Be a Lifelong Learner

The Value of Critical Thinking for EAs: A Strategic Asset In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, executives face complex challenges that demand astute decision-making. When considering hiring a high-level assistant, one cognitive skill is indispensable: Critical Thinking. Let us explore why critical thinking matters for executives and how it shapes the future of effective leadership. Understanding Critical Thinking At its core, critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information objectively. It goes beyond surface-level observations, enabling leaders to: 1. Question Assumptions: Critical thinkers actively engage with ideas, challenging prevailing assumptions. They seek more profound insights and avoid complacency. 2. Weigh Evidence: Leaders with strong critical thinking skills assess risks, rewards, and potential consequences. They make informed choices based on solid evidence. 3. Navigate Complexity: Critical thinkers delve into the complexities ...

Today's executives face new challenges that demand unique skills. As a seasoned professional prepared to help executives navigate these uncharted waters, possessing specific technical skills is an asset and a necessity. Proficiency with the tools of team building: The ability to seamlessly navigate team-building tools. Whether it's Quizbreaker, Gamification Tools, or other experiential platforms that align with company goals, it ensures that your management and employee team is well-skilled in these technologies, improving their engagement and productivity. Research: In an era where false information proliferates, where we are exposed to artificial intelligence, the ability to be able to conduct research on truthful and reliable information is required; for this, we can use technological tools such as Google search options, library databases, and linked-in knowledge, among others. Providing reliable information is fundamental in these times. Data analytics proficiency: Data is ...

In today's fast-paced and increasingly remote work environment, executives need reliable support more than ever. As an executive assistant, mastering specific technical skills has become essential to effectively help executives overcome the challenges of remote work and ensure a smooth operation. These are the must-have technical skills that make hiring executive assistant services indispensable for modern executives: Proficiency in virtual communication tools: With remote work becoming the norm, executives rely heavily on virtual communication tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack to conduct meetings, collaborate with teams, and communicate with clients. An executive assistant skilled in using these tools can efficiently schedule meetings, host virtual conferences and manage communication channels, ensuring seamless interaction and collaboration across distances. Productivity software know-how: Proficiency with productivity software such as Microsoft Office Suite and Googl...

Jennifer Chamberlin on working from home and seeing yourself as more than just an assistant. Jennifer Chamberlain shares her journey from being a corporate executive assistant to starting her own virtual assistant business. She emphasizes the importance of never undermining the role of an assistant, encouraging individuals to recognize the vast opportunities and not confine themselves to a specific path. Having operated her virtual assistant business for seven years, Jennifer discusses transitioning into online business consultancy. She completed a certification program to offer multilingual entrepreneurs mindset, strategy, and confidence support. Jennifer encourages those interested in starting an online business or seeking a business consultancy to connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website, My Bilingual VA. She highlights the significance of continuous learning and adaptability in the professional journey. The discussion touches on tools like Slack and Trello, and Jennifer ex...

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview an exceptional woman, Polly Espindola, who generously shared her experience after graduating from the ABM program at Conestoga College and answered some of our questions at length. Today, I want to share some of her valuable answers: Our first interest was in her leading roles and responsibilities. Polly talked about her role as an administrative assistant in the School of Business, detailing tasks such as calendar management and data collection. As the conversation progressed, we asked Polly about her challenges, to which she responded that she was managing peak seasons and effective communication. We then wanted to delve further into Polly's career progression, who shared her journey from student roles to becoming a program manager. We also asked about Polly's current efforts in skills development, and Polly mentioned her focus on learning software such as SharePoint and the Student Information System. Polly also shared her experie...