The corporate world needs to be sexier, at least that’s what Sharon Simpson, director of global business development for Krempl Communications thinks. She calls for an increase in sexy not in the traditional sense, but through training and confidence.
Simpson, along with the University of Idaho’s UNITY and Office of Multicultural Affairs, is hosting a “Growing Your Executive Mind” training March 3 where participants will receive training that will assist them in future careers.
“The University of Idaho is the first live training in the world,” Simpson said. “I’m based in Seattle headquarters, and UI UNITY was the first group that gave me an ear.”
Simpson said she came to UI because undergraduates need live experience training to thrive after college.
“In the corporate world, 98 percent get left behind,” Simpson said. “Graduates hold that piece of paper in their hands and don’t know what to do.”
Stephen Krempl, CEO of Krempl Communications International, will lead the training where participants will give and receive individual feedback to learn how they are perceived by others, learn about communication and confidence as well as seven behavioral skill sets, according to the student handbook participants will receive at the event.
“For many it’s an emotional training,” Simpson said. “They have lots of blocks in their heads, saying they can’t do something, so we work through those blocks. But students mix with friends and groups so it’s fun.”
Co-chair of UNITY Lizbette Morin said while the training is focused on the corporate world, it is beneficial to everyone.
“It can be used in any daily job,” Morin said. “It’s based around communication and confidence. It does touch on the corporate world and business, but look at the world, it’s all business.”
Morin said UNITY reaches out to business students, multicultural Greeks, international students and ASUI for participants.
Simpson said because this is the first live GEM training, representatives from Washington State University and Boise State University will attend UI’s seminar prior to sessions held at their own schools.
“We want BSU and WSU to go, ‘whoa this is great,'” Simpson said. “We want it to spread like a virus.”
Morin said UNITY representatives, a few UI professors, BSU and WSU representatives and hopefully 40 students from WSU are expected to attend the event.
“Apart from those groups we have about 20 signed up,”Morin said. “We are looking for around 100.”
Leathia Botello, coordinator of the multicultural program for the Office of Multicultural Affairs said the training is important because of the high percentage of first-generation students at UI. She said the training will provide tools students can use to succeed now and in the future.
The training will provide attendees with a certificate proving they completed the GEM program, which is something employers are looking for, Simpson said, because many large companies use the program already.
The training has a $50 fee, which Botello said shows that students are accountable.
Interested students can register at stephenkrempl.com or contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Simpson said although students can register the day of, March 1 is the preferred deadline because the event provides lunch.