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J.Ferm Launches "So You Think You Can Lead. But Can You Follow?" Executive Retreat
J.Ferm is known for producing innovative and results-focused retreats and the new ballroom-inspired leadership-follower retreat is no exception. Jessika, President of J.Ferm, an amateur competing ballroom dancer, realized that learning to follow and to execute a flawless routine is as much about effective leading as it is about exceptional following. Also, ballroom dancing is a ton of fun! The retreat incorporates leadership-followership concepts into basic ballroom techniques. It is taught by a J.Ferm Master Facilitator and a Certified Professional Ballroom Instructor. The retreat includes pre-work such as self-assessments and requires post work to ensure that the strategies taught are implemented effectively. For more details, please download brochure or contact J.Ferm at retreats@jferm.com or +1-614-441-8972.
J.Ferm Donates $1,000 to M's Place to Encourage Personal Leadership
Each year, J.Ferm donates to an organization in lieu of sending clients and colleagues end of the year thank you gifts. Past recipients include English-At-Large and The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program. This year, J.Ferm chose M's Place at the Center for Balanced Living in Columbus, OH. J.Ferm learned about the Center from a client whose daughter suffered from a debilitating eating disorder, but could not find a treatment center closer than an 8-hour drive. With tremendous dedication from her mother and their community, the money needed to create a treatment place in Columbus was raised and M's Place opened its doors in April, 2009. With J.Ferm's donation, one person will be able to receive personal attention and care to live a more fulfilling life. For more information about the Center: The Center for Balanced Living
J.Ferm Launches New Website for the Popular "No Frills No Fluff® Management Skills Program"
In 2006, J.Ferm launched the popular "No Frills No Fluff® Management Skills Program," a TeleCourse-based program that gets to the core of common management challenges and provides easy-to-implement strategies that gets immediate results. In August, 2009, the program got a new home on the web and an extended program offering, including the "Lawyers Edition" and the "GCC Edition." The website offers interactive video, recordings, and visual samples of the workbook. For more information, please visit: www.nofrillsnofluff.com
"No Frills No Fluff" is Now a J.Ferm Registered Trademark
"It's not just a slogan. It is how we do things at J.Ferm" says Jessika Ferm, President of J.Ferm. "When we designed the 'No Frills No Fluff Management Skills Program,' we decided to trademark 'no frills no fluff' and create a separate brand to distinguish it from the other products and services we offer. We believe that it exemplifies our commitment to the concept of getting to the most important point in the most efficient and productive way possible. Our programs and services all follow this methodology and we are excited to see the brand grow."
Jessika Attends Entrepreneurial Days in Stockholm
Together with several other Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce board members, Jessika attended E-days in Stockholm to help facilitate trade between the US and Sweden and gain cutting edge information about CleanTech, BioTech, and Life Sciences initiatives. Armed with information, resources, and networks, Jessika and Anne DeVoe engaged in conversations with Swedish business leaders wanting to do business in the US and returned to Ohio with leads, prospects, and connections.

Columbus' Business First Honors Jessika Ferm With "Forty Under 40" Award
Each year, Business First, Columbus Ohio's weekly business journal, names its "Forty Under 40" -- a list of the the city's rising young stars. The class of 2008 included Jessika Ferm, J.Ferm's president and driving force. Now in its 16th year, Columbus' "Forty Under 40" is a highly coveted award that has recognized over 450 professionals and leaders for their outstanding contributions to the city through their career achievement and community service.
The class of 2008 was recently feted at a gala hosted by BoMA, The Bar of Modern Art, a hip nightclub/art gallery in a renovated church in Columbus' Old Town East. The event was both an inspiring and humbling experience as each of this year's inductees' accomplishments and service work was made public. From the honoree who spends three months out of the year running orphanages in Thailand to the honoree who sponsors an inner city reading program, the "Forty Under 40," truly sets the bar for "rising star." We are enormously proud of Jessika for being recognized for her career achievements and community service.
"HR: Where Great Workplaces Start": Jessika Presents to the National Council of State Housing Agencies in Denver, CO
Jessika returns to the NCSHA conference again this year to assist housing agencies all over the world in tackling important HR challenges that the industry is experiencing. Specifically Jessika will offer tangible strategies on how to attract and retain the right people, motivate employees during challenging times, and how to use executive coaching to keep key decision-makers aligned with important HR strategies. For a listing of Jessika's keynotes and presentations, click here.
Jessika Ferm Named "Top Ten Executive Coach" in Women's Business Boston
Jessika Ferm was named one of Boston’s “Top Ten Executive Coaches” by Women’s Business Boston, a weekly newspaper affiliated with the
Boston Herald. Each year Women’s Business Boston selects ten of the city’s best and brightest executive coaches from nominations submitted by each coach’s clients. Those coaches receiving the most nominations are named to the list. In announcing its selections for 2008, Women’s Business said, “These are the dynamic professionals who provide the top-notch guidance that readers rely on for their personal and professional development.”
Jessika Presents to 200 Emerging Leaders at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Summer Program
This summer, Jessika agreed to kick off the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership summer program by presenting the keynote: "Leadership is Personal." During the presentation, Jessika shared several of her personal stories about coming to the US with two suitcases, no money, and a lot of determination to build a new future for herself. Jessika's presentation touched the hearts of the audience by asking challenging questions, sharing powerful stories, and encouraging them to step into leadership when the opportunity comes along.
"The Power of Assessments in Organizational Development": Jessika presents to the National Council of State Housing Agencies in Tucson, AZ.
J.Ferm client, Patricia Trinque, Human Resource Director at Rhode Island Housing recommended Jessika to speak at the spring training conference for the NCSHA in Tucson. The presentation: "The Power of Assessments in Organizational Development" is tailored to assist Human Resources professionals in selecting, implementing, and successfully executing assessments initiatives within their organizations. For a listing of Jessika's keynotes and presentations, click here.
Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce-Ohio (SACC) Board Member Jessika Ferm kicks off Columbus Satellite
On April 23, 2008, Columbus kicked off the newest SACC-Ohio Satellite. Together with Matias Bonnier and Anne DeVoe, board member Jessika Ferm was instrumental in arranging the event and networking with local business leaders to get the word out about the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce.
Jessika featured in J&W Magazine: Speaking Truth to Power
In the Fall issue of J&W Magazine, Jessika was interviewed and asked to share her experience as a leadership consultant and executive coach working with "Dominant Big Shots™." The article highlights Jessika's Swedish background and her uniquely direct approach that has become her trademark. In the article Jessika states:
"Many executives with whom I work are dominant individuals who are passionate about their craft and use their intensity to motivate others...I help clients shift behaviors and perceptions so that they can become powerful and positive communicators."
To learn more about "Dealing with Dominant Big Shots™," contact Jessika directly at jessika@jferm.com.
J.Ferm exhibits at the New England Practice Management Conference
Cindy Loughran, Barbara Wayman, and Jessika Ferm from J.Ferm exhibited at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT to connect with current and new clients in the accounting field. The event was a great success and J.Ferm looks forward to working with Massachusetts Society for Certified Public Accountants in the future.
Petersen Thomas to spearhead the new Management Skills Certificate Program, Lawyer's Edition
J.Ferm’s newest addition is Petersen Thomas, who, as project manager, is taking on the task of developing a lawyer’s edition of J.Ferm’s popular "No Frills, No Fluff Management Skills Certificate Program™."
Mr. Thomas is a trial attorney with over a decade of legal and trial experience. He brings considerable experience pulling together high quantities of complex information and presenting it in a compelling form and we are looking forward to developing the program under his guidance. Having learned how to manage staff and other attorneys the hard way -- through the typical law firm process of trial and error -- Mr. Thomas is excited to be part of a practical, systematic and results-oriented solution to management skills training in the legal profession.
The “lawyer’s edition” is currently in the research and development phase and is set to launch in the fall of 2008. For those of you in the legal profession who might want a head start, however, J.Ferm will offer slots in a pilot program (dates to be determined). Please email Mr. Thomas at petersen@jferm.com for more information.
J.Ferm makes first annual community donation to English at Large to fund a one-year conversation group
In 2006, J.Ferm became familiar with English at Large, a provider of free English and basic literacy instruction to adults throughout the Boston area. Marlana Patton, the organization's Executive Director is passionate about serving the non-English speaking community so that adults can perform everyday tasks like reading a bus schedule, signing forms, and helping their children with homework. According to English at Large statistics, 93 million adults in the US (almost half the adult population) demonstrate only basic English literacy skills and 11 million adults with below basic skills are considered non-literate in English. At English at Large, the waiting list is 250 person long with an average wait time of 17 months.
These statistics hit close to home for Jessika Ferm, Principal of J.Ferm, an immigrant and non-native English speaker. Though she speaks English fluently, she can relate to the challenges of living and operating in a foreign country.
"I remember arriving in Boston 14 years ago with two suitcases and instructions to get on a Bonanza bus that was supposed to take me to Providence, RI. I looked for signs to buy bus tickets but the logic I would use in my country to find such signs did not translate to the US. My ATM card didn't work, I had no cash in US currency and the bus driver did not accept credit cards. Once in line, I asked two people if I could borrow a few dollars each for my bus ticket without the ability to pay them back and they were kind enough to help me. I can't imagine how I would have made it to Providence without basic English skills."
"As soon as I connected with Marlana and English at Large, I knew it was time to 'pay it forward' as we say. I decided to start an annual community donation program, where each year, J.Ferm picks a non-profit agency with positive grassroots approaches to building the community. This year, J.Ferm donated $750 to English at Large so that they can continue the important work they do to help non-English speakers become involved, active, and powerful contributing forces in our economy and communities. I can't think of a better cause in which to invest."
For a grassroots organization like English at Large, smaller corporate donations make a big difference. For example:
$1,000 provides one-to-one tutoring services for a single adult for one year.
$750 covers the cost of a single conversation group for one year.
$500 allows the organization to match 10 new learners with 10 new volunteer tutors.
If you would like to support English at Large, please contact Marlana Patton at 781-395-2374 or via email at
mpatton@englishatlarge.org.
Meghan Klein joins the J.Ferm team
Meghan joined J.Ferm in July, 07. In her role as the Office Assistant, Meghan ensures that communications between the three J.Ferm offices are running smoothly and efficiently and she responds to client and prospect requests. Her previous experience includes working for Quest Software, Inc. and she attends The Ohio State University where she is pursuing a degree in Interior Design.
Jessika devotes time to the Göteborg office in August
After opening the Swedish office in January, 07, Jessika takes the month of August to spend time to develop business, contacts, and networks in her former hometown of Göteborg. During absence from the US offices, Meghan will manage communications and keep the US team up-to-date.
Jessika speaks to the prestigious Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association
The Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association invited Jessika to present on "Dealing Effectively With the Dominant Big Shot™" to its members and guests. This well-attended event focused on strategies for working more effectively with bosses, employees, prospects, and clients who display the characteristics of the "Dominant Big Shot™."
Coeur/J.Ferm in Business First
Coeur Coaching/J.Ferm was credited by our client Barbara Wayman of BlueTree Media, LLC for helping to take her marketing and public relations business to the next level. Read more here.
Jessika
is asked to speak to the Sylvania Women's Affinity Group and
the Downtown Women's Club on effective goal setting.
The "Creating
Lasting Change: The Secrets to Accomplishing Your Goals, Tackling
Obstacles and Getting What You Want" workshop
was specifically designed to help members carry out their
New Year's resolutions by using the Four Step Power Process
to extend momentum. The presentation takes place January 23,
2007 at 12:00pm-1:30pm in Danvers, MA. For more information,
please click here
 
Jessika
M. Ferm offers insight on communicating effectively with "Dominant
Bosses" on Martha Stewart Living Radio
Maggie Mistal from
Martha Stewart Living asked if Jessika would share her expertise
in communicating effectively with dominant bosses on the air
on June 11, 2006 at 6pm. Callers are welcome
to ask questions, ask for advice, and brainstorm ideas for
increasing their "Dominant Big Shot (DBS) Quotient"
live on the show. For schedule and call-in information, please
click here.

"Demystifying
the Dominant Behavioral Style: Dealing Effectively With the
Corporate Big Shot" TeleCourse is offered to DWC members
Women from all over
the United States participated in J.Ferm's latest TeleCourse
hoping to gain insight into how to deal effectively with the
"Corporate Big Shot." Diane Danielson, CEO and founder
of the Downtown Women's Club said "That was great! These
strategies apply professionally and personally." Because
of the session's popularity, J.Ferm is now offering the same
TeleCourse as a three week program starting in May, 2006.
J.Ferm
launches major leadership development program for emerging
Massachusetts-based Accounting Firm
In October 2005,
J.Ferm launched phase I of a year-long leadership
development program for senior executives at an emerging accounting
firm. A selected group of senior executives participate in
introspective self-assessments, training workshops, and coaching
sessions to build a sustainable company that enhances the
success of the firm and the well-being of its employees.
Business
Network International (BNI) Adds Ferm as Assistant Director
The award winning
organization BNI recently added Jessika Ferm, Principal of
J.Ferm, LLC to its leadership team. Ferm, a long-standing
member, states that the majority of her business comes from
qualified BNI referrals. As an Assistant Director, she will
work closely with three of the seven Boston chapters to reach
their goals. To learn more about BNI, please click
here.
Jessika
presents at Prestigious French MBA School
Together with James
"Woody" Wade, President of Wade & Co, Jessika
Ferm, Principal of J.Ferm, LLC presents at one of
Europe's most prestigious hospitality management MBA schools.
Topics include:
Discover
Your Unique Leadership Strengths and Learn How to Promote
Them to Gain a Competitive Advantage;
The
Power of Coaching: Applying Your Leadership Skills to Produce
Extraordinary Results; and
What
It Takes to Be a Star Performer in a Global Economy.
This is Jessika's
second visit as "Personnalite d'Honneur" at Ecole
de Savignac.
J.Ferm Highlighted in Boston Business Journal

“Her
Vision Becomes Reality” Jessika and J.Ferm profiled in
Swedish newspaper…
In the November
issue of the Swedish newspaper “Boras Tidning”
Jessika M. Ferm was profiled in the article “Her Vision
Becomes Reality.” It highlights the vision Jessika had
as an 11-year old girl living in a small urban town in Sweden.
At that time, the reporter asked what she envisioned her life
to look like when she was thirty. With a unwavering conviction
she answered “When I am thirty, I don’t live in
Sweden anymore. I work for myself and I have a good education…”
Today, as the principal of J.Ferm, her vision is realized.
Remember, “Life
isn't’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating
ourselves.” --Unknown |
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Recent Press Releases and Publications
Jessika Receives "Excellence Award"
(English)
J.Ferm Donates $1,000 to M's Place
(English)
J.Ferm Trademarks "No Frils No Fluff" and Launches New Website
(English)
Jessika Ferm Named One of Columbus' "Forty Under 40"
(English)
Ferm named "Top Ten Executive Coach" by Women's Business Boston
(English)
HOBY Students Learn How to Make Leadership Personal
(English)
Jessika Kicks-Off SACC-Ohio Columbus Satellite
(English)
Jessika Interviewed by Business First about SACC-Ohio's Latest Launch
(English)
SACC-USA highlights SACC-Ohio's latest Columbus Satellite
(English)
Jessika featured in J&W Magazine
(English)
J.Ferm Makes $750 Donation to English At Large
(English)
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