Secretaries smash through glass ceilings
Secretaries smash through glass ceilings
The traditional role of the secretary is dead according to John Mortimer, CEO and Founder of Angela Mortimer Plc. In a keynote speech entitled “Careers Are Taken Not Given”, delivered at the Times Crème Executive Secretary and PA Show at London's Olympia, May 16-18, 2006, Mortimer discussed the new opportunities that exist within UK businesses for support staff eager to climb the career ladder.
Technology, the growth of the service industry, the increased emphasis on“adding value,” together with the fact that secretaries are better educated, more ambitious and assertive than their predecessors have all contributed to the death of the traditional secretarial role, according to Angela Mortimer Plc: “There is no longer a glass ceiling in terms of career development for secretaries. The traditional role has changed beyond recognition. Businesses today are crying out for executive staff who cannot only organise but problem solve, make key decisions, interface with clients and manage teams. They recognise that these staff can improve their productivity,add value and increase their competitive edge”, Mortimer concluded that:“Although candidates might start at the bottom, many of our support staff go on and become marketing directors, administrative managers or even future managing directors. If someone is bright, ambitious, motivated, with an abundance of good ideas and willing to work hard, the sky really is the limit and the career opportunities are there for the taking”.
