The Executive Assistant Network National Congress

May 2007

Some Keys to the Success of EAs

Presented by Rodger Bacon

1. Introduction

Good Morning……………

2. What’s in a Name?

• I prefer EA to PA

• Please PAs… don’t stop participating!

3. Recognizing the Role

• How difficult is the EA role???• Complex and demanding – Consider the

following:-Senior ManagementReporting managementCustomers/clientsSuppliers

Materials Services

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

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”.

4. Making it Happen

Identifying the key issues………………..

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

5. The First Key …..Time (Con’t)

Knowing the time framesStaying organizedJudging priorities every day

• The biggest EA contribution is ……saving Executive time

6. The Next Key ….Communication& Knowledge

• Yes it is obvious …. butIt must be both waysDeadlines need to be understoodPriorities must not be confused

• Communication must be timely:-Regularity is vitalBe concise

6. The Next Key ….Communication& Knowledge (Con’t)

• Know what is expected of your Executive

• Know the businessDiscuss your needs, thenGo “inside” for knowledgeGo “outside” for knowledge

……….build your knowledge constantly

7. The 3rd and Vital Key……..Trust

• What is “trust”?Relying on the integrity of another

• What is “integrity”?Soundness of moral principleHonesty…there it is …

• Mutual honesty

7. The 3rd 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

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 positionYou see a lotYou hear a lotYou know the business ………

• Make the suggestions!......THEY WILL BE VALUABLE

9. Summing Up

Making this close working relationship work:-• Recognizing the Role• Making it Happen

The First Key ….TimeThe Next Key …Communication & KnowledgeThe 3rd and Vital Key ….TrustingThere should be more ……. Initiate

Thank you for participating, I look forward todiscussing these views.