2025 Executive Assistants Advanced Skills & Team-building Masterclass

We are delighted to invite you to our 2025 Executive Assistants Advanced Skills & Team-building Masterclass which will take place from the 13th – 14th March 2025, at the Manna Resort – Glen Lorne, Harare.

Welcome to the 2025 Executive Assistants Advanced Skills & Team-building Masterclass…

Even the best and most experienced Assistants and Admins need an occasional ‘skills boost’ to level up their professional skills and reach their career goals in 2025! Welcome to our exclusive Masterclass, specifically tailored for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Administrative Professionals who aspire to elevate their foundational skills and enhance their career potential.

In this masterclass, you’ll acquire comprehensive skills crucial for efficient and effective Assistant support. Whether you want to build a solid foundation or refine your existing skills, this masterclass will provide practical strategies and insights to become an indispensable asset in any administrative setting.

This two-day masterclass is meticulously designed to provide you with essential tools and techniques to excel in your role. Whether you’re new to the profession or looking to refresh your skills, this masterclass will empower you with practical knowledge and actionable strategies.

Topics lined-up…

1. Understanding the executives’ working styles, management goals and priorities on a deeper, richer and strategic level.
2. Empowering Assistants with Tech and AI — Boosting Productivity and Efficiency
3. The Collaborative Assistant
4. The Assistant Fundamentals
5. Strategic Time Management Masterclass
6. Events Management Masterclass
7. Influencing Team Dynamics: Advanced Collaboration and Leadership Techniques for Executive Assistants

Activities lined-up…

• Game Viewing
• Team Building

Who is it for…

The Winter School is designed to provide valuable insights and knowledge for Secretaries, Assistants, Receptionists, Executive Assistants, Executive Officers, Personal Assistants, Office Coordinators, Office Managers, Administrative Assistants, Administrative Managers, Business Support Staff and Executive Support Staff from across the nation and beyond.

Cost of Attending…

»» Regular Rate (Pay by 14 Feb) – USD 365.00
»» Late Rate (Pay by 12 March) – USD 395.00

NB: All packages cover; return transport to CBD (everyday) conferencing and course slides, stationery, teas, meals, refreshments, cordials, activities and certificates.

Discounts…

• 5% Corporate Discount for 5 or more bookings from the same organisation.
• 10% Membership Discount for students/ members of the Administrative Assistants Academy.

To make your bookings (our banking details) …

Pay to our bank account; (Administrative Assistants Academy, Stanbic Bank (Msasa Branch), USD Account #: 9140006044394) and confirm by emailing your booking form and proof of payment.

We look forward to warmly welcoming you to this 2025 Executive Assistants Advanced Skills & Team-building Masterclass.

Yours faithfully
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS’ ACADEMY

Tafadzwa Mawanga
Training Coordinator
Call: +263717077927, +263789732986
Email: admin@adminassistantsac.com

Detailed Course Outline

1. Understanding the executives’ working styles, management goals and priorities on a deeper, richer and strategic level
Discovering the strategies to grow a stronger relationship between the executive assistant and the executives she/he supports:

• Using observation for greater insight into the executive’s world
• How to close partnership gaps by working with similarities and differences
• Getting past roadblocks that get in the way of the relationship
• Techniques and strategies to discover the executives’ goals & priorities
• Learning how to think like the executive
• Discovering how to “optimize” the executive’s time through preparation

2. Empowering Assistants with Tech and AI – Boosting Productivity and Efficiency
In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, staying ahead of the curve is essential for Assistants, Administrative Professionals, and Office Managers. The demands of modern support roles require mastery of digital tools and AI to increase productivity, streamline workflows, and optimize time management. This session offers a unique opportunity to enhance your professional capabilities and become a tech-savvy, future-ready assistant. Through hands-on demonstrations, expert insights, and interactive discussions, you’ll walk away with actionable skills that will revolutionize the way you work.

Key Highlights:
a. Understanding the Digital Landscape

• Explore the Current Tech Landscape: Understand the key advancements in AI, machine learning, and automation shaping the future of work.
• Demystifying AI for Assistants: Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT can support daily tasks, create efficiencies, and reduce workload.

b. Practical Tech for Productivity

• Tools for Meetings: Master scheduling tools like Calendly and virtual platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
• Tools for Travel Planning: Simplify travel with apps like TripIt, Booking.com and TravelBank to manage itineraries and stay ahead of changes.
• Tools for Project Management: Gain expertise in project management platforms like Trello, Asana, and Monday.com.
• Workflow Automation: Learn how to use automation tools like Zapier to streamline your tasks and boost efficiency.

c. Mastering Inbox & Email Management

• Inbox Overload Solutions: Discover how tools like Boomerang, SaneBox, and Clean Email can declutter your inbox.
• AI-Powered Email Assistance: Use AI tools like Google Smart Reply and Grammarly to create polished, professional email responses.
• Master Inbox Organization: Learn how to create rules, filters, and categorization systems to keep your inbox under control.
• Email Automation: See how to automate repetitive email tasks to save time and reduce stress.

3. The Collaborative Assistant
a. Foundations of Collaborative Excellence

• Asking the Right Questions
  Develop the critical skill of asking insightful, open-ended questions to uncover true priorities and foresee your executives’ needs. This section focuses on enhancing your ability to gather essential information and anticipate requirements effectively.
• Understanding the Business
  Gain a deep understanding of your business to enhance your role as an Assistant. This section emphasizes the importance of business acumen in making informed decisions and managing time efficiently. Learn how a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape can empower you to support your executive more effectively.
• Importance of Effective Communication
  Master the principles of delivering clear, concise, and impactful messages. Effective communication ensures smooth information flow between executives, teams, and stakeholders. This section covers techniques for improving verbal and written communication skills, including structuring information for clarity, active listening, and assertive yet respectful communication.

b. Enhancing Workflows and Strategic Thinking
In this part of The Collaborative Assistant Masterclass, we will aim to elevate efficiency and effectiveness by fine-tuning your workflow management and strategic thinking skills.

• Improving Workflows with Your Executive
  We will explore tools and strategies that facilitate smoother collaboration between you and your Executives. This section will introduce methods to streamline daily tasks and long-term projects, enhancing productivity.
• Improving Strategic Thinking
  Equip yourself with skills to anticipate future challenges and identify opportunities for your Executive and organization. Develop a forward-thinking mindset, utilizing environmental scanning, SWOT analysis, and scenario planning techniques to analyze information, forecast potential outcomes, and prepare strategic plans.

c. Briefing Your Executive
Being an Assistant comes with a wide array of responsibilities, but one of the most crucial tasks is ensuring your leader is fully prepared for any situation. Whether it’s a high-stakes meeting, an important trip, or a one-on-one with direct reports, your job is to make sure your Executive has all the information they need to succeed. Let’s look at how you can become a pro at briefing your Executive. We will focus on the example of preparing them for an important meeting and touch on other typical scenarios where you will also be briefing your Executive.

d. Communication and Managing Up Collaboratively

• Managing Up Collaboratively
  Learn strategies to ensure continuous progress and effectively allocate your Executive’s time while fostering a collaborative environment. Learn how to balance immediate demands with long-term goals, maintaining a steady pace towards achieving objectives through mutual respect and teamwork.
• The Rule of Five as a Communication Tool
  Implement the Rule of Five to streamline communication and make it more impactful. Gain practical tips for using this method in various formats, from emails to presentations, to convey essential information efficiently.
• Characteristics for Successful Communication
  Explore the personal qualities that underpin effective communication, including active listening and assertiveness. This section emphasizes the critical role of personal development in your professional success, encouraging you to cultivate a mindset that values clear, respectful, and impactful communication.

4. The Assistant Fundamentals

• Core Competencies
• Essential Characteristics and Competencies
  Develop the critical characteristics and competencies required to excel as an Assistant. This section focuses on building confidence, stepping out of your comfort zone, maintaining discretion, enhancing attention to detail, and being proactive. Learn to gather essential information and anticipate requirements effectively, setting a solid foundation for your role.

5. Strategic Time Management Masterclass
a. Time Management for Strategic Impact

• Maximizing Executive Impact with Time Allocation
  You’ll discover techniques for aligning your Executive’s schedule with broader company goals, ensuring that every task contributes to high-impact business objectives. This segment will empower you to focus on activities that drive results and yield the highest return on time invested, transforming your approach to time management into a strategic asset.
• Conducting a Time Audit for Efficiency
  Effective time management starts with understanding how time is currently being used. In this part of the masterclass, you’ll learn how to conduct detailed time audits for both yourself and your Executive. You’ll be guided through step-by-step methods to evaluate workflows, uncover inefficiencies, and make data-driven changes to improve productivity. By regularly auditing time, you’ll continuously refine processes and ensure that both you and your Executive are making the best use of your time.
• Boost Your Productivity with the ABCDE Method
  If you’re looking to supercharge your productivity and make a significant impact in your role, the ABCDE method is a great tool. This simple yet powerful technique will help you prioritise tasks effectively, ensuring you focus on what truly matters. Let’s look at how to boost your productivity with the ABCDE method and transform your workday.
• Navigating Time in High-Stress Situations
  This section focuses on managing time during crises or high-stakes situations where flexibility is crucial. You’ll learn techniques to stay productive and calm under pressure while maintaining control over priority tasks. Whether dealing with an emergency or sudden change in priorities, this part will teach you how to adapt quickly without sacrificing strategic goals. The skills you develop here will help you thrive in unpredictable, high-pressure environments.

b. Long-Term Planning and Strategic Excellence

• Time Management for Long-Term Success
  Time management isn’t just about handling day-to-day tasks; it’s also about planning for the future. This section will teach you how to incorporate long-term planning into your daily routines, allowing you to focus on quarterly and annual goals. You’ll learn how to schedule time for strategic planning sessions, reviews, and key business objectives, ensuring that both you and your Executive stay on track with the broader vision. By mastering long-term time planning, you’ll contribute to the sustained success of your Executive and organization.
• Maintaining Momentum and Managing Executive TimeSustaining progress in the face of competing priorities is crucial to long-term success. In this segment, you’ll learn how to maintain momentum by balancing immediate demands with long-term goals. You’ll discover strategies to keep your Executive moving steadily toward business objectives without losing focus on daily tasks. This part emphasizes the importance of consistent progress and how to allocate your Executive’s time for both short-term wins and long-term achievements.

6. Events Management Masterclass
a. Laying the Foundations
The first part of our Masterclass, “Laying the Foundations,” is perfect for Assistants and Administrative Professionals looking to up their game in Events Management. We’ll start with an informal group discussion, setting the stage for what you hope to gain from this session. Share your own event stories, reflecting on what went well and what could have been better in a relaxed yet insightful setting.

Next, you’ll participate in a collaborative activity, arranging the ‘nine steps’ of event planning into a practical framework. You’ll also have a chance to apply these steps to a past or upcoming event, blending theory with real-world practice. To cap off this section, we will show you the power of setting smart, achievable goals, ensuring your future events are not just memorable but also strategically successful.

b. Creativity and Innovation in Events
In this exciting segment of the masterclass, we delve deeper into the art of event creativity and innovation. We’ll kick off with a group discussion, revisiting the imaginative ideas from part one. You’ll categorise these ideas into two pivotal aspects of any event – content and atmosphere.

Next, will be an eye-opening presentation on transforming traditional, run-of-the-mill meetings into dynamic, engaging experiences that captivate audiences. But it’s not all listening – you’ll also get your hands dirty in a small group challenge, brainstorming and planning out-of-the-box creative implementations for future events. As the world embraces digital transformations, we will share invaluable insights into the nuances of hybrid and virtual events, a must-know in today’s event planning landscape, inspiring you to think creatively about formats for these modern event types.

c. Implementing Change and Achieving Excellence
Part three of our masterclass focuses on practical strategies and deep insights for revolutionizing your approach to event planning. You’ll delve into the nuances of driving meaningful change in both event planning and execution. Through a compelling presentation followed by an interactive group discussion, you’ll explore innovative strategies that challenge traditional event-planning norms. The focus then shifts to the critical principle of prioritizing quality over quantity in event management, emphasizing the importance of crafting impactful and memorable events

7. Influencing Team Dynamics: Advanced Collaboration and Leadership Techniques for Executive Assistants
In the dynamic world of the public sector, effective teamwork and collaboration among Executive Assistants are crucial for achieving organizational goals and maintaining a productive work environment. This Master Class emphasizes the importance of building a strong administrative team, fostering collaboration, navigating conflicts, and leading with impact within the administrative profession. This session will be done practically in groups led by our seasoned Team Building Facilitator.

• Key Highlights:
  Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork: Discover strategies for enhancing collaboration among EAs and with internal departments. Learn how to work together effectively, share resources, and support one another, particularly during challenging projects or times of change.
• Navigating Conflicts and Managing Internal Relationships: Gain insights into resolving conflicts and managing differing interests among EAs. Develop skills to address disputes constructively, maintain a positive team dynamic, and ensure accountability among peers.
• Building Strong Internal Relationships: Explore tools and techniques for strengthening relationships within your EA team. Learn how to build trust, communicate effectively, and create a cohesive, supportive work environment.
• Enhancing Accountability and Performance: Understand the role of accountability in a team setting and explore methods to ensure all team members meet their responsibilities. Develop strategies for maintaining accountability in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Leading as an Administrative Professional: Embrace your leadership role within the administrative profession. Learn how to set an example, mentor fellow EAs, and advocate for your team’s contributions and needs within the organization