The Executive Assistant Network National Congress May 2007 Some Keys to the Success of EAs Presented...

The Executive Assistant Network National Congress

May 2007

Some Keys to the Success of EAs

Presented by Rodger Bacon

1. Introduction

Good Morning……………

2. What’s in a Name?

• I prefer EA to PA

• Please PAs… don’t stop participating!

3. Recognizing the Role

• How difficult is the EA role???• Complex and demanding – Consider the

following:-Senior ManagementReporting managementCustomers/clientsSuppliers

Materials Services

3. Recognizing the Role (Con’t)

• Stakeholders Shareholders Employees Regulators Industry Association

• Health & fitness, recreation, sporting people• Continuing education bodies family members• Charitable bodies• Those items aren’t separate, they are often

Inter-related Dependant

3. Recognizing the Role (Con’t)

• As demands on Executives grow and grow ……. and get more complex………Time becomes the issue;But so does “work/life balance”.

4. Making it Happen

Identifying the key issues………………..

5. The First Key …..Time

• All our lives are governed by a series of time intervals

• We achieve and deliver within time intervals

• This man’s view is that there are 3 parts to working with time limits and scarcity of time

5. The First Key …..Time (Con’t)

Knowing the time framesStaying organizedJudging priorities every day

• The biggest EA contribution is ……saving Executive time

6. The Next Key ….Communication& Knowledge

• Yes it is obvious …. butIt must be both waysDeadlines need to be understoodPriorities must not be confused

• Communication must be timely:-Regularity is vitalBe concise

6. The Next Key ….Communication& Knowledge (Con’t)

• Know what is expected of your Executive

• Know the businessDiscuss your needs, thenGo “inside” for knowledgeGo “outside” for knowledge

……….build your knowledge constantly

7. The 3rd and Vital Key……..Trust

• What is “trust”?Relying on the integrity of another

• What is “integrity”?Soundness of moral principleHonesty…there it is …

• Mutual honesty

7. The 3rd and Vital Key …….Trust(Con’t)

• How do you build it? You don’t…. You have it …. Personal ethic

• You build a reputation for integrity• The longer you go, the deeper the trust will

be• And … the greater your contribution will be

to Executive performance

8. There should be more ……Initiate

• The view that the EA is “responsive” to the Executive is O.K, … but …..

• In my view it is not enough …. You should “Initiate”• You are -

In a unique positionYou see a lotYou hear a lotYou know the business ………

• Make the suggestions!......THEY WILL BE VALUABLE

9. Summing Up

Making this close working relationship work:-• Recognizing the Role• Making it Happen

The First Key ….TimeThe Next Key …Communication & KnowledgeThe 3rd and Vital Key ….TrustingThere should be more ……. Initiate

Thank you for participating, I look forward todiscussing these views.