IT News and Events
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Jul 20th, 2020 — Jul 26th, 2020 Generate the Custom HTML Email for this Issue
IT News and Events IT News and Events
Volume 268, Issue 4 << Previous Issue | Next Issue >>
IT - Email
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How Do I Select A DMARC Solution For My Business?
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC), is an email authentication, policy, and reporting protocol. It builds on the SPF and DKIM protocols to improve and monitor protection of the domain from fraudulent email
"To select a suitable DMARC solution for your business, you need to think about a variety of factors. We've talked to several cybersecurity professionals to get their insight on the topic.

DMARC solutions add security to business email systems by ensuring DKIM and SPF standards are in place to mitigate risks from fraudulent use. They evaluate every inbound and outbound email for these security standards and can integrate with Secure Email Gateway solutions to block malicious activity..."

HelpNet Security, July 22nd, 2020
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IT - Marketing
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5 Tactics To Improve Lead Generation In B2B Tech Marketing
So, how do you actually get them?
"Great question. There are, essentially, two main levers you can pull to increase your lead flow. You can reach more people with your message (i.e. traffic generation), or you can increase the rate at which people who hear your message become contacts (i.e. conversion optimization). Both of these things are important.

If you're not reaching enough people, you won't get any leads. Let's say, for example, that only 50 people visit your website each month. If you have an average-ish conversion rate of 1-2%, you'll bring in maybe one lead each month. If you have a conversion issue, on the other hand, and you're only converting .01% of traffic that reaches your site, you'd need to drive 10,000 visitors each month to get a conversion. If you're serving a niche audience, well, good luck making that happen.

Don't worry, though: Assuming your business model is solid, you can solve traffic or conversion issues, and many of the fixes for these issues aren't overly complex. Here are five tactics you can implement this month in your B2B tech marketing to improve your lead generation..."

Business 2 Community, July 24th, 2020
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7 Easy Ways To Actually Stick To A Marketing Plan
The marketing team is the real revenue generator of an establishment, which is why marketing plans affect the growth of the entire brand. Watching a marketing plan fail is equivalent to watching a train derail
"Everything goes out of control and things become unmanageable very quickly.

Speaking of derailing, why is it so hard to stick to plans anyway? I did a little digging, and reached some conclusions:

  • Constantly making changes to the plan.
  • Lack of motivation.
  • Lack of commitment in the team.
  • The plan itself seems very strenuous.
  • The tasks leading up to the goals do not seem quite doable.

Committing to a plan also means that you are committing to your team. Even when you are using the right marketing tools, you may reach a point where abandoning the plan altogether will seem like a good idea. And, though sticking to plans isn't easy, it is required and it is necessary. As Johnnie Dent Jr. very aptly said in his book, Great Reflections On Success:

'You are too important to the bigger picture to just fall off the canvas.'

As a leader we must find ways to keep our team focussed on the project and engaged to keep working on the best outcome. I have compiled a list of 7 easy ways to actually stick to a marketing plan, all of which have proved beyond effective for my team without fail. Take a look at them and see how they can help you:..."

Business 2 Community, July 24th, 2020
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How To Write Promotional Emails (With Examples!)
As far as technology has come, email marketing is still the most effective way to stay in touch with your target consumers
"It allows you to stay at the forefront of their minds so that they can take action on whatever you're offering when the time is right. Just as a successful email marketing strategy has many different components, writing a solid promotional email has many moving parts. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to craft promotional emails that drive results..."
Business 2 Community, July 25th, 2020
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IT - Sales
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6 Sales Forecasting Methods That Help You Plan For Future Growth
Making smarter decisions when setting goals, budgeting, prospecting, and hiring is possible when you are able to forecast sales accurately. Sales forecasting can play an important part in the success of your business
"To benefit from forecasting, you need to know how to create realistic reports. We've gathered some great sales forecasting methods and templates to help guide you.

What Is Sales Forecasting?

Sales forecasting is the process a business carries out to estimate what their sales will be in the future. Sales forecasting periods can be quarterly, half-annually, annually, or monthly.

Sales forecasting allows you to notice key indicators that tell you how your business is performing. This information lets you plan ahead by giving you a good idea of the amount of revenue you expect within a specific time period..."

Business 2 Community, July 22nd, 2020
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The 7-Step Case Study Formula That Compels Prospects To Buy
Stop writing case studies the old way! You know, the ones where you just show some before-and-after data, toss in a couple of quotes from your customers saying how great you are, and call it a day
"Case studies like those can work. But they don't get the 'OMG this is exactly what we need. Let's hire this person/company immediately' reaction that we are going for.

Don't settle for okay.

Today we're learning a 7-step formula to make the best case studies your prospects have ever seen - case studies that connect to the reader, overcome objections, show what makes your product/service the best, and close the sale..."

Sales Hacker, July 20th, 2020
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7 Types Of Sales Trigger Events & How To Use Them
Trigger events are a great way to fuel your lead generation efforts. If your sales team doesn't practice using them while prospecting, then you're missing out on opportunities
"Once you know what to look for, identifying trigger events becomes second nature, leading to more revenue for your own business and greater value to your customers.

What Is a Trigger Event?

Trigger events are changes that happen at a prospect's business and make your product or service more relevant than before.

When a trigger event happens, it's the ideal time to reach out to your prospect and determine if now is the right time to move forward on a buy..."

Business 2 Community, July 21st, 2020
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Equip Your Reps To Win More Deals With These 5 Keys Of Product Knowledge Training
Knowledge is power. I'm sure you've heard this before, and it's as true in Sales as anywhere else. If a salesperson knows their product like the back of their hand, there's hardly a question or objection they can't answer and overcome
"That's why ongoing product knowledge training needs to be a priority in every sales team.

So, today, I'm going to walk you through five key areas you need to focus on for successful product knowledge training so your reps can start winning more deals.

The Pitfalls of Poor (or no) Product Knowledge Training

Product knowledge may seem like something that shouldn't need formal training. After all, shouldn't your sales reps be doing research and gathering that information themselves?..."

Sales Hacker, July 24th, 2020
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How To Build Your Sales Enablement Strategy
Providing your sales reps with the tools, materials, and content needed to drive leads will ultimately enable them to secure more opportunities and revenue for your business-and more opportunities and revenue are the end game of sales enablement
"Sales enablement, in its most simple application, is the holistic process of providing your business's sales team with the devices they need to seal more deals. These devices can include information, data, tools, and validating content to sell your products or services to the right audience - and do so expertly.

The good news is, your strategy for sales enablement isn't an ominous task to dread and worry about. There are simple steps you can take to build an effective strategy that will wow your customers, drive more sales, and motivate your sales team..."

Business 2 Community, July 22nd, 2020
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Revenue Funnel Drives Marketing And Sales Alignment
As marketing organizations grapple with revenue-accountability and as organizations develop their growth and investment plans, alignment between marketing and sales partners becomes vital
"Numerous studies have shown the positive impact of marketing and sales alignment - from higher customer retention rates to higher sales win rates, to closing bigger deals. Aberdeen has found companies with strong marketing and sales alignment achieve a 20% annual growth rate.

Alas, only 8% of companies attest to having strong alignment between their marketing and sales organizations - proving marketing and sales alignment is easier said than done.

Despite genuine efforts to align functions, tightly communicate and coordinate processes, sales and marketing teams often find themselves at loggerheads, sometimes as rivals but mostly as convenient scapegoats for missed targets. Why is this?..."

Heinz Marketing, July 21st, 2020
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How AI In Sales Can Help You Tap Into The Full Power Of Voice Data
VoiceBase, the leading AI-Powered Voice Analytics company, announced a strategic partnership with ThoughtSpot, the leading Search & AI-Driven Analytics platform, to revolutionize how enterprises gain faster insights from their voice data through innovative search capabilities
"Voice Analytics has been empowering frontline workers in contact centers and organizations for years, but 86% of businesses report that they need better technology-enabled insights to really gain value from their data. The value of these analytics can be transformational for enterprises. In fact, 'By 2025, AI for video, audio, vibration, text, emotion and other content analytics will trigger major innovations and transformations in 75% of Fortune 500 global enterprises' according to Gartner's Top 10 Trends in Data and Analytics, 2020 report..."
AiTHORITY, July 22nd, 2020
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How Using Empathy In Sales Emails Can Boost Your Response Rates
TwitterFacebookLinkedInFlipboard0 It's difficult to connect and bond with your leads when people don't respond to your emails. Especially in difficult times like COVID-19, when other businesses are less open to procuring new products or services
"In such cases, practicing empathy is one of the best ways to grab your leads' attention and get responses to your emails.

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in your lead's shoes and communicate ideas that would appeal to them. In a series of tips and strategies, we'll explore how to be empathetic in your sales emails, and yield better response rates..."

Business 2 Community, July 22nd, 2020
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What Your Sales Trainer Taught You Is Wrong (And What You Should Be Doing Instead
A lot of what sales trainers have told you is wrong. Although, 'wrong' may not be the correct word. Their lessons don't work like they once did. Obsolete is probably more appropriate
"The fundamentals of Sales never change, but their application to a new technologically-driven market will cause change.

Because of this, many established sales training practices don't work like they used to, and in some cases, they can even hold you back. So, let's look at 12 things a sales leader or a mentor has probably taught you, and see what you should be doing instead..."

Sales Hacker, July 23rd, 2020
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IT - CRM
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Are We The Only Ones Still Using This Ancient CRM?
Not a week goes by without a new software company or third-party add-on solution entering the CRM marketplace
"Gartner continues to find that CRM is not only the largest enterprise application software segment but also the fastest growing. Being that proven, larger, and leading CRM platforms, such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics 365, help improve client attraction, acquisition, retention, and loyalty en route to increasing corporate profits, the continued growth and popularity of CRM software is not surprising. The influx of new offerings and the speed at which vendors are now releasing new features and functionality make it challenging to keep track of all your existing code and future options for sure!

In light of all the innovation in the CRM and cloud technology sector, how do you know when it's time and absolutely necessary for a CRM upgrade, to switch to a different system, and/or to perform a deep diagnostic of your end-to-end marketing, sales, and service processes?..."

CRM News, July 23rd, 2020
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SF IT Sales
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Virtual Monthly Meetup of IT Sales and Marketing Professionals - South Florida
online

This is a group for IT Sales and Marketing Professionals to meet with their peers, learn from each other and share referrals.

In-person meetups are suspended until the COVID-19 threat is diminished and public gathering are again allowed, we will run the next meetup (or two) as Zoom video conferences.

I will ask each participant to introduce themselves - who are you, what do you do, what does your company do, etc.

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin

Monday, July 27th, 2020: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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SF IT vBeers Broward
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vBeers South Florida - Weekly Virtual Meetups via Zoom
Online - Zoom
vBeers meetups are informal networking events for South Florida Tech professionals.

In-person vBeers are suspended until the COVID-19 thread is diminished and public gathering are again allowed. will host a Virtual vBeers every Wednesday until in-person events resume.

After the intros, the rest of meeting will be an informal hangout!

Please join the live meeting at 6:00PM EST with this Zoom link:

You can also join by phone:

  • Meeting ID: 792 850 274
  • 646 558 8656 US
  • +16465588656,,792850274# US (New York)

vBeers@Boca is sponsored by TechLauderdale:

  • "TechLauderdale promotes the growth, connectivity, and awareness of the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale"

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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PeopleTek News
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Decisions, Decisions
You'll never have all the information you need to make a decision. If you did, it would be a foregone conclusion, not a decision - David Mahoney, Jr.
"How skilled do you feel you are at decision making? Some have no issues, but others find it challenging and even stressful, especially when the decision must be made 'under fire'.

Those that are effective decision makers generally:

  • Make decisions based on analysis, knowledge, and experience
  • Avoid letting emotions impact their decision
  • Take into account deadlines, obtain as many details as possible, and are not afraid to make a decision based on what they know
  • Solicit others for advice and ideas when they question if they are making sound decisions
  • Understand that mistakes may happen!

Personal styles and preferences are also a factor. Many of us are familiar with Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and our type impacts our Decision Making Preferences. Here's a recap of the 1st (E vs I) and 4th (J vs P) indicators..."

PeopleTek News, July 23rd, 2020
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Kelly Merbler News
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Does Your Company Culture Need A Tune-Up?
As a leadership consultant, I am being called upon more than ever
"Companies are realizing that good leaders are required in today's unpredictable business climate. They need to provide the necessary resources to help set their leaders up for success.

Many organizations who fostered a "figure it out on your own" culture are now watching the proverbial cracks form in their foundation under the stress of the pandemic. Case in point, those companies with antiquated business processes and infrastructure (i.e. everyone must work in the office), faced revenue interruptions and heavy costs associated with the transition to create a fully remote workforce..."

Kelly Merbler News, July 22nd, 2020
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Julie Kantor News
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Want To Drive More Diversity? We Can Take Immediate Action
Want more diversity, let's explore mentor and sponsoring more diversely. This video is a direct plea from and calls to action to impact change. Human connection is paramount. Let's really discuss the issues and opportunities to impact change.
"The people who mentor at your company are the people who drive retention and a sense of belonging at your company," says Julie Kantor, a serial entrepreneur + workforce development veteran with a deep passion for standing up sustainable mentoring initiatives for corporations, associations, and universities.

Whether in a boardroom with executives or working with collaborative teams, Julie instills excitement, inspires commitment, & demonstrates an unwavering drive to succeed. She has provided dynamic mentoring-in-a-box services to world-class companies in many sectors and organizations like Verizon Wireless, Anthem Insurance, NYU Office of Global Diversity & Inclusion, Marriott International, SHRM, MITRE, ASAE and more.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, trainer & connector, Julie is well networked to the national community of top business, academic, non-profit, & government leaders..."

Julie Kantor News, July 23rd, 2020
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SF IT vBeers Boca
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vBeers South Florida - Weekly Virtual Meetups via Zoom
Online - Zoom
vBeers meetups are informal networking events for South Florida Tech professionals.

In-person vBeers are suspended until the COVID-19 thread is diminished and public gathering are again allowed. will host a Virtual vBeers every Wednesday until in-person events resume.

After the intros, the rest of meeting will be an informal hangout!

Please join the live meeting at 6:00PM EST with this Zoom link:

You can also join by phone:

  • Meeting ID: 792 850 274
  • 646 558 8656 US
  • +16465588656,,792850274# US (New York)

vBeers@Boca is sponsored by TechLauderdale:

  • "TechLauderdale promotes the growth, connectivity, and awareness of the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale"

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
(Get More Information . .) open to premium members only

Sponsor - TechLauderdale
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Promoting the Growth, Connectivity, and Awareness of the Thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Become a Member of the Ecosystem, Join TechLauderdale Today
Membership benefits for TechLauderdale were designed to provide individuals and organizations with the choice on how to best utilize member benefits, with a great deal of flexibility and exclusivity. Key benefits of this structure include new ways for members to support the Greater Fort Lauderdale tech ecosystem, while at the same time taking advantage of ongoing tech education and training, exclusive networking and learning opportunities, and making valuable connections.

  • Individual - $100/year or $10/month
  • Bronze - $500 (1 to 3 Employees)
  • Silver - $1,500 - (4 to 25 Employees)
  • Gold - $2,500 - (25 to 50 Employees)
  • Platinum - $3,500 - (over 50 Employees)

TechLauderdale has recently updated its membership levels with increased benefits for each level to better align the value we have to offer with the mission of the organization and our value pillars of: Learn, Connect, and Grow. Read the full membership letter here that explains the changes to the program in greater detail.


Sponsor - SIM
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Connects the Area's Premier IT leaders - for Business Solution Exchange, Professional Development, and Timely Education
Joining SIM connects you with top IT leaders in the industry, including: CIOs, senior IT executives, prominent academicians, consultants, and other top IT professionals
The Chapter strives to strengthen professional communications among members who direct the application of information technology in private and public organizations. Chapter activities include:

  • Meeting to share innovative ideas and real-world experiences which address enterprise information needs. We have excellent speakers from our membership and bring in industry executives or subject matter experts from many sources.
  • Providing presentations by leading national information-management professionals and executives who benefit from management-information systems.
  • Challenging our comfort levels by exchanging ideas with peers and business counterparts.
  • Being a resource for each other, and personal networking.

The geographical scope of the South Florida Chapter is Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Subscribe to receive emails from the chapter to get notified of all relevant events in the area. If you are already subscribed, you will be sent a link to update your preferences.

Society for Information Management (SIM) - South Florida Chapter
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Sponsor - ISACA
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Corporate IT Audit, IT Compliance, IT Governance & IT Security Professionals
A diverse group of innovative thought leaders partnering with the community to serve as the first choice for professional development and a global role model for ISACA Chapters by 2024
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

  • ISACA South Florida Chapter outreach to more than 1,000 professionals, and partner organizations which represent a range of Corporate IT Audit, IT Compliance, IT Governance & IT Security responsibilities in a cross section of industries and business sizes
  • Extensive networking opportunities, face-to-face contact and one-on-one meetings
  • Display of your latest products and services to all attendees
  • Traffic flow throughout the exhibition area
  • Display of your logo and link to your home page on our ISACA South Florida Chapter web site

Find out more! Contact us at president@isacasfl.org

Corporate IT Audit, IT Compliance, IT Governance & IT Security Professionals
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Sponsor - ISSA
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Not-for-profit Organization of Information Security Professionals and Practitioners
The ISSA South Florida Chapter (SFISSA) is a not-for-profit organization of information security professionals and practitioners
ISSA provides educational forums and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members. Members include practitioners at all levels of the security field in a broad range of industries, such as communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and government. SFISSA is an excellent vehicle for those who need to acquire CPE credits for certification needs. We need your support, so we hope that you will consider becoming a sponsor to support our chapter.

Sponsorship Options: Chapter sponsorship

Platinum sponsors $1,500/meeting benefits include:

  • Non-marketing presentation at one SFISSA meeting (including attendee/sign-in list)
  • Higher priority in speaker selection for SFISSA Annual Conference
  • Logo signage displayed at meetings*
  • Logo, name and company URL on SFISSA website for event
  • Materials distributed at SFISSA meetings*
  • 5 minute presentation at 1 SFISSA meetings per year

Program sponsors $1,000/meeting benefits include:

  • Non-marketing presentation at one SFISSA meeting
  • Logo signage displayed at meetings*
  • Logo, name and company URL on SFISSA website for event
  • Materials distributed at SFISSA meetings*
  • 5 minute presentation at 1 SFISSA meetings per year

Conference sponsorship opportunities coming soon.

South Florida Chapter of the ISSA
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Sponsor - Refresh Miami
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Educate, Inspire, Connect and Grow South Florida's Tech and Startup Ecosystem
Be front and center at all our monthly speaker events, get training on the latest technologies, break bread with our distinguished speakers, and find qualified candidates via our sponsored job listings
Be front and center at all our monthly speaker events, get training on the latest technologies, break bread with our distinguished speakers, and find qualified candidates via our sponsored job listings.

Refresh Corporate: $2000/Year

  • Guaranteed ticket to all speaker events
  • Complimentary ticket to three (3) Refresh Miami workshops ($150 value!)
  • 40% discount on all other Refresh Miami workshops ($160 value!)
  • Preferred Access to VIP/Speaker Dinners
  • Discounts on Community Events
  • Partner Discounts
  • Refresh Miami T-Shirt
  • Ability to post relevant events to Community Calendar
  • Ability to post jobs to Refresh Job Board
  • Ability to post business to Refresh Miami Tech Map

$2000/Year


Sponsor - Palm Beach Tech
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A Nonprofit Membership Association Building the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub
Check our Membership options and help build the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub!
Our Memberships are based on Exposure, Talent, & Business

  • STARTUP - $500/year
  • Tier 3 - $1,000/year
  • Tier 2 - $2,500/year
  • Tier 1 - $5,000/year

Palm Beach Tech is a nonprofit membership association Building the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub.


Sponsor - SFHIMA
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Create and Encourage an Environment Conducive to Promoting HIM Practices and Emerging HIM Occupations
We are the SMEs in health information! So whether you are a student, a recent graduate, seasoned professional or profession partner, your local chapter is here for you.
South Florida Health Information Management Association.

The theme from FHIMA for this year is 'Smooth Sailing Ahead'.

SFHIMA is ready to set sail with more great informational sessions, networking and continuing education opportunities. Sessions this year will be offered in person and via remote web connections.

South Florida Health Information Management Association (SFHIMA)
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Sponsor - PMI
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Advance the PM Profession Through the Promotion of PMI Certification Training
To be a conduit of innovation, networking and support for the next evolution of Project Managers through strategic focus, customer centricity and operation agility
Mission

  • Advance the PM profession through the promotion of PMI certification training and project excellence acknowledgement.

  • Provide members and volunteers with networking, leadership roles and superior development and education events and activities,

  • Ensure alignment with PMIs talent triangle, compliance with PMIs core values and contribution to the improvement of the PM body of knowledge.

We are only one of over 270 Chapters serving Project Management Institute (PMI) members and communities in more than 70 countries around the world. These local communities help spread awareness of the profession and PMI by reaching out to local governments and organizations, hosting events or seminars for local practitioners and providing opportunities to learn, network and earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward maintaining credentials.

PMI South Florida Chapter
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Sponsor - IIBA
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Premier World-Wide Professional Association for Business Analysts
We are the local representative of the International Institution of Business Analysis (IIBA), the premier world-wide professional association for business analyst
Sponsorships are available.

The objectives of the Chapter are to:

  • Promote and advance the profession of Business Analysis
  • Provide opportunities to our members to gain knowledge and network with experienced professionals across various industries and government agencies
  • Provide access for members to a formal "knowledge base" as well as forums for sharing expertise, expressing professional opinions and building a reputation within the industry
  • Provide pathways to learn about business analysis best practices
  • Create corporate support for the IIBA within the local market by superior marketing/awareness programs that demonstrate the value of business analysis and the IIBA
  • Liaise with industry and association partners to increase awareness and benefit of IIBA Chapter members
  • Encourage and provide opportunities for our members to become Business Analysis certified professionals

As our events calendar and past events reflect, we have a mix of day time symposiums for professional development, after work meetings focused on a topic of particular concern to business analysts, and online meetings and webinars to develop your technical skills and analytical competencies, as well as one to two premiere dinner events per year with at least one distinguished guest speaker.

International Institution of Business Analysis (IIBA), March 12th, 2020
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