We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Edith Coleman Chears . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Edith below.
Dr. Edith, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
My crazy story is very positive. It involves a scenario that was my springboard from being a sole proprietor (training contractor – a pretty darn good one, if I do say so myself) to a nationally networked pool of professional training experts. With 22+ years as a learning and development professional, I worked with some of the business’s best financial and systems contractors. I came to know their skills, style, professionalism — and their all-around presentation. I began to expand my reach by securing training contracts with medium-sized organizations. These organizations required trainers with specific expertise (primarily technical and financially-related). The contracts were small, and I might have 3-5 people providing training/facilitation services on contracts that required travel, dependability, and great work ethics. My pool of talent was actually quite large, but when starting small – even a few MOMI contractors had to be– top-notch. After creating a relatively good reputation of excellence in client interaction, customer service, managing complex schedules, and overall performance quality — I began to be a sub-provider supplying trainers to larger professional contracting organizations who could not secure the quality and diversity of trainers I could. MOMI trainers began to work for nationally known financial entities. Having been a national trainer myself, with a BA and MA in HRD, I understood the terrain and the needs of trainers who were ‘road warriors.’
One day, literally out of the blue — I received a phone call.
Then came a REALLY BIG national financial organization searching for a reliable and experienced minority partner. It turns out that the search went from Philadelphia — to Florida. The search continued to a contact in Los Angeles. As a result — I received a call — that led to an interview and an immediate request to apply as a Certified Vendor – OMGoodness! I inquired how this organization came to know me and MOMI. When they relayed the story of recommendations across the country, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Well — this was a lesson learned and a blessing of grand proportions. One’s REPUTATION– precedes them. Every phone call somehow reached those who had worked with me or for me. Every response to my abilities, dedication, and brand — was said to be ‘outstanding.’
The surprising point is that I had no marketing or collateral materials — nor did I have a website heralding MOMI’s services or accomplishments. Honestly – there was no level of social media exposure. I had business cards, internal organization and structure, and a stand-up reputation which included: fairness, excellent negotiating skills, achieving the best value for MOMI contractors (with a family-like concern for each), ethical and professional characteristics — and I (we) delivered for the clients as their ‘extra pair of hands’ and beyond. I trained and mentored individuals with financial expertise — who has no training backgrounds. I designed their interviews and training demonstrations (PowerPoints, scripts, and practices). MOMI provided training orientation and training tools.
Of course, I have a nice website today and many bells and whistles, like the big fish in the training business. At the time, three (3) training vendors were certified by this organization. Many times, we had to work in tandem to cover training assignments.
Undoubtedly, my company was ‘the new kids on the block’ — the little fish in a big pond. However, in the second year of the contract — our performance was so satisfactory and reliable — that the financial organization did not renew one of the big fish contracts and gave the extra work to us.
There is a lot more to the story. In summation, “a good performance whether large or small — can be the turning point for some of us who happen to be women – Black –entrepreneurs – and good at what we do. I currently have an S Corporation. To date, not only have I taken on significant contracts — I have shared many profitable opportunities with several other women-owned organizations — who, by the way – also have excellent reputations!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been passionate about improving human performance (HPI) for many years. My desire to assist others in reaching their highest potential and business-related goals runs very deep. The participants may only need to learn the new changes and the new system to maintain their employment. Either way, these human needs fuel my enthusiastic perspectives in several areas: human performance improvement, leadership, volunteerism, and mentoring both women and men. Remarkably a preponderance of the employees and workers I have trained – were women. This fact inspired the name of my L&D concept – Mind Over Matter Instructions Inc. (MOMI- pronounced Mommy) and its motto: Let MOMI Fix It!
For 14 years, I worked at one of the top international banks in the world, spurring my interest in the financial realm. Since then, I have been an independent contractor, an entrepreneurial talent sourcing agent, a leadership lecturer, an adjunct professor (12 years), a professional training consultant, an organizational change manager (OCM), and a project management trainer for a myriad of Fortune 500 organizations. I have learned to be a transactional and transformational leader who has provided innovative content development, instructional support, and interactive learning for numerous financial entities (banks, wealth managers, insurance and mortgage organizations), higher education, public schools, and large nonprofit consulting entities.
With 22+ years of consulting and being that ‘extra pair of hands’ for each client, I have grown from a myriad of preparation, due diligence, and hard work (training, instructional design/facilitation, extensive management, and leadership experience, as well as 12 years as an Adjunct Professor (business management, L&D design, ethics, facilitation). Expanding on my knowledge of leadership (especially women’s leadership), and organizational development, I earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (2017) to complement an already diverse accumulation of skills and abilities. I love learning– thus, I admit to occasionally tripping over the “thin lines of demarcation between teaching and training.” I believe in mixing those principles to benefit employees, participants, students, and all audiences.
I am honored to have received various awards, recognitions, and appointments throughout my career. In 2015, I was acknowledged as a “Top Female” by The International Women’s Leadership Association (IWLA). I was named “Woman of the Year” by The National Assoc. of Professional Women (NAPW). I was a member of the curriculum design team for the Association of Talent Developers (ATDs), Workplace Learning and Performance Institute (WLPI). I was once included in Cambridge’s Who’s Who (in banking).
Currently, I enjoy being a Resident Scholar at Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center (WSCR), a liaison to the WSRC Advisory Board, a Dissertation Committee member at Brandeis (and other institutions), and Chairperson of the Wendell Phillips Hall of Fame (HOF) Scholarship Committee (the oldest African American High School in Chicago).
I have accumulated a few ‘chops’ around leadership, teaching, and organizational training. Combining these skills and a humorous yet detailed presentation style is a successful formula applied to every corporate, academic, and nonprofit client.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Once upon a time — I worked for one of the largest international banks in the world. I progressed from Admin Assistant to AVP. in about 14 years. I could have gone farther – that’s another story. Year after year, I earned numerous promotions and increases in responsibility. There was never a dull moment, however, not without challenges. I had not completed my undergraduate degree (due to family issues), yet I loved to learn. Upon seeing my potential within this organization, I went back to school (as women often do) — not to finish my degree — but to hone the skills of the industry in which I worked. The two years I dedicated to this certification were priceless. Still, there was snobbery because I was a woman, I was Black, and I did not have a Harvard, Wharton, or Yale degree. I had lots of education but no accumulation of a formal degree. Curiously, neither did most of the seasoned managers who came up from the ranks — which presented barriers for many onboarded newbies with lots of educational paper.
As one of the few women of color (and women officers), there was a challenge from some of the men. The banking industry was still a male-dominated domain. With much competition in this domain, all financial institutions were out to hire the best and the brightest talent. Nonetheless, I was good at my job, fast on my feet, and my knowledge was comprehensive and diverse. Best of all, the Regional Senior Managers saw something in me. They mentored me AND gave me an opportunity. It is important to note — both managers had international leadership experience before coming to Chicago. That actually made a difference in the leadership I had become used to. Each manager had a penchant for seeing talent and doing the right thing.
The story is: During this time of overt gender bias and racial intolerance, our Fortune 500 clients did not want to receive service from Black men or women of any color. DUH! For a long time, I escaped this scrutiny. With a last name like Chears and being very articulate (I love words and the language), I serviced many Fortune 500 treasurers (via phone or technology) on critical transactions. I did not focus on what could not happen — but on what was possible in every assignment.
I will share two scenarios:
1. Once, the Treasurer of a multinational company came to the office. He asked to see Mrs. Chears. We have worked together for years — and had a strong relationship and mutual trust when it came to rolling over Fed Funds. I was surprised he requested my presence and frankly a bit nervous. But he was more surprised when I walked through the door. After he picked up his jaw from the floor — he came around. He realized that perhaps some implicit bias about women and Blacks and their abilities — supported his initial shock. We continued to do well together for years.
2. The journey up the corporate ladder included being one of a few in a sea of ‘navy blue/black suits.’ Even the female officers (including me) acquiesced in an attempt to be genderless (wearing dark and tailored suits — with little silk bow ties.) One day, I was tired of this practice of women needing to camouflage their natural woman to be heard. A visit from our CEO garnered a mass meeting where everyone was suited up again. Unintentionally, I arrived a little late – sat in the front row — with a deep pink tailor suit (so cute) and a lighter pink silk blouse (very tasteful and professional). Besides my late entrance, I also had to leave early. Therefore, it was no surprise that the Regional Senior Manager, accompanied by the CEO, made a beeline to my office when the meeting ended. The CEO stuck his head in my office and asked, “Was I that boring?” True to being good on my feet, I answered, not at all, sir — I had to meet a pressing deadline to roll over a multi-million Fed Funds deposit for – and I named the top tier customer. The CEO turned to my Regional Manager and said — you told me she was good! So again, I say, OMGoodness. I tell everyone Do The Job! I also tell them, Ask for what you want – because not every manager will sing your praises or can read your mind. However, every outstanding accomplishment can and should support your movement. When management changes – as it often does we have to prove ourselves again. So, don’t let them forget — your achievement. Frame and Display them!
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
I cannot tell a story about when I missed payroll. I can propose that every entrepreneur and businesswoman avoid some apparent risks and attend to the following:
1. Always maintain a 3-month reserve of cash. Companies are notorious for pushing back a start date (a month or two or three) for those who work on contracts. State/Federal contracts can be very slow in paying. A delayed contract happened to me once. I relied upon a contract starting on time and was woefully unprepared when it did not. Imagine no revenue for two months racked havoc on my business, personal life, and my last good nerve. Learning this difficult lesson – saved me from future cash flow issues.
2. As a sole proprietor or self-employed individual, managing the funding of your future (retirement) is imperative. Working for others affords you certain benefits. For the entrepreneur, there is no 401 (k) – no pension plan — unless you establish one for yourself and your employees. Pay into this fund – early.
3. Lastly, when your earnings/revenue is via a W2, and no taxes are withheld – your accounts may look pretty darn good. Please set aside or pay the taxes levied against your earnings annually. OK, OK, I also fell into this trap. You are responsible for paying Uncle Sam. If funds are not prepaid or set aside — the end-of-year shock can be staggering.
My messages here are to work with excellence and be prepared. Know what is required of your business, prepare your annual report, maintain the company in ‘good standing,’ and have a respectable accounting and documentation of your revenue; these few pointers will allow you to take on more clients, provide more employment to contractors, garner more success, and promote your well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.momiinc.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-coleman-chears-8850831a/
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