60 Second Business Interview Susan Christie, Co-founder and Director, Liquorice Media
Q1) What is the biggest business decision you have had to make over the last year? Explain the process and the results
Starting up my own PR and Media Relations Consultancy along with my co-founder, Graham Lironi in September, having considered doing so for approximately six months. It took us only two months from making the decision to start up. So quite a hectic period with all the attendant headaches of doing so, we were given a lot of invaluable advice and support (and that also included much understanding and patience from my three fabulous daughters - I hardly saw them for two months) and now Liquorice Media has an office in a media centre in The Merchant City in Glasgow.
Q2) Climate change - somebody else's problem?
I believe this is everybody’s problem and we all have a responsibility to our children and future generations to wake up and start to take this problem seriously. This is clearly now becoming a big issue for our political parties and one that should be top of their agendas.
Q3) Awards - ego trips for the bosses or are they good for companies?
Awards are important - if staff are motivated sufficiently by their bosses and the company wins an award, staff will quite rightly feel that their commitment and hard work has been recognised and has contributed to the company’s success. Be good to your staff and they'll be good to you!
Q4) Emails - a blessing or a curse for business?
Definitely a blessing for me - I am out of the office a lot and am able to keep up to date and in touch with my clients thanks to my Blackberry - never thought I'd say this but thank god for new technology.
Q5) Corporate entertainment - a waste of money or can it bring in business?
It's not a waste of money or time - it does work – though it can be very time consuming if you need to go to six dinners/lunches in the course of a week.
Q6) If so how?
I often stand in for clients at corporate entertainment events which, at the last minute, they are unable to attend. There is no doubt that sitting around a table, getting to know and forming relationships with people, can often lead to bringing on new clients. I cannot think of one event I have attended like this when I have not gone home with at least a couple of prospective clients - and in a new business that's where you need to be - out at the coalface, forging relationships with new customers. Also, a huge amount of money from these events goes to charity and that can’t be bad.
Q7) Favourite and least favourite part of your job?
Favourite - meeting lots of fascinating and interesting people during various press invites and shoots. I recently met the famous photographer Harry Benson at his book launch - what a lovely man. I feel privileged to meet some of the people I do.
Least Favourite: Grunt work! I got that phrase from a friend of mine and love it to bits!
Q8) If money was no object what would you do/buy?
I would definitely give money to charity, probably the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice - I've worked with them over the years and I think they do fantastic work – and Norman Drummond’s Columba 1400. Then, from a selfish point of view, I'd buy a yacht and sail off over the horizon into the sunset. I love the sun and am most happy, relaxed and at ease on water. It has a lovely calming effect and the rocking motion sends you to sleep in an instant.
Q9) What's left for you to achieve?
It's a very long list - how long have you got?
Q10) Most amazing thing that's happened to you?
Having worked hard all my working life for other people - the most amazing and driven feeling is knowing you are working for youself!
Q11) Best car ever driven?
My Dad's old 1936 Austin 12 - fantastic - it's a damn shame they don't make cars like that nowadays.
Q12) Favourite restaurant in Scotland?
That's a tough one for me. In my job I have worked for many restaurants, including the Harlequin Restaurant Group, Glenapp Castle, The Kitchin Restaurant in Leith, Paperinos and La Parmigiana and, most recently, the Costley & Costley Hoteliers Group - so many wonderful restaurants to choose from - but I love nothing better than cooking a delicious meal (especially if it's for two) in the privacy of my own home.
Q13) Worst habit?
Smoking! Disgusting habit but now and again I indulge!
Q14) Best trait?
Persistence - never give up - never say never.
Q15) Why are you good at what you do?
Because I passionately believe in my clients. It's all about developing good working relationships, understanding the product and the clients' ethos and truly believing what you are communicating to journalists/publications. It's also about added value – my clients all know that they can speak to me pretty much twenty four seven.
Q16) Most embarrassing moment?
Well, it wasn't embarrassing at the time but it is with the benefit of hindsight - it was doing "the dead fly" on a main road in Glasgow after a night out with my best friend Laura for my 40th birthday. We found it hysterical, however, the driver of the car that nearly his us, didn't see the funny side at all!
ENDS
