019: Launch Lessons with Shani Godwin, CEO of Communiqué
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Summary:
This week, Executive Minds is honored to be joined by Shani Godwin, President and CEO of Communiqué USA, Inc, a marketing communications firm based out of Atlanta. After completing her MBA in Marketing, Shani realized that her unique blend of education, professional background and natural talents could help companies find their voice and communicate more effectively with their consumers. So in 2002, Shani left her job in Corporate America and founded Communiqué USA. They started small, but grew organically and quickly, and now, 15 years later, they advise large national brands on everything from global communications strategy to local marketing.
Welcome to episode 19 of the Executive Minds Podcast.
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Three Takeaways:
1. Understand your “why”. What are you passionate about? Begin to think about how that idea can be used in the marketplace. Shani purposely pursued careers that allowed her to connect with her passions. No one ever directed Shani towards entrepreneurship, but it was very clear when she started down the path that it was in her zone and in her sweet spot.
2. Take a step of faith—not a leap. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” When you don’t make a move, you can miss the opportunity and the moment. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the paralysis of analysis. Surround yourself with advisors to encourage you to take that next step—and help you avoid pitfalls.
3. You can’t grow until you let go. As Communiqué grew, Shani had to focus on leading instead of doing, so her advisors had a 90 day transition plan created. Shani told herself, “If I let go of the work, the business will fail.” But what she found was that the quality of the work only increased, and making the decision was the hardest part. Once she took a step back from doing the work, she was able to focus on being the visionary the company needed to succeed.