By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Lisa Boissel, CEO, Miss Jones
Lisa Boissel is the CEO of Miss Jones Ireland. The firm, which supports PA’s and Event Bookers, began in London and is currently expanding into Dublin.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
To keep progressing with the latest trends and technology and to evolve and grow. We are aiming to launch in a couple of other cities over the next two years. I would love Miss Jones Group to be recognised worldwide and keep growing this incredible community of amazing people.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
I think right now it’s not taking outside investment and being able to grow the business on it’s own without it — so reinvesting income into the growth. It is definitely harder but I know it will pay off. Also having to consistently change our website — it always feels like once we complete a new look we have to start again to keep up with changing technology and what our customers want.
How do you keep your team/ staff motivated?
With my team it’s about having weekly meetings and finding out where their head is at, what they’re looking for to grow and rewarding them for when they work hard whether that’s a little gift or verbally just letting them know when they’ve done well.
It’s so important to acknowledge good work.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
I think with the pandemic so many people are really trying to get their feet back on the ground again. So many venues closed, have become something new, had revamps, are only open certain times so it’s our job to really keep in the know of what it going on and update our members.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
I see so many companies now really trying to bring their teams back together but in ways that doesn’t just involve drinking. Things like team building venues with high technology and social gaming example Virtual Clay Pigeon Shooting and modern darts or immersive experiences are really picking up. We don’t see it as much in Ireland as we do in London but I expect over the next two years, we will see a huge growth in this sector. Away days too are huge at the moment- bringing the teams away, having a meeting and then doing some form of team building activity like axe throwing or segway tours.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
Work is done by the PA’s every day, without any recognition, promotion and sometimes without thanks.
I want to see recognition for the PA/Business Support professionals for what they do and be acknowledged for how important their role is in their company.
As an employer are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
I think at the moment it can sometimes be hard to find people who really want to work hard and progress — I want to see more learning of how to get on with things on your own especially in the rise of working from home. With my company you learn everything through experience mainly and I don’t think college can teach you what you do.
How did your strategy develop in the context of the banking crisis and economic crisis?
Mainly being able to have multiple revenue streams. Our revenue comes from membership fees, marketing & advertising and venue finding & referrals. I’ve learnt how important it is to have multiple revenue streams so you are not relying on one.
How has Brexit affected you?
Definitely with the staff shortages in venues: as we do so much venue finding it can be difficult to get quick responses from venues for our clients. Also with events, so many venues don’t have the capacity to host as many as they would like to.
How has the COVID-19 crisis affected your business/sector?
As most of our revenue comes from events we were extremely affected throughout COVID.
Luckily now as we are trying to get back to somewhat normal, companies are spending more on events to bring their teams back together which has really help us get back on our feet.
How do you define success and what drives you to succeed?
I think being able to own my own business 100%. I have always worked for other people and was always a bit nervous to fully go out on my own. Also being able to launch it in Ireland, my hometown, and begin to expand the business.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given, or would give, in business?
Doing something you love doing every day, if it doesn’t make you happy you shouldn’t be doing it. We spend 5 out of 7 days a week at work, life’s too short to not be enjoying it and If you put your mind to something you can achieve it in some way. If I really focus on an achievable goal and make steps about how I am going to get it makes the process easier.
What’s next for your company?
Launch successfully in Ireland and grow the brand across the country and then launch our app which I am really excited about.
We are currently updating our website which we tend to do quite regularly to keep up with evolving technology.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
My aim is to launch in a couple of other cities over the next 2 years to really grow the community and the brand.
