Home training for executive assistants
A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Coaching Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

March 7 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

Join us for a unique coworking session tailored for administrative professionals. This is your chance to clear your To Do List, work on a passion project, or prep for the coming week. Plus, we’re introducing an invaluable addition: our Coaching Clinic! Get personalized advice on refining your resume during the session.

What to expect

  • Each session we sit together and get stuff done.
  • Dedicated time to work on what’s important to you.
  • New! Coaching Clinic: Get expert advice on how to update your resume, develop your career, and more.
  • Accountability through goal setting.
  • Library Effect that promotes productivity as attendees work on mute to hit their goals.
  • Final check-in to celebrate the success of making progress.

All administrative professionals are welcome to attend

Anyone in the administrative professional community is welcome to attend including executive assistants, administrative assistants, personal assistants, virtual assistants, chiefs of staff, office managers, strategic business partners, receptionists and more.

Please note

Beta Testing > These sessions are a new medium for us so bare with us as we work on the format and experiment with what works best for you. Feedback is welcome.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events like Empower Hours and Coworking Sessions
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community

The Officials

View Organizer Website

A picture of a purple and pink swirling galaxy full of starts with the words overlaid "The Officials Empower Hour"

Empower Hour- Peer Support Group for Administrative Professionals [Apr 2025]

April 16 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

In our inclusive community, we share valuable insights and provide unwavering support to boost your administrative career.

Consider us your extended network of accomplished colleagues who genuinely care about your success, both in your professional and personal life. We’re here to ensure you flourish in your administrative career while navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of your role.

Join us and connect with like-minded professionals who understand your journey. Let’s empower each other to excel in our roles and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this supportive and empowering community dedicated to administrative professional training. Your future self will thank you!

Prepping for the session

Come prepared with questions and think about your recent breakthroughs and breakdowns as we often go around and share. This is a safe space to share and connect with those who know what it’s like and can lend support and advice. 

Breakthroughs – A bit like weekly wins. These are good things that have happened in your personal or professional life.

Breakdowns – Things you are stuck on and trying to power through in your personal or professional life.

Feel free to email hello@jointheofficials.com if you have any questions that we can prepare for ahead of time.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events like the Empower Hour and Coworking Sessions
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community
An image of a trainer standing in front of a full room of attendees at the PA Show. The administrative professionals in the crowd are listening attentively as the trainer talks behind a clear podium.

Growth Opportunity Trends Spotted at the Spring PA Show 2025

Want to stay ahead of the curve in the administrative profession? At the Spring PA Show 2025, Lauren Bradley, founder of The Officials, uncovered key trends shaping the future of executive support roles. From career growth challenges to the rising demand for digital skills and workplace flexibility, these insights are essential for assistants looking to thrive. Watch the video to discover the biggest growth opportunities in the industry that we saw at the show.

Transcript below

Speaker: Lauren Bradley

[00:00:06] So it is Monday after the PA Show Spring 2025, which we have here in London every year. And I wanted to come on here and one, thank a few people and two, talk about the trends that we saw this year, except in the last couple of years.

[00:00:18] One, thank you so much for the wonderful, wonderful Officials Team for being on the stand.

[00:00:26] And then an extra thank you to Paul, Isabelle, Susanna and Dee, who were all panelists on one of our sessions that we did about the importance of engaging with community in the administrative field. And what was incredible was in that panel, somebody actually raised their hand and said, I’m ready and said, I want to engage.

[00:00:47] Uh, but she was moving to Germany and just a few months and right away we were able to connect her with some amazing connections in Germany and advocates there. And it basically just proved the point. And if it wasn’t for you all being on that panel and sharing your experiences and inspiring those in that room, that wouldn’t have happened.

[00:01:05] So we had a real life example of why that’s so important right there in the moment. It was fantastic.

[00:01:12] And just to say , Marta, who is my right hand here at The Officials, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support, for everything that you do. Um, I cannot thank you enough.

[00:01:23] the second set of thank yous I have is to all of the attendees, anyone that attended any of the six sessions over the two days or came up to us on the stand. There were so many that engaged, that were vulnerable, that told their story, and I really appreciate that. I love hearing your stories.

[00:01:41] It’s, I said this to several people is addicting. It’s like a drug. I cannot thank

[00:01:45] you enough. I love problem solving. I love hearing what’s out there. And I love one of her original questions as well. It helps me create more content for all of you, to share with all of you. But I just wanted to thank you for seeing us on the stand.

[00:01:58] My voice is coming back. So that shows how many people we’re speaking with, but it was wonderful. Thank you for attending. Thank you for engaging. Thank you for being there.

[00:02:07] Okay, so let’s talk about some trends that we saw at the PA Show. So I’ve made a couple of notes, but let’s talk through it. So one is that, uh, not, well, not everyone felt this way.

[00:02:20] There was this sort of theme where people, they’re gravitating to the officials or coming up to me after the, the sessions, it was because

[00:02:27] they felt in general stuck. So it’s not that everyone’s feeling stuck, but there are quite a few assistants feeling stuck right now that are looking for some extra help.

[00:02:36] Now there’s a couple of reasons why they might have been feeling stuck. One of the biggest trends we always see and we are continuing to see is that they feel stuck.

[00:02:44] because they’re not being heard at work. And so whether they are not using the correct language, whether they are in the wrong place, but they are trying to prove their value constantly and they’re getting bummed out because it’s not being heard or they’re not progressing as they wish when something’s happening, feel completely stuck.

[00:03:06] The other reason why they might feel stuck is because maybe they have been heard and the company really loves them and compliments them, but they’ve basically been told you’re at the top. This is, this is all the growth possibility there are, there is at this company. Now one, that could be a short sightedness on the part of the company or two, it could be they’re telling you exactly who they are, whether they say, believe people and they tell you who they are.

[00:03:31] They’re telling you, you’ve outgrown the company. So maybe it’s time to start believing them. So those are some of the things we’ve seen about people feeling stuck.

[00:03:39] The other is, uh, when they’re applying for roles. So maybe being a top assistant, being great, their company, their company loves them, but they feel it’s time to move on and they’re applying for lots of roles.

[00:03:51] And nothing’s happening. And so there’s some really quick tips we were able to give people there, but it shows again and again that understanding the value bring to the role and how to create a CV that gets past the application tracking systems and then hooks people when they actually human eyes see it is essential.

[00:04:10] I find that a lot of the mentorship that we do here, the officials is on that particular subject and I will continue to drill this home. So if there’s someone in that space, we got to talk. Okay? So then feeling her job description, career progression.

[00:04:26] There were also a lot of talks, just not necessarily whether their company heard them or not heard them, but people talking about being in this place where some kind of transition needs to happen now, whether it’s they need to make more money or they’re looking to move out of the PA/EA admin role in general.

[00:04:46] And so there’s a lot of questions around that and how I feel that the skills here can transition. Now, while I think “that’s great.” I want everyone to be successful in wherever they feel pulled.

[00:04:55] In fact, while we were at the PA Show, I met the former head of communications for the F1 and she was a former assistant. I can’t wait to talk to her further and see if I can get some more details from her. She’s now trains in communication, but, uh, she was fascinating.

[00:05:10] But of course there’s ways that we can progress. Okay. I progressed to founder, right? And so, it really depends on what that looks like, but also I want to make it really, really clear, because it’s something I’ve been hearing lately, uh, too many times lately, is that, is asking about this, well, you know, I think I’m done with this profession, because there’s nowhere else to go, there’s this ceiling, is that I think that is BS, when I explain that to people, they don’t realize what is available to them. We don’t necessarily have to change our title. We might just be adding more responsibilities. You might become the lead of a network of assistants or department of assistants.

[00:05:52] It could be that you move into supporting someone more senior. So that was like a trend that I kept hearing as well. Like I can only move up if who I support is higher up and that’s definitely not the case. It is one trajectory, but it’s not the only path. And so I found myself making sure that before somebody left our profession, that they understood where they could go with our profession.

[00:06:16] There’s definitely a technology trend still where a lot of assistants are still very Microsoft based and also very frustrated with the task tracking tools within Microsoft and are very unaware of the alternative technology that is outside of that ecosystem and how that prevents them from applying for jobs in maybe a Google based environment with a different tech stack.

[00:06:40] And so we find we’re doing a lot of work in that space as well.

[00:06:44] But were you at the PA Show? What trends did you see? What sessions really stood out to you, who you talked to? I would love to hear if you, if you were there, please let me know your thoughts on the PA Show.

[00:06:54] But thank you again for another fantastic year and to the MashMedia team for putting it [00:07:00] on and we can’t wait to come back next year.

We’d love to know what you think. Pop your comment below or email us at hello@jointheofficials.com to learn more about our HQ Membership, Mentorship and Corporate Training services.

4 women in neutral tones crowded around a laptop in an office. They are assistants working together.

Redefining the Admin Role: How Assistants Can Elevate Their Profession and Drive Industry Change

Let’s explore one of the biggest trends in the admin industry—an issue that is holding many professionals back. Despite their essential roles, administrative professionals often struggle to gain the recognition they deserve, leading to missed opportunities for growth and development. By addressing this trend, we can better understand the importance of valuing and empowering administrative staff to enhance their impact within organizations.

The solution? Admins themselves must take ownership of their value and communicate it effectively. When more administrative professionals learn to articulate their worth in business terms, they not only elevate their own careers but also create a lasting ripple effect that transforms the industry as a whole.

The Problem: Why the Admin Role is Undervalued

Lack of Visibility – Many administrative tasks happen behind the scenes, making it difficult for executives and colleagues to fully grasp their impact. If work isn’t directly tied to revenue generation, it’s often seen as a “nice-to-have” rather than an essential function.

Leaders Struggle to Define Admin Value – Executives are experts in justifying their own value, but they often lack the language or perspective to advocate for administrative professionals. Without clear articulation, admins risk being undervalued, underpaid, or overlooked for advancement.

Admins Aren’t Trained to Speak in Business Terms – Administrative professionals aren’t typically taught how to frame their responsibilities in terms of business outcomes, such as efficiency, cost savings, retention, or profitability. Without this skill, their work is often described in vague or task-based terms, making it harder to justify raises, promotions, and respect.

The Industry-Wide Impact – If admins don’t take control of the narrative around their roles, the industry as a whole will continue to face challenges in recognition, compensation, and career progression.

Why Admins Must Take the Lead in Changing the Narrative

Career Advancement – When you can clearly define your impact in business terms, you increase your chances of earning promotions, pay raises, and new job opportunities.

Professional Confidence – Understanding your value gives you the confidence to advocate for yourself in performance reviews, interviews, and networking situations.

Industry-Wide Change – When a critical mass of administrative professionals begins speaking in value-driven terms, companies will start hiring, compensating, and promoting assistants differently.

Improved Leadership Relations – Executives and managers will develop a clearer understanding of an admin’s strategic role, leading to stronger working relationships and greater professional respect.

The Framework: How to Define & Communicate Your Value

Shifting the way you talk about your role starts with a strategic approach. Instead of listing tasks, administrative professionals need to present their work in a way that demonstrates its impact on the business. Here’s how:

Step 1: Adopt a Business Mindset

Think of yourself as a consultant within your company. Consultants don’t just complete tasks—they solve business problems and drive efficiency. By viewing yourself in this way, you gain more control over how you position yourself and the work you do.

One of the biggest mindset shifts is realizing that you have a say in what services you provide. Defining the scope of your role helps you set professional boundaries, preventing burnout and ensuring that your work aligns with business goals.

Step 2: Identify & Define Your Services

Start by reviewing your job description and breaking it down into distinct services. Many job ads now categorize responsibilities by service area—something you can use to your advantage when refining your own role.

For example, consider this job listing:

  • “Managing executive calendars and correspondence with key stakeholders.”
  • “Booking travel, managing expenses, and handling event logistics.”

These broad responsibilities can be categorized as:

  • Calendar & Email Management
  • Travel & Expense Management
  • Event Planning & Coordination

Instead of listing tasks, describe these as services that add value to the company.

Step 3: Use the Value-Based Formula

To effectively communicate your impact, use this simple formula:

What you do + Who you do it for + The business value it brings

Instead of saying, “Manage executive calendars and scheduling,” you can frame it as:

“Optimize executive schedules to maximize productivity, minimize conflicts, and ensure seamless coordination with key stakeholders—driving efficiency and strategic decision-making.”

This approach helps shift the perception of administrative work from task-based to strategic.

Turning Individual Action into Industry-Wide Change

When individual administrative professionals start articulating their value more effectively, it creates a ripple effect across the industry. Here’s how:

Improve Your Resume & Job Applications

If every assistant started presenting their responsibilities as business-driven services, hiring managers would begin to expect—and respect—this language. Use your resume and LinkedIn profile to reinforce this shift. Clearly articulate how your work supports business goals, rather than listing generic admin duties.

Transform Performance Reviews

Many assistants dread performance reviews because they rely on their executives to recognize their contributions. Instead of hoping for acknowledgment, prepare a case for your value. Present your achievements in a way that ties them directly to company success. For example:

❌ “Organized team events throughout the year.”
✅ “Planned and executed team events that improved employee engagement, reduced turnover, and strengthened cross-functional collaboration.”

This framing makes it clear that your work has a measurable business impact.

Encourage Corporate Training Programs

Companies that invest in admin training programs often see improved retention and efficiency. If your organization has multiple admins, advocating for professional development opportunities (like those offered by The Officials) can create a company-wide shift in how admins are perceived and valued.

Resources & Tools to Help You

Regularly Review Job Listings & Admin Profiles

More companies are now structuring job descriptions by breaking down responsibilities into clearly defined services. Reviewing these postings can help you refine how you describe your own work.

  • Optimize Your Job Description: Look for patterns in job ads to improve the way you frame your role on your resume, LinkedIn, and performance reviews.
  • Benchmark Against Other Admins: Review how other assistants describe their roles to strengthen your own positioning.

Leverage AI for Better Value Articulation

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you:

  • Refine your job descriptions
  • Reword responsibilities into value-driven statements
  • Identify key business benefits of your services

Additional Resources

  • Lynn Walder’s Title Recalibration Initiative – Full of structured and highly detailed job description documents for administrative professionals, this resource can help you identify services in your role and wording to help define them and the all important value.
  • The Officials Goal Setting and Performance Review Course – Led by the talented Jillian Huffnagel, this course is the perfect resource to help you better articulate your value.
  • The Officials Mentorship Programs – If you feel you need some one-on-one help to define your services whether you are updating your resume/CV or preparing for a performance review, then our mentorship program is just the thing.

Conclusion

Change starts with individual action—when administrative professionals redefine their own roles, the entire industry benefits. By learning to articulate your impact, you elevate your own career while paving the way for future generations of administrative professionals.

Neon beams in the background with the words "The Officials. Tech Hack". This is a promo image for an event series on technology for assistants.

Tech Hack – The Game-Changing Tool that Makes Client Work and Time Tracking Easier for Virtual Assistants

Neon beams in the background with the words "The Officials. Tech Hack". This is a promo image for an event series on technology for assistants.

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

May 8 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

The Game-Changing Tool that Makes Client Work and Time Tracking Easier for Virtual Assistants

If you’re a virtual assistant juggling multiple clients, switching between tasks, and manually tracking your hours — this one’s for you.

In this event, you’ll learn how one simple tool can help you organize client workspaces, track your time automatically, and make invoicing a whole lot easier. You’ll see a live demo of how this browser is designed to simplify the way virtual assistants work, so you can stay focused and get paid for every minute.

Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley. She speaks with administrative professionals about her favorite tech tips and tricks to help assistants…
– Embrace tech and not fear it
– Make more money by boosting their skill set
– Impress their team and bosses with their problem-solving skills
– Stay relevant as technology rapidly redefines the way we work

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

register now
Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter

Tech Hack – Formidable Efficiency: Smart Data Capture with Microsoft and Google Forms

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

April 3 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

Are you an administrative professional looking for ways to streamline your work, collect data efficiently, and improve productivity? Microsoft Forms and Google Forms are game-changing tools that allow you to create surveys, quizzes, and forms in minutes—without any technical expertise.

Join us for an exclusive, free webinar where we’ll demonstrate how these powerful tools can make your life easier. Whether you’re gathering feedback, managing event registrations, or automating processes, Microsoft and Google Forms are must-haves in your admin toolkit!

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to quickly create and customize forms and surveys in Microsoft and Google Forms
  • Real-world examples tailored to administrative professionals

Don’t miss this opportunity to upskill and boost your efficiency with Microsoft and Google Forms! Secure your spot today.

Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley. She speaks with administrative professionals about her favorite tech tips and tricks to help assistants…
– Embrace tech and not fear it
– Make more money by boosting their skill set
– Impress their team and bosses with their problem-solving skills
– Stay relevant as technology rapidly redefines the way we work

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

register now
Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter
A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Coaching Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

February 21 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

Join us for a unique coworking session tailored for administrative professionals. This is your chance to clear your To Do List, work on a passion project, or prep for the coming week. Plus, we’re introducing an invaluable addition: our Coaching Clinic! Get personalized advice on refining your resume during the session.

What to expect

  • Each session we sit together and get stuff done.
  • Dedicated time to work on what’s important to you.
  • New! Coaching Clinic: Get expert advice on how to update your resume, develop your career, and more.
  • Accountability through goal setting.
  • Library Effect that promotes productivity as attendees work on mute to hit their goals.
  • Final check-in to celebrate the success of making progress.

All administrative professionals are welcome to attend

Anyone in the administrative professional community is welcome to attend including executive assistants, administrative assistants, personal assistants, virtual assistants, chiefs of staff, office managers, strategic business partners, receptionists and more.

Please note

Beta Testing > These sessions are a new medium for us so bare with us as we work on the format and experiment with what works best for you. Feedback is welcome.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community

The Officials

View Organizer Website

To assistants reaching out and touching fingers to show connection. One has colourful tattoos on her arm and fun polka dot nails.

Finding Your Community: Why Engaging with Other Administrative Professionals is a Game Changer

Being an administrative professional can sometimes feel isolating. Even if you work with other assistants, there’s often an unspoken expectation that you must always have everything under control. You’re the go-to problem solver, the steady hand behind the scenes—but who supports you? There can be a stigma around admitting you need help, that you have tough days, or that you’re feeling stuck in your role. The pressure to always be on top of everything can be overwhelming, but here’s the truth: You’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it alone.

The Power of Connection

The antidote to feeling isolated is simple—connect with others who understand your world. If you don’t yet feel comfortable seeking out other administrative professionals within your own company (or if you’re the only one in your office), there are incredible resources available beyond your workplace.

There is an entire community of assistants out there who share your challenges, triumphs, and insider knowledge. Engaging with this larger network can be transformative, giving you access to advice, industry insights, and the camaraderie of people who truly understand your role.

Finding and Building a Community

I know firsthand how valuable community can be. When I moved to New York City for an exciting new job, I quickly realized that despite working in a major business hub, I felt professionally isolated. I had built my career in London, and my network was primarily based there. I remember standing on Madison Avenue, looking up at the towering skyscrapers, and thinking about how many other assistants were working behind those windows—people who shared my experiences and could offer insight, guidance, and friendship.

But I couldn’t find the kind of community I was looking for. I needed something that fit my lifestyle—something flexible, online, and welcoming. I had a baby to get home to after work, so in-person networking wasn’t always an option. When I couldn’t find the kind of supportive, accessible space I needed, I created it. That’s how The Officials was born.

I built this community because I needed it, and over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful it can be to connect with peers. Whether it’s getting advice, learning about trusted suppliers, or simply sharing frustrations and wins, there’s real power in shared knowledge. No one at my company truly understood the nuances of my role, but my fellow assistants did. That’s why The Officials has become my life’s work—because when we come together, we all rise.

The Impact of Community

The validation and comfort that comes from talking to peers is hard to describe until you experience it. When you engage with a supportive group of assistants, the weight of being the office problem-solver feels lighter. You feel invigorated and more excited about your career. Seeing how others navigate challenges or simply getting a recommended vendor from a trusted peer can make all the difference. Your job becomes easier, and your shoulders feel lighter.

You Get What You Put In

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that community engagement is a two-way street. You will get out of it what you put in. The more you contribute, the more you’ll receive in return. Share your experiences, ask questions, offer support—this is how real connections are formed and how you’ll see the greatest benefits from engaging with others.

Where to Find Your People

If you’re ready to start engaging with the administrative professional community, here are some of our favorite places to connect:

  • The Officials HQ Membership – Our membership is built to provide administrative professionals with resources, mentorship, and an active, engaged community that supports and uplifts one another.
  • Industry Facebook Groups – There are now lots of administrative professional groups that exist where assistants share advice and job opportunities. We particularly like The State of The Executive Assistant.
  • LinkedIn – Professional groups dedicated to executive assistants and administrative professionals are great for networking and learning. There are also tons of advocates that are worth following
  • Local and Virtual Meetups – Many organizations host events specifically for administrative professionals. If in-person events don’t work for you, online meetups can be just as valuable. If you are in NYC we highly recommend EAs to the Rescue.
  • YouTube – Many administrative professionals and industry experts share valuable content, from productivity tips to career advice. Following relevant channels can be a great way to learn and stay engaged with the community. One of my all-time favorites on YouTube is Melissa Peoples of Admin Gurus, she offers practical advice from a career admin who is also a Microsoft Specialist.
  • Podcasts – There is invaluable advice that you can gain from listening to podcast hosted by another admin or assistant. Some of our favorites include Have a Seat… with Debra Coleman, The Whole Assistant with Annie Croner, and The Future Focused Admin with Candice Burningham and Jessica McBride. There are also some great podcasts with those who support our industry including Reach by Maven Recruitment and Assistants Together with Henrietta Barker.
  • Newsletters – There are plenty of great e-newsletters out there with helpful tips for admins and assistants. We have our own newsletter at The Officials called The Dossier but we can also recommend The Assist for a wide variety of advice.
  • Local and Virtual Meetups – Attending an admin-centric event can leave you feeling connected, supported and more knowledgeable. Walking into a room surrounded by others that now the highs and lows of this profession is incredibly empowering. My favorite in-person event each year in the UK is the PA Show. I love it so much I am even on the Advisory Board.

    If in-person events don’t work for you, online meetups can be just as valuable. This is why we host monthly online events for our HQ Community members.

Did we miss any groups, advocates, or resources that you think should be on this list? Comment below and let us know.

Ready to Connect?

You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re looking for a place to engage, learn, and grow, we’d love for you to join us at The Officials. Our HQ Membership is designed to give administrative professionals like you the support and tools you need to thrive.

Join us today and become part of a community that for assistants by assistants.

Written by Lauren Bradley, Founder of The Officials

Tech Hack – The VA Attaché: Streamline Your Workflow and Manage Multiple Clients with Ease

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

March 6 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM GMT

Stay Organised, Stay Efficient, Stay in Control

Virtual assistants managing multiple clients, tasks, and deadlines—all while keeping track of meetings, invoices, and essential client details. This session will introduce you to the ultimate VA dashboard, designed to centralise everything in one place so you can work smarter, not harder. 

Discover how to streamline your workflow, organise client information, track finances, and stay on top of your workload with ease. Come along to learn how to take control and transform the way you manage your VA business!

Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley. She speaks with administrative professionals about her favorite tech tips and tricks to help assistants…
– Embrace tech and not fear it
– Make more money by boosting their skill set
– Impress their team and bosses with their problem-solving skills
– Stay relevant as technology rapidly redefines the way we work

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

register now
Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter
A woman in a yellow sweater at a podium. There are 3 women on the stage at The PA Show speaking on a panel.

Why Attending Industry Events Can Be the Key to Unlocking Your Career Potential as an Administrative Professional

As administrative professionals, we often feel like we’re stuck behind the scenes—providing support, managing schedules, and handling details—but rarely in the spotlight. I used to feel the same way. But attending industry events, especially those dedicated to our profession, changed everything for me.

The First Step Towards Connection

I’ll never forget the first time I attended The PA Show as an assistant. Walking into that space at the ExCeL in London, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. There I was, surrounded by hundreds of other assistants, all experiencing the same challenges, triumphs, and pressures I knew so well. But more importantly, it was a space where I could finally connect with others who understood my role.

At the time, I was too shy to network with anyone beyond a few vendors. But just being there was a pivotal moment for me—a reminder that there was an entire community out there who shared the same passion for their work, and that my profession mattered. That event sparked something in me, a desire to do more, learn more, and connect more.

A Bold Moment That Changed My Career

Fast forward to one of my last times attending as a delegate. That year, I made a wild decision. While standing in the middle of the event, feeling that familiar buzz of inspiration, I grabbed my phone and went live on Instagram. In that moment, I proclaimed that by the next year, I would be on stage at the event as a speaker.

It might have seemed like a bold, maybe even crazy statement at the time, especially since I had never spoken to any of the organizers of the event. But here’s the thing: I believed it. I believed that attending these events—and showing up with my authentic self—could propel me toward something bigger.

And the best part? One of the organizers reach out to me, without ever seeing my post. I had just come onto their radar through my advocacy and they invited me to speak the very next year.

From Delegate to Advocate: A Career Transformation

That moment was the launchpad for what became an entirely new chapter of my career. The PA Show—along with the connections I made at that event—gave me the platform to start advocating for assistants in a bigger way. By attending, I didn’t just learn from incredible keynote speakers or discover useful resources; I also put myself in a position to be seen, to build a presence, and to make connections that would eventually lead to speaking engagements, opportunities to train, and the privilege of helping so many assistants take their careers to the next level.

The PA Show didn’t just support me as an assistant—it supported me as an advocate, a trainer, and now as someone who gets to pay it forward by helping others grow in their careers, just like mine grew from attending that event.

Unlocking Your Potential

Now, I make it a point to treat every person I meet at events with the same warmth and openness that I needed when I was just starting out. I know how it feels to walk into a room and feel unsure, nervous, or disconnected. That’s why I make it a priority to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and confident to connect.

Whether you’re an assistant, EA, PA, or office manager, attending industry events is one of the most powerful ways to unlock your career potential. You get the chance to network with people who share your challenges and aspirations, discover new tools and resources that can help you succeed, and most importantly, put yourself in the position to be seen and heard by those who can help you take your career to the next level.

Just like it did for me, an industry event could be the first step in a journey that transforms your career. So, take the leap—attend an event, make that bold post, step into the spotlight, and see where it takes you.

Ready to Take Your Career to the Next Level?

If you’re ready to experience the power of industry events for yourself, don’t wait! Whether you’re looking for inspiration, career advancement, or just a chance to connect with others, attending these events is the first step toward unlocking your true potential.

Learn more and sign up for the next PA Show on 26 and 27 February 2025 and get ready to open the door to new opportunities, just like I did. And check out our events page for more ways to connect.