If you are like me you probably get sent at least three invitations a week to register for various EA conferences or master classes. And if you are anything more like me you probably don't bother asking your boss to attend them. Why? Well its usually got something to do with those very tight company budgets that we constantly have to hear about, and the unlikeliness that they would choose an EA or a PA to send on a conference when the budgets are so tight. Meanwhile other member's of the team request to attend seminars and conferences, often overseas, and are approved to go at the cost of thousands and thousands of dollars to the company. So why is it that they get to go and we don't? Firstly let me say, if you don't ask, then you don't get. Secondly, lets eliminate the idea in our heads that they may be considered more 'valuable' to the company than us, and lets look at why we are just as valuable, if not more so. Like any sales pitch, there is a particular way you need to sell yourself to ensure you are empowering and enabling yourself to reach your full potential. There is only one person in your working life that can ensure you are investing in your future, and it's not your boss, its you!
I've mentioned before that its the EA's that are the glue that hold any company together, and in turn they should be nurtured and invested in in the same way leaders of the company are. And as the right hand woman/man to the leaders of this world, there is just as much expectation leaning on our shoulders as there is resting on theirs, and as such more should be done to improve our skills to ensure we can assist them properly to achieve their goals. When Executives are paired with EAs that are lacking in certain skill sets or are lacking in drive and motivation it can be detrimental to the productivity of that Exec. Precious time is taken away from them delivering their objectives, and instead is spent doing monotonous admin that should be well within their EA's skill set to handle. The EA conferences and workshops emails that populate our inboxes each week are not sent to us just to clog our inboxes, they are actually constructed and well thought out by these conference organizers to allow for all administration professionals to step away from the office, switch off from our roles and take an opportunity to freshen up our skills, obtain new ideas, listen to how others handle things, and of course network. But sadly, when company's do send their EA's to EA/PA conferences it is usually just one (and the most senior) that attends with the objective to brief the others with the knowledge that they've learnt. A theory that makes little sense to me given its often the Junior ones that need the investment on their skills, and maybe others that have been with the company for years that need the injection of motivation. All these conferences offer group discounts to allow for multiple EAs to attend at a discounted rate, and its something that we should all be upselling to our bosses.
So how do you choose a good EA Conference?
As I mentioned, we do get inundated with many conference opportunities that all can look alike. But be warned, they are not! I will always scan the proposed agendas of these conferences to check out who the speakers are, as that will always determine my decision on whether I ask for permission to go. As good as it is to see various motivational speakers, its disappointing to often not see any real EAs in the line up. And whilst it can be beneficial to see motivational people speak from other areas outside of administration, I often wonder whether they actually understand what its like to be an EA, and my guess is that they don't. When I do see a conference though with a huge EA line up it does grab my interest. In fact a conference email hit my inbox just last week that got my attention.......
The Executive Assistant Congress being held next month in Sydney has a fantastic line up of EA speakers and subsequently I went through the process to obtain approval to go! If you can manage the 2 days away from work and of course can work your magic with your boss, I highly recommend this incredible learning and development opportunity. The speakers include 12 distinguished Executive Assistants who will share their valuable insights and experience including Jane Righton-Stapley, the Senior Personal Assistant to the Governor of New South Wales; Wendy Barrie, EA to the CEO of Uniting Care QLD; and Denise Keen, EA to the CEO Arup. On top of that also gain exclusive insights from three senior executives on their expectation of us and our roles. Click here for the full agenda. To lock in your place at this inspiring event, click here to register online, and if you mention my blog - who's the real boss - you'll receive a $100 off your registration! Remember too if you register more than three delegates you'll secure some excellent discounted group rates.
How to get permission to go?
It's important not to ask too frequently to attend these seminars, and instead eview the content of those that are sent to you (or research them yourself online) and wait until you see one that takes your fancy. Look for speakers of interest or topics on the agenda that could help improve your skills. Be prepared to call out to your boss when asking permission the skills that need some development. If you are honest in where you fall down and show that you are prepared to work on yourself to improve those skills it will show dedication and commitment to being a better EA.
So prepare your case in the following way:
1. Point out the relevant topics /speakers/workshops that you are interested in and how you see them benefiting you personally.
2. List all the benefits of you attending - to them and your working relationship, to yourself, to the company and to your fellow EA network.
3. Detail the cost involved of registering, highlighting the early bird rates and group discount rates.
4. On pointing out the group discount rate, use the opportunity to raise the idea of sending some other EA's in your team, or within your company. Mention how they too will benefit personally and give your opinion on how you think it will help them to be a better assistant. Offer the idea that this could be a team building opportunity for the EAs, or perhaps it could be used as a 'thank you' for their extra efforts.
5. Detail your plan for coverage whilst you are out of the office.
Its always a great idea come performance review time to raise the idea of training and investing in your skills and the future of your career. Get it on their radar then so that they know there is an expectation there that you want to attend these sorts of conferences. Get HR on your side and the strength of other EAs too. You may be able to get some budget allocated to the training of the administration staff if you can sell the benefits of it to them.
Before I sign off I wanted to let you know of an exciting giveaway I have to offer this week! With thanks to Intrepid Minds, its is my pleasure to give away one free ticket to attend the Executive Assistant Congress, mentioned above, being held in Sydney on 16-17 November 2016 at Rydges Sydney Central!
If you are the lucky winner you will have the opportunity to attend the two full days of the conference and get to be inspired by the line up of great speakers they have on offer. Not to mention you'll get to meet me too!
It's simple to enter, just follow the four simple steps below:
1. Subscribe to Who's the Real Boss blog to receive it on email here. Make sure you verify your subscription via the return email it sends you.
2. Like Who's the Real Boss Facebook page here
3. Become a member of the Who's the Real Boss LinkedIn group here
4. Then click here to register your entry and you will go in to the draw to win the free ticket to this awesome event!
With just one week to enter this fantastic competition, entries must close 6pm AEDT Friday 4 November 2016 and the winner will be announced and contacted on Monday 7 November 2016.Entrants must be Australian residents and 18 years or older.
