Susan Thomson: Make More, Work Less by Building a Business That Runs Without You
If you can’t take a real vacation without your phone blowing up, this conversation explores the systems, mindset shifts, and succession planning strategies needed to finally step back from your business.
In this episode, Leonard and Susan Thomson discuss:
Emotional challenge of stepping back from the business
Case study: transforming an overworked owner and his manufacturing company
Action Coach Business Operating System (niche, systems, team, synergy)
Conflict, culture, and gossip inside leadership teams
Succession planning, transferability, and increasing company value
Key Takeaways:
A business only becomes a true asset when it can run smoothly without the owner making every decision.
The first step toward freedom is deciding you’re no longer willing to be indispensable and seeking outside, high-level help.
Systematizing sales, delivery, and operations creates consistency, improves profitability, and increases company value.
Healthy conflict, when reframed as a shared pursuit of the best answer, can transform team dynamics and culture.
Effective succession planning should start years before exit and includes both emotional readiness and clear operational, financial, and leadership plans.
“I think one of the first steps that a business owner can take is a, to decide, decide that you're dissatisfied enough with having to be there all the time for things to work right, that that's not okay with you anymore.” - Susan Thomson
About Susan Thomson: Susan Thomson brings decades of hands-on experience in growing and leading businesses across manufacturing and professional services industries. Having progressed through every level of the corporate ladder, she understands the challenges leaders face and shares practical insights from both her successes and setbacks to help organizations simplify growth, scale strategically, and achieve better results. With experience as both a CEO reporting to boards and a Board Director and Chair, Susan offers a unique perspective on building strong leadership teams and effective, aligned boards. She has delivered transformative business presentations to over 12,000 entrepreneurs, executives, and emerging leaders through corporations and trade associations. She is the author of Make More, Work Less: Six Keys to Massive Growth & Freedom in YOUR Business. In 2007, she founded ActionCOACH, a globally recognized executive coaching, training, and succession firm that helps business owners, executives, and teams improve profitability, strengthen culture and performance, plan successful succession, and develop the confidence to lead and grow organizations effectively.
Connect with Susan Thomson:
Website: http://www.MakeMoreWorkLessWI.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmthomson/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/actioncoach-business-executive-coaching-of-dane-county/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActionCOACHDaneCounty/
Connect with Leonard Raskin:
Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal
Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.