Cheryl Mc Donald

6230 177th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477

C: 708-288-7303 H: 708-429-9067
cm57ac44@westpost.net
A high-impact leader in the fields of Operations, Training & Sales Management -
- with a strong history of achievements in both profit and non-profit environme
nts. Proven capacity for achieving major goals through strategic planning: pres
enting a clear vision and delivering on all key objectives. A successful change
agent with a track record of continuous improvement in teamwork, efficiency and
customer service.
An excellent developer of employee talent, able to create dedicated and motivate
d teams that achieve results beyond requirements and expectations.
Extensive professional skills and experience, including:

* Solving Complex, Multi-Functional Problems

* Improving Key Processes & Procedures
* Hiring, Motivating & Team Building
* Handling Human Resources Functions
* Planning & Managing Expense Budgets
* Maximizing Customer Service & Satisfaction
* Designing & Delivering Training Programs
* Negotiating Prices, Terms & Contracts
* Managing Large Projects, Events & Exhibits
* Creating Real Estate Marketing Programs
* Making Speeches & Presentations
* Cutting Costs & Boosting Revenue
Professional Background
Director of Training & Development/Sales Manager Dream Town Realty Chicago,
IL 2007 - present
* Developed and currently implement a mentoring program for sales agents for tra
cking business planning, goal setting, sales production, quality control and con
version rate. Increased sales volume by 50%.

National Director of Training & Development American INVSCO Ch

icago, IL 2005 - 2007
* Created, directed and marketed AI Academy, a professional development school o
ffering interactive programs in sales techniques, overcoming objections, negotia
tion, product knowledge, working with different types of buyers of sales, contra
cts, communication and soft skills. Designed a training program in the absence o
f one for a staff in three states.
* Initiated and directed a State of Illinois sanctioned real estate pre-licensin
g school for a company of over 500. The pre-licensing school was self-sustaining
and utilized as a recruitment tool for hiring managers while interviewing non-l
icensed candidate.
* Determined the return on investment as it related to cost per student for a re
al estate pre-licensing school. Developed a solid financial plan and structure d
esigned to produce a self-sustaining school in addition to generating an additio
nal $120,000 in revenue.
Corporate Sales Trainer Baird & Warner Chicago, IL
2003 - 2005
* Wrote and developed a facilitator's manual for the Career Institute an eighty
hour interactive sales training program including content in business developmen
t, business planning, working with buyers and sellers, overcoming objections, us
ing technology, sales tools, marketing, safety, contracts and negotiation. Produ
ced corporate guidelines for implementation of the training and process for deli
very to ensure continuity in training regardless of the facilitator.
* Facilitated an eighty-hour sales training program on business development, bus
iness planning, working with buyers and sellers, overcoming objections, using te
chnology, sales tools, marketing, safety, contracts, and negotiation to over 700
new and experienced sales agents. Increased sales volume by 18%.

Cheryl McDonald - page 2 (Professional Background, continued)

Manager of Public Programs Museum of Science & Industry Chicago, IL
1995 - 2003
* Managed a customer service department of 200 employees. Integrated three depar
tments into Visitor Services during three museum wide reorganizations. Reduced r
edundant staffing by 6% and monthly staffing costs by over $90,000.
* Initiated and implemented a first-person interpretation program for Titanic: T
he Exhibition by researching the ship, passengers, voyage, sinking, and aftermat
h, then selected staff to interpret over twenty different passengers. The interp
retation program was successfully implemented and incorporated into the travelin
g exhibit and has been viewed by over 8 million visitors in over 32 cities.
* Implemented an action plan for progressive employee feedback in a customer ser
vice department of 250. Successfully participated in eight unemployment hearings
, winning each case in favor of the museum.
* Developed and implemented a strategic hiring process for a company of 1000. Re
duced hire time to thirty days from hiring supervisor request to official hire.
* Improved the operation of facilitated exhibits with annual attendance over 1.8
million. Increased visitor thru-put by 79% while maintaining the visitor experi
ence.
* Developed and managed annual department budgets including operation, staffing,
and restricted funds in excess of $1 million. Consistently remained on-time and
within budget.
* Managed the guest experience during development and construction of a 1500 spa
ce three story underground parking garage complete with exhibit space. Increased
visitor thru-put while enhancing the visitor experience.

Director of Special Events Minnetrista Cultural Center Muncie,

IN 1991 - 1995
* Designed a multi-purpose marketing program for an annual ten-night outdoor sum
mer concert series with attendance close to 12,000. The marketing piece utilized
corporate sponsorship and was used to highlight the evening's performers and pr
omote upcoming concerts, exhibits and special events. Lead to increased attendan
ce by over 100%.
* Directed an all-volunteer board to develop and implement an annual arts festiv
al. Increased artist participation by 76%, attendance by 53% and revenue by 73%.

* Directed and implemented over 12 annual special events for small groups to vis
itors in the thousands. Provided programming for increased attendance, admission
revenue and facility usage.

Coordinator, Programs & Training Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
Dearborn, MI 1986 - 1991
* Organized and implemented a computer process to track special event participan
t registration of29000 people and objects. Established a long-standing efficient
and effective participant registration program.
* Coordinated and implemented over twelve annual special events with approximate
ly 2000 participants and one million visitors. Improved programming and increas
ed customer satisfaction.

Education, Training & Certification

Master of Arts - Human Performance & Training, Governors State University, Unive
rsity Park, IL, 2003.
Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 1985.
Additional training in negotiation, public speaking, broker management, sales, p
roject management, statistics, overcoming objections, neuro-linguistic programmi
ng, personality and team leadership.
Illinois Real Estate Broker's License / National, Illinois & Chicago Association
of REALTORS(R)
Member of the American Society of Training & Development (ASTD).
Member of the National Speaker's Association (NSA).