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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T130000
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DTSTAMP:20260530T043054
CREATED:20260329T175036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T135549Z
UID:10000006-1776776400-1776780000@8thirtyfour.com
SUMMARY:The Hard Cost of Soft Skills
DESCRIPTION:While many associate business growth with technology\, automation\, or strategic planning\, the real determinant of success is people\, and how they collaborate\, communicate\, and lead. The so-called “soft skills” (or as Kim calls them\, essential skills) directly drive performance\, retention\, decision-making\, and customer experience. \nIn this session\, Kim Bode\, CEO of 8THIRTYFOUR\, reveals the true cost of poor communication\, from measurable delays to operational breakdowns\, and shows how strengthening essential skills becomes a competitive advantage for Michigan small businesses. Attendees will examine real-world examples of common communication and alignment failures and learn practical\, repeatable strategies to build trust\, reduce friction\, and improve daily team operations. \nSoft skills aren’t optional. They’re the difference between success and failure\, and they’re the key to scaling sustainably\, no matter your industry. \n								\n									Learn More and Register
URL:https://8thirtyfour.com/event/the-hard-cost-of-soft-skills/
LOCATION:Kellogg Center\, 1 McCamly Square\, Battle Creek\, MI\, 49017\, United States
CATEGORIES:Soft Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://8thirtyfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MCSB_Hard-Cost-of-Soft-Skills-1600-x-900-px.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T130000
DTSTAMP:20260530T043054
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SUMMARY:Barry County 2026 Administrative Professionals Luncheon
DESCRIPTION:Big Deal Energy (n.): The confidence of knowing exactly who you are\, owning your quirks\, and communicating your authentic self unapologetically. \nThe things you’ve been told to hide are what make you memorable. Your story is important\, and the moment you decide to own what makes you weird is the moment you start to own your Big Deal Energy. \nIn this presentation\, I’ll show you why your personal brand already exists and what people are already saying about you when you leave the room. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to start shaping that story intentionally instead of leaving it to chance. \nWhen you’re visible\, really visible as yourself\, opportunities find you. \n								\n									Learn More and Register
URL:https://8thirtyfour.com/event/barry-county-2026-administrative-professionals-luncheon/
LOCATION:Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro\, 105 E State St\, Hastings\, MI\, 49058\, United States
CATEGORIES:Personal Branding
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://8thirtyfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BDE-April-22nd-Barry-County-.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260425T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260425T120000
DTSTAMP:20260530T043054
CREATED:20260329T175038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T135229Z
UID:10000007-1777111200-1777118400@8thirtyfour.com
SUMMARY:Shelley Irwin Fun Run
DESCRIPTION:The team at 8THIRTYFOUR had such a good time last year\, we decided to do it again (and to be clear\, I mean just the hanging out with the dogs part\, not running). We’re this year’s Dog Walk Sponsor for the Shelley Irwin Fun Run\, so stop by and support WGVU. You’ll even get to pet some dogs. \n								\n									Learn More and Register
URL:https://8thirtyfour.com/event/shelley-irwin-fun-run/
LOCATION:Millennium Park\, 1415 Maynard Ave SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49524\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://8thirtyfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Shelley-Irwin-Fun-Run.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260428T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260428T190000
DTSTAMP:20260530T043054
CREATED:20260329T175032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T125152Z
UID:10000004-1777393800-1777402800@8thirtyfour.com
SUMMARY:Uncomfortable Conversations: The Skills Crisis
DESCRIPTION:Click Here to Register\n					 \nSpeakers \n\nKim Bode\, CEO of 8THIRTYFOUR\nKevin Stotts\, President of TalentFirst\n\nFacilitators \n\nDonovan Anderson\, Interim Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University\nMarlee Boyle\, Director of Human Resources at Lake Michigan Credit Union\nMichelle Burke\, Director of Postsecondary Programs and Partnerships for The Michigan Center for Adult College Success\, an initiative of TalentFirst\nNatalie Lowell\, President of Project Management Institute West Michigan Chapter\nKyle Perry\, HR Assistant at Cooper People Group and Vice President of the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber\n\nIn typical 8THIRTYFOUR fashion\, we’re talking about the sh*t no one wants to address head-on. We keep hearing there is a talent crisis in America\, and it’s not about finding people; it’s about finding people who can succeed. \nEmployers think Gen Z is lazy\, entitled and will quit the second things get hard. Gen Z thinks employers are out of touch and a pain in the a**. \nWe’re putting you in the same room\, across a table from each other and you’re going to talk about it. It’s time to fix it and since we don’t see anyone else stepping up\, we’ll go ahead and do it. \nEmployers and talent are going to discuss what’s working\, what’s missing\, and what they wish the other side understood. \nGet uncomfortable with us; we’ll have snacks and libations to loosen you up. \nRead the Hard Cost of Soft Skills and check out the videos below in preparation for this chat. \nEvent Schedule\n4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Arrival + Networking\nCheck in\, find your assigned seat\, and meet the people at your table while enjoying light snacks and drinks. \n5:00 – 5:30 p.m. | The Problem\nSpeakers \n\nKim Bode\, CEO of 8THIRTYFOUR\nKevin Stotts\, President of TalentFirst\n\nThe opening presentation calls out the soft skills crisis — the stats\, the costs\, what broke\, and why we’re all here — followed by two perspectives: an employer sharing what they’re experiencing and an entry-level or newer employee on what it looks like from the other side. \n5:30 – 6:15 p.m. | Table Conversations (Facilitated)\nFacilitators \n\nDonovan Anderson\, Interim Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University\nKim Bode\, CEO of 8THIRTYFOUR\nMarlee Boyle\, Director of Human Resources at Lake Michigan Credit Union\nMichelle Burke\, Director of Postsecondary Programs and Partnerships for The Michigan Center for Adult College Success\, an initiative of TalentFirst\nKyle Perry\, HR Assistant at Cooper People Group and Vice President of the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber\n\nEach table gets discussion prompts and a facilitator\, because this is where employers and talent actually talk to each other — not at each other — about what’s working\, what’s missing\, and what they wish the other side understood. \n6:15 – 6:40 p.m. | Share Out\nTables report back on what they learned that surprised them and what they’ll do differently. \n6:40 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking + Next Steps\nStick around\, because the best conversations happen after the formal stuff ends. \nhttps://youtu.be/RHcxLPsuK3Q?si=-U1z7_sd7Si1JJ1Shttps://youtube.com/shorts/guPp3NArljw?si=zEBDWRP8bxcZtkEahttps://8thirtyfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Perception-Is-Reality_-The-Brutal-Gen-Z-Wake-Up-Call.mp4																													 \nDate & Time\nDate: Apr 28\, 2026Time: 4:30-7:00 p.m. \nPresenting Partner\n																\n															 \n\n		8THIRTYFOUR Learning Hub	\n\n1365 Plainfield Ave NE\n		\n		Grand Rapids\,\n	MI\n	49505\n	United States\n\n\n\n																															 \nRegister\nAbout Uncomfortable Conversations\n\nChange only happens if you talk about the uncomfortable stuff\, which is something we’ve kind of made a career of — 19 years and counting. You can sit around and complain about it\, or you can do something to change it\, and we’ve chosen the latter. \nUncomfortable Community Conversations are where we tackle what some would say is the hard or taboo stuff\, because growth happens in the uncomfortable\, and that’s what we want for our community\, small businesses\, and you. It’s where we stop being nice and start getting real.
URL:https://8thirtyfour.com/event/the-skills-crisis/
LOCATION:8THIRTYFOUR Learning Hub\, 1365 Plainfield Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49505\, United States
CATEGORIES:Soft Skills|Uncomfortable Community Conversations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://8thirtyfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Uncomfortable-Conversations-The-Skills-Crisis.webp
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