Anniversary Celebration

To recap yesterday's festivities, we began the day with a Next Michigan (non-profit foundation) chapter meeting with a special guest speaker, Todd List. Todd did an excellent job of entertaining the crowd and educating us as well about some of the history of Michigan, where we've been and where we are headed. He has a great and positive outlook for the next stage in Michigan's growth. Thank you Todd! Our next, NextMI event will be the second Tuesday in February. Please join us in supporting the conversation of creating opportunity through connections here in this great state!

We couldn't have anticipated the awesome turn out for our Goal Setting Workshop and Celebration event. We certainly enjoyed ourselves, with a full house of over 100 people in attendance, and hope that you did as well if you were able to attend the event. Thank you to our guest hosts who jumped in to help in every way possible: Alan Smith, who helps us with membership and event coordination, Todd List, Dr. Ann Burton, Dr. Kathy Jerore, Pam Baumkratz, Michael Eaton, Leslie Dunham, and a special thanks to Merry Sherman for delivering our anniversary cake and being able to put it together with very, very short notice. We appreciate you all! If I didn't mention your name, I sincerely apologize, please forgive me. The day was amazing, most of it passing by in a whirlwind!

Later in the day, we enjoyed our first InSights Group Toastmasters club meeting as an officially chartering club. This group meets every Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm and is a great place to practice your public speaking in front of a group.

Our final event of the day was when we recorded our commercial for HUB-TV, with extra performers from our TM group. They filled our village and looked like professional networkers as Lauren Alm, a talented singer/songwriter and guitar player who recently graduated from Howell High School, wrote, performed and recorded our Jingle for the 30 second spot. Look for this to be released very soon. Lauren is a regular performer at the Open Mic Nights at InSights, as well as having performed at our Holiday Party. She is on track to a great success! We appreciate her talent and willingness to step in. Please, stop by this Saturday beginning at 8:30pm to hear her perform.

Now, some housekeeping...we are accepting appointments for 30 minute business consultations if you attended the Goal workshop and received a golden ticket. This ticket also allows entry into any InSights Sponsored event at no charge. To make these easier to identify, you will see *IN on the title of events on the calendar. Any event marked with *IN is eligible for the golden ticket pass, so take advantage of as many of these opportunities as you can!

We planned yesterday's events as a celebration for our business, and didn't touch much on membership costs and fees. You can visit this link to review membership choices and more. Please call if you have questions, or are ready to take the next step in becoming a part of our awesome and amazing membership group here within the InSights Community. We will have our next Membership Q&A Meeting on Wednesday, January 14th at 9am. This is a great opportunity for our current members to come together with individuals considering membership, and brainstorm new ways to enhance the community. When the tide rises, all the ships rise with it. What can we provide that will help you and your business?

We've come a long way, in just a short year. From our very first meeting with 5 people, we have seen hundreds and hundreds of individuals seeking personal and business growth and opportunities come through our events, programs, and visit the facility. We had an exceptional year in 2008 and know that together with our members and friends that 2009 will be even better. We will be offering monthly goal setting workshops and check-ins to stay on track with reaching for our visions and making them a reality. Won't you join us?

Forever appreciative, inspired and uplifted by you, with hugs and gratitude,

Al Curtis and Sandi Maki, Co-Founders of the InSights Group

Tuesday's Notes

Today was a fantastic opportunity for networking and meeting some new people. MCC had their live lunch in Novi where there was plenty of conversation. Running back to the office I found a new group of people who were interested in learning more about how to use the web to promote their business. Cool conversation around what to do and not to do online, as well as discussion of it's not what you say, it's what people hear. Wrapped up the day taking a few more RSVP's for the goal setting seminar.

What did I learn today? After sending emails twice a month for a year, some people have decided to take action and come to our goal setting event on Thursday. What does this mean?

Believe in your message.
Market to the universe even if you don't see immediate results.
Be yourself.
Be persistent.

Twitter FAQ

Use twitter to follow people who you find interesting. Use the service to keep updated about social, business and intellectual areas of a person's life.

Online Social Networking Class and how to's

Many of you have asked about Online Social Networking (if you have linked in, facebook, plaxo, Twitter, or participate on our InSights website, this will teach you how to use the tools for your business!). We are adding more dates to the schedule. We are also presenting at the Brighton Chamber of Commerce beginning in January, doing a lunch and learn with the Howell Chamber, as well as presenting at a local women’s group in February. We can bring this class, and several others, to your company, your sales force, rotary group or other civic organization. Just ask if you’d like to bring this information into your organization! We are happy to help, and would love if everyone learned about, used, and continued to promote these awesome tools!

See the calendar…we have awesome events this week and next…including an entrepreneur program on Monday from 8-12, Motor City Connect Pizza Party from 11-1pm and Online Social Networking from 1:30-3:30 pm. You’ve got to get involved!!

Ladies Night News Release January 16th Event

NEWS RELEASE: Ladies Night: We are accepting vendors for the 2009 Shows. The first is scheduled for January 16th, 2009, from 6-10pm. We have spaces available for vendors at typical trade show size booths, and I have added an AWESOME NEW ALTERNATIVE for people who don’t require a large display. We have 2x2 Conversation Areas available for a great, you can’t beat it, or go wrong with it price, with all the benefits of entire show, just in a little cozier space. Call or email for details!

Membership Highlights:

Membership highlights:
 You will have the ability to achieve the success that you seek by becoming a member of the InSights Community.
 We believe so strongly that you will achieve the success you seek for your business and personal goals that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
 Join the InSights Group as a Community Affiliate by December 31, 2008, and receive exclusive 2008 CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS, offered only to those individuals who have joined the organization in 2008. Get Started Now!
 For unlimited learning and growth opportunities you can become an ongoing learning place participant. You have UNLIMITED, FULL TIME, GUARANTEED access to ALL InSights Group events and seminars on the calendar. Attend as many as you’d like, every month, for the best and greatest success building opportunity for your business!
 As a learning place participant, you have the first opportunity to present your services, products and opportunities to the community of members.

Community Buy In Options available at InSights Group

I am scheduling one on one meeting to discuss our InSights Community with anyone who is interested in community buy in options. We have awesome incentives to become involved before December 31st. As you may know, InSights Group is celebrating our one year business anniversary on January 8th, 2009 …look for a calendar full of events to celebrate the occasion! We have more WEB 3.0 (Social Networking Training), our Ask the Expert Series, we’re bringing back the business SKUNK meetings, and much more. If ever there was a time to get involved to better your business, the time is now! Give yourself a gift this holiday season and invest in your future. This is the place to start!