Norma Hope
Business relations manager, regional development company One NorthEast.
What did you want to be when you were young?
A nurse, until my mother (mistakenly) told me I'd be emptying bedpans all day!
How much was your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?
£1 a week for a Saturday shop job, but the huge sum of £380 per annum for my first office job - spent on miniskirts and hotpants.
What's your dream job, other than your current one?
I've just been appointed to my ideal job - liaising with regional businesses to discover whether they are getting the support they need from One NorthEast and feeding back any issues they raise. I spent 20 years at Tyne Tees Television, most of that time spent building relationships within the region and I'm planning to continue that. We all want to see the region perform well and I hope that my new role as the "liaison" between regional businesses and One NorthEast will help to encourage a better understanding of the work we do and how we can help each other.
What's the best piece of business advice you have received?
Prepare well by doing your research and paying great attention to detail.
And the worst?
Just fudge it, they'll never know!
What is your philosophy when it comes to business?
Treat people with the same respect that you would expect to receive.
What are your hobbies?
Swimming (even took part in a 5k charity swimathon a few years ago), reading, gardening.
What's your top business or financial tip?
Communication with your staff and external contacts is key to the smooth running of a business - mis-information can cause chaos.
Does anything scare you and if so what?
I don't tend to get scared and after delivering my grandson a few weeks ago, when the midwives were late arriving, I reckon I can cope with most things.
What would you choose as your epitaph?
She cared!
