“ITS NOT ALL PLAIN SAILING – WHY YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT’S KEEPING YOUR BOSS AWAKE AT NIGHT” Angelo Malizis 13 May 2008 EA NETWORK CONGRESS

Overview  Challenges facing Corporate Australia  Why the EA needs to understand these  The changing role of the EA (“Lieutenant”)  Developing Corporate Cognisance  The EA is an asset to the organisation 2

Important “internal” challenges facing corporate Australia  Creating the right organisational culture  Effective management of customers’ satisfaction  Right skill mix in a rapidly changing environment  Enhancing employee flexibility  Effective introduction of new processes and IT  Are we doing the right things? 3

Are we doing the right things?  P roduct  P rice  P lace  P romotion 4

Important “external” challenges facing corporate Australia  What are the competitors doing?  Challenges facing Australia  Global financial crisis 5

Important “external” challenges facing corporate Australia  What are the competitors doing?  Challenges facing Australia  Global financial crisis 6

2020 Summit – 10 core challenges facing Australia 1. The future of the Australian economy 2. The productivity agenda 3. Population, sustainability, climate change, water 4. Future directions for rural industries and rural communities 5. A long-term national health strategy 7

2020 Summit – 10 core challenges facing Australia (continued) 6. Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion 7. Options for the future of indigenous Australia 8. Towards creative Australia 9. The future of Australia governance 10. Australia’s future security and prosperity 8

Important “external” challenges facing corporate Australia  What are the competitors doing?  Challenges facing Australia  Global financial crisis 9

Global financial crisis Strong economic growth Low Interest rates Cheap and available credit High house and share prices Banks keep cash reserves Credit markets tighten Expensive borrowing costs Subprime losses Falling housing and share markets New Financial instruments Risk not understood Large losses on MB Assets Loss of confidence on MBS 10

Why does the EA need to understand the business challenges?  Improve personal efficiency/effectiveness  Broader contribution to the company’s goals and objectives  Improve “circle of influence” 11

Being the Lieutenant to the ships Captain The EA can be a major contributor to:  Strategic planning  Resource management  Project management  Team Leadership 12

Developing corporate cognisance  Understand what motivates your boss  Find out what’s keeping him awake at night  Understanding your boss’s goals and priorities as well as those of his executive team  Understanding management styles of the executive team  Understanding work styles of the executive team 13

How can I solve my boss’s problems? Circle of Influence 14

The EA is an Asset to the organisation  Assisting managements’ policy making, planning and coordination of activities  Increasing the CEO’s flexibility  Major contributor to improving the flow of communication within the organisation  Being a liaison person for the CEO 15

The EA is an Asset to the organisation  Handling special projects and “trouble shooting”  Bringing confidentiality, special knowledge, diplomacy and tact to the position  Interpreting company policies and procedures  Being a candidate for future promotion – a tremendous asset to the company in terms of time and money 16