Vlad Portnoy, Esq.’s Post

💕Romanticise your life. 💕 ✍🏾Please note…That includes your work life. I was chatting to the lovely Lisa Voakes about this very topic. She was telling me about the seasonal ways in which she decorates her home. 🍁❄️🌞🌺 Much like this, when we decided to gather 20 friends together, from across the tech and change scene… this is what we were doing. 💃🏽 We put it in the diary, we made a guest list, we got dressed up, we made a table plan, ordered beautiful wine and chose a restaurant that would feel like a treat. 🪩 In many ways, making things feel special, investing time in ensuring that you enjoy the journey, its something that is often overlooked. 👀 But, when I went self employed and the rule book was thrown out of the window…..I realised that much like in our personal lives, having fun and enjoying it means that the people you end up surrounding yourself with, your community calendar can be fun, different and special too. 🥳 🙏🏾Thank you to all our incredible guests, it was a pleasure to celebrate, chat, gossip, plot and laugh with you all. Beetroot Consulting Ltd Lucy M. LCSM Digital Marketing Nicole Barker Princess Mavuru Nigel M. Kai Bentley-Grey Liz Millington Damien Hughes Amy Owen (nee Murgatroyd) Amy Redpath Roli Barker David Voakes Jacquie Ambrose Joyce Osaghae #celebration #womenintech #techcommunity #workdinner #worksocial #womenwholead #community #changemanagement #businessdevelopment #techtransformation

The Power of Community: The Magic of The Clifton Club and the Joy of the Season In a fast-paced world, the importance of community cannot be overstated. It’s not just about belonging; it’s about being part of something meaningful, where connections inspire, relationships thrive, and moments of joy are shared. Last night’s Clifton Christmas Light Switch-On was a perfect reminder of this. The atmosphere was truly magical—twinkling lights illuminating our beautiful surroundings, laughter filling the air, and a collective sense of celebration bringing everyone together. Moments like these showcase what makes The Clifton Club so special. More than a members’ club, it’s a community where tradition meets forward-thinking, and individuals come together to share ideas, celebrate achievements, and foster meaningful relationships. Events like last night’s light switch-on are a testament to the spirit of togetherness that makes this place so unique. For me, the magic of The Clifton Club is found in these shared experiences. It’s the chance to connect with inspiring individuals, celebrate the season with friends, and build lasting relationships in an environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth. Whether it’s a meaningful conversation over coffee, an exciting new collaboration, or the simple joy of a festive gathering, the value of community cannot be underestimated. Here’s to the festive season and to celebrating the beauty of community. Together, we illuminate more than just Christmas lights—we brighten each other’s lives. Melissa Haskell Guy Armitage-Norton Roman Kubiak TEP Christian Feroze #CommunityMatters #TheCliftonClub #ChristmasMagic #SharedMoments #Networking #TogetherWeThrive

💡 Let’s face it, swiping and algorithms can only take us so far. Real connection? It happens when people share moments, not just messages. That’s why communities are making such a big comeback. 🤝 Think about team-building retreats. They work because they bring people together in a relaxed setting, creating space for real conversations and shared experiences. ⭐ That’s exactly what we’re trying to do with our dinner parties. Create moments where people can meet, laugh, and actually connect, whether it’s for dating, friendship, or just some good company. What do you think? Are we all craving more community these days? Let’s talk. 👇 #Community #CommunityConnections #RealLifeInteractions #HumanConnection #Networking #TeamBuilding #FoodFriendsLove #SocialNetworking #InPersonEvents #Events

Last week at the #CMXSummit in San Francisco, I had the distinct pleasure of delving deep into the evolving world of community engagement. As an attendee, the energy was palpable—from the main stage to the buzzing networking sessions, every moment was a learning opportunity. The privilege of interacting face-to-face with pioneering thinkers and enthusiastic #communitybuilders added a rich layer to my understanding of how strategic community engagement can truly transform businesses. I am especially grateful for the thought-provoking discussions and the wealth of knowledge shared by everyone present. Walking away with a plethora of resources, including insightful community-focused books and reports, has been invaluable. A special thank you to the authors and researchers like Susie Wise, Kasley Killam, MPH, Kim Scott, Martin Carcasson, Ruth D., Molli Aronce, DeMario Bell. Your contributions are shaping our practices and perspectives. Reflecting on this year's summit, the critical role of community in business was underscored repeatedly. It's clear that community is not just about #belonging —it's about engaging actively and contributing in ways that make every member feel vital to the whole. Key #Insights from the CMX Summit: ✨ Health and Community: Engaged communities significantly boost member health. ✨ Intentionality in Connections: We must focus on facilitating deeper, more meaningful interactions. ✨ Global Perspective: It's essential to consider and incorporate the diverse, global audience we serve. ✨ Sustainable Strategies: Looking forward, the goal is to build communities that last well beyond the immediate future. As we all continue to shape the future of community management, I’m keen to keep these conversations going. What was your biggest takeaway from the CMX Summit, or from any recent engagement with your community? I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the incredible individuals I met and engaging with new ones here online. A shoutout to some of the amazing people I connected with: Beth McIntyre, Richard Millington, Rei Parreiras, Amanda Natalie Løvgren Fellov, Margaux Miller, and many others—your insights and newly created friendship were truly the highlight of my week! #CommunityBuilding #CommunityEngagement #GlobalCommunity #SustainableCommunities #CommunityHealth

Get ready to mark your calendars!!These are some upcoming events that you don't want to miss! Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up: #BessemerEvents #CommunityEngagement #SaveTheDate #CreatingConnections

Do you need a schedule when organizing an event? Sure, it’s better. If you host the same event every month, people start to expect it. They make time for it. But then, what about organizing an event just 3 days in advance? That’s a totally different mindset. And it is possible. Sure, you have very little time to promote it. But, if it is good, it will work. Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://www.rfr.bz/l91076b #coworking #community #remotework

Shout out to Tory Archbold You taught me the power of connection over coffee.☕️ You don’t need to run your own business to do this, I have implemented this at my workplace in groups. The results outstanding and far reaching, further than I ever expected. I have met new people, introduced people who have just been email friends and seen 3rd parties connect as a result of bringing people together. When team members fly in from interstate they ask to join. People work together better when there is connection, when they know you as a human, rather than just an email address. Magic happens, community and belonging is built, and you build your coffee buddy group too 😄 Tory Archbold Powerful Steps by Tory Archbold #networking #community #friends #coffeechat #coffee #social #relationshipbuilding #relationships #workplaceproductivity #workplaceinclusivity #workplaceculture #business

🎄 This Holiday Season, Let’s Build Longer Tables and Smaller Fences The holiday season is a time to create meaningful connections. For the past five years, my wife and I have hosted a Christmas driveway party for our street. It started as a way to share nibbles and laughs, but it became so much more. Neighbours who hadn’t met in years exchanged numbers, friendships were formed, and a supportive community was built. Extending the table isn’t just about one meal—it’s about creating spaces for connection, inclusion, and kindness. And it’s not limited to Christmas. Anyone can take this opportunity to bring people together, regardless of what they celebrate. 💡 How can you extend your table this holiday season? Invite someone new. Organise a casual gathering. Use technology to connect with distant loved ones. 📖 Read my blog for The Table Talk Project to explore how you can make the season brighter for someone else: https://lnkd.in/gTumaF4z Who could you invite to your table this year? Let’s start a conversation. 💬 #HolidayConnection #LeadershipThroughConversation #BuildLongerTables

True to form, I'll be direct: I never paid Van Jones much more attention than any of the rest of the talking heads across the political industry or legacy media (on either side of the divisive aisle). As usual, however, Heidi Messer leveraged the powers of aligned community and long-form conversation to bring us exclusive access to someone who's depth reaches FAR beyond the sound bites and manufactured contention of TV days gone-by. The opportunity to hear about so much of Van's behind-the-scenes efforts to support community development and social innovation was incredibly motivating as I work through the challenges of building Loci as a for-Purpose multi-generational project, and his humility and vulnerability in talking about his personal journey offered so many reminders of how to regain personal wellness through adversity, and coming back stronger than ever. Participating in these Forecast events has been an incredibly valuable opportunity for me and I can't thank Heidi, Stephen Messer, Heidi Origer, and the rest of the Collective[i] team enough for continuing to host these powerful engagements. Not only have they provided intimate access to thoughtful guests like Van, but I have made amazing aligned and strategic connections with other professionals driving progress in our spaces each time we come together. Sometimes we even get a surprise appearance, like Mark B. stopping by! Whether you're interested in AI, tech, organizational development, human trends, professional growth, personal wellness, or just connecting with serious builders, creators and leaders...I welcome you to find the guests that resonate with you the most, and join the conversation! Collective[i] Forecast (ciforecast.com)

What does the local community have to do with your organization’s long term SUCCESS? More than you know… 👇 Organizations with an uplifting service culture are always looking for the next STEP UP in: - Creating value for their customers - Building a workplace employees love, AND - Contributing to and lifting up the communities they are in. And I’m not just talking about giving employees a day to do volunteer work… Or sponsoring the occasional event.  I’m talking about really getting involved with and contributing to the well-being of the communities in which your organization operates. Why? ❗ Because your business is PART of the community! Not only does your business benefit from belonging to a thriving community… It will also be valued BY the community. And that makes both you and your community STRONGER. ✅ Watch the video to see how one industry-leading organization has taken the CARE of their communities to a whole new level. Let me know: ❓ Do you agree about the importance of community well-being? ❓ Is your organization currently involved with the local community? ❓ What else could your organization do to improve the future well-being of communities where you work? Ron Kaufman #community #connection #success #team