SKILLPATH TRAINER SHOWCASE

Reich Gardner is something of a modern-day Renaissance Man. He´s been a certified financial planner, professional musician, marketing strategist, sales executive and computer guru. And that´s just the first page of his résumé.

"The best thing about training others is that I can take the diverse knowledge accumulated over my lifetime and share it in a meaningful way," Reich says. "Few people have the chance to do that, and it means a lot to me."

Personal finance and helping others through the often confusing maze of complex financial issues remains especially dear to Reich´s heart. Some of his most rewarding moments come as the lights of recognition and understanding come on among his training participants.

"E. F. Schumacker said any intelligent fool can make things more complex, but it takes a touch of genius to move in the opposite direction," Reich says. "That´s always one of my chief goals: To make a complicated topic more accessible to the people who need that information. When that happens, everybody wins and we all have an easier time doing what we need to get done."

Transformation is a driving force for Lillian Zarzar. This author, international speaker and consultant, however, wants to transform the people she trains. "I help individuals and organizations to shift their perceptions, enhance their inspirations and increase their awareness," says Lillian. "I want you to change your approach so your world will become all you want it to be."

Self-mastery resonates as part of Lillian´s message, no matter what specific business or personal growth topic she might address. "Self-knowledge and self-control are the foundations for growth, progress and achieving your goals," she says. "It´s a simple idea, but we often need help in understanding it."

Lillian regularly taps her master´s in speech communication experience in her work, but her success and effectiveness spring just as much from her intuitive and close connection with her participants. "I develop a special relationship with every group I lead," she says. "It´s the only way I know to really help make a difference in people´s lives."

Betty Grant lives by a fourfold mission statement: "Live fully, love wastefully, pursue excellence and leave a positive legacy." That code brings a focus and vibrancy to her life, while allowing Betty to pass on that same magnetic energy to her audiences.

"For me, it all goes back to the basics of vision, integrity, challenging the status quo, developing others and both encouraging and rewarding excellence," Betty says. "No matter what sort of challenge you face—personally or professionally—those core elements will lead toward success."

Betty taps her more than three decades of organizational experience, in venues ranging from public education to the telecommunications industry, when she trains. "My job is to use my background and knowledge to help others make positive changes in how they lead," she says.

The result is dynamic and uplifting training, whether Betty´s covering skills in leadership, teams, communications or time and stress management topics. She knows how to reach others ... and how to make a lasting and significant difference in their lives.

Imagine the consummate manager: The professional who´s calmly and confidently in charge no matter what the calamity, no matter what the challenge. Tom Strodtbeck projects that same unflappable presence.

It´s not surprising that much of Tom´s professional experience comes straight from the hospitality industry. He has worked in hotel management, administering, managing and directing operations for several leading hotel corporations. As a trainer, business owner and consultant, Tom knows what it takes to think on your feet; he excels at training others to keep the customer satisfied.

"When you truly make the customer your primary focus, so many of the other things we all try to do in business naturally fall into place," Tom says. "Whether you´re selling a product, leading others or simply carrying out your part in a larger organization, that customer service element has a dramatic impact."

Tom has delivered his dynamic, real-world training throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. "Wherever I am, wherever I go to train others, I feel at home," Tom says, "and I like to think my audiences feel that way as well."

"Communication is critical in everything we do," says Vicky Larkin. "Whether you need to get your point across within your department, interface with customers in the field or train a team of middle managers it all comes down to having

Vicky boasts a professional history that includes nearly a quarter century of work with Fortune 500 companies. Training, human resources strategic planning, and employee, community and labor relations all have fallen under her staff and operations responsibilities. Vicky´s M.B.A. in Industrial Relations also has supplemented that real-world experience.

"The challenges facing both profit-driven and non-profit organizations today are vast," Vicky says. "If you´re not doing everything possible to sharpen and refine the way you interact with your various constituencies, you´re falling behind those who understand the critical nature of communications. My training provides a positive step in that direction."

"I´m energized when I can use my experience and knowledge to help others advance their own goals," Vicky says. "We all have so much to learn from each other, and I´m delighted to be able to make an impact."

"I come from a place that´s common and familiar to many of the hardworking team players throughout every organization," Margaret says. "I´ve been where they are, experienced their challenges and know how to speak to their concerns—whether that´s how to communicate with greater ease or ways to keep a project on track and on time."

Making the move from corporate life to business owner and professional trainer who´s able to savor the satisfaction of teaching others was an easy step to take for Margaret McMullen.

After all, 25 years spent in the corporate world in positions as varied as behind the scenes "go-to" person, to high-visibility leadership roles served her well.

Today that broad background, including experience in the financial, healthcare, ophthalmology and digital imaging industries gives Margaret special insight as she trains participants in topics ranging from management skills and business writing to customer service and conflict management.

"As I travel the country training others, I find that most people are conscientious, responsible and interested in making a significant contribution at work. A big part of my job is to help make that happen ... to show them the way. Like Fred Shero said, ‘Success is not a result of spontaneous combustion; you must set yourself on fire.´"

Barbara Fielder once wrote and illustrated a successful children´s book series. Compared to that young audience, capturing and keeping the attention of a group of business professionals is a breeze. "Giving Barbie® workshops to five-year-olds, now that would be a challenge!" says this veteran of nearly three decades of speaking and training.

Barbara´s clients across the United States and Canada regularly call on her for her expertise in human resources, leadership, supervision, communication, creativity and change.

"Working with the diverse range of clients that I have over the years, I know the day-to-day issues and challenges that they face," says the woman recently honored in Strathmore´s Who´s Who Registry of Business Leaders and the International Who´s Who of Entrepreneurs. "Practical solutions, not great-sounding theories, are what people want and need."

Previous audiences remark on Barbara´s nearly uncanny ability to quickly assess their needs and to customize her programs around their concerns. "You´ve got to be empathetic and understand where they´re coming from before you can help them find a way to improve their situation," she says. "I love to be their guide along that path and send them back to the office empowered, motivated and inspired to succeed."

Most people view time in one of two ways: There´s never enough of it, or there´s plenty of time—when it´s used wisely—to do whatever is most important. Dennis Keene is a die-hard believer in wringing the absolute most out of every hour in the day.

"We all have the same finite 24 hours available, but I´m continually fascinated by those—usually the most successful in any field or endeavor—who make time an ally and a tool for reaching their goals," Dennis says. "It´s also why time and project management are among my favorite training topics."

Dennis also provides training in supervisory skills, workplace teams and customer service, and many other topics, to the automotive, banking, medical, electronics and pharmaceutical industries. He´s trained professionals in the mining, manufacturing, construction and telecommunications fields as well.

"Training represents such a key element in the success of individuals and organizations," Dennis says. "It´s factors like training—and the ongoing and supportive education it represents—that allow people to use their time to the fullest. It´s going full circle on the cycle of success."

Thanks to 16 years as a competitive and professional figure skater, Lesley Bissett is no stranger to hard work, dedication and motivation. "The lessons I learned on the ice help make me a better coach, teacher and trainer today," she says. "I know how to help people move toward their goals."

Lesley leads her own training and consulting company, The Success Group, which includes clients such as Prudential Securities and other prestigious financial organizations.

"Whenever I´m training at a company, my goal is to help improve their marketing program by delivering up-to-the-minute advice on business trends and techniques," Lesley says. "The importance of motivation and enthusiasm in achieving your personal and professional success cannot be overstated. You´ve got to believe!

"I get before a group and I see the lessons I´ve learned begin to generate excitement and understanding in others," says the former sales professional, who was one of the first 20 women to earn the Certified Financial Planner designation. "It´s one of the most rewarding things I do. I want people to come away from my programs delighted with what they learned and happy they got more than they expected."

From the depths of the all-too-often-cluttered Information Age, a common cry rings out: "Nobody can write plain English anymore!" Nevertheless, Marie Davis is determined to bring clear, concise communications back to the business world.

"What good is all the information in the universe if you can´t use it to your advantage, whether that´s personally, professionally or competitively?" Marie says. "We´re suffering an epidemic of business professionals who can´t or won´t use the tips and tactics of proper communication. And it´s all so needless. Good writing makes your job easier!"

Marie has trained and written for industries ranging from chemical manufacturing to computer hardware. Along the way she´s guided others to communicate through product documentation, technical user manuals, administrative support guides and disaster recovery plans, and many other vehicles. She knows what it takes to convey a message and to get the point across.

"The best part about training for me is to stand before a group of people and watch the lights of recognition begin to come on," Marie says. "You can see it in a person´s eyes, the moment when the instruction starts to sink in and she or he realizes, ‘I can do this ... I can write like that!´"