Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The November 2023 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: Dr. DL Wallace

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In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workforce, the importance of soft skills cannot be overstated. Dr. DL Wallace, a seasoned expert in the field of Soft Skills Training and Development, has been spearheading a paradigm shift in employee development, entrepreneurial growth, organizational efficiency, and business strategy for over two decades. His journey as the CEO and Founder of Success Training Institute (STI) has not only transformed individuals and organizations but has also earned him global recognition in the education technology sector.

Dr. Wallace’s brainchild, Success Training Institute, has emerged as the world leader in superior soft skills training. Established in 2012, this award-winning education technology company, headquartered just north of Dallas, Texas, has been the driving force behind a transformative learning experience. STI’s clientele spans colleges, universities, workforce commissions, school districts, and corporations across diverse industries.

What sets STI apart is its commitment to personalized learning. Their tailored platforms offer pre and post-assessments, individualized learning plans, and access to data and analytics, enabling learners to chart their growth path comprehensively. The institute’s range of services caters to both individuals and corporations, providing essential training in compliance, leadership, problem-solving, team building, customer service, and more.

Success Training Institute offers a variety of plans tailored for entrepreneurs, college students, sales professionals, HR experts, and many more. Their programs are designed to accommodate nearly any budget, offering rapid certification programs that yield tangible results within weeks, with immediate improvements in productivity, positivity, and efficiency. The cornerstone of their training approach is a series of power-packed, 8-minute video segments that can be consumed on-demand, making it accessible for employees at all levels.

Moreover, STI is not only bridging the gap for current employees but also laying the foundation for future professionals. Their Virtual Internship Programs offer college students the chance to enhance their post-graduation employability. These students earn valuable soft skills certifications, strengthening their resumes and gaining opportunities to work remotely while supplementing their college expenses.

The impact of Success Training Institute extends far beyond traditional learning. As a Top Innovator in Education Technology, STI’s commitment to original content, unique instructional methods, and an evergreen library is fundamentally changing the professional development landscape for students and companies alike. Dr. DL Wallace’s vision has given rise to a transformative force that is equipping individuals and organizations to thrive in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of work.

MoneyCentral Magazine recently had the privilege of engaging in a candid conversation with Dr. DL Wallace, delving into his remarkable journey and the profound impact of Success Training Institute. Here’s what transpired in this exclusive interview:

What inspired you to focus on soft skills training, and how did you embark on this journey?

Several years ago, when I owned another company, I noticed our new hires’ challenges with many of the soft skills basics. Keep in mind that these new hires were all college grads, and yet they had difficulty maintaining focus, collaborating with others, managing time, and resolving conflict. We had two options: Develop a viable training system or keep replacing people. Of course, replacing people may be more convenient, but training them is a much better investment. We chose to train them. I began developing a soft skills curriculum, and we started with early morning training calls that were only 8 minutes per day. Why 8 minutes? It fits the hectic schedules of our team. Soon, we noticed remarkable improvements just by elevating the soft skills of our employees. Other companies started asking if we could do the same for them, and the rest is history.

Can you share some success stories or testimonials from individuals or organizations that have benefited significantly from Success Training Institute’s programs?

My favorite part of this business is hearing the powerful testimonials from our clients. We even post quite a few of them online. One story that sticks out to me most is from a single mother from South Carolina. Her daughter was enrolled in college and was off to a bad start. Not making friends, poor grades, and losing confidence. She begins taking our soft skills courses, just a few daily lessons from her phone. She started with Adaptability and Work Ethic. According to her mom, she went from dropping out and returning home to making the Dean’s List her freshman year! We hear these stories all the time because college and career success are based on well-developed soft skills. All the research proves this, and it’s great to see it happening. Most students don’t fail or drop out of college because they have a low IQ. It is because they have unaddressed emotional deficiencies, and our company solves that problem for college students and professionals in the workplace.

As a leader in soft skills training, what do you believe are the most crucial soft skills for individuals and organizations in today’s professional landscape?

There are so many necessary soft skills that it’s hard to rank them because everyone is different. It’s like asking, “What are the three best foods for your body?” or “What is the best book to read?”. It all depends on the individual. That’s why we offer pre-assessments to all our clients because it helps craft an individualized learning plan specific to the person’s needs. Some new employees need to focus on Time Management, while others need Self-Regulation or Managing Stress. The best part about the platforms we develop is they are NOT one size fits all. We all have different needs and are at different stages of emotional development, which is why our platforms are designed to accommodate the soft skills needs of each participant.

Success Training Institute (www.simplysuccess.com) provides customized learning platforms. How do you ensure that these platforms cater to the diverse needs of your clients, including colleges, corporations, and individuals?

It all starts with communicating with our clients and understanding what they want to accomplish. For some, it’s student or employee retention. For the colleges that have access to resell our training programs under its brand, fundraising may be the focus. Once we have an initial consultation, our team of experts customizes video commercials, organizes lesson material, and adds analytics to track and monitor the key data points. We are the only company that offers our clients a tailor-made soft skills training experience, and it’s one of the features that makes us unique in this industry.

In your view, how does soft skills training contribute to organizational efficiency, and what tangible improvements have you observed in companies that have implemented your programs?

First, soft skills are going to make organizations more productive. Remember, when we master our emotions, we become better people, which makes us better at everything we do. Organizations don’t have to hire new people because the Success Training Institute helps the people they have become even better. For college students, increased productivity means better grades. For the sales professional, it means more closed deals. Better people are always more productive. Next, we see strong gains in retention. The biggest challenge in the workplace is turnover. Our soft skills programs boost confidence, competencies, and individual satisfaction, all contributing to employees staying on jobs longer. Last but certainly not least, we see the gains in revenue. Turnover is expensive for every organization. Our programs have been proven to reduce by as much as fifty percent! That’s literally putting money back into the pockets of our clients.

What challenges do you perceive in the current landscape of employee development, and how does Success Training Institute address these challenges?

The remote workforce is growing rapidly and is changing the way we see a typical workday. It can also have adverse emotional impacts. When people don’t connect interpersonally, they lose a valuable skillset our company helps restore. Remote work is also changing the way people want to learn. Most are turned off by live training sessions that confine them to crowded conference rooms for several hours daily. They want training to adjust to their lifestyles. Our programs are mobile-friendly, video-based, and self-paced because that is the future of learning. Each lesson is 8 minutes or less because the adult attention spans are shrinking. Companies that don’t recognize these trends will lose employees in droves. Back in the day, employees adjusted to the workforce. Today, the workforce has to adjust to the employee, including training and development.

Could you elaborate on the Virtual Internship Programs offered to college students? How do these programs bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional skills?

Our virtual internship programs are second to none because they offer the best of all worlds. First, college students get to work remotely. Next, they gain soft skills and hard skills. Last but certainly not least, they get paid! They apply online, interview online, and are assigned a virtual supervisor. They can work in our Marketing, Content Creation, IT, Sales, or Administrative departments, which gives them real-world experience that accommodates the demands of their collegiate schedules. Many colleges are located in small towns where internship opportunities are limited. Our programs allow them to complete project-based assignments from anywhere in the world without the hassle of long commutes or the cost of new wardrobes.

The success of STI’s training is often highlighted by its quick impact on productivity and positivity. Can you share some insights into the unique instructional methods or strategies that contribute to this rapid improvement?

Two terms are important when answering this question. Pedagogy and Heutagogy. The first is the one we are most familiar with in traditional education. This is highly structured learning where students enter a classroom and are taught by one or more instructors. Everyone must learn the same thing at the same time. No exceptions. On the contrary, heutagogy is self-directed learning, which allows participants to learn based on need, interest, and other learning preferences. Most online training programs are pedagogical and shouldn’t be because that methodology is most effective in organized classroom settings. We developed heutagogical learning model called the SIPS Instructional Method. It is proven, practical, and powerful. Those who engage in our online courses see measurable gains in crucial soft skills in less than 8 minutes per lesson per day. The content is relevant and appeals to various types of learning preferences. There is a short quiz after each lesson to gauge retention, and our model has the highest user engagement rates in the industry.

As a Top Innovator in Education Technology, how do you envision the future of online training, especially in the context of soft skills development? What advice would you give entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and individuals looking to enhance their soft skills and stay competitive in today’s dynamic business environment?

I recently met one of the most accomplished and respected business leaders in the United States at a reception. During our conversation, he quickly said that Soft Skills ARE the new Hard Skills. He pointed out what he had observed over his many years in business and added that small, private colleges and universities need viable soft skills partnerships to remain relevant in the years to come. Of course, I wholeheartedly agree. For entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and business leaders across all industries would be well served to place soft skills in their rightful place: the most important skillset any professional can acquire. In a time where emotional health and wellness are more prominent than ever, we cannot overlook the importance of soft skills any longer. We are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Introducing Dr. DL Wallace – The CEO Of Success Training Institute

Dr. DL Wallace is a Soft Skills Training and Development Expert with more than 20 years of experience in employee development, entrepreneurial development, organizational efficiency, and business strategy.

He is currently the CEO and founder of Success Training Institute (STI), the worldwide leader in superior soft skills training. Founded in 2012, Success Training Institute is an award-winning, education technology company based just north of Dallas, Texas. It currently serves colleges and universities, workforce commissions, school districts, and corporations from various industries. The customized learning platforms developed by STI include pre and post-assessments, individualized learning plans, access to data and analytics, and more. Their services are geared towards corporations and individuals looking to improve personnel through training in compliance, leadership, problem-solving, team building, customer service, and more.

Success Training Institute offers plans for entrepreneurs, college students, sales and HR professionals, and more. Priced to fit almost any budget, certifications can be earned in weeks, and most see improvements within days. Success Training Institute offers online programs designed to empower the workforce. The power-packed, 8-minute video segments can be taken on demand and have been proven to make immediate impacts on productivity, positivity, and efficiency on behalf of employees at all levels who complete the training.

Success Training Institute also offers college students the opportunity to increase their marketability after graduation through its Virtual Internship Programs. Students who are selected earn soft skills certifications to boost their resumes, earn extra money for college, and can work remotely.

Success Training Institute is recognized as a Top Innovator in Education Technology and cutting edge online training. With original content, unique and proven instructional method, and an evergreen library, STI is changing the professional landscape for students and companies worldwide.

MoneyCentral Magazine recently caught up with Dr. DL Wallace to discuss the hi journey to entrepreneurship and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

I was inspired to launch the Success Training Institute in 2012 when I was the Executive Director of a Charter School I founded. During this time, I noticed the challenges new teachers were having interacting with students, parents, and each other. It became readily apparent that college didn’t equip them with the soft skills needed to succeed in the real world. Therefore, I developed and tested a soft skills curriculum on these educators and it worked even better than I expected. It literally revolutionized the culture, morale, and productivity of two campuses in the inner cities of Dallas/Fort Worth. It worked so well, we tested on our students and their parents. We got the same great results. I embraced the opportunity and the rest is history.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

As a Black-Owned Minority Business Enterprise, we always feel as if we’ve got to be far better than the competition. Therefore, we’ve developed partnerships with numerous state agencies. We customize programs for colleges and universities, public and charter schools, local workforce boards, and more. By tapping into the vast government market, it has opened many doors for our company and given us added credibility. Also, we’re the only Ed-Tech company in the space that offers home-based business owners and other professionals the opportunity to earn money with us by referring retail and corporate business. Our Affiliate Program has helped us expand to other countries and keeps our pipeline filled with leads.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

Our company is active on Facebook and Instagram. However, we’d like to do even more on social media because we realize the power of those platforms. Some people rely on social media for their news and information. We have plans on becoming much more active as our nation and the rest of the world to heal from the recent civil unrest and the global pandemic.

What is your experience with paid advertising, like PPC or sponsored content campaigns? Does it work?

We’ve had so much success with our Affiliate Programs and word of mouth that social pay per click campaigns have not been on our radar. Recently, we hired an organization to focus more on ads and we expect it will do well because of the growing need for online soft skills training.

What is your main tactic when it comes to making more people aware of your brand and engaging your customers? How did your business stand out?

Our company has seen great success with our philanthropic initiative that provides a soft skills training scholarship to the less fortunate when our paying clients earn certifications. The Global Success Initiative allows all our customers to participate in the betterment of our world. We are the only company in the world that offers a one to one match with education! Imagine unlocking the door for at-risk teens, families in poverty disabled veterans, and others to grow just by earning certifications that improve your own life and career. This initiative has really enhanced our brand, our credibility, and fulfills our mission.

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

For us, marketing begins and ends with relationship building. We take the time to get to know our potential clients. We spend time with them and cultivate a long term relationship that ultimately leads to a long term contract. Also, the success of our Affiliate Program has been a major boost; mainly because of the earnings potential of members can earn just by referring those in their circles. Our commissions on corporate deals range from 10% – 30% and those checks are impressive.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

Expanding our business overseas was a tough decision. The countries that need our product most have the greatest problems with internet connectivity. Additionally, laws and regulations in other countries are much tougher than those in the US. However, we could not deprive people of the chance to enhance their lives and grow their incomes by acquiring the soft skills they need to succeed.

What money mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

Most of the time when business leaders think of money mistakes, we tend to focus monies that were spent unwisely. However, we actually learn just as much from what we don’t spend. One of the things I would change is not spending more money by adopting cryptocurrency policies. We’re finally turning the corner in this area. However, if we would have spent the money on the technology required to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin two or three years ago, we’d be experiencing historic returns on our investment. We know now.

What new business would you love to start?

Training is one of my deepest passions and I’ve always wanted to teach others how to train. Therefore, we launched a new division of our company that allows professionals to become certified soft skills trainers. It’s 100% online and we even help them with leads on training in live settings. We’ve made it affordable and offer all the support to help our certified trainers succeed. It’s a great way for life coaches, public speakers, educators, and others to earn money with this valuable new skill. I’m excited to live out another chapter of my dreams.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

It may sound like a cliché but I have no regrets about any aspect of the journey with Simply Success. The lessons I’ve learned along the way were priceless and helped our company improve. In business, you either win or you learn and every learning experience is a necessary one if you want to grow. Thomas Edison learned valuable lessons from each failed attempt at the lightbulb. Like Edison, every lesson got me closer to the groundbreaking company we have today.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

One of my mentors told me: “Whatever you do best, do most.” This advice helped me focus on leveraging my training and professional development skills. Doing this consistently led to the birth of the Success Training Institute.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?

Three Things. First, take the time to organize. Write your plans and goals, do your homework, and identify your resources. Organization is time-consuming but well worth the effort. Next, don’t be afraid. Fear limits your ability to focus, take risks, and make aggressive decisions. Move with confidence and never with caution. Last and certainly not least, don’t quit. Business success is very similar to running a marathon. Most people have the physical strength to run 26 miles with the proper training. However, many lack the mental toughness to keep running. Business success is based on our ability to keep running.