PAs challenged by technology, Key Personnel event hears

THE growth in technology is the biggest challenge for today’s personal and executive assistants, according to one of the sector’s most experienced professionals.

PwC’s Shirley McDonough made the observation at the latest PA:PM networking event put on by Birmingham recruitment specialist Key Personnel.

The secretarial manager believes the introduction of the Internet and smart phones has ensured managers are more mobile and self-sufficient in certain areas, so PA/EA’s have had to find other roles in which they could add value.

She said: “We have to be flexible to change these days as the role of a personal/executive assistant is constantly changing from the traditional idea everyone has of a secretary.

“Keeping abreast of technology and how it can help us do our day job is critical and something that we have to build into our routine.

“A lot of the traditional jobs, such as typing, are outsourced in many of the larger firms meaning personal and executive assistants are now taking on more of a project management role.”

McDonough was speaking at the latest PA:PM event, which was hosted and developed by Mary Hendry, managing director of Key Personnel.

The networking event, which is held every quarter, attracted 75 of the sector’s leading personal and executive assistants, including guests from the NEC Group, NHS and English Heritage, as well as a host of local high profile professional services firms.

Hendry said: “It was great to have someone like Shirley giving her insight on the industry and the direction it is moving in.

“I’m also delighted we got 75 people to attend, given this is only the second time we’ve held it. This demonstrates the desire to have a high quality event in place for this group of professionals and PA:PM seems to have got the balance just right.

“The next one will be even bigger and better.”