Donna Messer
Networking Expert
Networking expert Donna Messer can help you expand your career and business horizons. She demystifies the networking process by providing techniques that can be immediately used. Donna Messer has conducted workshops and delivered keynote speeches for corporations, organizations and educational institutions throughout the Canada, the United States and Europe. Being connected is important – using those connections is key to successful development. [more...]
Networking expert Donna Messer can help you expand your career and business horizons. She demystifies the networking process by providing techniques that can be immediately used. Donna Messer has conducted workshops and delivered keynote speeches for corporations, organizations and educational institutions throughout the Canada, the United States and Europe. Being connected is important – using those connections is key to successful development.
Donna Messer is an author, speaker, trainer and the C.E.O. of her own highly successful communications company in Canada. She founded that company on the premise that everyone can learn to network and get work - they just need to find their own communication style.
Combining interactive training, strategic planning and an exploration of the natural fears of networking, Donna demystifies the process by providing techniques that can be immediately used. She has received rave reviews for her seminars and speeches and is increasingly sought after as an expert resource on the subject of networking.
Donna Messer has played a critical and active role in introducing networking training to the curriculum of colleges and universities, boardrooms and government offices. She has received rave reviews for her seminars and speeches. She is highly regarded as one of the worlds' leading experts on the subject and art of networking.
Donna has conducted workshops and delivered keynote speeches for corporations, organizations and educational institutions throughout the Canada, the United States and Europe.
Her clients include: RBC, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Cassels Brock, Miller Thomson, Government of Canada, University of Texas at Austin, CMED, and Rotman School of Business, just to name a few. She serves on the Executive Board for Women in International Trade, and chairs Women in Food Industry Management. She volunteers her time to support the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Women in Motion, and other events directed towards improving the status of women of all ages.
Donna has appeared on Global TV, has been featured in The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, The Globe & Mail and The London Telegraph. Her book, The Power of Positive Linking, was published in 2003.
Her business experience includes state government, education, banking, law, journalism and the food industry. During her career she has connected with more than 7,000 women’s organizations around the world.
[less]The Effective Art of Networking:
Tapping the Power Within Us - The Power of Positive Linking
We already have a network; the problem is many of us don't know how to “tap” into it, to use our network wisely. The single most important networking skill to develop is lateral thinking. We must be open-minded and see “connections” between everyone in our network. Far too many people fail to make the right connection because of narrow thinking.
Who should attend this workshop?
Anyone who wants to unleash the power of networking, and build better relationships.
What you will learn:
- Ten rules for effective communication - How to use but not abuse your contacts;
- The Link and Think™ theory - How to become aware of your missing links;
- How to use lateral thinking - Learn to think outside the box;
- How to make that first minute count - What to say and how to say it;
- How to listen carefully - Communicate, what are your doing right?
- The importance of a handshake - It's your first contact, what does it say?
- How to remember names - Tips and tricks to remember names;
- How to work a room - Build relationships, give before you get;
- How to keep connected - Phone, fax or visit, what's best?
Donna's methods are interactive, productive and fun! To be a good networker and build successful relationships, you must be open minded and, listen carefully. Use her powerful network "tools" and watch your business relationships grow. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to share your knowledge, and tap into your network thereby growing your business opportunities and increasing your productivity.
Increased Connectivity = Increased Opportunities
Being connected is important – using those connections is key to successful development. Meaningful participation is the goal. Positive linking can provide valuable social roles that will help those continue their efforts to support people to become more active participants within their work environments, as well as their community and, other social settings.
Building connectivity is all about finding out what we have in common ... this workshop is about finding those common denominators. You will learn to develop profitable contacts.
In this workshop you will learn the "The 10 Rules for Increased Connectivity":
- Your Handshake – what does it say?
- Your Infomercial – how to make it count;
- Your body language – make it say what you want it to;
- Your listening skills – learn to ask the “right” questions;
- Your common denominators – people like people who are like themselves;
- Lateral Thinking – there is more than one way to get what you need;
- Connectivity – how to build loyalty;
- Netiquette – the etiquette of networking: how to generate winning introductions that generate opportunities;
- Link & Think – the new technology of connecting;
- The challenges of change – it’s all about perception.
Donna Messer is represented by K&M Productions for speaking engagements. For more information and booking Donna Messer, simply contact us.
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.
–Rogers Media
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.
–Rogers Media
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.
–RBC
I found Donna's session to be extremely valuable. As a career coach I found that there was information that I could use to help even the most timid of networkers feel much more comfortable. The “How can I help you” approach I am certain will make novices and introverts feel much better about networking. Donna’s quick thinking and ability to make connections for anyone provides added credibility to those she speaks to and takes the conversation out of the theoretical into the practical. Thank you for sharing your talents.
–McMaster University
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 presentation provided great tools - to the point information. The meeting was very interactive.
–Integrated Business Solutions Market Manager-Bell Canada
