NETWORKING MAGAZINE: Feature Article

Sue Fredericks

Sue Fredericks

STORY BY LUCY ROSEN

Sue Fredericks has a "purpose." And, as a result, many of the region's top businesses have experienced a surge in employee productivity, improved performance and increased company profitability.
As founder and president of On Purpose Performance Consulting (www.onpurposeinc.com), Fredericks has become one of the New York metropolitan area's most sought-after Executive Leadership/Performance Management consultants, each year helping to create workplace environments where both individuals and organizations can prosper. But according to Fredericks, the key to her success in this highly competitive field comes not only from her ability to provide her clients with a clear-cut, measurable approach to improving company performance, but from her insight into what "living on purpose" can do to enhance the entire workplace experience for employees at every level. "I support strongly the belief that people come to work every day to do a good job, and that it is the role of leadership to create an environment that fosters each employee's ability to do the best job they can," says Fredericks. "It's easy for employees to become complacent, to work in silos, to be physically present at work but not to put their heart and soul into it," she continues. "My goal is to make sure that doesn't happen, and to promote a greater return on a company's biggest investment: its people."

On Purpose, which is based in Westbury, offers a wide variety of services to clients, including Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Workforce Development and Productivity, Business Development and Revenue Enhancement. In addition, Fredericks and On Purpose also provide Sales Training and Sales Coaching, Customer Service Training and Coaching and Presentation Skills Training, as well as specialized programs on Teamwork and Conflict Resolution. In the process of helping other companies receive greater return on their investments, Fredericks has grown her own business by leaps and bounds.

Since founding On Purpose more than five years ago, she has worked with dozens of companies and not-for-profit organizations throughout the entire New York metropolitan area, including ABC Disney, Adecco Staffing Services, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Columbia University, Interfaith Nutrition Network, UJA Federation of New York and Sony Corporation. With her reputation as a forward thinker in today's workplace enhancement issues, as well as her proven results as a problem solver and motivator, her counsel is not only serving a great "purpose", but is becoming more and more of a necessity as workplaces today face added complexities and increased challenges.

In fact, her recent experience in the months following 9/11 was an important turning point in showing her how valuable her services have become in helping today's workforce. "After 9/11, I had the privilege to work with a major NY Hospital Consortium to educate their workforce in what to do in the event of another major tragedy," she recalls. "I became proficient in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Preparedness and designed and implemented a major training initiative for 17,000 people by creating a 'Train-the-Trainer' program and roll-out plan. This amazing learning opportunity, its impact on the extensive workforce and gratification after the 9/11 tragedy made me realize I was following my natural calling to serve in a nontraditional way."

Although she admits that it may sound corny, Fredericks further recalls that it was her desire to work with individuals and organizations to "become the best they can be" that was the driving force behind her launching her business. Throughout her 25+ year corporate career, she points out that has always focused on educating and developing the growth potential of the people she serves. During her 15 years with Olsten Corporation, she held various positions in the areas of Human Resources, Training, Sales and Operations that greatly influenced the growth of the organization. In fact, in her role as vice president, Performance Management, she was responsible for creating and executing a strategy that significantly increased the development, productivity and retention of the company's 300 person sales force. The early satisfaction she gained from the impact she had on company productivity and profitability was a key factor in her decision to go out on her own with On Purpose, noting that her ability to enhance company performance is helped by the fact that she is not actually part of the company, but working as an unbiased consultant. "As a consultant, I'm an objective person with no agenda, no history, no politics and no interest in personal gain from the initiative," she points out. "I am therefore able to offer an unbiased view of the world. Not only am I results-oriented, but I don't get involved in peripheral issues and can offer solid advice and feedback."

Equally as important, she notes, she is often the one called in to "maintain calm and focus in turbulent times." Fredericks (who says she knew she had "made it" when a prestigious, successful CEO she was working with who initially had serious concerns and reservations about the value of Executive Coaching referred her to an equally prestigious and successful colleague of his, noting he wished he had taken advantage of such development tools early in his career) feels lucky that, through On Purpose, she is now "totally living her values in a profitable business." As such, she offers some insightful advice for other women who want to enter the business/performance enhancement consultancy field, including knowing your strengths, limitations, passion and goals. Fredericks further stresses that "if you love your independence, are extremely self-motivated and have unlimited energy and commitment, this is a great career choice!"

In addition to her fulfilling and successful career, Fredericks has also found "purpose" through her many outside interests and community service. She has held leadership positions at various organizations, including Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women, Long Island Power Network, Long Island Women's Agenda, From Our Hearts, and Girl Scouts of Nassau County. She also finds time to achieve that all-important "work/life balance" that she promotes to others through her many hobbies, which include swimming, running, biking, tennis, golf and rollerblading.

Most importantly, she stresses, "being blessed with my 93 year old dad and 83 year old mom who are constant sources of encouragement, perspective and joy to me. They are both Holocaust Survivors, and have taught me what is truly important in life." According to Fredericks (whose favorite quote is "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room") she is equally as proud of her success as a businesswoman as she is of the fact that she is "learning every day and making a difference in the business community at all levels in profit and not for profit organizations." Through On Purpose, she is able to utilize her skills and nurture her interests, and points out that she feels lucky to be doing all of the things she loves on a daily basis, including "networking, cold calling, building something from scratch and being exposed to successful CEOs as well as new and inexperienced front line employees."

"Every day is an uncharted course that I am the navigator of," says Fredericks. "In fact, knowing that we all need all the tools we can get, I recently gave into my 'directionally challenged status' and bought a car with a GPS system," she laughs. "Nothing's going to stop me now!"