The Tales and Travels of Taylor Made PA – The Modern Assistant

 

Published 05.03.2024

 

Hello!

 

The Modern Assistant

 

I recently attended the London Book Launch of The Modern Assistant by Lucy Brazier OBE. Hosted by Strategic PA Network.

I love Lucy. She is a champion of the Assistant Community. And this is the book we have been waiting for. It’s the book EVERY Assistant needs to read. And EVERY Executive should be made to read. Especially if they are working with or thinking about working with an Assistant.

This book should be shared with every HR Department in the country. HR Departments need to better understand how to make the best use of their Assistants. Because in truth. Most Businesses and Executives don’t utilise their Assistant to the best of their ability and talent.

 

Corporate Assistant

I worked as a Personal Assistant in London for 12 years following my original Travel Career. But a lack of professional development opportunities and the thought of commuting for another 12 years, led me to seek freelance opportunities.

I set up Taylor Made PA in 2018. Launching 1^st January 2019 and went “live” after quitting my employed role on the 29^th April the same year.

 

The Evolvement of the Assistant Role

Covid-19 gave Businesses the opportunity to change the Assistant role. And potentially into a role that Assistants always wanted it to be.

But the change started back in the 2008 recession. There was a huge boost to the Assistant role when Middle Management roles were suddenly “removed” and the “Secretaries” were made to step in and fill the breach.

Now completing Management duties and not just task based jobs. The role grew from a Secretary to an Assistant.

The Modern Assistant balances both tasks and more strategic work for the Executive they support. Previously dubbed the Gate Keeper of Time. Now it’s more about managing their time more effectively. Giving them time where they can be exceptional in what they do best.

In the current growth of AI technology. Whilst this will take away or support the task based elements of the job. It has restrictions. The Strategic elements of the role will continue to grow. Especially taking on the elements that an Executive doesn’t specifically need to do themselves.

An Executive should always focus on the tasks that only they can do.

 

The Assistant Career Path… or Lack of

 

One of the main problems in the development of the Modern Assistant. The lack of career path. Or even a real understanding of the role by many organisations.

But why? Nearly all other professions have a clear career path.

The World Administrative Alliance, headed by Helen Monument, started looking at this in 2015. And in partnership with Lucy Brazier the Global Matrix was introduced in 2021.

Finally, there was a Global Framework for all levels of Assistant that was recognised globally.

Read the Executive Summary here.

But still many organisations are choosing not to read or recognise this. But why?

 

The Death of the Assistant (No. Not Really).

 

If you would believe some of the articles that is.

The Wall Street Journal reported “Executives Lose a Coveted Status Symbol—Their Assistants. A dedicated admin is now a rare perk as companies cut jobs and technology automates many tasks.”

Status symbol. Really?

The World Economic Forum suggested in, yes you guessed it, The Wall Street Journal, that the Assistant would be the 5^th most likely job to go.

Yet despite this claim. The stat is not based on any proved data.

In fact they have also listed the key skills required. And many of these skills listed are those found in the Assistant role and character.

 

Empowering the Modern Assistant

 

“Partnership” is working towards a common goal.

As an Assistant. Ask the question of your Executive. “What does success look like for you?”

Collaboration is the future of work. You have to understand the end goal.

Ann Hiatt, Jeff Bezos former Executive Assistant, talks about being “The Shadow”. Reading what he read. Books. Emails. Attending meetings with him. As an Assistant you can read the room. See a picture of what is really happening.

But. always talk to your Executive about what’s in it for them.

And Business needs to ask. “How do we measure the value of our Assistants” and “How do we know that the right Assistant is with the right Executive”.

 

As a Modern Assistant WE Can be the Change

 

If you want a copy of Lucy Brazier’s book. Buy it on Amazon here.

And if you want to to put your Executive or HR Team in touch with Lucy. Do let me know and happy to do an introduction.  

 

Until next time!

 

Jules x