Join VACEOs for Fall Leaders Conference 2024: Breakthrough Conversations with Marcus Sheridan
Bring your team!
The Fall Leaders Conference is open to all leaders, not just VACEOs members.
Join VACEOs on September 26, 2024, at the Jepson Alumni Center to spend the afternoon with Marcus Sheridan – marketing expert, world-renowned speaker, and bestselling author.
Leadership in the post-pandemic era has undergone a seismic shift. It’s evolved beyond the confines of merely building a “business” to crafting a genuine “team”—a symphony of deep, human-to-human connections. This is where you, the leader, turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
So what is the solution to this tremendous challenge? The answer rests on an often over-looked, under-appreciated skill: better leadership communication. Marcus Sheridan has built a powerful and inspiring program: Breakthrough Conversations.
Marcus Sheridan, an expert in the field of communication and leadership and a favorite of VACEOs, has developed his newest program anchored in a 4-pillar leadership communication framework—intuitive, actionable, and designed to revolutionize the way leaders engage, influence, and connect.
This program unfolds the secrets of communication, equipping leaders, managers, and team members with the tools to:
- Elevate every interaction within the workplace, from one-on-ones to team huddles.
- Instill a culture of self-solution and leadership growth within their teams.
- Foster a deeply connected team environment, nurturing loyalty and a profound sense of belonging.
- Engage with customers in a manner that cements trust and resolves concerns with unwavering precision.
Marcus Sheridan’s signature approach guarantees an immersive experience, transforming passive listening into active engagement, ensuring that each element of his program doesn’t just resonate but truly sticks, with clear, actionable takeaways for all attendees.
This program is ideal for those seeking to enhance their leadership acumen, influence, and communication prowess—fueling a robust company culture, amplified team performance, elevated sales, and fortified employee retention.
Participants will walk away with:
- The confidence to transform any challenging interaction into a positive, trust-building moment.
- The blueprint to cultivate a pervasive culture of leadership development.
- The acumen to ask the kind of questions that cut through noise and lay bare the heart of the issue.
- An enhanced awareness of conversation pitfalls and the skills to preemptively address them.
- The ability to consistently catalyze “aha” moments that propel day-to-day communications to new heights.
- A clear framework of leadership communication to apply instantaneously to both their personal and professional lives.
The afternoon will conclude with a networking reception.
Sponsors
Thank you to Robins School of Business Graduate Programs, Mike King Biz, Bamboo Teaming, and Lee Construction Group, Inc. for being a sponsor of this event.
Schedule for the day:
Thursday, September 26
12:30 PM: Registration and Networking
1:00 PM: Welcome and Announcements
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Marcus Sheridan, Breakthrough Conversations (with three 15-minute breaks)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Reception
Who is this for:
This program is open to all CEOs and business leaders and their teams looking to improve their communication skills to build more connected, effective, and loyal teams.
About the Speaker
As a world-renowned communication expert, author, and keynote speaker, Marcus Sheridan helps brands, sales teams, and leaders build deeper human connections and establish more trust with their audiences.
With over 13 years of experience in the speaking industry and 23 years as an entrepreneur, Marcus has honed his craft as a master communicator, helping individuals and organizations transform the way they connect, engage, and influence.
His expertise has been tactfully applied across a diverse range of subjects including Sales, Leadership, Marketing, AI, personal development, and trust.
Marcus Sheridan’s pioneering approach to communication and connection has sparked a paradigm shift, inspiring businesses to adopt a culture of greater transparency and authenticity with their customers world-wide.
Forbes has named Marcus “1 of 20 Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss” and his book, They Ask You Answer, was named one of the “Top 5 Marketing Books of All-Time” by Book Authority.
Member Profile: Melissa Ball of Ball Office Products
Q: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
A: Nothing more than a deep need to pay a mortgage! I liked working for someone else early in my career, but don’t think I’d ever be a good candidate for that again. The company I worked for was a sinking ship and I figured we better make a job. So I started a business — Ball Office Products.
Q: Please tell us about your journey to become a CEO.
A: I’ve worked in the furniture and office product business since 1988. I learned the business along the way. The Ball family is actually 3rd generation in the industry. I worked for my father-in-law for a different company before his retirement and the sale of that company by remaining partners.
Q: You’ve been a member for 13 years, how has your experience in the Council changed over that time?
A: When I first joined VACEOs there were very few women. It has been good to see that change. I love that my group is nearly equal men/women. The fact that that my roundtable has been consistently valuable over more than a decade is impressive. I really value speakers and industry experts but the most valuable business resources are the members of my roundtable.
Q: You have another business, C.P. Dean. Can you tell us about that?
A: C.P. Dean’s slogan is “We deliver fun” and that is accurate. Pool tables, foosball, air hockey, shuffle board, multicades — and awards, plaques and trophies. My daughter runs the day-to-day operations at C.P. Dean and serves as president. We recently opened a new location in Chesapeake. It has been fun to learn a new business and to watch her grow and develop as a business owner. C.P. Dean has been in business since 1886. Our goal is to make sure it remains healthy and a strong part of our business community for generations to come.
Q: How are you promoting leadership development at Ball Office?
A: We are a small company. I’m not big on titles or management levels. Each employee is valued for their contribution. We work to make sure we are finding the best fit for each person at both Ball and C.P.Dean, and then offer opportunity for advancement or opportunities for new roles.
Q: Where did you grow up and tell us a little about yourself.
A: I grew up in a few places. I’m originally from West Virginia, moved away as a kid but will always feel like that is my home. Bethlehem, PA and then Baltimore, MD. I graduated HS in Baltimore and lived there the first 5 years of married life. Moved to Richmond in 1993. So, when I’m somewhere else I say I’m from Richmond but in Richmond I’d say I’m from WV by way of Baltimore. Not sure how many years you have to live in VA to be allowed to say you’re from here.
Q: When you are not leading Ball Office, what do you like to do?
A: I love dogs. Can’t imagine life without one. I have never gone more than a few months without a dog!
We have a sail boat we keep on the Rappahannock and sail around the Chesapeake. I’m more of a mountain person than a beach person and far prefer fall and winter to summer. I would love to spend more time in the mountains.
I love volunteering at several organizations, but The Doorways is my primary focus. I also volunteer occasionally for literacy program at Carver Elementary in the Richmond.
I spend a lot of time on business-related policy, generally through NFIB, the Virginia Retail Federation and Rally VA. I like to make sure political candidates really understand the impact of policy on independent business, serving on the NFIB state leadership. Currently serve an appointment on the Governor’s small business advisory board.
Q: During these last few uncertain/difficult years, how do you keep yourself upbeat and motivated?
A: During Covid I signed up for just about every streaming option; Master Class, Wonderioum, Curiosity Stream and other documentary type services. I tried to watch things that had nothing to do with anything I would typically be exposed to. It was a great distraction and good for my attitude. I like audio books, reading actual books. I like fiction with no basis in reality when I’ve had all the reality I can take.
Six Tips for Making the Most of a Conference
1. Sign up for recreational outings
Conferences aren’t just about sitting in sessions; they’re an opportunity for networking and building relationships. Consider participating in recreational options and social activities organized as part of the conference. Engaging in shared activities, like a group hike or a biking excursion, can create memorable experiences and forge connections. I’m still friends with Andrew because we crashed mountain bikes at a conference!
2. Get familiar with the content
Maximize the value of each session by doing some preliminary research. Look up information about the speakers and topics scheduled for each session. Understand what you hope to gain from attending a particular session, whether it’s new knowledge, insights, or networking opportunities.
3. Focus on capturing key takeaways
Active note-taking during sessions is crucial, but the real value comes from distilling three key takeaways or action items as soon as possible after each session. This not only helps solidify the information in your mind but also provides a concise reference for implementing what you’ve learned once you’re back at the office on Monday morning. Don’t try to capture everything, just what’s most important and actionable for you.
4. Find out who will be there
Networking can be the most valuable part of a conference. Prioritize a few individuals you want to meet. Utilize social media or conference apps to identify attendees and proactively reach out. Connecting with specific people enhances the quality of your networking and can lead to meaningful professional relationships.
5. Hang out
It’s amazing how much opportunity comes from accidental collisions. Attend the official parties and informal gatherings during off-hours. Ask a lot of questions. And wear your nametag. It makes you more approachable and memorable.
6. Connect with speakers
Speakers are valuable resources and usually willing to engage. Take the opportunity to talk with them between sessions or during networking breaks. Express your appreciation for their insights, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to connect on LinkedIn. Building a rapport with speakers not only expands your network but also provides access to their expertise beyond the conference.
By incorporating these six strategies into your conference approach, you’ll not only enhance your learning experience but also maximize the potential for valuable connections and collaborations. Conferences are not just about the sessions, they are about the people you get to meet.
Inspiring Inclusion at the 2024 International Women’s Day Event
Earlier this month, the Virginia Council of CEOs, in partnership with Robins School of Business Graduate Programs, hosted the sixth annual International Women’s Day event, my second in attendance. The atmosphere of this event was special. Each guest was greeted with warmth and a flood of compliments as they walked through the door, creating a sense of welcome and inclusion. It is a space where we embrace and celebrate our womanhood, leaving behind any feelings of otherness at the door.
International Women’s Day, more commonly recognized as March 8th in the Bosnian culture of my family, holds a profound significance for me as a day where I pay homage to the remarkable women who played pivotal roles in shaping my life and nurturing me. While similar to the sentiment of Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, its cultural importance runs even deeper, evoking a sense of heritage and collective empowerment symbolized by a bouquet of roses. Witnessing the radiance on the faces of my grandmother, aunts, and above all, my mother as they open the door to find my token of appreciation awaiting them brings me immense joy. My little tradition of purchasing and delivering flowers has made March 8th my favorite holiday.
Observing IWD within the context of the event for the past two years has brought to mind an interesting cultural juxtaposition. The holiday surged in popularity across communist nations in the wake of several revolutions to showcase women’s pivotal roles as both creators and pillars of society in the fight for peace. Historically and presently, women outside of the United States are typically not celebrated for their positions as business leaders in male dominated spaces, the majority of whom continue to face significant barriers to even obtain the same opportunities as American women. Our annual event provides me with a new perspective, despite the culture shock: the multitudes of women in the workplace, like our guests, dynamically shape our communities in ways that were not possible before. Culture is strengthened and diversified as our reach expands.
We have made incredible progress in the improvement of women’s rights, all of which are quickly overshadowed by constant reminders of that progress being undone. Women are suffering from poverty, war, and famine globally and domestically; our reproductive rights are threatened; and we are still not held as equals in either work or home.
This year’s keynote speaker Maria Tedesco, President of Atlantic Union Bank, posed the important question: “How are you lifting up others?” It is imperative that we ask ourselves this in order to support our communities and nurture others, be it through making space for diverse perspectives in the workplace, participating in mutual aid networks, or simply giving a compliment.
Aida Pehlic, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at VA Council of CEOs, contributed this post.
“Oh, That’s My Favorite Member!”
Pretty much every time I am talking about a member of VACEOs, I make that quote, or I think it. Ok, maybe they can’t all be my favorite. It is a bit like asking me to pick a favorite child. I have three children and they are all my favorite. I also have a favorite son-in-law. Granted I only have one, but he is an awesome one.
Yes, saying they are all my favorite is hyperbole. The statement is not a reflection of me and my capacity to adore our members, which I do, but it reflects the caliber of individuals who choose to join VACEOs. To be a successful member of VACEOs requires openness and vulnerability. Those qualities are not easily embraced by everyone, especially CEOs.
When people discover that I work with CEOs, they seem to imagine the high-profile CEOs they hear about in the media. You know who I mean, so I won’t even name names. There is a preconceived notion of the unattainable executive. When I explain the type of CEOs who join VACEOs, I may mention a local company which makes the CEO relatable to them. Mentioning a local favorite ice cream shop or car repair shop takes them out of the jet-setting mindset. However, when I describe how our CEOs engage in the process of our roundtables, that is when they become even more awed.
Our CEO members make time to learn, connect, and grow with other CEOs. They do this mainly by sharing experiences with each other. In other words, they are giving of themselves to help their peers.
The conversations they share in their private roundtable discussions can touch their business life and their personal life. They may discuss tough business topics like best hiring strategies and growing the business. They also discuss tough personal topics such as helping a family member battling cancer or how to find ways to balance their time restraints. The focus is on the CEO as an individual and helping them wherever they need help.
I am not privy to those roundtable discussions, but I am fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing individuals who are willing to share in such conversations. The openness involved spills over into our larger events. Walking into one of our events, such as a quarterly luncheon or Spring Retreat, you can feel the energy. Sitting at a table of our CEO members you get a sense of friendship, even if they are just meeting one another for the first time. It is like a warm embrace. Yes, they are there to learn and grow. but their main priority is connecting and being open with their fellow members.
When I have had the honor of spending time with one of our supportive CEO members, I am reminded why I do this job.
Come and meet some of our members. You might understand why each one is my favorite.
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