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Business Support professionals – the people who keep organisations moving.
There’s a lot more to business support professionals than meets the eye. Behind the calendar invites, scheduling and office administration, these people are the glue that holds organisations together and are essential to the smooth operation of an organisation
It is important to understand the value a business support professional can add to your organisation. This can range from junior administrators who hold entry-level roles or more senior, highly experienced professionals who have made a career of providing immeasurable support to organisations. These professionals find opportunities to add value to the operations of a company while continuing to develop in their own careers and making it easier for others to do their roles.
#1 The Continuum Of Activity
In the business support industry, job titles alone don’t capture the full scope of a role. It’s the specific responsibilities and demands placed on individuals that truly define their positions. Whether it’s a receptionist managing the first impressions of a company or an Executive Assistant coordinating high-level operations, understanding the context behind each title is essential to appreciate the true value these professionals bring to their organisations.
The continuum of activity for a business support professional can be understood as a range of tasks and responsibilities that vary in complexity.
Variables Influencing Business Support Roles:
The role of business support professionals can vary widely depending on factors like company size, the complexity of the day-to-day operations, and the level of specialisation needed. Hiring managers need to understand these factors to match their talent effectively.
- Company Size: Larger companies often have more specialised roles, while smaller ones may require employees to handle a broader range of tasks.
- Business to Business or Business to Customer: In B2B settings, roles involve complex tasks, strategic relationship management, and multiple stakeholders. B2C roles focus on high-volume customer interactions, emphasising satisfaction and brand loyalty.
- Nature of Industry: Different industries have unique requirements. For example, tech roles might need specific software knowledge, while healthcare roles might focus on medical terminology.
- Company Structure: Larger organisations may have clearly defined roles, whereas flatter organisations might require more collaboration and flexibility.
#2 Salary Insights:
Salaries and compensation for business support professionals in Ireland are influenced by several factors, including the level of experience, specific job role, industry, and location. Overall, the salary range for business support roles can vary widely, reflecting the diverse opportunities and career paths available within the field.
Examples of Recently Delivered Assignments:
This is a very broad guideline and it’s important to take into account the specifics of each individual role. For bespoke advice please contact susan.greene@barden.ie
#3 Challenges for Attracting & Retaining Talent for the future:
- Business support roles can sometimes be seen as stepping stones, leading to higher turnover if employees don’t feel recognised by the business or see clear career advancement opportunities. Ensuring that employees feel valued and engaged in their roles is essential to prevent burnout and turnover.
- Offering competitive salaries that match or exceed market rates is necessary to attract top talent. Beyond salary, offering attractive benefits and perks is important to attract and retain employees.
- AI presents several challenges to the business support industry. It can lead to job displacement as routine tasks become automated, requiring roles to be redefined. There’s a significant need for upskilling, as professionals must adapt to new technologies and continuously learn. Integrating AI systems can be complex and costly, with concerns about data privacy and security. Additionally, ensuring AI systems are free from bias and operate transparently is crucial.
- Despite these challenges, it’s crucial to keep business support professionals involved. Their human insight, judgment, and ability to build customer relationships are irreplaceable. They provide essential oversight, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, ensuring AI systems function ethically and effectively. By combining AI with human expertise, organisations can create a more efficient and human approach to business support.
Hiring business support talent comes with its own set of challenges. Recognising the intricacies of challenges allows companies to develop more efficient recruitment and retention strategies. Offering competitive salaries, flexible working conditions, and providing continuous learning are crucial to attracting and nurturing adaptable, innovative talent.
#4 Demand vs Supply
Here’s what we’ve noticed this quarter in the administration and business support talent pool in Ireland:
In Barden, we understand that each team, role, and requirement is unique. If you would like to discuss what tactics and approaches that would suit you, please feel free to contact Susan Greene | Business Support Advisory & Recruitment expert here in Barden (susan.greene@barden.ie); we’re where leaders go before they start looking for Business Support talent.
(This information is accurate as per March 2025 and will be updated periodically. Data sources include Barden Proprietary Data, LinkedIn Analytics and other 3rd party data sources. If you have a request and would like real-time information to inform your hiring decisions contact Susan Greene at susan.greene@barden.ie.)