Kiwi office skills beat the Aussies

Seventy per cent of a chief executive’s time could be be used better, according to US venture capital firm First Round Review. Thirty per cent of their time disappears because of the burden of trawling through email alone. So the value of a good executive assistant to take the strain is pretty obvious.

The job of executive assistant, done well, can directly affect both the mood and the efficiency of a business. But being behind the scenes, they often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

This week, one Kiwi executive assistant, Zoe Robinson, (pictured below) triumphed in a transTasman competition and collected the PA of the Year award in New South Wales on Wednesday.

Robinson is the right hand woman of Rob Hennin, who is the chief executive of health insurance firm nib NZ, and was the only New Zealander to reach the shortlist in the annual awards organised by The Executive PA Magazine.

The annual awards received over 500 nominations throughout the two countries.

A face to face interview conducted by a panel of respected peers, educationalists and industry professionals chose the overall winner.

‘‘I am very proud to be recognised for the role I play at nib as I love my job and it has provided me with so many great opportunities,’’ said Robinson.

While boss Rob Hennin said: ‘‘Zoe has been my Executive Assistant for three years, and I can say with my hand on my heart that things at nib NZ would not run as smoothly as they do without her. She’s my right and left hand when I need her, and I’m delighted she has won this prestigious award.’’

There will be many executives who feel the same way about their EAs and business should salute them all.