Spotting the Warning Signs: How EAs Can Identify Potentially Toxic Bosses
An Executive Assistant's role is crucial to maintaining an organization's smooth operation. These professionals are often responsible for juggling a multitude of tasks, anticipating needs, and ensuring operations do not veer off course because they serve as the right hand to high-level executives. There are a few things you should keep an eye out for when embarking on a journey to find your next boss, so you are mindful of potential red flags that might indicate a less-than-ideal working relationship.
The Art of Mastering the Weekend
Our weekends are a treasured respite for most of the working population - as we look forward to rest, relaxing, family time, self-care, and attending to personal and household to-dos. Making the most of our limited free time is essential. Here, we will explore unique strategies to help you seize the weekend and enjoy rejuvenation, relaxation, and fulfillment.
Navigating the Path to Harmony: Challenging Work Situations
There is a wide range of situations, personalities, and temperaments we encounter in the professional world. It is true that some of our co-workers are easy to get along with, but there are others who can present challenges that can affect our productivity, morale, and overall work experience. Even when the circumstances are challenging, it is possible to foster positive relationships if you have the right mindset and use effective strategies. Our goal in this blog post is to provide some practical tips to help you navigate these tricky waters and foster a harmonious working environment in the workplace.
Get to Know Pennyworth: Cofounders Julia Hudson & Lisa Casson
Pennyworth Projects emerged from a passion for supporting leaders and a fundamental understanding of the importance of professionalism and efficiency. Ranging from tech startup founders to public company CEOs and beyond, Julia Hudson and Lisa Casson understand the needs of busy executives and their families. Their unique and curated approach has seen many individuals and businesses find the right candidate to support their personal or corporate successes – and in most cases, both simultaneously.
How to Supercharge Your Daily Energy and Focus
A high level of energy and focus is vital to our productivity and well-being. Some days it feels impossible to concentrate on even the simplest tasks due to the ever-present demands of both your personal and professional lives. Our goal in this post is to explore a few fun and effective ways to increase your energy and focus throughout the day.
How Managers Can Support Working Parents
Working parents are a valuable asset to any company. They are often more motivated and productive than their non-parent counterparts, and they bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the workplace. However, working parents also face a number of challenges, such as finding affordable childcare, juggling work and family commitments, and dealing with stress. When companies support working parents, they reap a number of benefits. Visit our post today for more information on how to support your team!
A Sunshiney Balancing Act: Work VS. Life During Summer
As summer arrives, working parents often find themselves facing a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With children out of school, the need for quality family time clashes with the demands of the professional sphere. Summer is a notoriously difficult time for parents who have to balance camps and other forms of childcare with those logistical and financial impacts! In this blog post, we will explore the importance of work-life balance for working parents during the chaotic summer to offer practical tips to help navigate this juggling act.
How to Avoid Being Paralyzed by Perfectionism
It can be a double-edged sword, perfectionism! We are pushed to strive for excellence, but we can also fall victim to a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and indecision when we allow it to take over. The perfectionist trap has ensnared many of us, who spend countless hours agonizing over minute details and fearing failure. Our goal in this post is to reveal the secrets to overcoming perfectionism and embracing a more fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.
Onboarding for Success: Your New Executive Assistant
The role of executive assistants in any organization is crucial. It can be misunderstood how integral they are to the success of the day-to-day operations, but also the overall success of the leadership and the business. We believe executive assistants play a significant role in the bottom line. Their responsibilities include managing an Executive's time and priorities, handling complex logistics, and developing relationships, among others. As such, it is important to onboard a new executive assistant in order to set them up for success.
Hiring a Personal Assistant or House Manager in Chicago (and beyond)
Pennyworth proudly serves families across the entire United States, from the sun-soaked shores of California to the iconic New York island. We cater to many major regions, with a special focus on two dynamic hubs—Silicon Valley to Wall Street—ensuring we connect exceptional individuals with our valued clients, regardless of where they are located. With a dedicated presence in the heart of the Chicagoland area, spanning from vibrant Chicago to charming Lake Forest, Glencoe, Hillsdale, Deerfield, Winnekta, and Wilmette, we bring our expertise to your doorstep. Whether your family seeks assistance within the household, at the bustling office, or in the virtual realm, we've got you covered. And for those with multiple residences throughout the country or the world, our services extend seamlessly to ensure you have the right support, wherever you are.
The Essential Guide to House Management at a Private Residence
The House Manager plays a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functioning of a private residence. Individuals, families, or residences that lead busy and complex lives can benefit greatly from having a house manager on staff. In most cases, people who hire a house manager have large estates, multiple properties, a multitude of assets, or demanding careers that leave them with little time to manage it all. For high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, or executives who want to maintain a well-organized and smoothly-running household, this role is especially vital. In addition to the value of efficiency, attention to detail, and a desire for a stress-free living environment, a house manager is indispensable in managing everything from household staff coordination to property maintenance to event planning. Join us below as we dive into the responsibilities and skills required to excel as a House Manager.
21 Inspiring Business Women
The business landscape today is dynamic and ever-changing, and women are breaking barriers as leaders and entrepreneurs. Through their determination, resilience, and innovative spirit, they have transformed industries and inspired countless others to follow their dreams. As a part of this blog post, we honor 21 exceptional businesswomen who have made an indelible impact on the entrepreneurial landscape in America. Their stories demonstrate the limitless possibilities and power of women in business.
10 Ways to Empower Employees
An organization's culture of innovation, productivity, and collaboration depends heavily on employee empowerment. Employees who feel empowered are more likely to take ownership of their work, contribute innovative ideas, and produce outstanding results. A great motivator is trust and encouragement. As Steve Job said, “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” In this post, we will explore the top 10 tips to empower your employees and create an environment where great work and great ideas flourish.
10 Things to Avoid - Interviewing 101
You can increase your chances of success by preparing for job interviews and knowing what to avoid. As a part of this blog post, we'll discuss ten things you should never do before, during, or after an interview. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you make the best impression on your potential employer and present yourself in the best possible light.
The Indispensable Role of a Personal Assistant
The role of a personal assistant or house manager is much more than just administrative support in the lives of busy, high-profile executive families. In addition to providing efficiency, organization, and peace of mind to their employers, they are indispensable partners and strategic support systems. Whether it's managing time, coordinating household affairs, safeguarding privacy, or orchestrating events, their contribution is invaluable. It is essential that those who can (and need!), recognize the need for such support in order to optimize their productivity, enhance their quality of life, and focus on what is truly important.
Top 15 Qualities of a Great Executive Assistant
Every successful executive has an Executive Assistant who plays a crucial role in managing their affairs. Outstanding executive assistants possess a unique blend of innate qualities and learned skills that enable them to excel at their jobs. This blog post examines the top 15 qualities that make a great executive assistant, emphasizing the importance of both natural talent and acquired skills.