A quick dose of learning to start the day
At St. Thomas Executive Education, we aim to provide real-world learning that you can apply immediately. Step out of your day-to-day for a quick infusion of information to start your morning.
Offered throughout the year, the series is an opportunity to learn from the location of your choice. All you need is a computer, tablet or phone connected to the internet. RSVP with your email address and we'll send you the details on how to access each session.
Time: 8 - 9 a.m.
Location: Online
Price: Free
June 22
Do you want to learn how the best startups grow so rapidly, and, how you can apply those principles to your business? Learn techniques that have helped companies discover new markets and build repeatable sales time and time again. Hear from Sean Higgins, CEO of BetterYou, as he goes over customer discovery, the three questions framework, inbound/outbound mix, and sales stack.
July 14
As social media usage continues to rise, it is necessary to have a solid understanding in order to stay ahead of the curve. This session will do a deep dive on the various social media platforms and their demographics; and share content strategies/advertising tips for your organization or business. You will learn what content performs best on what platform, how to reach your target audience and how to set goals for your social media marketing. Leave the session feeling empowered to optimize or start your organization’s social media presence.
August 12
Have you ever wanted direction for outstanding organizational performance? The framework to build an enduring great company has existed for some time and is now available as a concise roadmap. The framework is backed by the in-depth research from bestselling author, former Stanford professor, and all-around business guru Jim Collins. Blake Darsow is a big fan of Jim Collins’ work and believer of his framework. This session will cover key lessons that Blake has taken away and put into practice from reading Jim Collin’s work.
Sean Higgins is the CEO of BetterYou, and a technology entrepreneur who has helped dozens of new startups and established companies build sales processes and make the jump from 0 to millions in annual recurring revenue. Sean is a two-time graduate ('12, '14 MBA) of the University of St. Thomas, and his company, BetterYou, was recently named a 2020 Minne Inno’s Inno on Fire award winner in the early-stage start-up category.
Katie Berry is an assistant vice president and director of agency relations at U.S. Bank. She currently manages all marketing agencies and leads the process of selecting and onboarding new vendors. She previously was a social media manager leading the bank’s Super Bowl 52 social media campaign where U.S. Bank achieved its highest-ever social share of voice (SOV). In addition, she teaches at the University of St. Thomas’ Executive Education department where she teaches courses in social media strategy and paid social media campaign development.
Blake Darsow is the Chief Financial Officer for a large private physician practice in the Twin Cities with a passion for making complex accounting and finance concept easier to understand. He received bachelors’ degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth in accounting and political science and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He also is a licensed CPA in the state of Minnesota.
Miss out on a session? Relive the magic by watching a recording of a previous session.
The last decade witnessed incredible technological advancement, global connectivity, the expansion of human rights and the rise of social media. As we look to the future, Don will explain 12 trends that are significantly reshaping the way we live and work. Ranging from advances in the fight against aging and global warmer to vulnerabilities around cybersecurity, addiction and the erosion of trust and privacy, learn about the used model for identifying trends before they emerge.
Our lives are busier than ever before, leaving us burned out and our homes cluttered. Hear Michele Vig share how three core components – physical, time and mental clutter – are intricately linked. Learn more about these areas of clutter, how they might be holding you back from living your most desired life and helpful tips for change.
Managing a project with ever-changing requirements and deadlines can be a nightmare if you aren’t appropriately prepared. A skilled project manager knows using the right methodology can make or break a project. Learn how the Agile project management methodology can help you manage fluid projects effectively and efficiently.
Credible, meaningful research has illuminated the benefits of contemplative knowledge and skills, also known as Mindfulness. Developing awareness in the present, without judgment promotes resilience, empowerment and agency. The good news is you have this ability within you now! In this session, explore relevant concepts and simple yet powerful activities.
Anxiety is contagious and it can overrun even the best leader. Calm courage is also contagious and with it, we can guide our organizations through incredible challenges and turbulence. Brené Brown’s grounded-theory research, presented in Dare to Lead, gives leaders a set of four skills to calmly and courageously lead through today’s changing currents. Join Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator Mo Fahnestock, PhD for an hour of exploring leading with calm and courageous leadership.
How can you communicate your message to inspire change? John McVea’s approach to communication encompasses how to articulate your message to all levels, from strategy sessions to execution tactics. In this session, you’ll hear methods that can help you communicate for action versus communicate for understanding.
From evaluating the decision-making environment, allocating resources, prioritizing by saying no to say yes and gaining alignment up and down in the organization, effective decision making can be a game-changer to your work. You’ll hear about a few key tools on how to approach your decisions differently.
Tap into your creative side using design thinking and learn a new approach to solving problems. During this session, hear how design thinking can transform your mindset to think strategically about your toughest problem.
The world is at an inflection point as we contemplate justice and inclusion. Professor Ernie Owens will lead a meaningful discussion of diversity, inclusion and being an ally in anti-racism. His new appointment as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fellow at St. Thomas will expand the conversation in a new way by laying the groundwork for all to bring voice and actions in creating change.
Health Care is an ever-changing industry. With technological advances, data privacy laws and rising costs, the changes are constant and rapid. In this session hear where health care is headed and what you can do to prepare for changes that haven’t happened yet
Let’s face it, we are in trying times. Some of us feel disconnected from a lack of social interaction. Some are exhausted from balancing work, family and self-care. Some feel the emotional effects of layoffs and furloughs. And many of us feel our energy-levels drained during this pandemic. If any of this resonates with you, join Adam Dince for an hour-long session to learn practical tips on finding peace, finding yourself and getting ahead without losing your head.
In life and leadership keeping your body’s defenses ready to battle has never been more important. The latest science has identified key health behaviors that provide powerful outcomes to optimize your immune systems and daily performance. This session will give you the resources and tools to activate on these positive health outcomes and identify factors that are detrimental to optimal immune function.
By combining the latest research in neuroscience, emotional intelligence and leadership, hear how you can develop into your best self. Leave with the methodologies and tools to create a roadmap to greater self-awareness with the foundation of skillful decision-making, and the key to consistent goal attainment, authentic leadership and engaged teams.
In normal times, most leaders have almost an apologetic 'by-the-seat-of-my-pants' approach to leadership and life. Now that office work is virtual, how can you as a leader use this as an opportunity to slow down, pause and begin to assess what is really important and what matters most as a leader?
Leadership is said to be a combination of head, heart and guts. Turns out the head (brain) has two parts. Emotions, beliefs, feelings and values and critical thinking. Knowing how your (and the people you lead) brain works and managing the way it works for you can enhance leadership quality. Join us for The Leader Brain 101. Bring both of your brains!
This session explores the do's and don'ts for marketing during the COVID-19 crisis, drawing from real-world examples. Topics include campaign messaging, visuals and vehicles used across channels. The importance of mission and values to guide storytelling, ways to avoid being perceived as "tone-deaf," and best practices for leading a marketing organization remotely.
Today’s consumer population consists of different cultures and identities. How do you market to an expansive set of consumers in a way that appeals but does not offend? Learn why multicultural marketing should be an integral part of your communication strategy from the start to best serve your audience.
Negotiations can happen at any moment. Whether you’re buying a car or finalizing a business deal, you need to be ready to effectively negotiate a win. In this hour-long session, learn from a professional negotiator key points to prep you for your next on the spot negotiation.
Marcia has spent over 25 years in the executive recruiting industry. Author of The 20-Minute Networking Meeting, she will share the most common mistakes that people make when networking and provide insightful tips so that your efforts prove beneficial. Walk away knowing the most important reasons to network and with a concise, efficient and highly productive networking model.
Are you paying attention to the right things in your planning process? The reality of business today is that you must take into consideration dynamics that are presently known along with new technologies that don't even fully exist yet during your planning process. Discover ways to better monitor and evaluate emerging opportunities as we approach the new year.
Polarities exist all around us. Work-life balance, healthy yet convenient eating, and cost-cutting yet superior service are all examples of polarities. How do you manage the balance without sacrificing on either side? This session will help you navigate the delicate balance of polarities and determine your best action steps.
Difficult situations are part of life and leadership, as is conflict mismanagement. Highly successful leaders bring emotional competence, self-control, and conflict management skills to the interactions they face. Dr. Andrea Molberg will walk through what triggers conflict, choices for managing difficult interactions and provide you with an emergency kit of tools that can be used when faced with conflict.
Join a dynamic conversation between an experienced management consultant and Division 1 coach. Leveraging their experience managing performers in the office and on the court, Beth and Leo will discuss how you can tap into the passion and competitive spirit of sport through coaching. Hear tips on how you can optimize your staff so everyone is in the right position working on tasks that showcase their talents and contribute to the business goals.
In today’s rapidly changing world, how do you prioritize tasks that truly matter? By focusing on high-value tasks and learning to say no to low-value tasks, you can be a more productive and highly valued member of your organization. Learn how to develop the right approach to saying no in your organization.
Change and transition are not the same things - a transition is the psychological, intellectual, behavioral adjustments made based on change. Hear the three keys for moving through a transition with less frustration, more appreciation and more ease. At the end of the session, receive a link to download Dr. Davidson’s book.
COVID-19 has affected all businesses regardless of size, industry or marketplace position. Now, it's about how we respond to the challenges we face that will allow us to come out better than we came into it. Take this once in lifetime crisis and turn it into a once in a lifetime opportunity. Learn how to access/identify the opportunity, make those tough decisions and put a plan together to make it a reality.
Hosted by the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Family Business Center and the Small Business Development Center, the free webinars will be delivered each week and will feature faculty and industry experts discussing the topics affecting your business in uncertain times.