APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady answers your career questions and meets an inspiring CEO.
Here she gives a reader advice on how to teach her children a work ethic after not putting her career first.
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Q) I’ve always worked since I left school, but my job has never been a high priority – I’ve been in the same admin position for years, and as long as I’m bringing in money, I don’t worry much about progressing. But now I’m starting to regret it.
My daughter will soon have to think about what career she wants to pursue, and I’m afraid I haven’t been the best role model because she just doesn’t seem interested in her future.
I would like her to find a weekend job to instill a good work ethic in her and I have done my best to encourage her to consider her career options, but she does not recognize that I am trying to prevent him from making the same mistakes I did. Please help me!
Tracy, via email
A) Stop focusing on what you haven’t done and focus on what you have. You put a roof over your daughter’s head, fed her, and showed her the importance of providing for you and your family.
Teaching children a work ethic and the value of money are some of the most important lessons we can teach as parents.
While she is studying, I think it makes sense for you to cover her living expenses (bills, food and necessities), but anything beyond that – like clothes or makeup – she needs to understand that she must pay, or at least contribute to.
As adults, we don’t get these things for free, so prepare her for the real world where luxury has to be earned.
At a young age, it’s hard to know what you want to do, but getting a part-time job will help steer her towards a career or even make her realize what she doesn’t want, all in him giving confidence and some money. independence.
A day in the life of…
JANE Johnson, 49, is the founder and chief executive of online working mum support group, Careering Into Motherhood. She lives in Sheen, London, with her husband Adrian, 52, a business owner, and their eight-year-old son Felix.
I wake up at…
6 a.m. I check my emails, check my journal and approve social media content. After a shower, I help Félix get ready. Then I have a coffee and walk the 15 minutes to school, and another 45 minutes with our dog Zee. I’m at my home office at 9:30.
A normal day involves…
First, I check our Facebook group, which has 9,500 members — all working moms — then I respond to emails from members, often asking for help finding a career coach, getting back to work after maternity leave or finding a new career.
We partner with 50 female coaches, providing free tools and advice on Facebook lives and smaller private sessions on Zoom. I help coaches with their presentations and write articles for our website. I recently recruited a Ukrainian, who is helping me set up our processes and systems so that we can grow the business. Right now we’re looking for funding, so I’m talking to investors.
I also work with our web team to make the site easier for users to find the right coach for them. Afternoons are often spent on strategy and planning work, including generating ideas for our next advertising campaign and, currently, a major study on gender equality in the workplace.
At 4:30 p.m., I pick up Félix from school, then I help him with his homework before dinner. After it goes to bed at 8:30 p.m., I’m happy to get back online. Running my own business gives me the flexibility I need with a young family.
The best part of my job is…
Receiving emails from members who have secured employment or found support within our community is a lifesaver. It makes the stress of running a start-up interesting!
And the worst…
There is always more to do, but I thrive under pressure.
I relax by…
Watch TV and chat with Adrian. I recently started yoga, so I could squeeze in an online class before I go to bed at 11 p.m.
