The Year of Practice
 
March 2024
 
 
 
 
 
 
gAIMification
 
 
HOW TO GAMIFY YOUR AIMS
 
 
In this interactive focus lecture, we will explore the innovative concept of "Game + Aim = gAIM" and how it can revolutionize your approach to achieving business aims. Games have traditionally been seen as a form of entertainment, but when strategically aligned with our aims, they transform into powerful tools for success. This session will guide you through the process of leveraging game mechanics in the business and learning environment to enhance engagement, foster creativity, and optimize performance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cultivating Female Leadership
 
 
SOLUTIONS FOR A GENDER-BIASED WORLD
 
 
PANEL DEMONSTRATION — This webinar demonstrates solutions to ‘people problems’ — the challenges and opportunities women face in a gender-biased world. It will provide key insights and skills needed in leadership. It is perfect for women and all trade professionals at all stages of their careers in the global trade industry.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unlock Your Full Potential
 
 
2024 IS YOUR YEAR
 
 
Experience the thrill of mastering your skills with the Fundamentals of Transaction Program! It's your chance to take that first dive into the curriculum, applying your knowledge to real-world challenges. Imagine elevating your skills, transforming theory into action, and navigating your career path with precision and confidence. This is not just about watching opportunities pass by — it's about seizing them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Thinking in Action
 
 
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES
 
 
In the game of business, the terrain is as unpredictable as it is challenging. Strategic thinking is not just a valuable skill—it's an indispensable one. The ability to navigate this terrain, armed with foresight, adaptability, and a keen sense of direction, separates the trailblazers from the followers. Through the lens of real-world behemoths like Apple, Netflix, Amazon, and Starbucks, we can distill the essence of strategic thinking, uncovering relevant lessons.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your Strategy Shouldn't Mirror the Competition
 
 
INNOVATION VS. IMITATION
 
 
Borrowing tactics from the competition is as tempting as it is misguided. It's like sneaking a look at your neighbor's test paper, only to realize later that the questions on your exams were different. This approach might seem practical at first—after all, if it's yielding results for them, why not us? Yet, this shortcut often leads astray, not toward strategic nirvana but a tangle of missed opportunities and strategic misalignment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Human Touch Series
 
 
PLAY PRACTICE PREVAIL
 
 
In the ever-evolving business landscape of 2024, practicing the art of human exchange is vital for success. Our first-quarter workshops focus on "Soft Skills and the Human Touch," a leading trend highlighted by renowned futurist Bernard Marr in Forbes Magazine. Join us to practice the skills that will set you apart. Explore real-world scenarios and practical strategies for nurturing and applying these skills in your professional journey. This workshop will help you cultivate the essential people skills needed to excel in 2024 and beyond.
 
 
 
 
Join us in Los Angeles, Denver and Richmond!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beware the Borrowed Tactic
 
 
ACCURATE THINKING
 
 
It's time to dive into the meatier subject of frameworks that underpin strategic thinking. The realm of decision-making is not for the faint of heart, nor is it the playground of the indecisive. It demands a robust arsenal of tools and frameworks to navigate the labyrinth of choices that the modern world throws at us. As we say it, “slow down to speed up.” Let's embark on a journey through some of these tools, not just as a matter of academic exercise but as a practical guide for the ambitious thinkers and doers among us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hope Isn’t a Strategy
 
 
WINGING IT ISN’T A PLAN
 
 
Let's set the record straight: relying on hope and a bit of luck is as effective as trying to win the lottery by sheer willpower. It's a comforting thought, but hope doesn't quite cut it as a strategy in the challenging world of business. Developing a strategic mindset goes beyond piecing together a series of makeshift plans; it's about deploying resources wisely to carve out a path to victory. And here's an essential insight: strategy is fundamentally about resource allocation—those critical assets that always seem in short supply.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sharpen Your Skills with Weekly eCoaching
 
 
THRIVE SELF-GUIDED PROGRAM
 
 
Start your study at Influential U in Thrive, our self-guided online program that lets you learn at your own pace. Thrive offers weekly eCoaching—where you can receive live coaching with CEO John Patterson. Plus you will get access to a rich library of professional resources including strategic tools for career assessment and goal planning. Our faculty are available via live chat for career coaching through the program.