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I didn’t get where I am today without…

Introducing CBN member Constanze Hewson, Solicitor and German lawyer (Rechtsanwältin), partner in the Human Resources Practice Group of Eversheds LLP.

• ignoring doom merchants: I studied and trained in law in Germany but knew early on that I wanted to move to England. Many people I spoke to did not think it would be possible to get a job as a German qualified lawyer in England and predicted that I would end up wasting my degree. Now, ten years later, I not only have a job in law but a very interesting one which allows me to practice German and English law from a base in Cambridge, a city I love and am happy to call home.
• identifying what I wanted to achieve and persevering with it: When I first suggested at Eversheds that I wanted to have a split role, practicing German and English employment law, I was told that no one had ever done this before. But the firm was open minded and let me try it and I worked hard to keep two bosses and two departments happy.
• knowing that there are times when the Blackberry and mobile should be switched off: Any job in a service industry can be very demanding, particularly in a large law firm where clients justifiably have high expectations of the service they receive. Communicating clearly with your clients, agreeing time lines and availability and then ensuring there are work free times, especially on weekends and holidays, for me are absolute essentials for a happy and balanced life.
• family and friends: Trying new things like moving to a new country requires confidence and courage which I would not have without my family and close friends who always supported and believed in me, even if my chosen path was not typical.

Introducing CBN member Emma Herring, journalist and PR consultant.

• knowing there’s a story behind everything: As a newspaper journalist, one of the first news editors I encountered told me to find three news stories from the classified section of the paper. I must have looked worried, but he assured me it was easy. Sure enough I found a champion dog breeder, a family looking for a long lost relative and a classic car that had an interesting history up for sale. Having a nose for a good story has helped me enormously, especially when I’ve been working on assignments abroad.
• learning how to run several projects at once: My first PR job was as a press officer and editor for a water company during the privatisation of the water industry. The phones were ringing constantly with enquiries from both the national and local media. It taught me how to prioritise work and the importance of keeping people up to date with progress.
• making the bold decision to run my own business: I took the plunge 12 years ago and have never looked back. I learned very quickly that you could compete against the big agencies and companies for projects. Clients hire me because they know that I will be running the project for them and they are getting my skills and experience and they don’t have to deal with a different person every time they call.