Afleveringen
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’re diving into the topic of career mapping for Executive Assistants. Career progression in the EA world isn’t always linear, and for many of us, it’s something we don’t often prioritize. Whether you see the EA role as a stepping stone to another career or you’re committed to excelling in this profession, having a clear career map is essential.
We’ll walk through the five key steps to career mapping, from setting clear goals to identifying skill gaps and building an action plan that aligns with your professional aspirations. We also discuss common challenges EAs face when planning their careers—like falling into the role without a plan, not having enough time to focus on development, or chasing salary increases without a long-term strategy.
You’ll also hear about the latest trends in career mapping, including:
The importance of soft skills and how to develop themThe rise of technology in the EA role and why embracing digital tools is crucialNon-linear career paths and why the EA profession offers more flexibility than you might thinkThis episode is packed with practical steps, insights, and advice to help you take charge of your career and make intentional choices about your professional growth.
Show Notes:
Career Mapping TemplateEpisode 44: Setting Meaningful Career Goals as an EA – eacampus.com/podcast/ep44Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th MarchEVOLVE Virtual Summit – Friday, 28th MarchThe EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we welcome back the inspiring Becky Kaapuni, author of The Unstoppable EA and founder of the EA Social Club. Becky shares her incredible journey of resilience, mindset shifts, and what it truly means to be the CEO of your own life. We delve into the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the challenges she's overcome, and the power of embracing vulnerability as an Assistant. Becky also shares insights on building supportive communities, why mindset is key to success, and how to navigate setbacks while staying true to your goals.
Plus, we talk about the exciting upcoming events at The EA Campus, including the Automation Masterclass on Tuesday, 25th March, and the EVOLVE Virtual Summit on Friday, 28th March. Don’t miss out—check the show notes for all the details!
Show Notes:
Becky Kaapuni’s Website: easocialclub.comJoin the EA Social Club: Sit With BeckyBecky’s Book – The Unstoppable EA: Available now—details on Becky’s website.Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th MarchEVOLVE Virtual Summit – Friday, 28th March
➡️ Full event details and registration are available in our show notes.Stay connected with The EA Campus for more insights, events, and resources to empower your EA career!
The EA Campus
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Ad-hoc tasks are an inevitable part of the Assistant role, but when they start taking over your day, they can prevent you from focusing on strategic, high-impact work. In this episode, we break down how to manage, track, and take control of ad-hoc tasks so they don’t define your role.
We’ll cover:
What ad-hoc tasks are and why they impact Assistants more than other roles How to quantify them so they don’t disappear into ‘invisible work’Strategies to push back on unnecessary requests while maintaining great relationshipsHow to approach your Executive when ad-hoc work is dominating your workloadWhat to do if your role has become entirely reactiveListen in for practical tips and a step-by-step approach to making sure these tasks work for you, not against you.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Ad-Hoc Task Tracker & Prioritization Template – Start tracking your ad-hoc tasks and take control of your workload. Download the templateAssistant Fundamentals Masterclass – Strengthen your foundational skills. Join the masterclassCommunity Webinar: Creating a User Manual for Your Executive – Learn how to set expectations with your executive. Sign up hereMastering Automation Masterclass – Learn how to streamline and automate repetitive tasks. Register nowShow Notes
00:00 – Welcome & March Event Round-Up
Overview of upcoming EA Campus events and why you should join.04:15 – What Are Ad-Hoc Tasks & Why They Matter
Definition of ad-hoc tasks and why they impact Assistants more than other roles.09:30 – The Challenge: Requests from Colleagues vs. Executives
Why colleagues don’t always recognize the impact of their requests.How to manage last-minute requests from your Executive.15:45 – How to Quantify & Track Ad-Hoc Tasks
The importance of tracking and logging these tasks.How to use data to make a case for workload balance.22:10 – How to Take Control & Set Boundaries
Practical strategies to manage ad-hoc tasks effectively.How to push back professionally while maintaining strong relationships.30:00 – What to Do if Ad-Hoc Tasks Are Your Whole Job
Signs your role needs redefining.How to have a productive conversation with your Executive.The impact of updating your job description and performance review criteria.38:20 – Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Try the one-week ad-hoc tracking challenge and share your insights in The EA Campus Community.The EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we sit down with two incredible industry voices, Candice Burningham and Jodie Mears, for an insightful and lively discussion on the evolving role of Executive Assistants.
We cover everything from key industry trends, AI and automation, and the future of job titles to some of the more controversial topics shaping the profession today.
Is the Executive Assistant role evolving or disappearing?How do we ensure assistants are recognized, compensated, and empowered?Is "Strategic Business Partner" a mindset shift or a new job title?What does the future hold for EA career progression?If you enjoyed this conversation and want to be part of more discussions like this, join The EA Campus Community for free for one month! Gain access to exclusive content, live discussions, networking opportunities, and a support network of like-minded professionals.
Listen to the full, unedited conversation inside The EA Campus Community!
Connect with Candice & Jodie
🔗 Candice Burningham
Founder of Admin AvenuesCo-founder of The Future Focused AdminLinkedIn: Candice Burningham🔗 Jodie Mears
Executive Assistant & LinkedIn Thought LeaderCo-host of The Crodie Files PodcastLinkedIn: Jodie MearsLoved this episode?
⭐ Leave us a review
📢 Share it with your network
📩 Subscribe so you never miss an episodeThe EA Campus
-
In this episode, we’re exploring one of the biggest challenges for Assistants: email management! How do you start the conversation with your Executive about taking control of their inbox? What systems can you set up to streamline the process? How do you ensure emails don’t take over your entire day?
Nicky walks you through practical strategies for managing email overload, setting expectations with your Executive, and implementing a structured system that keeps both of you organized and productive. Whether your Executive is a hands-on inbox checker or prefers a more hands-off approach, these insights will help you create a workflow that actually works.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a concrete plan to take away so you can start transforming how you handle email today!
Show Notes & Resources
🔹 Free Resource: 50 Outlook Hacks for Assistants – Grab your free guide to mastering Outlook shortcuts and email efficiency. Download it here - https://eacampus.com/podcast/ep50
🔹 Upcoming Events:
Events Management Masterclass – Tomorrow! Join us for an in-depth session on planning and executing successful events. Register here.
Free Webinar: Making Your 1:1 Meeting with Your Executive Indispensable – Thursday, 27th February. Don’t miss this essential training! Sign up here - https://theeacampus.com/events/Want to go deeper? Check out our Effective Email Management for Assistants Course, designed specifically for EAs who want to master inbox management. Learn more here - https://theeacampus.com/online-course/effective-email-management/
🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review and share it with another Assistant who could benefit from these tips!
The EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas dives into one of the most critical topics in the Executive Assistant profession—salary transparency. Assistants often struggle to access clear, unbiased salary data, but today’s guests have taken a groundbreaking step to change that.
Joining Nicky are Yvette Pearson, founder of Admin Wrap, and Alicia Fairclough, founder of EA How To. Together, they’ve created the EA Salary Survey, a report that brings real salary data to the table—without bias, without agenda, and purely for the benefit of the EA community.
In this episode, we discuss:
The inspiration behind the EA Salary Survey and how it differs from traditional salary reportsSurprising findings—such as the unexpected correlation (or lack thereof) between education and salaryRegional differences across the UK, US, and Australia, including the highest-earning job titlesHow salary transparency impacts career progression and job satisfactionWhy EAs should have open conversations about salary and how the survey can helpDownload the EA Salary Survey: EASalarySurvey.com
EA How To: eaHowTo.com
Admin Wrap: adminwrap.com
The EA Campus: theeacampus.com
The EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas explores how Executive Assistants can leverage AI to streamline their workflow, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on strategic, high-impact tasks.
Key Takeaways:
AI is not about replacing assistants—it’s a tool for efficiency, helping with email drafting, scheduling, meeting summaries, and report generation.
Assistants can use AI to manage complex calendars, generate executive briefings, draft presentations, research industry trends, and create training materials.
Effective AI usage starts with well-structured prompts. The more context and detail provided, the better the AI output.
Practical AI Tools for EAs:
Multimodal AI: Upload PDFs, images, and documents for analysis.Advanced Voice Mode: Use AI for voice-to-text brainstorming and dictation.AI Data Privacy: Secure sensitive company data by using AI responsibly.Once comfortable with AI, assistants can explore automation, custom AI workflows, and tools like Claude for long-form content creation.
💡 Call to Action: Start small—experiment with AI for emails, reports, and task automation. Download the ChatGPT Prompts for Assistants freebie at eacampus.com/podcast/ep48.
🎧 Listen Now & Work Smarter with AI!
The EA Campus
-
Today’s episode is all about the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. What if 80% of your results come from just 20% of your effort? Sounds like a game-changer, right?
In this episode, we’ll explore how Executive Assistants can apply this powerful principle to cut through distractions, prioritize high-impact tasks, and truly make a difference in their role. You’ll learn practical strategies for identifying the tasks that drive the biggest results, how to protect your focus and manage interruptions, and simple ways to track your progress for continuous improvement.
🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why the 80/20 rule is a productivity superpower for EAs
✔️ How to identify the high-impact tasks that truly move the needle
✔️ Daily prioritization strategies to stay focused and in control
✔️ How to protect your time, set boundaries, and reduce distractions
✔️ Tracking your progress and making data-driven decisions about your workload📢 What’s Happening on The EA Campus?
Our first Virtual Summit of 2025 is happening this Friday, focusing on developing your EA career. There’s still time to grab your ticket! Next Friday, 7th January, we’re hosting the Strategic Time Management Masterclass—a high-impact session designed to help EAs take control of their workload. Spaces are limited to just 20 participants, so don’t wait too long to register!🎁 FREE TEMPLATE ALERT!
Saying no is a crucial skill for any high-performing EA, and we’ve got a free template to help you do it gracefully and effectively. Download it here: eacampus.com/podcast/ep47.💡 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with fellow EAs, and leave us a review! See you next time on The EA Campus Podcast!
🔗 Links & Resources:
Sign up for the Virtual Summit: The EA Campus Virtual Summit
Register for the Strategic Time Management Masterclass
Download the FREE Saying No Template: eacampus.com/podcast/ep47The EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas dives into the tech landscape tailored specifically for Executive Assistants. Discover 15 tools and technologies that can help streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and make a meaningful impact in your role. From scheduling with When2Meet to creating impactful presentations with Beautiful.ai, we cover essential platforms for managing schedules, collaborating effectively, and staying ahead in a tech-driven world.
Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s coming up on The EA Campus:
Sustainable Events Masterclass on Friday, 24th January 2025Develop Virtual Summit on 31st January 2025Strategic Time Management Masterclass on 7th February 2025For this episode, we’ve also prepared a special downloadable resource: 101 Tools and Technology for Executive Assistants. This curated list of 100 platforms spans collaboration tools, AI solutions, and more to enhance your skill set. Access it now at theeacampus.com/podcast/ep46.
Whether you’re new to the tech scene or looking to expand your toolkit, this episode will inspire you to embrace technology with curiosity and confidence. Tune in and transform the way you work!
When2Meet – A scheduling tool for finding mutually convenient times across time zones.Agenda – A timeline-focused note-taking app for organizing tasks and meetings.Clean Email – An email management tool to declutter your inbox and unsubscribe from spam.TimeShifter – A science-backed app to help travelers minimize jet lag.Serene – A focus and productivity app designed for remote workers.TinyWow – A versatile online tool for file conversion, PDF editing, and more.Steve AI – An AI-powered video creation tool for quick and professional content.Claude AI – A secure, privacy-focused AI assistant for document drafting and collaboration.Perplexity AI – A conversational AI-driven search tool for quick and accurate research.Mem AI – A note-taking app with AI-powered organization and retrieval.Avoma – An AI meeting assistant for transcription, notes, and post-meeting insights.Beautiful.ai – An AI-driven presentation tool for creating stunning slides.Sparkle – A file organizer that uses AI to declutter your downloads and desktop.Ajelix BI – A productivity tool for Excel and Google Sheets with AI-driven reporting and dashboard generation.ContentStudio – An all-in-one social media management and content scheduling platform.
Links to the tools and technologies featured in this episode:The EA Campus
-
In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky dives into the transformative power of mastering your daily routine as an Executive Assistant. With practical advice and actionable tips, you’ll discover how to navigate interruptions, prioritize tasks, and create systems that work for you—not against you.
From building an effective morning routine to embracing micro-lists, leveraging technology wisely, and setting boundaries with confidence, this episode is packed with strategies to help you thrive in your role. Whether you’re new to the profession or a seasoned Executive Assistant, these 10 secrets will inspire you to take control of your day and elevate your productivity.
Highlights Include:
Building a morning routine that sets the tone for success.Using micro-lists to stay focused amidst chaos.Prioritizing tasks with the ABC method.The power of time blocking with flexibility.Creating a daily shutdown ritual for better work-life balance.Working with your natural energy peaks for maximum productivity.The importance of saying "no" to protect your time and energy.Don’t forget to download the free daily routine template designed specifically for Executive Assistants to help you implement these tips and stay on track, even on the busiest days!
Links:
Download the Daily Routine FREE Template here 👉 https://theeacampus.com/podcast/ep45/
Sustainable Events Masterclass
https://theeacampus.com/event/sustainable-events-masterclass/
Develop Virtual Summit
https://theeacampus.com/event/develop-virtual-summit/The EA Campus
-
In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home: why traditional goal-setting methods often fail for Executive Assistants and how you can set goals that actually stick. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or frustrated by unmet goals, this episode will give you fresh perspectives and practical solutions.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Why focusing on just one “big why” for your goals can set you up for failure.How to create a list of meaningful reasons to stay motivated through challenges.The power of breaking down big goals into smaller, actionable steps for measurable success.How to adopt a transformative "10x mindset" to rethink and revolutionize your approach to growth.To help you put these strategies into action, we’ve created two free resources:
A SMART Goal-Setting Template to ensure your goals are actionable and achievable.A Weekly Evaluation Document to reflect on your progress and stay aligned with your priorities.Download these resources for free at The EA Campus - https://theeacampus.com/podcast/ep44/.
We’ll also share real-world examples of how Executive Assistants can set impactful goals, whether it’s mastering AI tools, streamlining workflows, or aligning their professional growth with their executive’s strategic priorities. Plus, you’ll hear tips on protecting your time and creating a vision statement to keep you focused throughout the year.
Ready to redefine your goals and make 2025 your most successful year yet?
ChatGPT – For drafting emails and improving productivity. Learn more at ChatGPT by OpenAI.Clockwise – For smarter scheduling. Find details at Clockwise.Grammarly – For enhancing document editing and writing. Explore at Grammarly.Calendly – For streamlining meeting setups. Visit Calendly.Zapier – For automating repetitive tasks. Discover more at Zapier.Microsoft Teams – For team communication and collaboration. Check it out at Microsoft Teams.Slack – Another great option for team communication. Explore at Slack.TripActions – For streamlining travel bookings. Learn more at TripActions.Concur – For managing travel and expense reporting. Find details at SAP Concur.
Tools and Software Mentioned:Thought Leaders and Strategies Referenced:
Dr. Benjamin Hardy and his concept 10x Is Easier Than 2x – A transformative mindset for exponential growth.Michael Seltzner – The importance of crafting a vision statement. Learn about his strategies at Social Media Examiner.The EA Campus Article - Why every Assistant should have their own personal vision statementThe EA Campus Free Templates - https://theeacampus.com/podcast/ep44/The EA Campus
-
In this EA Campus podcast episode, Nicky Christmas interviews Gabrielle Waxenberg, an experienced Executive Assistant who has recently transitioned to working as a fractional Assistant for multiple clients.
Key points from the episode:
From hospitality management to becoming an EA, she worked in various industries, such as legal, manufacturing, IT, banking, sustainability, and healthcare.Time management across multiple executives and organisations, maintaining confidentiality, and navigating different personalities and dynamics.Empowerment to set boundaries, choose clients and tasks, and establish a peer-to-peer relationship with executives.Set boundaries early on, learn to say no when necessary, and build strong relationships with other admins for support and growth. Invaluable connections, witnessing the profession's evolution, and the ability to positively impact leaders and organisations.The importance of challenging norms and providing honest feedback to executives, even when it's difficult, to help them grow and avoid potential issues.Throughout the episode, Gabrielle shares her experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during her 12-year career as an EA. She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries, building relationships, and speaking truth to power. Her insights offer valuable advice for Assistants at all stages of their careers.
The EA Campus
-
In this episode, Becky Kaapuni shares her winding career journey spanning publishing, wine business, investment banking, tech startups, Twitter, and now Salesforce, where she supports the CEO of AI.
Some key pieces of advice and insights Becky offers:
Be patient in building your career - you have to go through the stepping stones and start at the beginning, gaining experience over time.Know your worth and negotiate your compensation, even if it means being willing to walk away from an opportunity. Invest in a professionally written resume.For interviews, focus on showing up as your best self and demonstrating confidence. Worry about the details of the job later.Always maintain a beginner's mind, as every executive, company culture, and role will differ. Be ready to learn and adapt.Build your network and maintain connections over time. You never know when an opportunity may come back, even years later.Becky candidly shares the triumphs and challenges of her EA career, from navigating egotistical bosses and sudden layoffs to finding executives who truly value and empower her. She emphasizes the importance of documenting issues, leveraging resources, and prioritizing one's well-being while acknowledging that immediately leaving a bad situation isn't always feasible.
While Becky admits she could lead more by example in disconnecting from work, she has found that staying on top of things helps her mental health and ability to relax. Her story illustrates the ever-changing landscape of the EA role and the resilience required to succeed in the long term.
The EA Campus
-
In this episode, Chelsea Fox shares her 15-year journey as an assistant, from starting as an event manager in Spain to her current role as an EA supporting the CEO and leadership team at a data centre startup in London.
Some key pieces of advice and insights Chelsea offers:
Find the industry and company culture that allows you to thrive as an assistant. In a startup, being willing to roll up your sleeves and help out wherever needed is key.Confidence comes from having your voice heard and your opinions valued as an assistant. Chelsea appreciates that her current company seeks her input.Learn to say no when needed to avoid burnout, but be ready to pitch in on a wide variety of tasks, especially in a startup environment.Resilience and strong communication skills with your executive are critical. Have a plan A through Z, as things rarely go perfectly according to plan.Being bilingual (Spanish & English for Chelsea) can open up great career opportunities, especially in European companies.Build relationships across the organization by being friendly, remembering personal details, and, yes, bringing in treats! People are much more willing to help out a friend.Chelsea also shares some of her favourite productivity tools, such as Microsoft To Do, OneNote, Planner, and good old-fashioned handwritten lists. Her story illustrates the importance of adaptability, relationship-building, and being proactive in making your mark as an assistant and elevating the perception of the role.
The EA Campus
-
In this episode, Catherine Wright shares her varied career journey leading up to her current role as an Executive Assistant to a CEO. She discusses the importance of understanding the business you work for, being a connector between teams, and adding value wherever possible.
Some key pieces of advice Catherine offers:
Be meticulous about diary management - think through all the details like agenda items, travel/transition time between meetings, focus time, and your executive's well-beingRemember that your own time management is just as important as your executive'sConstantly keep learning and building your networkDon't be afraid to take ownership and be assertive when needed in managing your executive's scheduleFind ways to add value and make an impact, even with simple things like organizing social eventsTackle your most dreaded task first thing (eat the frog) to make the rest of your day easierCatherine also shares some of her favourite tools like OneNote, Asana, and good old-fashioned to-do lists. Her story illustrates how initiative, resilience, and a service-oriented mindset can enable an EA to become a true partner to their executive and make a difference in their organisation.
The EA Campus
-
Fatiha Zeghir shares her extensive journey as an Executive Assistant (EA), starting in Paris and transitioning through roles at major companies like Procter & Gamble, NRJ Global, SAP, News UK, Penguin Random House, Pearson, and the BBC, before her current role at Vodafone. Her experience highlights the importance of adaptability, communication, and learning from diverse roles and industries. The discussion emphasizes the EA role's significance in crisis management, especially noted during her time at the BBC during the pandemic.
A recurring theme is the challenge of being underutilized or not fully integrated into strategic discussions despite EAs' central role in executives' daily operations. Fatiha and Nicky discuss the importance of EAs establishing boundaries, learning to say "no but," and the need for better remuneration reflective of their contribution.
Fatiha expresses a preference for Gmail and Google Calendar for their synchronization capabilities. She emphasizes using cloud storage and shared documents for efficiency and easy access to the latest information. Fatiha advocates for consistent and logical document naming conventions to streamline work processes.
Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" is highlighted as a transformative book, offering insights on navigating a male-dominated corporate world and negotiating effectively.
Fatiha shares her interests outside of work, including her passion for writing, specifically exploring the idea of a dramedy about EAs. She also mentions her involvement with the charity Care for Calais and her love for London's cultural offerings.
The paramount advice for new assistants is learning to assertively set boundaries from the beginning of their career, emphasizing "no, but" as a strategy for managing workload and expectations.
This episode sheds light on the complexities of the EA role and the significant value EAs bring to their organizations and offers practical advice for EAs at all career stages. Fatiha's journey and insights serve as an inspiration and a guide for both seasoned and new EAs navigating their professional paths.
The EA Campus
-
In this episode of the EA Campus podcast, join Nicky as she welcomes Rebecca Greenhill, a seasoned Executive Assistant (EA) at Cobalt Search. Rebecca's unique career journey has transitioned from dance performance and teaching to retail management and finally into the realm of executive assistance. She shares the rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped her career. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion across different stages of her life.
Discover how Rebecca's early career in retail laid a solid foundation for her skills in management, dealing with diverse personalities, and fostering resilience—skills that later became invaluable in her role as an EA. Rebecca's turning point came from an inspired moment by the film "The Devil Wears Prada," leading her to pursue a career that combines pace, challenge, and the thrill of solving daily puzzles in an office environment.
At Cobalt Search, Rebecca supports the CEO, managing a wide range of tasks, from calendar and email management to handling HR and finance tasks. She emphasises the varied and dynamic nature of her role. The episode delves into the importance of adaptability, the joy of variety in daily tasks, and the significance of building relationships within the business.
Rebecca also touches on her life outside of work, including her involvement in musical theatre and the balance between personal life and professional commitments. The discussion extends to advice for aspiring EAs, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, the ability to say no to prioritize effectively, and the value of continuous learning and self-improvement.
This conversation not only illuminates the evolving role of executive assistants but also offers valuable insights and advice for those navigating or aspiring to thrive in this career path.
The EA Campus
-
In this episode of the EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas interviews William Richardson, an executive assistant at United Launch Alliance (ULA), where he shares insights into his career journey and the dynamic nature of his role in the aerospace industry.
William describes his accidental entry into the administrative field, starting from customer service in consumer electronics and evolving into various roles, including consulting and private equity, before landing in the aerospace industry with ULA.
As an Assistant, William likens his role to "air traffic control," focusing on managing information flow and ensuring efficient communication across teams. He highlights the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
William stresses the importance of seeking professional development opportunities and documenting achievements. He emphasizes asking for development resources and tracking value added to the organization.
William advocates for involvement with the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for certification, networking, and career advancement. He mentions the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification and specialities in project management, event planning, and technology applications as beneficial for executive assistants.
For more information on IAAP and the certifications mentioned, visit IAAP.The EA Campus
-
In this captivating episode of the EA Campus podcast, host Nicky Christmas sits down with Grazia Maietta for an insightful conversation about her journey as an Executive Assistant (EA) in the dynamic world of technology. Grazia, originally from Italy with a background in foreign languages, delves into her career evolution from a translator and teacher in Italy to an accomplished EA in the UK.
Working currently at Condense, a company specializing in live-streaming events into digital worlds, Grazia shares the intricacies of her role, which uniquely blends EA responsibilities with office management. She provides a fascinating glimpse into Condense’s innovative work in AR, VR, and the Metaverse, underscoring the company's unique ability to stream content from their Bristol-based Metaverse studio to various digital venues.
Grazia talks about the challenges and rewards of her position, including managing the busy schedule of Condense's CEO, Nick Fellingham, and supporting other directors and teams. Her role extends beyond administrative tasks, involving close interaction with engineers and technicians, particularly during live events.
The conversation takes a personal turn as Grazia shares her morning routine and how it prepares her for the day's challenges. She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, enjoying outdoor lunches by Bristol's waterfront, and her passion for Latin American dances like salsa and bachata.
Nicky and Grazia discuss the importance of being proactive, adaptable, and managing expectations in the EA role, especially in a tech-driven environment like Condense. Grazia offers valuable advice for aspiring EAs, highlighting the significance of continuous learning, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Discord for professional growth.
Notion: An app used for managing projects, documents, and tasks. It offers features like wikis, docs, and templates for organizing work. You can download it for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. For more information, visit the Notion website.Trello: A web-based tool used for tracking projects and tasks, employing a system of boards and cards to organize and prioritize work.LinkedIn: A professional networking site that Grazia uses for staying updated on industry trends and connecting with other EAs and PAs.Discord: Originally known for its popularity in the gaming community, Discord is also used for professional communities, including executive assistants.Podcasts: Grazia mentioned listening to the "EA How To" and "Leader Assistant" podcasts, as well as podcasts published by Practically Perfect EA.Books: She referred to the book "The Leader Assistant" by Jeremy Borrows.The EA Campus
-
In this podcast episode, Emily discusses her transition from college to the hospitality industry, her progression into events planning, and her eventual move into an EA role. She emphasises the importance of organisational skills and the dynamic nature of her job, dealing with various tasks ranging from events planning to managing the CEO's schedule and communications.
Emily shares her experiences of learning on the job, the significance of mentorship, and the evolution of her role from PA to EA. Her passion for her current company, Inicio Group, shines through as she discusses the rewarding nature of her work in social care. She also delves into her personal life, highlighting her interests like running, going to the gym, and her involvement in an ABBA tribute band.
We touch on the challenges of the EA role, such as juggling conflicting priorities and learning to deal with high-pressure situations. Emily provides valuable advice for aspiring assistants, emphasising the importance of learning about their organisation, developing a thick skin, and being proactive in communication and task management.
She also advocates continuous learning and professional development, recommending resources like LinkedIn, networking opportunities, and specific training courses. Emily's story is an inspiring example of how dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn can lead to a successful and fulfilling career as an Executive Assistant.
Book: The Joy of WorkCourse: The Exceptional PA by Heather BakerThe EA Campus
- Laat meer zien
