In Your Shoes - Susan Godman

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Susan is part of the Business Growth Solutions Team at Henderson Loggie. She is focused on developing the Business Leader Groups (‘BLG’), which help business leaders and owners, to develop new strategies, learn new leadership skills, and solve challenges in a confidential learning environment. The BLG provides a combination of 1:1 advisory support, plus action orientated online learning and face to face training, combined with peer networking and online tools.

The Business Growth Solutions Team also help clients develop their businesses through Business Growth Facilitated Workshops, specifically strategic planning, sustainable competitive advantage, family business issues, leadership development, and personal development.

Susan is a Chartered Accountant with experience in Corporate Finance, in particular arranging debt finance for highly leveraged transactions, such as MBOs, M&A, and Private Equity deals. She has also worked in the Professional Education sector, focusing on teaching and facilitation.

Entrepreneurship at Elevator

Daily Quote: "What is your vocation? To be a good person"

I am currently reading 'The Daily Stoic' by Ryan Holiday, so I start the day reading the Meditation of the Day to get myself in the right frame of mind. With four young children, the mornings can be slightly (!) hectic, so it is with a big sigh of relief when I walk into the office with my coffee in hand (necessity) knowing that the school run is done and I can crack on with the week ahead. I like to make a prioritised to-do list for the next few days to ensure that I am on top of everything and nothing slips through the net. 

Henderson Loggie is a partner of the Elevator Accelerator Programme, and so today I head to the Centre of Entrepreneurship to deliver an Investor Readiness workshop; helping the Founders understand what Investors are looking for and how they can prepare for their pitches. I am involved throughout the 12 week programme, from being a judge at the initial Bootcamp (think X Factor), facilitating a number of workshops, and working with the Founders 1:1, so I cannot wait for the Showcase Event to see how much they have transformed, not only their businesses, but themselves personally; it is a fantastic programme to support and develop entrepreneurs and we are delighted to be involved. 

Day in the Capital

Daily Quote: "Work nourishes noble minds"

Up and out early today to catch the train to Edinburgh. It is a sunny morning and as I walk to the station, the views across the River Tay with the V&A and RRS Discovery are stunning; what a beautiful place to live!

I am catching up with a couple of contacts over a coffee (recurring theme here; coffee is essential!). It is great to reconnect with old contacts, and meet new people and today I had a couple of really inspiring chats that gave me lots to think about. We are launching our Business Leader Group in Edinburgh later this year, and so I am spending about 1 day per week here at the moment to raise awareness and meet potential members. 

It also means I get to go and visit our brand new office in Thistle Street. It is a fantastic space and everyone seems to be settling in very well. 

I make it back just in time for my running club, but in typical Scottish fashion the rain started just as my run did.......

Business Leader Groups

Daily Quote: "Above all, it is necessary for a person to have a true self estimate, for we commonly think we can do more than we can"

We are holding a Taster Event for our Dundee Business Leader Groups ("BLG"). Our Business Leader Groups help CEOs, MD's and the next generation of family owned businesses, to develop new strategies, learn leadership skills and solve challenges in a  confidential, non competing environment. This is done through quarterly face to face workshops, 1:1 coaching and 24/7 online support. Our initial group has been running for 9 years and after a successful launch of our second Business Leader Group in November last year, we have a select number of spaces in the BLGs left to fill. The Taster Event starts with lunch and is then followed by a 4 hour interactive workshop. The energy in the room is always brilliant (what do you expect with 20 like minded Business Leaders in a room?!) and the members leave with a number of strategies to implement in their business over the next 90 days. 

Bacon Butty Briefings

Daily Quote: "You should not give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don't care at all"

I am up super early every Thursday as I have a session with my trainer at the gym. I absolutely love it as I feel more energised and it really sets me up for the day ahead. Then it is straight into the office for the Business Growth Solutions Team "Bacon Butty Briefing" (I am aware that the gym followed by bacon is a total contradiction. There was fruit on offer too.....hmmmm difficult choice!). Each month the whole office get together to hear a team present about what they are up to, so today it is my turn to explain what we are currently focussed on and how my colleagues can help us.  We have a great turn out, although I am not sure if that is down to the content or the lure of bacon rolls!

I have a couple of 1:1 Coaching meetings with some of the BLG members today. This is a chance to sit down and reflect on the NOW-WHERE-HOW concept that underpins everything that we do; Where are you NOW? WHERE do you want to be? and HOW are you going to get there? 

Finally, I spend some time on a proposal for a bespoke workshop that a client has asked for, to tackle a key issue that they are experiencing in their business. It is a half day workshop, but I run workshops lasting anything from 2 hours to 2 days! 

Beach Life

Daily Quote: "All you need are these: certainty of judgement in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way"

I don't work Fridays, so as the sun is shining I take my 2 year old twins to Broughty Ferry beach with some friends. Not a bad way to start the weekend!