Laura Willoughby
Birmingham,AL
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Training
Tom James Company
Birmingham, AL
10.2023 - Current
- Assessed skill gaps for employees and developed training courses to meet identified needs.
- Enhanced employee performance by designing and implementing comprehensive training programs.
- Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
- Collaborated with legal and compliance teams to review paperwork, obtain feedback, and procure available information for new training processes.
- Collaborated with company leadership to align training goals with organizational objectives.
- Delivered new employee onboarding and training sessions via Outreach.io and Zoom.
- Implemented a robust system for tracking employee progress throughout various stages of their career, identifying opportunities for further growth or skill enhancement when necessary.
- Established a successful mentorship program to foster professional growth and development.
- Optimized budget allocation by diligently tracking expenses for all training events and resources.
- Led the creation of engaging e-learning modules, offering employees flexible learning options.
- Spearheaded the transition from in-person to virtual training events due to changing workplace conditions.
- Trained new hires to perform cross-training exercises with experienced workers.
Training Program Manager
Tom James Company
Birmingham, AL
12.2018 - 10.2023
- Facilitated strong relationships between departments through collaborative workshops aimed at fostering teamwork and improved communication skills.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through regular feedback surveys, refining content as needed to maximize impact.
- Spearheaded the creation of a mentorship program connecting experienced staff with newer employees for ongoing professional development support.
- Optimized scheduling of instructor-led sessions, minimizing conflicts and maximizing participation rates.
- Delivered impactful presentations at conferences, sharing best practices in training program management with other professionals in the field.
- Promoted a culture of continuous learning within the organization by encouraging open dialogue and knowledge sharing opportunities among team members.
- Increased employee productivity by offering effective coaching and mentoring sessions.
- Monitored and evaluated training performance to determine quality and cohesiveness.
- Prepared and distributed manuals, handouts and online tutorials to provide employees with training materials and resources.
- Assisted in development of employee assessments to measure training value.
- Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
- Directed field training to enhance participants' skills.
- Created in-depth training manual for all employees.
- Selected and assigned instructors to conduct specific training programs.
Outside Sales Representative
Tom James Company
Birmingham, AL
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Increased territory sales by building strong relationships with key clients and identifying new business opportunities.
- Visited customer locations to evaluate requirements, demonstrate product offerings, and propose strategic solutions for diverse needs.
- Established new accounts through cold calling and personal visits to potential customers.
- Exceeded monthly sales targets and quotas consistently.
- Participated in weekly sales meetings to discuss performance metrics, strategize on improvements, and share best practices among colleagues.
- Managed a large client base, consistently exceeding sales targets and contributing to overall team success.
- Contacted new and existing customers to discuss ways to meet needs through specific products and services.
- Prospected and conducted face-to-face sales calls with business executives and directors throughout assigned territory.
- Developed in-depth knowledge of product features, benefits, and pricing strategies to effectively communicate value propositions to clients.
- Established rapport with potential customers through cold calling and presenting product offerings tailored to their needs.
- Built strong client rapport to establish diversified network of connections.
- Conducted regular follow-ups with existing customers to maintain satisfaction levels and identify upsell opportunities.
- Followed up with customers after completed sales to assess satisfaction and resolve technical or service concerns.
- Evaluated sales performance regularly, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary adjustments to achieve set targets.
- Organized time efficiently to maximize daily outreach efforts while also maintaining detailed records of all interactions in CRM system.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase revenue.
- Developed customized presentations for prospective clients that highlighted key product features most relevant to their specific needs.
- Leveraged social media platforms strategically for lead generation purposes as well as brand promotion efforts.
- Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
- Set and achieved company defined sales goals.
- Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.
Department Manager
Belk Department Store
Birmingham, AL
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
- Oversaw inventory management processes, maintaining optimal stock levels while minimizing waste and losses due to shrinkage or obsolescence.
- Communicated with managers of other departments to maintain transparency.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure seamless coordination in achieving company-wide objectives.
- Motivated associates to consistently deliver effective selling behaviors through coaching and recognition.
- Maintained a professional work environment by addressing conflicts proactively and fostering open communication among staff members.
- Evaluated employee performance fairly and accurately, rewarding hard work while addressing areas needing improvement.
- Partnered with merchandising team to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement, and overall sales set-up.
Education
Bachelor Of Business Administration - Retail Management
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL12.2013
Skills
- Mentoring abilities
- E-Learning Strategies
- Team Management
- Leadership Development
- Virtual Training
- Coaching
- Performance Evaluation
- Performance Management
- Curriculum Design
- Learning Management Systems
- Customer Service
- Decision-Making
- Strategic thinker
- New hire on-boarding
- Data Entry
- Leadership training
- Workflow Process Improvement
Timeline
Director of Training
Tom James Company
10.2023 - Current
Training Program Manager
Tom James Company
12.2018 - 10.2023
Outside Sales Representative
Tom James Company
01.2015 - 12.2018
Department Manager
Belk Department Store
01.2014 - 01.2015
Bachelor Of Business Administration - Retail Management
The University of Alabama