Alongside every great director or executive, you will often find a great PA. The role of a personal assistant (PA) or executive assistant (EA) has changed dramatically since the introduction of modern technology. A PA's role goes beyond minute-taking and scheduling appointments. In fact, 16% of PAs say their boss regularly takes on board their business decisions. With a wide variety of skills and broad knowledge about the business, they are well informed to advise and help out their bosses and executives.
Our PA training courses are an excellent way to take you from being a good PA to an exceptional PA. With the role encompassing such a diverse set of skills and tasks, connecting with fellow PAs and learning how to go the extra mile is key.
Here, we share a few of the secrets from our PA training courses — a little taster for how you can become an outstanding PA. It's just a small taste of what The Hub Events' courses provide, so make sure to book your place on the next Exceptional PA training course.
PA Training Tip #1: Understanding Your Role
Understanding your role may seem obvious. You wouldn't have applied and got the position if you didn't understand the role and responsibilities. However, as mentioned, the role of a PA is diverse and, more than that, it's so important.
PAs have been praised by entrepreneurs for helping them to be on schedule, create a work-life balance and to delegate tasks. When you understand how important your role is to a manager and the company as a whole, you can reflect on your impact and become better at it.
PA Training Tip #2: Building Effective Relationships
Naturally, there is one crucial relationship in your role as a PA or EA: with your manager. It is their tasks which you do on a daily basis, so you need to get to know everything about them. A top executive will be eager for you to get through to them and enable you to do the best possible job.
However, relationships need to be extended beyond just your manager. Demonstrating that you have strong relationships with a variety of employees, clients and managers is also essential, often bridging the gap between your manager and other workers.
PA Training Tip #3: Being Assertive and Communicating Efficiently
You need to be switched on all the time; not just in meetings or when you're talking to your manager. If you're well-connected, you can listen out for news in the workplace and important notices which you can report to your manager. It's worth investing in yourself to make sure your communication skills are keeping up with the challenges of working remotely.
Both written and verbal communication are essential elements of being a PA. When you work so closely with somebody, you have to be able to communicate effectively. You may often be asked to emulate the style of communication your manager uses, which means adapting to their way of communicating.
PA Training Tip #4: Prioritising and Project Management
Managers often pass their to-do lists onto PAs. Their role is then to prioritise and figure out what is the most important task to do first. There are a variety of tools which can enhance your project management. Our PA training course can discuss all of these tools with you and how to effectively use them.
PA Training Tip #5: Self-Improvement and Learning
Continual learning and professional development are important for any career. But, for a PA, self-improvement, networking and learning about any new technology are particular areas of focus. It's equally important to ensure that you're making the best use of familiar technology. Often the tools you've been using for years have new features added,so it's worth taking a fresh look at the IT you use everyday such as MS Outlook and Powerpoint.
PA networking events are a great way to connect with other PAs and share best practice. Attending PA training courses is another excellent method of learning and networking at the same time. And if you feel you are ready for some recognition for your achievements, have a look at our guide to PA awards.