KEYNOTE
Rise Up For You focuses on enhancing company culture and personal development through transformational coaching, training, on-demand learning, and events. Our mission is to elevate you and your team's potential by providing high-quality training and coaching in soft skills- the most needed skills today and in the future. Make our superpower your superpower! Elevate your leadership, emotional intelligence, communication, confidence, success, and more. We take companies and individuals like yourself, from where you are now to where you want to be!
BREAKOUTS
Mastering the Art of Persuasion Without the Pressure: Sales for the Non-Salesperson
Not everyone sees themselves as a "salesperson," but in reality, whether you're an entrepreneur, manager, or employee, sales is a key part of your role. In this session, you’ll learn how to embrace the principles of selling without feeling like you’re pushing products or services. Discover how to naturally build relationships, communicate your value, and close deals with confidence, all while staying true to your personal style.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the Sales Mindset: Why everyone can (and should) develop sales skills, even if it’s not your primary role.
Building Authentic Relationships: Learn the art of selling by creating genuine connections and establishing trust with customers or clients.
Communicating Your Value: How to convey the benefits of your product or service in a way that resonates with your audience.
Handling Objections with Confidence: Master techniques for responding to concerns without feeling defensive or overwhelmed.
Closing Without the Pressure: Practical tips for closing deals in a way that feels natural and comfortable, rather than high-pressure.
This session is designed for professionals who don’t consider themselves “salespeople,” but who want to gain essential sales skills to grow their business or career.
Presenters:
Jordan Mulrooney, Broker Associate, RE/Max Success
Karen Gross, State Farm Agent, State Farm
Nick Martinez, General Manager, Visalia Hyundai
Moderator:
Tosha Pequeno, Senior Branch Manager, Valley Strong Credit Union
AI in Marketing: Revolutionizing Customer Engagement and Strategy
AI is transforming the world of marketing, allowing businesses to connect with customers in more personalized, efficient, and innovative ways. In this session, you’ll explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the marketing landscape and discover how you can leverage AI tools to enhance customer engagement, optimize campaigns, and stay ahead of the competition. Whether you're a marketing novice or a seasoned professional, this session will provide actionable insights into how AI can drive better marketing outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
AI-Driven Customer Insights: How to use AI to analyze customer behavior, preferences, and trends for more targeted marketing strategies.
Personalization at Scale: Learn how AI can help you deliver highly personalized experiences to your audience, increasing engagement and loyalty.
Automating Marketing Campaigns: Discover tools and techniques to automate tasks like content creation, social media posting, and email marketing, freeing up time for strategic work.
Predictive Analytics: How AI can help forecast customer needs and behaviors, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and anticipate market trends.
Ethical AI in Marketing: Understand the potential pitfalls and ethical considerations of using AI in marketing, and how to ensure responsible use of AI tools.
This session is ideal for marketers, business owners, and professionals who want to harness the power of AI to enhance their marketing efforts and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Presenters:
Robert De Bruin, Marketing Director, Elite Medical
Kiley Arce, Community Relations Director, Quail Park Shannon Ranch
Eric Riley, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, 4-Creeks
Mastering Tough Conversations: Turning Conflict into Collaboration in the Workplace
Difficult conversations are inevitable in any workplace, whether it’s addressing performance issues, navigating interpersonal tensions, or discussing sensitive topics like salary or promotions. How you approach these conversations can either build trust or create lasting friction. In this session, you'll learn practical techniques to handle tough discussions with confidence, empathy, and professionalism, transforming potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Key Takeaways:
Preparing for Tough Talks: Learn how to gather information, set clear intentions, and enter conversations with a constructive mindset.
Active Listening and Empathy: Techniques for fostering understanding by listening deeply and validating the other person's perspective.
Managing Emotional Reactions: Strategies to stay calm and guide the conversation, even when emotions run high.
Delivering Difficult Feedback Effectively: Learn how to frame tough feedback in a way that encourages positive change without damaging relationships.
Finding Collaborative Solutions: Tips for reaching mutually beneficial outcomes and creating win-win resolutions.
Building an Open Communication Culture: How to promote a work environment where transparent and respectful conversations are the norm.
This session is perfect for leaders, HR professionals, and employees looking to improve their communication skills and cultivate a workplace where difficult conversations lead to stronger teams and better outcomes.
Presenter:
Dedi Somavia, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Tulare County Office of Education
Crafting Your Company Culture: A Blueprint for Small Business Success
For small business owners, establishing a strong company culture is essential to attracting and retaining talent, boosting productivity, and fostering a positive work environment. But how do you define, implement, and maintain a culture that aligns with your vision and values? In this session, we’ll guide you through the process of intentionally shaping your company’s work culture from the ground up. Learn practical strategies to assess your current culture, identify areas of improvement, and create an environment where your team thrives.
Key Takeaways:
Defining Your Core Values: How to align your culture with the mission and values of your business.
Creating an Intentional Culture: Strategies for cultivating a positive, cohesive work environment, even with a small team.
Cultural Red Flags: Common pitfalls and warning signs of a toxic culture—and how to address them.
Employee Engagement: Tips for fostering engagement, collaboration, and accountability within your team.
Sustaining Your Culture as You Grow: How to maintain and evolve your culture as your business scales.
This session is perfect for small business owners who want to ensure their company culture reflects their vision while driving growth and employee satisfaction.
Presenters:
Tony Benevento, President, Servicemaster By Benevento
Monique Mello, Branch Manager/Senior Engineer, Quad Knopf (QK)
Digital Transformation: Empowering Your Business for the Future
Step into the future of business with a comprehensive exploration of digital transformation. This session will guide you through understanding the core elements of digital evolution, including adopting cutting-edge technologies, reimagining traditional business models, and cultivating a forward-thinking, tech-savvy workforce.
Discover how to navigate the digital landscape, identify opportunities for growth, and future-proof your organization in an ever-changing world. Whether you're a small business owner, manager, or entrepreneur, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the digital age.
Key Takeaways:
Technological Readiness: Learn about the latest technologies driving change and how to implement them effectively in your business.
Adaptation Strategies: Explore ways to transform traditional business models to meet modern demands.
Fostering a Tech-Savvy Culture: Understand how to build a workforce ready to embrace innovation and digital tools.
Digital Trends and Insights: Stay ahead of the curve with an overview of emerging trends and actionable insights.
Prepare your business today to lead in the world of tomorrow!
Presenters:
Paul Myers, Editor and Vice President, The Sun-Gazette
Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs: Navigating Business Growth
Mastering financial literacy is critical for the success and longevity of any business. Designed specifically for start-up and small business owners, this session will simplify complex financial concepts and provide practical tools to help you plan for sustainable growth. From understanding budgets to securing funding and making smart investment decisions, you'll gain the knowledge needed to navigate the financial landscape with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
Budgeting for Growth: Learn how to create and manage budgets that align with your business goals and prepare for unexpected challenges.
Investment Strategies: Discover how to strategically reinvest in your business to fuel expansion and increase profitability.
Accessing Capital: Explore funding options, from traditional loans to grants and alternative financing, and gain tips for preparing a strong application.
Financial Red Flags: Understand common financial pitfalls and how to avoid them to ensure long-term success.
Building Financial Confidence: Leave with actionable insights to make informed decisions and feel confident in managing your business's finances.
This session is ideal for new entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone looking to improve their financial acumen to support sustainable business growth.
Presenters:
Vincent Salinas, Business Consultant, SBDC
Deanna Blaise, Vice President Member Business Services, Valley Strong Credit Union
Navigating HR Laws and Regulations: What Every Business Needs to Know
Staying compliant with HR laws and regulations is crucial for protecting your business and employees. However, navigating the ever-changing landscape of labor laws, employee rights, and workplace policies can be overwhelming for business owners and managers. In this session, we'll provide a clear and concise overview of essential HR regulations that businesses need to follow, from hiring practices and employee benefits to workplace safety and termination procedures.
Key Takeaways:
Essential HR Laws Overview: A breakdown of key federal and state laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Wage and Hour Compliance: Understanding minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, and employee classification (exempt vs. non-exempt).
Hiring and Onboarding: Legal considerations for recruitment, background checks, and onboarding processes.
Anti-Discrimination and Harassment: Ensuring your workplace is compliant with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and maintaining a harassment-free environment.
Employee Leave and Accommodations: How to handle employee leave under FMLA, ADA, and state-specific laws.
Workplace Safety and OSHA Requirements: A look at Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to ensure a safe working environment.
Termination and Layoffs: Best practices for legally compliant terminations and reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures, including avoiding wrongful termination claims.
Staying Up-to-Date: Tips on keeping current with evolving labor laws and industry-specific regulations.
This session is ideal for small business owners, managers, and HR professionals looking for a comprehensive guide to staying compliant with HR laws and avoiding costly legal pitfalls.
Storytelling for Entrepreneurs: Building Your Brand Through Authentic Narratives
In today’s competitive market, your story is your superpower. This session will teach business owners and start-ups how to craft and share compelling brand narratives that resonate with customers and inspire loyalty. By aligning your personal values with your business goals, you can create authentic connections that set your brand apart. Explore the art of storytelling as a tool to elevate brand recognition, foster meaningful relationships, and convert awareness into sustained customer loyalty.
Key Takeaways:
Crafting Your Narrative: Learn how to identify and shape the core story of your brand to reflect its mission, vision, and values.
Building Authentic Connections: Discover how to create emotional touchpoints that resonate with your audience and foster trust.
From Awareness to Loyalty: Explore techniques to transform initial brand recognition into long-term customer relationships through engaging content and consistent messaging.
Value-Driven Storytelling: Align your personal and business values to create a brand story that feels authentic and inspires action.
Practical Tips and Tools: Walk away with actionable strategies for integrating storytelling into your marketing, sales, and customer experience efforts.
This session is ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-ups looking to harness the power of storytelling to build stronger brands and deeper connections with their audiences.
Presenters:
Sam Ramirez, The Naxon Group
Marina Rojas, Marketing Director, Spirit Radio
Sarah Peltzer Machado, Marketing Manager, The Sun-Gazette
Melissa Carrillo, Director of Accounts, Jeffrey Scott Agency (JSA)
The Power of a Strong Board: Building and Serving on an Effective Nonprofit Board
A strong, engaged board is essential to the success of any nonprofit organization. Whether you're looking to strengthen your nonprofit's board or considering joining one, this session will provide key insights into the role and responsibilities of board members, governance best practices, and how a well-structured board can drive an organization's mission forward.
Key Takeaways:
The Role of a Board: Understanding the strategic, financial, and operational responsibilities of board members.
Effective Governance: Best practices for building a high-impact board that supports long-term sustainability.
Board Member Expectations: What it means to serve on a board, from legal obligations to fundraising and advocacy.
Recruiting & Retaining Board Members: How to attract and maintain passionate, engaged leaders for your nonprofit.
Maximizing Board Impact: Ways board members can actively contribute to the success of an organization beyond meetings.
This session is ideal for nonprofit leaders, aspiring and current board members, and business professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the community.
Presenters:
Alberto Ramos, Executive Director, CASA of Tulare County
Tosha Pequeno, Senior Branch Manager, Valley Strong Credit Union