Donna Messer
Queen of Networking; Social Media
Style
Relaxed, informed and confident. Very pleasing speaking voice.
Books
Profile
Donna is a renowned expert on and promoter of the often overlooked, true currency of business – personal relationships – how to forge, nurture and leverage them to enable those who properly cultivate these relationships to put them to mutual benefit. A dynamic, highly sought-after speaker, Donna has spoken throughout North America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and Iceland on a host of topics from the art of networking to diversity, inclusion, generational differences and coaching for high performance. She has even served as an advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on issues relating to women in business.
Among Donna Messer’s several hundred clients are top tier financial institutions, boards of trade, major accounting and law firms, and leading universities and colleges across Canada. Donna is also a frequent featured speaker at HAPPEN, Canada’s largest executive networking organization.
A sampling of her name clients include: Bell Canada, Honeywell, Certified Management Accountants, Canadian General Accountants, RBC, TD Canada Trust, BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, Schulich School of Business, Rotman School of Business, Ernst & Young, Industry Canada, HP (Hewlett Packard), IVY School of Business,. Canadian Plastics Association, Women in Food Industry Management, Cushman and Wakefield, Hospice Association of Canada, Laurier University, Markel Insurance, Trade Ortho Bio Tech, Women’s Leadership Foundation – Calgary, CIRI Alberta, Manitoulin Workforce Partnership, Rogers Communications Inc., Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association, Junior Achievement World Conference, Petro Canada and Sun Life Assurance.
A noted author and journalist, Donna’s more than 4,000 articles have graced the pages of newspapers and magazines including Enterprise Magazine, Small Business Canada Magazine, Career Options Magazine, Canadian Opportunities Magazine, Life and Fashion Magazine, Pets and Animals, Women with Vision Magazine, Company of Women Magazine, Timeless Woman. Donna has interviewed various "movers and shakers" including Senator Pamela Wallin, former Liberal Cabinet Minister, Sheila Copps, as well as an exclusive interview with the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Among her five books as a published author is Effective Networking Strategies, a Canadian bestseller written in 1993 well before "networking" became the de rigueur buzzword of the outplacement and executive search industries, selling over 50,000 copies over the past 15 years.
Donna has directed and advised on numerous boards and committees and has won various awards including Woman of the Year - Women in Pursuit of Excellence WFIM, International Leader’s Award – Women and Diversity, and the Award for Outstanding Achievement – CACEE. She was also Ernst and Young’s nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year.
Clients Comments
"Donna Messer's strength as a presenter and facilitator is her ability to communicate with everyone on an individual level. Even in presentations to large groups, she's adept at focusing on individual themes or questions and identifying easy-to-understand solutions; and then providing attendees with personal feedback. One of the best 'communicators' I know, she is comfortable in talking to just about any type or size of group that requires assistance in marketing, communications, networking, sales, or building business opportunities."
- Mike Fenton, Director, Rogers Media
"Being the only man in a group of women was an experience in itself. I attended my wife's IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) meeting because of Donna Messer and the topic "Link and Think." Donna didn't disappoint us. Her seminar provided great tools - to the point information. The meeting was very interactive."
- Tim Ferguson, Integrated Business Solutions Market Manager-Maintenance
Bell Canada
"I want to thank you most sincerely for your wonderful presentation. The preparation of our Dream Boards provided me with an insight into where my true goals are. I have the Dream Board in my office at home and refer to it often to help me centre my efforts. Your presentation inspired everyone at our table and those I spoke to later felt that they were energized. Understanding where you have been, where you are and where you want to go is key to being able to reach your vision of success.
I hope to be able to participate in another of your workshops in the future."
-- Sybil Ades, Senior Account Manager
Royal Bank of Canada
Topics
- SPEAKING
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The Art of Effective Networking
An interactive keynote with measurable results, learn the top 10 tips on working a room, building a relationship or making the sale. Related topics include:
• Building Your Network to Get Work
• Creating Profitable Connections
• New Tools and Innovations” for Team Building
The 3 C’s of Communication
This keynote is designed to inspire and motivate. It’s directed towards those who need to know how to become better communicators and to learn the art of collaborating. Collaborate, Communicate and Commit. Related topics include:
• Creating a Media Plan
• Handling Conflict
• Finding common ground
• The challenges of collaboration
• The Power of Positive Linking
“Link and Think” is a systematic process to tap into your passion and make profitable connections, knowing that the chain you forge is only as strong as its weakest link. This presentation helps build relationships that are reciprocal.
Using three coloured links you will learn your communication style, how you think and what you need from others in order to complete a chain of profitable connections.
It’s Your Business!
An inspiring keynote on career alternatives. Learn the features and benefits of becoming an entrepreneur, franchising, direct sales and MLM’s. As a result layoffs, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions, many need alternative ways to generate an income. Related topics include:
• 2nd Chance
• Career Transition
The Magic of Momentum – It’s Leverage
This keynote provides the basic ways to use leverage to achieve success, personally and professionally. It is by using leverage, that you can lift an incredible load without any struggle. Related topics include:
• Leverage = Speed = Goals
• Pay it forward
The Power of One
This keynote is all about leadership and empowerment, using stories and first hand experience. The Power of ONE System uses the RISE Philosophy. Rapport, Information, Solutions, Ethically
• ThePower of ONE is being a leader and taking that first step.
• Knowing ONE person can have an impact on the world, and create positive change.
• Believing that every ONE has the potential to make a difference.
• The Power of ONE is maximizing your potential while empowering others
• The Power of ONE it is making the world a better place to live – at every level - COACHING
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• Transition
• Business Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Foreign Trained Professionals
• Special Needs
Do you want to maximize your business or personal opportunities?
Be honest - can you measure the results of your networking so far? If not – why not? Donna Messer will coach you using the ConnectUs system, she will show you how to Monitor, Measure and Maximize your Network both personally and professionally!
ConnectUs invites you to consider Donna as your business coach. The Executive Coaching Program is offered at a fee of $500.00 per month.
This package includes: One 60-minute one-on-one, private, and confidential in-person coaching session, along with one scheduled phone meeting each week. A list of relevant resources and contacts will be provided. Coaching includes an action plan on how to get ahead and create the career/life you’ve always wanted, along with e-mail support throughout your program.
Resources, ideas and contacts are shared as you meet face to face. It’s mandatory that you fill in the coaching session questionnaires in advance so that Donna will have leads, referrals and suggestions for you. Coaching with Donna guarantees you the return you need on the time you invest.
It’s all about utilizing a proven systematic approach that Donna Messer has been using all her life. The process, systematically takes you through the stages needed to make sure that each “opportunity” is taken to a profitable solution.
Coaching with Donna will give you the chance to bring your opportunities to the expert. She will not only teach you how to use her system, she will walk you through your “opportunities” and help you take them to “solution”. This is hands-on and interactive. You will be amazed at how you will be able to measure your results!
Group Coaching is also available. - MENTORING WITH DONNA
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• Business
• Personal
• College
• University
• High School
• New Canadians
• Special Needs
How to set up and manage the social media applications Twitter, LinkedIn and Blogs.
Overview
This workshop will give you a solid understanding of Twitter, Blogging and LinkedIn. In addition to registering and customizing your settings for these social media applications you will be shown how to link them altogether including how to tweet from handheld devices like the Blackberry and iPhone.
Course Outline
Twitter
• What is it?
• Account Set up
• Getting around Twitter
LinkedIn
• Overview
• Effective profiles & importance of keywords
• Setting up your LinkedIn Account
• How to use LinkedIn effectively
Connecting it all together
Twitter for Blackberry
• Installing Ubertwitter
• Using Ubertwitter
How to use social media to:
• Do Market Research
• Network with influential people
• Build your brand quickly