Kem Meyer's Blog, page 7

Do you want to be part of the Communications Coaching Network? Only 3 seats left...

Communications Coaching Network | Fall 2014. Once or twice a year, I host a coaching network for a very small group of communication professionals (no more than 12). We band together for a short, intensive learning journey over a few months.
If you’re interested in being a part of this network, submit an application soon (there are only four three spots left).
We’ll be meeting three times: Sep. 18-19 | Oct. 29-30 | Dec. 3-4. 
FYI—100% of the alumni who have participated say it’s well worth their time and money. 
Feel free to reach out to anyone on this alumni map if you have questions.
Tip: be sure to take a look at the executive pastor and connections coaching networks happening at the same time. 

The life of a grand.

7 months in. I’m still in shock how much this kid has changed my outlook. 

"The soul is healed by being with children." -Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Idiot

"Surprisingly, people don’t have passion for knowledge but passion for ignorance."

“Surprisingly, people don’t have passion for knowledge but passion for ignorance.”

- TED Talk | Renata Salecl: our unhealthy obsession with choice.

"There is no such thing as ‘society’ — only individual men, women and families...."

“There is no such thing as ‘society’ — only individual men, women and families. There is no such thing as society; there are people.”

- Margaret Thatcher paraphrase. Full quote: ‘I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people have been given to understand “I have a problem, it is the Government’s job to cope with it!” or “I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to cope with it!” “I am homeless, the Government must house me!” and so they are casting their problems on society and who is society? There is no such thing! There are individual men and women and there are families and no government can do anything except through people and people look to themselves first… There is no such thing as society. There is living tapestry of men and women and people and the beauty of that tapestry and the quality of our lives will depend upon how much each of us is prepared to take responsibility for ourselves and each of us prepared to turn round and help by our own efforts those who are unfortunate.’

Big reveal. Where I've been hiding.

Don’t you hate manipulative, self-important headlines like that? 
(Yes, I do. I really, really do.) Yeah, me too. But, I click them all the time. If you’re reading this, I have a hunch you do, too. Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. 

(Alright. Since you’ve got me here. Answer the question. Where have you been hiding? I haven’t seen or heard anything from you in, like, for-eva.) I haven’t been hiding, but that seems to be the theme of the most-frequently asked question I get these days: “What happened to you? Where have you been?” Here. I’ve been right here. 

(Can’t you at least keep me in the loop with some social media love?) One of the ingredients in my recipe for life is variety. Sometimes I feel like being social and sometimes I don’t. Like a little hedgehog, I take a social media hibernation every once and awhile. If it’s good enough for a hedgehog to conserve energy, reduce stress and renew focus, it’s good enough for me. I’ll see you online—sometimes. Sometimes, I won’t. 

(Are you still speaking or teaching workshops?) When life leaves the margin to take on the extras, I do. When my dance card is full with responsibilities at home and with my team here at Granger, I say no to the extras. My frequent-flier miles are at an all-time low right now, but I’m still committed to share what I’m learning to help equip and encourage others when and where I can. If you’re looking to connect, here are a few upcoming dates I’ll be available. 

Webinar Q&A | Aug. 28. This is free, but you’ll need to save your seat. Tip: be sure to look at the list of other webinars on the schedule. I’ll be talking about communications, but other Granger team members are hosting webinars on different dates to answer questions about finance, HR, series development and service planning, guest services, kids ministry teams and more. 
Communications Coaching Network | Fall 2014. Once or twice a year, I host a coaching network for a very small group of communication professionals (no more than 12). We band together for a short, intensive learning journey over a few months. If you’re interested in being a part of this network, submit an application soon (there are only four spots left). We’ll be meeting Sep. 18-19, Oct. 29-30 & Dec. 3-4. FYI—100% of the alumni who have participated say it’s well worth their time and money. Feel free to reach out to anyone on this  alumni map  if you have questions. Tip: be sure to take a look at the executive pastor and connections coaching networks happening at the same time. 
Innovate Conference | Oct. 14-15. I’ll be on hand with the rest of the staff team at Granger to roll-out the red carpet for you. I’ll be leading a couple of breakouts. Bring your team. Let’s grab a cup of coffee. Tip: Granger is more fun to visit that you realize. 

(Are you still blogging and writing?) Admittedly, my proverbial pen has a few cobwebs on it. But, I do miss writing. Hopefully, I’ll catch the wave and get back into my rhythm soon. But, in the meantime, here’s a few places I’ve contributed recently. Hope it helps. 

25 Fear-Busting Tips To Help You Talk About Money In Church . White paper with Bill McMillan at RSI.
10 Things People Want To Know Before They’ll Give Money To Your Church. White paper with Bill McMillan at RSI.
Does Church Marketing Still Suck? Guest post over at Church Marketing Sucks blog. 
The Abbreviated Communication Playbook. Article for Ministry Today magazine. 
Starting From Scratch . Guest author chapter in the Influence Lab ebook.  

I think we’re caught up now. Enjoy your day. 

You only had one job. (I have days like this.)

You only had one job. (I have days like this.)

bobbycaputo:Andrew Knapp’s Photographs Of Hide and Seek With...

bobbycaputo:

Andrew Knapp’s Photographs Of Hide and Seek With His Dog

There’s a dog in every one of these photographs. Do you see it? Based on a famous game, Andrew Knapp and his border collie Momo find a variety of places to play hide and seek. Urban areas, grassy parks, graffitied walls and rocky terrain are just some of where you can spot Momo (or at least try). Knapp and his furry friend play this ongoing game called Find Momo with the fans of their blog around the world.

(Continue Reading)

5 metrics you need to know to give a great presentation

1.5 seconds the amount of time you have to make a positive first impression. 
2.5 minutes the average audience attention span (down from 12, then 5 in past ten years)
150 average number of times the average American checks his/her phone in 24 hour period
12 maximum number of words that should be projected on your screen at a time
100 percent of your audience will appreciate your speech ending on time

via Noah Zandan, CEO of Quantified Impressions

"Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. I think that a lot of what people call intelligence just..."

“Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. I think that a lot of what people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity.”

- Aaron Swartz (via kevinthebigapple)

"I’m sorry for my inability to let unimportant things go."

“I’m sorry for my inability to let unimportant things go.”

- Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (via larmoyante)