We recently connected with Dawn Marie Morris and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn Marie, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

My previous jobs positioned me well for the work that I do in my business. I worked in Corporate America for several years in the training and development space, both as a facilitator and as a leader. I enjoyed the work. It kept me curious which fueled my desire to learn more about being an excellent facilitator. When I became the regional leadership development trainer for Dicks’ Sporting Goods and traveled the country training their leaders, I found my sweet spot. I learned as much as I could about leadership styles and how to lead well. The mix of my Corporate experience served me well, and in most instances, I had great leaders.

Hence, the most important lesson is to use each job as a resume builder. It is more than a paycheck. It is an opportunity to continue the quest to become your best self. Do work that you enjoy…as often as you can.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure.

Born and raised in a little suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, Warrensville Heights-Go Tigers!- I matriculated to college and graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C. with a B.B.A. in Marketing. Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago, IL where I started my professional career and my family.

While in Chicago, my training experience began at MCI Worldcom. While there, I rose to the position of Training and Recruitment Manager for the Chicago and Oak Brook regions. Following my tenure there, I founded Career Link, Inc where I specialized in training at-risk youth to be prepared to enter the workforce. Interviewing skills, resume writing, business etiquette, and time management were a few of my areas of expertise.

Upon returning to Corporate America, I became immersed in leadership development training, serving in 3 organizations before launching back into the world of entrepreneurship and The World Class Training Institute, Inc.

Leadership and professional development training are where “lightbulb moments” are plentiful, and that is what inspires me to continue to do this work.

Now, can you share a little about your business?

The World Class Training Institute maximizes human capital through the delivery of professional and leadership development training workshops.

What separates us from the competition are three things:

~ We take the time to conduct a pre-assessment with our clients and offer customized training solutions to meet their needs

~ Through our post-assessments matched against the baseline numbers of our pre-assessments, we are positioned to demonstrate a real Return on Expectations to our clients and their stakeholders.

~ We are heavy on the “edu-tainment”, ensuring that participants leave entertained, educated, and inspired!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients is probably old-fashioned to many. I make phone calls. I am active on social media which, I believe, gives credence to what I do, but I have found that personal connection by picking up the phone on a consistent schedule works best for me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Standing flat-footed in business is not a good strategy. I have had to pivot from day one. Having left my job and going full-time in my business just weeks before COVID-19 (I started the business on November 13, 2019, and left my job in February 2020), I had to pivot almost immediately. Since the world shut down, I decided to write my first book. This was the best decision ever! I am blessed to train students using the book and the leadership skills contained therein. The book is, W.W.B.D-What Would Barack Do? Inspiring Presidential Tools for the Leader in You. From it, I train a program called, “Inspiring Presidential Tools for the Leader in Every Student”.

In the last three years, I have pivoted many times. It is essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.worldclasstraining.net
• Instagram: worldclasstraininginc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewcti
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewcti/
• Youtube: The World Class Training Institute

Image Credits
Riley Baxter, III Cameron Wells