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

2. 1. Introduction Good Morning……………

3. 2. What’s in a Name? I prefer EA to PA Please PAs… don’t stop participating!

4. 3. Recognizing the Role How difficult is the EA role??? Complex and demanding – Consider the following:-  Senior Management  Reporting management  Customers/clients  Suppliers  Materials  Services

5. 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

6. 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”.

7. 4. Making it Happen Identifying the key issues………………..

8. 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

9. 5. The First Key …..Time (Con’t)  Knowing the time frames  Staying organized  Judging priorities every day The biggest EA contribution is ……saving Executive time

10. 6.The Next Key ….Communication & Knowledge Yes it is obvious …. but  It must be both ways  Deadlines need to be understood  Priorities must not be confused Communication must be timely:-  Regularity is vital  Be concise

11. 6. The Next Key ….Communication & Knowledge (Con’t) Know what is expected of your Executive Know the business  Discuss your needs, then  Go “inside” for knowledge  Go “outside” for knowledge ……….build your knowledge constantly

12. 7. The 3 rd and Vital Key……..Trust What is “trust”?  Relying on the integrity of another What is “integrity”?  Soundness of moral principle  Honesty…there it is … Mutual honesty

13. 7. The 3 rd 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

14. 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 position  You see a lot  You hear a lot  You know the business ……… Make the suggestions!......THEY WILL BE VALUABLE

15. 9. Summing Up Making this close working relationship work:- Recognizing the Role Making it Happen  The First Key ….Time  The Next Key …Communication & Knowledge  The 3 rd and Vital Key ….Trusting  There should be more ……. Initiate Thank you for participating, I look forward to discussing these views.