace and engage your inner “I” and more importantly to embrace and engage Innovation in your business – the People Report Summer Camp – June 5-8 in Dallas, TX.  The fast moving, thought provoking and innovative laden event only happens once a year and it is truly the must attend conference of the year! 

People Report Summer Camp is the TED of the hospitality industry. If you don’t know what TED is, look it up so you can appreciate the true brilliance of People Report Summer Camp.  This is the only event in the hospitality industry that purposefully connects Operations, Marketing and Human Resources in meaningful ways to create competitive advantages through innovative presentations and thought provoking discussions.  What other event have you been to this year that has already had “tweet-a-thon” with millions of connections? What other event have you been to where the discussions and excitement for the event have been buzzing on-line since the conclusion of the event last year!

Even the most seasoned or cynical of people can’t say they have experienced anything quite like this in the career.  This is not a conference; this is an event - an event like no other.  This is where the best and the brightest come to engage in topics with meaning.  This is where thought leaders don’t speak to concepts - they speak to the reality of creating profound change.  This is where the tribe of Summer Camp exchanges best practices for making meaning and profits all in one sentence. This is a celebration of innovation! Many think because of the name it should not be taken seriously and that it can’t possibly have the depth of content.  There is that adage, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” The depth and reach of People Report Summer Camp is profound and the impact unparalleled.

If you truly want Innovation, if you truly want your paradigms of business to be challenged, if you truly want to think differently about your operations, marketing and human resources as one team versus three departments, and if you truly want to be on the forefront of where the industry is going, then get your backpack and join the other campers at the People Report Summer Camp.  I look forward to seeing you around the campfire soon!  #PRSCamp 

People Report Summer Camp Agenda
People Report Summer Camp Speakers
People Report Summer Camp Registration 

“These six factors can erode the grandest of plans and the noblest of intentions. They can turn visionaries into paper-pushers and wide-eyed dreamers into shivering, weeping balls of regret. Beware!”

via Forbes.com 

via Bruno Aziza, Forbes.com 

As I am now getting ready to leave Microsoft for a Silicon Valley Start-up, I look back on my time in Seattle and I’m thankful for the things I’ve learned at the number one software company in the world.  Below is a reflection of my personal views.  While I realize others might have had different experiences, readers should know there is a lot to learn from this company, its culture and its people.

The Vision Doesn’t Change.  It’s the Way You Execute On It That Might.

Every startup leader understands the concept of the “Pivot”.  By applying the principles of the renowned Steve Blank (“a startup is an organization formed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model”), entrepreneurs around the world start with a vision and modify (or “pivot”) their execution model until it works.  This principle doesn’t simply apply to small outfits; it can sometimes work inside large organizations.  
Read the full article on Forbes.com

MC

Tomorrow’s leaders create the institutions in which they thrive.

The norms, ethos, and expectations around leadership are changing. If stability, the pension, and the gold watch were the hallmarks of successful fortitude for Baby Boomers, today it’s the ability to create and thrive within your own institution. There was a time when “kissing up, and kicking down,” could get people to the top….

Read More at Forbes.com

This week this was the rallying cry and theme of the Women’s Foodservice Forum Annual Leadership conference (#WFFConf12).  Fritzi Woods, CEO and President of the WFF declared this during her opening comments on Sunday night and the rest is history.  The WFF conference set new standards of success in world-class content, amazing connections and the channels for managers, directors and executives to develop their own leadership competencies.

I would like to focus for on Fritzi’s rallying cry of “the time is now to aspire higher.”

It’s a group of words that make an amazing sound bite – it’s a group of words that make a terrific rallying cry; however, as we all know at the heart of these words is a profound statement of direction.  Let’s look at the power in this statement.

The Time is Now – the time is now to step up and start moving our careers and businesses forward.  The time is now to drop all of the excuses and move away from the status quo.  The time is now to move towards the possibilities of abundance, success and growth in our careers and businesses.  We have a choice continue to be a victim to all the challenges in the business or to take control of destiny by creating our destiny.  The time is now to step into the light of greatness. 

Aspire Higher – when is the last time you learned something new; when is the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone; when is the last time you asked some one to help you?  Aspire higher and ask more of yourself, ask more of others and ask for more help to achieve the goals and dreams you aspire to in your life.  No one succeeds in life or business by themselves we are forced to ask for help if we want more from life and business.  The strongest people in the world know the secret to success and that is to ask! 

Combine the two statements The Time is Now to Aspire Higher – take this as your rallying cry and re-connect with your goals and dreams.  Invest in your own development through attending other great events like the National Restaurant Association Show – May 5-8 in Chicago or the People Report Summer Brand Camp – June 5-7 in Dallas. 

The time is now for all of us to take back our personal and professional power to aspire higher – thank you Fritzi Woods and the WFF for sharing and for an amazing conference!  

Key Links: 

• Fritzi Woods (@FollowFritzi)
• National Restaurant Association Show (Website) (#NRAShow) 
• People Report Summer Brand Camp (Website) (#PRSCamp)
• Women’s Foodservice Forum (Website) (@WFFHQ)

- Kathleen Wood

The most recent Fortune Magazine featured The 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs of Our Time. What an amazing article and truly gave great insights to the Entrepreneurs who have changed business.

That truly got me thinking about who are those entrepreneurs – social entrepreneurs and business leaders that are changing our industry. Who are those individuals working tirelessly to take part of our industry, or our whole industry, to new levels of success by shifting the way we operate in our industry.

In my career I have been very fortunate to work with extraordinary entrepreneurs and business leaders. The list of leaders I admire could fill volumes of books because it is extensive and there are so many people do great work.

So, I thought I would mention a few people that are making profound shifts in the way we think about our industry through their efforts and leadership. So here is the beginning of thought leaders. I would also add the huge caveat that I could make this a long list too. Instead I would encourage anyone to add their thought leaders and consider this a start point. If you are not familiar with everyone on this list please start following him or her – they are shaping our industry every day.

• Dawn Sweeny – National Restaurant Association
• Fritzi Woods (@FollowFritzi) – Women’s Foodservice Forum (@WFFHQ)
• Nate DaPore (@PeopleMatterCEO) – PeopleMatter (@PeopleMatterHR)
• Joni Doolin (@LuckyPenny)– People Report (@PeopleReport) and Black Box Intelligence
• Valerie Killifer (@ValerieKillifer) – FastCasual.com (@FastCasual)
• Amanda Hite (@SexyThinker)– Changers of Commerce (@CommerceChanger)
• Susan Steinbrecher (@Steinbrecherinc) - KENSHO
• Bryan Wempen (@BryanWempen) and William Tincup (@drivethruhr) – Drive Thru HR
• Tim McCarthy (@BusinessofGood)– The Business of Good Foundation
• Paul Barron (@paulbarron) – Digital CoCo
• Noah Glass (@nhglass) – OLO
• Jessica Merrill–Miller (@blogging4jobs) – Blogging4Jobs

Here’s to you and what are your thoughts – sometimes one thought can profoundly change an industry – dare to be bold and an agent of change!

Kathleen Wood