1. Being a Business Assistant at element14

2. The BA role
Accountabilities
Project management, logistics, internal and external stakeholder communication,
preparation for leadership team meetings including the National sales Meeting, customer
days and employee meetings, research, recommend more efficient ways of working,
managing cost effective processes and production of presentations, itineraries and work
flow management.
Challenges
Fast paced environment, going the ‘extra mile’, developing effective networks both
internally and externally, ability to juggle multiple demands and priorities, ability to
communicate complex messages in a clear and concise way to a diverse audience and
the confidence to make decisions in the absence of your line manager.
Skills, Knowhow and Experience
Strong IT skills, ability to plan ahead and deal with ambiguity, produce high quality work
under pressure, excellent written and spoken English, well developed interpersonal skills,
reliable, results focused and strong work ethic. Possess a business related qualification,
senior director support experience essential and project management would also be a
distinct advantage.
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3. We are building a new Centre in Krakow
We will need 3 Business Assistants to support the Centre’s Director
and the management team.
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4. Let us introduce you to the Business Assistant role at Farnell
element 14 - A week in the life of Hollie Lawson, BA to European
Marketing Director
•Friday - My week starts on Friday, forward thinking is key
– I align my schedule with the Marketing Director’s priorities for the following week
–I communicate the priorities to the Marketing leadership team together with the weekly
plan
•Monday – Strategic Thinking
–Put together a powerpoint presentation on marketing strategy ready for Director to
present later in the week
–Attend Community meeting, to discuss to volunteering and working in our community.
•Tuesday - Event Organisation
–Organise internal event for 600 people, including breakout activity to all to build a solar
panel light system to send to Tanzania – takes me longer than one day but worth it – a
huge feeling of success when delivered.
•Wednesday – Development
–Arrange Induction schedule for new direct report, ensuring we give them the best start
–I’m using my weekly one hour development time to take my Google Ad words exam
•Thursday – Leadership
–Meet with Leadership team, which I am part of, to discuss general day to day business,
resolve issues and lead the meeting to ensure that Director’s priorities are dealt with.
•Daily - no day is ever the same so it always remains exciting, but some things you do
everyday
–Respond to e-mails sent to the Director dealing with as many as possible.
–Review papers for next day, gain any additional information they may need – think like
the Director.
–Arrange all travel requirements
4 –Be the Director’s eyes & ears

5. Why I took at job as a Business Assistant
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6. What happened next? Career lift off!
Mel McAughtrie – Operations Manager Maybrook
I joined Farnell 13 years ago in a sales role but with my background in IT I
then moved into IT support, progressing to IT Service Manager responsible for 1st and
2nd Line support. In 2006 had the great opportunity to move to London and support
Harriet Green, our CEO, as Business Assistant for 2.5 Years. After expressing an
interest in operations I was offered a role working on process improvement in our
warehouse operation in Maybrook and my responsibilities now include Training,
Environmental Control, Projects and Inbound Operations.
A Business Assistant role is a brilliant way to learn and understand about the
Farnell element14 business and prepare you for a career lift off.
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7. Next steps and how to apply
We hope this short presentation has given you an insight in to the
business assistant role and the value it brings to the business.
Apply direct on our website at:
www.premierfarnell.com/careers
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