Susan is well versed in primary and secondary research, micro and macro-economic theory, international trade theory, industry evolution, new product development and diffusion curves, the use of government information, anti-trust legislation and Catholic Social Teachings, all of which she advocates as guides for developing just solutions to complex problems. She was a pioneer in pc based database development and has expertise in managing and processing immense quantities of data and information.
Susan is a change agent and has helped corporations with game changing technology or at times when their industries were at the brink of great transition:
1980s-1990s Basic Manufacturing: The decline of the manufacturing economy. Becoming an expert on government economic data including the U.S. Industrial Outlook, Census of Manufacturing and County Business Pattern Data and Industry Norms and Ratios.
2005-2006 The Tech and Consumer Electronics Industry: Right before Streaming, The iPhone and Social Media, the mainstreaming of Flash/solid state technology and construct of “Consumer Experience”-hired to prepare an overview of the Consumer Electronics Industry and its implications for the hard drive industy for global leader suspension manufacturer for hard drives- right before the flash/solid state industry/technology came to scale- which happened at a rate that was about 15 years quicker than anticipated by the Hard Drive Industry and its analysts.
2007-2012 A Housing/Building Supply Industry Manufacturer: In the middle of the crash and financial market collapse. for the global leader of PEX tubing which is game changing replaces copper pipes. Developed an understanding of the U.S. and Canadian housing industry,the Canadian banking system. HUD, NARI the NAHB, Experienced at forecasting housing starts for U.S. and Canadian Markets
2010-2012 The Plastics and Bio Plastics Industry: A time of plastic industry consolidation and decline. Many automotive plastic companies have been acquired by an Italian company. Sadly, most plastic is manufactured in China. U S Industry was historically fragmented and press sealable baggies went abroad for the simple reason that the machine that makes the press seal is too expense for these smaller companies.
2013-2014 Hired to study The Tech and The Independent Software Vendor Industry: The growth of Big Data, Software as a Service, Population Health, Venture Capital and Mergers and Acquisitions, and now "Artificial Intelligence/Sophisticated and at times undocumented programming.
2011-Present Studied Healthcare and Wall Street- The two most out of control areas of the U.S. economy, dripping in money and undo influence. The U.S. suffers from a "pharmaceutical for everything" mentality with little reverence for the human body or regard for safety yielding and diminishing quality of care and life expectancy. A need for Finance and Wall Street Reform- a need to bring back banking and eliminate organizations with predatory business models and those that are not “going concerns” a return to GAAP reporting, and a return to industry structures that benefit society not just select participants. Served on the Governor's Blue Ribbon team to study Adolescent Suicide and Prepared A Closer Look Series on the Civil Commitment Process in MN for Top MN Legal Officials- The Governor, The head of the MN Supreme Court and the Attorney General.
Classically educated researcher, Experienced Instructor and Teacher and Highly trained statistician in both descriptive and deterministic branches. Trained in Multivariate Statistics, including ANOVA MANOVA and Discriminate Analysis. Trained in DOE- Design of Experiment including Confounding Schemes. Her background includes:
- Featured Speaker on “Database Marketing” and “Using Market Intelligence to Increase Sales” for MN American Marketing Association.
- Experienced instructor for courses covering: Strategic Management, Principles of Marketing, Personal Selling and Salesforce Management and Retail Theory and Management.
Susan’s first job was as an Associate with JC Penney in its catalog department. She also worked in its credit department, as store receptionist while in high school and later sold shoes while in high school. She sold children’s shoes at Dayton’s in college, and worked at Burdines as a floater and at Jacobson’s in the woman’s department later in life. She also worked briefly at Snyder’s Drug and later sold furniture. JC Penney is the only store mentioned still in business. Susan had a good idea that went bust, Shop Hoppers Inter-Mall Package Delivery Service- linking the inventory of regional mall chain stores, she refers to it as the Shop Hop Flop and was mentored by William Andres, Former CEO of Dayton Hudson, Board Member of Exon and “Wall Street Darling” when fundamentals and management mattered. She referred to him as “the King”.
Susan’s published statistical work is under the name Susan Britzius, her married name. Susan is divorced. The papers are: “Responses to Externally Induced Innovation: Their Effects on Organizational Performance, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 9 1988, and Airline Deregulation Factors Affecting the Choice of Firm Political Strategy Policy Studies Journal, 15, 1986.
Susan considers teachers and Professors Rock Stars and some of her favorite include Prof. W. Bruce Erickson, and Prof. Donald V. Harper of the University of MN whom she worked for and Prof. Michael Porter of Harvard and Prof. Philip Kotler of Northwestern University, whose works and writings greatly influenced her. Susan was enamored with Milton’s Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom but immediately saw its fatal flaw in that if an individual or group is shunned or systematically excluded by everyone in power, Friedman’s theory doesn’t hold water. Susan believes that Prof. Peter Drucker and his teachings present a much more balanced, holistic and humane path for prosperity.
Elementary and High School teachers inspire and encourage too and Susan would like to thank Miss Schickert for her genius in knowing that math is best taught self-paced and Mr. Enwesi (Azuka Enwesi, PhD) for rewarding "Big Mouths" in a class on race relations. Later in life Susan was blessed to have outplacement and networking training from Clyde Merideth, the pioneer of Career Change Management/Outplacement. Perhaps my most important teacher of all was my first Sunday School Teacher, Sally Oswald Sally was amazing as she carried a big Cross and had us all follow behind singing Onward Christian Soldiers and led the Christmas Pageant and made my angel costume. She made my introduction to Christianity outside the family spirited and joyful. This was further enhanced by Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN Catholic Cable Television Network and a true evangelist. Sadly, her spirit has greatly left EWTN today.
Susan is a of National Action Network, Minnesota Sherrif's Association, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Beta Sigma Gamma National Business Honor Society, Mensa International, Minnesota Christian Songwriters Association, The Southwest Metro Serra Club, Songwriters Guild of America, and St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church.
Susan enjoys reading the Bible, going to church, writing liturgical hymns, playing bridge, water coloring, playing the piano, cooking for others, playing tennis and doing probability problems to relax! Susan was newly received into the Roman Catholic Church in 2015 and has benefited greatly from its teachings on Corporal Works of Mercy and its teachings on Virtues.
Susan was born at the tail end of the baby boom, growing up when it seemed things would only get better and being an American was a responsibility. It meant speaking up for what is right and brotherhood and freedom were core values. She recognizes that many of those born after her have not seen America at its best and many before her do not fully appreciate/see how much things have changed.
Ever hopeful, Susan believes that the grace of God, truth, knowledge and a framework for just decision making can change individuals, corporations and government policies and can encourage a culture of civility, brotherhood, and liberty and justice for all.