THE BOOKER Q A
meet Linda Moll Executive Secretary to the MD, BT Global Telecom Markets
Linda Moll is a long- serving employee of
BT and has worked her way through various
roles to that which she holds today – Executive
Secretary to the Managing Director of BT's Global Telecom Markets (GTM).
She answers our questions about her involvement in business travel
Q What is the extent of your
remit at BT, and how long have you worked there? A. I work as executive secretary to the managing director and also help the rest of the team as and when necessary. I arrange the MD’s travel, which can be very complex and requires meeting tight deadlines. I also manage international travel approvals for GTM people. We trust our people and empower them to have the right tools for the job. I make sure that travel costs are reasonable and that the correct processes are followed.
Q Do you have a team of bookers that works with you? A. There are a couple of admin assistants who deal with travel and visas for our consulting arm. We have a good working relationship and understand how we can support each other, taking the baton when their part of the process ends and mine begins or vice versa.
Q Do you use a self-booking
tool or make bookings offline? A. We have an excellent and comprehensive online booking tool, but as the MD’s travel is so
Therefore, the policy covers more than just the logistics. In harmony with our core value of simplicity, BT keeps the policy as straight- forward to use as possible. It is under continual review to ensure that it is as efficient as it can be.
“Travel is not just about getting people there and back, it's about ensuring our people are safe and their welfare taken into account”
PROFILE
Linda has been working for BT for 35 years. She started as a directory enquiry operator, followed by roles as a clerical assistant in sales and clerical offi cer in accounts. She then went back to the telephone exchange, where she later won promotion. After 13 years she found herself in a personal assistant role. Linda has been in PA roles ever since, being promoted at each stage to where she is now as Executive Secretary to the Managing Director of BT's Global Telecom Markets.
We take duty of care for our employees very seriously and I help make sure that by following all processes they are never without sufficient insurance or find themselves in a part of the world where travel is restricted. Our people are too precious to take that risk! I am also responsible for keeping GTM travel policy in line with overall BT travel policy.
Q Do you have any non-travel
responsibilities? A. I cover all aspects of the PA role, which includes managing the MD’s diary. Our organisation is a key player in the industry, so you can imagine her time is in high demand. This takes great organisation and prioritisation on my part. Balance and compromise are the rules of the day.
varied, involving different countries in just one trip, I tend to use the tool just to check flight options. Then I speak to our travel management company to make the actual booking.
Q What is the scope of BT’s
travel requirements? A. As we are a global unit, our people travel worldwide. BT serves customers in more than 170 countries around the world and most of them get a visit at some point in time.
Q Do you have a comprehensive and effective travel policy? A. Yes. Travel is not just about getting people there and back, it’s about ensuring our people are safe and their welfare taken into account throughout their journey.
Q What do you see as the biggest issue as a travel buyer? A. The biggest issue I have is ensuring that people understand they must submit their travel for approval as early as possible and that they cannot either book or travel until they receive full authorisation. Failure to do so could compromise both the company and individuals in many areas, not least personal safety. These policies are in place not
for the sake of bureaucracy, but for employee welfare, cost effect- iveness and business transparency.
Q What qualities do you think make a good travel booker? A. Patience, understanding and knowledge of where to go to get information if you’re unsure. People know they can come to me and I’m not afraid to challenge anything that I feel may be wrong or unnecessarily expensive.
Q Do you enjoy this part of your job and, if so, why? A. Booking travel is interesting and each trip is different for any number of reasons, not to mention diary challenges, so it’s definitely not boring. Dealing with the travel approvals has given me insight into where our people are travelling and what for.
Q How do you keep abreast of changes in the travel industry? A. I push our TMC to ensure that we are given the best value and they are always happy to update us. Also, by reading The Business Travel Magazine and attending events such as The Business Travel Conference and Office.
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 23
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