November 2021 Chapter Meeting

Title: 

Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

Description: 

We say we  listen to what others have to say, but do we really HEAR them? We say we are open to hear other  perspectives, but are we really OPEN? The year 2020 taught us many  things. This was a year I'm sure you  will never forget. All of us were  tested with some of the most challenging situations we may not have  experienced in our lifetime, and probably hope to never experience again. Though it was challenging, it was beautiful  and amazing to watch the people start  sharing their truths, and realities. Though those realities may, or may not be ours, people listened to each  other in some respects. There is a  difference between just listening, and ACTIVELY listening though.    As business analyst, one important part of  the role is to elicit requirements from stakeholders to understand the  business needs, but are you really listening to gain UNDERSTANDING, or  listening to RESPOND with your expertise? If 2020 taught us anything, it  taught us people want their voices to be HEARD, and so do your  stakeholders. So, are you listening to  UNDERSTAND or listening to RESPOND?  In this interactive session participants will  learn: The importance of listening Tips on how to actively listen and what can  occur if you do not An opportunity to practice active listening How to hold  yourself accountable to LISTEN and not just RESPOND

Speaker Biography: 

Paula Bell is  the CEO of Paula A Bell Consulting, LLC for 20 years. She is a coach, consultant, speaker, and  author with expertise in the areas of: business analysis, project management,  leadership, diversity, equity & Inclusion, career development and self  development. Through her 5-tier  consulting business model, Paula helps individuals find their passion, build  their brand, and enhance their skill sets through consultations, coaching and  customizable documentation to drive results. Her desire is to inspire, motivate and encourage others, through a  structured journey of self-reflection and awareness as a catalyst for  unlimited success. Paula is a Certified  Business Analyst, Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Life Purpose Coach,  Certified Goal Success Coach, Certified Happiness Coach, Certified Career  Development Coach, Certified Diversity & Inclusion Manager Coach, Licensed  Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator, and Forrester  Customer Experience (CX) Champion.    Paula also possesses 21+ years of experience  in corporate America in project roles to include business analyst,  requirements manager, business initiatives manager, business process quality  manager, technical writer, project manager, developer, test lead and  implementation lead. Paula has experience in a variety of industries to  include media, courts, manufacturing and financial. She has lead multiple  highly-visible multi-million dollar technology and business projects to create  solutions to transform businesses as either a consultant, senior business  analyst or manager. Currently she is  also a Business Support Manager for a major financial institution leading a  team of business process consultants to identify processes and execute on  continuous improvement opportunities.   Paula is originally from Brooklyn, NY. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science  in Management Information Systems from Oral Roberts, University located in  Tulsa, OK. Paula is currently married  and resides in Iowa with her husband and teenage twins (boy/girl). Paula is extremely active in her community  as she is the Past President of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to minorities attending Iowa  institutions, as well as, volunteers for many different community events. Paula believe is mind, body and soul and to  add to the health component, she  studies, and trains, martial arts and achieved her 2nd degree black belt  designation in August of 2018. She  leverages martial arts concepts to bring forth personal and professional  concepts, hence her brand of the BA Martial Artist, as well as, she is a  Certified Xtreme Hip Hop™ Step Aerobics Instructor.

Register (http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=9udrqxcab&oeidk=a07ei590w0q185a91b0)