When I asked Susan Pattrick to be featured on Pink Expertise the look in her eyes was a picture! Something about shock and fear followed by a look that clearly said 'I haven't' got a talent!' Well, I SO disagreed and rattled off at least five things there and then!
I asked Susan to consider what it was that made her good at her business and she picked out one of her many talents to profile – being a good networker. She's right, she is a good networker and not everyone is. The thought of going into a room full of strangers is most peoples worst nightmare but Susan she feels very comfortable. Not only is she brilliant at promoting her own business but she loves promoting other peoples businesses too and that's the real key to successful networking – being part of a bigger picture, having a bank of trusted colleagues in different fields and promoting them where you can't help. Susan does this naturally – she's her very own Pink Expert and didn't even know it! Here's what she says;
1. What talent do you naturally have that makes you successful?
This question really threw me. What, I asked myself, makes Lynette think that I have any talent at all, let alone inspire others to set up on their own and become successful business women?
I know she sees me as confident, outgoing, a right royal pain in the b... when I have to be – but who enjoys being passionate about other people's businesses as well as my own. So I suppose put all that together and I make a pretty good networker – promoting my business SMP Consultancy and other people's simultaneously.
2. When did you first realise this talent was going to help you and how do you use it?
I started running my own business back in 2002 when I was made redundant. Having worked for a large organisation for a number of years I recognised the need to be confident, outgoing and to network. I use that same talent now to connect with small to medium sized businesses and work as their 'in-house expert', as Disability Discrimination Act consultant.
Visit Susan's website by clicking here and if you're inspired by Susan's answers? Get your own talents down in black and white. E-mail the answers to Susan's questions, lynette@pinkskills.co.uk and you could find yourself featured right here!
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