Lori Ruff

Current

• Lead Social Media Coach | LinkedIn Trainer | VP Administration at Integrated Alliances

Past

• Consultant/Trainer/Advisor at White Knight Consulting, Inc.
• Education & Certification Director at International Association of Administrative Professionals
• Business Manager - Sales & Operations at Document Solutions of NC

• Board of Directors (President, VP, Secretary) at Conflict Resolution Center of Cabarrus County
• Board of Directors at Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Education

• Liberty University
• Integrated Alliances University
• Pfeiffer University

• Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
• International Association of Administrative Professionals
• Microsoft
• Tabernacle Christian Academy

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4 more...

Recommended

37 people have recommended Lori

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Management Consulting

Websites

• Follow me on Twitter
• Ask A LinkedIn Expert Free Q&A
• TheSmallBiz College

Lori Ruff’s Summary

I work all the time! “Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” (Confucius). I use social media to make connections, build relationships, and do business with people I come to know and trust.

Social media is here… It’s not going away, it’s not a passing fad… it’s where your customers are spending their time. If you want to be where your customers are, you want to be involved in social media. Integrated Alliances can help. We’ve helped companies and individuals shorten their learning curve and have guided them toward a strategic path to success on many of the popular business platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and others.

You’ll read blog posts, articles and books about trends in Web 2.0 tools for technology, for sales, for marketing, for recruiting, for educators, for small business owners…. We’ve trained over 7,000 professionals in more than 400 classes/workshops/webinars/seminars/conferences all over North America. We’re represented by knowledgeable trainers & coaches coast to coast, many having earned certification from IA.

I love collaborative tools, connections and interactions online. The strategic partnerships and PR received is unbelievable and has allowed me to fulfill some of my lifelong dreams, like visiting Nova Scotia and working as an executive at a leading national training company. That’s important because I love training development and being a thought leader. I’m asked to speak, teach, and provide immersion programs for companies and organizations, non-profit, for-profit, governmental, educational, and everything in between.

If you want to be Social Media Savvy, start with my blog, attend a free Q&A webinar, and then look at our training line-up or ask about managed services. We’re here to help! IA is the biggest, oldest and most experienced social media training company in the world, so you don't have to look anywhere else!

Lori Ruff’s Specialties:

NOW: RECOGNIZED LINKEDIN & SOCIAL MEDIA AUTHORITY; CONFERENCE SPEAKER; Corporate Learning Consultant; Training Development; Coaching/Mentoring; Leadership Development; Change Management; Training Program Design/Delivery; Strategic Planning; Executive Coach for Emerging Leaders; Rock Star (so I’ve been told!); mentor/confidant; pay-it-forward

THEN: Talent Management; Organizational Development; Succession Planning; 360° Analysis; Performance Improvement; Recruitment; Retention; Small Business

Lori Ruff’s Experience

• Lead Social Media Coach | LinkedIn Trainer | VP Administration

  Integrated Alliances

  (Privately Held; Professional Training & Coaching industry)

  June 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)

  We are a business networking/training firm using events and training to foster important business relationships. I am the Expert Trainer/Speaker for Job Seeker and Recruiting audiences as well as certified in all other topics.
  
  We put people together with potential business partners. We teach them how to strategically use the power of online networks to enhance their business and career success. We work with recruiters and job seekers alike to help align their use of online technology in their search for the perfect candidate or perfect job.
  
  In addition to workshops and seminars internationally, I offer private training (1 on 1, small groups, entire companies). I am the Lead Social Media Coach, meaning I work directly with client companies to formulate and implement social media policies and strategies
  
  Administratively, I oversee accounting and finance organization and am responsible for talent management. I assist in the formulation of policy and procedures, training and process documentation to strategy and business development. I also aid in sales & marketing and managing client relationships. I manage vendor relationships, a team of virtual assistants, and am one of four dynamic executives at the helm.
  
  I regularly train and develop training material for the following Classes for IA:
  
  ♦ Ask an @LinkedIn Expert Free Q&A
  ♦ Twitter for the LinkedIn User
  ♦ LinkedIn for Job Seekers
  ♦ LinkedIn for Recruiting
  ♦ LinkedIn 101 Fundamentals
  ♦ LinkedIn for Sales
  ♦ LinkedIn for Marketing
  ♦ LinkedIn Groups
  ♦ LinkedIn Answers
  ♦ LinkedIn for Coaches and Consultants
  ♦ LinkedIn for Small Business

• Consultant/Trainer/Advisor

  White Knight Consulting, Inc.

  (Management Consulting industry)

  October 2007 — January 2009 (1 year 4 months)

  Providing hands-on solutions to hire the right people for the right jobs to meet organizational goals. Team of experts identify organizational needs to develop and deliver client-specific HR solutions:
  
  Strategic Planning; Organizational Development; Succession Planning; 360° Analysis; Recruitment/Retention; Performance Improvement; Coaching/Mentoring; Leadership Development; Change Management; Training Program Design/Delivery
  
  STRATEGIC PARTNERS:
  ∆ HiringSmartAmerica - custom online and attraction/retention strategies
  ∆ Profiles International - employee development, coaching & assessment tools
  ∆ Vistage Expert Speaker
  ∆ IA LinkedIn Expert Trainer
  
  Providing entrepreneurial vision to:
  • Identify best people; leverage success to achieve company's vision
  • Help identify & capitalize on strengths, build confidence & drive positive change
  • Create productive working environments to attract quality employees & retain most-valuable personnel
  • Introduce best practices to enhance organizational performance

• Education & Certification Director

  International Association of Administrative Professionals

  (Executive Office industry)

  2004 — 2006 (2 years)

  Directed the development, delivery and management of educational, training and certification programs for the North Carolina division of IAAP, an association dedicated to the development and advancement of administrative professionals worldwide. Developed and managed a portfolio of professional development programs and opportunities including continuing education, networking and leadership training. Concurrently, directed the association's two premier certification programs:
  
  Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)
  Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

• Business Manager - Sales & Operations

  Document Solutions of NC

  (Professional Training & Coaching industry)

  July 1996 — June 2006 (10 years)

  Founded and managed an award-winning company providing administrative, operational support and training/professional development services to businesses throughout the Charlotte, NC market. Built new venture from start-up to profitability within 3 years; then sustained strong profit margins over the next 7 years. Recruited and managed a staff of 15 employees and 20+ contractors.
  
  Negotiated, closed and managed services delivery to more than 150 clients including individual professionals, small and mid-sized businesses, government agencies and divisions of Fortune 500 companies (e.g., AT&T).
  
  Microsoft Certified Master Instructor; Social Networking and LinkedIn Expert Trainer and Speaker; Customer Service Trainer; Personal Development Training; Transition Counselor and Coach.
  
  Honored in 2003 by Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce as "Small Business Person of the Year."
  
  Honored in 2004 by Carolina Parenting Magazine as one of the "40 Best Places in NC to Work."

• Board of Directors (President, VP, Secretary)

  Conflict Resolution Center of Cabarrus County

  (Legal Services industry)

  March 1999 — June 2006 (7 years 4 months)

  Held high-profile leadership positions during 7-year tenure with legal aid services and mediation agency. Established and maintained an outstanding reputation for success in mediation, committee leadership, organizational leadership, fund raising and human resource leadership.
  
  Member, Board of Directors (2000 to 2006); President (2004 to 2005); Vice President (2003 to 2004); Secretary (2000 to 2003).
  
  Member, Personnel Committee. Developed staff evaluation policies, wrote job descriptions, investigated insurance options and ensured regulatory compliance.
  
  Member, Finance Committee. Assisted with development of annual budget, reports to Board of Directors, fiscal policies and long-range organizational goals.
  
  Member, Strategic Planning Committee. Instrumental in design and implementation of the Center's first-ever formal strategic business plan.
  
  Member, By-Laws Committee. Participated in first major revision to Center's by-laws in more than 5 years.

• Board of Directors

  Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  2000 — 2003 (3 years)

  Served as a small business owner on the Chamber's Board of Directors in a time when the organization transitioned from a dual executive to a single executive structure. Involved in interviewing search candidates for new CEO.
  
  Also involved in annual planning sessions to develop new lean mission statement, strategic plan, and other high level planning and organizational development.
  
  Active volunteer in committees and activities to help bolster the Chamber's influence in the community. Vice Chair and highly effective participant in annual Total Resource Development Campaign.
  
  Recipient of 2003 Small Business of the Year award.

Lori Ruff’s Education

• Liberty University

  MBA , Human Resources , 2008 — 2009

  The Distance Learning Program is vigorous, yet flexible, allowing me to pursue my advanced educational goals while continuing to manage my business and service my clients. The synergistic relationship between the program of study and my client engagements is significant, and provides me with the opportunity to offer my clients emerging best-in-class strategies, programs and initiatives.
  
  Notable Class Project: Introduced benchmarking and cost management strategies into non-profit organization. In addition, created balanced scorecard and designed plan to implement contemporary management techniques to support organizational growth and expansion.

  Activities and Societies:

  Distance Learning Program, 3.8 GPA

• Integrated Alliances University

  Certified Trainer , LinkedIn Training for Business Applications , 2008 — 2008

  IA does not provide Authorized LinkedIn Training nor do we provide Certified LinkedIn Training, I am however a Certified and Authorized Trainer for Integrated Alliances. As such, we assist in the development and delivery of expert PUBLIC and PRIVATE LINKEDIN EDUCATION for businesses, associations and individuals.

  Activities and Societies:

  PUBLIC, PRIVATE, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, IA, LINKEDIN 101, Create profile, build network, searching, applications, LINKEDIN 201, Network building, to 500+, Recommendations, LinkedIn Answers, LinkedIn Groups, SALES AND MARKETING, Advanced Sales Strategies and Tactics, Marketing Strategies, RECRUITER AND HR, Creating powerful LinkedIn network, Tips and tricks for finding candidates, LIVE NETWORKING EVENTS, Live Networking Training, Business Development Strategies

• Pfeiffer University

  BA , Political Science , 2005 — 2007

  Majored in Political Science with a strong emphasis in Law and Public Policy.

  Activities and Societies:

  Bonner Volunteer, Commuter Student Association, Phi Delta Sigma Honor Society, Graduated Summa cum Laude (3.96 GPA)

• Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

  AA , Political Science and Business , 2004 — 2005

  Honors student while working full time.

  Activities and Societies:

  Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, graduated Cum Laude

• International Association of Administrative Professionals

  CAP , Certified Administrative Professional , 2002

  Activities and Societies:

  Advanced coursework and examinations in Finance and Business Law, Human Resource, Management, and Office Systems and Technology. Recertified in 2007.

• Microsoft

  MOUS , Master Trainer - Microsoft Office , 2000

  Profile highlighted on Microsoft's MOUS Certification Website.

  Activities and Societies:

  Expert-level qualifications in MS Word and Excel; Proficiency Exams passed in Access (perfect score), PowerPoint and Outlook. Documented two years of training experience in Microsoft Office Skills.

• Tabernacle Christian Academy

  Diploma , College Prep , 1980

  suggested name of school team, assisted with development of school logo and mascot.

  Activities and Societies:

  Graduated with High Honors, volleyball, basketball, softball, chorus, music, track, special studies, tutor, yearbook staff, multiple awards, highest average in high school, for, reading, math, science, social studies

Additional Information

Lori Ruff’s Websites:

• Follow me on Twitter
• Ask A LinkedIn Expert Free Q&A
• TheSmallBiz College

Lori Ruff’s Interests:

travel, writing, reading, hiking, horseback, walking, canoeing, rock climbing, hang gliding, coaching, youth soccer, community theater, entrepreneur, small business, train, trainer, training, teacher, teaching, instructor, instructing, speaker, speaking, networker, networking, social networker, social networking, business networking, channel development, channel marketing, strategic partner, strategic partnership, product development, training development, writer, editor, editing, copyeditor, copyediting, network, blog, blogging, publicity, marketing, newsletters, Web 2.0, rock star, Stevie Nicks, Dido, Sara Bareilles, Mellissa Etheridge, Norah Jones, Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Under A Blood Red Sky, U2, Kyle Galanaugh, novels, rock collecting, Israel, Jordan, Canada, Mexico, United States, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, New York, Blackberry, iPod, Online, Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, Fastpitch, MeetUp, Craig’s List, Flickr, YouTube, Google, SportTrac, Cesar Milan

Lori Ruff’s Honors:

HONORS & AWARDS:

2002 Small Business Person of the Year - Cabarrus, NC Regional Chamber of Commerce

2004 Rainbow Award (Peer-Nominated) - International Association of Administrative Professionals

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:

Integrated Alliances Certified Trainer for LinkedIn and Social Media/Social Networking Workshops and Webinars, Senior Trainer, LinkedIn Expert Trainer/Speaker focused on aiding Job Seekers and Recruiters
Authorized Reseller/Host of LinkedIn Live Charlotte.

Microsoft Certified Master Instructor (MCMI) - Expert-level qualifications in MS Office, Windows 2000/XP and QuickBooks. Proficient-level qualifications with FrontPage, Publisher, PageMaker, Lotus Suite and WordPerfect. Experienced with Mac programs and proprietary software training.

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) - Advanced coursework and examinations in Finance and Business Law, Human Resource, Management, and Office Systems & Technology.

Lori Ruff’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch