EAn Introduction

Make 2017 The Year You Shine Brightest Yet

After the 2016 election of Donald Trump to the role of President, I don’t know when anyone will ever be able to use the word ‘great’ again without thinking about his relentless statements regarding what he will do for America.

We had wanted to use that word in the title and theme for this intro, but somehow it seemed trite, and perhaps even a little hollow, so we went with the notion of shining bright and being your best version of you. Something we trust will resonate with every one of you.

Our 2017 conference series is all about what it will take to be a great EA in the future, and this has a huge emphasis on being the best version of you, and as for our education program, well, that theme has always been the main focus in our training and education initiatives.

For EAN, we have set ourselves incredible goals in terms of development and delivery this year, so we are most certainly looking at this being the year where we shine our brightest yet.

We rarely take time to introduce and reflect on our amazing team at EAN, but right now we have got a team that we believe would be the envy of many. Bright, loyal, dedicated, determined, innovative and inspirational, we have a group that cares so much about our members and other customers. With many of them, every bit as much as the founders of EAN which is saying a lot.

As a consequence, with our vision for this year, combined with the dedication and passion of our team, we know 2017 will be an extraordinary year.

In this edition, we have an article introducing the amazing keynote speakers featuring across Australia at our conferences this year, more on our diplomas, including the launch of our Distance Learning Diplomas, an introduction to one of our team and his role in helping deliver in-house training programs, our usual information on upcoming events, plus feedback on those that have come before, and of course all the usual fabulous articles from our speakers, partners and exhibitors.

So, here’s to you and yours, to an amazing 2017, and our hope that it is the year when we all get to shine our brightest.

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

Conference group bookings always account for a sizeable part of our attendee numbers, and whether that is a few people from one organisation, or a dozen or more, we are really appreciative of those people who help coordinate these groups and get them along to our events.

We always offer great group booking rates for organisations with more than 3 delegates, but now we want to start recognising the efforts of those fabulous members who coordinate groups and make them happen.

However, conscious of the fact that there are issues of probity in respect of the company spend involved, we will be making our thanks known more in the way of gestures, recognition and small gifts rather than cash incentives. Such recognition will occur at the conference involved and also in a subsequent newsletter.

Are there a group of EAs at your workplace who want to take their role to the next level and who want to be Managers of their Executives office and operations?

Do you and your colleagues want to move from the traditional role of being reactive, directed and task-oriented to one of being proactive and managing?

The role of the Executive Assistant continues to evolve and change with the ever-increasing demands on organizations and their executives who are charged with leading and growing the business to achieve the strategic goals and outcomes they are responsible for.

In just over a month our 2017 congress series will kick off in Sydney. But this year, we have something a little bit extra special planned, and not just in Sydney.

This year, we have amassed a speaker line-up that is beyond anything we have achieved before, and we have focussed on trying to get as many of the great keynote speakers as possible to speak at each of the conferences.

As always, we will be recruiting the best local executive talent and EA / PA talent in each local city to take part in our panel sessions, but even there, our researchers are working tirelessly to ensure that these participants are also the best we have ever had.

Is the way to increase productivity standing right in front of you?

There has been plenty of discussion about how standing desks may or may not help improve your health, fitness and posture, but a recent study by the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health has found a potential link between standing and increased productivity.

While Executive Assistants these days may spend as much time working on devices out in the field as they do at an office desk, the time spent sitting in front of the computer is still considerable. If this time could be made more productive with a simple change like a new type of desk, it's something that should be considered.

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Industry Recognition

To date over 100 students have completed Executive Assistant Academy Diplomas, with 120 currently in the process of completing theirs, 60 of whom are due to complete in the next few months. (Details of those already completed can be seen on our Alumni Board Page.)

At the time of writing, our registrations for 2017 are ahead of any previous year, and with our new Distance Learning options now available, our expectation is ...

It has been a very busy month at Elite Assistants. We are being inundated 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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Meriton Serviced Apartments has become the first hotel group within Australia to offer their guests with complimentary access to the nation’s leading newspapers and magazines.

This additional feature that aims to enhance the guest experience has been made tangible through a collaboration with PRESSHUB, a Fairfax Media service that replicates the latest editions of publications such as the Sydney Morning Herald, Financial Review, the Age and Where magazine, and produces them onto a digital platform.

By Leola Small, Cliftons Marketing and Inside Sales Manager

4:45am *alarm goes off*

5:30am *taxi arrives*

It's never a welcomed surprise to be woken up by an alarm before the sun gets up. The dark and coldness of the morning is enough to send me straight back into bed! But alas, work needs to be done.

After a quick shower, everything starts to feel better. I always pack my bags the night before as my common sense is still asleep at 5am most days. Once ready I wait outside with my small (usually almost empty) carry on suitcase, for my pre-booked taxi to arrive.

Sydney’s Luna Park Venues are celebrating another successful season of celebrations – with much more to come.

First there was the fabulous and fashionable Melbourne Cup luncheon in the Crystal Palace, then a record attendance at the Big Top Christmas Ball and finally a sold out New Year’s Eve spectacular.

Following on and unable to take a breather, they have over 8,000 guests coming from Amway China in four events during January! For these very prestigious events the whole Luna Park team has been involved – chefs, operations, rides, functions, performers and sales staff are all contributing their skills.

Lastly, more reasons to enjoy Luna Park will be the all new LunaBowl with a breakfast and live telecast of the Super Bowl Grand Final in USA on 6 February; then the ever-popular Big Sports Lunch hosted by Sky Sports Radio and featuring prominent sports personalities on 24 February.

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Your next trip could be on us!

Ever pictured yourself in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives?

This is your chance to win 100,000 Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, which could take you right there. And if the Maldives isn’t top of your bucket list, why not plan your next adventure to Bali or Los Angeles?

The best part is, it’s as easy as setting up a meeting between QBT and your travel procurement team or CFO and we promise, there’s no hidden catches!

All we want is the opportunity to show you how recent developments in our travel management services will seriously simplify business travel for your whole company and make your life a lot easier. Imagine how easy your job would be with:

WIN 100,000 VELOCITY FREQUENT FLYER POINTS AND 3 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION AT ANY TFE HOTEL THIS AIME


TFE Hotels offers you more ways to meet with flexible spaces for conferences, meetings and events throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Whether you need a small, intimate venue or a large scale, full service event space, TFE Hotels can meet your needs. Come and meet with the team and learn about what’s new and check-in on Facebook to go in the draw to win 100,000 Velocity

What is the secret power of to-do lists? Why are they so beneficial & how can you get the most out of them?


Are to-do lists a thing of the past, or essential? Are they loved, loathed or misunderstood?

The old-fashioned to-do list is certainly not a new tool, being one that you’ve often relied on in both your personal & professional life. You may now be feeling discouraged or pressured from using them though, with recent improvements to technology making it seem like the traditional to-do list is becoming far too “old hat”? But letting them go could be hurting your productivity, time management & problem solving skills, among other things. The longevity of the to-do list is because it actually works, as long as there are a few things you are aware of to ensure you get the most out of them.

It’s not surprising that BridgeClimb is the perfect corporate team building activity, as that’s how the experience originated 9 years before doors opened to the public

Today BridgeClimb is celebrated as a world renowned, award winning, must-do activity for international travellers and Sydneysiders alike.

Since it’s door opened in 1998, BridgeClimb has taken more than 3.5 million Climbers to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from more than 137 countries, aged from 8 years to 100 years.

Once a picture on a postcard, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a now an international bucket-list experience. Tiny caterpillar-like groups of Climbers ascending the famous arches in blue and grey suits have become a familiar sight.

Imagine people speaking behind your back saying… “you aren’t big enough, I can never find you, you are too small, I can’t share you…” . This is the story of the misunderstood canapé.

Canapés, hors d'oeuvres, finger food, platters, say what you like, this food concept is often associated with; small, snack, starter and unsubstantial. Some people read the invitation and already anticipate what takeaway outlet they will drop in to on the way home, however this doesn’t have to be the case.

Move aside mini quiches and vol-au-vents, you have given canapés a bad rap. Food is one of the most important aspects of any event, and has the ability to ‘make it or break it’.