Depending upon client needs, Susan can work with a company’s CEO and senior staff to accomplish the work internally, perform the services herself, refer outside resources for specialized issues, or combine these approaches to effect the optimal client solution.

Advisory Boards

Susan is a recognized expert in the formation and facilitation of advisory boards. Companies, especially smaller ones, often lack expertise across different functional areas. An ongoing advisory board comprised of marketing, sales, financial, HR, technical and other specialists can provide much-needed guidance to a CEO or small business owner, and provide valuable insights that will help grow the business. The advantage of advisory boards over individual consultants is the synergy that occurs when the same people meet on a regular basis. Using her broad network of business contacts, Susan helps the owner or CEO evaluate the missing functional components, create a list of potential advisors and form the advisory board. Once the advisory board is established, she assists the CEO to formulate an agenda, facilitates the meetings, captures the output. In a follow-up call, she debriefs with the CEO to create an action plan from the advisory board’s input. For an example, see “Advisory Boards.”

Financial Intelligence

As a former CFO and CPA, Susan possesses a rare understanding of the numbers as well as the business decisions that surround them. She specializes in the creation of “dashboard financials” – identifying the numbers that create a quick picture of a company’s financial and operating situation and that allow senior level managers, CEO’s, and small business owners to make fact-based decisions relative to forecasting, resource allocation, and other areas affecting the bottom line. In her approach, she looks at a company’s financial procedures to ensure that the proper controls are in place and that issues relating to risk are appropriately addressed. She works with internal financial staff to build systems and procedures that will serve the company today as well as into the future. Susan believes that business owners should have an exit strategy from the day they start their business and works with the owner/CEO to prepare the necessary information. She is experienced in helping companies prepare for the due diligence required by future investors or the future sale of the business. For an example see “Exit Strategies.”

Business Coaching/Consulting

When you speak with Susan’s clients, one theme consistently resonates. They describe her as a “trusted advisor,” a true business partner, who listens carefully to their challenges and helps them seek solutions.

“Susan is a progressive, straight-talking coach who thinks on her feet, and who was not only supportive of my ideas, but always encouraged me to imagine even bigger…She helped me grow personally and professionally – further and faster than I could have imagined. I am doing the work I love, and building the business I dreamed of, in large part due to the work we did together.” Alicia Leeds Meyers, CEO – Full Life Services

“Susan is a passionate and powerful coach for those interested in increasing their financial intelligence quotient (FIQ). Her knowledge and connections continue to amaze me and her willingness to collaborate is unmatched.  If you are looking for someone to work with your company to improve the bottom line, she is my first choice.” Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, CEO – KBK Connections

“Susan provides enthusiastic support and terrific insights and suggestions.  I come away from each of our meetings with good ideas to put to work and suggestions that move the company forward.” Rochelle Seltzer, President – Seltzer

“Susan listens closely and learns about a business so it was easy to trust her advice. As my confidant, she has kept me focused over the years.” Jim Alvarez, President – Information Technology Company

“She is a loyal ally that I can trust to give me the straight answers.” Kathy Greer, President – KGA

“I count on her for clear, concise, advice and guidance about any number of issues and she never fails.”
Gretchen Keyworth, Director – Cultural Institution

She acts as a sounding board, providing experience-based advice across a wide variety of business areas. Acting as a coach or mentor, she helps get to the heart of the issue, works within the organization to collect the necessary intelligence, and either provides the expertise to solve the problem, or provides an outside referral to someone who can. Drawing upon her specialized training and experience, she can help the CEO achieve his or her professional goals through their business.

Strategic Planning

With Susan’s broad experience across many industries, her strong financial background, her analytical skills, and facilitation abilities, she provides a full range of services in this area. She will work with your organization to evaluate the current position of the company internally, analyze the industry in which it competes, and help to identify the company’s position within that environment. Working with key members of your team, she will help establish objectives, strategies and tactics that are tied to sales and profitability goals, and then help create reporting systems that track progress, and measure the company’s success against the plan. For an example of Susan’s work in this area, see “Managing Growth – A Strategic Business Plan.”

Facilitator

Susan uses her skills as a facilitator in all aspects of her work. But, she also offers facilitation as a stand alone service. Her client have described her ability to lead a meeting without becoming the center of the meeting as “rare.” She keeps things focused while also ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and that all ideas are considered. Whether it’s a strategic planning meeting, a brainstorming session for a creative solution, or an opportunity for employee feedback, Susan will be sure to maximize your time and investment.

Public Speaking

Susan draws upon her real-world experience to deliver informative and engaging keynote speeches and seminars. Topics are customized to your audience, budget and presentation format. Some recent topics include:

• Financial Intelligence: Stress-free Financial Management for Non-Financial Executives
• Dashboard Strategies: Determining & Developing the Metrics Key to Managing Your Business
• Maximizing Profitability: Why Financial Information is Key to Success
• Alternative Energy: Using an Advisory Board to Fuel Business Growth
• Women Count: Why Women on Boards are Important

Susan can also provide referrals to other speakers who can meet your speaking engagement needs.  Please send her a request through the Contact Us page.