You should get to know Bjorn Berg
Job description: I am responsible for identifying and building long-term client relationships. We are focused on working as a partner with our clients to ensure their training and development needs are being met. Additionally, my role requires me to be proactive about identifying industry trends and new approaches to providing training solutions to fit our customers' needs.
Background: I earned a degree in political science and secondary education and started out teaching social studies at a high school. Not long after, I moved to Fargo, N.D., where I helped turn a struggling banking branch into an award-winning team in loan production and credit card accounts. During the recession, I temporarily moved into sales training roles outside banking around the country, but returned to Des Moines in 2012 to serve as a branch manager at U.S. Bank's downtown office. I joined ATW Training Solutions in 2014.
Notable achievements: I created and implemented a district-wide customer service and sales training program that increased customer service scores significantly. I have also created a financial literacy and money education program for minority and low-income students. I am also a Business Record Forty Under 40 honoree.
Why I do what I do: My true passion is to teach and train people. While I started my career teaching high school social studies, I quickly realized that I could help maximize potential in others beyond a traditional classroom setting. I've always felt that people are blessed with special talents and abilities. Helping individuals to fulfill those talents and abilities is what drives me.
What I do to get away from work: I enjoy running, playing golf and spending time in Wisconsin as a volunteer for a student leadership summer camp.
How I give back to the community: I serve on the board of directors for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, the Board of Governors for the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, the Graduate Advisory Council for the Drake University College of Business and Public Administration and as a tutor through the Adult Literacy Center at Drake University. I am also the camp director for a leadership camp in my home state of Wisconsin, working with more than 200 middle school students each summer.
My mentor: My father, the late Ron Berg, was a big proponent of leadership and development. As an educator and school administrator for nearly 40 years, he focused on seeing the good in everyone who came into his classroom — and that everyone has a unique set of skills.
Words to live by: The person who believes he can and the person who believes he cannot are both right. Which one are you?
Best business book I've read lately: John Maxwell's "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You." In my profession, I literally reference this book weekly. I'm particularly drawn to Law No. 1: The Law of the Lid – Leadership Ability Determines a Person's Level of Effectiveness.
The best place in central Iowa to entertain clients or colleagues: Malo, Centro, Zombie Burger, Embassy Club, Alba, Eatery A, Sakari — any place that allows me to show off our amazing local restaurants while getting a chance to see and experience the fantastic up-and-coming parts of Des Moines.
One thing I would change about the Des Moines area: We need a Dave & Busters.
My leadership philosophy: Teach, train and develop people, and then empower them to act, make mistakes, learn and grow.
What Iowa can do to attract and retain more people like me: The Des Moines metro area fully embraces young professionals in a way I have never experienced. I have lived in large and diverse areas, including Fargo, Chicago, Minneapolis and the state of Rhode Island, and arms are wide open for talented young people to come to Des Moines. However, the community is still a pretty well-kept secret across the nation. We need to keep getting the word out that this is a place for people to thrive — personally and professionally.
What I would do if I could do something else: Be executive director of the WASC (the organization for which I am a camp director).
Contact information: 515-727-0731; bjorn@atwtraining.com.