About Forward Motion

Marcia LaReau, Ph.D., Founder

"After more than fifteen years teaching in colleges and universities throughout the United States, I moved into the corporate sector as a Senior Trainer, IT Project Manager, and HR Director. Repeatedly, I watched as entry-level employees would either leave their job, or be let go. I began designing, implementing, and testing curricula to address this situation, which often cost employees more than their jobs. It often cost them their dignity and self-respect, and took a heavy financial toll on the business itself. After nine years, I’ve established a process to impact individuals and businesses.

"After the last re-organization, when I found myself without a job, I knew it was time to start Forward Motion. During the first year, we narrowed the scope of our offerings to ensure we could deliver the finest products on the market, products that fed our passion to help individuals and businesses and with a multiplicity/flexibility that would allow for financial stability within a fluctuating economy."

Emily Welles, Northeast Regional Manager

Emily Welles is an experienced sales professional with a passion for progressing the careers of others. With a background in direct sales and executive recruitment, she has developed her skills within the fields of coaching, consulting, and marketing. Emily functions as the Northeast Regional Manager for Forward Motion, LLC, with the majority of her work dedicated to helping graduates launch their careers through FM GRADS™ Forward.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bryant University.

"At an early point in my career, I learned the value of helping others advance their own careers. As an executive recruiter, I coached professionals as they took the next step (or leap) forward in their career. I was able to see first-hand the profound and positive impact a new opportunity has on the life of an individual, as well as the lives of their family and friends. This has been my passion, my intention, and my motivation for a number of years, simply to have a positive impact on the lives of others.

When I first met Marcia LaReau I was immediately overwhelmed by her warm presence and charisma. I knew she shared my desire to help others achieve success and happiness, and this is the foundation upon which Forward Motion is built. From the smallest contribution, like offering a simple interview tip, to a much larger one, like coaching someone from graduation date to start-date, FM GRADS™ Forward is my chance to reach out and make a difference.

Forward Motion

Forward Motion is founded on the core belief that the quality of communication determines the level of success. When effective communication becomes the norm in a work environment, action is driven to excellence and the results speak for themselves. We work with individuals in businesses and in career transition to equip them with practical skills to effectively identify challenges and communicate solutions with co-workers, management, clients, and customers. These skills invariably transfer into the social and private lives of our clients and increase their overall quality of life —to our delight.

In the business sector, we identify the factors that impede productive verbal exchange and then design and implement workshops that teach the communication skills to implement solutions. We are now focusing on businesses with low retention rates and low return on investment regarding employee effectiveness. Our products focus on assisting entry-level or new employees with the transition into the new company culture and with helping seasoned employees to identify and implement solutions that impact business effectiveness.

Our Process:

Our Process begins with research to ensure that materials and presentations are current. Forward Motion routinely works with teams of people who have daily hands-on experience with your clients. We partner with Human Resource directors in businesses and schools to identify current challenges faced by entry-level employees and new teachers. We connect with managers and school administrators and listen to their perspective as they work with new hirees. Finally, we maintain an Advisory Group comprised of individuals who have entered the workforce in the last five years. All of these people help us to keep ahead of current trends and challenges and provide a best practice approach to job success.

Quality:

Forward Motion monitors the effectiveness of our programs as well as each individual that is employed by the company. We proactively seek accurate assessments from a variety of perspectives to ensure our effectiveness, through customer feedback and third-party evaluations of our work. We are a results-driven enterprise, working together to impact positive change —one person, one business at a time.

FM GRADS™ Forward

Individuals

FM GRADS™ Forward is committed to helping college students find jobs that are a good match for their training, skills, and working style. Then we teach the skills needed to create and manage the paperwork to apply for these positions and navigate the interview process. Finally, our Career Success Counselors are available for up to three years as mentors to workshop graduates.

Schools

FM GRADS™ Forward works with Universities, Community Colleges, and Trade Schools to customize workshops for specific needs. This might include preparation for medical residency interviews, or interviews for garage mechanics or hair salons.

Businesses

Forward Motion works with businesses to identify areas within the organization that are challenged to raise their efficiency and effectiveness. Often, businesses know they have employees who possess the right skill sets and experience, but who are not meeting expectations. Forward Motion designs and delivers workshops in which employees learn to implement the communication skills that break down barriers and lead to results.

For additional business programs, visit the business section of the Forward Motion homesite.