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.