Agenda

We understand your need to keep up with the changes in the role of Executive Secretaries and Personal Assistants. We have carefully crafted the agenda to address the challenges you face and experts will share their knowledge and experiences. Book your seats now and be where the experienced experts and your fellow peers from around the region will gather!

Main Forum: 15-16 April 2015 (Sydney Session) | 22 – 23 April 2015 (Melbourne Session)

Post Conference Workshop: 17 April 2015 (Sydney Session) | 24 April 2015 (Melbourne Session)

MAIN CONFERENCE DAY 1: 15 APRIL 2015 (SYDNEY SESSION) | 22 APRIL 2015 (MELBOURNE SESSION)

TIME	AGENDA
08:30 – 09:00	Registration
09:00 – 09:15	Opening Address by Conference Chairman
09:15 - 10:00	The Assistant Evolution - Transitioning from Business Support to Business Partner Management of Function and Objectives Work Planning and Organization Problem Solving and Decision Making Learning to embrace the opportunity to move from a purely supporting role to the role of an advisor Strategic forward thinking and ambition Understanding business needs and expectations will allow you to position yourself as an effective and respected business partner Speaker: Tammy Tantschev, Executive Assistant to Managing Director, Red Bull (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
10:00 - 10:45 10:00 - 10:30	Sydney Session Only: Are You Ready to be a Leader? What is the difference between leadership & management? How can you demonstrate leadership as an Executive Assistant? Discover what you can put in place at work immediately Find out how you can help others to identify their leadership strengths Speaker:Malcolm Dawes, Managing Director, dtaWORLDWIDE Melbourne Session Only: Time Management Tips - Ideas for Time Management Skills Training Question routines, habits and assumptions - your own and others Be creative to find different ways of doing things Small changes can produce very big results Assess what efforts and activities are most productive, and which are not The use of modern technology such as smartphones and other online distractions can be major time stealers Manage your environment as a whole When you're faced with a pile of things to do, go through them quickly and make a list of what needs doing and when Speaker: Meghan Beattie, Executive Assistant, Jones Lang LaSalle partnering with ANZ Group Property
10:45 - 11:00 (Sydney) 10:30 - 10:45 (Melbourne)	Morning Refreshments Break
11:00 - 11:45 (Sydney) 10:45 - 11:30 (Melbourne)	How to Practice Proper Workplace and Office Etiquette First impressions are important! You are the ambassador(s) of the business Telephone Etiquette and Manners Dealing professionally with discourteous, demanding or dissatisfied clients Respect the privacy of those around you Don't read memos or faxes on other people’s desks and don't make comments about overheard phone calls Be respectful to all, no matter what their titles are Speaker: Aloisie Krasny, Executive Assistant to Chief Financial Officer, Sydney Water Corporation (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
11:45 - 12:15 11:30 - 12:15	Sydney Session Only: The Importance of Networking & Building Your Little Black Book of Contacts Networking - love it or hate it, why it's essential How many contacts should you have Speaker: Tessa Curtain, Executive Assistant to Andrew Hagger, Group Executive, NAB Wealth Melbourne Session Only: How to Handle Conflict and Difficult People 9 Competencies for Dealing with Difficult People Rank your boss' priorities Educate yourself and prioritize Different types of management styles Things to share with your boss - Communication - What bosses should know to work effectively - The law of expectations Provocateur Role-Plays and Real Life Rehearsals Speaker: Mark McPherson, Professional Trainer & Coach, Best Practice Behaviour
12:15 - 12:45	Improving your Performance with Emotional Intelligence Identify how your own emotions affect your work performance Understand the key emotional intelligence skills and competencies required to develop high performance and maximize business performance Have more self awareness, specifically in relation to your own strengths and emotional intelligence 'blind spots' and understand your own emotions and thinking patterns in detail Be in a position to construct a personal development plan that will enhance your emotional intelligence capabilities and thereby improve your career and personal success Bringing out the best with personalized scripts and principles Speaker: Chandra Clements, Managing Director, One Legacy (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
12:45 - 13:45	Networking Luncheon
13:45 - 14:30	Panel Discussion: Overcoming Challenges as an Executive Assistant Challenges – Top 3 Challenges faced by majority of Executive Assistants How to set expectations with your Executive and why it is crucial to your role How to build a positive relationship with your Executive based on trust and effective communication Why always saying yes is bad for your productivity. Learn how to say no strategically Establishing your brand as a young professional Transitioning from a traditional assistant to an influencer/advisory role Moderator: Louise Brown, Executive Personal Assistant to the Director and CEO, Accuteque (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions) Panelists: Emma Witte, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Svetlana Gates, Senior Executive Assistant to Executive Director of Information Services, Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
14:30 - 15:15	Managing Meetings and Events with Confidence Before the meeting: prepare and plan During the meeting/event After the meeting: Evaluate Recurring meetings General meetings Periodic meetings Important meetings Speaker: Tanya Smith, Personal Assistant, Telstra (Sydney Session Only) & Amy Chapman, Personal Assistant to Craig Smith & Leisa Fielding, Telstra (Melbourne Session Only)
15:15 - 15:30	Afternoon Refreshments Break
15:30 - 16:15	Sydney Session Only: From the Ground Up - Building an EA/PA Network Internally (its value to the EAs/PAs and value in enabling business potential) Identifying the need for a network in your organization Putting your hand up to make a change Getting support from your CEO Getting buy-in from the stakeholders Building the internal network Making the network happen Winning - the outcomes from having an internal network Speaker: Tania Rizoski, PA to CFO/Company Secretary, Arup Melbourne Session Only: Workplace Bullying and Harassment EAs play a key role in an organization in many ways They play leader, confidante, healer, organizer, helper etc and due to their position (and depending on how they use their positional authority) can play an active role in shaping the culture (the feel) of an organization How they can ensure that it is one of achievement and support How they can help establish a code of conduct to ensure bullying and harassment are not tolerated How they need to know the difference between bullying and performance management The psychological profile of an organizational bully? Strategies to eradicate bullying personally and organizationally Speaker: Caryn Walsh, Director, Pure Magic International Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd
16:15 - 17:00	Sydney Session Only: How to Present with Confidence and Conviction - Walk Tall, Speak Out When you project confidence not only do you start to feel confident on the inside but you also have greater chance of speaking out and connecting with others. In this session we explore specific ways to convey confidence to portray a credible and authentic manner. Adopting a powerful pose to make you feel confident Using your voice to radiate confidence Dressing the part to feel confident The power of good preparation to boost your confidence Speaker: Maureen Bell, Owner, Speak with Presence Melbourne Session Only: Are You Ready to be a Leader? What is the difference between leadership & management? How can you demonstrate leadership as an Executive Assistant? Discover what you can put in place at work immediately Find out how you can help others to identify their leadership strengths Speaker: Malcolm Dawes, Managing Director, dtaWORLDWIDE
17:00	Closing Remarks by Conference Chairman and end of Day 1 of National Executive Secretary & PA Conference

MAIN CONFERENCE DAY 2: 16 APRIL 2015 (SYDNEY SESSION) | 23 APRIL 2015 (MELBOURNE SESSION)

TIME	AGENDA
08:30 – 09:00	Registration
09:00 - 09:10	Opening Address by Conference Chairman
09:10 - 09:45	Managing Difficult Conversations Preparing for difficult conversations and difficult people with skill and confidence Delivering messages powerfully Confronting people calmly and respectively Overcoming the fears that lead you to avoid difficult conversations Speaker: Marion Fox, Owner, Marion Fox and Associates (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
09:45 - 10:30	Stress Management and Wellness for the Executive Assistant/Personal Assistant What is stress? Positive and negative stress Identifying your personal causes of stress and symptoms Analyzing stress contributors, lifestyle , habits, patterns Setting goals and action plans for a less stressful lifestyle How to achieve emotional wellness in the workplace Speaker: Anthony Bonnici, Director, Brain Blinkers (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
10:30 - 10:45	Morning Refreshments Break
10:45 - 11:30	How to Handle Conflict and Difficult People 9 Competencies for Dealing with Difficult People Rank your boss' priorities Educate yourself and prioritize Different types of management styles Things to share with your boss - Communication - What bosses should know to work effectively - The law of expectations Provocateur Role-Plays and Real Life Rehearsals Speaker: Mark McPherson, Professional Trainer & Coach, Best Practice Behaviour Melbourne Session Only: Women's Wellbeing in Today's Fast-Paced World Understanding our inner resources Creating order, planning and rituals as a lifestyle foundation Why joy in your life is non-negotiable 6 Essentials of Wellness Speaker: Sarah Laurie, Best-Selling Author, Sarah Laurie Lifestyles
11:30 - 12:30	The CEO’s perspective? From Your Boss's Perspective What does an executive look for and what do they really want from their EA? What sets a great EA apart from the rest? Learning how to balance priorities and communicate effectively with your manager Speaker: Jon Burgess, CEO, Kwan Pty Ltd (Sydney Session Only) and Cris Massis, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Physiotherapy Association (Melbourne Session Only)
12:30 - 13:30	Networking Luncheon
13:30 – 14:15	Sydney Session Only: Time Management Tips - Ideas for Time Management Skills Training Question routines, habits and assumptions - your own and others Be creative to find different ways of doing things Small changes can produce very big results Assess what efforts and activities are most productive, and which are not The use of modern technology such as smartphones and other online distractions can be major time stealers Manage your environment as a whole When you're faced with a pile of things to do, go through them quickly and make a list of what needs doing and when Speaker: Meghan Beattie, Executive Assistant, Jones Lang LaSalle partnering with ANZ Group Property Melbourne Session Only: The Art of Confidence in Presenting Yourself “… people's number one fear is public speaking… Death is number two… This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” ― Jerry Seinfeld Building confidence in presenting is the ultimate stretch. Those who have mastered this are more likely to try new things and back themselves and their ability to master new skills and undertake more challenging roles. Self -confidence is priceless. At the heart of this presentation are insights into WHAT successful speakers and presenters do to achieve their results and, importantly, HOW they think, the tools they use, and the actions they take. New and experienced presenters will benefit from learning about: The dreaded nerves: how experienced speakers manage them (and you can too!) How to build your confidence as a speaker – even if you’re starting at zero How to keep going when it all gets ‘too much’ Presentation preparation Disaster recovery – when things go wrong Pre-presentation rituals for success Speaker: Jennifer Burrows, Director, Value for L!fe
14:15 – 15:00	Brand You How to find your brand as EA Why fashion/the art of dressing is so necessary in enhancing your brand Speaker: Lizzie Wagner, Managing Director, Lizzie Wagner Group
15:00 - 15:15	Afternoon Refreshments Break
15:15 - 15:45	Sydney Session Only: Women's Wellbeing in Today's Fast-Paced World Understanding our inner resources Creating order, planning and rituals as a lifestyle foundation Why joy in your life is non-negotiable 6 Essentials of Wellness Speaker: Sarah Laurie, Best-Selling Author, Sarah Laurie Lifestyles Melbourne Session Only: The Importance of Networking & Building Your Little Black Book of Contacts Networking - love it or hate it, why it's essential How many contacts should you have Speaker: Tessa Curtain, Executive Assistant to Andrew Hagger, Group Executive, NAB Wealth
15:45 - 16:15	Creating Value that Makes you an Indispensable Part of the Executive Team (Don’t be just an assistant, be part of the management team: the choice is yours, the change is easy!) Being different by being better Measure your value to the organization Don't be just an assistant, become an associate Add real value with incisive insights Introduce "Opportunity Capture" to the bosses' thinking Speaker: Roger La Salle, Director, La Salle Matrix Thinking (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
16:15 - 16:50	How to Become a Person of Influence What are the two key qualities that make you a person of influence? How do you rate on each of these two qualities? Complete the exclusive questionnaire to find out. What can you do to improve your rating and your influence on others? Speaker: Shaun Kenny, Professional Trainer & Coach, People of Influence (Both Sydney and Melbourne Sessions)
16:50 - 17:00	Closing Remarks by Conference Chairman and end of Day 2 of National Executive Secretary & PA Conference

POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: 17 APRIL 2015 (SYDNEY) | 24 APRIL 2015 (MELBOURNE)

TIME	AGENDA
08:30 – 09:00	Workshop Registration and Welcome Coffee & Tea
Workshop Timetable: Workshop A will run from 9.00am – 12.30pm with mid-morning and luncheon breaks. Workshop B will run from 1.30pm – 5.00pm with a mid-afternoon refreshment break. Registration begins 30 minutes before each workshop commences.
Workshop A – 09.00 –12.30 Self-Awareness in the Workplace and Professional Esteem Building To be conducted by Lizzie Wagner, Managing Director, Lizzie Wagner Group This workshop will focus on crucial issues which affect individuals’ personal development. These include building confidence, improving communication, achieving a greater understanding and treatment of ourselves and others, improving attitudes towards self, enhancing positive thinking and self-motivation and techniques for relaxation. Participants will be taken through: What is confidence Think positive thoughts Focus on your strengths and boost your confidence Self-esteem, self-awareness and self-belief Conscious and subconscious minds The feeling of confidence Act as if you are confident Workshop Leader: Lizzie Wagner, Managing Director, Lizzie Wagner Group Lizzie Wagner has over 30 years of experience as a trainer, events manager and promotions manager/presenter in the fashion and television industries and is a highly sought after international speaker. She has trained thousands of individuals and corporations in image, presentation and customer service. During the course of her career, she has worked with models, actors, politicians, television and sporting celebrities and CEOs as well as individuals seeking mentoring, esteem building and business coaching. Lizzie was also a finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award and the International MAXI Awards and BOMA Australia awards for event management. Outside of her busy schedule, Lizzie travels yearly to outback Australia to focus on indigenous empowerment programs and has launched her first of a series of books, skincare and hair care products in 2009.
Workshop B – 13.30 – 17.00 Career Planning and Goal Setting To be conducted by Sarah Laurie, Best-Selling Author, Sarah Laurie Lifestyles You need to set goals because: “If you’re not sure where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else” What are the goals that, on your deathbed, you will either be glad you achieved or regret not having achieved? You never regret what you do – you only regret what you don’t do! Topics Covered: Action Plan Goal Setting Steps to achieve your goals Personal Development Plan The Future of the Executive Secretaries and Personal Assistants Goal setting will help: Build relationships at work when you align your goals with those of your boss and the organization Build your self-confidence as you achieve your goals Motivate you Separate what is important from what is irrelevant Understand what is important for you to achieve Make you satisfied with your life when you are sitting in your rocking chair at the age of 90! Workshop Leader: Sarah Laurie, Best-Selling Author, Sarah Laurie Lifestyles Sarah’s passion to encourage and inspire others began as she made a u-turn in her career, leaving advertising to become a life-coach when her children were young. Sarah works with clients in her coaching practice. She delivers Lifestyle & Wellbeing programmes to teenagers within high schools, is a sought after international presenter in the corporate sector and runs public seminars annually throughout New Zealand. Sarah is a best-selling author and shares her inspiration across several media channels in both New Zealand and Australia. Sarah continues to expand her learning in the arena of happiness and wellbeing, yet some of her most valuable insights are as a result of raising their four children. She understands first hand that today’s fast paced world, and the responsibilities of managing a home, a family and a career can contribute to some of life’s most challenging issues. Armed with a valuable mix of knowledge, insight, energy and compassion, Sarah changes the way people look at their lives and they become happier, healthier and inspired.

Share this page