Susan Van Klink’s Post

Like many of us on LinkedIn, I attended this year's #B2BMX conference in Scottsdale, AZ. Lucky for me, it's only about 20-minutes North-East of where I live! I was able to engage with thoughtful industry leaders, interested prospects, very missed ex-colleagues and was able to see a current team member in person. Overall, it was a success. ✨ That said, my post isn't about the sessions, or the ROI, etc. I wanted to highlight an approach from Navu which I don't think got the recognition it deserved. I was lucky enough to speak with both John Greely & Colin Zealear while at their booth. They were, like many other companies giving out swag and goodies. But what I thought was unique and thoughtful, especially in a moment in time where there is a lot of complexity in the world, they offered to donate $25 in a prospects name to the Arizona Food Bank Network. (Now, before I get the hecklers saying it's a charitable write-off, etc.) I do want to acknowledge they provided me, their prospect, with a choice of swag or helping someone else in need. Without even knowing me, they solved one of my "needs" that wasn't aligned to work - which is helping others, whenever I can. Just a small reminder that we're focused on work A LOT and remembering to give back in other ways than a free water bottle, is paramount for our overall human happiness! Great job Navu team!

We like to start the week joyfully, With a positive kick-off to our team meeting. Our team meeting starts with ‘Monday Motivation’ at The Joy Club, led by our fantastic Content and Events Producer, Marina. The session includes highlights from customer feedback, as well as joy from the wider world. Marina brought this moving story to us, which I wanted to share with you too. Sisters Helena and Barbara were separated in Germany during WW2, with Helena forcibly taken to a prison of war camp. They were reunited after the war in Germany, but life took them on different paths - with Helena moving to Montana and Barbara to New Jersey. The Wish of a Lifetime programme from AARP reunited them once more, for what the sisters consider to be the last time. Such brilliant work, bringing joy to people in later life - a mission very close to our hearts at The Joy Club, of course! What do you think? Do you have any rituals in your team, to start the week in a motivating way? ➕ Follow me, Hannah Thomson, for age positivity, leadership and community insights. Link to full article in the comments, as well as a link to the AARP ‘Wish of a Lifetime’ page - where you can find out more, donate or submit a wish. Do check it out, though worth bearing in mind that (I think) it’s US only. Credit: Good News Network for the story and screenshot, featuring an image from Dina Averuk Photography.

Join our Q&A with myself, Nicole R Smith, CVA and Jessica Pang-Parks MES, CVA. I wanted to begin an open forum with professionals in the volunteer engagement field for a quick, not solve the world questions! However those questions are welcome too! We can start a conversation about it and continue another day. What is keeping you up at night? #lovols #volunteer #questions #nonprofit #volunteerengagement #leadership #conversation https://lnkd.in/e5h4RyHZ.

Did you know we just launched a new Instagram account? If you’re curious about what happens behind the scenes at conferences, team events, and everything that’s a little more fun and less formal (you know, the stuff that doesn’t quite belong on LinkedIn 😉), come and join us over on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/e5z4gCah We’d love to share a different side of what we do. #MedicAlert #BehindTheScenes #NotForProfit

Check out this webinar with my colleague and friend, Karin George with the CEO of Givzey Adam Martel on the "The Strategic Benefits of Great Gift Documentation" - a great conversation to listen in and learn from!

It may be time to change the profile photo! 📸 I have several stories of changing my look so dramatically that my own family didn't recognize me. Hubs, Douglas Mowbray, was joking this time around that there was a stranger in the house. Change takes time to get used to, provides a fresh perspective, a break in habits, and propels us toward new approaches. Not just us, but those around us. When I am frustrated and cannot find something or figure out something, I add movement, change my height, or find another way to see things a little differently. When my stylist approached me about cutting off approximately 12 inches, it took me about 10 seconds to respond a resounding yes. He asked me questions how I use the length, if I twirl the bottom, or swipe the top, would I miss having the length, typical questions a great stylist will consider. I have minimal tools for "styling" my hair... I do have a curling iron and a bit of experience from my years of working at a high end hair salon. As you might notice, I refrain from coloring my hair, it's been a very long time since I have done so. The way I have approached my hair is quite organically, embracing the wisdom strands, as I like to think about my changing hair color. This year, I embrace a new business, a new look, and a new way in which I will have to approach how I style my hair. Here is to newness and the joy that it can bring! #changeisgood #newbeginnings #freshperspective

As a previous winner of the IoD's Director of the Year Award for Corporate Resposibility, I've long championed the notion that business can (and should be) a force for good. Which is one reason why, over at Fifty2M Towers, we're currently in the early throes of exploring the possibility of joining the B Corp movement. It's also why, in the past two years, we've increased the amount of work we do with charities and other third sector and voluntary organisations; it gives our work greater purpose and more meaning than simply helping businesses flog more stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with businesses promoting their wares, and we do continue to work in the private sector, but we don't need to be another cog in the machine that perpetuates the kind of rampant consumerism driven by sales events like Black Friday. We've decided to swerve those sorts of campaigns and focus instead on putting our PR and marketing skills to good use supporting businesses that sell products and services deisgned to solve problems and make the world a better place, and small businesses that provide jobs in communities, which perfectly complements our third sector push and our work with charities that are addressing societal challenges. I have to say, it feels good. But there's something nagging me. Lots of businesses claim to be mission-driven and full of purpose, but then don't seem to live-up to those claims or the values they espouse. Instead, it's like they just wear it as a badge - a point-of-difference in their promotional marketing used to attract a certain class of investor or customer audience, a bit like we've seen over the years with ISO accreditation. How can those businesses which genuinely want to make a difference make sure they don't get lumped-in with those who appear to have appropriated 'purpose' just to use it as a promotional device? I'm eager to hear people's views on this, so please do head for the comments 👍 #PurposefulBusiness

Looking for events that are happening in the Metro this week that you probably will want to consider as you are growing your network ? 6/10 Greater Des Moines Partnership's Small Business Success Summit. An all day event of networking and learning targeted for small businesses so if you are a small business or in the process of building one there will be a ton of resources to help you on your journey at the FFA Center. 6/10-12 The Hu Valuation Summit at the World Food Prize. Multiple days of roundtable discussions around valuation and human value as they strive to solve problems and add value to businesses #beyondcarbon It's designed to come and go as you want to, but start ups, businesses, and non profits from around the country will be pitching. 6/12 Brewing Up Business will be at Paws & Pints 5-7p. Grow your network, hear from Big Brothers & Big Sisters and ways that you can help support them. 6/13 House of Mercy Game Show Gala. Non-Profit support beyond your traditional black tie gala. It's a fun game show with audience participation. Of course still great networking, dinner, and the like but better. Still time to get tickets, and if you can't make it then support with a donation to #teamwill (selfishly that's the team I'm on) 6/13 Technology Association of Iowa's monthly Tech Brew 8-9a at West End Architectural Salvage. It's always a can't miss event that should be on your calendar (2nd Tuesday of the month). This month my friend John Bertrand will be the presenter and it's going to be awesome! 6/13 West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce's West YP monthly event is doing an HR Info Session focused on what are you doing to retain and develop your #youngprofessionals 4-5p at Beerstyles 6/15 Ankeny Young Professionals and Upton Ankeny have their AYP Summer Bash. Face painting, superheroes, princess and so much more. Entertainment for the whole family. 11-2p #promotepeoplenotproducts #networking #dsmusa #events #reppdesmoines #professionaldevelopment #jacobfromlinkedin

🌟 Looking to elevate your sales game? In this quick conversation, Emma shares why she’s excited to join ShipleyWins’ Crafting the Sales Masterclass. With actionable insights on understanding customer behavior, crafting powerful business cases, and fine-tuning essential sales skills, this workshop offers a fresh approach to mastering the art of sales. And there’s an added bonus: by attending, you'll support Wellboring’s mission to bring clean water to schools. 💧 It’s a chance to grow your skills and make a positive impact! 🗓 Workshop Dates: 25th & 26th November 🕐 Time: 1 PM - 5 PM CET 📍 Location: Virtual 💶 Suggested donation for Wellboring upon registration Curious to learn more? Don’t wait—spots are filling up fast, so register soon to save your place! And if you know someone who’d benefit, feel free to share this post! #SalesMasterclass #CraftingTheSale #ShipleyWins #ProfessionalGrowth #SalesTraining #Wellboring

Creating a club that garners a community around your company is a way to build loyalty, boost business, and attract new customers. Check out these examples for ideas! #onlinecommunity #dotclub #clubmembership