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