Categories

Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SPHR is co-founder of Mobile Technical Institute and MTI Business Solutions, a full-service training and consulting firm. She oversees MTI's corporate training and continuing education division and also provides consulting services to a variety of human resources and public relations clients. As a trainer, Mary specializes in soft skill employee development classes, and has extensive experience facilitating training in areas related to human resources, communication, customer service, management, leadership, and public relations. She also teaches PHR and SPHR certification preparation courses and is a frequent speaker at conferences and association meetings.
 
Mary’s professional background includes extensive experience in training, human resources management, writing, marketing, and public relations. She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in Communication, and is actively involved in several professional and civic organizations, including the Mobile and Baldwin County Societies for Human Resource Management and the Junior League of Mobile, AL. Mary is also the author of 101 Successful PR Campaign Tips and 101 Human Resource Management Tips in the LifeTips book series and is a Group Editor for LoveToKnow.com.

Thank you Mary for answering some questions for us!  Please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.
 
I recently finished writing 101 Human Resource Management Tips, which is my second book in the LifeTips book series. My other book is 101 PR Campaign Tips. Both are available from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and directly from the bookstore on the LifeTips.com website.
 
Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?
 
I am the co-founder of Mobile Technical Institute/MTI Business Solutions (mobiletechwebsite.com), a full service corporate training and consulting firm. I frequently speak at conferences and association meetings across the United States. I also provide corporate training services for clients across the country and teach a series of open enrollment classes at my company’s Mobile, AL training center. I speak and teach on a variety of topics, including HR management, public relations, communication, leadership, customer service, and more.
 
What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?
 
I create the training materials for all of the classes that I teach, and I also work as a writer and Group Editor for LoveToKnow.com.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?
 
Because I am a training professional, I work directly with individuals who can benefit from reading my books. Much of the content in my books is there because of questions that I hear in the classes that I teach. If my clients have these questions, it stands to reason that others likely wonder about the same topics.
 
What will your next project be?
 
My plans are to write another book in the LifeTips series that focuses on providing readers with practical tips and suggestions to help them provide exceptional customer service.
 
What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?
 
I teach certification preparation courses for human resources professionals who want to earn Senior Professional in Human Resource (SHPR) or Professional in Human Resource (PHR) credentials. While I love all of the different types of classes I teach, these are my favorite. When students call with good news after sitting for their certification exams, there’s no better feeling.
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?
 
Brand yourself. And, don’t go about branding yourself by declaring that you are a guru. There are too many self-proclaimed experts running around. Pay your dues, get the credentials you need to be seen by others as an expert, and focus on cultivating a solid professional network. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find that your brand has built itself.
 
How did you get started as a writer?
 
I’ve always enjoyed writing, so it’s been a hobby of mine since I was a child. I started writing business books as an outgrowth of my work as a training professional. I have written so many seminars over the years that it only makes sense to turn the training materials I have created into how-to books that can provide guidance to professionals in the areas where I am most knowledgeable.
 
Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?
 
My all time favorite book is Confessions of a PR Man. It’s out of print now, but it should be required reading for every public relations student as well as for every marketing professional.
 
What does a typical work day look like for you?
 
When you work as a professional trainer, there is no such thing as a typical day. Sometimes I am on the road constantly, traveling between client locations and speaking engagements. At other times, I am developing new course materials or working on a book. Still other times I am focused on the day-to-day administrative and marketing tasks associated with running a small business. During any given week, I may spend time working at home, working from my office, teaching at client locations or in my company’s classrooms, or driving or traveling for an out of town project.
 
Who is your favorite writer/author?
 
My favorite fiction author is Patricia Cornwell.
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)
 
It was probably “Sweet Home Alabama”, which is my home.

Thank you Mary for a great interview! We're looking forward to your next book in the LifeTips series!