Lauren Gilchrist
Blogger, Traveler, and Video Talent
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Recent Articles by Lauren Gilchrist
Could “the dog ate my homework” someday be retired? Let’s look at both sides of this debated topic.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We traveled to Central Wisconsin to join a Splash of Red cranberry tour, led by students in the only cranberry science class in the country.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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At Ashwaubenon High School, students are trading lectures and laptops for the chance to design, build, and race their own cars.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Listen as a veteran teacher talks about the crucial role mentorship plays in an educator’s success.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Which processes can you shift online to move closer to a paperless office? Here are 7 ideas to consider.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Studies show classroom design affects student learning. Why get students involved in the process? And how?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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All Articles by Lauren Gilchrist|
Could “the dog ate my homework” someday be retired? Let’s look at both sides of this debated topic.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
We traveled to Central Wisconsin to join a Splash of Red cranberry tour, led by students in the only cranberry science class in the country.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
At Ashwaubenon High School, students are trading lectures and laptops for the chance to design, build, and race their own cars.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
Listen as a veteran teacher talks about the crucial role mentorship plays in an educator’s success.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
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Which processes can you shift online to move closer to a paperless office? Here are 7 ideas to consider.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Studies show classroom design affects student learning. Why get students involved in the process? And how?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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How do kids develop computational skills at the elementary level? We traveled to West Bend, WI, to find out from teachers who presented at ISTE.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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The Advancing K12 One-Page Pitch Series is designed to help you lead from within. This month's pitch: Edubranding in the era of school choice!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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These districts discovered the secrets (and value!) of producing awesome videos. Learn from their approach and pick up some tips and tricks to crafting a video strategy.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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It takes a wide range of roles and skills working together to keep data safe. How does your district’s lineup compare to this security all-star squad?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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“Everyone put your chickens away!” It was, without a doubt, the first time I’d heard these words spoken in a classroom. Find out more about my trip to New Holstein and what you can learn from their community-driven curriculum.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Through apprenticeship programs, students are earning school credits, gaining real-world experience, and getting paid. Watch the video to learn more!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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A move to STEAM doesn’t have to mean a complete schedule change or curriculum overhaul. Here’s a look at 5 interdisciplinary topics you could infuse into classes that exist today.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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From district leadership to building principals, there's an app (or several) for all levels of administration. Learn to simplify approvals, automate notifications, and move evaluations to the cloud.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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With 2016 coming to a close, here’s a look at three topics that will feature in education conversations in 2017.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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It’s time to turn the page on the library as we know it. Here are some tips for turning your school libraries into the heart and soul of your technology initiatives.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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With another year coming to a close, it’s time to look ahead. Here are three topics that will dominate the education circuit in the coming year.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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TED talks have taken the world by storm. But what are they and how can they benefit you? We’ve got the answers. Plus we’ve included five can’t-miss edu-related talks to kickoff your TED endeavors.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Recent Articles by Lauren Gilchrist
From tutorials and templates to branding and PR, let’s dive into the tools you can use to make your life easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Software design at Skyward is a team effort. It doesn’t just involve our team—it involves yours too!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Regulations require school districts to keep a whole lot of data for a very long time. But not every database is equipped to handle this. With this update, your district will have the option to store records in an external location, freeing up your database for records you’re using now.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Our annual conference is one month away! Don’t miss this checklist to help attendees prepare. We’ll see you soon!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Most of us haven’t found a way to teleport yet. That means it takes time and money to move from one place to the next. If your district has employees splitting time between buildings, reimbursing their travel just got a whole lot easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Wish you could make Family Access more accessible to non-native English speakers in your district? Your wish is our command!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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All Articles by Lauren Gilchrist|
From tutorials and templates to branding and PR, let’s dive into the tools you can use to make your life easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
Software design at Skyward is a team effort. It doesn’t just involve our team—it involves yours too!
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
Regulations require school districts to keep a whole lot of data for a very long time. But not every database is equipped to handle this. With this update, your district will have the option to store records in an external location, freeing up your database for records you’re using now.
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
Our annual conference is one month away! Don’t miss this checklist to help attendees prepare. We’ll see you soon!
by Lauren Gilchrist
|
|
Most of us haven’t found a way to teleport yet. That means it takes time and money to move from one place to the next. If your district has employees splitting time between buildings, reimbursing their travel just got a whole lot easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Wish you could make Family Access more accessible to non-native English speakers in your district? Your wish is our command!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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From training sessions to a Spanish toolkit, check out these five resources that will help you get even more from your Skyward experience.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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When you need Skyward support, where do you turn? Here’s a quick guide to the Skyward support options available to you.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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On the Road with Lauren: Hands, Head, and Heart: Educating the Whole Child... Outside!
#District Stories
Outdoor classes, ukulele lessons, and morning hikes? Join us as we explore a Waldorf-inspired public school!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We partnered with Google for Education to build a grade export between Google Classroom and Skyward’s Gradebook. Are you taking advantage of it?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Thinking about going to iCon but need some assistance getting your boss on board? We’re here to help! From a video demonstration to a proposal letter, we’ve got you covered.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Check out this article and video for a behind-the-scenes look at how our software is made!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Did you know the Qmlativ search bar can do way more than search for keywords? You can use it to find just about anything in the system. Check out 7 searches that will save you time.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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When it comes to budgeting, make Skyward do the heavy lifting for you!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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In this article, we aim to address some of the most frequently asked questions regarding what Skyward can and cannot help your district with.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Let us introduce you to our Qmlativ migration project managers. If your district will be making the switch from SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ, these experts will be your partners and guides, helping make your transition as smooth as possible. Check out the video!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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If you use Skyward’s Benefit Management Open Enrollment solution, we have exciting news for you: a new-and-improved version is here!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Do you hear words tossed around like PDC, Toolkit, Qmlativ, or User Research Panel and don’t know what they mean? We’ve got you covered!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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On the Road with Lauren: How a Door County High School Is Putting Jobs Back in the Community
#District Stories
Go on the road to Door County and see how Sevastopol’s high school machining program is benefiting both Door County students and the community. Check out the video!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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You’re invited—join us for Skyward’s 2023 virtual user group conference!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Are you ready to up your Skyward game, expand your education network, and have some fun along the way? Look no further than user groups!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Language barriers can make it nearly impossible for some families to play an impactful role in their student’s learning experience. Here’s how to take this barrier out of the equation.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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School may be out for summer, but IT administrators are busy as ever. Wrap up your previous year and get ready for the year ahead with this handy checklist.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Qmlativ Employee Access now has a built-in comp time solution in Time Tracking! Instead of using a spreadsheet to track how much comp time an employee earns and manually entering that data into Time Off, you can let Skyward handle calculations for you.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Want to work smarter, not harder in Skyward? Here’s a quick overview of the training tools you can use to grow your Skyward knowledge.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Are you sure your Skyward system settings are meeting security best practices? Now you can be! We’re excited to unveil the new Security Audit Report, a free tool you can use to make sure your system and data are as secure as possible.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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When your software programs talk to each other, there’s no need to enter the same information in multiple places. Are you taking advantage of Skyward’s integration capabilities?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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You’ve heard us say your feedback shapes Skyward, but what does that process look like? Follow an idea, from conception to completion to find out—and don't miss the fairytale-themed video!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Here are two timesaving tools to share with teachers in your district!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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School districts lose millions of dollars every year in unpaid fees. Here are 5 tips and 3 Skyward tools to help keep your accounts out of the red.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We’ve got everything you need to help guardians get on board with the parent portal and reap the benefits of increased engagement.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Do you know enough about Skyward's built-in safety features to ensure your school is as secure as it can be?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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The Skyward Community connects you to a worldwide network of Qmlativ users who help each other work more efficiently. Find out what awaits you in the Community!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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It’s the start of the school year and there’s so much to do: textbooks to hand out, Chromebooks to distribute, Wi-Fi hot spots to give to select students. How on earth do you keep track of it all?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Don’t leave parent engagement up to your students’ parents! Here are 5 steps you can take to boost engagement this year.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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If your district is trying hard to retain teachers, the solution may not require significant process changes or large chunks of cash. It may involve giving your teachers a chance to be learners.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We've got a special article for Skyward users in Texas! Check out these tips for PEIMS coordinators.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Many districts work with tech that isn’t aligned with the way K-12 accounting actually works—but you don’t have to! Separate the accounting for your district’s clubs and make keeping tabs on finances easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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The ability for teachers to email Progress Reports directly to guardians was a top request in the Product Ideas Portal. You asked, we built it, and we’re excited to share it with you today!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Tenemos buenas noticias: a new version of the Family Access Toolkit is here!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Calling all SMS 2.0 business suite users! Check out this article to learn about updates to the Insurance Tracking module.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Calling all Qmlativ business suite users! Check out this article to learn about updates to the Benefit Management module.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Tim Howard helps districts around the world maximize their use of Skyward. Here he shares his tips for you!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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If you could make a change in Skyward or add something new, what would it be? Let us know in the Product Ideas Portal!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We’re just one month away from the virtual spring user group—and you’re invited!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Turns out they can! Here's how you can teach your youngest students to love coding, in the classroom or from afar.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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While some parents don’t need prodding to engage in their child’s education, others need some help. Check out these steps to increase parent engagement!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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More and more schools are turning to positive behavior management and seeing the benefits. Take a look at what it is and how you can use it in Skyward.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We can’t send you to Hogwarts or Starfleet Academy, but we can extend an invite to the Skyward Academy—and that’s just what we’d like to do!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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What if you could increase family engagement and bring positivity to your community? Find out how a Wisconsin district did just that!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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1980. A family garage. That's where it all began. Learn about the history of Skyward and the values we hold strong.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Last month, we shared our own tips on what makes a good presentation. This month, we turned to your peers for their advice!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Attend a user group from home this fall! Find out what you can expect in a video chat with Sean, an event consultant.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Without the proper presentation skills, the best ideas may fall flat. Learn to engage and inspire your audience with these tips.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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We are so excited to unveil the re-branded version of Educator Newsletter. It’s your new guide to becoming a Skyward super user.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Get more from your Skyward experience by taking advantage of these free training sessions!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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People and technology—two very different subjects personnel and support specialists must master. What does a day in their lives look like?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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The primary role of the admin assistant is… well, is there one? Check out this video for a sneak peek into life in this multifaceted role.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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What is Ed-Fi and how does this standard make managing data easier?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Data management coordinators turn ordinary numbers into state reports and decision-making tools. What’s a day like in this role?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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School counselors are modern-day superheroes. Watch a Day in the Life video and find out what it takes to tackle the demands of this role with technology and a personal touch.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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With funding on the line, state & federal reporting is nothing to take lightly. Learn about resources that will make your job easier.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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When your students show up late to school or class, it not only cuts into their own learning time; it also interrupts the work of office staff and teachers. Not anymore!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Once upon an iCon, 323 educators traveled to iCon, the greatest international conference in the land. Find out what happened next!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Step one is complete: You’ve signed up to attend a Skyward user group. But how can you make sure you’re getting the most out of this experience?
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Whether you’re a regular attendee or have never joined us before, check out the top five reasons this year’s iCon is a can’t miss!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Welcome to the Skyward Community! Let’s take a tour of this new social platform and discuss the ways it can enhance your Skyward experience.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Our Qmlativ mobile app features three portals: Family Access, Teacher Access, and Employee Access. Learn about each of these platforms (and a new one on the way!).
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Is your data a mess? Think mismatched entries, misplaced records, duplicated names… Here are 10 tools that can help you clean up your Student and Business Suite data.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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There’s no need to settle for a rush hour experience in the lunchroom. With the right technology in place, you can make overcrowded, slow-moving lines a thing of the past.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Sometimes, just the thought of learning a new tool is a deal-breaker. Here are 3 easy-to-learn resources that are worth every minute.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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The lights are dimmed. Excited chatter becomes an anticipation-filled hush. The big moment has arrived. This one is for you, Family Access fans!
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Many school districts are searching for ways to collaborate with local businesses and introduce students to real-world applications. Find out what happened when a group of students visited Skyward to learn about coding and working in a high-tech industry.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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Check out our first episode of Video School, a series that highlights the many uses of video in education, from the district office to the classroom and beyond! In this video, we travel to P.J. Jacobs Junior High School in Stevens Point to see how their educators and technology support staff use videos to create and consume impactful professional development resources.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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When two of our customers came to Skyward independently and asked for an attendance solution that could support their personalized learning objectives, we took a long, hard look at what might be possible. After months of close collaboration, Positive Attendance was born.
by Lauren Gilchrist
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You should go to your next user group conference. Seriously. In April, I had an opportunity to see firsthand just how much fun these can be. Based on my experience, here are eight reasons why you should make a habit of attending (bear with me on #7)...
by Lauren Gilchrist
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