one in the UK and the other in Australia INTERVIEW
This issue we hear from two Executive PA Magazine award-winners –
not proficient in any particular language. If Lord Harris decided to move somewhere then I’d be open to give any coun- try a try – I’m always up for a challenge! Perhaps the US would be a good place to work, so many opportunities, English speak- ing and the ‘get up and go’ mentality. I believe that the PA role is very well respected in America and there would be plenty of opportunities for advancement.
What advice can you offer to finalists for this year's PA of the Year? My advice to the finalists for this year’s PA of the Year would be – think about every facet of the role you do, what a difference you make to your boss and the company you work for, the rela- tionship between you and your boss and most importantly of all you should be yourself. There are no challenges that you can’t meet, these are just great opportunities waiting for you. Believe in yourself, you are your best advertisement.
AUSTRALIA: CLAUDIA BLANCH EA to CEO and CFO, Downer Group, Sydney
How long have you worked as a PA? Six years and counting.
How did you get into the office support industry? By accident really – I have a background in events management and was working as a marketing assistant many years ago when a job arose internally supporting a wonderful woman – and it paid more, so I thought I’d give it a go… the rest is history!
What does a typical day involve? Let’s be honest there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day in the world of Executive Assistants! Most days I get into the office with the best intentions and a whole list of things I would like to do… but then the emails flow through, the phone rings, the bosses are texting (even though they are travelling!) or I have staff lin- ing up at my desk wanting assistance with meetings, guidance, document signings – the list is endless. That’s the challenging (exciting) part of my role – learning to designate, delegate or defer actions items according to crit- icality –it’s a craft I’ve learned to manage over time and with expe- rience. In saying that, I always allocate the first 30-60 minutes of my day to check schedules, reconfirm meetings, check emails to flag/respond appropriately and ensure I am on top of all the items that could affect how the rest of my day pans out.
What’s been your greatest achievement as a PA? Winning Executive PA Magazine’s PA of the Year 2012 of course!
What challenges do you face in your role? Definitely balancing my workload and spreading the love. At times it is difficult supporting both the CEO and CFO – it’s a
massive juggling act, but understanding my bosses’ working styles and how they like things to be organised and prepared allows me to maximise my time efficiently.
What three words sum up your relationship with your bosses? Cohesive, honest, busy!
How many hours in your average week? Approximately 45-50 hours.
How do you think your role in Australia compares to that of our PA of the Year in the UK? Fundamentally, I would think the roles in both countries are the same, as PA skills are universal. However, working in Australia and being worlds away from anywhere means time zones, travel and time out of the office in general has an impact on the way we work and get things done.
If you could work in another country, which one would it be and why? New York, New York! The city that never sleeps – they work hard and play hard… and who could resist the shopping?
What advice can you offer to finalists for this year’s PA of the Year? Figure out what makes you different from everyone else and why you deserve to win. It may seem like an easy thing to do, but I personally found it difficult to list reasons why I was worthy of the award. Secondly, believe in yourself and be proud that you’ve made it as a finalist – what an amazing achievement! E
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 |
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