Executives need to be realistic with their expectations from personal assistants in order to get the best output off of them, a UK-Based Ghanaian expert personal assistant trainer Annabel Brown has urged Ghanaian executives.
According to Ms Brown, even though executive assistants, project assistants, personal assistants, etc are usually under immense pressure, there must be balance.
She expressed that having common sense was key to being successful as a personal assistant.
She said bosses can enhance the jobs of their P.A’s “…to have a realistic outline of their expectations and understanding how their PA can make their lives easier.”
“Yeah and the assistants need to be ready for the journey too and will learn not to take things personally because executives can sometimes be a bit much.”
She added, “when you fully understand your executives’ needs and their working style you can make your role better and your boss more successful by creating the time they need.”
Annabel Brown also indicated that one did not need to go to the university in order to be a professional executive assistant.
Citing herself as an example, she said she became an expert by learning on the job.
She intimated “some people who aren’t academic are better at learning on the job. Having common sense is a fundamental part of being a good PA.”
“I didn’t go to university, I got myself work experience and internships to see if I really wanted to get into media and before you know I loved it! So that’s how it began. It’s about knowing about other routes into your chosen career and not just the standard route.”
Calling for courses to sources to help enhance the profession, she noted “I would say it should be a stand-alone course like an apprenticeship as another option instead of going to university. Yeah in the UK we have apprenticeships but usually for electricians, plumbers but nothing for PAs.”
“So, perhaps if there was some sort scheme that could be created would be amazing,” she added.
About Annabel Mensah-Brown
At 19 Annabel was the youngest Branch Forum Co-ordinator for John Lewis. She has spoken at Buckingham Palace, St James’ Palace twice
By the time Annabel had reached 25 she had over 9 years of experience in customer relations management, a wealth of knowledge, life skills and belief in herself whilst being dyslexic.
Annabel had always been very organised and enjoyed planning personal excursions and events, and in addition to her passion for Media and Entertainment, so it was a very natural fit when she landed her first PA job at Fox Networks Group as a Receptionist/PA.
In years to come, Annabel would become the Executive Assistant to many C-suite level executives, working for some of the biggest companies and best personnel within the business and as her career grew, so did her confidence.
Annabel has recently launched her own business as a Virtual Assistant Consultancy assisting business leaders with Personal and Business support and Events. Along with launching her own business Annabel has also created her very own training course for assistants and customer relations management.
Annabel would like to inspire the next generation in reaching their full potential, aspirations and how they can build their chosen career. Annabel’s journey and path to success is one that would inspire young black women like herself to believe in themselves and as Annabel says, “The Sky has no limits”.
