The Executive Edge

Episode 154

Released November 16, 2023

In this episode Randy Crane – the "fearless marketer" – promotes the use of greater emotion in the marketing process.

Randy talks about sales techniques and how difficult it can be to sound original, authentic, or even innovative. Randy feels many of the old school methods are now outdated such as the Features, Advantages, and Benefits process he's seen used in the past.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 153

Released November 9, 2023

In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of two women, who not only spent 30 years working at Boeing but also came together to start their own business. The interview with Susan Ireland,highlights the challenges of working in male-dominated industries and the personal choices that led to their entrepreneurial path.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: Jon Buscall

Episode 152

Released November 2, 2023

This episode of The Executive Edge features Grayson James, a highly knowledgeable individual who is the CEO and Founder of Grayson James Consultants, LLC. He also runs a business called Full Contact Institute where you can find copies of his excellent book on this topic.

Grayson's business is a globally recognised company that specialises in leadership collaboration and performance improvement. With more than thirty years of expertise in guiding senior executives and their teams, Grayson is a consultant for organisations aiming to achieve genuine organisational change.

The episode opens with a discussion about Grayson's interest in how people collaborate and communicate effectively. He shares his background as a professional mediator and coach, emphasising the importance of awareness in leadership. He believes much of our behaviour is automatic and habitual, making it essential to become aware of our patterns in order to make positive changes.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 151

Released October 26, 2023

This week's guest is Michael Malone – a professional in the field of Corporate Finance, specialising as an Investment Banker and Financial Consultant. Michael is now the Vice President at 'The Financial Retirement Group' where he assists individual clients with attaining long term financial goals.

On today's episode, Michael introduces himself as a financial advisor and explains that his firm helps clients live 20% longer. He shares his background, which includes transitioning from real estate into finance, and eventually specialising in retirement planning. We discuss the sensitivity that executives have around the concept of retirement. We also cover the challenges they face when considering this stage of life.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 150

Released October 19, 2023

In this week's episode I explain my reasons for writing my fourth book called Toolkit for Life which comes out today

Instead of releasing this as a whole book I've decided to release it chapter by chapter. That's because each chapter talks about skills or tools.

I believe we all need tools in life as these help us navigate difficult situations or phases of change. For example, when we leave home and start living independently, or running our own business, or having children. These are huge changes for us and many of them are positive. But where change is perceived as more of an issue, or we feel overwhelmed, it can get difficult. We can struggle to feel competent and capable, instead getting stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious. I feel it's not always the situation that triggers this but our lack of skill or experience of it before.

So, instead of relying on ourselves, we doubt ourselves, damaging our self-belief and trust in our decisions. Decision making and problem solving is one of the forthcoming chapters. So is the ability to communicate and ask for what we need.

This month though is the first chapter: the power of strong self-esteem. This is the foundation block on which every other skill or tool is built. The better we feel about ourselves, the stronger our confidence and ability to have faith and belief in our judgement.

As you go through life you learn what you are capable of. This learning is essential for maturity and growth. Many of us test this, trying on new things and setting goals. But others can feel vulnerable, uncertain, and lacking in confidence. This belief can build, or it can be damaged it would seem, by what other people say or do. Especially if these people are important in our lives such as teachers, friends, or parents.

But if you can maintain a powerful sense of trust in yourself you can draw on It throughout your life trusting that even difficult situations will pass. That you can cope and that not everything in life is easy. Strong self-esteem helps you work out what you do matters and how you think. It all helps build confidence, belief and conviction in yourself

The first chapter is out today – to get more information, please click on this link

Episode 149

Released October 12, 2023

Welcome to episode 149 with Jason Shen.

In this week's episode of The Executive Edge, guest Jason Shen – an executive coach and CEO of Refactor Labs – shares his unique journey from being a gymnast to his current career.

He emphasises the relevance of resilience and reinvention in today's dynamic environment.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 148

Released October 5, 2023

This week's episode of The Executive Edge welcomes Gerald Leonard, the CEO of two companies, Turnberry Premier (a consulting business) and the Productivity Intelligence Institute (an online training company focused on productivity). The conversation delves into Gerald's unique perspective on productivity and personal growth.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 147

Released September 27, 2023

The guest this week is Chellie Phillips.

Chellie is an author and coach who specialises in career and personal branding. Chellie discusses her background in journalism and corporate PR. She highlights the importance of storytelling and authenticity in branding.

The episode emphasises that personal branding goes beyond the scope of social media. It is all about how individuals present themselves in all aspects of life, including in the workplace. She affirms the importance of client interactions, and everyday conversations. It's also about the way people communicate, their behaviour and their consistency in presenting themselves. These all contribute to their personal brand.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 146

Released September 21, 2023

This week's guest is Constance Dierickx, a globally renowned authority in navigating decision-making processes. With a track record of providing counsel to leaders and addressing audiences in over 20 nations, she is well known. As the founder and president of CD Consulting Group, she serves a diverse clientele encompassing many corporations, private equity organisations and major non-profit entities worldwide.

Our conversation goes on to highlight how stress can further impair decision-making abilities, whether it's caused by crisis or the pursuit of personal goals. We discuss the biochemical aspects of stress and its impact on the brain, explaining that stress doesn't simply shut down parts of the brain but affects the entire brain network. We also emphasise the difference between short-lived stressors and chronic stress, with the latter leading to tricky behaviours and psychological suffering.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall

Episode 145

Released September 14, 2023

This week's guest is Jodi Lasky

Jodi is a speaker, entrepreneur, and the author of multiple works in progress.

This episode offers our listeners a thought-provoking discussion about the dynamics of introversion and extroversion.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more. Also, connect with Sue on: * LinkedIn * YouTube * Twitter Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall