ActionCoach Suzzanne Laidlaw - Business Coaching & Strategic Planning

ActionCoach Suzzanne Laidlaw - Business Coaching & Strategic Planning Boost your business with expert coaching, strategic planning, and workshops. I help business owners achieve growth and success.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Contact us for a complimentary consultation today! 🌟

I read the book Infinite Edge by James Vincent on my way to India recently, and it really resonated with me.We live in a...
31/08/2026

I read the book Infinite Edge by James Vincent on my way to India recently, and it really resonated with me.

We live in a world where we have more information, technology and tools available to us than ever before. But having the tools doesn’t automatically mean we perform at our best.

The premise of Infinite Edge is that our real edge starts on the inside: with how we (as humans) think, feel, decide and act, particularly when things get difficult or the pressure is on.

James Vincent describes six Inner Forces that form our human operating system. They’re not about being perfect or constantly pushing harder. They’re about developing the inner systems that help us access our best more consistently.

These forces he explained as:

• Mind Power: Do I know my "why, what, and first step" each day?
• Confidence LOOP: Am I acting from ā€œI can/I amā€ consistently?
• Inner Flame: Do I feel energised by what I’m doing this week?
• Refuse to Lose: Do I keep the promises to myself when it's hard?
• Performance Edge: Am I doing the high-payoff work, well and on time?
• Ice-Cool Composure: Do I stay steady when the stakes spike?

What I really liked about the book is that it brings high performance back to the human behind it. That feels particularly relevant in business.

We spend a lot of time working on our strategy, plans, systems, marketing and numbers, and rightly so.

But ultimately, there’s a human being responsible for bringing all of that to life.

Our ability to think clearly. To back ourselves. To stay connected to our purpose. To follow through. To execute well. And to remain composed when things inevitably don’t go according to plan.

That’s our human edge.

And perhaps that’s worth thinking about the next time you sit down to work on your business.

Which of these six Inner Forces is strongest for you right now? And which one needs some work?

Some days, success looks less like numbers on a spreadsheet… and more like this. Watching my three grandkids walking tog...
13/08/2026

Some days, success looks less like numbers on a spreadsheet… and more like this.

Watching my three grandkids walking together, I’m reminded of just how lucky and grateful I am.

One of the greatest things my business has given me is freedom. The freedom to be present and spend quality time with the people I love.

But that freedom didn’t happen by accident. I’ve intentionally created boundaries around my business, and I make a point of honouring them because family is the most important thing to me.

Freedom looks different for everyone. It might be more family time, travelling, taking Fridays off, or simply being able to switch off at the end of the day.

That’s why business planning and coaching is about more than goals and numbers. It’s about building a business that supports the life you want to live.

So, what does freedom look like for you?

What does it actually take to WOW a customer?Customer service is one of those topics that can go in so many directions.A...
11/08/2026

What does it actually take to WOW a customer?

Customer service is one of those topics that can go in so many directions.

At its most basic, you book and pay for a service, and you expect to get what you paid for.

Sometimes you get less. Sometimes you get exactly what you expected.

And every now and then, a business gives you SO much more that you can’t stop talking about it.

I recently had exactly that experience on a walking tour in Goa, India. I booked expecting an interesting historical walking tour. What I got went way beyond my expectations.

The communication was outstanding, and our guide consistently looked for ways to add something extra to the experience.

We tasted a special homemade local drink. We met some of his favourite local stallholders and service providers. Local musicians were brought in to sing songs for us. We were invited inside a historic home.

We were even given postcards to write home to Australia, which our guide personally posted for us (my mother has now received hers)!

And then there were the beautiful handmade recycled bags we received as mementos, supporting a small village enterprise that turns old clothing into something useful.

None of these things were expected. That’s exactly why they were so memorable.

It got me thinking. As business owners, do we spend enough time asking:

ā€œWhat would WOW our customers?ā€

Not just satisfy them. Not just deliver what they paid for. But give them an experience they’ll remember, talk about and recommend to others. Sometimes it’s the smallest, most thoughtful touches that make the biggest difference.

Take a moment to look at your own customer journey. Where could you add an unexpected touch that makes someone think, ā€œWow, they really thought about meā€?

That’s the kind of customer experience that builds loyalty, referrals and a business that people genuinely want to talk about.

And if you’re heading to Goa, I can certainly recommend the best local walking tour operator!

One thing business has taught me is that clarity doesn't usually arrive when I'm at my busiest.It arrives when I intenti...
07/08/2026

One thing business has taught me is that clarity doesn't usually arrive when I'm at my busiest.

It arrives when I intentionally create space to think.

For years, I thought success meant keeping my calendar full and constantly moving. But some of the biggest shifts in my business have happened when I stopped, reflected, and asked myself whether the work I was doing was actually moving me towards the business (and life) I wanted.

That habit of stepping back has become one of the most valuable parts of my year.

It's also why I continue to run my Strategic Business Planning Workshops.

On 24 & 25 August, I'll be spending two days with business owners and executives creating the space that's so hard to find in the middle of everyday business. Space to reflect, challenge assumptions, set meaningful priorities, and leave with a clear plan for what's next.

If you've been telling yourself you'll make time for planning "when things calm down," perhaps this is your opportunity to MAKE the time instead.

Seats are limited so please reach out or for more information or register here: https://www.suzzannelaidlaw.com.au/business-planning

For more than a decade, I'd recommended the AICD Company Directors Course to clients. CEOs. Senior leaders. Board member...
05/08/2026

For more than a decade, I'd recommended the AICD Company Directors Course to clients. CEOs. Senior leaders. Board members.

Almost every one of them said the same thing afterwards: "You would love it."

Yet I never enrolled.

Not because I didn't want to. Because I didn't think I belonged.

I wasn't a CEO.
I wasn't on a board.
Surely everyone else would know more than me.

When I finally did the course, I admitted on day one that I felt like an imposter.

The surprise?

So did many of the other participants.

As the course progressed, I realised I hadn't arrived with less experience. I'd arrived with different experience. After years working alongside boards, CEOs and leadership teams, I had perspectives that added to the conversation rather than took away from it.

Then came the assessments.

The voice in my head changed from "You don't belong" to "You're probably not smart enough to pass."

It was wrong again.

Passing wasn't the biggest lesson I took away from the course. Realising how often I'd believed that voice was.

Sometimes the biggest barrier to an opportunity isn't a lack of capability. It's the story we tell ourselves about our capability.

I'm grateful I stopped listening.

Have you ever talked yourself out of an opportunity, only to realise later you were more ready than you thought?

04/08/2026

Running a business can feel lonely, especially when you're trying to make important decisions on your own.⁣
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But it doesn't have to be! That's why my Mastermind Group is so powerful.⁣
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It's about creating the space and making the commitment to step away from the day-to-day and work ON your business for a full day every quarter. Together, we take the time to reflect, plan, set meaningful goals, and most importantly, hold each other accountable for achieving them.⁣
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Along the way, you'll benefit from fresh perspectives, practical strategies, shared experiences, and the encouragement that comes from being surrounded by other business owners who truly understand the journey.⁣
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The biggest breakthroughs often come from hearing a question you hadn't thought to ask or seeing how someone else solved a challenge you're currently facing; when you have the time to think strategically with the right people beside you to keep you moving forward.⁣
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If this sounds like something that could benefit you, I'd love to have a chat about whether group coaching is the right fit for you.⁣
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Send me a message to find out more.⁣
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One of the biggest lessons endurance sport has taught me is this: you don't have to be the favourite to have a go.The da...
29/07/2026

One of the biggest lessons endurance sport has taught me is this: you don't have to be the favourite to have a go.

The day before the Busselton Long Course, I was invited to compete in an invite-only short course event. I went into the weekend simply grateful to be participating again after years away from running due to injuries.

So, finishing 3rd in the short course was a complete surprise.

But the real lesson wasn't about standing on the podium.

It was about showing up anyway.

I didn't go into the race expecting to win. I went because I wanted to challenge myself, enjoy the experience, and see what I was capable of.

It reminded me how often we hold ourselves back; not just in sport, but in business too.

We talk ourselves out of entering the awards, applying for the opportunity, launching the new service, increasing our prices, or putting our hand up because we've already decided we won't succeed.

But what if you're wrong?

You'll never know what's possible if you don't give yourself the chance to find out.

Sometimes the biggest win isn't the result: it's having the courage to step onto the start line in the first place.

What have you been talking yourself out of lately? Maybe this is your sign to give it a go!

This week I'm incredibly grateful to be attending the ActionCOACH Global Conference in beautiful Goa, India.While the co...
23/07/2026

This week I'm incredibly grateful to be attending the ActionCOACH Global Conference in beautiful Goa, India.

While the conference itself has been packed with valuable ideas, inspiring conversations, and practical strategies, it's been the whole experience that has made this week so memorable.

The people here have been so welcoming, kind, and generous. I've loved learning more about the local culture, experiencing the incredible hospitality, and taking in a place that's so rich in history and tradition. It's a reminder of how much we can learn when we step outside our own everyday environment.

From a business perspective, one lesson keeps coming up: growth happens when we're open to new perspectives.

Whether it's learning from world-class speakers, exchanging ideas with fellow coaches from around the globe, or simply experiencing a different way of life, every new perspective helps us become better leaders and better business owners.

I'm coming away with plenty of ideas to bring back to my clients, and I'm looking forward to sharing them over the coming weeks.

What's one experience that's changed the way you think about your business? I'd love to hear it.

I’m currently staying at the St Regis in Goa, India for the ActionCOACH Global Conference, and I’ve been struck by the k...
21/07/2026

I’m currently staying at the St Regis in Goa, India for the ActionCOACH Global Conference, and I’ve been struck by the kindness, joy and genuine care the staff are showing us.

I’ve stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world, but this experience has really touched me.

Every time I return to my room, I find a new piece of leaf artwork waiting for me on my bed. Each one is different, intricate, creative and clearly made with care. And every single one has made me smile.

The customer service I’ve experienced here has been incredible, but it’s these simple, thoughtful gestures that have stayed with me most.

And there’s a great business lesson in that.

We often think we need to do something BIG to create an amazing customer experience. But sometimes, it’s the smallest things people remember.

A thoughtful detail.
An unexpected gesture.
Something that shows a little extra care.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to make someone feel valued.

So, here’s a question worth asking in your business: What is one small thing you do that make your customers smile?

And if you can’t immediately think of something… maybe that’s an opportunity.

Great businesses don’t just deliver a product or service. They create moments people remember; and talk about.

Sometimes, a little leaf can leave a very big impression.

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