Roni Abrams is an author, platform speaker, and the President of Roni Abrams Associates Limited (RAAL), a consulting firm specializing in educational training, executive coaching, and organizational development. Her work focuses on helping individuals and organizations enhance their communication skills to achieve extraordinary results. With a methodology that shifts perceptions and empowers people to see the world differently, Roni’s programs are infused with this transformative approach.
Could you briefly introduce yourself in less than 100 words?
I am an author, platform speaker, and President of Roni Abrams Associates Limited (RAAL), an educational training, management, and consulting company. We offer transformational executive coaching, organizational training, public workshops focused on interpersonal communications, win-win negotiations, managing change, sales, and presenting products and concepts effectively. My methodology enables people to shift their perception and interpretation of information, freeing them to produce extraordinary results.
Before you became the business titan you are today, enlighten us about the thrilling adventures of your pre-business life.
I started my career as a writer/journalist specializing in feature articles and interviewing business leaders and celebrities. While managing editor of a magazine, I was invited to lunch by its top salesman, who suggested that if he spoke like me, he would be President of the United States. He shared fifty years of sales experience, found my first sales position, and went with me on my initial sales call. Witnessing a master sales professional at work intrigued me, and I decided to learn the language of selling. I went from never selling to closing one out of every two people I saw, bringing the publication I represented to the brink of creating publishing history. At that point, I went into business teaching people to shift perception, be in-depth listeners, and speakers to produce results.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your initiative/business/current role, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
The purpose of Roni Abrams Associates Limited, as well as my own, is to enable people to be the best they can be. We support people in becoming masterful communicators by teaching them to be effective listeners and speakers, thereby producing results. This empowerment boosts self-esteem, confidence, and the willingness to go beyond our comfort zones. Listening is the cornerstone of creating effective personal/professional relationships and is essential for learning and adapting in the 21st century.
What has been the response of the users/consumers towards your venture? (You can also talk about your recognitions/achievements here.)
Testimonials from participants highlight how our programs have positively impacted their professional and personal lives. Participants have praised the valuable insights they gained from my workshops on negotiating and effective listening. For example, Joe Demetor, Associate Eastern Region Advertising Director at The Wall Street Journal, shared that my workshop on negotiating offered new approaches to reaching sales targets. Caroline Lee from West Point Pepperell, Consumer Products Division, felt rejuvenated after attending a workshop on personal integrity in communications. George Pease, Vice President of Sales at NATCO Corp., appreciated the seminar on Effective Listening. Helen Rice from Schering Laboratories emphasized the importance of attentive listening, and Bob Baum from Robert Baum & Company credited a focused discussion for securing a major project. Additionally, Rev. Dr. Adolph Roberts from Mount Calvary Baptist Church praised my workshop for impacting the youth of the community, fostering their self-esteem and communication skills.
Having a strong support system is essential for your well-being. We would love to know who your biggest supporter is. Share with us and let’s celebrate the amazing people in our lives who make a positive impact.
My mother was my best friend, mentor, and coach. She was a renaissance woman, gifted as a speaker, writer, figurative sculptor, and understood human nature better than anyone. My father had a heart of gold and was known for his knowledge and integrity, supporting my endeavors since I was a child. My brother has also been a big fan and supporter, along with my friends and clients, who remind me of my power and worth.
As a woman entrepreneur, what changes do you hope to see in the world and what opportunities are you seeking?
Women have made significant strides, but there is still more work to be done, especially in shifting perceptions around equal pay, eliminating the glass ceiling, and recognizing women’s rights. Moving forward, I aim to engage people globally to empower them as masterful listeners and speakers. This could be achieved through global conferences, online broadcasts, blog radio, public speaking, public workshops, and executive coaching. I am also exploring new program designs for neurodiverse families and their high-end autistic children, as well as working with expat communities to develop project outlines for finding employees, developing management teams, and seeking funding.
Women now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the workplace, breaking through glass ceilings to reach the top. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
The glass ceiling will eventually be relegated to history. Women need to stay in training to retain their competitive edge, focusing on emotional intelligence, interpersonal communications, leadership, organizational development, team building, and external networking. Creating an environment where ongoing learning is emphasized, and efforts are valued is essential. Empowering women is best achieved through mutual support.
Here is where to connect:
LinkedIn: Roni Abrams LinkedIn
