Every once in a while you can be truly inspired by the story of a person who has worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals. Sherri Eckworth, who now supports three of the directors at digital creative agency Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW) is one of those people, a woman who has gone from cleaning offices to being an award-winning EA.
Before she started her career in admin support roles, Sherri always checked with those companies whose offices she was cleaning to see if there were any jobs going. One day she was told how to apply for a receptionist’s role and to her surprise she got the job. Sherri says there was a definite moment in this first role that made her realise she wanted to take on more responsibilities. “I was manning a switchboard and I noticed the team sitting near me was always exceptionally busy, but the working environment seemed fun and buzzy.” Despite having plenty to do herself, Sherri decided she wanted to help out and asked if she could take on some of their tasks. “It was then that I decided I wanted to be in a direct administrative role, working for a team or an individual,” she adds.
Over the next few years, Sherri steadily made her way up the career ladder by accepting increased responsibilities. She always strived to do her best, taking various courses to improve her skills. She believes one of the most valuable classes was a course in effective office management. “It taught me how to manage situations as well as people. I gained the confidence to put myself forward to recruit new employees and I was offered the chance to manage a busy team of receptionists. Both the training and the roles I held at the start of my career made it much less daunting and more of a natural progression,” she says.
Over the next 20 years, Sherri found herself moving from one company to another on two occasions when her bosses were leaving and wanted to keep her on as their PA . “I was immensely flattered and I feel that I demonstrated a huge sense of commitment and loyalty that allowed me to gain their trust.”
She also comments: “I always do my best to remain a constant and approachable source. When my previous bosses chose to move on and take me with them they had a familiar face in their new office. If you can prove that you’re able handle any project, no matter how large, demanding, or difficult it might be, you become a valuable resource.”
This is excellent advice coming from Secs in the City’s 2013 PA of the Year. Sherri admits she was utterly surprised when she found out she had won. “I didn’t even know I’d been nominated until I was invited to attend the interview stage.” When she thinks back to the night of the ceremony at The Ivy restaurant, a smile graces her face. “The whole experience was surreal. I was so stunned I couldn’t stand to collect my award. My boss was with me and he gave me a nudge to get me moving. He said: ‘I knew you’d win it’ and told me how proud he was. Those words were so important to me.”
Since the announcement, Sherri says her profile has been raised within the business. “My story was featured in the Daily Mirror, as well as in my local newspaper. I’ve had people I used to work with contact me and there have been quite a few job offers,” she says. Although Sherri is content to stay with TMW, she comments that the other opportunities she’s been given have helped her immensely. “I got the chance to start blogging, which is something I’ve always thought about doing. In addition to the work I do for Secs in the City, I’m also starting my own blog.”
Sherri says she would like to become a PA trainer in the future. “I want to walk into a room full of people who might not want to be at a coaching session and inspire them to sit up and listen.” Her enthusiasm for the role is certainly enough to encourage the rest of us to take a leaf out of her book.
A day in the life
7.45am I check my emails on the train on my way to work.
8.45am I arrive in the office, log on and have 10 minutes to catch up before the phone starts ringing. I make a list of what needs to be done. Then I check my boss’s emails and get started on the diary, making any changes, juggling meeting rooms and informing attendees. I update TMW’s digital noticeboard and deal with any ad hoc requests. Finally, I revise our central training document and confirm any TMW Academy courses with attendees. I officially look after three people, but in reality it’s often more.
1pm I usually pop to our café or have a wander around Soho, where our offices are based; I’m equally spoilt for choice. I try to get at least 20 minutes away from my desk and if I’m feeling energetic I might have a quick walk in St James’s Park.
In the afternoon there’s more diary co-ordination – it’s a fast-paced environment and ever changing. I might be booking flights, co-ordinating a dinner, or looking for a space to hold an event and negotiating rates. I will try to grab a catch-up with all the bosses I look after at least once a week to ensure I’m on track with what they need. I’ll also check the rooms are booked for the next day’s meetings and ensure the team have seen everything they need to. I’m constantly checking and sending emails throughout the day and always juggling tasks.
5.45pm I’ll either catch the Tube from Embankment to Fenchurch Street for my commute home, or I’ll walk to the station. It gives me a chance to digest the day, get my thoughts together and see a bit of our beautiful city. I normally arrive home around 7.15pm and will always have one check of my emails during the evening so there are no surprises the next day.
