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Do you need a speaker for an upcoming event?

Christine Durst and Michael Haaren, co-founders of Staffcentrix, are informed and inspirational speakers on a variety of topics.

Chris is credited with founding the Virtual Assistance industry and through their shared vision and leadership, she and Mike have have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs from 65+ countries around the world start their own "virtual businesses".

Together, they developed the “Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™” – a workshop series that is being delivered to military family members around the world to help them start businesses that can survive the mobility requirements of the modern military. The success of this program lead to the development of a similar program for the US Department of State - the e-Entrepreneur Training Program for Foreign Service Spouses™.

International authorities on Virtual Work, the "Rat Race" lifestyle, and entrepreneurship, Durst and Haaren appear often in the media, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, the Singapore Straits Times, and the London Times.

They have also delivered their message to hundreds of audiences across the country including:

  • United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development
  • Chase Manhattan Bank
  • The President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities
  • Small Business Administration
  • Association of Job Search Trainers
  • Department of Defense Spouse Employment Conference
  • National Association of REALTORS
  • Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities
  • Department of Labor's Workforce Innovations Conference
  • US Air Force Europe
  • US Department of State
  • Families In Global Transition Conference
  • Community Colleges
  • The Aging Workforce Summit (sponsored by Microsoft)
  • as well as numerous U.S. military installations.

Their new book "The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants" was published by Career Press in July 2005.

Chris and Mike present individually or as a team -- incorporating knowledge, humor, experience, and audience involvement that leaves people energized, motivated, and ready to "reach for the stars".

MOST REQUESTED PRESENTATIONS & PROGRAMS


"Home-Based Career & Telework Jobs Development Program™"
With a 48-to-1 scam ratio among home-based job leads on the Internet, it's hard for job seekers to know where to begin looking.

Based on the tools and techniques used by the researchers who compile our very successful, weekly freelance and telework job bulletin – The Rat Race Rebellion™ – this 5-6 hour program will teach participants to:
  • Determine if they are a good candidate for home-based work;
  • Customize their resume to make them a more appealing “remote” hire;
  • Conduct effective home-based job searches online;
  • Use search terms that really work;
  • Find “telework friendly” companies that routinely hire home-based workers;
  • Recognize common scams and avoid them;
  • Work effectively with children in the house;
  • Recognize the differences between working as an employee and a contractor.

"Stubbing Your Toe On The Moon"

A program for entrepreneurs who are reaching for the stars! This inspirational program delivers pearls of wisdom (and words or wit) gathered by Chris Durst and Michael Haaren as they started their own business and subsequently mentored/trained over 4,000 entrepreneurs from 65+ countries around the world. A perfect topic for entrepreneurs who need to be reminded that "stubbing your toe on the moon" is a far greater accomplishment than never having reached for the stars in the first place.


 
"Making a Living & Having a Life"
This interactive program challenges the audience to turn their backs on the "success yardstick" used society and define success on their own terms. Inspirational anecdotes and practical exercises help participants determine what their core values are so that they can build a "whole life" approach to making a life -- and a living. It's not about "having it all"...  it's about "having it good".

Living Leaving the DISTINCTIVE* Lifestyle
First, there were “Yuppies” (young, urban professionals), next came the “Dinks” (dual income, no kids), who were followed by the “Sitcoms” (single income, two children, oppressive mortgage).

Just when you thought demographic acronyms had become a thing of the past, you now find yourself sitting in a sea of commuter traffic, surrounded by enormous SUVs bearing vanity plates and cell phone wielding drivers behind every steering wheel. These are the DISTINCTIVEs - Dual Income Striving To Impress Neighbors & Co-workers yet Tormented by Increasing Vexation & Emptiness.

Our "Leaving the DISTINCTIVE Lifestyle™" presentation takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the newest phenomenon of life in the growing sprawl that is urban America.  Loaded with provocative facts, opinions, and questions about what happens when valuables take precedence over values. Ultimately, the material is delivered with a reassuring tone that invites audience members – "Distinctives" and non – to laugh at themselves and leave them feeling confident about their ability to choose the life path that is right for them.


OTHER PRESENTATION TOPICS INCLUDE
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Telework
  • Finding or Creating Home-Based Work Arrangements
  • Regaining "Farm Family" Values in a Non-Farming World
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Making a big media splash on a shoestring budget
  • Personal Empowerment
  • Marketing Your Freelance Services
  • Motivation
  • Guilty Parenting
  • Becoming a "Rat Race Rebel"
  • Spotting Scams in the Work at Home Arena
If you are interested in having Chris and/or Mike speak at your next function please email them at:

cdurst (at) Staffcentrix.com
or call (860) 928-6969. 

Programs can be customized to meet the needs and goals of your group.

"This was the best program I have been to. It is forward thinking and has answered many questions for me and yet it has also created a new set of questions I would not have thought of – that’s a good thing! Thanks!"
......

"[I] appreciate all your effort and expertise! You are an awesome facilitator! Thanks very much!"
......
"Chris provided an excellent service to the group. She presented with professionalism and made the class interesting and relevant. The information provided was appropriate and well packaged."
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"Chris, you made this so fun. It is no wonder that you have been so successful because you are a very informative and compelling speaker."
......
"Chris’ technique is wonderful because she teaches you to fish so you can eat for a lifetime, but she also gives you sample fish so you don’t starve while you practice! Thanks!"
......
"Your concise teaching and knowledge was excellent. You convey a confidence and enthusiasm that is encouraging and contagious."
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"You were very open to questions and comments. Your enthusiasm is inspirational!"
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"Keep up the good job! Chris, you’re an inspiration to all women."


Just some of the clients we're worked with:
US Department of State
US Dept of State
Department of the US Army
US Army
US Air Force Europe
US Air Force Europe
Air Force Aid Society
Air Force Aid Society
US AIr Force Academy
US Air Force Academy
United States Air Force
US Air Force