EAn Introduction

Welcome to our December 2017 Edition of The Assistant

As the end of 2017 comes into view it is a chance to reflect on the year that was and the year ahead. Of course even though we are into the last month of 2017 it feels like there is a mountain of tasks that need to be done before we get to enjoy some much needed downtime. Hopefully all of our dear members can see that finish line and are able to manage the dual responsibilities of work deadlines and making sure that your personal lives aren't overwhelmed at this hectic time of the year- frantically shopping for that perfect present on Christmas Eve anyone?

So enjoy the festive season and all of the ups and downs that it brings.

We have just wrapped up our final conference of 2017 with an amazing couple of days in Melbourne- which managed to deliver by far the warmest temperatures of any event in 2017. Next up is Perth in February and then we set our focus on the brand new conference theme for the rest of 2018.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition of The Assistant.

 

Jonathan McIlroy
Editor and Director, Education & Learning
Executive Assistant Network

Tips to hit your targets

EAs are busy people but sometimes, like everyone, they'll find their motivation lacking. Here are a few tips to help keep the train moving and hit those targets you set. 

1) Take advantage of loss-aversion 

Numerous studies in behavioral economics have found that people are loss averse; that is, the loss of something troubles them more than gaining the same thing. You can take advantage of this quirk of human nature by paying yourself a lump-sum reward at the start of your task, and then subtracting from it if you don't achieve your goals. This should prove more motivating than paying yourself for achieving. 

2) Solidify abstract goals 

People managed to hold out for longer in physical endurance tests when they could see a bar graph of their time growing as opposed to watching a stopwatch go round and round, New Scientist reported. The original researchers suggested this could apply to other tasks too - draw a graph to mark your progress or print out a calendar and mark off every day that you stick to a certain regime. 

3) Forget the fat 

Researchers at the University of Montreal found that eating a high fat diet can impair the function of the mesolimbic dopamine system that controls motivation. This suggests that otherwise healthy people may be sapping themselves of motivation when they reach for the fatty fish and chips. 

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AFTER LAUNCHING OUR NEW FLAGSHIP 1 DAY COURSE- THE PROACTIVE AND STRATEGIC PARTNER- AN EA MASTERCLASS, WE HAVE RECEIVED SUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK WITH ONE STUDENT SAYING; 
 
"A quick note to say that the EA masterclass in Melbourne yesterday was excellent and at the standard I expected following the Advanced Diploma classes with Richard Powell.
Amanda is an energetic facilitator, clearly passionate about what she is doing and also knowledgeable about the topic.  This was clearly evident throughout the day and provided for some great discussions and examples."

Executive Assistant Academy has updated our National diploma courses starting in March/April 2018 that will inspire you to take control of your own destiny, shape your own life and career. Our integrated qualifications have been devised specifically to address the needs of the professional Executive Assistant. They have been developed after many years of extensive research and industry consultation reflecting the changing role of the modern EA. 
 

At Elite Assistants we are always working with great companies from all over Australia who understand how important it is to have a specialised approach to finding the perfect EA and PA for them. If you are looking for a new career challenge, or are just curious as to what might be out there, we urge you to get in touch by email or phone to let us help you. Alternatively you can expect to meet myself at some of Executive Assistant Network's many networking events.

Below are just a few of the current roles we have that might be a perfect fit for you.

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Wow- the end of the year is upon us already. We started our EAN partnership only a couple of months ago, but already so much has happened.

Over 200 EAN members have already checked out our dedicated website for EAN members and many have then gone on to access the Wealth Report for a free, confidential online financial health check. Feedback from everyone who has contacted us after doing the Wealth Report has been very positive that it really has helped them get a better perspective of how they stand financially.

A few people have had some difficulty getting onto the Wealth Report site. Our sincere apologies to those members. Please note you will need to go to the Wealth Report page on our website to view your access code- then click on the link to go to the Wealth Report itself ...

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Sofia’s Smart Venue Choice

You may think the University of New South Wales (UNSW) campus would be an unlikely venue for a celebrity press junket. But for Sophia, an artificially intelligent human-like robot, UNSW 1 O’Connell Street CBD Campus was the smart venue choice.

Sofia is the world’s only robot that can exhibit human-like emotions and expressions. She is the figurehead for SingularityNET, an open marketplace designed to foster collaboration between AI developers who want to make -robots and other technologies.

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Six tips for selecting a winning venue

How do you select a winning venue? One that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but meets your needs?

Here are six tips from the dedicated event experts at GIO Stadium and Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).

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RISE ABOVE IT ALL WITH EVENTS AT HACIENDA SYDNEY

Exclusive weekday* events are on trend and Hacienda Sydney can deliver this with one of Sydney’s best views.

Hacienda offers a Cuban influence which is reflected in the menu, beverages and décor.

Whether you’re entertaining for business, celebrating a special occasion or seeking a venue for a work event – let Hacienda Sydney mesmerise your guests.

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The Changing Landscape of the Hospitality Industry

This is the digital era where we are more connected than ever before. People are spending more and more time online. Millennials are the future with the global majority of this demographic residing in the Asia Pacific region. There is a growing need for us to engage and work with people outside our own company walls. So, it’s no surprise that co-working business is growing around the world however, no-one has created a single space that meets an APAC millennial’s blended needs. A vertical village where they could work, play, live, learn and sleep. Their needs are different so the solution must be different to meet these needs.

Since 2014, Next Story Group previously SilverNeedle Hospitality, have recognized this need and diversified to bring truly new hospitality concepts to the changing landscape within the industry.

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I Can See You Are Listening, But are You Really Hearing What I’m Saying?

Listening is one of the most basic skills of any human being and the critical lynchpin of building successful relationships. When we listen with care, people like us more and will co-operate with us more readily.

Executive Assistants spend at least half of their day listening to their manager and or other staff. It is very important for any person in this role to listen carefully and avoid any misunderstandings. Listening can be hard work and it is so easy to switch off or become distracted or caught up in our own thoughts. If you are an executive assistant or team leader you should make listening one of your better skills.

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