S2 E5 Simone White: Building an Internal PA Network and How to Create a Diverse Working Culture

Ben Stevenson is an EA turned Chief of Staff with over a decade of cross industry experience in finance, law and procurement. In this episode we address the toxic perfectionism that Ben is constantly challenged with and his advice on how to overcome the need to always be 'perfect' by banishing the 'imposter' living inside your head. We speak about how he has developed his role from EA to HR Director to Chief of Staff, the major changes that have come from that promotion and how if you wish to follow a similar path, how you should start and what direction you should follow. The Assistant Room: https://www.theassistantroom.com/membership-open Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-s-0a55b3137/    

Anna Allan is an ex corporate PA with over 20 years experience working in fast paced and demanding businesses. Her incredible story of strength and resilience starts during her early days when her position representing England in Lacrosse almost ended due to a diagnosis of not one by two invisible illnesses. Moving on, her passion for the development of others is undeniable and in this episode she talks passionately about the importance of L&D and mentoring for assistants around the world. Now Founder of AKA Virtual Assistant, Anna also dishes her secrets on the reality of setting up and running your own VA business, sharing the things she has learnt along the way and the advice she would give before following in her footsteps. The Assistant Room: https://www.theassistantroom.com/membership-open Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-allan-/ https://www.akavirtualassistant.com/

In the final episode of the series Jess, Founder of The Assistant Room, sits down with Karina De-Bourne, EA at FTI Consulting + Assistant Room Ambassador. Together, they talk about going from University to having a career as an EA, how to keep your head above water during times of personal hardship and the importance of working for a supportive business. 

In the 9th episode of the series Jess, Founder of The Assistant Room, sits down with Kirsi Swinton, Executive Assistant and Head of the UK+I Assistants network at Hewlett Packard Enterprise + Assistant Room Ambassador Together, they talk about transferrable skills, her biggest support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and how to can create strong relationships to help us succeed in our careers.

In the 8th episode of the series Jess, Founder of The Assistant Room, sits down with Davina Soochit, Assistant Room Ambassador and EA at UK based Executive Search firm Egon Zehnder.  Together, they talk about the impact of COVID on her day to day responsibilities, how to push boundaries and become more confident and the process she followed internally to set up the Egon Zehnder PA network.

In the 7th episode of the series Jess, Founder of The Assistant Room, sits down with Abi Jones, EA at Facebook and Assistant Room Ambassador.  Together, they talk about the future of the PA industry in a post COVID world, the important of failing and her three key takeaways on how every assistant can not only survive but thrive in the modern world of business.