Dr. Rick Brinkman

Everyone has people in their life they can't stand, (but of course not our fellow employees or customers ;-). Dr. Rick Brinkman literally wrote the book on it. "Dealing With People You Can't Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst" is an international bestseller with translations in 17 languages.

In his trademark entertaining, humorous style, he will show us how to use Conscious Communication® to successfully transform behaviors like: Whining, Negativity, Attacks, Tantrums, Know-it-alls, Think-they-know-it-alls, Sniping, and more. Dr. Brinkman says, "Communication is like a phone number, you need all the digits to get through and you need them in the right order. There is a strategy for each of the difficult behaviors that can transform them. It is just a matter of being a Conscious Communicator™ and taking responsibility for the power you have to influence others."

Dr. Brinkman is a holistic physician in public practice spreading his Conscious Communication message to support people in their health and wellbeing. In 1988 he was one of only 15 people the Tom Peters Group approved to do In Search of Excellence seminars. He is the coauthor of four McGraw-Hill books, four video training programs and five audio programs. He is frequently consulted by media as a communication expert and has been featured by CNN, NPR’s Marketplace program, O (Oprah Magazine), The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

"Learning should be fun," Brinkman says on his Web site. "I enjoy spicing up a meeting and making people laugh. When people laugh, they remember what they’ve learned."

Futurist Ed Barlow

Futurist Ed Barlow closes out IAMC’s Fall Professional Forum by taking us on a journey through the uncharted territory of the 21st century. Explore with him the significant structural changes which are underway including globalization, technology, demographics and the labor pool. Don’t miss this insightful, thought-provoking and entertaining learning opportunity. A recent presentation by Barlow was enough to cause Peter Heller, Vice President for Quality for Ford in Europe, to enthuse, "This is the best presentation about the future of manufacturing in Europe that I've ever heard."

Ed Barlow is president of Creating the Future, Inc. He is dedicated to enhancing an understanding of the future and the influences which will affect personal, professional, organizational, and community settings. In addition to his extensive speaking and consulting schedule, he is interviewed regularly by the media. He has also testified before Congress on several occasions regarding issues of workforce, transportation, travel and tourism. His advice and counsel is sought regularly by leaders in business, government, and the non-profit sector.