Suzen Fromstein

The decisions I make and the actions I take provide inspiration for my writing.

For example, the corporate survival strategies identified in SUITS AND LADDERS were inspired by my failure to hold onto employment. Despite excellent hard skills, I still managed to sabotage three great jobs in five years. Since I realize the only common denominator in all my relationships is me, I decided to research exactly what was required to keep my corporate job safe and then to speak and write about what I learned.

Originally, the working title was "Corporate Condoms" and the original draft included that title. I loved it and it kept me focused on the end game - I completed the 102 interviews, typed the interview notes, consolidated the research, identified the ten proven skills, and wrote the book between January 2012 and November 2012. When one of my colleagues pointed out that if they were a CEO of a company they might buy a book called SUITS AND LADDERS for their staff but they sure wouldn't purchase anything called Corporate Condoms, even if it was a cool and clever metaphor for keeping my corporate job safe. In the end, my eldest son Mikel, a talented graphic artist, came up with the title and the amazing cover design. I love the new title and I love the fact that so much of the loving energy of my first born is tied up with the loving energy of my first book.

In the end I interviewed 102 people - 5l men and 51 women, all mid-to-senior managers from a variety of industries and sectors. By accident I interviewed someone from New Zealand. I didn't know him personally but felt he would be open to an interview because we belonged to the same professional association. After I hung up the phone I felt as if I had just had coffee with a colleague at the Starbucks in downtown Toronto. The survival skills he discussed were almost identical to those identified by the Canadians I interviewed. I wondered if the corporate survival skills were universal and interviewed five people from four English-speaking countries including New Zealand, France, South Africa and the U.S. I have come to the conclusion that the corporate survival strategies are in fact universal.

In trying to understand how I managed to burn through three great corporate jobs in five years, I have learned what I'm good at, how to be flexible, adaptable, and grateful for the lessons and the opportunities to share them. Today, I am working on my second book and collaborating with other writers on several other book projects.

I have two grown independent sons - one wears a black t-shirt (Mikel) and the other is just as creative but more technically inclined (Dustin - he is an electrical apprentice). I raised them both by myself - I get the Mother's Day AND Father's Day cards. We talk openly and often, laugh until we cry, and have a standing dinner date on Sunday night. We love, respect and even like each other. I am truly blessed.

I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my long-haired tabby cat Nikki.