Title pageJayne Byrne

Chief Executive’s Support ManagerBelfast City Council

The ClimbThere’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

• 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 . . . . . • School / Qualifications• Telephonist/Receptionist• Clerical Officer• Typist/Audio Typist/WPO/proficiencies• Personal Secretary• Private & Executive Secretaries Diploma

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My journey so far . . . . . • 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!

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One of my great achievements

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Temporary hold!• 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

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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

• Sounding board• Keep calm• Give praise• Brief the Boss• Accept the challenge• Set your own goals

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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• 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!

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Tools of the trade• 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

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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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