Executive and Personal Assistants Skills
Being an Executive or Personal Assistant is a unique position that requires a variety of skills. Whether you are updating schedules, making travel arrangements, minute taking, or creating important documents all must be done with a high degree of confidentiality. Confidentiality is one of the most important characteristics for every assistant.
Our Executive and Personal Assistants workshop will show your participants what it takes to be a successful assistant. Participants will learn what it takes to effectively manage a schedule, organize a meeting, and even how to be a successful gatekeeper. Being an Executive or Personal Assistant takes a special skill set and this workshop will provide your participants with the necessary tools.
At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
- Adapt to the needs and styles of management
- Communicate through written, verbal, and nonverbal methods
- Improve time management skills
- Manage meetings effectively
- Act as a gatekeeper
- Use the tools of the trade effectively
Course Outline:
Module One: Getting Started
Housekeeping Items
The Parking Lot
Workshop Objectives
Pre-Assignment
Action Plans and Evaluations
Module Two: Working with Your Manager
Adapting to Their Style
Anticipate Their Needs
Getting Your Responsibilities Defined
When to Take the Initiative
Case Study
Module Three: Administrative Soft Skills
Social Intelligence
Basic Business Acumen
Office Management
Active Listening
Case Study
Module Three: Review Questions
Module Four: Effective Time Management
Calendar Management
Prepare for Changes and Surprises
Keeping Others On Track
Urgent/Important Matrix
Case Study
Module Four: Review Questions
Module Five: Meeting Management
Creating An Agenda
Keeping Minutes
Keeping the Meeting On Time
Variations for Large and Small Meetings
Case Study
Module Five: Review Questions
Module Six: Tools of the Trade (I)
Email Protocol
Office Machinery
Computer and Software Skills
Communication Skills
Case Study
Module Six: Review Questions
Module Seven: Tools of the Trade (II)
Phone and Voicemail Etiquette
Word Processing
Business Writing
Internet Research
Case Study
Module Seven: Review Questions
Module Eight: Being an Effective Gatekeeper
Filtering Data and Information
Learn to Say No
Dealing With Difficult People
Recognize the Tricks
Case Study
Module Nine: Organizational Skills
Prioritizing Your Workload
Goal Setting
Plan for Tomorrow, Today
Staying on Track
Case Study
Module Nine: Review Questions
Module Ten: Confidentiality Guidelines
Your Confidentially Duty
Be Diplomatic and Discreet
Keeping Data Secure
What To Do in Sticky Situations
Case Study
Module Ten: Review Questions
Module Eleven: Special Tasks
Project Management
Trade Shows
Interacting with Clients
Social Media Management
Case Study
Module Eleven: Review Questions
Module Twelve: Wrapping Up
Words from the Wise
Review of Parking Lot
Lessons Learned
Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations