Those lists - lots of feedback and suggestions/BOOT CAMP/ Willard Harley - 3/8/07

[Smartmarriages]

- WHAT WAS BEST/WHAT'S NEW .......AND, WHAT'S DISAPPOINTING
- WHAT'S NEW BOOT CAMP
- HOW TO GET ON TOP
- PRESENTER INQUIRY
- 2007??
- WHAT'S NEW "LATELY": WILLARD HARLEY!
- "MORE HELPFUL" CATEGORIES

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- WHAT WAS BEST/WHAT'S NEW .......AND, WHAT'S DISAPPOINTING

First, while many of you thanked me for the "top 40" and "what's new" lists,
many had "suggestions" and questions. And MANY presenters think I got the
lists wrong.  

Some are annoyed that their colleagues made it on the "What's
New" list "just because they tweaked their program".  Others are annoyed
because they HAD tweaked their program and didn't get listed as "New".  Let
me just acknowledge that ALL the programs innovate and offer something new
each year.  I was trying to make a bit of a distinction in that it wasn't
just an innovation or addition, but a brand new presenter, or new program
they were launching, etc.

Others were upset and confused NOT to be listed in the "top 40" highest
rated sessions. I forgot that I shared a top 40's list year's ago and then
realized it was a bad idea. Causes pain. I don't know where to write myself
a note that will help me remember. Maybe on a band-aid that I can tape to my
computer.   - diane
#######################
- WHAT'S NEW BOOT CAMP
Stosny's Institute is an example that was cited as a repeat that made it on
the "New" list. It's true that he's taught his two day Training Institute
for years, but this year is the FIRST year you can train and be certified to
teach the new BOOT CAMP format.  And, if you hurry you can attend the real
thing in Maryland this month and THEN do the training in Denver.  I highly
recommend this double dose experience. And, we NEED more trainers.  I get
requests from all over the country every week for the classes/camps. This
one is highly rated and in demand. - diane

> The next CompassionPower Boot Camp for resentment, anger, or emotional abuse,
> widely publicized in the media, will be March 31-April 2 in Gaithersburg, MD,
> near Washington, DC. This is your last chance to experience this innovative
> workshop with actual clients before taking Steven Stosny's Smart Marriage
> post-conference Institute in Denver. The Institute will teach you how to do a
> boot camp intervention, but nothing beats witnessing the amazing 24-hour
> transormative intervention in action with real couples. To register for the
> March Boot Camp: http://compassionpower.com
> 
To register for the 2-day denver training institute, register on-line at
http://www.smartmarriages.com

> 902 Two Days - Monday & Tuesday, July 2 & 3
> CompassionPower Boot Camp & Love Without Hurt
> Steven Stosny, PhD
> Qualify to teach the intensive, 3-day Boot Camp format to reduce anger,
> resentment and emotional abuse as well as the "Love Without Hurt" 8-hour
> program to add to any marriage education course - designed to recognize &
> prevent domestic violence and child abuse. These programs include emotional
> regulation skills that make it easier to learn marriage skills and use them
> under stress. $100 spouse discount. Click for more information:
> http://www.smartmarriages.com/stosny.html

Below is an example of the kinds of request that come in. Just got this mins
ago.  Hurts me to tell these folks there is nothing in their area.  Or, do
we have someone near Tacoma teaching Compassion Workshop?  Let me know.  -
diane 

> Do you know of trained Compassion Power therapists in The Tacoma (Seattle)
> Washington Area??  I¹ve already contacted Dr. Stosny¹s org and they didn¹t
> know of anyone.  I¹m hoping your org might have a lead.   I¹m desperately
> searching for an effective treatment program for my infant son¹s father.
> A-MC
> Tacoma, WA 

###############################
- HOW TO GET ON TOP
> Diane,
> I was surprised that none of our workshops were in the top workshops list you
> put out to the mailing as you consistently tell us that we are top rated.  I'm
> curious as to what happened or if there were a significant number of people
> letting us know that in some areas we need to improve.

You had no critics and only good reviews.  You have to realize that there
are 150 sessions - almost all of which get GREAT reviews. That's the good
news - 95% of the sessions are great as rated by the attendees on a "1 to 5"
scale. The way I determine the top 40 are those that get 5 ratings PLUS get
a bunch of the "favorite thing at the conference" ratings AND get few to no
criticism.  We ask people to rate each session "1 to 5" and to explain in
the comments WHAT they liked and didn't like. Then at the end of the form we
ask one last time, "What were your favorite sessions/events at the entire
conference and why?"  I also take into account how many were registered for
a session - the ratio.  The keynotes come out so far on top because everyone
sees them and a huge percentage remember the keynotes sessions as their
favorite, most moving, most memorable sessions of the conference. (Which is
validating - we expect that the keynotes are going to be worth listening to
and memorable.) I didn't include the Institutes in the top 40.  It seems
that EVERY person that attends a training Institute thinks that the one they
attended was "the best thing at the conference" - it's like they get
inducted or hypnotized. (If people don't love their institute experience I
know something is really wrong.)  The evaluations are invaluable in planning
year to year, and some few sessions don't get all 4's and 5's.  Those very
few that don't get rave reviews do not get to repeat. You get all top marks.
That's why you're back each year.  Makes it hard for new talent to break in
- so few stumble and fall.    - d

########################
- PRESENTER INQUIRY
> Diane, Is there any possibility we could review the evaluations for our
> Atlanta workshop? I would like to know what the participants liked, didn't
> like, so I can improve for this year.  -Barbara

Sorry.  I wish there were a way but each attendee evaluates all the sessions
on one form - I have no way to break them out for you/for individual
sessions.  I'd have to type each one into a database.  At least I find time
to read every word of them and to listen to every session. BUT the GREAT
GOOD news is that next year the whole evaluation process will be on-line and
presenters will have access to their evaluations.  I just hope it goes as
smoothly as I'm being promised by the registration company! Fingers crossed.
-diane  
#########################
- 2007?? 
> Diane, 
> Your list said "what's new in 2006".  Did you mean 2007?
> John

Sorry, my feeble brain.  Or maybe I just blame my fingers.  They typed it.
Yes, 2007. - diane 
#########################
- WHAT'S NEW "LATELY": WILLARD HARLEY!

> Diane, 
> I think you should have included "what's new LATELY". For instance, I've been
> coming for three years and have never seen Willard Harley.  I've about worn
> out his book and I think it's very big news that he is presenting. I looked at
> your old brochures posted on your conference page and see that he was a
> featured keynote presenter in 2003.  And there are other presenters that I
> would imagine are not new to YOU but are new to the rest of us.  Maybe you
> should have made it "who has not presented for the past two years". I also
> feel it's unfair that the only way to see Harley is at the banquet.  It would
> have been nice if he had been featured in a session that is included in the
> general conference fee. I appreciate all you do and don't mean to criticize
> but as you plan 2008 please remember some of us are on a budget.
> Brad 

I AGREE that it's a big deal to see Willard Harley. That's why he's
receiving a Smart Marriages 2007 Impact Award.  He presented at Smart
Marriages for several years and got RAVE reviews and I'm so pleased that
he's back and that so many you that missed him will get to hear this giant
in person. I hope anyone not familiar with him will read his classic, "His
Needs, Her Needs" before the conference. Written in 1986 it's still a best
seller.  And, I don't mean to sound defensive, but you would not in your
wildest imagination be able to imagine the shuffle that went on this year
with the keynotes.  We had to move everyone around several times to
accommodate a whole bunch of logistics.  So if you see a few grumpy keynote
presenters just tell them how wonderful they are and how pleased you are to
see them at all, never mind their time slot. I just hope the logistics and
staging work and that we can move the pianos and mics around and make it all
happen. But, really, the Friday night banquet is the perfect place for our
award recipient and for his presentation - lots of time for him to lay out
his model - plus it's a very good deal/bargain even for someone on a budget.
Just $37 to hear Willard Harley, earn 2 hrs CE would be a deal.  But the $37
is what a meal (salad, rolls, entree, dessert, glass of wine) costs us at
this very elegant hotel - so, it's a "pass through" for dinner/tax/gratuity
and you basically see Harley and get to hang out and meet colleauges for
free. No extra speaker's fee.  Also, I promise you that those who attended
in 2000 will tell you the food is great at the Adam's Mark.  They're known
for it.  I hope you can fit this into your budget.   - diane

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- "MORE HELPFUL" CATEGORIES
> Diane the new lists you sent of "best '06 sessions" and "what's new for
> Denver" are interesting but I find the category lists on your website to be of
> much more help.  You should tell the list readers about those and you should
> mention the "tracks" in the brochure.
> Elaine

Find the Tracks/Category lists at:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/conference.tracks.html

I do mention them on page 2 of the brochure. BUT you're right, no one is
going to see that little mention.  I'll go in right now to my brochure edit
copy and make a note to make the mention of the tracks/categories more
prominent in the '08 brochure.  Anything else while I've got my edit copy
handy?  - diane  

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