Tech Hack – Microsoft Lists – The Secret Productivity Weapon for Admin Pros (June 2025)

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.

June 5 @ 5:00 PM 6:00 PM BST

Discover the underused gem every Microsoft-based admin and assistant needs in their digital toolkit.

Because no assistant should be left behind by tech. Ever. 💻✨

Let’s face it: Microsoft has approximately 1 billion ways to manage tasks… and most of them miss the mark. Overwhelmed? We get it. You deserve tools that actually support the way you work—without causing more chaos.

This month at Tech Hack, we’re shining a light on Microsoft Lists—an underrated powerhouse that lets you organize your tasks, automate workflows, and supercharge Forms like never before. Whether you’re a tech newbie or the unofficial IT person in your office, this is your moment to shine.

Tech Hack is your monthly dose of real, relevant, and ridiculously useful tech for assistants—created by admin pros, for admin pros. It’s free, fun, and full of “wait, why didn’t I know this?!” moments.


What to Expect at Tech Hack: Microsoft Lists

  • ✨ A live, over-the-shoulder demo—from an admin perspective
  • 🙋‍♀️ Friendly, open Q&A (no gatekeeping, no jargon)
  • 🛠️ Practical, real-world use cases
  • 🧠 Tools + tips for all skill levels (yes, even if you’ve never opened Lists before)
  • 🎥 Replay for every registrant
  • 💬 A warm, welcoming community of fellow support stars

Who Should Attend

This one’s for you if you’ve ever Googled:

  • “Best Microsoft task management tool for executive assistants”
  • “How can an administrative professional stay organized with Microsoft?”
  • “What tech should office managers learn?”

Whether you’re an Executive AssistantOffice ManagerAdmin CoordinatorVirtual Assistant, or wear all the hats, this is a must-attend session for anyone in a support role who wants to level up with modern, intuitive tech.

You don’t need to be a Microsoft 365 pro, just bring your curiosity and we’ll show you the magic. 💫

Snag your seat, friend! 🎉

You’ll leave with smarter workflows, more control over your chaos, and confidence that you do know your tech.

🕶️ Register now because brilliant admins deserves brilliant tools.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

Yay! We are so excited you want to join us.

Register inside HQ
Make sure you RSVP for this event via the Events page inside of HQ so we know you are coming.

Reminder
You can also add a reminder to your calendar.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

Not a member?

Join the Explorer Plan to Access Exclusive Free Events!

To attend our free events, sign up for the freemium plan and enjoy these benefits:

  • Access to Free Events: Attend exclusive, free events open only to Explorer members.
  • Stay Informed: announcements and news about upcoming events and community updates.
  • Public Event Invitations: Get early access to public events available to the broader network.

About The Tech Hack Series

About The Tech Hack Series
Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley – Founder, where she shares the best tech tips and tricks to revolutionize the way administrative professionals work.

Our goal is to help you:
 – Embrace tech and not fear it
 – Make more money by boosting your skill set
 – Impress yoir team and bosses with your new tech-empowered problem-solving skills
 – Stay relevant with the ever changing technology landscape 

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

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

The Officials Tech Hack Series: Must Know Tech for Administrative Professionals

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.

September 4 @ 5:00 PM 6:00 PM BST

Our Tech Hack series is all about giving executive assistants, admin coordinators, and office pros the real-world tools they need to feel confident, capable, and ahead of the curve. We demystify modern tech by showing how it really works through live, admin-led demos that prove it’s easier (and more helpful!) than it looks. No jargon. No judgment. Just smart, simple tech made for support pros like you.


Not sure what tech to learn next? Let us help.

Every month, we zoom in on a tool or trend that’s changing the admin game. From AI to automation, calendar tips to Chrome extensions, you’ll see it in action, admin-style. No more guessing what button does what or how it applies to your day-to-day.

This month’s topic is still under wraps (👀), but trust us: it’s a tool you’ll want in your admin toolkit.

What to Expect

✅ Live over-the-shoulder demo from the POV of an experienced admin
✅ Real-world use cases and time-saving tips
✅ Open Q&A (ask anything!)
✅ Tools for tech newbies and super users
✅ Replay available for all who register
✅ Fun, friendly community energy


Who Should Attend

If you’ve ever Googled “best executive assistant tools” or “how to be more efficient at work,” this is for you.

This monthly session is made for:

  • Executive Assistants
  • Administrative Coordinators
  • Office Managers
  • Virtual Assistants
  • Anyone in a support role who wants to feel more tech-capable and less tech-overwhelmed

Whether you’re the go-to office wizard or just getting comfy with new tools, Tech Hack by The Officials is your monthly dose of digital empowerment.


Save your seat—future you will thank you.

Expect to feel more empowered, more efficient, and way more tech-savvy. Register below to save your spot and get the replay, even if you can’t join us live.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

Yay! We are so excited you want to join us.

Register inside HQ
Make sure you RSVP for this event via the Events page inside of HQ so we know you are coming.

Reminder
You can also add a reminder to your calendar.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

Not a member?

Join the Explorer Plan to Access Exclusive Free Events!

To attend our free events, sign up for the freemium plan and enjoy these benefits:

  • Access to Free Events: Attend exclusive, free events open only to Explorer members.
  • Stay Informed: announcements and news about upcoming events and community updates.
  • Public Event Invitations: Get early access to public events available to the broader network.

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.

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 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 [May 2025]

May 8 @ 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

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

April 25 @ 1:00 PM 3:00 PM BST

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

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

This event is open to our Premium HQ Members.

Visit the community to register for this event on the Events page.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

🎉 Ready to join?

We’d love for you to join us today! Sign up with a 14 day free trial!

Inside you’ll find:

🖤 Helpful Templates
🖤 Exclusive events including HQ Lives, Empower Hours, and Coworking Sessions
🖤 Professional development courses

View Organizer Website

A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

April 11 @ 1:00 PM 3:00 PM BST

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

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

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

View Organizer Website

A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

March 28 @ 1:00 PM 3:00 PM GMT

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

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

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

View Organizer Website

How to Organize Your Day Like an Expert: Master Your Daily Action Plan – Live Event

March 18 @ 4:00 PM 5:00 PM GMT

How to Organize Your Day Like an Expert: Master Your Daily Action Plan
Date: March 18, 2025 | Time: 4 PM GMT [8am PDT/ 11am EDT]
Location: Live Video Stream in the HQ Community [in The Breakroom]

Struggling to keep track of everything on your plate?
As an administrative professional, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks and requests. But what if you had a tool to help you stay organized, track your actions, and make your busy day more visible to others?

Join us on March 18th for an exclusive live session where we’ll dive into how Daily Action Plans can transform the way you work.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to Organize Your Day Like an Expert: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how I personally use a daily action plan to track my tasks, prevent missing important items, and keep everything moving forward—even when the work seems invisible.
  • Create Your Own Customizable Daily Action Plan: You’ll walk away with a template you can personalize to fit your own work style. Learn different ways to track your actions, so you can stay organized and reduce stress.
  • Make Your Invisible Work Visible: Administrative professionals often juggle multiple tasks behind the scenes. Learn how to make your work more visible to your leads, helping them understand the complexity of what you do—and why you’re worth your weight in gold.
  • Streamline Your Day & Set Boundaries: We’ll talk about how organizing your day helps you keep track of your time, reduce stress, and identify the types of tasks you’re handling—empowering you to set clearer boundaries.

Why You Should Attend:

  • Gain Confidence: Walk away with the tools you need to show your value with confidence. The daily action plan will help you showcase your work and prove that you’re doing more than just “keeping the office running.”
  • Customizable Tools: Learn how to personalize the daily action plan to fit your unique workflow and needs. It’s an adaptable system that works for any administrative role.
  • Increase Your Efficiency: Learn to stay ahead of your tasks, reduce stress, and improve how you manage time so you can handle your day with ease.
  • Exclusive Access to Templates: You’ll get access to templates that will make starting your own action plan easier than ever.

Message from Lauren:

“Daily Action Plans are an essential part of my day. They help make the invisible work visible, and ensure a smooth transition of work from day to day. It is a way of showing that my work is not only essential but complex and multifaceted, which is why I always share it with my principal at the end of the day. It’s time to stop downplaying the value you bring and start organizing your day in a way that highlights your true impact.

— Lauren, Founder of The Officials

FAQs

Q: What do I need to attend?
A: You must be an HQ member to attend the live event. If you’re not a member, join using the free code to get access to this event and all our valuable resources.

Q: Will I get a recording of the session?
A: Yes, the session will be recorded, and all registered attendees will receive access to the recording inside the HQ Community.

How to Join:

Are you ready to take control of your day? Register now for this event, and let’s start making your work visible and less stressful!

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, HQ Lives 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

View Organizer Website

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

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.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

Please go to the 🎥 HQ Live Events space inside the community to RSVP.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

🎉 Ready to join?

We’d love for you to join us today! Sign up with a 14 day free trial!

Inside you’ll find:

🖤 Helpful Templates
🖤 Exclusive events including HQ Lives, Empower Hours, and Coworking Sessions
🖤 Professional development courses

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.


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