'10 in 10' Monica Green The Partners Group

Monica Green, director of York-based PR and marketing communications agency The Partners Group, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as The Yorkshire Times gives her just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

What does a typical working day for you involve?

I start my day at home checking the news sites and social media for topics that might impact on our clients – and to check for any positive (or negative) mentions of our clients.
I’m quite an organised person so I try and plan my day the previous day, so I have a clear idea of priorities and actions for when I get in the office. I am still involved in the day-to day management of our clients’ PR campaigns so I will spend my day writing plans and content, liaising with clients and the internal team to deliver the right results.
I’m also responsible for the financial and operations sides of the business, which means I check the bank account, and work with our financial controller to ensure we are paid on time and we pay our suppliers on time – and work to make sure the business as a whole runs smoothly and the team are happy with their working environment.

I aim to be home by 6pm every day and I’m lucky that my lovely husband usually has dinner on the table when I walk in. I try not to work once I get home but inevitably frequently check social media and news channels throughout the evening!

What makes your company special?

We are called The Partners Group because we believe in a true partnership approach. That means working in partnership with each other as a team, working with clients who are willing to take us into their fold and share all their concerns, issues and successes, and working in partnership with our suppliers.
Our relationship with clients works best when we’ve all invested time and effort in understanding each other’s needs and we become so ingrained in our clients’ businesses that they consider us part of their in-house team. It’s only by getting really close to a business, and by understanding their business strategy and vision, that we can provide great advice and truly creative campaigns.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

We only work with companies that we believe we can really help – and who share our partnership ethos. We know where our strengths lie and don’t try to be all things to all men. If an opportunity comes along and it’s in an industry or area where we don’t feel best placed to do a great job, then we’ll turn it down and try and refer it to someone else who might be a better fit.

Do you dress up or down for work?

The office dress code is probably classed as smart casual. We don’t really mind what people wear as long as they feel comfortable and dress respectfully.
If I’m attending a client meeting, I’ll tend to dress a bit more formally and portray a professional image.

What piece of advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

I’ve always been quite a shy, introverted person and I’ve never enjoyed networking, so I’d stress the importance of building your network. Business relationships are so important, and people like to do business with people they like, so it’s never too early to meet people and maintain good relationships.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?

I do enjoy a day out at York Races. It’s very close to our office which makes it convenient and there are numerous corporate hospitality packages to choose from so you can make it as informal or formal as you like.

How do you prefer to travel for business?

I like the freedom of travelling by car so I can come and go as I please, without being restricted by timetables. If I go into Leeds then I’ll often use the Park & Ride, so I don’t have to worry about finding a parking space in the city centre. But if I’m travelling longer distances then I’ll go by train. I find that I am at my most creative when I’m on the train with only a pen and notepad to hand and I can scribble down my thoughts and ideas.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?

As a family we enjoy visiting Filey and walking along the surrounding coastline, which is also a great place for fossil hunting – a real passion for my nine-year-old son. You can’t beat a bracing walk by the sea to relax and recharge your batteries!

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

I love Café No 8 Bistro in York – it’s a cosy, friendly place that backs onto the city walls. The menu is fresh and seasonal with an excellent specials board featuring home-cooked food of Michelin star quality standard in my opinion. When I eat out, I usually choose something that I wouldn’t cook for myself at home such as halibut or venison – and I’d always choose a pudding over a starter!

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you are away?

I miss the friendliness of Yorkshire folk; who are always happy to chat and help if they can. And if I’m away on business then of course I miss my family.