Is there confusion in the commercial marketplace about the role and value of a PA? APA naturally believes that being a PA is something special and requires a special set of creative skills not present in all who operate within the commercial arena. We believe that these skills are more closely aligned to those of a Manager than to those of an Administrator. PAs are required to be tenacious, innovative and decisive; managing executive time, diaries, meetings, travel and work:life balance to help maximise effectiveness. It is not a job for the faint-hearted or the bureaucratic - or are we wrong?
Please let us have your views on the role of a PA, its importance to your business and how you or yours are viewed by others. What is it they miss, what don't we (as PAs) communicate to ensure our role is recognised or are we the 'Best kept secret of British business?'
Gareth
2 comments:
I'm extremely proud to be a PA and have been one now for over 20 years - even during my time off to raise my boys I still offered support to my Boss and mentorsed the juniors he recruited to cover for me.
For more than seven years I worked for the great electronics entrepreneur Warren Janner, who was a tough businessman. When I first started working with him he told me three important facts; 1) You only work for me, 2) You learn to think like me and 3) You cover for me - because sometimes I drop the ball.
Those three lessons helped me become the PA I am today - confidential, confident and extremely well briefed. I sit in on all management and Board meetings and insist on knowing all important business decisions - good or bad news included.
I love the job, it is a great career and I believe I am respected as a senior decision maker in the business and am paid accordingly.
APA, I love the blog, great addition.
Rosie Travis FAPA
I love being a PA. My boss is brilliant and he involves me in everything. I regularly travel to our European offices with him and socialise with the other PAs in the Group.
Debbie Peacock
Sampson Group
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