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It’s Official—The SOBCon Chicago 2013 Final Program

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SOBCon Chicago

With only 24 days to go (how come you haven’t signed up yet?) we’ve got a big announcement for SOBCon Chicago 2013.

Liz and Terry have finalized the program, and it promises to be amazing. We knew that great things were in store when the speaker list was revealed earlier this year, but now Liz and Terry have pulled everything together to create one of the best events in the industry. So what do you have to look forward to? (View the full program here.)

Day 1

Terry and Liz will launch the event first thing Friday morning. As we announced last week, Sean Ogle will lead Block 1: Building Relationships: Turning First Contacts Into Customers and SOBCon alumn Steve Woodruff will introduce the Block 1 Model for your Mastermind session. Following a short break, we’ll get to hear a special presentation from master storyteller Chris Brogan. The morning will wrap up with a Hot Seat Sponsor Session featuring Hawkeye Media and ShareASale.

After lunch (the Summit Event Center offers a fantastic spread), we’ll get back to work with Block 2: Anticipating Response: Let Your Customers Drive Your Strategy. Led by Ric Dragon, you’ll have plenty of material to work with when Carol Tice introduces the Block 2 Model.   Once you’ve Masterminded your strategy, you’ll enjoy Angel Djambazov leading a discussion with the brilliant Sonia Simone.

To wrap things up, we’ll close the day with Jeannie Walters’ Block 3: Adjusting Perspective: Seeing What Your Customer Sees. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned when Jane Boyd reviews the Block 3 Model.

Day 2

You’ll want to set your alarm for day two because you won’t want to miss a minute. After a get-you-going breakfast at the Summit Event Center, we’ll hit the ground running. Barbara Jones will challenge us to support our customers in Block 4: Connecting Strategically: Support The People Behind The Brands That Help You Thrive. Once Barbara makes her case, Alli Worthington will highlight how you can get the most from the Block 4 Model.

If you’re still not fully awake, SOBCon favorite Steve Farber will energize the room with his memorable special presentation. A Hot Seat Sponsor Session featuring our friends at Yappen will finish the morning.

Following a great lunch (the perfect chance to talk with new friends), we’ll tackle Block 5: Integrating Offers: Identify And Serve Multiple Customers with Diana Mullins. To help you identify your customers, Katherine Burdick will introduce the Block 5 Model. To break up the afternoon, Justin Levy and Tabitha Dunn of GoToMeeting will share a special presentation with the group.

Finally, we bring day two to a close with Block 6: Analyzing Experiences: Capitalize on Customer Feedback. Innovation expert Drew Marshall will guide us through this last session, and Terry will explain the Block 6 Model to help us finish strong.

Day 3

One of the most popular parts of SOBCon, Give-Back Sunday will highlight the excellent work done by three nonprofits:

Mark Carter will host the morning and help us help others.

I know that’s a lot to take in, but I want to make sure you understand how much Liz and Terry have packed into one weekend. You will literally learn more in 72 hours than you have in the last four months. You can’t afford to not be in Chicago and in the room. So I strongly suggest you snap up one of the few seats we have left. See you soon!

SOBCon Block One and Giveback Sunday Revealed

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Sean Ogle

Building Relationships: Turning First Contacts into Customers
A couple of weeks ago, we told you about Sean Ogle. This week we’re excited to announce that Sean will be the first presenter Friday morning, May 3. Sean will draw on his own experiences to show you how to:

  • Establish the relationship at the very first contact
  • Identify a need you can fill
  • Build trust in your offer

Give-Back Sunday
After two days of packing our heads full of fantastic ideas at SOBCon, we get the opportunity to do something that can make a big difference: Give-Back Sunday.

Hosted by Mark Carter, we’ve got three organizations (we’ll announce the 4th soon) that we’re very excited to help this year:

We’ve had several people tell us that this part of SOBCon ends up being their favorite part of the weekend.

SOBCon Chicago 2013: What Kind of Leader Are You?

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From the beginning, leadership has been a cornerstone of SOBCon. And one of the best when it comes to demonstrating and promoting how to be a leader is Steve Farber. (Click here if you can’t see the above video.)

Last year when Steve joined us at SOBCon in Chicago, he demonstrated yet again why he’s one of our favorite speakers. And we’re thrilled he’s joining us again this year. We’re also happy to report that we’ve crossed the 70% mark. So if you haven’t claimed your seat, fair warning: they’re going fast.

What Makes SOBCon a Unique Experience

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For a few weeks we’ve been sharing all the reasons why you should be in Chicago in the room May 3-5.

  • Fantastic speakers that keep you out of the hallways and in the room
  • Opportunities to sit and talk one-on-one with industry leaders
  • The potential to shake up your life (and your business) for the better in only two days

If you haven’t been to SOBCon before, you might wonder what this experience is actually like. So co-founder Terry “Starbucker” St. Marie sat down to share why SOBCon needs to be on your calendar. (Click here if you can’t see the above video.)

If you’re still sitting on the fence, isn’t it getting a bit uncomfortable? It’s time to end the suspense and commit. Commit to doing something instead of just thinking about it. Sign up for SOBCon today and finalize your plans to join Liz, Terry, and all the other people who’re going to help change your life.

What is SOBCon?

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By Glenda Watson Hyatt

SOBCon is so much more than the brilliant speakers who co-founders Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker hand pick to create a particular message, theme or flow.

SOBCon is the equally brilliant individuals sitting at your table who willingly and freely share their expertise and experience during the Mastermind sessions.

SOBCon is the interactions during breaks, lunch and after hours. Oftentimes those interactions are as valuable, if not more so, than the speakers sharing their content. Those interactions evolve into friendships, collaborators and partnerships that last long after the 2.5 days in Chicago. Those interactions and subsequent relationships are the glue that holds SOBCon together; dare I say the SOBCon family because that is what it feels like.

Having attended four SOBCons, I have benefited immensely from the interactions, both during the SOBCon weekends and afterwards. I have been fortunate to be part of an invaluable brain trust group with Becky McCray, Deb Brown, Paul Merrill and Jon Swanson – all part of the SOBCon family – who are always only an email away for brainstorming, advice and encouragement. Because I am surrounded by people who will not let me fail, I have recently launched my motivational speaking career.

Glenda Watson Hyatt and Mark HorvathNow, my friend, my hero Mark Horvath needs to tap into the brilliance of the SOBCon family. Once homeless himself on Hollywood Boulevard, he now uses social media to shine the spotlight on those individuals living on the streets – who most of us try to ignore as we walk past. Mark shares hundreds of heartbreaking as well as uplifting stories on Invisible People TV to raise awareness about homelessness.

However, this past year has been rough and Mark has plowed any money he received back into Invisible People TV to help those he serves. That is how dedicated Mark is to the issues of homelessness.

He needs to be at SOBCon in Chicago in May to be amidst those with ideas, insights and connections to take Invisible People TV to the next level so that he can earn a paycheque and continue to do this selfless work.

To assist Mark to be at SOBCon in May, please give your financial support at the Invisible People TV donation page. Then let Mark know that your support is for him to attend SOBCon. Mark can be reached via Twitter (@hardlynormal) and Facebook.

Thank you for backing one of our SOBCon family who makes the biggest difference for people who get noticed the least.

Author’s Bio:
Glenda Watson Hyatt, Motivational Speaker –http://www.glendawatsonhyatt.com/
Author of bestseller I’ll Do It Myself – available on the Kindle at http://amzn.to/RlP5Qj

Entrepreneurship Isn’t a Solo Activity

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By Rosemary O’Neill

“It’s a way more fun world when we’re all winning.” Liz Strauss, at SOBCon NW 2012

Attending SOBCon NW last year was a highlight for me (and you can still get in on SOBCon Chicago), and one of the most memorable quotes was the one above, from Liz herself.

She didn’t mean it in a “kid sports team where everyone gets a trophy” way. She meant that when we help each other achieve, we often find ourselves achieving our own goals along the way.

Give Your Gift Generously and Without Reservation

Of course, everyone has competitors. Particularly in the online arena, it’s exceedingly difficult to provide a service or create a product that’s truly unique. But you know what can’t be copied? You.

Your personality, your style, and your experiences don’t belong to anyone else in the world. Your gift to your customers is your unique approach, based on your life and perspective. That can’t be copied.

So it’s OK to share your ideas, suggestions, and support with those around you. Give a leg up to your fellow entrepreneurs, and you’ll be surprised at how great it makes you feel.

Embrace Your Competitors

I have several people I count as friends who work for companies that compete in the same space with me. My daily task is to create a huge pie—so huge that we can all have big slices together.

In fact, if I’m dealing with a potential customer who will be better served by the services of a competitor, I’ll send ‘em over. Call me crazy, but if I’m the instrument by which someone achieves their vision (even if it’s with a competing product), then it’s all good.

You’re Not Alone

It can seem as if it’s you against the Internet sometimes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are so many smart, funny, generous people out there who are ready and willing to share their time and treasure to help you get unstuck. Since SOBCon Portland last November, I’ve stayed in touch with a lot of my fellow participants, shared business leads, offered support, gotten support, and kept my tank full!

Want to meet a huge group of amazing entrepreneurs and doers who will help you win? Register for SOBCon Chicago 2013.

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee