Executive and Personal Assistants

Course Overview

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.

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 Two: Review Questions

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 Eight: Review Questions

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