introduction & background information:

Rhonda L. Waters, M.Ed.

After being an administrator and instructor with NC State University for many years, Rhonda founded Waters Learning & Development in 1997, and has over the last six years continued to pursue her lifelong commitment to education, training and development.  Her career in education has spanned high school, college and professional programs in both teaching and leadership roles.  She received a Bachelors Degree in English Education from Appalachian State University and a Masters of Education in Training and Development from North Carolina State University.  She has also completed advanced training in facilitation skills and curriculum design, as well as certification to administer assessment instruments such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Rhonda’s particular areas of expertise include leadership and management development, interviewing and selection strategies, interpersonal and communication skills, and team development.  She has conducted needs assessments, developed and delivered 360 Degree Feedback programs, and coached executives with national and international organizations.  Her clients have included companies across diverse industries such as GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Nationwide Insurance, Progress Energy, PPD and Manpower.  

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Brian R. Waters, MAOM

After a very successful career with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for over 18 years, Brian joined Waters Learning & Development.  Brian has extensive corporate experience in a variety of roles, including Sales Representative, Manager of Training and Development, Principal Organization Development Consultant, and most recently, the Director of HIV/NeuroHealth Sales Training and Preceptorships.  Brian’s expertise is in the areas of strategic planning, competency modeling, leadership development, 360 degree feedback, executive coaching and sales training and performance management systems.  Brian completed his BS in Business Administration from Barton College and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.  He also holds numerous certifications from Gallup©, Development Dimensions International©, Implementation Management Associates© and many other respected firms specializing in training and development and change management.

Areas of Expertise:

  Organization Development

• • Facilitation of organizational change initiatives
  • Project Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Strategic Planning

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• Sales Training
  • Competency Modeling
    • Clearly defining the Skills, Knowledge and Behaviors of Sales Managers and Sales Representatives that drive successful performance
    • Alignment of the Competency Model with Recruitment and Selection, Performance and Development Planning, Training and Development, Career Ladders, and Compensation Systems
    • Comprehensive Self-Development Guides for Managers and Representatives
  • Selling Skills
    • Selling Resource Guides (Aligning Marketing messages with the Selling Skills model)
    • Selling Skills Models/Training
  • Sales Management Skills
    • Effective Interviewing and Selection
    • Motivating Sales Professionals
    • Evaluating Performance in a Sales Call
    • Coaching for Performance
    • Developing High Performing Teams

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• Leadership/Management Development
  • New Team Start Up Activities (Including the New Manager Assimilation Process, Team Operating Agreements, Values, Goals)
  • Performance and Development Planning
  • Coaching Skills
  • Motivation for Individuals and Teams
  • Interviewing and Selection Skills (Using Targeted Selection® and Behavioral Event Interviewing)
  • Individual Strengths and Optimized Team Performance
  • 360-Degree Feedback (Instrument customization, data gathering, report generation and coaching)

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• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Giving and Receiving Feedback
  • Developing Partnerships with Key Stakeholders
  • Listening Skills
  • Self-Awareness (Including assessments such as the MBTI®, StrengthsFinder®, Leadership Style Assessment®, Team Profile Inventory®, Thomas-Kilman Conflict Mode Assessment®)
  • Team Development and Communication

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• Meeting Facilitation
  • There are times when groups need a third party to assist in problem-solving to assure that all members of the group can and do participate. Having a meeting facilitator is helpful when a group is working toward answers through brainstorming, group discussion, and total quality management tools. Outcomes can produce strategic plans, goals and objectives, next steps, and work agreements.