Workantile Exchange

Upcoming Public Events at Workantile Exchange

Friday, September 25 11:30am-1pm
"Managing Your Clients; or, How to herd the cats" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with Tom Brandt of Northtech Systems

One of the more significant problems consultants, freelancers and independents face is managing clients--figuring out what they really want, setting realistic expectations, what their budgets are, getting paid. This session will be a discussion of different ways to manage your clients. If there are particular problems you are having with your clients, please email them to tom.brandt@northtech.com before the session so they can be included in the list of topics.

Tom Brandt is an independent consultant, software developer, and website builder with over 20 years experience in herding cats. Tom's company is Northtech Systems, which can be found on the web at http://northech.com/.

Friday, October 2 11:30am-1pm
"Social Systems and Energy: What if technology can’t get us there?" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with Irv Salmeen of the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan

Irv is co-developer of a new undergraduate class on Social-systems and Energy.

The course explores connections between technology and social/cultural problems inherent in the emergence of energy futures. The course examines the cultural and technological history of energy-systems, such as the electricity grid and transportation networks, viewed within a complex-systems framework. The seminar will pose the challenge: what opportunities for social/cultural innovation may emerge that will complement or substitute for “alternative energy technologies.” The essential question is what do we do if, in practice, our trust in technological innovation falls short of fulfilling what is needed in the next few decades to align energy demand growth with the need to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel combustion.

Friday, October 9 11:30am-1pm
"Starbucks & You: Understanding the Experience Economy" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with Kathy Macdonald of the Macdonald Group

The economy is rapidly shifting.  It is no longer enough to have a fine product and good service.  Customers and employees are making choices based on preferred experiences … from coffee to financial services.  Don’t get left behind.  Everyone needs to understand how to compete in the Experience Economy.

Discussion led by Kathy Macdonald, President, The Macdonald Group. Kathleen is one of only a handful of experts certified on this topic.

Friday, October 16 11:30am-1pm
"Energy, Creativity and
Imagination: Creating a sustainable culture for innovation" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with Richard Sheridan of Menlo Innovations

In this talk, Menlo Innovations' co-founder and CEO will trace the history of Menlo's unique culture to Edison's original Menlo Park New Jersey and engage the audience in a lively dialogue in how an open and collaborative workspace combined with a highly engaged team can revolutionize the approach to creativity and invention.

Friday, October 23 11:30am-1pm
"Learn About the History of Coffee" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with David Myers of Mighty Good Coffee

Join David Myers, owner of Mighty Good Coffee and some of the baristas to discuss and taste different regional coffees, roasting, and brewing methods. Learn how to make the best cup of joe possible. Bring your best taste buds!

Friday, October 30 11:30am-1pm
"The Path to diversity: biological history recorded in DNA" (Brown Bag Lunch Lecture) with Dr. Patricia Wittkopp, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan

How did bats get their wings? How did the turtle get its shell? What do humans have in common with fruit flies? The answers to these questions and more will be discussed when Dr. Patricia Wittkopp, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, presents insights from genetics and genomics into evolutionary biology.

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