EA PROFILE
quite tough. As many EAs would agree, the needs of your
came from BCG. A world renowned company with a
executive always come first. It’s also important to have great
stellar reputation, BCG had great internal training, lots of
contacts and support around you.”
international office locations and an amazing team culture.”
“Early on, I took the time to develop a good, close
“I learned so much about travel logistics, time zones—
relationship with our travel management company. I made
and how living in Australia sucks when you have calls
myself memorable with my sense of humour and approach
with Europe and the US at the same time—as well as time
on how travel should be conducted within our business and
management through teamwork.”
the importance of having a practical, consistent travel policy
At BCG, Yvette cemented herself as a true professional.
to adhere to.”
Although she admitted that she didn’t quite realise how
“Nowadays, my travel agent alerts me to anything that
valuable her skillset was until after she’d left.
appears out of the ordinary. This is a great relationship to
“When I left BCG, I didn’t realise how much of that
have as it allows me to step in if things are questionable and
experience I would take with me to my other roles. The
to offer assistance and training when I can see it’s required.
biggest thing I learned was you don’t realise the breadth of
Our travel management company also knows I have a keen
your knowledge and experience until you move on and you
interest in the travel industry and have taken the time to
find yourself using it to benefit others in your next role.”
include me in industry meetings and updates.”
After her time at BCG, Yvette decided to prioritise
After nearly four months on the job, Yvette has plenty of
the needs of her daughters, working at various jobs and
insights to share with EAs looking to expand their
sharpening her skills over the next seven years.
role into travel like she did.
But, after 20 years of working, she decided to
“One term is the most important: end-to-end
take a break—little did she know that would lead
travel. When a staff member is asked to travel
to one of the most exciting roles in her career
on behalf of a business, I think it is important
(so far).
that their experience is highly organised from
“I got a call from a friend to fill a role
GWA GROUP
the moment they leave home until the moment
temporarily whilst an EA was on extended
GWA Group Limited is
they return. This ensures them and their family
personal leave. The interview itself was quite
a leading supplier of
of where they are located at all times and of their
strange. I walked in, told the exec that I wasn’t
building fixtures and
safety.”
employable as I had just moved into an area where
fittings to households
and commercial
“Time management, detailed information
there was no school bus stops and I needed to be
premises. The Group has
and
preparation are key. Preparation involves
able to collect my daughters each day.”
sales and distribution
an understanding of the travel destination like
“He looked at me and said ‘Yes you are. I’ve
facilities located across
its primary markets in
time zones, customs, and visa requirements.
read your resume. We’ll make it work, when can
Australia, New Zealand,
Detailed information means providing the staff
you start?’ So, I started part-time as the EA to the
United Kingdom
member’s loved ones with travel plans and diary
General Manager of Supply Chain.”
and China and has
manufacturing facilities in
management.”
Unsurprisingly, Yvette stepped up and went
New Zealand and China.
But alongside the technical aspects of travel
looking for ways to enhance her new role.
management, there is also a requirement for EAs
“I found myself developing my role as the
www.gwagroup.com.au
to exercise their emotional and empathetic skills.
Travel Manager for GWA Group as well as working
“The other important factor is ‘what if it were
with the finance team assisting with monthly
me?’ By putting yourself in the shoes of the traveller you
reporting and meeting arrangements. In October 2019, the
can create a travel experience that runs as smoothly as you
EA to the CEO of GWA Group decided to move on. In recent
would like it to for yourself. Considerations for transit times
months my role has changed and evolved substantially.”
between flights, timing of travel and comfort levels where
“I am now supporting the Group CEO, Group CFO and
possible should always be part of the process.”
our CEO in NZ who is also head of Global Supply Chain
Over the last two decades, Yvette has seen—and been
and my original boss. I’m still the Travel Manager for
personally responsible for—the development of the EA role.
GWA Group, managing the relationship with our travel
The transition from traditional assistant to what the role is
management company, implementing our company travel
today is, in part, due to Yvette’s incredible work ethic and
policy, and training staff on our systems both nationally
undying passion. And in November last year, her work was
and internationally. It’s an extremely busy role with many
recognised at the 2019 Executive PA Awards when she took
moving parts but I love it. GWA Group is a great company to
home Travel Manager of the Year.
work for with great people and relatable core values.”
“My experience with the Executive PA Awards has been
Going from ‘taking a break’ to a job description that takes
amazing. I was encouraged by several colleagues in early
up a whole paragraph seemed extreme to me, but following
2019 to submit an entry for Travel Manager of the Year. Even
Yvette’s career story so far I’d suggest this degree of passion
before the awards night I found the experience humbling
is one of her trade marks.
as I became aware of who had entered nominations on my
But, I was curious to understand how an EA to three
behalf and the time and effort they had put into sharing their
executives manages to excel at a travel manager role as well.
experiences that they’ve had working with me.”
Surely there has to be a trade off? The key—according to
“I’m very grateful to Executive PA Media for the award
Yvette—is building strong relationships with suppliers and
and the acknowledgement and I truly believe that this
your travel management company.
experience will lead me to even greater things in 2020.” S
“As I manage multiple executives it can sometimes get
Issue 1 2020 | Chief of Staff 51