June 24 Luncheon: Turning Leaders into Storytellers, with Amanda Marko, Connected Strategy Group

Communicators know that the best way to connect with an audience, and thus change their minds, motivate their actions, and influence their decisions, is to touch their hearts with a poignant story. Yet we struggle to draw stories out of many leaders who fear appearing vulnerable or unprofessional. In the June 24 lunch program, Introduction to Turning Leaders into Storytellers, senior communications professional Amanda Marko, president and chief connection officer, Connected Strategy Group, will share how to effectively use storytelling in a business setting. The program will be held at RTA Cleveland, 1240 West 6th Street. Networking and lunch begin at 11:30am, and the presentation, including time for questions and answers runs from noon – 1:30pm. Registration, which includes lunch, will be $10 for IABC members, students, and professionals-in-transition, and $15 for non-members. 

In this engaging mini-workshop, participants will share stories and learn actionable techniques that will improve the effectiveness of their own and their organization’s communications.The presentation will cover:

• An overview of the three dimensions of story-work: storytelling, story-spotting, and story-triggering
• Four business problems that storytelling will help you solve
• Tips for avoiding the most common business storytelling blunders

About Amanda Marko, president and chief connection officer, Connected Strategy Group

For a dozen years she worked every one of her dream jobs in corporate communications – from running the communications office of a United States Senator, to heading the communications departments of a massive economic development organization, as well as a global leader in the plastics industry, to living in England to guide executive and employee communications in Europe, Middle East and Africa for a multinational software company. After achieving every type of position listed on her career plan, she decided to exclusively focus on what she does best – using the power of connections to influence others and change the world.

Her employee engagement and change management consulting is complemented by her storytelling work. She also recently became the first U.S. partner of Australia-based Anecdote, which is certified to deliver their Storytelling for Leaders program. The course and subsequent deliberate learning program has taught leaders from companies such as IMB, Shell and Rio Tinto techniques to better influence, engage and inspire others.

Join us for this relevant and informative presentation. Register today.

May 22 Luncheon: "Where the Communications Profession is Going: What Skills Will We Need?" Featuring Guest Presenter Matt McCallum, HFA

Do you have a real idea for where the communications profession is going? Are you confident you know how to continue to build your skills –- and which ones to build? Attendees will get a strong sense for these answers when Matt McCallum, hfa Partner/Talent Development presents Where the Communications Profession is Going: What Skills Will We Need? on May 22, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3150 West Market Street Akron, Ohio 44333. Networking and lunch begin at 11:30am, and the presentation, including time for questions and answers runs from noon – 1:30pm.

McCallum is a leader at hfa, a full-service marketing communications agency that has been named a top agency six years running in BtoB magazine’s annual national Top Agencies Report. The magazine reported in 2013 that hfa is the largest Northeast Ohio-based agency and second largest in Ohio. The agency's areas of expertise encompass branding, research, strategic planning, interactive solutions, social media marketing, public relations and media for retail, industrial, automotive, medical, travel, building product and government clients.

Make plans to join us! Register today.