Jo Sellick,

director,

Sellick

Partnership

Monday

Two more office properties to see today. With expanding staff numbers, we've decided to buy, but have quickly discovered that hunting for an office is even worse than house hunting. Seen half a dozen properties over the past couple of months but feeling quite optimistic about today's viewings. First is a former solicitor's chambers; a beautiful old building but an absolute nightmare inside that would need completely gutting. The afternoon takes us to a modern building in the heart of Manchester's financial district — fantastic location and the offices don't disappoint. Two floors with meeting and interview rooms plus three floors of rentable space — perfect.



Tuesday

With the problem of the new office solved, I'm up before the family is awake and taking a day-return flight to Belfast. Our Northern Ireland branch is preparing a brand launch. It's all top secret but involves a lot of work and interviewing. I love visiting Belfast; it's changed so much in the past couple of years it's almost unrecognisable. It's great to see the renewed sense of pride in the city and the amount of investment going into Belfast is phenomenal.



Wednesday

My first call is fairly local so get the chance to spend breakfast with my 18-month-old daughter. I'm at our Chester office for more interviewing, this time for a new consultant. Chester has only been open for six months, but the increasing workload means that we already need to expand the team. After grabbing a sandwich, I head down the A51 to our Stoke branch for a team meeting. I try to attend one team meeting a month at each of our five branches. I can't be home late tonight though; it's our weekly five-a-side match — can't let the team down.



Thursday

It was close but we won, thankfully, and I'm back on the road again heading North to our Newcastle office. I've got a full day planned, interviewing candidates and meeting clients — one of which has the potential to result in an interesting project for the Newcastle team.



Friday

A day in Manchester includes a working lunch with my two business partners. It's a chance to chat through the financial and legal details involved in buying the new offices, away from the inevitable office distractions. I finally head home on time tonight for a vital appointment — picking my daughter up from nursery. After all, work/life balance is an important part of business.