Susan Low, our principal consultant, is a popular speaker for keynotes, business groups and conferences. Susan’s down-to-earth style combined with her inspiring message and sense of humour reach audiences in the heart and the mind. Here is more information about her background in case you’re looking for a speaker.
Summary of Credentials
• Winner of “Outstanding Customer Service” Award, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2011
• CEO & Founder of Directis Consulting Group Ltd., Victoria-based consultancy founded in 2003
• Term Instructor, Camosun College School of Business 2008-present
• Masters of Business Administration, University of Calgary 2002
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Victoria 1999
Biography
Susan Low is the CEO of Directis Consulting which provides strategic planning advice and facilitation for small businesses and non-profit organizations. Susan has 15 years’ consulting experience in a wide range of industries. She has also been a web designer, college instructor, head hunter and theatrical stage manager. Known for her fun, engaging style and approachability, Susan will light up the stage at your next business meeting or conference.
In the early heydays of the World Wide Web, Susan launched Phoenix Communications, a web design and technical writing agency. She built the business to success and sold it to go back to school for her MBA in 2000. In September 2003, Susan founded Directis Consulting Group with a goal of being one of BC’s top management consulting firms: Business in Vancouver recognized Directis in its list of Top 25 Consulting Firms in 2006.
Susan relocated her family and her business to Victoria in 2008 and continues to help small businesses and non-profit organizations achieve their missions through improved strategic planning and management best practices. In April 2011, Directis Consulting was recognized with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Customer Service Award.
Susan Low graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Professional Writing. In 2002, she graduated at the top of her class from the University of Calgary with a Masters of Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Strategy.
Outside of the workplace, Susan continues to be driven for results and fights to overcome challenges and adversity. Rowing is her early-morning passion – she has travelled to the USA and Australia to be on the podium, but she also embraces the day-to-day challenge that rowing offers. Susan is also a blogger and studies fashion design and tailoring on weekends, just for fun. Susan understands the value of perseverance, hard work and maintaining a competitive edge.
For some sample clips of previous speaking engagements, please take a look at this video:
Presentation Topics
Susan regularly hosts seminars and speaks at conferences about values-driven small business, strategic planning, and achieving audacious goals. Susan’s presentations generate glowing feedback and she is frequently invited back for repeat appearances.
Each presentation is customized for the needs and interests of her audience, often incorporating hands-on activities or audience participation. Here are some of Susan’s popular presentation topics:
Leading Strategic Planning – The nuts & bolts of strategic planning for a small business or non-profit organization, designed to get participants ready to create a plan on their own with limited time and resources. Susan often customizes this presentation for professional organizations or industry groups, taking into account the strategic context and challenges of a specific audience.
Connecting the Dots: Customers, Employees, and Profits – Connecting your customer service to your employee satisfaction and profits through a visual tool called Service Blueprinting. This topic is popular with business groups and industry associations for which customer service is a top priority.
It’s All in Your Values: Building a Values Driven Small Business – Helping audience members identify “why” they do business and how their values can help guide decisions, attract great employees and deliver a unique competitive advantage.
Meeting for Results – Tips and tools for planning and holding workplace meetings that don’t suck. Blasting through negative stereotypes and years of bad meeting habits with razor-sharp wit and focus.
Success On Your Terms - Susan’s message about setting goals and pushing yourself to grow strikes a note with audiences who are seeking motivation and positive encouragement. Susan shares her story of defining success on her own terms and rising above adversity to become a prominent entrepreneur and competitive rower. Her motto of “never say die” and her ability to laugh at herself will entertain, inspire and delight!
Testimonials
I wanted to come into the workshop with an open mind and take as much in as possible; my expectations were surpassed! I gained so many great new ideas and techniques and met some other amazing attendees. You really reassured me that I am on the correct path. It was awesome! – Rahim
I really enjoyed the workshop! The communication skills that were laid out will no doubt help me down the road. It was fun interacting and connecting with other participants as well. – Lorinda
I gained the invaluable asset of learning a new framework for creating conversations that have focused and directed outcomes. Seeing the ideas being applied to my work as well as other peoples’ businesses really helped me grasp the concepts. – Anthony
Very useful information – kept light and user-friendly on a topic that could be dry and long! – Leann
Excellent content, succinct and to the point, well structured, very well presented, very easy to follow. Nothing left unanswered. Thank you for offering this great presentation. – Daniela
The presentation was delivered on-topic and inline with what the group was after. People really enjoy Susan’s confidence, knowledge and understanding of strategic planning. – Jamie McCue, coordinator of Comox Valley Web Posse.
This was a great presentation – Susan clearly laid out the steps to creating a Strategic Plan and the details of how to do it to fit our business. I came away inspired to start. – Jennifer Gait, HOST Victoria.