Photo by Bill Straus Photography

Commerce Lexington Inc.'s Programs Committee plans a professional development series called the Business Resource Roundtables, which allow participants to discuss ideas, share best practices and work through challenges faced by independent professionals and small business owners.

If you've been struggling with a particular challenge or issue, want to learn best practices from other professionals, brainstorm ideas, or if you just want to expand your network - the Business Resource Roundtables may be just what you need.

Each Roundtable event is moderated by a facilitator who leads the discussion. Roundtables are held at the Commerce Lexington Inc. meeting facility (330 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507).

Roundtables are open to Commerce Lexington members only and there is no charge to attend. To find out more about the roundtables, or to suggest a topic or speaker, contact Katie Hardwick at (859) 226-1608.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2008, our Resource Roundtable event presented by Community Trust Bank featured Bill Dotson of Hensley Elam & Associates, who helped participants "Do More With Their Microsoft Outlook." The event was very informational and was recorded in its entirety. If you could not attend or would like to review what was said during the event, you may watch the video below. The video is divided into 20 minute segments for your convenience. Watch portions when you have time, and return when you are available to review more.

Tuesday, November 13, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Plugging Into Technology
Moderator: Nick Rice, Director of Marketing for EOP Architects
About this event: Is your To-Do list longer at 5:00 p.m. than it was at 9:00 a.m.? If you’re not leveraging technology to grow your business, you’re putting your goals at risk. Join Nick Rice, Director of Marketing for EOP Architects, to learn how to plug into technology advancements in marketing, networking and client communications.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY? Do you have questions about technology that you didn't get answered at this roundtable event or you weren't able to participate in? Take advantage of our on-line IPN TECHNOLOGY GOOGLE GROUP and talk with other independent professionals who may be dealing with the same technology challenges.

Tuesday, December 11, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Begin With The End In Mind - Getting What You Want in 2008
Moderator: Ryan Lisk, a partner with the Lexington-based coaching and consulting firm, Lisk Associates
About this event: This dynamic goal-setting session consists of a sprinkle of 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, a pinch of The Secret, a dash of Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play, and a dollop of Real-Time Coaching™. At this session, participants will define what they want for the upcoming year, self-evaluate past successes and challenges, and develop a SMART plan to reach their goals.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Do you have questions about this presentation that you didn't get answered at this roundtable event or would you like to know more and weren't able to attend? >DOWNLOAD RYAN LISK'S PRESENTATION SLIDES HERE or e-mail Ryan Lisk with your question.

Tuesday, February 12, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits
Moderator: Deborah Holland Tudor, an attorney with Frost Brown Todd LLC who practices in the Corporate and Labor & Employment departments of the firm.
About this event: Deborah has extensive experience in all aspects of employee benefits --- advising employers in the design, implementation, administration and compliance issues associated with retirement plans, cafeteria plans, and health and welfare benefit plans, such as health, life and disability benefits.

Tuesday, March 11, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Public Relations: What is Free and What is Paid For
Panel: Tom Martin, editor of Business Lexington, Leland Conway, radio host of The Pulse of Lexington on 620 WLAP, Vitale Buford, account manager with Preston-Osborne, and Don Trail of WTVQ-TV (Channel 36).
About this event: An experience panel of industry experts will help participants marketing efforts and learn some new tips.

Tuesday, April 8, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Go Beyond Brainstorming to Achieve Skillful Thinking
Moderator: Bill Kimbrell, businessman, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and Blue Ocean Strategist
About this event: Skillful thinking is the new pathway to breakthrough strategic logic. Why? Because it works. But, skillful thinking is not easy, said Kimbrell. "It is counter-intuitive, rigorous, recursive, and is hard work." Learn some of the steps to becoming a skillful thinker.

Tuesday, May 13, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Topic: Do More with Your Microsoft Outlook E-mail
Moderator: Bill Dotson, a partner with Hensley Elam & Associates, a local computer consulting firm
About this event: Dotson will show participants how to use Outlook as a personal assistant and discuss ways to make your day more efficient, while helping you network with other people.