Name: Becky Stewart-Gross
 
Title: President
 
Organization: Building Bridges  “Your Bridge to Better Communication” 
 
Location (where you work): My clients are primarily in the Midwest.
 
Educational background: I have a BA in Business Administration, a MA in Communication, and a Ph.D. in Human Relationships.
 
How long have you been in the field?
I have worked in the education/training field for 20 years.  I started in sales, then  I taught at the college level for 10 years.  For the last 20 years I have been conducting training and seminars for organizations.
 
What is your primary area of expertise?
My primary areas of expertise are Sales and Leadership development focusing on the area of communication. 
 
Why did you join SMT?
I joined SMT to interact with others in my field and to keep my skills sharp.  I started by attending the Train-the-Sales-Trainer workshop and became interested in SMT.  The toughest part of leaving the academic environment was losing the connection with my colleagues. 
 
How long have you been a member of SMT?
I’ve been a member of SMT for just over a year.  Last year was my first conference.
 
What do you hope to accomplish as a member of SMT?
I want to both contribute to others in the training arena and stay current in the field.  I love to continuously learn and I want to be sure I keep stretching and growing in my own development. 
 
How did you get started with the SMT newsletter?
I give President Renie McClay that credit.  Renie was the facilitator for the Train-the-Sales-Trainer workshop I attended last summer.  Not only did she have me signed up for SMT and the fall conference, she soon wanted to know how I wanted to be involved and basically gave me 3 choices.  I choose the newsletter.  It has been a great vehicle for me to get to know more of the members and learn about the organization.  I have also enjoyed getting to work with Don Sterkel my co-editor, Natalie Caldwell, and Roger Yaffe.
 
What do you see is the most pressing issue for sales/marketing trainers today?
I believe it is important to keep our materials fresh and to prove our worth as trainers.  I have been amazed as I have read the archived materials written by past SMT members, at how many issues they dealt with are still the same today.  But to me the challenge is to keep our materials and ideas fresh and exciting.  Also, as the economy continues to fluctuate, we need to be able to demonstrate our worth with real behavioral changes.
 
What professional book would you recommend to other sales/marketing trainers?
One book I often recommend is Bert Decker’s book “You’ve got to be Believed to be Heard”.  It emphasizes the importance of connecting with your audience. Another book is the “Art of Possibility” by Zander & Zander a different way to think of training and working with participants.  With the importance of ROI, I’d recommend Jack Phillips’ books also.
 
What is your favorite book?
I like historical fiction, like those by James Michener, or positive books about people overcoming challenges like “It’s not about the Bike” by Lance Armstrong.  I usually listen to these types of books on tape while I travel or workout.
 
Who is someone who has influenced your life and why?
Initially, my parents, who encouraged me to get up and speak at a very young age and fostered my entrepreneurial spirit.  Now my greatest influence comes from my husband Mike who has recently joined me as partner in my business.  We are having fun working and writing books together.
 
Have you been a salesperson in your career?  If so, what did you sell? 
Yes, I sold in the retail arena in my early years.  At various times I sold everything from ladies clothing, shoes, luggage, cards and candy in stores.   Then I sold to buyers while living in NYC, and then worked as a buyer for a retail store in the Midwest.
 
How did you get into consulting? 
I taught adults in undergraduate and graduate programs when I was a full-time professor at a college.  The students wanted me to customize my material and bring it to their organizations.  I loved the challenge of making it applicable and being held accountable to make sure it really works.  Soon I was working full-time consulting and still teaching.  Today I just work with organizations facilitating training sessions, consulting and providing individual coaching.
 
A quote or words of advice you give to other sales/marketing trainers.
“If you love your job you will never have to go to work a day in your life.” Confucius
 
Other personal information:
I love anything active and outdoors.  My husband and I have a cabin in northern Wisconsin where we love to bike, swim, water and snow ski, and throw a few logs as we keep the fires burning.