Narrelle Matthey Executive Assistant to the President & CEO GE Money The Renaissance EA – implications from more than a decade of change

Agenda Problems that pervade a market when a workplace revolution is creeping rather sweeping – varying sentiments, outlooks, & attitudes about the nature of the EA role The role Education Expansion Your future

Evolution - technology

Evolution – attitudes

Evolution – now

Agenda Problems The role – reading between the lines in job descriptions & at interviews Education Expansion Your future

Typical job description Provide secretarial & administrative assistance to the CEO – including management & PowerPoint Co-ordinate & organise daily/annual meeting schedule Co-ordinate and arrange detailed domestic & international travel itineraries Maintain accurate administrative, record keeping & filing systems Manage all incoming correspondence including s, faxes, internal and external mail Project co-ordination & administration Extensive client liaison both internally & externally

SKILLS 1. Attention to detail 2. Communication skills 3. Anticipation 4. Good written & verbal communication 5. Sense of urgency 6. Time management 7. Organisation 8. Diary management 9. Prioritisation 10.Advanced technical skills ie. Outlook, PowerPoint ATTRIBUTES 1. Trustworthy 2. Positive “can do” attitude 3. Proactive 4. Professional 5. Approachability 6. Confident 7. Diplomacy 8. Discretion 9. Energetic 10.Willingness to learn GE CEO & Managing Directors survey

Ultimately… You are the “window” to your manager – how you are perceived & how you perform have a direct impact on how the boss is perceived & performs The EA’s of today don’t just “do”, they think. They need to be well-rounded, well-read, & stay on top of what’s happening in the business world Dress the part – “clothes make the man” (Mark Twain) Develop that rapport/relationship with your manager so that you can provide input & not be another “yes” person Be a role model for other assistants in the business Keep confidential information confidential, don’t gossip Understand your manager’s priorities – does he want to be interrupted at home/on holiday, whose calls should be taken?

Agenda Problems The role Education – why it’s essential when a role is evolving yet so difficult to achieve given that the task of identifying specific training needs is virtually impossible varies from executive to executive Expansion Your future

Entrepreneurial approach Demonstrated experience Specialised roles New skill sets & responsibilities Requirements going forward

Who will get the job? Those who master technology Effectively use their interpersonal & communication skills Have the ability to track & organise & be creative in solving problems Have the willingness to learn, grow, & accept challenges

Education Swinburne University Victoria: Graduate Certificate of Business Australian Institute Of Management NSW: Diploma of Business (Personal Assistant Development Program) Academies Australia NSW: Certificate III in Business Administration Queensland TAFE: Diploma of Business Management

Agenda Problems The role Education Expansion - your role and your skills when you have a boss that wants to give you wings Your future

Expansion Understand your Manager’s priorities, & therefore your company’s Look for other challenges, don’t become complacent See yourself as an active member of the team, not just “the go-pher” See yourself as your Manager’s “business” partner Be proactive, not reactive

Skills required Leadership Problem-solving, solutions- driven approach Project management Team building Multi-tasking Communications/public speaking Board interaction

Performance review time Start collecting data – 360-Degree feedback Do not assume your Manager knows or understands the steps it takes to accomplish a task or the difficulties overcome to create a success Be confident of your accomplishments  Keep compliments from others  Show detail involved when a meeting needs to be changed  On a normal day, I ……………………..

Agenda Problems The role Education Expansion Your future – taking control & mapping out the role you believe you should have, & finding an executive who believes in you

It’s all about “me” You are an integral part of your Manager’s team You provide a unique talent that no-one else within that team can Communication is your fundamental key to success You control & are responsible for your own life, both personally & professionally

Remember “Ability is what you’re capable of, motivation determines what you do, attitude determines how well you do it” - Lou Holtz The key is having the ability to view your job as: Nothing is below me Nothing is above me No task is too small No task is too large

Future ….. not that far away

Narrelle Matthey Executive Assistant to the President & CEO GE Money The Renaissance EA – implications from more than a decade of change