Linda Schmitt, Executive Director of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum receives the Hospitality Award from the Greater Hutchinson CVB, presented by Jill Leslie-Muramatsu

It was my pleasure – as the winner from last year (had to work that in there!) – to help present the Hospitality Award at the Greater Hutchinson CVB’s Tourism Luncheon today. What made it super special was that Linda Schmitt, Executive Director of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum won.

Linda is fairly new to the tourism industry but in her 5.5 short years she has accomplished one-of-a-kind feats, six hundred and fifty feet underground. From opening the only museum of it’s kind in the Western Hemisphere, to putting a miniature train ride underground she has directed the Salt Museum to great heights, err, I mean depths.

Congratulations Linda, on your well deserved distinction as this year’s Hospitality Award winner!

Jill Leslie-Muramatsu, Vice President

Now there is a loaded question that will solicit many responses… But I recently read a book called “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson that claims to share the secret to a successful life.

It was a good read. And honestly I need to read it again so I can focus and implement his ideas in my life and position here at Catalyst.

The point of the book is simple – Make continual small positive adjustment to the area of your life that you want to improve. Whether it’s your finances, health, relationships or family life, you can achieve success.

How?

1. Have daily discipline. Maybe you need to wake up a little earlier to do some exercise. Maybe you need to put down the romance fiction and pick up a book on leadership, parenting, or attitude.
2. Identify habits that serve you and replace habits that don’t. What are you doing everyday that may be destructive to your goals, or at least, is not helping to reach them. Are you playing games on Facebook for hours of the day?
3. Form relationships with positive people. There is a saying that “you become who you associate with.” Are you associating with people that have what you want or are where you want to go. Find a mentor and model their behavior. Do you want to own a business someday – then go find a successful business owner and learn from them. Do you want to be an investor – find one that is successful and with the right approach and attitude, they will happily share their knowledge.
4. Recognize that the choices you make everyday will be the difference between failure and success. Small daily decisions have gotten us to where we are and they will take us to our future.

Recognize and make changes to your daily behaviors and choices so you can achieve the level of success that you want in your life. Your philosophy creates your attitude that creates your actions that creates YOUR LIFE.

Don’t say 5, 10, or 20 years from now – “I wish I would have…”

- Sherri Barnes, Office Manager

1. Social media is not a goal. The first and most important thing to remember when dealing with social media is that it is not a goal in and of itself, it is a tool used to reach already existing goals. If your goal is to be the best at what you do as an organization and you begin a social media campaign, that goal does not change. You are not suddenly out to be the best at social media; you just have more tools to work in your pursuit of being the best at your business.
2. Personality matters. While many say that content is king, how you communicate is equally important if not more so. Your content may be what draws new people to you, but your personality is how you keep them interested. Social media gives brands a unique opportunity to connect with people. Take advantage of that. Be a person, not a press release. Don’t be afraid to let your business develop a personality on social media – if done right it is more of an asset than a liability.
3. Be appropriate. While developing this personality it is important to remember to be appropriate for the medium. Now, I am not talking about swearing and foul language – in most cases I think that goes without saying. Don’t write a post for Facebook then just send a link to it on Twitter and LinkedIn. Each social media platform has a different culture, etiquette and set of expectations. Be aware of them and use them to your advantage. You may want to share the same information across multiple platforms but at times it is important to frame it differently.
4. K.I.S.S. Keep it SHARABLE… Have you ever seen an article and wanted to share it only to discover some part of it was protected from sharing? I guess those people don’t want to build an audience. Or you get on a website and see a great product that you want to put on your Pinterest board only to discover that the website is built in Flash and you have to pass it by? When creating content or sharing content, keep it shareable. People listen to what their friends are saying and you want them to be talking about your organization, so help them out. Make sure there are always handy share buttons. If you really want to get crazy, maybe suggest they share it. It is amazing what a simple ask will do.
5. If you aren’t investing in social media, you should be. Online fundraising continues to grow with 73% of organizations raising more online in 2011 than 2010. 50% of people on the internet use social media websites like LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook. (If they aren’t in a band, probably not MySpace.) 19% of those adults make donations online. If you are not trying to reach these people, you are missing a huge opportunity.

Social media marketing can be intimidating – but can also be well worth the investment. If your organization needs some guidance, feel free to call Catalyst Creative Services to have a conversation about your marketing strategy.

- Rebekah Starkey, Writer|Designer

Topeka continued Reno County’s tradition and put on a great event.  The theme, Achieving New Heights, was bolstered by the keynote speaker, Eric Alexander, who did not disappoint. Eric told stories from his many adventures helping people with disabilities overcome great challenges and achieve monumental feats — including the time he acted as guide to his friend as he became the first blind person to scale Mt. Everest. His speech had us on the edge of our seats as we watched documentary footage from the ascent. Eric was very inspiring, as expected, but also quite funny.

Keynote speaker, Eric Alexander, speaking while we all enjoy lunch.

Ed participating in a team building exercise.

Catalyst, a perennial supporter of the YP Summit from the outset, was represented by both of our YP Reno County members, Ed Maschler and Rebekah Starkey.  As we were told at the summit, you can’t be a part of the business that is being done if you don’t have a seat at the table.

Ed attended sessions on leadership, team building, branding your business and social media pitfalls for business people. Rebekah went to breakouts about getting involved in government, branding, leadership in Kansas, entrepreneurship, and a special speed networking event where she met young professionals making a difference in their communities across the state. The wrap up speaker was Governor Sam Brownback who gave a short speech and then opened up the floor to questions. 

Rebekah participating in a speed networking session.

All in all, it was a great weekend of both personal and professional growth, and let’s be honest — fun.

Memorable “one liner” lessons from the 2012 YP Summit:

• On true success: It is important to not only build success for yourself but also to build success for the people around you.
• On good business: The only things you can always control are your effort and your attitude.
• On Innovation: Innovation is not just about breaking the mold – it’s about creating a new mold.
• On branding: If your brand is a promise of value then the value has to be there.
• On Leadership: If you think of leadership as an activity and not a position, then it creates new opportunities for change.

With a proven 3 to 1 ROI on nursing employee support programs, the Business Case for Breastfeeding is persuasive and gives simple steps to becoming a nursing employee friendly environment. They also offer support and hands-on guidance from trained volunteers across the state.

We are pleased to announce that the website KansasBusinessCase.com has gone live. This website will act as the centerpiece for the dynamic marketing plan we have created for The Kansas Business Case for Breastfeeding which includes advertising, promotional materials, communications pieces, a customized email distribution system and more.

- Rebekah Starkey, Writer / Designer

Working on it — and it involves all of us here at Catalyst — is a reminder of what a delightful community we get to call home, and just how much there is to see and do here. We have an amazing blend of attractions, events, and venues for all kinds of activities.

We’re proud to help invite visitors to Come Share Our Space!

Jason Falls, myself and some new friends hanging out at the Candle Club.

Tuesday night I had the amazing opportunity to attend a Social:IRL event in Wichita featuring social media guru Jason Falls. Falls is the co author of a new book called “No Bullshit Social Media — The All-Business, No Hype Guide to Social Media Marketing.” A nationally recognized leader in the world of public relations, communication and social media — Forbes recently named Falls one of the “Top Ten Influencers in Social Media.” As I learned in the seminar and reception following, he is also a really fun guy to hang out with.

The evening began with some light hors d’oeuvres and mingling among the participants who represented more than 30 companies from the region. It was held at the Junior League of Wichita who not only provided the venue but also some delicious goodies from their new cook book “Pinches and Dashes”  — the proceeds from which will be used to increase awareness and prevention of child abuse in the Wichita area.

In the first hour, Falls highlighted some main points from his book. Social media marketing needs to be seen from a strategic perspective to be effective. He briefly walked through how to harness the power of social media in a way that is tangible and can be measured — using specific case studies to show how a savvy marketer can use social media to hit what he calls the “relevancy bull’s-eye” in a way unique to social media. It can send a relevant message to a relevant audience at a relevant time.

“Strategic use separates people who count Facebook fans from people who count money made through Facebook,” Falls stated. While the benefits of social media marketing are great, Falls made a point to reiterate a belief that we hold in common here at Catalyst, “Social media is a channel, not necessarily a better channel.” While social media can be a great marketing tool for a business — it is important to not give up traditional advertising media. The strongest marketers combine these mediums strategically.

As the night came to a close participants gathered at the Candle Club for more connections and conversations over some food and drink. For a social media superstar, Jason is amazingly down to earth and had me laughing out loud more than once. The more connections I make in this social media universe, the more pleased I am to be a part of it.

Rebekah Starkey, Writer / Designer

As I unpacked the few things I had brought with me to personalize my space — a couple of plants and a photo — I realized that it already feels like home.

After coffee and conversation with Jill, I am positive that I am in the right place. Ed has been checking in on me to make sure everything is running smoothly. Renee stopped by and chatted for a while. Everyone has been very welcoming.

Not only are the people great, but I am also very excited about the work I will be doing.

Since receiving my BA in graphic design in 2003, I have been working in marketing and design; most of that time has been spent in newspaper. I’ve continued my education, taking marketing and small business management classes at night to keep fresh. I learned a great deal from these experiences; but as I grew, I realized the inherent limitations afforded by my career thus far.

On the Catalyst website there is an Abraham Maslow quote that is one of Bill’s favorites: “If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”

For eight years I have been limited to a hammer. Now I see a whole new world of options opening up to me. Nothing against the hammer, it is very helpful and necessary, but it doesn’t do the job of a power drill or even a Phillips head screwdriver very well.

While reading over a marketing plan this morning it hit me what a wonderful opportunity I have here; the opportunity to work across multiple platforms, offering just the right mix for an individual client and what they want to communicate.

All in all my first day has been a great one so far. I know that I have a lot yet to learn and worthy challenges ahead, but I am excited to come back again tomorrow and take them on – with my new friends and a whole new set of tools.

~ Rebekah Starkey, Writer/Designer

Jill’s synergistic endeavors were appropriately recognized

recently with the 2011 Hospitality Award presented by the

Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau.

The annual Hospitality Award honors a person who has made a significant impact on tourism in the Reno County area. This year the CVB chose a ‘behind the scenes’ recipient in Jill.  In the past, those who have been awarded hailed from businesses directly associated with tourism venues in Hutchinson such as Dillion Nature Center, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, and Fox Theatre. 

Other than knowing just about anyone who is known in town, Jill is deeply aware of the needs and wants of her hometown.  From her former position as Convention Sales Manager at the CVB to being involved with the Kansas Underground Salt Museum from its inception to now holding the position of Vice President at Catalyst Creative Services, Jill has Hutchinson on her agenda.

In addition to many other Catalyst clients, Jill helps several Hutchinson businesses such as Jillian’s Itailian Grill, Dechant Sheer Minerals, and Apron Strings realize their goals. She played an integral part in bringing the joint ticket with the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and Kansas Underground Salt Museum to fruition.  But most of all she works tirelessly with the Hutchinson CVB  and Market Hutchinson to promote our city across Kansas in an effort to increase commerce to benefit us all. 

How does she do this? With a keen sense of marketing principles, advertising techniques, and public relations savvy. But it really helps that she genuinely understands people and their abilities.  Above all, Jill has a combination of attributes that few people mirror: style, grace, and fortitude.  

Jill doesn’t cut opening day ribbons or hold any keys to the city, but she does make things happen. She realizes a need, takes what she knows, and who she knows (and what they know), and brings it all together to benefit the whole – our community. The city she is so proud to be from and live has shown it’s proud of her with the Hospitality Award. Thanks, Jill, for all that synergy.

Last year Traci Hansen, from Youth Friends, presented their programs to our Rotary Club and inspired me to get involved with YouthFriends’ Teacher’s Pet Program. It’s designed to allow the children to practice verbal reading skills while protecting them from the verbal criticism of other classmates. This is accomplished by having the children read books to a YouthFriends volunteer and his or her dog. Unlike other YouthFriends programs, this is a volunteer-to-class match rather than a one-on-one match, so I was able to see different students each week.

Although this program was already running in Hutchinson schools, I was the first YouthFriends Teacher’s Pet volunteer in Buhler schools and it took a vote of the school board to allow this to happen. But that was only one of the hurdles to getting to be a Teacher’s Pet — Max, my 7 year old golden retriever, and I had to be certified as a “therapy dog team”.

Step one to certification was going to the veterinarian and passing certain tests. Step two was attending a couple training/evaluation meetings at the Hutchinson Kennel Club. Step three involved visiting several nursing homes where Max and I entertained the residents while we honed our skills as a therapy dog team. We were evaluated with each performance and given tips to be better and safer handlers. Golden retrievers are very smart and obedient dogs with great temperaments so Max and I graduated very easily.

Max with Mrs. Styes 4th Grade Class

After we were certified, I received a YouthFriends badge and Max received a scarf with his name and the YouthFriends logo embroidered on it.

Max & Mrs. Styes

We were assigned to my daughter Lindsey’s fourth grade class at Prosperity Grade School where I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Kris Styes.

Ed & Max with daughter Lindsey reading

Each Monday I would show up with Max, sign in, and take our place in the school entrance on their reading bench. Mrs. Styes would send out one student reader every 15 to 20 minutes until our time was up. Max would listen attentively, with his eyes closed, waiting for the sound of the reader to close their book. He knew that following that sound, he got a treat from the student who just read, and he got petted from the next student. What was really impressive about the students was that the first two readers each Monday were giving up their recess time to come read with Max and I. It was great to see that coming to read with us, was more important to them than recess.

As rewarding as the school year was, watching each student grow as readers, last week was even better. As a celebration of having Max and I involved in the reading program, Mrs. Styes had a class party for us. Each of the students had made us a thank you card with drawings on the front and personal messages inside. I have included a few randomly selected cards as examples. They also presented Max with a chew rope and a bottle of dog shampoo (I hope that wasn’t a hint). The coolest gift though, was a handmade cushioned mat that was signed by each of the students and Mrs. Styes. Max immediately knew it was for him and leaped on it as soon as it was laid down. It was for Max to lay on while listening, since during the winter season the floor was very cold. But that wasn’t all!

Max and kids enjoying Puppy Chow

We also got to go out and enjoy an extra recess with the students, where Max got to interact with all the kids. Mrs. Styes brought “puppy chow” snack mix as a special treat for everyone to enjoy, even Max.  It was a great ending to a successful and personally rewarding year.

Max and I have already signed up for another year at YouthFriends. We may have a surprise of our own for next year. My other dog, Millie, who is a Malti-Poo (Maltese and Poodle mix) may be certified in time to participate next year. This will allow all students to be able to participate, since she is Max’s opposite, very small and hypoallergenic. This will make those kids who missed out this year, due to allergies or fear of big dogs, very happy too.

A big thank you to Mrs. Styes for keeping the readers organized as well as for helping me get this program into Prosperity. Thanks also to YouthFriends for getting the program into Buhler Schools. I have an even bigger thanks to Bill and Jill Leslie at Catalyst for allowing me to spend work time volunteering in our community.