Sandra Says

If you need to improve your LinkedIn presence, you might want to attend my upcoming presentation: Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Business. I’m teaching this for the Small Business Development Center on Friday, May 20th at 9am.

Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Business

5/20/2011

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: UH SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200,
Houston, Texas 77002

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool that has many benefits for business owners.  Even if you are already on LinkedIn it’s likely you aren’t tapping into its full potential.  In this hands-on I workshop you will discover how a LinkedIn strategy will generate new customers, improve your business development, and assist in your sales research efforts.

You will walk away with the “how to” of:

• Improving your profile
• Choosing a memorable profile picture
• Searching for business contacts, friends, and colleagues
• Securing and giving online recommendations
• Actively participating
• Using the “requesting an introduction” feature
• Finding tools to keep you organized
• Adding content from other sites
• Creating goals and measuring success

Online registration is $39; pay at the door is $59.

2010 is over and 2011 is beginning. As you look at what you did (and didn’t do) in the previous year, what were your successes and where were the areas that still need improvement? As you look at what you want to do next year, what are the 10 most important things you want to achieve? (Or just what do you want to achieve in 2011?)

I haven’t created any resolutions and, this year, haven’t done my year-end review. Honestly, I still don’t have a game plan for 2011. But I will… soon.

Have a great year.

Where I’ll be tomorrow:

Books on the Bayou 2010

BOB 2010 Author Visits

Author Firoozeh Dumas
Saturday, September 11 | 1 PM
Central Library | 500 McKinney | 77002
Join us for a special visit from Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi and Laughing without an Accent, who will discuss her work and sign copies of her books.

In 1972, when she was seven, Firoozeh Dumas and her family moved from Iran to Southern California, arriving with no firsthand knowledge of this country beyond her father’s glowing memories of his graduate school years here. More family soon followed, and the clan has been here ever since. Funny in Farsi chronicles the American journey of Dumas’s wonderfully engaging family: her engineer father, a sweetly quixotic dreamer who first sought riches on Bowling for Dollars and in Las Vegas, and later lost his job during the Iranian revolution; her elegant mother, who never fully mastered English (nor cared to); her uncle, who combated the effects of American fast food with an army of miraculous American weight-loss gadgets; and Firoozeh herself, who as a girl changed her name to Julie, and who encountered a second wave of culture shock when she met and married a Frenchman, becoming part of a one-couple melting pot.

In a series of deftly drawn scenes, we watch the family grapple with American English (hot dogs and hush puppies?—a complete mystery), American traditions (Thanksgiving turkey?—an even greater mystery, since it tastes like nothing), and American culture (Firoozeh’s parents laugh uproariously at Bob Hope on television, although they don’t get the jokes even when she translates them into Farsi). Above all, this is an unforgettable story of identity, discovery, and the power of family love. It is a book that will leave us all laughing—without an accent.

By the way, check out the mentions of this event.

Information about an upcoming event/series at the Houston Public Library:

9th Annual Books On The Bayou Opening Celebration on Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Houston Public Library invites the community to join Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston Public Library Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson for the Opening Celebration of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. This year’s selection is “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by Marjane Satrapi. Mayor Parker’s welcome address is only one of several events which are scheduled to begin at 11 AM thru 5 PM at the Central Library on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

The opening celebration includes a day of Persian cuisine, musical and dance performances, speakers, book discussions, and a film screening of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis” (a French film with English subtitles). In addition, at 1:15 PM there will be a screening of archival footage of Satrapi’s visit to Houston. The Central Library is located at 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313. The program is free and open to the public.

About Books on the Bayou
The Houston Public Library invites all Houstonians to join together to read “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by author Marjane Satrapi for the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. Books on the Bayou brings Houstonians together to read the same book at the same time, provoking discussion among co-workers, friends, families, and classrooms. This program cultivates a culture of reading in Houston by encouraging people to visit libraries, bookstores, community centers, homes, churches, and schools to discuss the featured book.

Now through September 30, 2010 everyone is invited to attend the many diverse activities that are planned at all neighborhood library locations. There will be book and film discussions, displays, storytelling, and other events. For a detailed list of events visit www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or pick up a Resource Guide at any of the Houston Public Library’s 35 neighborhood locations.

Opening Celebration
Saturday, August 28 * 11AM-5PM
Houston Public Library Central Library
500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313

Book Discussion | 11 AM
Connie Lewis from Houston Great Books Society will lead a book discussion of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.” Whether you’ve read the book or are just thinking about reading it, you are invited to join the discussion.

Welcome Addresses | 12 NOON
The official opening of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together reading and programming series, featuring Persian cuisine, special musical and dance performances, and guest speakers Mayor Annise D. Parker and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of Houston Public Library.

Archival Footage Screening | 1:15 PM
A special screening of archival footage from Marjane Satrapi’s visit to Houston, introduced and provided by Inprint. Graphic memoirist Marjane Satrapi, author of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood,” was featured in the in the 2007/2008 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series as a special event presentation on Saturday, April 12, 2008, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Film Screening | 3:15 PM
A special presentation of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis.” French, with English subtitles; MPAA Rating: PG-13.

For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or call 832-393-1313.

I want to let you know that I will be presenting at the “SOCIAL MEDIA For GOVERNMENT: How To Engage Your Employees And Citizens By Using The Latest WEB 2.0 Technologies To Drive Communication Results,” September 14-17, 2009, in Washington, DC. Attend this conference to learn how to capture the power of social media in your organization, along with helpful tools, tips and techniques to get started. Since I am participating in the conference, you can save 50% off current registration rates by mentioning email code “SPK.”

To register or to get more information about the event, see the information below or go to the conference web site at http://www.aliconferences.com/conf/social_media_govt0909/index.htm.

Hope to see you there!

I am liveblogging from SXSW via Twitter. Want to follow the stream? go to www.twitter.com/sandrasays.

The Houston Public Library is going to have C-SPAN2′s Book TV taping the upcoming “An Evening with Gregory Rodriguez.” Rodriguez will be reading from and discussing his book Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans & Vagabonds: Mexican Immigration and the Future of Race in America.

“An Evening With Gregory Rodriguez”
November 5, 2007 at 6 PM
McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library
7405 Stella Link, 77025 * 832-393-2630

Los Angeles Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez takes on the polemic issues of our times, immigration and the demographic reshaping of America, in his new book “Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans & Vagabonds: Mexican Immigration and the Future of Race in America.” In his book, Rodriguez flashes forward 100 years in time, tracing the cultural and political landscape of America in the wake of Mexican immigration. The public is invited to meet and greet Rodriguez as he reads and signs copies of his new book.

It should prove to be an interesting discussion.

Tonight is the Houston NetSquared July Meetup:

When: Tuesday, July 10, 2007, 7:00 PM

Description: Just to be fun, we’re doing a last minute change-up for this July NetSquared meeting. Ed Schipul will be giving us the lowdown on last weekend’s iPhone Development Camp in San Francisco.

1. Recap of Barcamp / iPhone Dev Camp – about the event
2. Designing for the iPhone
3. What makes the iPhone tick
4. Demos of iPhone apps

Bring your iPhone, laptop and your brain – this will be a great geek-out session, with great practical applications for mobile Web designing.

Tomorrow, PRSA Houston is holding a Workshop & Luncheon on Social Media & Public Relations:

Wed 11-Jul-07 8:00 AM – to – Wed 11-Jul-07 1:30 PM CDT
Courtyard on St. James
1885 St. James Place
Houston TX 77056  

Details on “July 11 Workshop & Luncheon–Social Media & Public Relations”

Speaker Information “Josh Hallet”
Josh Hallet has been involved in emerging internet communication technologies for more than ten years and works closely with public relations! practitioners and corporate communicators to integrate these technological tools into organizations’ public and media strategic planning. He is a Fellow//Board Member of the Society of New Communications Research, as well as a member of the Information Architecture Institute, and the Florida Public Relations Association.

Also tomorrow, WITI Houston is holding a regional event, on the Digital Houston Initiative:

Join WITI as we discuss the latest on the City of Houston’s initiative to make wireless broadband services available throughout the city!

The objectives of this initiative include:

- Reducing the City government cost for mobile computing, i.e. parking meters, traffic signals, maintenance crews, field inspections, video and photography in police cars, maps and building plans in fire and EMS vehicles;
- Reducing the monthly cost of broadband for residential and small business users from $30-$50 to $10-$20;
- Bridging the digital divide for disadvantaged communities/ individuals and promoting economic development and conventions/tourism.

The City intends to leverage its significant real estate holdings, as well as rights it may secure to assets owned by the local electric utility, to stimulate private investments and provide maximum value for the community. The City also intends to secure access to more than one (1) million street light and/or utility poles, which are owned by the local electric utility, and deployed in the City’s rights-of-way.

We will have drawings for door prizes. Please bring your business cards to the meeting to enter the drawings.

About Our Speaker(s):
Umesh K. Verma, President and CEO of Blue Lance, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years in the IT industry. Since forming Blue Lance in 1985, he has built the company into a leading provider of computer security and regulatory compliance software products. He is an expert on computer security and monitoring of information assets and is a frequent speaker.

Alongside his success with Blue Lance, Mr. Verma is recognized for having grown C-TREC into one of the largest privately held computer training companies in Houston, specializing in CISSP, Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, HP (ASE), CompTIA, Citrix and SAIR Linux certifications, and is an official Prometric Testing center. He also founded Softec International, an offshore software development company. Softec International was acquired by Novell in 1997.

Boards & Task Forces:

Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors
Chair, Technology Infrastructure Committee
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Center for Houston’s Future Leadership & Engagement Committee
Houston Technology Center Advisory Board
Technology Executive Club of Houston
University of Houston College of Technology Advisory Board
University of Houston Alumni Organization Board of Directors
Houston Business Magazine Advisory Board
Awards:

Honored as one of 44 distinguished entrepreneurs in the City of Houston by the Houston Technology Center
Future 500 Upside Award presented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year finalist
28th fastest growing company in Houston by the Houston Business Journal
Houston 100 awards 1992
Houston 100 awards 1991

Event Date and Venue
This event will be held from 6:00-8:30 on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at:

SYSCO Corporation
1370 Enclave Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077
(Map)

Directions:
The parking garage entry gates are equipped with a typical push button for assistance. Please announce yourself as a WITI attendess, security
will verify and allow access. Entry to the building is on level 1 from the parking garage. The hallway will lead you to the main lobby and can check in there. The Meeting room is located on the 4th floor. Rooms A4 – 1,2 & 3. The registration table will be located just inside rooms 1&2.

If you have been to SYSCO before, please be aware that this is a new corporate office, which is next door to the original building. The original building is no longer there.

Schedule:
6:00-6:30 Registration, Dinner and Networking
6:30-7:00 Announcements, Sponsor Welcome
7:00-8:00 Program, Q&A
8:00-8:30 Networking

All of these look interesting enough to put on your calendar (they’re already on mine).

Thursday, July 12 at 2 p.m.
Jungman Neighborhood Library
5830 Westheimer, 77057 * 832-393-1860

Free and Open to the Public

The Houston Public Library invites the public to meet and greet Texan author Marsha Moyer at Jungman Neighborhood Library located at 5830 Westheimer, 77057. Moyer will give a presentation on her latest release Heartbreak Town and sign books on Thursday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

In Heartbreak Town, Moyer continues the saga of sassy East Texan Lucy Hatch from her previous novels The Last of the Honky-Tonk Angels and The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch. Back home in Mooney after fleeing Nashville and her country-crooner hubby, Ash Farrell, Lucy settles into her old job at the flower shop and new life as a single mom. But, her plans are blown to bits when Ash roars into town in a rainstorm, on the run from rehab with a wounded heart, shattered dreams and a trashy trailer that he parks in Lucy’s yard.

Marsha Moyer was born in Austin and grew up in Bryan-College Station. After graduating from Bryan High School, she attended the University of Texas at Austin. For the next 25 years she held a variety of jobs, including those of secretary to two animal scientists in the field of swine management, newsletter editor at the Texas A&M computing center, and assistant to the late chemist Karl Folkers, whose work in the field of coenzyme Q-10 research is world-renowned.

Moyer has written fiction since childhood, and in 1990 was awarded a three-month residency from the Syvenna Foundation for women writers in northeast Texas. Almost a decade later, the East Texas experience came full circle when she began the manuscript which would ultimately yield four novels in the Lucy Hatch series.

For further details, please contact the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.

An Evening With…

You Are Cordially Invited To
“An Evening With…”

The Houston Public Library invites you, your friends and your neighbors to an ongoing author series where you will meet well-known authors from several genres. Relationships, mysteries and faith are just a few of the topics to be presented in the first programs.

As part of the year-long series, monthly events will be held throughout the city at neighborhood libraries. Attend one, or attend them all. Authors will read from one (or several) of their books, answer audience questions and talk about what inspires their writing. All events are free and open to the public.

“An Evening With Bill Crider”

Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library

Monday, June 11, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Crider is the author of 50 published novels and numerous short stories. He will read from his book, “Murder Among the OWLS,” the 14th installment in his Dan Rhodes mystery series, in which a member of the Old Women’s Literary Society (OWLS) is found dead.

For further details, please contact the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.