Jayne Byrne
Chief Executive’s
Support Manager
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Belfast City Council
The Climb
There’s always going be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
Its the climb!
Raising your game into Management
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Belfast City Council
• Largest of the 26 councils in Northern Ireland – soon
to be 11 Councils
• 51 Councillors representing 9 Electoral Areas –
currently 75 Councillors after May 2014 elections
• 6 Party Political Groups with no overall majority
• Total spend in 2014-15 £178.49 m
• No. of employees 2500+/Over 100 operational
locations
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Belfast - a changing city
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devolved Assembly
Local Government Reform
Fewer Councils, more functions
rise in inward investment
Increase in tourists
a diverse city of many contrasts
a changing Council landscape
My Team
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My journey so far . . . . .
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What makes you stand out
from the crowd?
• Like the scarecrow - you need a brain
& you need to put it to good use
• Like the lion - you need courage
• Like the Tin Man - you need a heart
• Like Dorothy – you need to deliver on
what is required of you.
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My journey so far . . . . .
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School / Qualifications
Telephonist/Receptionist
Clerical Officer
Typist/Audio Typist/WPO/proficiencies
Personal Secretary
Private & Executive Secretaries Diploma
My journey so far . . . . .
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Belfast City Council
Winner Business Pages PA of the Year
Established the NI Branch of IQPS
BA(hons) Degree from QUB
Graduated in 2003
Shock!
One of my great achievements
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Temporary hold!
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Took time to focus on family
Still met the demands of work
Applied for other jobs
Got new opportunities in BCC
Got to recruit new members to the
Team
What is my job all about?
• Provide support to the Chief Executive
in their role as the Council’s key
strategic advisor;
• Provide assistance to the Lord Mayor’s
Unit as the Civic leader of Belfast;
• Provide support to the Corporate
Management Team .... & more
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My Team
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How do you become indispensable?
• Not about being indispensable but
making sure your presence is missed.
• Know what your job is and do
everything you do to the best of your
ability.
• Get to know your boss – you are their
wingman – their gatekeeper.
• You must know your organisation.
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What really matters when
supporting senior executives?
• Loyalty & Trust
• Honesty & Integrity
• Be proactive/take responsibility
• Bring solutions not problems
• Work hard – show initiative
• Be discreet when required
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Be Supportive
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Sounding board
Keep calm
Give praise
Brief the Boss
Accept the challenge
Set your own goals
Continuing Professional development
“in every day in every way I will get better”
• Embrace the concept of life long learning
• Read the journals & papers
• Understand new techniques
• Play an active role and contribute to a
professional institute
• Establish informal quality
circles/networks
• Build your contacts & learn to use them
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Future Goals
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Don’t be complacent, this is your career
Know what you are good at
Work on areas that you need to develop
Look as far ahead as you can
Focus - set out your plan
Vary your course if you need to
Be aware of windows of opportunity
Shoot for the stars!
Tools of the trade
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Well organised
Learn to prioritise & delegate
Good communication skills
Good planning skills
Be adaptable
Use technology as much as possible
Always know what is going on in your
organisation
Food for thought .. . . . . .
• pride, passion & a can do attitude
Remember
• It’s our desire not ability that determines
our success. Some people dream of
success . . . . . . Others wake up and
work hard at it!
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Finally . . . . . . .
• Thank you for taking the time to listen to
me
• If I can be of assistance to you on your
journey please do not hesitate to
contact me
Take care & enjoy your journey!
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Questions?