Tell us about the company: size, sector, location:

Tele Atlas is a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions. We have about 2000 employees worldwide and offices all around the world.

What is your role and who do you work for?

I support the Vice President and 2 Senior Directors of the Global IT department in Belgium. Apart from that, I also take care of all administrative issues for the department worldwide.

How has it changed over the last year?

Over the last year, the challenges in our company have been many. We have gone from a local to a global company which meant developing global applications, integrating local customs and setting up new teams whilst taking into account the many different cultures.

What are the three most important skills you use at work?

Organisational skills, Discretion, Flexibility

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day can be different as a lot of the work is ad hoc so I need to be prepared to jump from one task to another without too much preparation. Part of my daily tasks however is juggling schedules, making sure my managers are prepared for their meetings (basically keeping them in line) and being the focal point of the department for the company. And in between, having an informal chat and a cup of coffee (which is also very important as you need to make sure you are approachable to people :-)

What is the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you tackle it?

In 2007 we had a teambuilding event in the US and I was invited to go along under the condition that I would give a presentation. Not being a big fan of public speaking, this was a huge challenge for me. The audience was a mixture of nationalities and cultures so I decided to do a presentation about cultural differences (following a 2-day training I had done earlier). I made my own presentation and adapted it to the challenges we were facing as a team at that time (incorporating some anecdotes to make it a little lighter). The presentation took about 2 hrs and to my surprise (even though I was very nervous), everyone loved it! I was very relieved and my manager was happy as well. Ever since then, I'm a little less afraid of speaking in public.

How have you got to where you are today in your career?

By constantly making my managers aware that I want to take on more responsibilities and by looking for opportunities to learn more and improve my skills. They have always taken this into account and have given me opportunities to show I can take on more tasks. This can be a slow process, you need to be patient. It is also important to get your name out there. Don't be afraid of trying new things and talking to people (even when they're on a high level). Everyone makes mistakes (I did as well) but as long as you can correct them and learn from them, you're on the right track.

What are your career plans for the future?
At the moment, I can see more challenges ahead in my current position and that is very exciting. However, my ultimate goal is to move up the "assistants" ladder to the highest possible level.

What are you doing to make sure they happen? What new skills will you need to learn?

I am making myself known, building a network and not declining new challenges when they are presented to me (even though sometimes I'm not sure how I will tackle them.. there are always people willing to give you a hand if you're really dedicated). Every day is a day where you can learn new things, not only skill-wise but also in dealing with people of all levels.

What one key piece of advice would you have for PAs who want to get into this sector?

I am very proud to be an assistant as I believe that assistants are the solid foundation of many companies. Our job is challenging on so many levels. One piece of advice I would give is that you should always show you are willing to do more than your job requires and if you are in a large company, get acquainted with people of all levels of the company. Get your name out there (in a positive manner of course) !