Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

                  By:  Angie Coole
                         Marketing Specialist 
                         Greene Resources 




Greene Resources had the wonderful opportunity to not only sponsor the Chamber's December C-Suite Perspectives breakfast, but also to hear from our own president and founder, Gary Greene. Gary provided us with insight on how leaders (and anyone!) can truly make an impact in the lives of those around them. 

To make an impact, you must do five things:
​
1.Show You Care
Success comes down to individual moments with individual people and ensuring the people in your life know that they matter. 

2.Change Your Point of View
Whether you work in sales, management, or another field, you will have greater success with effective communication if you approach a conversation from the perspective of the other person. 
 
3.Be Present
When you engage with others, providing your full attention and being present will make all the difference because “people will forget about what you said, people will forget about what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
 
4.Create Memorable Moments
Find a way to be different, not only in the way you do business but also in the way you develop relationships.  You can create a more memorable and positive experience by taking the time to get to know your coworkers, customers, and employees.
 
5.Find and Follow Your Passion
Greene Resources was founded on the idea that you must love what you do and you must love the people you are serving.  When you are passionate about what you do and you surround yourself with people who share that passion, anything is possible.

It's been almost seventeen years since Gary started Greene Resources and the foundation behind the business is still the same. Greene Resources is committed to putting people first and exceeding expectations through purposeful talent solutions. By valuing people above all else, we make a lasting impact in the careers, businesses, and lives of those we serve. 

By Dawn L. Friedel
Instructional Developer
Citrix



I attended the July Chamber Professional Women’s Luncheon at Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle Park to network with other women and learn how to maximize my personal productivity. I arrived early, and the lobby was already buzzing with the sound of voices as women from many local companies gathered and exchanged information. I stopped at several of the vendor booths to say hello and learn about other businesses, some I didn’t know are in the area. As a Citrix employee, I was happy to talk about my company, explain what we do, and describe our unique culture.  

When the lecture opened, I chose a table with several ladies from a variety of businesses. It was a pleasure to speak with Patty Page from Personal Lifestyle Concierge and Ashley McGee from Theo Davis Printing. While enjoying the salad and bread, I filled out the Wheel of Life and questionnaire that would be used to help determine how much of my energy I spend on relationships, the environment, body, mind, and spirit, and work.

The speakers were engaging, and I could relate to the stories they told about needing to set priorities, be more productive, use my energy wisely, and focus on accomplishing tasks (one at a time). We heard from: 

• Becky Jacobs, CEO, Simple Change Wellness
• Kim Brame McGimsey, founder, Breakthrough Health
• Emily Parks, productivity consultant, Organize for Success 

When asked who was a good multi-tasker, my hand went up in the air as I juggle to balance, work, school, volunteering, and my personal life. But by the end of the session, I learned just how unproductive it is to multi-task. When given the statistic that there is a 40 percent loss in productivity due to multi-tasking, it didn't sink in until they had me prove it. Timing a simple task like writing the alphabet and a string of numbers took me only 30 seconds when I was able to do one and then the other. However, when I had to switch between the two, or multi-task, it took me one and a half times as long (45 seconds, for those who don’t want to do the math).  

There are only 1,440 minutes in a day, so making the most of that time requires organization. Using the Eisenhower Box to determine what needs to be done, the order in which to do it, what to delegate to others, and what to remove was very insightful. I came away with insight on how to make myself more productive and with a plan to get started. I’m pleased I was able to attend this session and feel I have tools to be more productive as a result.

The Chamber Professional Women's Luncheon series offers quarterly luncheons featuring noted speakers. Each events provides an opportunity for professional development and valuable networking. Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events. 

The 32nd class of Leadership Raleigh is officially kicking off the start of the program year at an opening retreat at The Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem this week.
 
Following the retreat, class members will participate in monthly educational sessions designed to give them an insider’s view of community issues. During the nine-month program, they’ll develop leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles and be exposed to community involvement opportunities. 
 
Leadership Raleigh has been described as “life-altering” and “eye-opening.” But don’t take our word for it. Hear what some program alumni have to say about their experiences:
 
Lasting Relationships
Leadership Raleigh provided me an exceptional opportunity to interact and build lasting relationships with business and nonprofit leaders. In Leadership Raleigh, I gained an in-depth understanding of issues facing our community though dynamic presentations and tours.  Leadership Raleigh has put me in a great position to contribute to Raleigh's future.
~Ashley Perkinson, LR 29, Perkinson Law Firm, PA
 
Continued Benefits
I entered Leadership Raleigh almost 10 years ago not knowing what to expect. The program provided a full year of truly learning what makes Raleigh such a great place to live and work as you experience areas you may never otherwise visit and hear from leaders that make a difference in our community every day.  Today, I continue to benefit from my year in Leadership Raleigh through the ongoing connections and friendships that came from our time together. 
~Jim Hansen, LR 21, PNC
 
 Unique Access and Insight
Leadership Raleigh offered me a unique opportunity to gain access and insight into critical social, economic, and governmental issues impacting our community and how we do business. The experience afforded me the opportunity to enhance how I think about and solve challenges in my business, to develop new relationships, and to identify ways to collaborate with members of different organizations to positively impact the community in which we live and work. 
~O’Hara Macken, LR 29, Ipreo
 
 A Life-altering Experience
Participating in the Leadership Raleigh program was and continues to be a life altering experience for me.  I was inspired monthly by the themes that were covered and moved to do my part to make a difference as well as inform those around me of what I had learned.  Another gem of this program was the connections made among the other professionals in my Leadership 29 class. There were professional relationships developed that otherwise would not have been possible and most importantly, friendships that I will carry with me for a lifetime. 
~Kim Battle, LR 29, Wake County Medical Society - Community Health Foundation
 
Deeply Connected
When I think back on my Leadership Raleigh experience, it is with true appreciation. Leadership Raleigh was able to open my eyes to so many amazing things happening in our city. I was also able to connect to 53 other community leaders who will forever be deeply connected through this fantastic program. Bottom line, Leadership Raleigh will allow you to deepen your roots and develop a better understanding of our community.
~Matt Strickland, LR 29, Band Together
 
Behind-the-scenes Perspective
Leadership Raleigh was an eye opening experience for me. As a participant, we had the opportunity to get the behind the scenes perspective of Raleigh and Wake County. I now have a better understanding of the issues our community faces and the opportunities it presents. I also gained new professional contacts and friendships that will last a life time.
~Rob Wright, LR 29, Newcomb and Company
 
Undoubtedly Worthwhile
Leadership Raleigh is undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile things I have done since I moved back to the area. I learned a lot about the city and expanded my network while making great friends. It’s well your time and resources!
~Charles Phaneuf, LR 28, Raleigh Little Theatre
 
 
Learn more about Leadership Raleigh here, and be on the lookout for information about the 33rd class, which will kick off next fall. It could be the professional development opportunity you’ve been waiting for!