If you are Samantha, your day is full of building connections (not the Workato-kind) with team members, clients, and friends. Keep reading to find out how Samantha spends her time as Executive Assistant and aspiring Chief Happiness Officer at Venn Technology.
As Venn Technology’s Executive Assistant, Samantha (Sam) Young is responsible for helping the team be the best version of themselves.
7:00 AM: I don’t drink coffee, but I love starting my day with a Mama Chia energy drink and a morning devotional for a little extra pep in my step! I’m a firm believer in “Living Things Grow,” so my quiet time is a really important part of my daily routine and growth as a person.
8:00 AM: My commute isn’t bad at all, about 15 minutes usually. I like to use that time to chat with friends on the phone, and then I stay connected with them throughout the day on my Marco Polo app.
Not surprisingly, I’m what’s referred to as a “High B” on the Culture Index. Translation: I generally really, really love being around and connecting with people! Which is why it probably comes as no surprise that I usually make the rounds to say “Hi” to people as soon as I get to the office.
I continue to check-in with the team throughout the day to see if they have everything they need to be comfortable and, ultimately, the most successful version of themselves. Basically, it’s my job to bring happiness to the workplace. For some of the team members that looks like telling a #dad-joke (we have a whole Slack channel dedicated to these) and, for others, it means maintaining a supply of Red Bull and dark chocolate at the office.
9:00 AM: Accounts Receivable is almost always a part of my morning routine at Venn. I’m responsible for verifying invoices according to the statement of work. That means double checking when to invoice the client and for how much. While a lot of this process is automated through our weekly AR status report, we like to manage the communication with the client on a more personal level, which is where I come in. It all goes back to the fact that we’re not about transactions at Venn—we’re about relationships.
11:00 AM: Another big part of my daily role here at Venn is recruiting and HR. From the moment a candidate comes into contact with us (or vice versa), I’m coordinating with that individual and the executive team throughout the entire process. One of the initiatives I’m most excited about as part of recruitment is Culture Index. This tool helps us understand if the role is well-suited for how someone is wired so we know how to best work with one another. I actually gave a Lunch ‘n Learn on the topic recently. It’s so important to the leadership team that we create an environment where people can do their best work, which means getting a better understanding of how they’re wired. What motivates them? How do they make decisions? All kinds of good stuff!
12:00 PM: I usually try to prep my lunch for the week on Sundays, but if I don’t, then lunch for me is a one-shop-stop at Chik-fil-A! That is unless it’s “Pho-riday,” in which case our team puts in orders over our #dundermifflin-grapevine Slack channel and I’ll run out to pick it up for everyone. I also mentioned that I gave a Lunch ‘n Learn recently. We do those monthly, and anyone can volunteer to present on a topic of interest or an area of expertise. I coordinate the lunch orders for those and any other executive meetings, too, so a typical day for me at noon really just depends on what’s on the calendar.
3:00 PM: The afternoons are usually for running errands and prepping for any new hires coming onboard. One of the most exciting parts of the recruiting process is, of course, when a candidate accepts the role. There’s a lot of work that follows for me after that. I make sure they have the equipment and proper system access they need for Day One. Plus, I schedule out onboarding and training with members of our team.
Scott’s also really big on making sure our team is comfortable in their work spaces, which includes showering them with a bunch of Venn swag! Ultimately, it’s my job to make sure it’s a really great experience for every new hire that walks in the door. Once they’re here, I think of myself as being the “Mom” of the space, making sure everyone is comfortable by keeping the fridge and snacks stocked.
4:00 PM: Something I didn’t really touch on is assisting the executive team with pretty much anything they need throughout the day. They’re really amazing, I can’t imagine a better group of people to support. And then of course there’s the #hey-sam Slack channel for everything else!
6:00PM: I keep a pretty busy schedule outside of work. One of my favorite hobbies in the evenings or on weekends is acrylic pour. I started dabbling in this painting style about three years ago. What I love about it is it’s basically what you weren’t allowed to do with paint in kindergarten—get messy with it! I really enjoy sharing these experiences with friends, and some of my pieces have even made it onto the walls in our office.
Some of Sam’s acrylic pour masterpieces alongside a photo of her sharing some techniques with a friend.
I also spend my free time listening to audio books. I have a special interest in personal development, which is perfect since that’s a natural extension of my role here at Venn.
To hear more perspectives about life at Venn, watch 29 Questions with Venn Technology.
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