Sarah A. Finley’s Post

Kindness at Work 💫 Just had an inspiring virtual coffee chat with fellow Blanchard coaches from across the globe, exploring how leaders can cultivate kindness in the workplace. We spend most of our waking hours at work. What if this time was filled with kindness and compassion? What if we were the ones who could spark this transformation? The ripple effects would be extraordinary. Kindness can be wonderfully simple: 🌱Taking a moment to say "thank you" 🌱Acknowledging someone's effort or progress 🌱Being present to truly listen and notice The beautiful thing about kindness? It starts with each one of us making small, intentional choices every day. Grateful for this enriching conversation with our global coaching community. Together, we're reshaping workplace culture, one kind act at a time. Valarie White, Jeff Parks, Karla Oard, Amy L. Dinning, Alex Von Keitz, Rona Delaney, Meredith Godat, O.D., PhD, and Simon Hogg #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #Kindness #BlanchardCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment"

Why do Account Executives love conferences so much? Because it’s where the magic happens! ✨ Conferences like BBcon are the perfect storm for building new relationships, nurturing existing partnerships, and diving headfirst into the most hyper-focused product-market fit analysis you can get. It’s not just about networking (although that’s always a bonus) — it’s about those face-to-face conversations that keep you on your toes, finding real solutions to real challenges. Being able to connect with peers, industry leaders, and clients all in one space helps sharpen strategies and uncover new opportunities. For me, BBcon is one of those game-changing events that pushes me to think bigger and work smarter. I can’t wait to see what new insights and connections emerge this week in Seattle! 🌟 Who else is going? Let’s make the most of it together! #BlackbaudBBcon #ConferenceSeason #AccountExecutiveLife #RelationshipBuilding #MarketFit #AlwaysLearning

The place where disruptive minds meet and breakthroughs begin 🧠📲 Paul Colston takes a closer look at West Midlands, a region filled with history and economic legacy. Here, we find out how collaborative efforts are now hothousing new, innovative businesses, start-ups and technologies. Paul also explores how this approach has also created a dynamic and rich ecosystem for organisers to tap into to deliver a variety of important and impactful events. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ehjm_HBY West Midlands Growth Company | Birmingham & West Midlands Convention Bureau | Steve Knight | Hannah Carroll | Tom Marlow | Jack Newey | Jonny Hammond #events #conferences #eventprofs #destinations #westmidlands #birmingham #venues #partnercontent

Last year, one of my clients experienced a moment that made her question everything she’s worked so hard to build. Her business is centred around an incredibly niche topic. It’s so niche, in fact, that there are only a handful of advocates and speakers in her space across the country. Her work is groundbreaking, and her knowledge is unmatched—not just because she’s studied her field extensively but because she lives it every day in her regional community. She’s one of those people you can’t help but admire. Her passion for her niche, combined with her regional perspective, makes her a rare and powerful voice. So imagine the shock, frustration, and, frankly, heartbreak when she learned that a speaker was being brought in from the city for an awareness day dedicated to her very specific niche. At first, you might think, Well, maybe the organisers didn’t know about her. But here’s the kicker: she had received a personalised invitation to attend the event. They knew who she was. They knew she was an expert. They knew she was local. And yet, they still brought in someone from the city—a person who didn’t share her lived experience, her nuanced understanding of the challenges faced in regional areas, or her connection to the very community the event was supposed to support. What a slap in the face. Can you imagine how that felt? Sitting there in the audience, listening to someone else speak about a topic she’s dedicated her life to. Watching as the opportunity to share her expertise and make a difference slipped right past her. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. This happens far too often, and it’s a pattern that regional experts and advocates know all too well. Despite their deep knowledge, their lived experiences, and their connections to their communities, regional leaders are often overlooked in favour of city-based professionals. It’s not just frustrating—it’s insulting. And the consequences are significant. These missed opportunities don’t just hurt the individuals—they deprive entire communities of hearing from someone who truly understands their unique challenges and opportunities. This story is a reminder of the bigger issue: we need to do better. We need to stop overlooking regional leaders. We need to stop assuming that “bigger” or “city-based” equals “better.” And we need to create systems that ensure regional and rural experts get the recognition—and the platforms—they deserve. The good news? We can all play a part in changing this. Event organisers: Seek out local experts for your panels, keynotes, and workshops. Don’t just assume that the best talent lives in the city. Community members: Advocate for your local leaders. Share their work, recommend them for opportunities, and ensure their voices are heard. And if you’re a regional expert yourself, know this: your voice matters. Your expertise matters. And your story deserves to be told.

🤝 How do great ideas come to life? Through connection. Every game-changing initiative starts with a conversation. At International STAFF Week 2025, you'll meet: - Visionaries in education. - Colleagues from institutions around the globe. - People who could inspire your next big project.   But the best part? It’s not just about exchanging business cards—it’s about building partnerships that last.   📅 February 10-15, 2025 | 📍 Nice, France 👉 Will you make your next big connection? https://lnkd.in/e5WUd5xE 💬 What’s the most valuable connection you’ve ever made at an event?

Wow! Y'all!! I am blown away by the response to the Leaders in Impact event that Anna Adlard and I are hosting next week at Orenge with the support of Alva Horton. The list of folks who have registered is incredible. But one thing that Anna and I both forgot to mention is that **space is limited.** When we first started planning this event, we decided to choose a smaller space so that we could have more one-on-one conversations. (And I'm also a total introvert and find large, crowded spaces overwhelming.) Why am I telling you this? Space is filling up quickly, so if you'd like to attend, I recommend registering today. And this is not me (solely) wearing my marketing hat. I would just really like to see you there! :) The link to register is in the first comment. The $10 ticket goes directly to excellent food and drinks—and our gorgeous space! -------------------- More details: WHY ARE WE CONVENING? 🌱 To nurture a place-based network for impact leaders in Durham 🌱 To spark new connections, ideas and collaborations on impact work 🌱 To provide a space for leaders to connect with peer leaders who face many of the same challenges WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 🌱 Leaders in Durham who work in environmental or social impact WHY JOIN US? 🌱 To connect with a network of impact leaders in our very own community 🌱 To engage in meaningful conversation with leaders at the intersection of environmental and social impact 🌱 To uncover opportunities for collaborations, connections and partnerships with like-minded peers

👉 Houston, something special is happening. Whether you’re a tech startup, an established business, or a brick-and-mortar Cup of Joey®️ Joey Sanchez is coming to Memorial City, offering you a unique opportunity to connect with driven professionals and grow your business. At Cup of Joey, it’s not just about great coffee (though Blacksmith Coffee Company LLC is top-tier). It’s about connections that matter. Meaningful conversations that push your business forward, and a community of people who are just as committed to their vision as you are. Here’s the truth: It’s not about what you do—it’s about 𝐖𝐇𝐘 you do it. This is your chance to share your mission with like-minded individuals who are here to build something bigger. Bring your "𝐰𝐡𝐲" because that’s what makes this experience so powerful. As an 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 for Cup of Joey, KONECTU's 𝐖𝐇𝐘 is clear: We make 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨𝐩-𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫, eliminating the exhausting hunt and delivering high-quality matches so businesses can scale faster. When you’re focused on growth, not the search for talent, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬. Memorial City is the perfect bridge for connecting professionals with local businesses. Whether you're scaling, building, or innovating, this networking event is for you. If you're in Memorial, the Heights, inside the Loop, and surrounding areas and want to be part of this community, here’s the link to sign up: 📌 https://lnkd.in/g2azPVRd Show up. Share your why. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

At Zero One Hundred Conferences (Connecting LPs & GPs in PE & VC), we set ourselves apart by curating a truly unique environment in the private equity and venture capital space. We’re not about the overwhelming crowds or flashy booths; instead, we offer something much more valuable—intimacy, exclusivity, and meaningful connections. Our events are designed for those who understand the importance of quality over quantity. We gather a select group of influential asset owners, family offices, and institutional investors who are eager to connect with forward-thinking industry leaders. This isn’t just another conference; it’s an opportunity to engage in deep, impactful conversations that can drive real change. We believe that the power of a conference lies not in its size, but in the strength of the connections made and the insights gained. That’s why we focus on creating a space where you can engage with the right people, share ideas, and explore the latest industry trends, all within a controlled, discreet setting. So, if you’re looking for a mainstream event with thousands of delegates, we might not be the right fit. But if you value exclusive networking opportunities and the chance to be part of a community that’s poised to shape the future of the industry, then I invite you to join us. Let’s connect, share, and grow in an environment designed for the discerning professional.

 Join us today for our weekly Relevate Community Networking session from 7:30pm to 8:30pm Brisbane time. 🐙Links below 👇 Already a member ? https://lnkd.in/e8cdRJy3 First time ? https://lnkd.in/ghYZUjKj 📅 Connect and network with other business leaders, create opportunities, ask questions, share your last week's successes, have a good time. Every Monday we listen to our guest presentation on a given business subject: tonight Puran Ticku speaks on ''Building a data driven company''.   What you’ll learn: How to find and create insights that may not be obvious but propel your business forward infinitely.

Check out my networking event slide show! I want to thank the local chapter of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (#HPRA), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (#SHPE), and a few others for making me feel welcome at the networking event at Stanford Treehouse restaurant last night. Many of my CEO or #VC clients have been Hispanic or Latino, immigrants or with parents who were born in Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, and Argentina. This group is important to my business. My typical Hispanic or Latino client has had at least one advanced degree from an elite school. They have included a co-founder with an advanced degree from University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, two #AI company co-founders with advanced degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (one an AI Ph.D.), a founder who did postdoc research at Stanford University, and a VC with degrees from Yale University. We at PRSA Silicon Valley successfully partnered with HPRA last year to host a networking event. Some belong to both organizations. It's interesting when external relations professionals network with engineers who typically don't get out much for work unless they are in management or sales. Jazmin Eusébio (she/her) who is part of both PRSA and HPRA co-hosted. It was interesting asking a Broadcom engineer what he thought of the #NvidiaGTC conference. A tip on holding events in Stanford, California -- Treehouse (one word) is a restaurant with a patio. The hosts set out pitchers of margaritas, water, and chips. If you wanted another beverage, you bought it at the restaurant. Parking is free after 4 pm on campus. There was plenty of it and close. Years ago it was difficult to park by the Faculty Club. Stanford parking requires the Park Mobile app & the parking lot number, which is on signs at each lot, but after 4 pm on weekdays, it does not matter. When I parked there a few weeks ago for a meeting, the sign at Roth garage said a four-hour limit. Treehouse is next to the Stanford Faculty Club and a large food court.