Metro EDGE members are still buzzing about the 2011 Executive Insight Event at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. Phrases like “best EDGE event ever!” and “Inspirational!” are even being thrown around. To be honest, we couldn’t agree more! The amazing group of executives shared their valuable time and profound insight with sincerity and lots of good humor. (“Why am I holding my mic like a rapper!”) We wanted to share a few of our highlights, the warm & fuzzy, the candid, and of course the EDGEy. With all the great insight flying around, we missed a few, so please comment with your insight highlights from the night!

James Beckwith, Five Star Bank
“Flush the toilet on failures.” (In other words, don’t dwell on our failures. Let them go. Flush them and move on.)

Steve Childs, SacTown Magazine
“If you dip your toe in the water, you almost always start swimming, so don’t waste your time procrastinating and just go for it.”

Chris Delfino, Downey Brand Attorneys
“Sacramento is an amazing place. When I am asked what Sacramento needs, I say Sacramento just needs some swagger.”
“Be willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work.”

Mike Heller, Heller Pacific Inc.
You [MetroEDGE] are the crew that’s going to lead Sacramento to raise the bar.”

Becky Johnson, Siemens
“Form genuine friendships.” (In regards to networking.)
“Learn to say no. Establish boundaries.”

Donna Lucas, Lucas Public Affairs
“Do things that challenge you.”
“Give yourself some pause.” (Discussing the importance of a work/life balance.)

Mark Otero, KlickNation
“How you spend [your time] defines who you are.”

Randy Paragary, Paragary Restaurant Group
“Truly find something you love, and stick with it. Simple as that.”

Randy Satar, Teichert Land Company
“This is not a dress rehearsal…Jump in and start doing it.”

Michele Wong, Synergex
“Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.”

Photos and Video will be up soon…

What was you favorite quote or takeaway from the evening?

Sacramento’s downtown area has come a long way in the last ten years and many want to take it to the next level.  However, the recession has posed challenges to these visions – the downtown mall is struggling, the Railyards project has been slowed by bankruptcy issues, several residential projects have been shelved, and K Street continues to be an eye sore.  What is the state of current development projects in the downtown?  What have been the major development roadblocks?  What does the downtown need and how do we (yes – us EDGErs!) effect change? Join us on December 16th with our two forum experts — R.E. Graswich and David S. Taylor — for a round table discussion on revitalizing downtown.

R.E. Graswich is Kevin Johnson’s Special Assistant to the Mayor; his responsibilities include policy issues, community relations, and communications. Considering Graswich has been a print and broadcast journalist in Sacramento for 38 years, he has a wealth of knowledge about our city. “He loves Sacramento, has a deep appreciation for our city’s history and knows how great Sacramento can become in the years ahead.”, said Mayor Johnson.

David S. Taylor is the president and founder of a full-service commercial real estate development and management company based here in Sacramento. You may be familiar with a few of his projects including: Esquire Plaza, Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1201 K Street, and Sacramento City Hall. These buildings have helped shape downtown Sacramento and reflect David’s commitment to add elegance, promote environmental sustainability, and energize the local economy.

Get more event details and register today for the Edgucational Forum : Revitalizing Downtown.

Please leave a comment with any questions you would like to have considered for discussion at the forum.

In case you missed it, these are just a couple topics that were discussed at Metro Edge’s first EDGEucational Forum. Our social media experts and attendees discussed how technology and social media is changing the landscape of the workplace for better or for worse.

Yeah, we know how to use the latest technology and social media tools, but have you ever stopped to think about whether you are too connected or how social media can take your business to the next level?

• Did you know that social media enables businesses to market and advertise on a shoe string budget? Social media now makes it possible for you to stay connected to your clients or customers when you don’t have funds to mass market through traditional methods. For only a few $$$ (or for free), you can get the word out about your services or your product. Try creating a Facebook fan page for your business.
• Is there really such a thing as being too connected? Social media allows you to brand yourself and expand your network ten-fold! Initially technological advances may have pulled people apart (just email me), but social media is actually bringing people back together. It is truly interactive. The key…social media shouldn’t take away from personal interaction, it should enhance it!
• Can social media bridge the gap between generations? It may not happen overnight, but social media is the wave of the future (and the present) so we need to help the older generation get up to speed.
• One of the challenges we young professionals face is getting the older generation on board with our ideas about how social media tools can enhance our business, not detract from it.
• Social media seems to be shifting the power in organizations away from executives and into the hands of all employees.

Let us know what you took away from the event. If you were unable to attend, we still want to hear from you! Do you think social media bridges the gap between generations? How has social media changed the way you work? Are there downsides to being too connected? Any other related topics you want to blog about?

How connected are the members of Metro Edge? Take Metro Edge’s own social media quiz. The survey will close on Monday, December 14 and results will be shared the following week.

Thanks again to our experts and to everyone who attended the EDGEucational Forum.  We look forward to seeing you at our next event!!

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What did you think of the event?

Feedback for us? Make any good connections? Learn something new? Want more events like this? Please comment below.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your time and Congratulate Dr. Watson for an amazing program.  Due to her hard work in establishing this event, we were able to assist the youth of Sacramento, one of our Primary Focuses of Metro Edge Philanthropy.

For all that were able to speak today, thank you so much for taking time out of your schedules to make a difference. I apologize for not getting to thank you personally! Attached is the certificate to Metro EDGE that you all made possible. At our next EDGE event please please please come say hello so I can thank you again!

Holiday Wishes to you and your families, and thank you again!

Sean O’Brien
Vice Chair Metro Edge Philanthropy